Last I Saw You

EIGHTEEN| TOBY

"I have... a proposition."

"A proposition?" I asked, shifting on my feet as Tedrik's smile affirmed his statement. For the first time that day the chill was getting to me and I was wishing I'd worn a jacket at least to hide the sweat I felt sliding down my sides. Men like Tedrik Leblanc don't just make simple propositions, they do favors and call them in whenever they need to so they don't have to dirty their own hands. Pete made the mistake of meddling with the gangs around here once, but the Leblanc family gets away with it because the state recognizes them as a pack not a street gang.

"Yes. From what my son tells me your family isn't so well endowed, correct?" Tedrik said, causing me to blush.

"I don't know what you mean," I lied, shrugging him off.

"No need to lie. Your brother, Peter, he asked for a few favors of me before he left the pack. How has you father been by the way, I haven't heard from him in what- fourteen-"

"He's fine, Pete and Callum are fine. If you think that I'm gonna pay back some old debt left by Pete you have another thing coming. You know what, fuck you!"

Chuckling he shook his head. Glancing back at Damon who had gotten into his van, likely afraid of being anywhere near Tedrik. He had a few debts of his own to worry about. "Oh no, if I've somehow convinced you of that then I apologize. Your brother is a smart man and doesn't owe me anything. He paid off all his debts. No this is about you specifically. I've seen the fights."

I didn't like the sound of that or the way he said it. I don't do fights, that makes it sound less than. I've beaten grown men twice my size, I'd say that I deserve to hear them being called Challenges. "And?"

"I know what you're after, but brute strength isn't gonna get you anywhere."

"And that's where you come in? You don't know me let alone what I want."

"Get in. You and I can go for a little ride," Tedrik said, lips curving into a smile.

"No offense but I have a personal policy that states 'never get into cars with strange men who sound like they wanna molest you'." I raised a brow at him. "But you have more self respect than that right? But then again your last two wives were only a few years older than me."

"My, you have a mouth on you," Tedrik let out a chuckle before giving me a stern look. "But you're gonna get in anyway because you and I both know how badly you want to be apart of a pack- to lead one. And you have very little room to talk, the things you've done with that Berardi boy..."

Smiling at me he said, "And before you ask I have eyes everywhere and unlike most wolves I see the benefits of making friends with magic users. Now, get in."

Grinding my teeth together I walked around the car to get in. Maybe I should have told my dad about my Challenge with Schuyler sooner because he's gonna flip when he hears about me getting into this car. But how do you say no to this man, especially after what he just said. He knows where I live and where my boyfriend and his family lives and he wouldn't hesitate to get hands dirty to help persuade me.

"Fine," I said slamming the door on purpose, "but I don't appreciate you watching me."

"It's gives me all I need to know though."

"That doesn't make it any less embarrassing."

"No, it doesn't but now I have collateral in case you try anything. I came alone, figured it'd uninhibit you. I promise I'll drop you off safely at home. A block away, we don't want you to get in trouble with your father."

Nodding my head I tried my best not to fidget as I frowned at him. "So what were you proposing? You mentioned being apart of a pack, cause your people are in too deep for me to ever even consider you. I'd rather remain a mutt than join your-"

"Hurtful. Believe it or not but the rumors aren't true. No I was proposing that you and I could help one another. I have a few disloyal young men such as yourself- don't take it the wrong way but I can tell they weren't made for what I had in store for them but you... you'd be able to handle them I'm sure of it. You're a natural born leader."

"My teachers think I'm more of a troublemaker but okay... I hope you didn't watch me enough to know that."

Chuckling as if it were some kind of joke Tedrik put the car into drive. "No, I've invaded your privacy enough. Back to my proposition though. You see, I need for you to help get rid of a little problem. We have a few strays invading our territory and I figured you were just the man for the job."

I focus on all the other cars driving by, it gives me something to look at besides the smile I know he's wearing. He practically knows my life story. Nodding my head I murmur an agreement and go back to staring at the ongoing traffic to distract myself.

"I'm sixteen, what kind of job could you expect me to handle?" I said, brows furrowing as we come to a stop at a light. God, why the hell am I being so snarky?

"You had your first turn at fifteen right, you're ahead of most boys your age. You see, if you are willing to help me with my little problem I can promise you the pack life you've always wanted, the one your father could never-"

"Could you maybe not insult my father while trying to ask me for a favor cause that's just gonna make me not wanna do that favor."

"As I was saying... I can provide you with your own pack if you're willing to help me in return."

There's some kind of catch. Or me having to help was the catch. Either way this sounds sketchy as hell and I want out of this car but either I'm too scared too move or maybe I'm too invested in what he's saying to notice all the red flags. I could have my own pack, and all I have to do is play the muscle for one of the biggest packs in this city. I mean, the members I'll be starting with are gonna be his seconds but you have to start somewhere. This isn't a little playground game and I get to live the life I only heard from my father as bedtime stories.

"I don't know... I'll- I'll have to think about it."

A/N: I'm really enjoying writing Toby's storyline.