---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia gave Wayland another kiss before she lets him jump out of her arms. She looks at Nic and laughs. ”Mmm, well, will kisses make up for how sorry I am for worrying you or do you require a more specialized treatment?” Cassi asks, following Nic to her bedroom.

---

---

---

---

Nic has to stifle another yawn and laughs sheepishly. “Oh, definitely the more specialized treatment, but can it be cashed in at a later time?” He looks at his phone.

“Preferably not three in the morning?” He reaches out and grabs Cass’ hand to pull her along to her room though.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia gets pulled into her bedroom and grins from the strangeness of it. Three in the morning? Cassi yawns at the very idea.

”Alright, but it has an expiration date,” she jokes. Cass gravitated towards her bed with Nic and crawled in eagerly, ready for sleep.

---

---

---

---

“Don’t worry,” Nic says as he crawls in after her. “I don’t plan on letting it expire.” He wraps his arms around Cass and pulls her against him as I lays on his side.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia wiggled in close to Nic when he pulled her in. Her arms wrapped securely around him, hugging Nic to her for a moment before she loosened her hold. ”That's good. I'll be waiting for that,” she whispered and nuzzled her way up to give Nic a kiss goodnight.

---

---

---

---

Nic chuckles, bending his head to give Cass a kiss. “I won’t make you wait long.” He promises before kissing her lips again.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Cass smiled against Nic's lips, happy to have someone she could rely on so deeply. ”Good night, Nic.” She fell asleep more easily this time, feeling safe and loved.

The next day, Cassi woke up the next day no longer in Nic's arms but he was still close to her and she smiled sleepily before wiggling into his side.

---

---

---

---

Avery barely slept through the night. He mostly paced in his room, walking to the kitchen a few times for something to drink and something to do. When he saw the sky starting to lighten, he changed into his workout gear and headed for the training room.

Normally Avery goes through his routine once or twice before a cool down. This time Avery goes through his routine half a dozen times at an accelerated rate. He's breathing heavily by the end of it and drains his water bottle several times throughout the workout.

Avery checked the time and glanced at the door. Truthfully, he didn't expect to see Kimiko, but he was hoping to see all the same. He didn't even expect to see Caden.

---

---

---

---

Nic opens his eyes briefly to see Cass wiggle closer to him. He lets out a low hum, feeling content as he pulls Cass in closer, kissing her head before letting himself fall back asleep.

---

---

---

---

Kimiko has her legs pulled in close to her, resting her cheek on her knees and she watches the Chicago werewolves bustle about. She fights to keep her eyes open, but reminds herself that falling asleep could mean waking up in an even less desirable location. Luckily, she has Terrance by her side to keep her awake with his irritating voice alone. He hasn’t stopped trying to pester her as he talks her ear off about how rich his pack will be once this deal goes through. She tries not to let her frustration with the situation show, but angry, hot tears fall down her cheeks every so often, betraying her emotions.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Just as Avery thought, neither Kimiko nor Caden joined him for a morning workout. After waiting for an extra twenty minutes started to wipe down all the machines and equipment he used. Once that was done he headed outside to go to staff housing to wash up and change.

As he jogged over he breathed in the fresh, crisp morning air. The light jog served as a nice cool down. As he got closer to staff housing, something flickered around the edges of his vision. He looked over and saw fabric blowing in the wind. Avery frowned and jogged over to the tree line. As he got closer he could smell Kimiko's scent. It was faint now, but stronger because she had shifted. Avery picked up the robe and groaned. Great. Caden was going to kill Avery.

Avery looked into the woods, wondering where she could be. He looked back at her robe and frowned. The scent was old. Had she been out all night? Avery turned and looked back at Caden's house. He jogged back over and headed through the house to the bedroom Kimiko was in before. He knocked on the bedroom door several times before he just opened the door, privacy be damned. Kimiko's scent was barely in this room and the bed hadn't been slept in. Avery dropped the robe to the ground and ran to Kimiko's other bedroom. He threw the door open, not bothering to knock. Her scent was stronger here but still, the bed was made and not slept in.

Avery ran up the stairs and knocked on Caden's door. Avery shifted his weight from foot to foot until Caden gave a sound of wakefulness and Avery opened the door. Caden was just sitting up when Avery spoke.

”Kimiko went for a run last night. She's not back. Neither of her beds were slept in last night.”

---

---

---

---

Caden woke the next morning to knocking on his door. He barely registered the sound when it first started but it didn't stop until he grunted for whoever to come in.

Nero was still wrapped securely in Caden's arms until Caden shifted to sit up. The dragon felt hungover. The emotional toll of the evening before weighed heavily on him this morning.

Caden rubbed the sleep from his eyes while Avery spoke. Caden slowed his action when Avery said Kiki went for a run. Caden looked at Avery and saw the yellow glow of the wolf’s eyes.

”What happened last night?” Caden demanded, his voice sounding dark and rough as it clung to the memories of deep sleep.

”We… got into an argument. I rejected her and she must have needed to cool down. I was too upset to check in on her.” Avery hangs his hand in a way that would leave him vulnerable to any predator but Caden doesn't attack him.

”Search the woods and report back to me. Don't shift,” Caden instructed.

Avery's head snapped back up and he nodded before running from Caden's room to search the woods.

---

---

---

---

As the day goes on - Kiki can’t tell what time it is - she starts to hear the wolves telling Levi and Terry of bids coming in. Kimiko’s eyes shift as anger starts boiling, but it’s as if Terrance knows. All he has to do is reach for his jacket pocket and Kiki becomes a docile, weeping mess. She doesn’t know what would happen if he breaks the star ball since she’s only half kitsune, but she doesn’t want to find out.

---

---

---

---

Nero tiredly lifts their head, feeling like complete shit and their eyes are swollen shut. The conversation between Avery and Caden sounds warped, like they’re underwater, before their mind finally clears and they process what’s being said. When Avery leaves, Nero sits up and puts a hand on Caden’s chest. “Caden, I’m so sorry.” They say, looking up at him as they try to gauge his reaction to this news.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Avery traced Kimiko’s steps from last night through the woods behind Caden’s house. At first, her movements were erratic, and Avery could almost picture the anger she was likely trying to expel. Then she started hunting, but Avery didn’t smell blood, she obviously wasn’t trying to kill anything. Then her movements became frantic and her scent mingled with something else's.

A growl ripped from Avery’s core, his eyes flashing. The wolf wants to be set free to tear apart the one’s who took his mate, but Avery restrains the wolf; barely.

Avery starts to track the patterns of the wolves. Their scent is all over this forest so it was a useless endevour, but it lead him to find the trail the wolves took with Kimiko. They did their best to mask their scent, and if the trail wasn’t so old, Avery would have been able to track it, but the pack had headed for the city.

The pack. The entire damned Chicago werewolf pack had been waiting for her. Caden was right. Avery’s anger threatened to boil over but he heard the words of his alpha in his head.

Get back to the house. Now. Avery growls in annoyance, more wolf than human at this point, but he listens and runs back to the house.

---

---

---

---

Caden sags when Avery leaves. First Cassi and now this.

Nero moved to try and comfort him and Caden pulled them in, burying his head into their neck. Unfortunately, Caden doesn’t have time to sit and hide with Nero. He has to do something. Caden kisses Nero’s neck, their cheek, then their lips. ”I need to make some calls.” He turns and picks up his phone, throwing back the covers and stands.

Caden wants to call Levi, demand his price, and be done with it. But if the pack does have Kimiko, Caden doesn’t want to alert them and risk hurting her. The idea of Kimiko hurt enrages him. He quickly dials a number but there is no answer. He dials again and again. There is still no answer and he lets out a frustrated note before he throws his cell phone and it smashes against the wall. Caden turns and looks at Nero.

”May I borrow your phone? I promise I won’t break it.” Caden’s attempt at humor is dry, especially with his eyes in the colour of his dragon's. However, his tone is soft when he speaks with Nero. It’s strained, but he attempts to curb his anger, so he can make his next phone call with a bit more pose.

There’s a knock on Caden’s door, and he immediately tells Avery to come in. ”What did you find?” Caden’s tone teetering on the edge between anger and calm.

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia is content to stay in bed with Nicholas all day. Only moving for necessary things like food, but then her phone starts buzzing. Cassi ignored the first phone call, but then it rang again. She rolled over and picked it up and saw that it was Caden. Nope. She set the phone back and ignored the call, and the third. Then it was silent. Good. He got the message.

Cassiopeia curled into Nic again, resting her arm over his chest and her head in his neck. Cass was just drifting off when her phone rang again. Cassi rolled over and snatched the phone up.

”Take the fucking hint, Caden.”

”Cass, it’s Avery. Kiki’s missing.” Avery’s tone wavered between anger and desperation. In the background, Cassi could make out the sounds of Welsh being angrily spoken.

”For how long?” Cassi asks, getting out of bed, and walks downstairs to her kitchen table. She pushes everything out of the way to lay down a map.

”I…I don’t know. Six hours, at least.” Avery sounds broken and Cass’ heart breaks at the sound.

”I’ll find her, Avery. Get everyone here as soon as you can.”

”Thanks, Cass.” Avery hangs up the phone and Cassi scrambled around her kitchen for the supplies she needed. Luckily, Cassi had a tie to Kimiko, so tracking her should be simple. If those that kidnapped her didn’t know Kiki was connected to a powerful sorcerer, that is.

---

---

---

---

Nero hops off the bed as soon as Caden does, When the phone smashes and he asks for theirs, they scramble to find it for him, running over with it just as Avery returns to the room. They hold the phone out for Caden, listening to the updates from the wolf. “Are these Dummkopfs suicidal? Why would they take her?”

---

---

---

---

Nic quickly gets out of the bed to follow Cass, barely having just woken up but alert with adrenaline. He watches her unfurl a map on the table, recognizing the similarity to the spell she must have used with his mother in the morgue. “What’s going on?” He asks, trying not to panic as the memories of that night jostle in his brain. When Cass tells Avery to bring everyone over, he fishes his tank top out of the dryer and pulls it over his head as he rejoins Cass in the kitchen.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Caden dialed the number for Bran and calls. It goes to voicemail but Caden knows that to be more of precaution than anything. ”Call me. I’m about to hunt down and slaughter your entire Chicago pack.” Caden hangs up the phone and counts.

He looks at Nero and pulls them in for a side hug and kisses the top of their head. ”Get dressed. After I’m done talking to Bran we’ll be leaving.” He turns his attention to Avery.

”Call Cass. She isn’t answering my phone calls.” Nero’s phone rings and Caden picks it up for the first note is finished. ”Rydych chi'n bleiddiaid yn Chicago herwgipio kitsune. Rhowch reswm i mi beidio â'u lladd.” Caden spoke in Bran’s native tongue, knowing he didn’t have to since the man knew nearly as many languages as Caden, but this matter was serious.

Caden started arguing with Bran over the phone while Avery called Cassiopeia.

---

---

---

---

Avery hung up the phone with Cassi and ran a tired hand over his face. He barely slept last night, and the hours he had were completely wiped away now from the stress of the situation.

”Cass wants us to go to her house.”

Caden nods, waving Avery off while he continues to talk to Bran on the phone. Avery shuffles out of Caden’s room to change into something more appropriate. He doesn’t bother showering. There’s no time.

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia looks up at Nic when he walks back into the room with a shirt on. ”Kimiko’s been kidnapped,” she said and pours basalt sand onto the map. The black colour stands out against all the lines of roads on the white paper. Cassi channels her connection to Kimiko and the sand starts to shift and move over the map. It remains heavily concentrated over Caden’s property before it moves out and then stops, spreading out around a large area.

Cassiopeia cursed. ”They warded her against me.” She looked over at Nic. ”You should go home. This one is personal. It won’t end well.” Nic was a healer, not a killer. He didn’t have to see that side of Caden and Avery. Or her.

---

---

---

---

Nero scampers off at Caden’s words. Not knowing where the day will take them, they go for their classic demon style; a tailored power suit in emerald. They opt for platform boots before reentering their bedroom just in time for Avery to say they’re going to Cassi’s house. Nero internally groans, not knowing if their presence will help or hinder.

They watch as Caden still argues on the phone and goes into his closet to pick something for him. They come out with two options; a suit or a more casual ensemble and hold them up for Caden to choose from.

---

---

---

---

Nic’s brow immediately creases. “Who would kidnap her? And they warded against you? And I’m not leaving your side, tell me what I can do to help.” Even as he asks this, he walks over to her fridge and starts pulling out food. “Is everyone coming over?” He asks as he pulls out a carton of eggs. He tried to remain calm, knowing that Cass is anything but right now.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Caden continued to pace while he talked to Bran. The Chicago Werewolf pack had always been a loose cannon for Bran and it wasn’t the first time he had experienced trouble with them, but it was the first time they had done this.

”Fe wnaethon nhw dorri fy nghytundeb, Bran. Ni allaf adael i hynny sefyll,” Caden reminded Bran before reminding him that it was also a contract between Caden and Bran that the Chicago wolves were infringing on.

Caden turned around to start pacing again when he spotted Nero hovering in the closet, holding two different outfits. The sight of them helping in such a mundane way squeezed Caden’s heart and he pointed at the suit before focusing on the conversation again.

”Nid oes gennyf amser i aros am Charles. Mae Kitsune yn werthfawr, ac nid ydym yn gwybod o hyd pa fath yw Kiki. Gallai hi fod yn ddiwerth neu'n hynod beryglus. Wna i ddim lladd yr alffa os ydych chi'n meddwl y gallwch chi gael rheolaeth arnyn nhw eto, ond ni allaf ymestyn y cynnig hwnnw i weddill y pecyn.” Caden tries to negotiate with Bran by telling him to send Charles to clean up the mess after Caden deals with the pack. Then Bran poses an interesting proposition.

”Hyd y gwn i, nid yw Avery eisiau bod yn alffa. Byddaf yn cyflwyno'r syniad iddo, ond ni fydd ganddo ateb i chi am ychydig ddyddiau.” The conversation quickly wraps up after that. Bran wants Levi to be left alone, and a couple other wolves for witnesses for testimony, but if one or two die in the scuffle for Kimiko, Bran wouldn’t question it. It would have to do.

Caden hangs up the call and gives the phone back to Nero.

---

---

---

---

”Probably the Chicago werewolf pack. They’ve always been unstable, but Caden made a deal with the original werewolf to move into Chicago with Avery. The deal outlined safety for the pack to hunt on Caden’s property, but also for Caden to have access to the pack to try and get them under control. Avery was also specifically asked not to cause problems, but they had an altercation a couple of days ago. It seems the pack did not take kindly to it and took matters into their own hands.” Cassiopeia stares at the map, circling the area where the sand was and started looking up the buildings in the area.

The werewolf pack’s house was nowhere near the area the sand stopped, but the area turned out to be mostly abandoned. They could be anywhere. Cassi looked at Nic when he said it wasn’t leaving.

”Nic…If it is the pack that took Kimiko, even if it’s not, people are going to die today. They’re going to be killed because of this. You don’t need to see that,” she said and walked up to Nic, resting her hands on his arms.

---

---

---

---

Nero sets the suit on the bed, laid out to easily be put on, before returning the other clothes to their places. They start to look for shoes for Caden as well when he’s hand their phone back to them. “What’s happening?” They ask, referring to the phone call. They slip their phone in their jacket pocket and feel around to make sure their knives are easy to grab.

“Also, should I stay back? I heard we’re going to Cassi’s…”

---

---

---

---

Nic somehow isn’t fazed with this news - meaning he’s starting to get used to this world and its events already. “Maybe I’m not coming to the fight, but I’m staying here at the very least.” He turns when she rests her hands on him and caresses her cheek, placing his other hand on her shoulder.

“I know you all won’t need me - you’re a walking first aid kit after all - but let me get breakfast going at least and I’ll have more food ready when you all return if you’d like. I want to help how I can.” He bends down to kiss her forehead, running his thumb over her cheek.

---

---

---

---

---

---

Caden turned and walked to the bed where Nero had their suit laid out. He picks it up and starts to get dressed. ”Bran wants Levi and a few of the wolves left alive for his second to deal with. We can kill the others. Bran also wants to know Avery’s view on being the new alpha for the Chicago pack.” Caden starts to tuck his shirt in when Nero asks if they should stay behind.

No, Nero. No more hiding. This is a family matter and you are a part of this family. You are coming. I need you there.”

---

---

---

---

Cassiopeia relaxes when Nic says he’ll stay behind. She knew she would have been able to protect Nic, but if he’s not there, she could concentrate on other things. Still, he wants to help them. Cassi shuts her eyes and leans into his hand. Her arms wrap around him and she holds herself close.

”Okay. I have to change and gather some things. Everyone should be on their way here shortly. Keep on with breakfast, and look after the cats for me.” Cass kisses Nic’s cheek before she leaves him to it.

---

---

---

---

Nero smiles, but it doesn’t reach their eyes. “Good, I didn’t want to stay behind.” They tell Caden before focusing on the other part of the conversation.

“Does Avery want to be an alpha?” They ask, coming of the closet with shoes that match Caden’s suit and socks for him as well.

---

---

---

---

“Leave it to me.” He says in response to her ‘orders’ for him. Nic watches her leave and disappear upstairs before he returns to the task on hand. He pulls out different pans and lets them start to heat up as he grabs food for the cats, filling their bowls before he turns back to the stove.

He had seen how much Avery could eat last night, so he uses an entire pack of bacon and another of sausage, working swiftly to get as much fried up and ready to serve so it would all be ready when the others arrive. Not wanting to be too fancy with it, he scrambles the eggs, using the entire carton. “You think that’ll be enough?” He asks Wayland.

---

---

---

---

---

---

”It was never an option for him before. Avery was too unstable, but if he does become alpha of a pack, he has to leave mine and would no longer be allowed to travel with me. I’m not sure what he would want.” Caden said and finished dressing. ”Ready to go?”

---

---

---

---

Wayland looks up at Nic and simply meows. It smells good, but Wayland is no judge of if it’ll be enough.

Cassiopeia dresses simply in form fitted pants with a t-shirt and vest. The vest is strapped with knives and she has a strap on her thigh also filled with silver blades. She bustles around her room and through her house gathering other things she might need but Cassi usually prefers to travel light when it comes to a fight. She keeps some natural elements in a pocket on her vest to use if she needs a stronger spell, but she usually goes with the knives if she needs to fight.

She walks back down the stairs and into the kitchen. It almost looks like Nic has cooked every breakfast food item she owns but it’ll be an appreciated gesture for the others. ”Thank you,” she leans up and kisses Nic’s cheek before she starts grabbing plates and cutlery to set on the table.

---

---

---

---

Nero pouts slightly. They like Avery and don’t want to see him leave. “Almost,” They reply to Caden as they start disarming themselves, realizing an important detail. “We’re fighting werewolves and my knives aren’t silver.” Seemingly out of nowhere, Nero’s produced about twenty different knives and assorted weapons onto the table in the bedroom from their person. “Will there be some in your car?” They ask, remembering the little armory in the SUV they took for the chimera.

---

---

---

---

Nic smiles when Cass reenters the room, taking note of her outfit as she comes by to kiss his cheek. “Of course. And I’ll restock your fridge while you’re all out, I promise.” He returns her kiss on her cheek, trying not to let the worry he feels show on his face. She looks ready to go into battle… which is what they’re doing basically, but it doesn’t ease Nic’s mind.

“What else can I do?” He asks as she goes about getting plates and things out for the food.

---

---