Chapter Two: Roy talks Pack.

previously on Shifters

Edward Elric is a Detective at Central City Police Department and also a shifter. At work he runs into a man who ends up sniffing him, then asks him where the commissioner is. What up with that? Needless to say Ed is weirded out, but is compelled to answer, realizing that this man is "Pack." Ed freaks, he doesn't want an new one after his old pride, from his mysterious past. Ed's boss-basically his Uncle-turns out to be part of strange mans' pack. Now on with the show.

"Maes, you've been hiding things."

"Roy!" Maes jumps up to greet his alpha. He reaches out for his hand and slightly angles his head away from the Colonel, showing his submission to him. Colonel Mustang clasps their hands, then pulls Maes in and take a deep breath-breathing him in. When a member of the pack has been gone for a while, their scent changes slightly, so other members need to learn the new scent...it's also a comfort thing, but we'll stick with the new scent thing for now. When he's released he smiles then turns to Havoc and Riza for the same treatment. They hug and laugh and Maes rumples Havoc's hair. It was great to see him again. Although the rest of the pack couldn't come, the reassurance that Maes was alright lifted from his mind.

"Maes." drawing the attention back to himself, the three looked up at him. "We need to discuss the boy that smells like pack, here in your offices." Maes looked surprised then nervous.

"He's a friend. Look, Roy he's just a kid. He's Aunt asked for me to look out for him. That's all."

"Looks like more that just a friend to me." Havoc spoke, holding a up a picture of Maes with the kid on his shoulders. I pointedly stare at Maes. He's never tried to cover something up as important as pack.

"Alright what's the deal with him? He..." I pause looking for the right thing to say "...seams interesting."

Havoc snickers "That probably has something to do with a strange man walking up and sniffing him."

"You did what!" Maes yells. "Izumi, is going to kill me if she finds out." Roy pales

"What does this have to do with Izumi?" He had had several interactions with Maes' step sister and he was not looking forward to the next one.

"That's his Aunt. How did you even know he was pack. I thought he wears a concealer."

"He does, however it did not smell like he had reapplied it recently." Riza scent of smell was the strongest in the pack. Continuing on Roy states "I thought Izumi was and only child. How does she have a nephew?"

"She found the kid, raised him you could say."

"That explains the attitude." mumbles Havoc.

"None the less he is pack, therefore he must come to East, to meet the others. Possibly move there. And I would like you to come to Maes, it hasn't been the same, we need you, come home." Mustang sighed. "He needs a pack Maes. You know this, it's not safe for a shifter to be on their own. Have I not been a good pack leader? Are you upset with me?" He was truly curious, why Maes would hide the young boy from him, and he could only guess why.

"What! No gods no. Your one of the better Alphas out there, Ed just needs some time before he's ready for another connection like that."

"Okey," there was a pause while everyone mulled everything over.

"This is not what I've come to discuss." he pauses making sure to have Hughes full attention "The Sins are active again." Maes looks up sharply, eyes going wide. The Sins were a gang that's sole purpose seemed to be stirring up as much trouble as they could. Last time, they ended up starting a full out Pack/Pride war. A whole pride was wiped out. It was devastating, sure there was discrimination against shifters but something on this level struck a cord with everyone shifters and non alike.

"What's the damage so far?" Maes asked quietly. Riza brought out a map and Havoc began place pieces.

"17 dead, 48 injured. They blew up a building." Riza put in.

"At first, it was a body left on the front steps of Eastern Command, a shifter but he was also an officer, so that makes it a government case." Roy added. "And it looks like they've moved on to Central. So we're to cooperate with the CCPD." Maes nodded his consent. There was a knock at the door and a golden head poked in.

"Hughes?" Speak of the devil and he shall appear, the boy looked hesitant, but then walked in like he owned the place.

"Ed, what can I do for you." Hughes asked

"Sorry to interrupt, but here's the report on my last assignment, the Barry the Butcher case." Ed snuck glanced at Roy. Havoc and Riza angled their bodies toward Ed as he walked in, it was the pull of pack, the need to scent him or touch him.

"Ah yes," replied Hughes looking over the report. "Detective Edward Elric, this is Colonel Roy Mustang, Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, along with 2nd Lieutenant Jean Havoc, they brought a high security ca...WHAT'S THIS ABOUT YOU BREAKING HIS ARM!?" Everyone was startled, and Ed had the decency to look repentant.

"He caught me off guard, he also struck when my back was turned. And about breaking his arm. HE WAS COMING AT ME WITH A MEAT CLEAVER! I had to defend my self." Ed defended.

"Yeah, then what's with excessive beating of the culprit once he was restrained?"

"Who wrote that?! You know what I bet it was Lieutenant Grand wasn't it."

"Your not denying it." Havoc put in earning a dirty look from Ed.

"He was asking for it, you would have done the same too if he came at you with a meat cleaver. Geez cut a guy some slack." Ed muttered the last part. Colonel Mustang and his officers looked on in a variety of amusement, disapproval, and enjoyment. Not in their wildest dreams would they have thought that a of their pack could be this rambunctious. Suddenly a pull from Detective Elric. It was so strong that the whole room felt it, he needed to shift.

Shifting was considered a private thing, that should really only be done in the confines of ones home or with their pack/pride. We all stand, ready to take care of him if he should so

Break...SMILE'~'WEIRD...Break

I had gotten to my desk without further interruptions. Hughes was likely to call him in later about the strange people. Man, this was not good I didn't need another pride, Al and him had done just fine on our own...well Aunt Izumi helped a bit. She wasn't pride but as close as I was willing to get to another shifter community. God! I need to focus on finishing my report, to turn in with everyone else's.
His mind started to wander a bit after a while. 'I haven't shifted in some time, if I don't do it soon, I'll end up shifting without meaning to.' That's a problem shifters have if they don't shift regularly, they will shift randomly, at the most infuriating moments, leaving them vulnerable. I finished my report and looked towards Hughes office, the strange people have been in their awhile...he wont mind if I interrupt. He might even thank me for saving him. I get up and knock on the door before pushing in. Once I get a look at them again I realize their military. Oh perfect just what I need. Hughes begins to introduce them but freaks out over my report. The guy had a meat cleaver! I was getting to worked up, the shift was pushing at the edge of my mind now, damn what bad timing. Great now they're all looking at me.

"What?!" I basically snarl. Hughes stands and comes around the desk without looking away. And Colonel Bastard had also stood, inching nearer as if to catch him.

"Ed?" Hughes asked questionably "You alright. When was the last time you shifted?" I have to think about it, a month ago? Had it really been a month since my last shift?

"A month...maybe. I don't know." I answered. My eyes pulsate, vision enhancing immensely, then situating to normal. Ears throbbing with each adjustment.

"A month that's pretty dangerous." Havoc said alarmed. The Colonel takes another step closer.

"Back off!" I growl. I need to get out of here. "Hughes, I'm taking the rest of the week off." I manage to get out before bolting from the room and stumbling past a few desk-into a couple people-and right into the men's restroom.

End of Chapter Two

Wow I've never wrote a story before, and people have clicked to follow my first. I'm really shocked, but so happy that those of you have followed, have. So thanks so much!