The forced one

Nothing can be done

    Eddie wants to rip apart Joseph piece by piece. And his pack must sense it, because they crowd around him, giving him warning growls. He doesn't care, his own pack brushing up in front of him.

    The tension and anger is making Eddie's fur stand on end, and he tries to dispel it by shaking his head.

    It doesn't help; this was a choice that Lucas more than likely got talked into. Although he was eighteen, there's no way he would have chosen a life like this. Even with the estates, and money, Eddie still yearned for his life.

    And now his friend was a werewolf for his rival pack.

    Eddie could feel his body trying to talk to Lucas or Joseph, but since Lucas was connected to a different pack, he couldn't say the words he wanted to say.

    "Look, Eddie, I tried to civil. Didn't spring anything on you, and I gave you many options to leave. And you ignored all of them." Joseph said, inspecting his nails. "Nothing more will happen if you'll just leave and never come back. I'll even let your cousin and abuelita stay if that makes you feel better."

     Eddie froze, before he snarled so loud, and so gruesome, his pack flinched, and Joseph's pack moved in closer to him.

     Joseph sighed as if he was disappointed in Eddie. "I'd hope you'd understand, as we're both in similar roles. I don't want to hurt old gran-gran over there, but I will if I-"

      A spark stopped his sentence, a portal opening, and Alicia stood there, her hair braided to the side, eyes flashing.

     "Joseph, you keep this up, the Council will come down here." she said, no expression on her face. Joseph scowled, but backed down, motioning for his pack to follow him.

      They all left with him-including Lucas. When Eddie tried to step forward, a restraining hand on his shoulder stopped him. Alicia shook her head, and he sighed, before trotting next to her in his wolf form.

       This was a disaster. A horrible, no good disaster.

       When they made the walk back to their home, there was that awkward moment when they had to shift in their human skin and briefly stand nude. Eddie ran through the front door first, while Alicia shielded her eyes.

       Once they all made it in, Alicia stepped into the house last, shutting the door behind her.

       Commotion was heard as the pack dressed into their clothes, swears being thrown around as they cussed out the Joseph's pack. Alicia sighed, taking a seat on the couch, her hands folded neatly on her lap.

       Eddie was the first to bound out from his room, jumping down the stairs, as he landed next to Alicia.

      "I need you to do me a favor." he said rushed, eyes wide, and cheeks flushed.

      "Yes?" she asked.

        "It's not safe here. I need you to take my cousin and my grandmother to the estate back in Sacremento. Just until I can figure out how to get rid of Joseph and his pack."

         "Yes, Eddie, I can do that for you, but...I need you to do something fro me." Alicia said slowly, standing up. Eddie looked at her for a bit, before nodding.

           She sighed, giving him a nervous smile. "I need you to pretend that you're to be wedded to me."

           Eddie froze for a bit, then pulled Alicia into a nearby room, shutting the door, and then locking it behind them. It was a spare room that wasn't in use just yet, and there was only a bed in the middle of it, the rest bare.

          "Why...why do I have to pretend to marry you?" he asked, keeping his voice low.

          "It's a complicated yet long story. The brunt of it is, the Unseelie Court wishes me to go back to the Fae kingdom where I'll be watched over by the Unseelie king. The only reason why it hasn't happened yet, is because I told Wynn that I was...betrothed to you." she finished, wringing her hands.

           "What were they going to do to you back in the Unseelie Courts?" he asked, and Alicia took a sharp intake of breath.

            "I was going to go back to being his plaything."

            Eddie hated the sound of that, especially because Alicia had so much more to offer. She was talented, quick-witted, and just knew  what she was going to do next. She had a plan for everything, and seeing her like this, scared, and unsure...it didn't suit her.

           "What do I have to do to prove to the Unseelie Courts we're married?" Eddie asked.

           "We have to live together, and then pass Wynn's surprise inspections. Before anything, I need to draw up a truce, and an allying in case there's ever a war we can assist each other with." she looked around the room,  frowning.

           "Why wasn't I told about this beforehand?" Eddie asked.

            "I thought Isan...never mind. There wasn't enough time, but I'm telling you now. Will you pretend to accept me as your mate?" she asked, and Eddie stared at her a bit, before rolling his eyes.

            Alicia looked at him strangely, crossing her arms. "What? I know you'd be very lucky to have me as your mate."

           "Look, every time you say that, it makes me cringe. I accept you as my false partner for right now. As soon as Wynn leaves us alone, we can go about living our own lives how we choose. Let this be the start to a happy yet false marriage." Eddie said, and Alicia smiled at him, before handing him a small black velvet box.

            This time the look Eddie gave her was one of concern. "Are...are you proposing to me?" he asked.

             "No, I got the ring I wanted to be asked to. Please, Eddie, just place it on my finger, and as soon as it's done, I will take your family back to the estate." she said.

              Eddie smiled, sliding the gold band with the pink diamond on her ring finger. And before anything else could be said, Alicia pressed her lips against his.