The forced one

The Pack

    Eddie stares blankly at Alicia, his mouth stuffed with food. He looks a sight, fork raised up with food on it as he's readying for another bite.

    He clearly isn't ready to meet them, but Alicia is looking past that.

   After all, he is the new alpha that she must respect.

    Eddie chugs his juice, wiping his mouth with a napkin as he stares at her. "Don't you think it's a little early to meet the pack?"

    "Not at all. In fact, it's taken too long for you to meet them. You were supposed to take charge before Isan passed so he could show you the ropes." Alicia fumed, tapping her foot against the floor as her annoyance grew.

     Eddie says naught, just shoveling more food into his mouth, and Alicia reaches out, grabbing him by the ear as she forces him on his feet. Eddie grabs his plate, as Alicia leads him into the living room.

     All conversation stops as they look from Alicia to Eddie, and Eddie pulls back, his face going a light red.

    There's two guys, and two girls, standing and lounging on the couches. They're dressed in black, having returned from Isan's funeral.

    One of the guys, with sharp golden eyes, and umber colored skin, regards Eddie coolly. The guy is fit, though lean, and he wears a black button up with the sleeves rolled up. Inky tattos are on his forearm, and though the symbols are hard to read, they disappear under the sleeves of the shirt. Matching his shirt, he wears black slacks, and black running shoes.

    The other guy, a blonde gringo, is sprawled on the couch, his head dangling off the end. He has long blonde hair, that's almost brushing at the floor. He sports a black vest over a light blue shirt, and faded black jeans, scuffed up converse on his feet. He looks like he's trying not to laugh, his green eyes going to Eddie, and then going to the girls who are standing next to the fireplace.

    The tall girl with curly black hair is giving Eddie a sideways look, as if unsure how to react to him. She wears a black mini dress with a shawl thrown over her shoulders, and black flats. Her eyes are a sweet dark brown, and they flick from the girl in front of her, back to Eddie. She has a small mole just over her upper lips, her face adorned with brown eye shadow, eye liner, and soft red lipstick.

    Even without the makeup, she's pretty.

    Then there's the last girl, who looks like she's trying hard to be casual, but she's so stiff that if Eddie were to walk over her, she'd probably drop to the ground. She has ligh brown hair tied back into a  small bun, sporting a black shirt, and knee length skirt. She too wears the sames flats as the other girl, and when she turns to face Eddie, her face flushes red, gray eyes looking at the ground.

    "As you all know, Isan has crossed over to the other side, and before he died he chose someone to replace him. I wish he would have chosen sooner," Alicia breaks off, sniffing a bit, as she clears her throat, "but we cannot change things that have already come to. So pack, meet your new Alpha, Eddie Sanchez."

     Eddie gives them a slight wave, and waits for the others to introduce themselves. They don't, no one moving, and Eddie can't tell if anyone's breathing.

     Then the golden eyes guy steps up, just standing across from Eddie, staring into his eyes. They're about the same height, just over six feet, and Eddie can tell Alicia is stiff with stress.

     But Eddie's relaxed, feeling a low grumble take over him, gold eyes growling at his own.

     "Before we can accept and call you alpha, we must see if you're worthy of the title. Isan may have handed over the role to you, but you're going to have to prove to us that you are worthy of wielding it." he says, and at his words, Blondie is up at his feet, smiling crookedly, the tall girl looking me up and down.

      Only the girl with the bun in her hair looks uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot, as she looks at Alicia, silently pleading at her to bring back order.

      Alicia raises her hands; this is out of her control.

      Eddie rolls his shoulders back, and then nods. "I'll take on you and Blondie over there. The other girls can be the judges."

      The tall girl's face sours, but he can see the relief in the other girl's eyes.

      "My name's Brayden." Blondie shoots back.

      "Sorry Brayden, no one here has given me their name." Eddie replies, and the others give each other sheepish looks.

       "No worries; that's David," Brayden says, pointing at golden eyes. "Tall girl is Tric, and shortie over there is Addie. You've met the pack." Brayden says, and they all do a sort of strange bow.

        "Nice to meet you all. So, how am I going to prove to you that I am worthy of being Alpha of this pack?" Eddie asks. 

         Before anyone can say anything, Alicia holds out her hand, stepping in between David and Eddie.

        "Whatever you decide on must be done tomorrow. We just had Isan's funeral, we need time to mourn and grieve at least." she says, her eyes boring into the others. 

         They nod as they seem to remember there was a funeral a couple hours ago.

         What kind of leader was Isan to these people? Eddie wonders. He finds it strange that such an older man was left in charge of these people. David looks the oldest, and he looks like he's no older than twenty-two, or twenty-three.

         Alicia seems satisfied by their answer, and she turns on her heel as she disappears down the hallway.

        "Dinner is at seven, please get some rest for the time being. It's been a long day for all of us." she says, and then she's gone.

         Eddie looks after her, wondering if she's okay, when he feels someone shove at his arm

         It's the one named Tric, and she's glaring at Eddie. "Don't get any funny ideas about Alicia. She's Isan's wife."

         Eddie isn't surprised that Alicia and Isan were married, but he is surprised at the accusation flung at him. He straightens up, boring his eyes into Tric.

        "I would never disrespect Isan like that. And don't you ever put your hands on me like that." he says, his voice deep, almost like a growl. Tric seems a bit shaken, but she started this, flipping some strands of her curls over her shoulder.

         "Whatever. Let's go guys." she says to the others, and they follow after her, leaving Eddie alone in the house.

         What a pack, Eddie thinks to himself, as he heads over to his own room.