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Pack Mentality

Summary: In the years after his escape from his family's pack, Tobi has learnt to survive on his own. The only problem is that in this day and age, a wolf without a pack is a walking target. With no alpha to protect him, Tobi spends his days looking over his shoulder until he runs into an old friend. It's a far from happy reunion as Tobi releases just how much danger he's in. This new pack invites him with open arms. Unfortunately, they don't care whether he's interested in staying or not.

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Chapter Four

Out and About

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Tobi woke the next morning feeling well rested and oddly uncomfortable. It took him awhile to remember why he felt so out of place and worried. When his brain caught up with the waking world, he remembered why. Tobi sat up, looking around his to clean and oddly old-fashioned room. It was early morning, the light creeping through a crack in the curtains. He stretched and climbed out of the bed.

It was still eerily quiet. He padded to the window and pulled back the thick curtain, morning sunlight temporarily blinding him. He blinked painfully for a few seconds. Squinting, he stared out at the view. His room had a wonderful view of the thick rose garden outside. He could see over flowing beds or flowers and large welcoming trees. It all looked inviting. Tobi fiddled with the latch, hoping to let in some fresh air and some normal ambient sounds of the outside world.

The problem was, the window wouldn't open. He looked down at the latch, eyebrows furrowed. He couldn't work out how it opened. Had they seriously locked him inside his room like a badly behaved toddler?

Frustrated, he turned away from the window and marched into the bathroom. It was at least nice to have a large functioning shower head. He stood under the spray, letting the hot water ease some of the tension in his shoulders. Distantly, he wondered how much money a place like this would cost to run or maintain. Then again, it wasn't one family that was paying for it. It was everyone and all the servants were mostly likely pack.

As he watched the water swirl down the drain, he wondered just how much trouble he was in and if he could convince Holly to leave. He also wondered if she had already tried. That would be his first question for her when they were alone again.

He needed to know how and what other pack members had done to escape, how they were punished if they didn't make it and more importantly, if anyone had succeeded...

When Tobi left the bathroom, he wrapped a towel around his waist. His backpack was waiting for him. He though very briefly about unpacking some essentials from it but decided against it. He was not living here full time. There was no point in unpacking. He dug out some clean clothes. They were old and well worn, the fabric of the jeans soft in places where it had worn thin. With baited breath he tested the handle to his bedroom.

To his surprise and relief, it opened.

Tobi stepped out into the corridor with nervous apprehensive steps. He nearly jumped out of his skin when a voice spoke from behind him down the carpeted corridor.

"Good morning." Tobi swung around. The female wolf was young, maybe just gracing fifteen. Even Tobi could admire how pretty she was with her smattering of freckles and large blue eyes. She had small, bird like features with cute pixie cut brown hair to match. Small in frame but friendly in posture, she smiled at him.

"Ah, good morning. Sorry, I don't think we have met?" Tobi said weakly, willing his thundering heartbeat to ease a little.

"I'm Eliana. My mother is one of the chefs," she explained politely. She seemed genuine so Tobi held out she hand. She shook it with a small laugh.

"I'm Tobi," he said. She laughed again.

"I know. Mum told me about you last night. Is it true you came from the other side of the country? How did you get permission from your alpha to come?" she asked with genuine curiosity. Tobi winced.

"Urgh..."

"Alpha Lorena is very strict with us leaving the estate. We even have to get special permission for school trips," Eliana said with a pout. She didn't seem down hearted for long though because when she looked back up at him, she burst out

"Your hair is so pretty! Do you get it coloured professionally?" Rather taken aback by this bright energy and enthusiasm, Tobi stuttered for a bit.

"I urhm, no. I was born with it this colour," he admitted awkwardly.

"Tobi." It was a relief to hear Holly's voice.

"Morning Holly!" the young teen piped.

"Good morning, Eliana. No school today?"

"No, there's a school carnival on today. I'm not going," Eliana said glumly.

"Have you had breakfast?" Holly asked gently. The young wolf nodded.

"Yeah. I'm heading to the library to study. It was nice meeting you!" she said, waving at Tobi. Tobi smiled weakly. She turned and danced away.

"Well she seems... well adjusted," Tobi murmured. Holly sighed.

"She grew up in this pack so this life is normal for her," Holly murmured as she guided Tobi down the corridor towards a familiar flight of stairs.

"And she doesn't find life here... restricting?" he asked softly. He kept looking left and right as though someone might jump up from behind one of the numerous tapestries or long curtains.

"No. Those born and raised in the pack are fairly spoilt. They learn quickly that compliance gets them anything they want provided the alphas agree. Most of the born pack are very loyal and content here," Holly said and there was a strong hint of bitterness to her voice. He wondered if there was a story there. Tobi winced.

"I suppose if they don't know any other life..." he trailed off. Then again, perhaps it wasn't fair to expect them to. He wondered how his life would have been if he had grown up in a proper balanced pack, if he had friends his own age, his own room, his own laptop or property. To have loving parents that served the pack and two powerful protective alphas. Holly's voice broke through his musings.

"Breakfast is normally more relaxed. People have jobs or school to go to so wolves come in and out all morning. The breakfast things are left out on the dining table until ten so if you come out of your room later then that, you won't be able to eat until lunch time at noon," she explained as they passed a rather ugly bust of an elderly woman.

As they weaved up and down passages and descended another flight of stairs, Tobi could finally hear the distant babbling of voices. He was surprised by the flood of relief he felt at the sounds. Chinking cutlery, scraping chairs, the sound of coffee cups and glasses tapping the table top, all mundane and normal. The smells caught him soon after. Toast, sausages, eggs, bacon, coffee, fruit spreads, all enough to make his stomach rumble.

He hesitated in the massive doorway. The atmosphere was more relaxed then the night before. There were only about twenty wolves mulling around, eating, talking, reading books or scrolling through phones. Many did not look up as he and Holly entered. He saw surprise on a few faces, concern on others and several others who immediately snapped their heads back down to their own plates.

The long dining table was neatly laid out like a five-star hotel. There were several stations at different intervals. There was a station for cereals, another for hot food and still more for juices, coffee and tea. Tobi glanced at Holly for instructions.

"It's okay, come on," Holly said gently. Tobi followed her to a stack of plates. They were warm to the touch.

Not entirely able to help himself, Tobi went for a little of everything except for the cereal. There was even a plate of thinly slice honeyed ham. He paused, tongs in hand. This was insane, wasn't eat? Did they eat like this every day? When he glanced around, everyone looked... relatively comfortable. Maybe not with him being there, but certainly with the food.

He sat down with his plate and stuffed a fork full of scrambled eggs into his mouth. They were really, really good. Buttery, lightly seasoned and fluffy. As someone who had been eating cold cheap cereal, petrol station sandwiches or sometimes skipping breakfast all together, it was heaven.

He ate with veracious appetite. Holly spared him several glances, her expression somewhere between amusement at his enthusiasm and concern that he might choke. After clearing his plate and a large glass of orange juice, he finally slowed, much to Holly's amusement.

"Feel better?" she asked, lips twitching. Her humour died almost a second later before he could reply. Her gaze flicked up to somewhere behind Tobi. He didn't need to ask why. He felt the presence of the alpha, his skin prickling.

"Good morning Tobi, Holly. Did you both sleep well?" Anton's voice, deep and smooth rolled Tobi and stole his breathe. He knocked his empty glass over in haste to stand from his chair. Holly dropped her gaze submissively.

"Yes alpha," she muttered. Tobi turned to face the man and found himself thrown under by sparkling blue eyes.

"And you Tobi?" he purred.

"F..fine," he stammered out.

"You still look so tired." A large hand reached out and took Tobi's chin, tilting his face up. Tobi's breath caught in his chest, paralyzed in place as the grip teased his throat.

"Any plans for today?" the alpha purred.

His throat had always been incredibly sensitive. It was how they scented each other, marked each other and to Tobi, the touch of Anton's hand, even grazing his skin, was making his knees weak. To show an alpha one's throat wasn't just a sign of submission, it was an invitation. Tobi took a rapid step backward.

Anton let him go, the slightest hint of a twist to those wicked lips. The man hadn't shaved this morning and there was a light covering of scruff to his jawline and chin. It unfortunately only made him look all the more rugged. Fighting hard against his instincts to show the alpha his jugular, Tobi cleared his throat.

"I was hoping Holly would be free to show me around the town today sir. I have never been here before," he said, his voice even but polite. The wolves around him were doing their best to feign deafness.

"That's a wonderful idea. Would you like a lift into the town?" Tobi opened his mouth to say no but Holly cut across him.

"Yes please. Thank you for the offer alpha," she said. Her expression was... oddly mask like. This was some part of a larger game he wasn't seeing. Tobi was stuck on the board and he had no idea how to play.

"Well then, I'll have the driver ready out the front for you both," Anton mused. Tobi gave a nod. He tried to smile but when those blue eyes turned on him, he felt his muscles tense all over. As soon as Anton was moving over to the coffee station, Holly grabbed Tobi's hand hard and stated dragging him from the room. Tobi didn't complain.

"Do we really need a driver?" Tobi asked as they made their way outdoors.

"Its not about needing a driver. It's about them feeling in control and knowing where we are. Trust me, for little things like that, its easier to just agree. For every inch you try to take, they will push to take it back. True, he may have let us walk but someone would have been sent after us to keep watch and the security around us will increase," Holly explained. She sat down on a nearby stone wall, apparently waiting for their driver for the morning.

"Did you sleep okay?" she asked, her tone far more concerned then Anton's had been. Tobi winced.

"I'm not used to everything being so... silent. It's creepy to be so cut off from the world," he admitted. She gave a nod, her red hair whipping forward from the wind.

"That is the gist of it, yes. I think they don't want us to lock ourselves up in our room to much either. They restrict how many books and electronics we have in our rooms," she muttered. Tobi blinked.

"I'm sorry, what? But... we are adults. So, like, you can't have more than four books in your bedroom?" he spluttered indignantly.

"Two, actually." He stared at her hard, trying to see if she was just messing with him. Unfortunately, her face didn't change.

"The manor has a massive library and study areas. We have a gym, here on the state and one in town that we use. We are expected to be out, bonding with our pack," she sighed. Tobi bit his lip. For some humans, being forced together like this would be a nightmare. For wolves, it was a little different. Wolves biologically needed a pack, needed the togetherness and community to feel balanced and healthy. Despite this, he had never really heard of a pair of alpha enforcing bonding time like this.

Packs normally bonded on the full moon but did whatever for the day to day. This was so bizarrely foreign that Tobi wasn't even sure what to think. He had gotten used to traveling on his own. He had even learnt to burry the torn aching part of himself deep down that wanted to bound. Perhaps it had been easier for him because he had never properly bonded with his old pack as a pup either. He had always been runtish and odd looking.

He didn't think like the soldiers in his old pack. The drive to dominate, fight and fuck just didn't pound in his blood the way it did with the other male wolves of his age. Nathan had cruelly suggested that his balls were wasted and he would be more comfortable without them. Tobi's own parents hadn't even really cared for him. His mother had been slow, doe-eyed and skittish. His father was just was brutish as the rest of the soldiers, gruff and distant right up until his throat was torn out during a territory scuffle when Tobi was fourteen.

"Here's our ride," Holly said, dragging Tobi back to the present.

A black car was pulling up the drive and came to a stop. Tobi followed Holly over to it and climbed in the back seat.

"So where are we going?" he asked. Not that it mattered. They were going away from the creepy estate and that was fine for now.

"Well, the town really only has major shopping street. It's a bit touristy but there are some good places there. We can start at one end and just wander?" Holly suggested as the car rolled on away from the gigantic house. Tobi nodded.

"Sure."

It was almost a relief to be back amongst humans and cars again. The smell of fat frying, car exhaust, coffee and body odour in the warm sun was an assault on his sensitive nose but for now he was grateful for the change. The driver, Decan, did not say a single word to either of them and drove away as soon as they both exited the car. He had left just outside the coffee shop where Tobi had first run into his old friend.

"Well that was... awkward," Tobi grumbled. Holly gave him a withering smile.

"You'll get used to it," she said. Tobi shook his head and stopped walking.

"No, I won't and neither do you. We aren't staying here Holly. Not if you don't want to," he said in a firm voice. Holly's shoulder slumped.

"Tobi, wolves have tried. We can't leave, not unless they let us go and they will never let us go," she whispered. He reached out a hand to her shoulder, turning her to face him.

"Tried how? How many? How often? Holly, no alpha is unbeatable. We just have to be smart," he insisted. She shook her head.

"You don't know them."

"Then tell me about them!" he hissed. She bit her lip, considering. Finally, she set off down the street, apparently needing the movement.

"They aren't like normal werewolves. Lorena and Anton are from old blood, ancient blood really. They're wolf forms are gigantic and their mental control over us as wolves is... total. They feel us, know where we are." Tobi shook his head.

"That's just a myth Holly. Wolves like that died out with the old world. Are sure you're not just mistaking the pack bond for-"

"You think I didn't say the same thing?" she snapped angrily, eyes flashing. Tobi recoiled.

"It's a double-edged sword. The only real way to escape, to navigate the traps they set up is be a wolf but in wolf form, they own you. So many tried and ended up just... coming back. You could see it, they didn't want to, but once they transformed, they just walked themselves home. One pup burst a blood vessel in his lungs he fought the compulsion so hard. They all came back Tobi, even as they wet themselves in terror, they walked back." Holly's voice was barely audible by the times she was finished.

"And that's if they can get passed the sentry. He's old, almost as old as Anton, I think. He's been with the pack for decades and he guards the boarders. He won't kill you if you try to pass him but he will bring you back broken if you try." Tobi's throat had become very dry.

"The roads in and out are all patrolled by human police and they are all in the alpha's pockets. They will try to arrest you if you leave in a car. No bus or taxi will take once they know your pack," Holly said, head down and walking hard. Tobi was almost panting to keep up. His head was buzzing.

"But there's still a chance for you. A small one." Holly swung around to face him. Tobi halted so fast he nearly fell down onto the seat of his pants. She dragged him down a small side street. It was empty of people so early in the morning.

"You haven't received the alpha's bite yet! You aren't formally pack so they don't own you yet. You aren't bonded. You just need to face the sentry. If you get passed him, you might escape but it has to be soon! They want you, Tobi. It's obvious to everyone. They will try to keep you," her voice was desperate and her fear scented the air so strongly it made his eyes water and his mouth fill with saliva.

"I can't leave you with them," he choked. Holly's hands shook as she took his.

"I... I know you are afraid for me but I've... I have a life here. I have a job; a home and I'm not bullied like I was with our old pack. I am theirs but they... I am safe here. I don't have to worry about submitting myself to any male that thinks I should be his to mount, I don't have to fight for food." She swallowed audibly. Tobi shook his head.

"But you aren't free either," he rasped. She gave a short bark of humourless laughter.

"We were never free to begin with Tobi. Maybe in other countries it's different. Maybe elsewhere, packs are more contemporary, more loving but that isn't a realty we've found ourselves in," she said harshly and Tobi flinched. She squeezed his hands very hard.

"If anyone could get out of here, you can. You're stronger than me. You've been out. You've survived on your own and you have better instincts. I know you can make it." Her expression was determined even as tears welled in her eyes. They ran down her cheeks, highlighting her freckles and marring her face. Tobi gripped her back just as hard, his throat tight and his knuckles white.

"When?" he whispered.

"Tonight, we can't wait," she said, finality in her voice and stance. He nodded and hugged her tight.

"I've missed you so fucking much." His voice cracked. Her ringlets of hair filled his vision and breathed her scent in deeply, trying desperately to hold onto it.

"Find a pack that will love you rather then hold you, or don't. Be what I could never be Tobi. Free." Her sobs were muffled by his shirt. They stayed, clinging to each other, broken open and raw to the world. They clutched at each other for a long time. When they finally drew apart, they were both puffy eyed and trembling.

"Tonight," he agreed weakly.

"Tonight."

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END

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