"Dillon. Come here ya freak! The young shifter looked almost frightened at the sound of his name being roared so loudly. He stepped back against the wall. It was his only safe place.
Ethan was miles away. He only hoped his brother could feel him. Sense him enough to find him. Then there was Lauren and Charlotte. He wished more for his brother, so his mother and sister would be protected and safely away from danger.
He bowed his little head and started scratching at the ground. If he couldn't escape, maybe he could dig a hole big enough to crawl into, and dig another to climb up and out. His paws were starting to bleed, as violently as he had been scratching the concrete.
His only mistake was taking his eyes off of his surroundings. His other mistake was taking that nap. He thought he would be safe in his own house. Charlotte was busy elsewhere and his brother had tired himself out from the hours that they spent playing.
He roared at the threat stalking him. So she was bigger. So she was a bit faster. But he is Bo's. He is Lauren's. If she wanted him, she was going to get all of him.
She picked him up into her mouth, and threw him against the wall. It stung, but it didn't hurt. All he needed to do, was get her off of her feet. Or did he?
He watched as she tried to get low enough to pounce. Stupid woman. She must have forgotten who she was screwing with.
Dillon knelt down as far as the ground would allow him to go. Closing his eyes for the moment, he opened them and they were flashing blue. Taking deep breaths, he started pulling the shifter's Chi. She looked almost shocked at how much he was pulling all at once. She used her paws to try and cover her mouth. That didn't matter, the force was too strong and she was slowly starting to fade. Then he was snatched up and flung violently into the raggedy crib turned into a cage. He passed out out and when he woke up, he saw one of the shifters that had been outside of their home for days. Round two, he thought.
He only flinched when he heard two roars. It was them. They had come for him. Charlotte first, then Lauren. Both shifters eyes were flashing gold and blue. Charlotte ran at full speed. He wagged his tail, watching his sister doing some pouncing of her own.
"Dillon? Wake up sweetie. It's mama". Bo said softly shaking him. She had been trying to wake him for almost ten minutes. She knew better than to try her pulses. When she heard him roaring, she thought he was going to bite her in his sleep.
Dillon rolled over as Bo continued stroking his back.
"Mama's sorry. I'm so sorry. I let them take you". Bo sobbed softly then cleared her throat when she heard footsteps from the hall.
"Bo? What's wrong? The water is getting cold". Lauren asked walking into the nursery.
"I'm sorry babe. He's just not waking up. I think he's having a nightmare and it's all my fault". Bo said softly bowing her head.
"It's not your fault Bo. Charlotte has nightmares too. I was just asking because Ethan and Charlotte have been bathed and are downstairs with your mother and Kenzi". Lauren said softly rubbing the Succubus back.
"They took him Lauren. We were lucky to find him, before they could have done worse". Bo snapped through her tears.
"Mikayla felt all of me Bo. I think I was still picking her out of my teeth this morning. She will never touch him again". Lauren cooed into Bo's ears still rubbing her back.
Bo cringed in anger. Lauren had gone and fought again, and she wasn't fast enough to catch up to her. She didn't blame Lauren for taking off as quickly as she did, but Bo wasn't a shifter. Lauren and the kids would always be faster.
"I need to get something faster than my car. A motorcycle perhaps". Bo said flatly.
"Bo nobody is blaming you for not getting to her. When I got there, I saw where she was keeping him and what she had done to him. She needed to die, right then and there". Lauren roared, forgetting where she was.
Dillon had woken up with his eyes flashing blue and gold. Before the trio knew it, they had been joined by Charlotte and Etan.
"I'm sorry babies". Lauren cooed picking up Ethan and Charly while Bo tended to Dillon.
"Since they are all up now, why don't you give him a bath while I feed Charly and Ethan". Lauren cooed kissing Bo on her forehead.
"Yeah. I'd like that. I need that". Bo said softly pulling their son closer to her.
"I think you do too". Lauren smiled softly, rubbing Bo's back a final time before walking away.
Charlotte was looking at Dillon, as Lauren carried her and Ethan out. For the small amount of time that he was gone, she had missed him. She had failed him. But never again.
"Come on sweetie. Let's get you a bath". Bo cooed walking slowly down the hall and into the bathroom. She smiled as she noticed Lauren had already cleaned up from the other baths. She felt a tinge of embarrassment, knowing she had been waiting on Bo to bring Dillon so she could bathe him. The Succubus had secretly wished to do it herself. Lauren had done so much already, she needed to step up her job as a mother too.
She ran his bath as fast as she could. It wasn't too hot but not too cold either. They had picked out boyish scented soaps for them. They had plenty of clothes, as did Charlotte, but she mostly preferred to remain in her Lioness form. So a lot of clothes never made it to her body. Bo and Lauren took it to mean that she wanted to be ready for anything or anyone that came to their doorstep or near them out in public.
They bought them all rubber ducky's to play with. Charlotte had torn hers up many times, so they had to buy new ones for the boys and kept them separate, away from their daughter.
Bo stared at Dillon as he splashed the water. He was so handsome and a wonderful surprise.
She had let him and her family down. Their house was supposed to be secured and it wasn't. A traitor had been allowed to guard them, when she was plotting to take them herself. Bo wasn't sure how many of the other shifters Lauren knew personally, but she would be finding out.
When Dillon stopped splashing and was staring at Bo, she knew he was ready to get out. She gently cleaned him, making sure there weren't any bruises, although Lauren had assured her that he was fine.
She dried him off, and dressed him identical to Ethan. Blue jeans and a sky blue flannel shirt. She gently combed his hair. She giggled thinking how much they were starting to look like her and Lauren. Charlotte was mostly Lauren in looks, but the rest was Bo.
"Let's go get something to eat. I'm starving". Bo smiled at her son. They walked down the hall and Bo heard his stomach. It sounded like he was starving too.
She and Lauren had gotten up early and showered. They wanted to be up so they could start cleaning the house up. Kenzi had arranged for new patio doors to be installed, and they would do the rest manually.
She walked down and saw that Lauren had been keeping breakfast hot for them. She made her way to the table, and took a seat, as the older shifter placed a plate in front of them. Charlotte and Ethan were playing near the couch. Kenzi was on the phone and Bo had no idea where Aife was.
"If you want to put him on the floor, I can put a plate down". Lauren said softly.
"No. It's time the boys got used to using utensils". Bo laughed softly. It took them forever to get Charlotte to eat like that. The young lady was so independent.
"Hey! Guess what day is coming up!? Lauren cooed looking at the kids.
"Charlotte will be one going on twenty". Bo laughed.
"I know! We need to have a party! Lauren smiled wide, looking at the calendar.
"Party? Somebody say party?! Kenzi asked excitedly.
"Charlotte's first birthday party". Lauren laughed shaking her head.
"Well shi...shucks! That's great! Huh Charly!? Kenzi cooed.
Charlotte lifted her head long enough to look in their direction, and went back to playing with her brother.
"This going to be a-freaking-mazing! Aunt Kenz has so much to do! Kenzi clapped in glee.
"Now, now Kenzi, we are not throwing an all black party. She has enough black clothes, thanks to you, as it is! Lauren laughed loudly sitting down next to Bo and Dillon.
"Hey! You can never have too much black! Kenzi laughed joining them.
Bo cleared her throat and thought about Charlotte's birthday. It was going to be an emotional one. Especially for Lauren who missed out on the delivery. Sure Bo had the procedure taped but neither of them had ever gotten around to watching it. She wished it had been a normal delivery, just so Lauren could have seen when their daughter was born.
Bo had cried for hours, and hours after the nurse handed Charlotte to her. She immediately set down as close to Lauren as she could get, without disturbing the medical equipment. Kenzi did what she could to comfort the Succubus. But Bo was a strong mixture of happiness and sadness.
Finally done feeding Dillon, Bo gently placed him by his brother and sister. They had plenty of room to run around and play. The big kids had to get busy. The house would never clean itself.
"I have cleaned most of the kitchen up. We only need to clean around the patio doors and wait for the new ones to arrive". Lauren said softly sipping her coffee.
"Yeah the plastic covering won't last long if we allow the kids near it". Bo laughed. They had to triple stack some baby gates to keep them from getting the chance to jump over them and tear the temporary window cover up.
"Told ya to use a blanket". Kenzi said eating some cereal.
"Well we can't see through a blanket and I want to see outside". Bo said softly squinting just to see outside. She had taped the plastic herself. Not even an ant could get in.
"Gotcha". Kenzi said nearly spitting out her food.
"What time are these guys coming Kenzi? Lauren asked.
"They should be here any minute so you two might wanna...". Kenzi said pointing towards the kids.
"Ohhh crap. She's right. We need to get them upstairs". Bo laughed.
Lauren scooped up the twins as Bo bent down for Charlotte who moved back.
"Fine. Walk by yourself". Bo laughed. Somtimes she just didn't want to be picked up, or carried anywhere.
The ladies had made a spare bedroom into a huge playroom for the kids. This one had no windows. Only monitors that were placed high up so they could see the entire room.
"Bo? Charlotte? Lauren called putting the twins down.
"Ugh that kid. I guess she stayed downstairs". Bo laughed.
"Well go and get her while I set the toys out, you know she won't like guests". Lauren smiled.
"I know. I know". Bo laughed softly stomping out of the room.
It was too early for a nap so Lauren set out plenty of toys for the three to play with. None of them could be torn apart. Lauren had tested them herself, once when she shifted.
Bo walked downstairs and didn't see Charlotte where she had left her. She looked at the couch, and the tv was still off, so she was not watching cartoons.
"Kenzi! Bo screamed.
Kenzi poked her out of the kitchen, pointing at the phone in her hand.
"Where is Charlotte? Bo mouthed. Kenzi shrugged, and started walking around to help Bo look.
"Since Lea's up for visitors, I am coming in". Aife said hanging up her phone.
"The kids really did a job on you huh? Aife mocked Hades who was dead but the Succubus wanted to get her licks in. She brought him back to life, kicked him in his testicles repeatedly and drained him. The kids will bury him later. She laughed to herself.
She turned to walk towards her car and pulled out her phone. Reaching her car, she climbed inside. The back door had been open and she closed it.
Starting to pull out, she jumped.
"And where are you going? Aife smiled.
Charlotte nodded her head and Aife understood. She must have heard her mentioning Lea and wanted to come along.
"Ok let me call your mother. She will be frantic with worry". Aife smiled. She wasn't sure she would be babysitting today. But this was about business.
"Mom! This is not a good time, Charly's missing". Bo cried.
"Shhh sweetie. She's with me. She was waiting in my car". Aife laughed.
"What? She was just here? Where are you? Bo rambled.
"I was in the backyard talking to your daddy. I had a little fun with him and left him be. When I got in my car, Charlotte was inside. I am going to see Lea". Aife said coolly.
"Mom what are you going to do? Bo asked. Aife and Charlotte out in public? The thought had her on edge.
"I am just going to talk to her. These fu...fools fuc...screwed with the wrong family". Aife said correcting herself as Charlotte bristled from the back seat.
"Mom...my baby...". Bo started.
"She's my baby too. Don't worry Isabeau. Nobody will hurt her". Aife said with her Succubus eyes flashing behind her sunglasses. It was a good thing Charlotte couldn't see them.
"Oh I wasn't worried about her safety. I know you will protect her. I was just going to say Charlotte's in a...mood". Bo said softly.
"As opposed to who? Aife laughed.
"Mom please". Bo said.
"I will be careful with her. I promise". Aife said seriously. She had already pulled off, so Bo couldn't ask her to bring the shifter back.
"Ok but hurry back with her. The boys will start to look for her, if she's gone for too long". Bo said proudly. The trio were so protective of each other. It softened her worries about them turning out to be monsters a bit.
"I am just going to question her and hurry right back. Besides I can't just call her and ask these questions. That woman will get a good dose of my powers, so she won't be able to lie". Aife said.
"I really don't think Lea had anything to do with it mom. She and Lauren are good friends. We all are". Bo said.
"You may trust her sweetie, I don't". Aife laughed. They were almost to the hospital.
"Ok. Just hurry back! Oh and we have her party to plan! Bo said excitedly.
"Oooh, well we may be out a little longer then! Aife grinned.
"Mom". Bo sighed.
"Ok. Ok. I will do my thing after I bring her back". Aife said slowly pulling into the parking lot. Looking around, she parked closest to the door. If Charlotte really was in a mood, she wanted to be able to run out to the car and speed off if they needed to.
"Ok Charlotte. Let's go". Aife laughed climbing out of the front seat. Walking around, she found Charlotte was still in her shifter form.
"Can you shfit for Nana? This place believes in cleanliness". Aife laughed.
Charlotte roared but did as she was told. Bo was right. Charly was in a mood. So the Succubus tried not to take her groaning personally. She grabbed a pair of shorts and a shirt from a bag. She had already did a little bit of shopping when she found out that she was a grandmother. She peeled the tags off and dressed Charlotte. Taking some wet wipes, she cleaned her arms, legs and face.
"Let's go sweets. Your mama will wet herself if I keep you for too long". Aife laughed lifting Charlotte out of the car.
She started walking towards the hospital when Charlotte pushed against her.
"Ok. Ok. You want to walk. I get it". Aife laughed.
"Ohhh she's adorable".
"What a gorgeous baby".
"She takes after you!
That's when Charlotte roared at the lady that said it, and she stepped far away.
"Didn't like that last compliment huh? Aife laughed as she walked behind Charlotte.
"Can I help you ma'am? A nurse asked.
"We are here to see Lea...shoot I don't know her last name". Aife said softly.
"Well that makes it a bit difficult". The nurse frowned.
"She's a friend of Dr. Lewis, does that help? Aife asked.
"Ohhh the shifter. I guess this would be her little girl then? The nurse asked pointing at Charlotte.
Charlotte roared again.
"Easy baby. You guessed wrong woman. This is Dr. Lewis and Bo Dennis' daughter". Aife laughed taking the guest pass and room number from the woman.
"Ooooo my apologies". The nurse bowed. Charlotte was still eyeballing her, as Aife gently pulled her along by her hand.
"Ok baby. I am just going to ask her a few questions. She won't be able to answer me if you bite her neck. Ok? Aife said softly as she knelt down face to face with her granddaughter. When Charlotte looked away, she had her answer.
This woman was toast if Charlotte stayed in that mood. They walked down a short distance, and Aife knocked on the door.
"Who is it? Lea coughed.
"It's Aife". Aife answered calmly.
"Oh. Come in". Leah coughed as she sat up in her bed.
Aife looked down at Charlotte, who was looking straight ahead. She pushed open the door, allowing her to go in first. Turning back, she gently closed it.
"Charly! You came to see me! Lea perked up.
Charlotte roared and jumped into the bed, pinning the shifter on the bed.
"As you can see, we both have questions". Aife said trying to pull Charlotte off, but failed.
"Charlotte. Sweetie. I swear I didn't know what Mikayla was planning! Lea said said lifting the younger shifter off of her, and into Aife's waiting arms.
"Isabeau and Lauren may trust you. But as you can see, we don't". Aife said struggling to hold Charlotte. She was sending pulses into to her back and received them back in return. How does she do that? Aife thought internally before refocusing on Lea.
"Mikayla was always so loyal. I don't know how he convinced her to do that". Lea sighed. Lauren's family meant the world to her, and many others.
"Who else is coming? Who else was in on it? Aife snapped. Charlotte nearly bit her hands to get out of them.
"I don't know. She was only working with him, I think". Lea said searching her mind for clues.
Aife bent over. Taking one hand off of Charlotte, she put a hand on Lea's arm. "I will give you two days to find out. If you don't know anything by then, the next time that they see you, it will be in the morgue". Aife nodded towards Charlotte.
Lea slumped down on the bed. She had never felt a pulse like that. She was sure she had wet the bed, and pressed the button for her nurse to come.
"Let's go Charly. Your mothers and brothers are probably worried sick". Aife cooed as she walked out. Charlotte never took her eyes off of Lea.
Bo, Lauren and Kenzi.
"Where are they? They've been gone too long! Bo snapped as she paced back and forth.
"Bo! Screaming like that won't calm the boys down any faster". Lauren snapped watching Bo.
"Yo. You both need to chill. I don't think Aife would put Charlotte in danger". Kenzi said watching the both of them as she drank a glass of water. Lauren had to bandage her arm up, and Kenzi wanted a stronger drink to numb the pain. Lauren had advised against it. Trying to hold down angry shifters wasn't a good idea. They scratched all of them repeatedly. Bo and Lauren healed each other. Kenzi had to wait to be healed.
Ethan and Dillon had noticed that their sister was gone hours ago. They hadn't torn up the playroom yet, but they were on their way.
Bo paced faster and faster, throwing her arms into the air. Aife had promised that she wouldn't be gone long, and it was already beyond too long for the Succubus state of mind.
Lauren couldn't do anything to calm Bo down. She needed her to be calm, because the boys could sense her distress too.
"Bo don't make me sedate you". Lauren sighed.
"She said she would be back by now! Bo snapped, and turned her head when she heard a door opening.
They heard scratching on the floor, and knew it was Charlotte running inside.
"Charly baby! Come to mama! Bo cooed dropping to her knees, and was knocked over on to her back by Charlotte, as she ran upstairs to join her brothers.
"What the hell was that? Kenzi laughed helping her friend up.
"She's still in a mood". Aife laughed.
"Where have you been? Bo groaned.
"I told you we were going to see Lea and that's what we did. Now getting your baby into the car, when she wanted to stay, was another problem. I had to stop and feed from the cuts and bruises she scratched into my arm". Aife laughed.
"She's ok though right? Lauren asked.
"She's fine. She's fine. She fed too". Aife laughed.
"Mom! Bo said.
"Food. Isabeau. I fed her steaks". Aife explained.
"Ok I told you, we are watching what she eats. No stray animals from now on, until she's bigger at least". Bo said.
"Speaking of that! When is the party? Aife smiled.
"We still have a few weeks yet. So you have plenty of time to do, whatever is that you are going to do". Lauren laughed.
"Yeah mom please. Nothing too weird?! Bo said softly.
"Sweetie you don't have enough closet space for the outfits, and toys I am going to buy her". Aife laughed.
"She likes black too! Kenzi laughed pointing at Aife's outfit.
"So does Bo, but we just don't want her wearing only black". Lauren laughed again.
"Neither Succubus needs money to shop either". Kenzi laughed thinking of all the times Bo used her powers to get stuff.
"Just go easy. We don't want to spoil them". Bo said softly.
"We'll see". Aife laughed.
"Mom". Bo said seriously.
"Ok. Ok". Aife laughed.
Charlotte, Ethan and Dillon.
Charlotte had been training the boys since she got home. They were almost asleep when she came into the room. When they heard her footsteps, they jumped up with glee.
She was timing them on how fast they could shift. They must have been practicing without her, because Ethan had improved a lot.
The boys didn't cringe or groan as they shifted. She never had either.
Charlotte took a few minutes to look around the room. Her eyes went wide when a thought hit. She bent her head down and back up, letting loose the loudest roar she had.
Ethan and Dillon watched her for a moment, and soon all three were roaring. The sound seemed to be shaking the room as they giggled and went at it again.
After awhile the three ran downstairs and towards the brand new patio doors.
"You wanna go out? Bo cooed looking down at them.
"I will go out with them. I think I know where they are going". Aife laughed opening the door.
The other three women followed them all out. Just as Aife had suspected. They started digging in the ground near Hades remains.
"They are going to bury him?! Kenzi snorted.
"Well at least we will know where he is". Aife laughed.
Bo cringed. She didn't want his bones in their backyard, but she wouldn't stop her kids from enjoying themselves. At least they were outside again, and safe.
TBC
Lauren calls a shifter meeting.
Aife hosts a Fae meeting at the Dal.
Bo and Lauren shop for a motorcycle.