"I'm tellin' ya! It was all the bloodsuckers fault. I didn't provoke him at all and it wasn't like I was just bleeding out and putting my wrist under his sniffer. Son of a bitch just jumped me and scratched me up real good."
James jumped at the booming voice, but distracted himself by attempting to dust off the soot and grime from his Alpha's clothes. his Alpha gently waved him off, so James got to work cleaning his brand new clothes, they were from his Alpha after all, and he had forgotten how floo travel could be so dirty.
A woman's voice was chastising but in an accent James didn't recognize, "Marcus, you get into far too much trouble. I never have to stitch up as many wolves as I have to stitch up you. Oh. Remus! Please come in. Did you bring the little one with you?"
His Alpha moved James in front of him as he stepped out of the fireplace. James eyes fell to the floor under the two people's gaze, but he did get a quick glance at them before he lowered his eyes. The woman had ebony skin and her hair was sheared close to her head. She smelled like a muggle and on the shelves around her were all kinds of potions and muggle medicines. The man on the other hand, Marcus he assumed, smelled like a wolf. Not a familiar wolf, or an alpha, but just looking at him he looked like a formidable pack member,
With his shirt off as the woman stitched his wounds, his muscles were huge with veins straining against the skin on his arms. Underneath his dirty blonde hair, it looked like his ears were slightly pointed. And unlike his Alpha, the wolf sported a short full beard. James was just a boy and this wolf was completely and utterly a man. Still, if he posed any threat to his alpha James would do his utmost best to prove to his Alpha he could be a worthy Beta.
He bared his teeth at the unknown wolf and clutched his Alpha's shirt tighter.
The wolf grinned showing normal teeth with the exception of his canines being slightly longer and sharper than a normal humans, "This cub's got spunk, Remus. Don't worry, little runt. I'm just here to get fixed up by Bernadette just like you. I'm not gonna cause any trouble."
Remus sighed, "James, that nice lady is Bernadette, who I wanted you to meet, and that man over there is Marcus. He's a member of the Ulric pack and is very loyal to Alpha Grant and Beta Adina. He's a bit different from you and I being of another werewolf origin and not a wizard like you and I."
Bernadette smiled softly at him, "We'll just be checking over your health, darling. I have no doubt Remus will take good care of you, but he already mentioned some wounds you have and those need to be taken care of properly. Come sit up on this table and I'll just run through some tests."
James turned to his Alpha for permission and received a curt nod and a smile.
Marcus, after he had gotten his shirt back on, bumped his shoulder against Remus' and asked, "What's with the cub? I thought you mostly stayed out of the werewolf camps and the like?"
Remus hissed the name like it was a curse, "Greyback. I found James and I couldn't just leave him. They treat him worse than any Omega should be treated. He defiled him. His name is James Matthias, half-blood, and all his remaining family was killed by death eaters before he was bitten. I went to Hogwarts with his father even if I didn't know him well. I've taken him up as my Beta and, reluctantly, took the role of Alpha in our two member pack. I wish I could just rush into their den tear Greyback to shreds with my bare hands if I could manage such a thing."
Marcus growled deeply in his chest, "I bloody wish you were yanking my tail, but we've heard about Greyback even on our end. It's disgusting. Sandy, our Omega, sometimes gets irritated with us, but Alpha Grant always steps in before anything goes too far. An Alpha is supposed to ensure the Omega isn't pushed over the edge, not do it himself. That bastards a disgrace to to the name."
Remus chuckled dryly, "He says the same about me. I just hope I can help Jamie and be a good Alpha for him. I really don't know what the hell I'm doing."
Marcus slapped Remus' back, "You're a smart Wizmutt. Takin' him to Bernadette is already a good step instead of straight to that Dumble-wizard guy. The cub needs some time to heal before you work on figuring anything else out."
Remus rolled his eyes, "Don't call me that, and his name is Dumbledore. I was thinking of it, but now I see that it can wait."
"You can always take him to Ulric castle if you need any help." Marcus said.
"I don't think having him around a bunch of big full grown wolves would be such a good idea. Although, since I'm technically an Alpha now could you pass the word to Casimir or Nicol about my change in status and another pack on their territory?"
Marcus nodded, "I'm not in the Alpha's inner circle, but I can tell Conner or Bernard and they'll pass it along to the Beta. Guess I better start treating you like one then oh Wolf."
Remus replied, "I'd rather you not."
"Well, alright." Marcus nipped at the top of Remus' ear and clasped his hand as he pulled back, "I'll be seeing you then."
He waved to James and Bernadette, "See ya Bernadette. See ya later, Cub."
As soon as Marcus was out the door, James looked to his Alpha without any worry to the device Bernadette was putting into his ear, "Why's that wolf do that do you? You're not his Alpha, Sir."
His Alpha explained, "He's a member of the Ulric pack. They're known for being a bit more in tune with their more wolfish side than say the Alyosha pack, and some would say their more feral, but they're quite instinctive I think would be the better word. young Ulric wolves of the same status tend to do that to one another as an affectionate thing."
James looked like was the oddest concept in the world, "Why?"
His Alpha stated firmly, "Not every pack is like Greybacks."
Bernadette put down her stethoscope, "Heart sounds good; nice and strong. The lungs sound like you have a bit of a chest cold, but it's fixable. You're far too malnourished, but some potions and good cooking will help that. Just be sure not to overeat or eat too fast. You'll make yourself sick if you do. I'm gonna need you to take off your shirt so I can see your wounds, Darling."
James looked to his Alpha and he smiled, "Bernadette isn't going to hurt you. She's just going to help so your wounds will heal faster. Just relax, Jamie."
James slipped his shirt off and sat it down next to him, He ignored the gasp the muggle lady let out and laid down on his back to wait. His Alpha took some bandages off the shelf as the woman started applying a cream to his wounds. It stung a bit, but the cream felt nice and cool against them. It had been so long since a muggle touched him Bernadette's scent made his nose wrinkle slightly. His Alpha chuckled, "I saw that, Jamie. Bernadette is indeed a muggle. She's a very good woman who, even being a muggle, takes it upon herself to help down and out creatures like werewolves, vampires, and hags in the magical world and even other creatures in the muggle world. She also works with hunters, but she's very strict when working with magicals, so I hope you can keep this just between us."
James frowned, "Hunters? My former pack said hunters were nothing to worry about."
His Alpha helped lift James up as Bernadette wrapped the bandages around him, "The hunters have old treaties with the Ulric, Alyosha, Xia, and Khalid packs, but any other pack or wolf is free game regardless of species if they hurt a human. Some don't care if a human is harmed or not. They just don't like non-humans, but not all are like that. I'll ensure nothing happens to you, so you won't need to worry."
Bernadette's hands were warm against James' back, "I'll get the word around about your charge, Remus, and no hunters will be breaking down your door thinking you turned the boy. What's your plan?"
His Alpha said, "Well, I think resting up after we're done here would be needed, and then I should get some more shopping down. Can't live off pancakes forever. Maybe get a Prophet subscription. James has two years till Hogwarts, so I was thinking of getting some books so I can help him catch up. I think I'll visit some of the wizarding shops in town, then head to Muggle London. We can save Diagon Alley for when James gets his letter. That reminds me I should get an owl."
James gulped. He knew his Alpha would take care of him, but he knew his Alpha didn't have much money and he didn't want him to run out just because of him. James whispered, "It's okay, Sir, I don't need all that. It's fine."
Bernadette hushed him, "Sweetie, you don't have to worry. The Alyosha set up emergency funds for wayward cubs to use if necessary. I can get you one, so Remus won't be so put out if that's what your worried about."
His Alpha groaned, "Bernadette, really that isn't necessary."
She glared at his Alpha making him chuckle nervously, "Remus, I know well how hard it's been for you job wise. Just take the funds for the cub that's what they're there for, and I'll keep my feelers out for any jobs I think would be good for you."
His Alpha rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, the last run in I had with the Alyosha Alpha wasn't an experience I want to repeat."
James asked, "Did she challenge you, Sir?"
His Alpha replied, "No, but she is one terrifying woman"
Bernadette clicked her tongue disapprovingly, "Excuses, Excuses. Sit up, James, You can put your shirt back on, but be sure not to do any rough work or the wounds might open. Do you have any other wounds I should know about?"
James shook his head.
He knew they they weren't convinced, but he would handle the wounds from servicing Greyback. James didn't want his Alpha to see those.
His Alpha didn't push the subject and Bernadette pushed numerous vials, bottles, and packages into his Alpha's arms, "Remember to give James a nutrition potion each morning, change his bandages every night or every time the wounds open and apply the cream, plenty of rest for the both of you and if you need anything I'm just a firecall away. Business has never been easier since that nice young wizard hooked my fireplace up to the floo. You boys have a nice day. I expect to hear how you are doing, James, in no later than two weeks."
James nodded, "Yes, Human Ma'am."
His Alpha strunk the packages and vials with a wave of his wand and put them into his large jumper pocket. He put his hand on James shoulder and said, "Jamie, let's go home."
James really liked the sound of those four simple words.
No one could make him happier than his Alpha.
James could go home.