Van spent most of his life as a wolf with his pack. When he was fifteen he ran into some trouble with his Alpha, causing his pack to turn on him. He fled to the city, moving around in human form for the first time. He lived on the streets for years, unable to read or write, barely able to speak or understand human speech. A local crime lord found him, knowing what he was at first glance. He raised him, educated him, gave him work. Van sees him as a father figure now, and serves as one of his top lieutenants.