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Kiki watches Avery pace, trying to keep her eye on his hips without looking like she’s concentrating on his groin. When he dashes at her, she barely has time to watch his hips, let alone try to dodge. Seconds later, she’s starting up at the ceiling again gasping a little as she tries to regain normal breathing again. When he asks her for his tell, she can’t help but flip him off, too breathless to answer right away. She does snort at Caden’s response though.

“You’ve got those Shakira hips, bruv.” Kiki says, choosing to stay laying down at the moment. “They don’t lie.” Her reaction time isn’t quick enough to use that to her advantage though.

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Nic straightens, still a bit concerned for Kimiko’s wellbeing but trusting that Caden will step in if needed, stands up as well. Nero looks upset that they had been kicked off his lap, but Nic thinks they’re playing it up to be more dramatic. He takes Caden’s offered hand and shakes it. “I can try to bring it up to her.” Nic says. “I’ll let you know how it goes, but I think I should be heading back to Cass now. Would one of your drivers be okay if we stopped to get smoothies before they drop me off?”

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Avery threw his head back and laughed. He shook his head before he stood and offered Kimiko a hand up. "I think that's enough for today, Voss. We can do some hand to hand tomorrow, and I can teach you how to get out of some holds."

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Caden shook Nic's hand, and laughed before he let go. "I'm sure they'll be fine with that. They'll be up front waiting when you're ready," Caden said and grabbed his phone to text one of his staff members.

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Kiki grins, always happy when she manages to make Avery laugh fully. She accepts his hand to get back but throws him a look. “That makes it sound like my da is here.” She says as he helps her to her feet. “Um, also, I know I wouldn’t be able to fend off an entire pack or group, but… he,” Kiki purposely doesn’t say the asshole’s name out loud. “He grabbed me by my foxes throat to make me drop my ball… Can you think of any way to help that… not happen again.”

“This sounds bloody ridiculous to ask,” She looks sidelong away from Avery’s eyes. “But I’m wondering if you could train my fox too.”

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Nic smiles widely, nodding his head. “Thank you for everything.” He tells Caden before he makes his way out of the gym and out the front door. He pulls out his own phone to send a text to Cass.

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Sad that the little sparring match is over and that they were no longer sitting in Caden’s lap, Nero does their little tumble onto the floor and starts walking on their hands. They know Caden is probably texting the staff about Nic, so they want to let him do that before stealing all his attention again. They also can sense that Avery and Kiki are talking about something more private, so now is not the time to try and help her out with some tips.

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Avery walked over and grabbed a towel and a bottle of water for both him and Kimiko. He noticed Nic was leaving and nodded goodbye to the man before his focus returned to Kimiko. He drank his water while she confided in him.

The image of Terry grabbing Kimiko and squeezing her until she dropped her star ball was something that Avery carried with him, even though he wasn’t there. He could picture it so clearly in his mind's eye. Avery looked away from Kimiko, feeling his own emotions starting to take over. He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.

”We can try, but I don’t know if there is anything I can teach you to prevent that, Kiki. He grabbed you by the neck and squeezed until you couldn’t breathe and nearly lost consciousness. The best advice I could give you would be not to get caught, but there is always going to be the possibility that someone or something is going to want what you have.”

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Cassi had finished her chores in the garden and was currently standing in the kitchen eating toast while she watched a K-drama on her TV. She wasn’t sure what compelled her to put the show on, but Cassi had quickly become fascinated with it.

Her phone chimed, and she jumped a little before muting the TV. With the piece of toast in her mouth, Cassi smiled and typed back to Nic.

Banana kale, please! How was the work out?

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While Caden had his phone out, he quickly found a couple of stables in the area of Chicago that Nic could take Cassi to. With that task completed, he looked up to see Nero doing their walking handstand. He smirked and turned to see Avery and Kimiko deep in conversation.

”Little imp, shall we go clean up then have breakfast? Or are you enjoying yourself?”

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Kiki bites her lip and looks down, nodding as she swallows the hard lump in her throat. “That’s what I figured…” She says before concentrating on taking deep breaths in and out. Even if Avery hadn’t described it out loud, she still would be experiencing the memories all over again. Kiki concentrates on a specific spot on the floor, counting to four as she breathes in and to eight as she breathes out as she fidgets with her fingers.

“Thanks anyway, though.” She whispers before forcing a smile on her face and looking at Avery.

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Nic greets Todd as he walks over to the car, happy to see the familiar face and get some sign language in for practice. Before he gets in, he pull out his phone and sees Cass’ text, chuckling a little as he slides into the car.

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Nero does a little somersault to get to their feet, bounding to wrap their arm around Caden’s. “I’d much rather enjoy cleaning up with you.” They say with a wink, walking out of the gym with Caden in tow.

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One of the difficult things about being in a relationship with a woman like Kimiko was knowing when they needed comfort and when they didn’t. Avery knew how independent she was, and that she didn’t seem like she wanted to be fussed over. However, Avery wanted to fuss over her.

He waited until she went through her breathing exercise before he closed the distance between them. Avery forgot about Caden and Nero even though they were still in the room.

”We can still try if you want… I just don’t want to push you before you are ready. I want you to like my wolf side, not be afraid of it.”

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I suppose I can allow that. Oh, good! I’ll be able to heal it a little and wrap it before you leave for work. I’ll see you soon?

Cassi pressed play on her show again before she started to prepare Nic’s breakfast, as well as a few things he could take to work with him.

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Caden smiled and looked back at Avery and Kimiko before he left the gym with Nero in tow.

”So, what did you move over to the other master bedroom?” Caden already had some clothes in that room. Before he fell into a relationship with Nero, Caden had that room reserved for his overnight conquests, so it made sense to have a second wardrobe in that room. However, Caden hadn’t spent time in that room in weeks. He wasn’t sure what he had on there anymore.

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Kimiko shakes her head as she continues to fidget with her hands. “No, you’re right and I don’t want to be afraid of your wolf either.” She meets Avery’s eyes. “Honestly, I’ve tried to think of what I could have done differently and even looked it up. The only I can come up with is to climb a tree if that ever happens again.” She glances away and stares at the wall, unable to keep the fake smile on anymore.

“But that’s for normal foxes to get away from predators like normal wolves.” With a deep breath, Kiki sighs. “I’ve also never tried climbing a tree as a fox anyhow.”

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Nic glances up as Todds starts down the driveway to leave Caden’s, directions for a local smoothie place that’s on the way already pulled up for directions.

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Nero smiles innocently, but there’s a devilish glint to their eyes. “All of my clothes so you can start making them smell like you.” They say with a straight face before chuckling. “Just joking, but I did bring them all over since they’d only be in the way in the flirty room.” They prance alongside Caden before they start listing off what they had grabbed.

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Before he can talk himself out of doing it, Avery pulled Kimiko into a hug. He doesn’t care that she is sweaty from her work out and sparring. Her scent envelops him and he sighs, resting his cheek on top of her head.

”There was nothing you could have done differently in that moment, little fox. It was an unfair fight. It must have been something they were planning for a while, waiting to catch you off guard and it worked.” He kissed her head before moving back.

Avery rested his thumb under her chin, and titled her head up to make her look at him. ”We can practice climbing trees now, if you want. It’ll be easier for me to catch you with two arms if you slip,” he said.

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Cassi continued to multitask between getting some snacks ready for Nic, as well as breakfast. She knew the food would cook quickly, so she didn’t want to start right away but got the ingredients sorted. She had paused in her task to watch another scene from he K-drama she was watching.

Oh. Do you not want it to be a surprise?

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Caden seemed to grow a permanent smile on his face anytime Nero was around, and this was no different. Caden’s eyes drifted up and down, following Nero as they pranced around him, never able to sit still. He chuckled to himself as Nero listened off almost everything aside from furniture that they brought over.

”You know we’re going to have to bring that all back after the renovations are done, right?”

They reached the second master bedroom on the top floor and Caden opened up the door. The master on the guest wing wasn’t as large as Caden’s or the other rooms in his wing, but it was still comfortable and inviting. The windows over looked the side garden of the house, providing a private view.

Caden walked into the bedroom after Nero and shut the door, ready to shower and clean up for the day.

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All the tension that had been building up in her fades almost instantly when Avery hugs Kiki. She closes her eyes, taking a deep breath in, letting his musk surround her. Deep down, she knows he’s right. There was nothing she could have done differently aside from just not leaving the house that night. Her arms wrap tightly around her boyfriend as she hugs him back.

When Avery moves away, Kiki almost moves herself to pull him back in, but his large thumb under her chin stops her. She looks up at this man and can’t help the small smile at how much he’s done for her. color=FFF79A]“We don’t have to today, I know you need your chance to wolf out… But I’d appreciate your help when we do.”[/color]

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Nic grins at the text he receives back from Cass, chuckling as Todd pulls up to the smoothie place. The human offers to get the driver one as well, which he accepts.



The place has a little line in it, but it moves rather quickly thanks to the employees and their efficiency. Soon, Nic has a peanut butter and ‘jelly’ smoothie for himself, an orange cream for Todd, and Cass’ weird banana kale as he walks back to the car and gets in. He sends a quick follow-up text to let her know their ETA.

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“You say that like it was hard to move it in the first place.” Nero says with a smirk, hopping a little to kiss Caden’s cheek before they enter the bedroom and looks around. They remember when Caden had first taken them on the little tour of the house and can’t help but grin.

“Still can’t believe your ‘conquest room’ is so white and clean.” Nero says, jumping onto the bed and closely inspecting the headboard.

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Avery mirrored Kimiko's smile, easily getting himself lost in her hazel eyes when she met his gaze. He brushed his thumb across her lower lip as he spoke.

”You're more important than my need to ‘wolf out’,” he said before closing the distance between them with a kiss.

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Cassi glanced at her TV screen, watching the two main characters locking eyes before the guy looked away with indifference. She swallowed and replied back to Nic's message.

Just gardening and things. Reviewing the case.

She didn't know why but she felt embarrassed by the fact that she was watching K-dramas. There was no way Nic could ever find out. She couldn't bring herself to turn the TV off yet, but she would before Nic arrived.

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Caden laughed and shrugged. ”Makes it feel more like a hotel and less like a permanent stay. Most people get the idea. Those that don't, Henry gets to throw out.”

Caden walked over to the bed and leaned over to stare at the headboard with Nero. ”What are you looking for, my little imp?” His tone was playful, but deeper and evocative.

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Kiki goes cross-eyed as she tries to look at Avery’s thumb on her lips, almost tempted to bite it. What he says next makes her smile, even though she knows that he really does need to ‘wolf out’. She doesn’t have long to dwell on that thought before Avery closes the distance between them with a kiss. Pretty confident that she had seen Nero and Caden leave the gym, she wraps her arms around Avery’s Neck and pulls herself as close to Avery as she can while returning the kiss.

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Nic smiles to himself, feeling a little swell of pride for Cass. To be honest, he thought she would have gone back to sleep or just laid on the couch while he was working out. He should’ve known that Cass is anything but predictable. Except for knowing what makes her blush.

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Nero turns to smile widely and innocently at Caden. “Notches.” They say simply keeping the expression for a moment or two before winking. By no means is Nero jealous nor do they think Caden would actually keep track of his ‘conquests’, but it’s fun to tease their dragon.

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Memories of last night filtered into Avery's brain while he kissed Kimiko. The feel of her skin, a whisper of more when she was ready, had him pulling her in closer. Avery snaked his arm around Kimiko's waist, glad the others had left so he could hold and kiss her like this.

He deepened their kiss by brushing his tongue along her bottom lip before tangling his tongue up with hers. The taste of her smoothie still strong.

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Too engrossed with the TV show, Cassi's phone and Nic's text message was forgoti. Which was likely for the best since Cassi hadn't been looking over case files yet.

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Caden laughed again and kissed the top of Nero's head.

”I believe I'm what society would call a man whore, darling. I don't think you want to know my number count. I don't even know it.”

He stripped off his shorts and tossed them on the end of the bed.

”Are you joining me in the shower, or do I have to have fun by myself?”

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Kiki smiles against Avery’s lips as he pulls her close, happy that he obviously wants to be closer to her too. Her breath hitches when she feels his tongue, but she gladly accepts it, tangling it with her own. Her hand holds the nape of his neck as her other one traces down his back, her mind filled with the mental images of his tattoos.

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Cass hasn’t texted Nic back as Todd pulls up in front of her house. He thanks him for driving and grabs his duffel bag of clothes to sling over his shoulder before snatching the smoothies. He heads up to her door, briefly wondering if he should know or not but ultimately decides to walk in. It’s cute when Cass is surprised.

“Honey, I’m home!” Nic calls out, making sure to close the door behind him with his foot. Wayland has already sprinted excitedly to his side, meowing as he climbs his leg as if to ask where he’s been.

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Nero chuckles with a sly smirk as Caden talks before they’re easily distracted by Caden removing his shirt. “Well, it wouldn’t be very ‘man whore’ of you to be by yourself.” Nero teases but hops up the bed, discarding their shoes first. “So I might as well join you.”

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The arm around Kimiko’s waist tightened as she trailed her hand down Avery’s back. He had half a mind to pick her up and place her on one of the pieces of equipment to keep kissing her, but he didn’t. Instead, Avery pulled himself back. He loosened his hold around her waist and broke the kiss to rest his forehead against hers.

”How about we have breakfast outside? You shower, and I’ll bring it up.” Now with the house in normal working order, Avery didn’t have to make the meal. Something was likely already ready for them to have.

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Cassiopeia leaned forward on the couch, having found her way there earlier when the TV show started to get good. When the front door opened, Cassi jumped and made a surprised noise before she quickly turned the TV off.

”Hi! Welcome back,” she said, overeagerly. Cassi stood and approached Nic to take the smoothies from his hands. She kissed his cheek and walked back to the kitchen. ”Breakfast will be ready soon. Did you want to shower first?”

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Caden grinned and nodded in agreement. ”May as well. After all, my reputation is on the line,” he joked before heading into the bathroom while Nero undressed.

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Kiki is breathless as Avery rests his forehead on hers, properly flushed from their kiss. She smiles at his words, a small smirk making it crooked. “Are you ordering me around? Or are you saying I’m stinky?” She teases him while moving her hands to rest on his shoulders.

“Breakfast outside sounds good, but if we’re going to run around the woods as the fox and the hound later, I’d rather wait to shower.”

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Nic’s eyes follow Cass with bemusement, trying to guess what she was embarrassed about. She’s quick to take the smoothies and dash off. “Hm, I think I want to see what’s got you acting like such an eager beaver.” He chuckles as he goes to find the remote, hoping to catch what she had been watching while she’s in the kitchen.

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Nero snorts at this, following after him as they leave a trail of discarded clothes behind them before joining him in the bathroom. “If you’re a man whore, what does that make me?” They ask curiously.

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”On the contrary, I don't think you stink at all. You're natural scent is stronger right now and I enjoy it very much,” he said and kissed her forehead.

He pulled back, but took his hands and led her from the gym while he walked backwards. ”Maybe I am ordering you around. I am an alpha after all.”

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Cassiopeia turned her stove on and started to crack the eggs. The hash browns were already cooked and kept warm in the oven. ”Oh, nothing. Wait, what, no!”

She looked up in time for her TV to turn on with the Korean heartthrob from ‘King The Land’ on the TV. Cassi put her head in her hands and groaned.

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”The love of my life,” Caden said with a grin.

As soon as Nero stepped past the threshold, Caden stepped forward and scooped Nero into a bridal carry and carried them into the shower.

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A blush covers Kiki’s face at Avery saying that about her ‘scent’ without a hint of shame. Her lips fight a smile as she’s led out of the gym before slipping into a smirk at his words. “Well, did you know that the female fox is usually the alpha?” All her research into foxes versus wolves is starting to pay off in her mind.

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Nic chuckles at Cass’ slow reaction time as the television turns on. He actually recognizes the show and turns to grin lopsidedly at his girlfriend. “This is ‘Kingland’ or something, right?” He asks, his voice warm with enjoyment at Cass’ expense. Jane had gone through a k-drama phase in the last year and subjected both him and Kat into binging them with her.

“With how you were acting, I was going to guess something entirely different.” Nic says with a waggle of his brow.

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Nero squeaks before cringing at themselves - they really should be used to Caden picking them up anytime he pleases by now. They lean into his chest though as he carries them into the shower. “You must be a tree with all that sap.” They tease, but they can’t deny that they love it all the same.

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”Oh, really? Well I suppose I'd have to challenge you then. At least until we're mated, then it won't matter.”

Avery turned around once they were in the living room. He switched their hands around but continued to hold her hand behind his back, leading her to the kitchen.

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Cassiopeia's face burned behind her hands, but she eventually had to pull back to tend to breakfast.

”King The Land is the English translation,” she mumbled and added some spices to the sunny side up egg before putting bread in the toaster.

She had looked up several different recipes for something that was high in protein and would keep him going all day at work.

It was loaded toast with hashbrowns a spinach, but she also made bacon as well. Aside from that, Cassi had made Nic a Greek yogurt parfait for work, and several other snacks. All of that was sitting in the fridge, packed up and ready to go though.

Cassi looked up from her egg cooking when Nic teased her. ”If I was watching that I would have left it on and told you you're going to be late for work,” she said. The toast popped and Cassi turned to set that on the plates.

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”Only for you,” Caden said and kissed Nero before setting them down on the floor of the shower.

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Kiki pouts from behind Avery’s back. “Well, I don’t think I’d be much of a ‘challenge’ for you.” Staring at his back as he continues to lead her to the kitchen, she smiles at how silly but cute it is how he holds her hands still. “So… how do you become ‘mated’? And you’re not actually gonna be able to ‘alpha’ me either, right?”

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Nic laughs as he shakes his head, heading into the kitchen to kiss Cass’ cheek. “I mean, there’s still time for that.” He tells her with a wink and a grin as he watches her place the toast on the plate. “I’m guessing my window of opportunity to shower has quickly passed?” He eyes the food with a smile - it smells really good already.

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Avery chuckled and squeezed Kimiko's hands. He stopped outside the kitchen and turned to face her.

”I mean, I could try. Might be fun,” he joked. ”As for the mated part, it's more of a choice. When I was told about it, there is a tug that one can feel. A pull towards their person. If you close your eyes and let yourself feel it, some people see it as a string or cord running from you to them. The same is for your pack mates. So that pull or that cord, you follow it and accept it, let it join with you. I can have Bran talk to you about it more if you want. It's a little confusing,” he confessed before walking into the kitchen.

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Cassiopeia smiled, despite the warming she felt within her from Nic's teasing. She kept her focus on making breakfast and nodded.

”Yes. You can eat first and then I will heal you up a bit. Then I shouldn't have to cover your tattoo before you shower.”

Shortly after that, Cassi added the egg, hash browns, spinach, and bacon to the plate. She turned and handed Nic his. ”What do you want to drink?”