KazAlkemi

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”You underestimate the appetite of a werewolf who shifted quickly and is healing,” Caden tells Nic.

Caden told Nic Nero also unharmed before his attention quickly shifted back to Kimiko and he frowned. ”They could have damaged your vocal chords, Kiki. Or snapped your neck judging by how bad those bruises are.” Nic’s words of alarm sell Caden's point, and he looks at her.

”You see? Too close for comfort,” he said, shaking his head. She could have fractured vertebrae for all Caden knew.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Avery chuckled and went to bite into his sixth sandwich when he heard Nic. Avery dropped the sandwich and raced into the next room.

He came up behind Nic and froze. Avery started to tremble, his eyes shifting to yellow again. The bruising on Kiki's neck was black. Avery wouldn't be surprised if the area was numb.

Avery looked up at Caden and then the door where the last four wolves of Levi's pack live. Caden stepped to the side, effectively blocking the door and filling Avery's vision again.

”Avery. It's over. There's nothing left you can do.”

”The hell there isn't,” he said, his own voice foreign in his ears.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”Not a scratch on me,” Caden said and stood out of Nic's way while he examined Kimiko. ”Avery will eat, but he'll eat Cass out of house and home. Once we know Kimiko is stable, we'll head back to my place, so he can eat his fill there,” Caden explained to Nic.

”How is she?” Caden asked, taking on more of a tender tone.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Cassiopeia and Avery walked inside together. Cassi had a bit of blood on her vest from killing wolves, and she would have to clean her blades up as well.

Avery held himself tightly while his body worked on healing itself. He could smell egg salad and bacon though and his stomach won out over staying in the living room.

Cassiopeia slipped into the kitchen quickly with Avery, so she could take her vest off and Avery could eat.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Avery wolfed — no pun intended — down three sandwiches before eating at a normal pace. He leaned against the table next to Nero.

”You know, you're kinda scary when you want to be,” Avery informed them.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Cassi's House – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Caden glanced at Avery who shifted forward when Kiki visibly winced, but he stayed back until Cassiopeia was done. Caden chuckled and led Kimiko up the stairs.

”Define okay. He broke nearly every traffic law driving over to the warehouse. I don't think Costa is going to appreciate how much money the city is going to lose.”

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Avery wanted to run to Kimiko when she winced. He wanted to know where the pain was so he could take it away, but he was afraid of touching her and causing more damage.

He caught himself before he could run, pinning himself to the sidewalk and focused on Cassiopeia's presence behind him.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Cassi's House– Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

”You're bleeding,” Avery informed Cassi.

Cassiopeia looked at her front door but Nic had already disappeared. ”I know. Don't tell Nic. I want to make sure Kiki is okay first.”

”And then you'll tell him?”

Cassiopeia rolled her eyes. ”I have half a mind to stab you with a silver blade,” she said.

Avery grinned and wrapped Cassi's arm around his. ”Good, you're still fiery. That means no concussion,” Avery teased.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Cassiopeia's attention shifts to look at Caden and Nero. They trace Caden's tattoos in a rhythmic pattern that Cassi understands to be a soothing method. She focuses on that while Nero explains about Mundus’ involvement.

Cassiopeia frowns. She remembered seeing that name in books and hushed whispers around the fire, but what did he want with Cassi's people?

She looks back up at Caden's face and Nero when they continue to tell Cassi not to throw her friendship away with Caden. Cassi doesn't say anything and she just looks away. This is new information she has to process, and new questions she has to file away.

They pull onto Cassiopeia's street and a new string of anxieties take over her thoughts.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Caden squeezes Nero's hand when they tell Cassi about Mundus’ involvement. He really thought that information would help Cassiopeia see past her prejudice with Nero, and start to understand just what sort of life Nero had to endure.

He pulls up outside Cassiopeia's house and turns the car off. ”Cass, could you spell the other SUV so the wolves can't get out if they wake up?”

Cassiopeia looks at Caden and nods once. ”Yes,” she said eagerly before getting out of the vehicle.

”Hmm, do you think Nic is going to scold her for not telling him she's hurt? It's been awhile since I've seen Cassi scared of someone,” Caden said with a grin. He kissed Nero's hand before getting out, and opened the back door to help Kimiko out.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

They pull up outside Cassiopeia's house and Avery stays in the car for a minute longer. He gripped the steering wheel tight, and breathed deeply. So many thoughts were roaring through his brain. He hadn't felt this confused since before he met Caden and they formed a pack bond.

A car door opens up, and the sound of footsteps on pavement causes Avery to look up. He's hoping to see Kimiko, but it's Cassi. Avery gets out quickly, concern etched across his face.

”What's wrong?” he demanded.

Cassi stopped short and looked at Avery in confusion. ”What? Oh, Caden wants me to spell the vehicle so the wolves can't get out. She's fine.” Cass pats Avery's arm to reassure him, but her eyes are amused as she walks past Avery.

Oh. Right. Avery looked down, feeling embarrassed, but he looked up again when Caden got out to open the back door.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Nic's next text comes through and Cassiopeia puts her phone away. Crap. She looks out the window, watching Chicago's skyline go by as Caden manoeuvres down streets. She may be hurt but at least she's alive.

”Nero. I'm grateful for your quick reaction earlier, but I'm nowhere near ready to forgive you. I don't think I will ever be able to forgive what you've done.” Her tone wasn't harsh or rude, it was a statement of fact.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

Caden looked from Cassi to Nero. He rested his hand on Nero's leg after Cassi spoke about being grateful for Nero saving her.

”Would you consider forgiving them because they were just following orders?”

Cassi turned her focus back to Caden and frowned. ”What do you mean?”

Instead of answering, Caden looked at Nero to answer.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.

---

---

Caden

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.

---

---

Avery Zain

---

---

Location: Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Avery Zain & Caden

---

---

Location: Hideout ---> Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.

Translations

Thank you for being here and for helping.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hideout ---> Driving – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

"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.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Avery Zain & Caden

---

---

Location: Hideout – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

"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.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hideout – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Avery Zain & Caden

---

---

Location: Hideout – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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?"

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hideout – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.

Chicago After Hours -- Paused (indefinitely)

---

---

Avery Zain & Caden

---

---

Location: Hideout – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.

---

---

Cassiopeia Claire Alistair

---

---

Location: Hideout – Chicago, IL
Skills:

---

---

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.