Charred: Five

By the time Alice and Akinrinade had reached the small apartment complex that Edward called home, Akinrinade had already put two and two together.

His face was set in a stern frown that didn’t quite suit his usual cheerful demeanor.

Before he could storm into the room, Alice grabbed his arm, “Get a hold of yourself, man.”

Akinrinade stiffened for a minute and gave her a confused look.

She stares at her old friend for a moment letting him realize why it wouldn’t be the best of ideas for him to go in.

His eyes sparked with realization before he sighed. “Politics.”

Alice chuckled sadly. “Now you’re getting it.” She said releasing his arm. “So, you stay, while I go hand this over.” She commented, waving the blade in an offhand manner.

Akinrinade looked like he was going to argue, but thinking better of it, he held his tongue and stepped aside respectively.

Alice took a deep breath and made her way into the building.

“Good luck!” Akinrinade yelled at her retreating back.

Alice waved acknowledging that she had heard.

When she entered the room, she as always took a moment to admire the massive amount of books on the bookshelves all over the room. If only the rooms occupants had read even a quarter of them she might have felt better about entering it.

Edward sat on a very soft yet heavily beat up looking chair. Across from him, her back to Alice, was massively muscled woman in a black tank top. As Alice entered, the pair looked over at her.

Edward gave her a smarmy smile. The woman, her face set in a grimace, did not seem as pleased. Her hair was inky black, and her face, though beautiful, was far from it as she looked at Alice.

“Alpha.” Alice said politely, stepping closer.

“Alice,” Edward smiled just a bit wider. “I believe you know Irene.”

Alice wondered at the sheer audacity of him trying to introduce her to his second-in-command once again, despite them having known each other for years. He seemed to see it as a joke, constantly reintroducing them. Alice, on the other hand, could tell quite clearly how much the ‘joke’ annoyed Irene.

“Yes,” Alice said simply. “I’ve met her.” Despite trying not to sound disrespectful, Irene growled.

No pleasing that roid rager. A voice that sounded like Akirinade whispered, and she fought a smile.

“I see you’ve brought it.” Edward said nodding towards the sword.

Alice stepped forward and presented the sword to him.

He studied the hilt for a moment, eyes greedily taking in the sheathed weapon.

“Hmm… no jewels.”

“Alpha?” Alice asked.

“Jewels. I asked for jewels to be placed in the hilt.” Edward sighed. “It’s an excellent weapon. Still, it lacks a certain gravitas.”

Before Alice could comment on how much large, expensive, useless jewels would ruin the balance of the blade, Edward removed it from its sheath.

The blade had a banded pattern along its surface, giving it a beautiful appearance in the light.

“Do you know what Excalibur is?”

Both Irene and Alice blinked. The larger woman answered.

“Arthur’s sword. Everyone knows that.”

“And how amazing is that?” Edward swung the blade, listening to it slice the air. “Even now, in a world our parents say is a pale shadow of the old one, the legend of that sword resonates.”

“You’re saying that is Excalibur?” Irene sounded as confused as Alice felt.

“I’m saying that when a sword of legend is created, one must remember Excalibur. Must take it as an example.” He looked over at Alice. “Tell me. Do you think a blade like this must establish itself as soon as possible? Should be used, never left to gather dust?”

“…Yes Alpha.” Alice was completely honest. The sword in Edward’s hand was beautiful. Lethal. The thought of such an obvious weapon left to hang as a trophy was a sad one. She did not love violence. But a sword was as much a weapon of protection as it was war, and a weapon like that would serve the Pack well.

“Good. I thought so too. “Edward said standing up, Irene followed suit and turned to Alice.

“It’s so good to see you, Alice. I didn’t think you’d make it.” Irene sarcastically said.

Alice raised a brow. “Oh? And why is that?”

Irene leaned in as if to whisper a secret. “What with all the muggings and dangerous dealings in the city. It’s not safe out there, even for such a powerful werewolf.”

Alice smiled falsely, “There was a slight scuffle, but nothing I couldn’t handle.”

“Aren’t you two coming?” Edward asked cheerfully, at the door leading to the meeting room.

“What’s up with him?” Irene asked bitterly.

Alice shrugged, though she took a moment to think about the irony that the one subject that made her and Irene agree was also the very reason they disliked each other. “I suppose we’ll see.”

They walked into the large meeting room; Alice had assumed into thinking that this would be one of the small gatherings Edward often declared to celebrate one of the many ridiculous things he found worth celebrating.

But there were too many people for it to be something so simple. They lined both walls, all dressed in their best, and turning to look over at Edward as he entered. She felt Irene tense at her side.

Irene let out a scoff. “I should’ve known.”

Alice glanced at her.” Known what?”

“A reference to a mythical sword, an audience gathering.” Irene looked over the room and sighed "Come on, Alice. He’s setting a stage.”

Alice frowned. Irene was right, on some level. But while Edward was prone to flamboyant displays, he was Alpha for a reason. His calculating mind never did anything without good reason.

But what was his game here?

Alice’s eyes panned through the room. Most of the people there were civilians. Some were officials. And front and center, were the Pack Elders, the wisest leaders of the Pack. Shirou was missing from there, where he would usually be front and center.

Alice would have wondered about that, but she met eyes with her brother.

He was short man, stocky, his arms muscled from use, though the fat around his belly spoke of a man unafraid of a good dish. His black hair was slightly messy, and a streak of dust traced his unshaved chin.

The older Nakahara sibling was wearing a simple button up flannel shirt, the front carrying a splash of oil. He worked as management of engineering, keeping the various generators and devices that made life easier for the Pack in order.

Which is why it made no sense for him to be called. His work was important, and forcing him to leave it would have been detrimental to the Pack.

He mouthed a question to her. ‘What’s going on?’

Alice shook her head, unable to answer.

Alice’s ears perked up at the sound of scuffling outside, distracting her; Akinrinade’s voice.

Alice turned to Edward, as he sat at his so-called throne looking proud of himself. A smug smile on his face.

“Shirou!” Akinrinade shouted.

The doors swung open revealing a very annoyed Shirou, being dragged by two guards. Akinrinade came from another set of doors, being dragged by four men.

Alice stared at the young Nigerian man, surprised. His eyes were flashing brown. He growled violently, clearly losing control of his transformation.

Alice’s muscles tensed as she struggled to retain her composure. Akirinade never lost control. He was simply too good-natured for it. Why now? Why were Shirou and he being dragged into the room?

Edward smiled widely as Alice’s mind reeled, ‘Shirou! So good of you to come!’ He said, clapping his hands happily. ‘Not that you had much of a choice, I suppose.’

Irene backed up a few steps, uncertain on how she should react to this situation. She looked to Alice.

Alice looked around at the audience, some had mixed looks of shock or anger, and some didn’t react at all, while others looked away from her in shame.

She didn’t looking over when she heard Irene suck in a breath. She knew full well why Irene was worried.

Alice focused. The animalistic features that had appeared, in reaction to the treatment of HER PACK, slowly receded.

Anger had no place here. Her discipline, the soldier that elevated her above a mere animal, came forth.

“What is this?”

Edward didn’t seem to hear the ice in Alice’s tone. He simply gestured for the guards to pull Shirou forward. The old man allowed himself to be dragged forward, calm despite the roughness of his escorts.

“This,” Edward lifted off his throne, his sword clutched. “Is what I call…” He paused dramatically. “A trial.”

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Note: Apologies on the late update on here, there were some complications with the internet. Thank you for your patience. :)