Having finished his interview early Eric had decided to take some time to drive around what he was sure to be his new home. He'd been shocked by how enthusiastic the hiring manager had been. Past experience had taught him that they tended to play things pretty close to the vest. He'd been told that there should be an answer in the next few hours.
Coming from the flat wide open spaces of Texas he had been pleased to see Beacon Hills was nearly surrounded by forests. His hiring manager had picked up on his interest in this and had encouraged him to take a walk on one of the trails at the preserve on the edge of town.
Pulling the rental into the small parking area at the entrance to one of the trail heads Eric lets out a noise of surprise. The forest was thick and lush. Nothing like anything they had in Texas. Getting out of the car the air was crisp and clean with a nice breeze. Slipping his jacket on Eric shuts the door of the rental and starts down the gravel nature trail. After walking a few minutes the parking area was already totally obscured by growth. Looking around Eric marvels at the many different varieties of trees, plants and ground cover. Smiling happily at the uncommonly natural surroundings Eric pulls his phone out and takes a video. Turning slowly in a circle. "So this is Beacon Hills California. The town is pretty much on the edge of a giant forest. Not sure if you can hear very well but the forest is alive with life. Closest thing to this we have in DFW is River Legacy Park. This place makes that look like a real dump.." Hitting STOP on the recording Eric thumbs SHARE and then sends it to his Facebook wall.
Walking for another 15 minutes or so Eric realizes the forest has suddenly gone quiet. Stopping he looks around cautiously. With a start he wonders if he is in bear country. He hears a snap and a low growl off to his right. Freezing Eric slowly turns his head. In the underbrush he can make out a large shape moving slowly. Suddenly two bright yellow eyes meet his shocked blue ones. Frantically he searches his memory for what to do. Make eye contact and loudly try to scare it off? No what if dominance is not the thing maybe it's best to look down and slowly back away. I'm not prepared for wandering in the forest, just some dumb ass from the city about to get eaten. He thinks as he slowly starts backing up. The growling intensifies and slowly the head emerges from the brush. Long dripping teeth on display lips curled in fury. "What is this some kind of joke?" Eric says with disbelief. A man is emerging from the brush but it's no man like he had ever seen before. Ridged forehead, giant fangs, heavy brow with thick tufts of hair. They layer of dirt and filth did nothing to hide his powerfully built body. Down his long arms were hands displaying incredibly sharp looking claws. The man/wolf thing throws its head back and roars Eric. Knowing this was not some college prankster Eric moves back quickly immediately tripping on a rock.
Scott and Isaac are sparing in front of the Hale house. Derek looks on while Stiles Lydia and Allison go over the itinerary for an upcoming alliance meeting with a neighboring pack. Mid stride to strike at Scott Isaac stops and cocks his head to the side. Scott moves to attack but stops when he sees Isaac close his eyes and inhale deeply. "What do you smell?" Derek asks "I don't know… something… someone wonderful." At that Isaac turns and bolts in to the forest. Scott looks at Derek a moment before they take off in pursuit. After a few minutes Isaac picks up another scent. The scent of an unfamiliar wolf and can faintly hear the sounds of a fight. His wolf is whining and urging him faster pushing himself even harder he eventually crashes through some trees to see a half-naked omega attacking someone. Isaac pauses for a moment eyes wide open mouth agape. His wolf screams at him mine! With a roar of fury he shifts and attacks.
Hitting the ground with a thud Eric frantically moves backwards just as the wolf/man leaps from the shade and attacks. A fortunate up sweep of an elbow catches the attacker in the chin and saves Eric's neck from a vicious extraction. Howling in fury the beast slashes him across the chest claws cutting deep while also biting furiously into his shoulder. With flagging strength he tries to fight off this thing but it's too strong too fast. Its putrid breath hot in his face as it roars at him again. He is dimly aware of another roar and suddenly his attacker is ripped off of him and is tossed across the clearing. Through watery bleary eyes he can make out 3 other "creatures" one of whom literally tears his assailant in half. An instant later his savior is by his side trailed by the other two. Their features slide away to reveal normal human faces.
"It's OK, take it easy don't try and get up you're safe now." Eric tries to speak but ends up hacking up blood and whimpering weakly. Eric reaches out and grabs Isaac's arm and squeezes with what little strength he has left. "What.. what is going on?" he manages to shudder out. Isaac takes Eric's hand and looks at Derek. They both know Eric won't live long enough to make it to the hospital. Closing his eyes and exhaling for a moment. "What's your name?" Derek asks. After three attempts Eric finally manages to rasp out "Eric." "OK Eric, I don't have much time so I'm going to ask you to trust me. Hopefully because of what you just saw you won't have any trouble believing me. You've been attacked by a feral werewolf. You're badly wounded and won't last much longer. I can possibly save you but it involves you becoming one of us. You'll still be able to lead a somewhat normal life but there will be changes, and dangers. It's your choice. If you say yes I'll bite you and if you survive we will help you through the change. If you say no we'll stay with you and make sure your body is found." Another racking cough tears through Eric's body. "Eric." Isaac says clasping Eric's hand in his. "You need to say yes. Derek won't turn you unless you tell him it's OK. We can help you once you turn it's not a normal life but it's better than death. Yes or no, he needs to know fast before you're too weak for the Bite to take." Fear and uncertainty are apparent in Eric's eyes. Tears begin rolling down his cheeks. Wiping the tears gently with his hand Isaac continues. "Eric, my name is Isaac. Please let us help you. I know this is crazy and you probably think you're going to turn in to a monster like what attacked you. I promise you that won't happen. We will all be here for you to help you. Please say yes." Isaac squeezes Eric's hand looking in to his eyes. "Yes we'll be like family like brothers." the one on the other side of Derek speaks up. Isaac looks frantically at his Alpha eyes tearing up "Derek…..help him!"
"Will I...will I hurt...people?" Eric wheezes out too weak almost for even the wolves to hear. "No." Derek answers shaking his head forcefully. "We are not like that. Eric please. You are out of time." Isaac stresses. Looking from Isaac's pleading eyes to Derek's Eric steels himself. He can feel the life draining out of him. Barely able to hold open his eyes. He manages a wry thought Well if anything it will be interesting. He locks eyes with Derek and nods slowly in the affirmative. In a flash Derek's eyes turn red, his face changes and in a blur of motion he dives to Eric's side and sinks his teeth in to the skin right above his hip bone. There is a white hot flash of pain that has Eric howling in pain back arching off the ground. There is an explosion of light and sound as his body collapses limply to the ground. His last sight was of Isaac stroking his arm and looking worriedly at Derek.