The forced one

Everything broke loose

    Litzy went into the kitchen, and began to cook, the smell of bacon, and then onions drifting through the air. Eddie could feel his stomach rumble with hunger, but he decided to stay back.

    Abuelita began to tell Eddie everything that had happened since he up and disappeared three weeks ago. How these new cholos had seem more different, and animal like. Senora Lorena had even placed a rosary out, and said her prayers to them.

     They had laughed, but Abuelita explained that the only reason that had been done was because of how non-humans they were. Surely, there was something paranormal about them, demons or diablos pretending to be humans.

     Eddie didn't want to brush her worries off-she was spot on, but also he felt like revealing their true nature was a breach of something. He held his grandmother's hands, trying to comfort her.

    There was a knock then, and everyone froze, before a clatter was heard in the kitchen. Litzy strode over again with the shotgun, loading it up. Eddie held out a hand, and his expression told her to chill out; she glared at him instead, and the knock came again.

      Joseph stared back at Eddie with a slow smirk, his eyes dancing in the sunlight. He stepped in, inhaling the air deeply, smacking his lips.

      "Whatcha cooking there, Litzy?" he asked, and Litzy stiffened, clenching the gun by the handle in a tight grip.

       Joseph looked down at it, then back at her, shaking his head, and making a tsk-tsk sound. "Los mujeres no usan pistolas." he said in weak Spanish.

       "Chinga tu madre." Litzy replied, and Eddie got in between them, forcing Joseph back out towards the door.

       "Hey, I don't want problems Eddie." he said in a way that made it seem that he did want problems. "I just came for my payment, and then I'll be on my way."

       "Payment?" Eddie asked, looking from Joseph, to Litzy.

       "We have to pay him two hundred dollars to keep him and his goons from trashing the place." Litzy said, with ice in her tone.

        Eddie turned back to Joseph, who put his hands up in mock surrender. "I own this town. I give it protection, it has to give me something in return. And Litzy, it doesn't always have to be money. Other things are acceptable too." he  said, wagging his eyebrows.

       The hit was fast, and instant; one moment Joseph was hitting on Litzy, the next Eddie's fist connected with Joseph's jaw. It was hard enough that his head snapped back, and he stumbled, almost falling on his ass.

      "How dare you talk to my cousin like that." Eddie said, in a voice so low, Litzy felt chills. Without another word, Eddie slammed Joseph's face with his boot, an audible crunch being heard. Blood gushed out of Joseph's nose, and Eddie leaned down, grabbing him by the front of his shirt.

        Eddie raised his fist, and before he could strike again, Joseph's crew appeared, a low thrum of growls sounding out.

         Dropping him on the grass, Eddie closed the door behind him, and turned back to the rival pack.

Back in Sacremento...

From the time she could remember, Alicia had always been property of the Fae.

    After being abandoned near the woods at a young age, she had crawled around, following the smell of pretty flowers.

    Fae flowers. 

    She had later learned that she hadn't been the only one in the woods that night. The Fae had been out and about, switching infants with their own. How lucky they were to see a human baby, and not have to give up one of their own.

     They quickly collected Alicia, and named her Enola, just using the word 'alone' and using it in reverse. Alicia hated it; she only responded to it when she was in the Fae's world. Other than that, she was Alicia.

     This necklace said otherwise; it was a picture of her, with her name, and what looked like her date of birth. Alicia was pretty certain not even the Fae knew of the day she was born, just celebrating when she was taken unto their wing.

      Alicia placed the necklace in her drawer, grabbing her phone.

      She had managed to find Eddie's number, and she dialed it, waiting for Eddie to answer.

      It rang about three times, before someone picked up.

      "Hello?" the girl said, answering carefully.

      "Addie? Where's Eddie?" Alicia asked, puzzled.

      "He got into an altercation with the rival pack. We're on the way before they try to kill him off. Wait, Alicia, why are you-"

        "Make sure to protect the Alpha, Addie. We can't afford to lose this one, especially since we don't have on that will take over."

        "We didn't know this was going to happen, and David is driving as fast as possible." she replied, and she sounded tense, as if she was bracing herself for the worst.

         "When this is done, please have him call me back. There's something I'd like to discuss." Alicia replied, and Addie made a sound of agreement, the sudden sound of tires squealing.

          Alicia could hear shouts, and then growls sounding out, yelps and the distinct sound of a gun going off. 

        This call was making Alicia nervous, but she couldn't find herself to end it. In the end, she heard the phone drop, and the call cut off.

        That didn't sound good; a knot formed in Alicia's stomach and she walked around the room, trying to get her bearings. Too much was going on at the same time, and she didn't know if she'd be able to process it, or her mind had finally reached its limits.

       Taking a seat on the bed, she rang for a maid to get her a glass of wine, and some crackers. She hadn't eaten, and needed something to distract her, even if it just was mundane alcohol.

      The maid returned with a glass, and a platter, placing it on the table in front of her. She bowed, then left the room, Alicia taking a long drink out of it.