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”Oh, I am going to enjoy ripping your throat out,” Avery growls, his yellow eyes now glowing.

”Avery.” Caden snaps but doesn’t look away from Levi. ”Unfortunately for you, Bran doesn’t consider the Chicago treaty part of the rules regarding the contract he and I have.”

---

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Cassiopeia slipped her phone out of her pocket and snapped a few pictures. One of all the computers and wolves, the other of Terrance blocking Kiki in her cage.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Levi growled at Cassi.

”I knew you were slow Levi, but I didn’t think you were blind as well. I’m taking pictures so Bran knows what kind of operation you have going on here. There is no way Kiki is your first. I’m sure he’d like to see what this place looked like before we destroy it.”

Levi sneers. “We’ve warded this place against you, witch. You can’t do anything to us here.”

Cassi puts her phone away after texting Nic. Found her.

”Can’t I?” Cassi’s eyes shift to reveal lightening in her gaze, and her fingers spark slightly. The wolves have the brains to pause in their tasks and shift uncomfortably. They look to Levi for guidance, whose face has paled some. Cassi smirks and blows him a kiss.

”Last chance, Levi. Hand her over.”

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“I’d like to see you try.” Is all Terrance says to Avery before Caden snaps at him. The wolf cracks his neck and rolls his shoulders, looking about as eager to fight as Avery is. Nero spits on the ground, still clearly in disgust at all of this. They let go of Caden’s hand in anticipation.

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“Levi, don’t fucking cave to these shits. Remember how he disrespected you the other day? These motherfuckers need to learn their place.” Terrance says as he crosses his arms. Behind him, Kiki lets out a frustrated noise at the absurdity of all of this, making Terry briefly glance behind him before he continues to spew shit. “Avery, you’ve got to see how hot this fox looks in just my t-shirt.”

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Nic had already cleaned the entire kitchen and is getting started on Cass’ living room when he gets the text that they found Kimiko. Hope to see all of you safe and sound soon <3 He texts back. The doorbell rings and Nic realizes the groceries have arrived so he starts on putting those away.

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All hope of Caden trying to end this peacefully died when Terrance spoke. Caden snapped his attention from Levi and looked at Terrance. Caden’s eyes shifted to the dragon, and his fingers lengthened to claws.

”Avery, get my sister back.” Caden returned his gaze to Levi just as all hell broke loose. ”Make it count,” Caden said before stalking towards Levi.

Avery didn’t need to be told twice. As soon as the prick said Kimiko was in his shirt, Avery saw red. The shift happened quickly, Caden pouring pack magic down their bond so Avery could change into his wolf quickly and with little pain. He bounded across the room and launched himself at Terrance, tackling him to the ground.

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As soon as Avery took off, Cassi pulled two blades from her vest and turned. She flung them, one after the other and impaled two wolves in their throats before she ran to Kimiko’s cage. Avery had Terrance well and truly distracted.

Cassi pulled open Kiki’s cage. Nero had been right, and there was nothing locking her in. Kiki could have gotten out, but with her star ball gone, she had been trapped.

”I got you Kiki.”

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If Nero didn’t already think these werewolves were complete idiots, Terry certainly sealed the deal with his last remark. Nero turns their back to Caden, armed with silver daggers in each hand as they wait to see if anyone will try to pounce on their mate from behind. Some look ready to until they see Nero’s eyes briefly shift to black.

They moved into a position where they could see Avery and Cassi as well, wanting to make sure they wouldn’t get sneak attacked either. Their eyes darted about as they try and keep track of all the wolves and their movements.

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Terrance isn’t as quick to shift and is in the middle of the painful endeavor when Avery tackles him to the ground. He snarls throwing a punch at Avery to get him off so he can let his wolf out too.

Kiki watches with wide eyes as the two go at it when she hears Cassi’s voice. She turns and could almost cry at the most welcome sight of her favorite sorceress. Her face turns to panic as she sees a wolf crouched behind her though, preparing to lunge onto her adoptive big sister.

Just as it pounces off the ground at Cassi, though, a silver dagger lodges itself in its eye. The velocity of the throw launches the dead wolf into a steel beam. Kiki looks over to see Nero making a very sheepish ‘oops’ face in their direction.

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Avery barely registers the punch to his side, even though it did hurt. He clawed out at Terrance while the wolf was in mid-shift, but Avery wanted a fair fight. He backed off the wolf and stood with Kiki’s cage behind him and Terrance in front of him, waiting for the prick to finish his shift.

---

Levi backed up to the table as Caden stalked him. The alpha of the Chicago pack moves forward to attack Caden, but the dragon doesn’t give the wolf a chance.

Caden throws a punch directly into Levi’s face, and the he crumples to the ground. Bending down, Caden checks for a pulse to make sure the man is still alive before Caden shoves Levi under a desk, turning around to look at the other wolves.

Caden watches a wolf move in to attack Cassi, but before he can react the wolf is gone. Caden blinks and sees the wolf on the floor, a cement pillar cracked. A knife lays imbedded in their side. Far deeper than any human could push a blade into an animal. Caden turns and sees Nero looking sheepish. Caden did say no killing, but he would make an exception for that one.

”Which ones should we keep alive as witnesses, my little imp?” Caden asked Nero, sizing up the other wolves. He looked up to see two wolves still in their human form jump from the top floor. ”Ah, volunteers,” Caden said and hurried off to dispatch them both.

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Cassiopeia watches Kimiko’s eyes grow wide as they look behind Cassi. Cass whips around in time to see the wolf being launched back from the impact of a blade. She sees Nero in the distance and pauses before turning around to help Kimiko. As if things couldn’t get any more complicated.

Cassi pulls another dagger from her vest and releases Kimiko from her bonds, pulling the soiled rag from her mouth.

”I think I saw your star ball roll away when Terrance started shifting.”

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Terry finishes his shift finally and bares his teeth at Avery, hackles raised as he growls. He glances over to the cage, feeling anger that his prize is slipping away. He lunges at Avery, going for the wolf’s throat.

Kiki could hug Cassi when she pulls the rag out of her mouth, but at the mention of her star ball, she hurriedly looks around for it, shifting into her fox form almost immediately to grab it with her mouth before anyone else could steal it.

Kiki realizes she’s a little too close for her liking to Avery and Terry’s battle and gives the two a wide berth as she nimbly tries to make her way back to Cass. She would rather stay in her fox form than continue wearing Terrance’s shirt.

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Nero can’t help but grin at Caden, glad they aren’t in any immediate trouble with him. A wolf nearby looks like they want to try and retrieve Levi from the desk Caden shoved him under, but when they make eye contact with Nero, they drop their butt to the ground. “Good doggy.” The imp says with a wicked grin as they watch Caden give chase to two other pack members.

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Hyperaware of Kimiko — even when locked in battle — Avery drops low and headbutts Terry when he tries to go for Avery’s throat. The hit shoves Terrence further away from Kimiko and Cassi, and Avery launches himself at the other wolf.

The two wolves scramble and snarl as they bite and claw at each other. Terry gets a decent hit in and shoves Avery back. Avery is bleeding in some areas, but Terrence is much worse off.

---

The two wolves try and tag team Caden, diving for him with one hit right after another, but Caden is too fast for them. Caden elbows one before punching the other and ducks before getting hit. He then rushes one wolf, wrapping arms around the wolf's waist and picking him up before smashing him onto one of the tables. The impact knocks the wind out of the wolf, and Caden turns to face the other. This one is smarter and holds up her hands. Satisfied, Caden turns and meets Nero’s eyes. ”Do we have three witnesses plus Levi?”

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Cassi relaxes when Kimiko secures her star ball. ”Keep better track of that thing,” she jokes lightly when Kiki rejoins her. ”Can you keep up with me, or do you want me to carry you?” Cassi asks.

Cassi hears a roar from behind her and she turns, pulling two more daggers from her vest and launches them at a wolf. Carried by the momentum of them running full speed at Cassi, the wolf falls on top of her, and Cassi hits her head on the concrete floor. She hisses, seeing stars, and shoves the limp wolf off of her. It’s no easy feat since the thing is probably over three hundred pounds. Cassi gets to her feet but sways slightly. She curses in Gaelic and touches the back of her head. She looks at her fingers and sees blood. Great. Nic is going to freak out, she thinks to herself.

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Terry pants, favoring one of his one of his legs as he growls weakly at Avery. Not like this, I won’t die like this to some second-rate pup. He thinks to himself before he runs full speed and lunges again at Avery. He misses, skidding across the floor as he practically launches himself into the cage that held Kiki and denting it even further. He barely manages to eat back on his feet, but his eyes dart between Avery and the fox with the witch as he tries to decide what to do with his last moments alive.

---

The wolf that immediately admitted defeat to Nero now sits beside them as Nero keeps away any other would-be rescuers with quick slices of their legs. “I’ve got one!” Nero shouts to Caden before giving the wolf next to them a head pat. “Lucky you! You get to stay alive.” The demon practically purrs to them before throwing another dagger at a wolf’s front leg that was looking to try their hand at going after Caden while his back was turned.

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Kiki bats a paw at Cassi for her joke before shaking her head - she has enough adrenaline to keep up with the sorceress for now. She keeps looking over at Avery and Terrance, worried for Avery even as he clearly dominates the fight. Kiki only narrowly dodges when a dead wolf lands on Cassi and watches as her friend’s head connects to the floor with a crack.

She jumps over to help push the wolf off of Cassi, looking up at her with concern when she sways.

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Avery growls, bearing his teeth when Terrance looks at Kimiko. Avery doesn't give the other wolf a chance and instead charges him. He knocks Terry to the ground, snapping at the wolf, and fighting until Avery sinks his canines into the second of the Chicago wolfpack and rips out the wolf's throat.

---

Caden nods his approval when Nero confirms they have enough kills. He glances over to Cassi and Kiki. Cassi is getting up from the ground when he notices her swaying on her feet.

”Cassi!” The sorcerer looks at him, eyes blurry for a moment before they sharpen and focus. Caden gestures for them to join him, and Cassi ushers Kimiko forward.

”Ya?”

”Are you okay?” Caden asks immediately.

Cassi gives him a look. ”I'll live.” It wasn't really the answer Caden was looking for but it would have to do.

”Can you put these four under so they don't wake until we get them back to my place?”

Cassi nods and opens up a pocket to pull out a red flower. She walks over to the three Caden has under the table, crushing the flower and chants before wind seemingly comes out of nowhere to blow a red dust over the three wolves under the table and the one by Nero. One by one, the wolves fall into a deep sleep.

While Cassi worked, Caden killed another wolf, which left four more. Nero had weakened most of them, including the one Caden killed, but there was one wolf who went after Avery for killing Terry. Avery had the wolf pinned killed quickly as the remaining wolves were much weaker than Terry had been.

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With the battle nearly over, Cassi started gathering up her daggers. She wiped blood off on her pants before sheathing the blades. She'd have to clean her weapons more thoroughly after.

Two wolves remained and Cassi glanced at Caden, wondering if he was going to save them or kill them off.

”Kiki, let's get you to the car.”

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Nero sits on the desk that Levi’s tucked under, feeling more at ease now that only two other wolves remain. They’ve noticed that the wolves starting giving Nero a wide berth, which made the little demon happy.

“This one was smart.” They chirp to Caden, gesturing to the wolf that’s now asleep. “I gave them one look and they immediately sat down. Can we get a dog?”

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Kiki glances at Avery, watching as he easily kills another wolf that had attacked him. She doesn’t really want to leave him, but his rejection from last night plays in her head. He’s only here to help Caden and Cassi. She tells herself before looking at her sorceress and nodding, definitely ready to eat out of the disgusting cesspool that is the hideout.

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Caden glanced at Nero and chuckled. "We can talk about it," he said. Caden's focus shifted to watch Cassi leading Kimiko out of the hideout. He nodded briefly at Cass before turning his attention to Avery. The bloodlust rolled off Avery in waves and Caden knew it was going to take a minute for Avery to calm down.

Avery. Look at me. Caden stared at Avery until the wolf locked eyes with him. Caden nodded and moved down their bond to connect with the wolf. He was satisfied that Kimiko was safe but he was still raging. Avery was feeling low for letting this happen in the first place and the wolf had taken over completely.

That's not true, Avery. You protected Kimiko. You saved her. She's safe. She's safe. Caden kept chanting this until the two wolves who were still alive started to move around again. The silver blades they had been cut with had slowed down the healing process, but they were starting to come around again.

Avery growled and snapped his teeth at them. He stepped forward to finish them, but paused to look at Caden.

Caden smiled softly, seeing the pause as a sign that the wolf recognized Caden, and Avery was coming around. "They are yours to kill if you want."

Avery swung his head to look at the last two wolves, who growled and glared at Avery and Caden. Avery glanced at Caden and nodded his head. Caden smiled and shifted into a wolf within the blink of an eye. His wolf was larger than Avery's, and where Avery's wolf had a white coat, Caden's was as dark as night with subtle hints of red. The red would catch in the light and almost look like fire.

The two werewolves moved in sync, stalking their prey from side to side before lunging at the same time, and killed their prey easily. Caden tore into the werewolf's side, pulling out it's heart before shifting back. Unlike Avery and other werewolves, Caden remained fully dressed, and his clothes were impeccable with not a single drop of blood on them. Caden walked over to Nero, taking their hand, and helped them off the table. He then bent down and searched Levi's pockets until he found keys to a vehicle.

Avery, I'm going to need you to shift back. Caden spoke mind-to-mind with his friend. Avery looked over at Caden after finishing his kill. He huffed before turning around to start the shift. Caden lent Avery as much magic as he could to make the transition easier, but it wasn't fun for Avery. He had several broken ribs and the shift from wolf to human didn't ease the pain he felt there.

Eventually though Avery stood in place of his wolf, panting heavily and holding his side. He groaned as he tried to straighten up.

"We'll go get you some pants. Nero, can you grab one of the sleeping wolves?" Caden asked, picking up two of his own. At least in their human form they were a bit lighter and easier to carry.

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Cassiopeia kept a knife out and looked around as she led Kimiko from the hideout. There didn't seem to be any activity and Cassi relaxed. She opened up the back of the SUV for Kimiko to hop in. "There are some clothes in the back here you can change into if you can. Nic will look you over back at the house to make sure nothing's broken," Cassi said. She pulled out her phone after closing the door for Kimiko to shift and texted Nic.

We got her out... Just have to clean up a little. Could you look over Kiki when we get back? It doesn't seem like anything is broken, just badly bruised and some cuts. Cassi hit send before her vision blurred a little. She leaned against the side of the SUV and breathed deeply. She really didn't want a concussion.

Caden and Nero walked out of the warehouse carrying a couple of the people Cass put to sleep earlier. They walked over to another SUV that was sitting there, but it looked far worse off than Caden's pristine vehicles. It must have been a pack SUV. Caden tossed the wolves in the back before he jogged over to their SUV.

"Avery's shifting back so he can drive the SUV and then we'll be on the way," he told Cassi. He reached inside the vehicle, grabbed some pants and the shirt Avery had taken off earlier, and headed back into the warehouse.

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Nero watched the two wolves with a tilt of their head, marveling at Caden’s fur and the way he and Avery moved almost as one. “You’re very pretty as a wolf.” Nero says before picking up a sleeping wolf and hold them above their head to accommodate the large size of the beasties. The two make their way outside to a shabbier looking SUV.

As Caden went to his own to grab clothes for Avery, Nero stays by the other one, using a lint roller to get any stray hairs off their outfit. Typically they don’t get any blood on their clothes during a fight and since most of their attacking had been long-range, they didn’t have a spot of anything on them. Once Caden starts to head back inside, Nero does as well, picking up knives and daggers that they had thrown about.

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Kiki gives Cassi a fox grin before happily jumping into the SUV and changing into some shorts and a t-shirt that don’t smell like utter shit. She reopens the back once dressed and pulls herself to the edge of the vehicle to sit. “Let me see you head.” She commands of Cassi once Caden heads back with pants for Avery.

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Caden smiled and thanked Nero for the compliment. They walked back into the warehouse and Caden tossed Avery some clothes. He quickly changed, despite the obvious broken ribs. Once Avery was dressed, Caden tossed Avery a water bottle.

"How are you doing?"

Avery drained the bottle of water and crushed the plastic before shoving it into his pocket. He shrugged and looked over at the cage Kimiko had been trapped in. He had half a mind to rip the bars off and impale all the dead wolves then shove one through Levi's throat.

"How is she?" he asked instead.

"Fine as far as I could tell. She walked out of her on her own power with her star ball secured." Caden was watching Avery closely. When they had connected, Caden had felt a change in Avery. "Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?"

Avery sighed and rubbed the back of his head, wincing at the pull on his side. "I think Kimiko is supposed to be my mate. I had no idea Caden, I swear." Avery said, looking pleadingly at Caden.

"Does she know?"

Avery shook his head, and Caden looked at Nero. He looked at Nero for a long time, thinking about the decision he made to bond to them. Caden looked back at Avery and slapped his shoulder. "Well, looks like you have a long conversation ahead of you."

Avery stared at Caden like a deer in headlights and Caden laughed. "You can go toe to toe with a werewolf pack, but you're afraid to have "the talk" with Kiki?"

"Well, ya, I mean... I thought you would be pissed."

Caden laughed again and shook his head. "I know you will protect her with your life and treat her right. If today was any indication, I think she'll be just fine with you. Of course, she has to accept you first," Caden said, looking at Avery seriously.

Avery nodded rapidly and Caden smiled. He leaned in and kissed his friend on the cheek. "Then, you have my blessing, if it matters that much to you." Caden handed Avery the keys to the other SUV, and slapped a hand on his back. Avery winced before shoving Caden. Caden grinned and walked back to Nero, taking their hand.

"Ready, my little imp?"

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Cassiopeia looked at Kimiko and waved her off. "I'm fine. You look like shit," Cassi stated, not wanting the attention on her. Nic was going to freak out enough as it was. So much for Cassi thinking she was indestructible.

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Nero watches Avery and Caden as they collect all the knives and daggers they had thrown about, letting the two have a little privacy while they found a rag to clean the blood off of their weapons. They are just stashing the knives away when Caden joins them and takes their hand. Nero looks up and smiles. “What are we going to do with the sleeping wolves?” They ask curiously.

“I mean, I know we’re saving them for Avery’s old alpha, right? Are we taking them to Cassi’s?” Nero has already forgotten his name.

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Kimiko flips Cassi the bird with a frown. “You’re so stubborn.” She says with a shake of her head before wincing. She looks at her reflection in the SUV’s window, making out a hand like bruise around the front of their neck.

“Fucking assholes.” She mumbles.

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"Not old alpha, he's still Avery's alpha, as he is the alpha to all werewolves. The Marrok. The original werewolf," Caden explains. "And we'll bring them back to our house until Charles, the Marrok's executioner arrives. He will interrogate the wolves and determine what is to be done to them," Caden explained.

The trio walk out of the warehouse, Avery carrying the last member of what once was Levi's back. Caden points out the SUV to Avery.

"We'll stop off at Cassi's and have Nic look over Kiki and you. Then we'll head back home."

Avery nods his head and heads off. He tosses the human unceremoniously into the back and shuts the hatch before he turns around and stares at the other SUV. He can see Cassi and can see Kimiko looking at herself in the SUV's windows and mirrors. He can see the purple bruises on her body from here. Avery's hands clenched into fists and he turned around, where he gets into the driver seat of the SUV and starts it.

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Cassiopeia watches Kimiko examine herself and all Cassi can think about is how close they came to losing her. Cassi walks over and wraps her arms gently around Kimiko. "I know you hate this, but I love you," Cass said and kissed Kiki's cheek before letting her go.

Caden and Nero wandered over and Cassi quickly gets into the back seat of the SUV. On our way back. Nic didn't reply to Cassi's earlier messages. She hoped Nic was ready to look over Kimiko. And wouldn't be mad at Cassi for getting hurt.

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“Ohhh.” Nero says, only sort of understanding still. “Should I ride with Avery so he’s not alone?” Nero asks Caden, but realizes the question is silly as they follow Caden to the other SUV. They watch as Kiki and Cassi climb into the back seat before squeezing Caden’s hand three times.

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Kiki hugs Cassi tightly to her when her arms gently wrap around her. “Tha gaol agam ort cuideachd.” She whispers before the sorceress lets go of her, glad Cassi kisses the cheek not covered in bruises. Kimiko follows Cassi and eats into the back seat and stretches out with a groan.

“Thanks for getting me out of there. I knew you’d find me eventually, but I’m glad it was before… yeah.” She doesn’t say it - she doesn’t need to.

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Nic realizes he had his phone on silent and missed messages from Cass. I’m sorry! My phone wasn’t on loud and I didn’t realize you messaged me. Of course I can look over Kiki! Is everyone else okay? Nic is so determined to text his girlfriend back that he doesn’t even notice he’s called Kimiko by her nickname.

He’s glad he got a shower curtain with the groceries, placing it down on Cass’ couch so that he could use it as an impromptu examination table for everyone’s injuries.

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Caden stopped and looked at Nero. He was relieved they got Kimiko out when they did. "Vielen Dank, dass Sie hier sind und helfen," Caden said and kissed Nero's cheek before opening up the door to the front passenger seat.

It wasn't easy for either of them right now with Nero's history slowly being revealed, but after today and Nero saving Cass...Caden is hopeful they can all come out on the other side of it.

Once Nero is in the car, Caden gets in on the drivers side and heads to Cassi's place.

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"Same," Cassi said and squeezed Kimiko's hand before the others get in and they start driving away. She glances down at her phone, and worries her bottom lip.

Avery might have broken bones. He heals pretty quickly, obviously, but it doesn't hurt to give him a once over. She avoided talking about herself on purpose. Kiki was most important. He would figure out Cassi's hurt soon enough.

"How's the head, Cassi?" Caden asked.

"Sore," Cassi said purposely not giving more detail than that.

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Nero beams up at Caden and hops up to return the kiss on his cheek. “Ich würde nirgendwo anders sein wollen als an deiner Seite.” They tell him before the two of them get into the SUV. When Caden asks about Cassi’s head, Nero turns around in their seat.

“What did you do to your head?” They ask with concern.

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“She about cracked it open on the floor in there. She killed a wolf but their momentum sent them flying into her still. The noise it made sounded like her skull broke.” Kiki looks over Cassi. “Are you going to let your nurse look at it since you wouldn’t let me? Or do I need to snitch?”

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Nic nods to himself reading Cass’ message. He wants to give everyone at least a once over when they arrive. Jane brought me some medical supplies (I told her you didn’t have any first aid items at your place) and she was more than happy to give me way too much, so I should be able to help the two of them. He sends before heading back into the kitchen.

Sandwiches seem like a good easy option for food and he can use some of the leftover ingredients from yesterday.

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Cassiopeia blushed when Kimiko referred to Nic as her nurse. She went to touch the back of her head but thought better of it and wrapped her hand around her seatbelt instead. She could feel three sets of eyes on her and she hated it.

”Don't tell him. He has to look at you first. I don't need him fussing over me,” Cassiopeia said firmly.

Perfect. See you soon.

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Caden frowned but didn't push Cassi on getting checked out. If she had cracked her head open, technically speaking she would move up in triage.

”Cassi has a thick skull from ignoring the advice of others for near 300 years. I'm surprised she didn't break the concrete instead of her head.” Caden glances in the rearview to see Cassi giving him the middle finger. Caden simply grinned. He'd take any conversation with Cassi at this point.

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Avery didn't mind driving alone completely. It gave him time to calm down and repeatedly tell himself that Kimiko was safe. They got to her in time. Still, because she wasn't in his arms, it didn't feel real. He didn't feel settled, and he kept tapping his fingers on the steering wheel while he followed behind Caden.

Avery drove with the front windows down and the AC on to help with the stink of the passed out humans in the back, but to also cool down. He felt like he was on fire from the intense healing his body was doing.

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I’m glad you’re okay <3 Can’t wait to have you back in my arms <3 The sorceress’ nurse texts back. He’s used the left overs from breakfast to make some egg salad sandwiches and BLTs, a decent amount of food made. He figures since Avery barely ate breakfast and is now healing, he’d need a lot of food.

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Kiki snorts from the backseat at Caden’s comment. Nero faces the front again so Cassi doesn’t see their smirk. They shift in their seat, not wanting to talk and ruin the mood since the witch was actually interacting with Caden.

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Kimiko doesn’t notice the tension, briefly forgetting the fight that took place last night between her adoptive siblings. “I must have learned my stubbornness from her.” Kiki says before hissing as the cut on her lip reopens from smiling.

Nero pulls a handkerchief out of their jacket pocket and offers it to her along with a water bottle. She takes both gratefully, drinking some of the water first before putting some of it on the fabric and holding it to their lip.

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