*Finals are over so hopefully I'll be writing more. Short chapter bc I wrote on my phone
"What's wrong Eric?" Spencer asked mid way through their late night snack. Sitting crossed legged on the floor of Frieda's bedroom, the three teenagers were enjoying the leftovers Frieda had managed to find in her fridge. Normally after a vigorous session of love making the trio would go out hunting, but with the Were Alert in affect, cold spaghetti and meatballs would have to do.
"Lost my appetite." Eric mutters. With nothing but a low rumbling in his stomach to distract him, Eric's mind kept drifting back to the events earlier in the night.
He knew that what he did was in self defense, and had he not that man probably would have seen him in his fursona, or worse killed the three kids Eric was trying to protect. But that didn't stop Eric from feeling like crap. Scum or not, Eric killed a man. And while he didn't think he was in any danger of throwing up again, he certainly didn't feel up to eating more.
"How can you do it?" Eric asked Spencer, locking eyes with her.
"Kill someone?" Spenser assumed. Unlike Eric, she felt little to no qualms about the man she's killed earlier. Frieda remained silent as Spencer spoke, as she too was curious how her mate was so at ease with her actions. Frieda imagined that her response would be similar to Eric's. Though not as extreme, given that Eric was still Eric. Were or not, he was still that same awkward bookworm deep down. And very rarely do bookworms do anything violent, let alone murder someone.
"I can't explain it. Maybe it's because my dad was a SEAL, not to mention most of his side of the family, but it I just don't react that way. I've never actually had to use lethal force before, but I grew up knowing that there are times when it's appropriate. Like if your family is threatened, or you find yourself in danger." Spencer explains.
"Eric, I know you feel guilty, and I doubt there's anything I can really say to get you to feel otherwise, but just know you did the right thing."
"Spencer's right, you're not the bad guy here Eric. If you hadn't acted you'd be dead, and so would the kids. You're a hero as far as we're concerned." Frieda added.
Eric nodded, sighing briefly. They were right. And yet still Eric didn't ever want to raise his claws again. Not even for hunting, which he loved so much since becoming a were. Every time he looked at his paws he saw his fist colliding with that thugs chest, hearing the sickening crunch of his bones, and watching the life drain out of him.
The girls tried to comfort Eric again, rubbing their bodies against his. But this time it didn't work. Eric was close to tears again, wishing he could erase the horrible memories from his mind. They just kept coming back, no matter how hard he tried to focus on something else.
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Downstairs....
Martha and William were still talking with Benton and Lance about what they were going to do. Tachibana made herself clear when she said she didn't want them fo go after the Parkers or any of their "associates". As members of her Skulk, Martha and William had to obey her. But that wouldn't stop them from discussing Benton's devious plans.
"Don't do anything stupid brother, you'll land us all in more hot water." Lance cautioned.
"Please, I know what I'm doing. It's all being handled by professionals." Benton said in regards to his "Code Omega".
"As a man of the law I feel compelled to ask if what you're doing is legal." Evan said.
"It's all business. I just figured that this mobster would beba little less capable without some of his fortune." Benton said a tad smug. Evan raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. One, business things like that weren't his field of expertise. Two, he wanted these bastards to pay as much as the others. His daughter had been put at risk too. Given the chance, he would gladly snap a few necks.
"So, on a cheerier note, your wife delivered a healthy baby boy. Congratulations." Lance said.
"Thank you. Actually my father delivered the baby in our living room."
"Well that's impressive on all fronts. I had no idea your father was, er, that capable when it came to that sort of thing..." William struggled to find the right words.
"Neither did I. Being boys, neither my brother or I asked our mom much about our births." Evan shrugged.
"Hmm, maybe I should ask him for a few pointers. Lila is due soon too, and I'm under the impression she wants a natural birth. In the hospital of course, just in case, but still." Lance said.
"Well expect a lot of noise. And your wife is a tigress, so double that." Evan half joked. Panther's weren't known for their loud roars, but tigers most definitely were. He'd hate to be in the maturity ward when Lance's wife delivered.