To say that he wanted to call in for his shift at Benito’s Carne y Dulces was an understatement, but deep down, Eddie really wanted some normalcy.
Speaking of which, was the sun always this bright? Eddie found himself squinting as he walked into the small store, the bell tinkling. The smell of raw meat hit his nose, and his mouth watered a bit, the butcher in the back cutting what looked like a lamb’s leg.
Eddie greeted him, hoping his seven-hour shift would be over in no time. He still had to show up to help Lucas with his own fighting, and he would be there just a little before nine. At the same time, Eddie hoped that the kid would dip out of it, because to be honest, he wanted to sleep the week away.
As he was organizing the drinks, and taking inventory, the door opened, and absentmindedly, Eddie said “Welcome, just let me know when you’re ready!’
He heard the customer, a woman, reply lamely, and Eddie went back to checking off the number of bottles of vodka he had on the shelf.
A couple minutes later, the bell rang, and he placed the clipboard on the shelf, jogging back up to the register.
He looked at all the items she had picked up, typing it into the cash register as it added it all up.
“That’s going to be twenty-three dollars and nine cents.” He said, as he looked up, her bright brown eyes meeting his. She was pretty, with curly light brown hair pulled up in a high ponytail, the ends of it curling to the middle of her back. A bright yellow shirt with short sleeves contrasted nicely on her cinnamon brown skin. She smiled as she pulled out her wallet from her handbag.
Eddie grabbed the money from her, giving her back change when she cleared her throat. “Excuse me, are you Eduardo Machado?” she asked, taking her change, and not leaving. Eddie was a bit taken aback by the sound of his name, giving her a wary look. He studied her more closely, trying to see if she was someone he had gotten within his younger years.
If she was, Eddie had no memory of it, opting to go along with it. “Who wants to know?” he asked, trying not to cross his arms, and forcing his body to relax. She smiled again and held out her hand.
“My name is Alicia Montoya, and I’m the one looking for Eduardo Machado.” She said, waiting for Eddie to grab her hand.
“Why?” Eddie asked instead, and she dropped her hand back to her side.
“That’s business between me, and Mr. Machado. I have some information he would really appreciate knowing.” She replied, smile still on her face.
Was this about the fights? Eddie had made sure that no one would contact him outside of his life and he was an idiot for thinking it could stay that way.
“I don’t care how much money you offered Marty; I schedule my fights there not here.” Eddie said angrily, his eyes never leaving hers. She looked confused then. “What are you talking about? You’re Eddie?”
An angry flush overcame Eddie then, and he nodded. Alicia smoothed her hair back, and the smile was back.
“I need you to come with me. The pack is waiting for their new leader.” Eddie stared at her like she was crazy. Gang fights? Was she trying to get him to join a new gang?
He lifted his hand as if to stop her from speaking, and then she slipped on silver tips on her fingernails, pulling him down by his shoulders, as the silver tips were placed on his neck.
Something cool, and unsettling came over him, and she pulled up a hand mirror, showing black marks that looked like a bite mark on the side of his neck. She looked smug, as she let him go, placing the mirror in her bag.
“You are the one.” She said, waiting for Eddie’s reaction. Eddie says nothing, though he really wants this girl to leave him alone. She sounds crazy, even though she proved that the one that was needed was indeed him.
Alicia must have seen something in his face, because she sighed. “You don’t understand. You need this pack just as much as they need you. A full moon is tonight, and the first shift is going to happen whether you want it to or not.”
“Ma’am, this joke has been going on long enough, please just get out of my store, and remember that you already pranked me.” Eddie said, rubbing his forehead as a headache began to form.
“All you must do is come with me. That’s it. I have proof, it’s just dangerous for you to do your first shift by yourself. People will get hurt, and-“
“Excuse me, but I’m ready to check out.” A woman standing behind Alicia who was looking very impatient said. Alicia blushed, muttering an apology before walking off.
“Please remember what I said, Eddie.” She said, as she walked out the door.
Eddie ignored her, scanning the other lady’s items. When Alicia had left, the lady tsked, shaking her head.
“I know this is a lovers’ quarrel, but there was reason to ignore her like that.” She stated, and Eddie fought the urge to roll his eyes. He handed the items to the old lady, and she took them, mumbling how this generation’s romance was dead.
Eddie breathed a sigh of relief, as he grabbed the clipboard, and began checking off for inventory. He hoped that Alicia wouldn’t come back for the rest of his shift.
The rest of the day wasn’t as bad, and Eddie had forgotten about Alicia by the time the clock hit nine. He whistled to himself, handing over the keys to the register and store to his replacement, and walked outside. He swore, remembering that he had no car to drive, and sighed. Though Eddie had quit smoking, with the day he had, he was tempted to buy a pack of cigarettes, though decided against it.
He needed good lungs for the fights.
He decided to go for a walk, feeling the cool breeze on his skin, as he placed his hands in his pockets. The night was quiet, aside from the bugs that made noises, the occasional car passing by. Eddie glance up at the glittering of the stars, a moon looking like it was just moments away from being full. Alicia’s words echoed into his mind. He shook his head, dispelling the thoughts, and continued.
The twisted path to the underground was difficult, and Eddie had left some subtle markers for the trail, a small ribbon of read on the stem of a plant, and blue spray. Eddie used the flashlight from his phone, making sure he found all the marks he had placed.
Finally, he found the familiar hollowed out building, that had fallen to it’s side, the cellar doors opened. They creaked, and he stepped in, careful not to slip on the steps.
As he continued, he heard a punching bag being heard, and when he turned the corner, there stood Lucas, his face locked in concentration as he continued to hit the bag. Eddie was impressed, watching him for a bit, before clapping his hands to announce his arrival.
Lucas jumped, as he stopped, beads of sweat rolling down his face. He pulled out at earbud, staring at Eddie. “You’re late.” He said, punching the bag, and making it swing a little.
“You do know this isn’t my main source of income, right?” Eddie replied, holding the bag in place, as Lucas kept punching it.
“You were making a deal, or what?” Lucas asked, and Eddie rolled his eyes.
“I don’t do that shit anymore.” He replied as he held the bag from swinging so Lucas could hit it better.
Lucas grunted, as if that made a difference, and Eddie shoved the bag, making Lucas stumble out of the way.
“I crashed my car, and had to walk over here from work, pendejo. My car is totaled.” Eddie said, feeling Lucas’s gaze go on him.
“But you look okay.”
“The car is the one that’s totaled, not me. Anyways, are we done with this q and a, or are you ready to spar?” he asked, as he raised his fists, moving away from the punching bag.
That perked Lucas up, his hands raised as well, a grin on his face. He looked energized, when just moments ago he was sweating from punching the bag. They were both bared knuckled, bouncing on their toes.
Eddie waited for Lucas to take the first punch, both just circling each other. A minute later, Lucas swung, causing Eddie to block with his left arm, then with his right he struck forehead trying to catch Lucas on the jaw.
Lucas saw it coming though, and he ducked down, slamming his fist into Eddie’s stomach. The air left him, and Eddie wheezed, as Lucas aimed for his face.
Eddie coughed, lurching back as Lucas threw a punch. Lucas had put too much force in it, and stumbled forward, and Eddie shouldered him hard, knocking him on his back. Since this was training, Eddie didn’t jump on him, and start whaling him with punches. He waited for Lucas to recover, standing back, and wiping the sweat from his chin.
Lucas jumped back up, and slammed into Eddie, throwing him on the blue mats. Again, the air was knocked out of Eddie, and Lucas placed him in a chokehold, squeezing Eddie’s airway until he had tunnel vision.
Accepting defeat, Eddie tapped out, Lucas letting go of him instantly. Eddie regained his breathing, sitting up as Lucas plopped down next to him.
“Not bad for a noob, am I right?” Lucas joked, and Eddie rolled his eyes as he shoved him.
“You did great kid. I don’t think there’s anything left for me to teach you.”
Although Lucas tried to hide it, Eddie’s words filled him with confidence, suddenly sitting up straighter. “I’ve been practicing, plus watching all your fights, Eddie. So, I know what to do.”
“Oh, so you’ve been watching me, you punk?” Eddie joked, getting up from the mat, and helping Lucas up. Lucas only laughed, and Eddie grabbed his phone from one of the tables, checking the time.
It was almost midnight, and he sighed, knowing it was going to be a long walk home. He turned to Lucas, who was already heading out.
“Ready to go Eddie?” he asked, and Eddie smiled, jogging to keep up with him.
As they were both outside, Eddie noticed how strangely bright the area was. There were few streetlights, but then his gaze looked on the moon, and a pain severed through his chest.
He coughed out in pain, taking a knee into the gross, rocks digging into his shins, and Lucas shouted in surprise. Eddie held out a hand, trying to keep Lucas away from him. The pain got worse, and he held his body, as he fell flat on his face on to the grass, bones cracking, a sudden itching overcoming his entire body.
This time, when Lucas screamed, there was fear laced in it. Eddie tried to look up to see what was causing him to yell like that, when he realized everything was clear, and his nose caught the scent of something that made his mouth water.
Food.
Whatever it was that was making him give chase, started smelling stronger of fear, strange words being thrown at him that he once understood but now…now he wasn’t so sure.
And then he pounced, continuing the chase.
When Eddie woke up, he was nude. He was passed out in a random part of grass, a cornfield to his left. He heard mooing, and saw a field of cows, watching him disinterested. He rubbed the front part of his head and winced. Where exactly was he? He panicked when he saw blood covered all over his torso, wiping it off from his mouth. As he lifted up his hand, he froze when he saw someone stuck to it. It looked vaguely like Lucas’s shirt that he had on last night, but that would mean… In a flurry of panic, Eddi jumped up, looking all around. His body was tensed as he listened, but besides the animal life around him, and his own heart beating, he couldn’t hear anyone else. But he wasn’t going to give up that easy; Eddie ran, ignoring the fact that he was basically nude, his breathing even as he continued to run, and making sure he checked every tree, he could find nothing. Eddie could feel the tears wanting to run down his face. He was a fucking idiot for not listening to
Terry flashed Eddie a smile, and as he bounded down the steps, he didn't look like he wanted to say anything towards him though. But too bad for him, Eddie was already out of the car and running behind him. Alicia shouted for Eddie to stop, but he ignored her cries, tackling down Terry to the ground. They wrestled but Terry had the upperhand, as he did have more experience in combat than Eddie ever would. Eddie found himself pinned on his back, Terry's forearm pressed against Eddie's neck. "What the hell do you want, Eddie?" Terry asked, eyes glaring down at him. "I want to know what the hell you're doing here." he choked out, his vision getting a bit spotty as he began to lose air. Terry leaned back away from Eddie, and he sucked in a quick breath. "I had some business to attend to with the alpha." was all that he offered to say, getting up from the ground, and then helping Eddie out. Eddie took his hand wordlessly, standing up next to him. Terry di
Eddie is silent as he stares down at the current dying alpha. He glances at Alicia, who motions for him to start talking. "I don't agree." Eddie replied, and he saw Alicia stiffen next to him. The sickly man stares at Eddie blankly, before roaring in laughter, a laugh so loud, and forceful, it shakes his frame. "You are the perfect choice for the pack." he replied, after he was done for laughing. At that, Eddie took a step forward, a scowl on his face. "You didn't even speak to me about it. You just went ahead and did it! I have a life, you know." Eddie responded, hands balled into fists. "Bah! A life of poverty." the old man said, sitting up, a frown on his face. Eddie darted forward then, grabbing the oldster by the front of his shirt, shaking him a bit. "How can you say that when you have a similar background as me? How can you say that when the first time I shifted, I might have eaten a friend of mine?" The old alpha is wheezing, and we
Alicia doesn't make a peep as they head back to Isan's room. The silence is interrupted by Isan's breathing, and monitors. He looks at both of them with a calmness, like a man who has already accepted his fate. "I understand your resentment towards you, really I do Eddie." Isan starts, but Eddie cuts him off, motioning him to stop talking. "How did you even know about me?" Eddie asks, Isan looking surprised, but smiling up at him. "Your friend David, or how you knew him, Terry was a big help in that. Says you were a good man with a strong head on your shoulders. I wanted to see for myself, so I invited you to my fighting ring. I watched you for months, and yes even at one point stalked you a little. Outside or in the ring, I saw a fighter, and when I saw you with your Abuelita, I knew I found the one that I wanted to take my place." he looked away for a moment, thinking about his next words in silently. "I know you may think my decision was rash, and it was. I ne
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,
Eddie is wandering down the halls, when he notices Alicia standing in front of the portrait, her shoulders shaking a bit. She must be crying, Eddie thinks, and he really wants to let her grieve in peace, but she turns to him at the same time he steps into the hallway ligh, two extra eyes staring at him wary. Eddie freaks out, a loud growl coming from him as he feels his teeth sharpen. Alicia blinks, startled, as her extra eyes mend back into her skin, looking more like herself with two eyes. "I'm sorry!" she says, holding up her hands as she surrenders. "I didn't mean to scare you." "What are you?" Eddie says instead, taking a step back from her. Alicia sighs, as she stares down at her hands. In a way, Eddie does feel bad for asking like that. But at the same time, what did she expect? She had two extra eyes that were just under her skin. So he waited, as Alicia gathered her thoughts. When she looked back up at him, her face looked more composed and r
Eddie doesn't know why he's still here. Really he should be at home, tending to his Abuelita, his job, hell, his friend. But he is here in front of the mansion, ready to prove to his newly aquired pack that he has what it takes to be the alpha. Maybe the reason why was because he was trying hard not to face reality just yet. The reality that he was a murderer, and he was the reason Lucas was missing. These thoughts wore on him, not so much on him, but for the loss of Lucas. He was only eighteen, he thought to himself, as he raised his fists. David and Brayden stood straight on the other side of him, in the makeshift ring, Addie and Tric staring on as they continued to drink their orange juice, discussing quietly about something. But Eddie couldn't get himself distracted; he had two opponents to take care of. They stood there for what felt like hours, Brayden standing there relaxed, whereas David matched Eddie's stance. And then they took off. They were
Eddie is in his room, taking care of packing his things away. He takes one glance over at the room, making sure that he has everything he needs. None of this stuff is his; it is, and isn't. All the new clothes were gifted by Isan, and Alicia even pulled out some shoes that she had picked out when she went to the mall. They were nice, and Eddie tested them out, running a little, and then hopping in them. Super light, and easy to move in, he noted, pulling the luggage behind him. There was an RV already in the front of the house, and Alicia was watching from the doorway, the others already packing their stuff in there. Eddie would admit that being alpha was strange; he had already made his first command, and no one was challenging him over it, or trying to talk him out of it. They simply did what they were told, and Eddie honestly had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it was nice that his choices and say were final, and there wasn't anything really left t