Kenzi and Hale
The duo had spent hours trying to cheer the kids up. They didn't look too unhappy unless Kenzi and Hale went near one of them. Charlotte had been playing with her brothers, laughing and smiling. Hale took the brunt of her anger when she bit him on his wrist. Not enough to draw blood, but enough to leave a mark.
"I need to change Ethan". Kenzi whispered as she wrapped Hale's wrist.
"Good luck getting near him. Charlotte won't allow either of us to get close. If I use my Siren, she will probably consider that a threat too". Hale sighed.
He loves Bo and Lauren's kids, but babysitting them was something totally different. In human forms, they wouldn't be a problem, but Charlotte wouldn't change back to her human form. Not even when he gave her a snack. She ate it and went back to playing with Dillon and Ethan.
Kenzi wasn't getting anywhere either with her claimed niece. She cooed and cooed and none of her attempts even remotely charmed Charlotte to allow her near her brother.
"Dude there are only two things I can do. Wait for Bo and Lauren to get back and get my ass chewed for not changing him or snatch him up and speed clean him". Kenzi said.
Neither option sounded like a good idea to Hale. From what he read of human babies, Ethan could get diaper rash if he is not changed soon. That would surely piss Lauren off and make her scrub everyone that even attempted to hold her sons or daughter.
"I have an idea. I will put on some music, that should distract them long enough for you to change Ethan. Please be quick about it. If they get angry or hungry again, we both could be an instant dinner". Hale said.
Kenzi nodded and waited for Hale to walk over to the stereo and turn on the radio. She smiled when the music started.
"Hey! Lets party! Hale screamed as he started dancing. Ethan and Dillon looked in his direction but didn't move. They went back to playing with each other and jumped when Charlotte stood up to walk towards the stereo. Standing on her hind legs, Charlotte pushed the power button until it turned off.
"Well damn that didn't work. Either she didn't like that song or doesn't want to hear any music". Hale laughed after he stopped working.
"Screw it". Kenzi said as she snatched Ethan up and flinched when he roared.
"Ohhh shi...". Hale started and was nearly knocked over when Charlotte took off running towards Kenzi.
"Nakedra, Aunt Kenzi just needs to change him ok? Kenzi said standing straight up and lifted Ethan as high as she could to keep Charlotte from reaching him.
"Hurry Kenzi hurry! Hale screamed over Charlotte roaring in protest.
"I'm trying". Kenzi screamed as she pulled off his diaper, grabbed a baby wipe, cleaned him, and put a fresh diaper on. The shifter was snapping his little head up showing his teeth as Charlotte was lunging towards Kenzi's legs as she moved them out of the way respectively to keep from being bitten.
"There. All done. You can have him back now". Kenzi said putting Ethan back on the floor.
Hale shook his head and laughed. Ethan and Dillon weren't even one yet, which meant Bo and Lauren were in for a lot of moments like that. He watched as Charlotte, Ethan and Dillon found another spot to play. Far from them but at least they had a chance to clean up a bit now.
The house was a wreck toys and nerf balls everywhere. Most of the balls had bites in them. Hale could tell they were mostly Charlotte's. They put bowls of milk on the floor so the kids would drink it and they spilled some, so the floors were sticky. They all clearly needed baths but that was not in their baby-sitting descriptions. Not with the mood Charlotte was in tonight. Or lately.
"Do you think if we put them in the playroom, they will stay there? I mean I know there isn't any windows, but we need to clean. Seriously clean because a neat freak like Lauren will be seven kinds of pissed off". Kenzi whispered.
"The only way the boys will go is if Charlotte goes. I don't think she is going anywhere that she can't see Bo and Lauren coming home". Hale explained.
"Well shit". Kenzi whispered.
"I will scrub the floors while you gather the toys. Might help to toss them a few to play with". Hale said.
"Ok but hurry. I don't even think cartoons are going to help at this stage". Kenzi said as she gathered a few of the toys up. She shook her head. The kids have a life she could only dream of. They had a loving, protective family and were loaded with money. Even though they didn't know what money is yet. Lauren had and is still making so much money, their great-grandchildren were going to be rich too.
Lauren, Bo and Aife.
Lauren had ran for hours until she found the scent she was looking for. She only stopped when Bo needed to get some gas. If she kept going, she likely wouldn't have found it. She should have left Bo and Aife behind, but she honestly didn't know what she would be walking into. She had only known the pack for a year before she became pregnant with Charlotte. If their baby sensed something was off, then something was off. Charlotte. The girl was well beyond her years. Only one and she could talk and think like she was ten or even twenty.
It enraged Lauren more that she thought they left her. That must be how she feels about Lauren too. All the time she was in her coma, Charly was bonding with Bo, Lauren was missing out. It has to be the reasoning behind Charlotte telling Bo she left her. As in Bo left Charlotte and it was all the Succubus fault for leaving her. She didn't address Lauren with that same disappointment and shame. But the Doctor still felt it. Still felt the distance no parent should feel with their child.
"So you think this is where she is, or was? Bo asked softly stepping behind Lauren.
"This is where her scent ends. Either she was here or is still here". Lauren replied as she inhaled.
"Did you try calling her? Bo asked.
"Didn't bring my phone". Lauren said. It made sense, how could she carry it after she shifted? Putting it in her mouth would be gross.
"Let me try". Bo said as she pulled out her own phone. Lauren watched all around. This was really dangerous for Bo to be here. They could be attacked at any moment, from any angle.
"If I would have killed that bitch when we literally had her in a bed, none of this would be necessary! Aife snapped as she looked around.
"About that. How did Charly seem with her? Bo asked curiously. They had never discussed it.
"Charlotte would have feasted day and night on her. She wanted her dead then, like she wants her dead now. I thought it was only Hades after the boys but clearly her Succubus senses something more". Aife explained.
"Or the shifter in her does". Bo sighed in disappointment. These were her kids. Their kids, she needed to do more than she did.
Lauren was kicking herself. She thought everything was the same. That nothing about Lea should be upsetting Charlotte but clearly their daughter saw something or noticed something.
"Screw this". Bo said and climbed the nearest tree, until she nearly reached the top.
"Bo? Lauren said watching her.
"I know you bitches are out there. I warned you that if I had come to back, there would be hell to pay. Now show yourselves! Bo screamed.
The trio watched quietly as they heard rustling of leaves. Small roars and paws pounding against the ground.
"Lauren what are you doing back here? One Lioness asked.
"Nevermind why she's here, tell us where Lea is". Bo said jumping down from the tree.
"You talk a lot of shit Succubus, but you are clearly out of your element here". The shifter laughed.
"Do not threaten her". Lauren bristled.
"You bring these people among us and then have the nerve to try and get defensive? Sharla laughed.
"These people are my family which is why I'm here. Now where is Lea?! Lauren asked angrily gritting her teeth.
Lauren, Bo and Aife stood side by side when more shifters started surrounding them.
"Stick close to me". Lauren whispered.
"Look ladies Lauren brought us a late snack". Sharla laughed watching the trio.
Lauren looked up and Bo and Aife. The Succubus clearly didn't have a plan for all of the shifters, but she did. Bowing her head and lifting it, she charged at all of them. Taking bite after bite into everyone that was in her path.
"C'mon mom, we have to help her! Bo said pulling her blade from it's sheath. She ran and swung at shifter after shifter. Aife just started draining them just enough for them to pass out, and nearly lost her fingers in a few of their mouths.
"Stop! A voice screamed.
All the shifters and Succubus stopped their latest movements and turned around. There she stood.
Bo growled and ran towards the woman. "What the fuck did you do to Dillon? She said grabbing Lea by her collar.
"Let go of me Bo". Lea roared.
"If she does, I will be the next to grab you". Lauren said snapping her teeth.
"I damn sure will". Aife laughed angrily. She walked towards the women and was so close she could smell Bo's shampoo.
"Let her go". Sharla roared.
"Shut up you! Aife snapped.
"I warned you bitches not to fuck with my kids. You are going to tell us everything tonight! Bo screamed with her eyes flashing blue.
"Bring her Bo". Lauren said as she walked away.
"That's right. We are walking out of here with this bitch. If you follow us, I will drain you before your paws hit the ground! Bo snapped as she pulled Lea who was in her human form, away.
"All I wanted was to see Lea, If i come back, I will be coming for all of you". Lauren snapped over her shoulder. The shifter never turned back to the group. Aife walked backwards keeping her eyes on them, until they were no longer in sight.
The women walked until they found another opening with a large tree stump in the center. Bo pulled Lea to it and pushed her to sit. Lauren walked around her never taking her eyes off of her.
"Now you are going to tell us what you did to Dillon or what you know was done to him". Bo snapped tapping her blade against her palm.
Bo thought back to one night of Dillon's many nightmares. He had been tossing violently in his sleep. He roared. He opened his mouth as if he was about to bite into someone or something. Whatever he was feeling, his sister must have been feeling it too. Something definitely stunk about all of this.
"Are you going to answer her or not?! Lauren snapped as she constantly circled Lea. This was a perfect position in case she tried to shift and run. Lea was much older than Lauren, so Lauren is faster than she is.
"Lauren I can explain but do they have to be here? Lea asked flinching whenever Aife got closer.
"Yes we have to be here". The Succubus whispered in her ear.
"Mikayla and I had been secretly dating for a long time. We didn't want anyone in the pack to know. She was much younger than I am. When we started talking about wanting kids, we searched for a donor among the pack and couldn't find one. I happened to mention how wonderful shifter children are and used yours as an example. She begged me to come to guard the house with me that morning. So I allowed her to. We stood outside the gates and watched Dillon and Ethan playing. Mikayla was so happy watching them that she asked how old they were. I told her they weren't even a year yet. She mentioned something about if she had one of them, she wouldn't need to wait on a donor. They are still young enough for her to claim as hers. She said she had recently met a man that knew all about their powers. I never met the man myself so she must have been seeing him behind my back. Anyways we walked up to the house and the patio doors, she wanted to hold one, so I opened the doors. The next thing I knew, she bit into me and knocked me down, then she snatched him into her mouth and ran". Lea explained.
Lauren was furious. "You you were supposed to be watching the house, yet you were watching my kids, waiting to kidnap them?!
"Stupid bitch! Aife said as she violently slapped Lea on the back of her head.
"Chartlotte must have found your scent somewhere. Where did she did find it?! Bo snapped pushing Aife away until they could get further answers.
"I'm old! I couldn't have given Mikayla a child. I'm not a Succubus or a man". Lea said defensively.
"Where did she find your scent? Bo asked slowly.
"I don't know. She must have found it in the cabin". Lea deduced.
"Must have or you know she did? Aife asked walking behind Lauren as they both circled Lea.
"So let me see if I have this right. You were secretly dating someone who was younger than you so you went out looking for a donor. Never found one and then stood back and watched as she cased our kids?! Lauren snapped.
"It wasn't like that! Lea said.
"Then what was it like? Because Lauren's summation sounded right to me! Bo snapped.
"I didn't know she was going to kidnap him! I thought she just wanted a closer look". Lea explained.
"Our kids are not cars. They are not something you put out on a showroom floor for all to see! Bo snapped.
The Succubus was pacing back and forth. This was bullshit. They had trusted Lea. Trusted her with their kids and their house. She never doubted that Lauren had trusted the wrong woman. They all had. How many nights had they gone to sleep thinking their house was secured? How many days had she watched Lea standing outside thinking she was protecting them when it turns out she was projecting them. Exposing their kids to danger that even Lauren didn't know was there.
"You know you have to die now". Bo said angrily.
"I can just leave and never return". Lea said.
"You could but Charlotte would know you were still alive and I can't look at our daughter, knowing that I let her down again". Lauren said as she stopped walking.
"Bo and I can handle it". Aife said stepping forward.
"Get her out of here, and both of you can go home. I will deal with the pack". Lauren said.
"Lauren". Bo said worriedly.
"It will be ok Bo, I promise. Now go". Lauren said walking back towards where she left the pack.
Bo and Aife walked away but not before telling Lea to walk before them. They walked quite a distance before Aife stopped Lea.
"It didn't have to be this way. But you just put our kids out there like they were for sale or some shit. You could have done things so much differently. Like tell her that we didn't want them disturbed. Like telling Lauren and me that she was looking at them funny. We would have fired her or killed her. But you hurt Dillon. You hurt the rest of our kids. The nightmares, the paranoia that they will be taken again. I can't have that on my conscience or on theirs". Bo said softly.
"Just kill me and get it over with". Lea said.
"As you wish". Bo said lifting her hands and pulled the shifter's chi until she collapsed.
"Mom what are you doing? Bo asked.
"Taking a picture for Charlotte". Aife said.
"She is not going to believe that she is dead like that". Bo said pointing to Lea's corpse.
"Now she will". Aife laughed slashing the shifter's throat.
Bo sighed and walked away. She wanted to find Lauren but knew she would be pissed off, if she didn't go home to be with their kids. Hale and Kenzi likely had their hands full and were likely worn out trying to keep up with all three kids.
Lauren
Lauren had found the pack again and they were all livid or healing from her previous attacks.
"As a Doctor I can assure you that you will all survive. But my family won't survive like this. Our kids are hurting and having nightmares because some of you bastards took our son. Now I have a proposal and it better work or I will drain all of you right now. In case you didn't know, I'm a Succubus too". Lauren said flashing her blue eyes.
"It was bullshit of you to bring the other Succubus out here". Sharla groaned holding her neck.
"I don't want to have to come back here ever again and none of you will ever be welcome around my family again. Which leads me to my proposal". Lauren said.
"What do you want Lauren?! Sharla groaned again.
"I want out of this pack. I chose this on my own. I wasn't born into it or have any standing loyalties. There are nothing but cowards here, and my kids deserve better. My family deserves better". Lauren said.
"Is this really what you want Lauren? Once you are out, you cannot come back". Tau said stepping forward. Tau was the oldest lion in the pack.
Lauren looked him over. She had met him before but only briefly.
"Are you sure this is what you really want Lauren? Tau asked.
"It is". Lauren said.
"Your kids were born into the pride. They are still ours. You will lose all protection". Tau said.
"They are mine and Bo's and Aife's. Protection?! Where was this protection when our house was threatened? Where was this protection when Dillon was kidnapped? I seem to recall rescuing him all by myself. Well me and our daughter! Lauren snapped.
"Then leave and you won't have any protection at all". Tau said.
"You are forgetting one thing". Lauren laughed. He was trying to bribe her to stay with their dollar tree protection.
"And that is? Tau asked.
"I'm Fae too. Now are you going to stand there and tell me any shifter is more powerful than Bo or me? Lauren said angrily.
"It's not that easy...". Tau started but when Lauren roared and flashed her Succubus eyes, he stopped.
"Go...go". Tau coughed as she started to pull his chi and hadn't even lifted a paw to do so.
"I thought you would see it my way". Lauren said licking her lips as she turned to leave.
"So that's it? You can request to leave and you are out? Sharla asked angrily.
"Did you see that? No shifter among us has those powers! I had only heard about it, never saw it up close like that! Tau said.
"Then she's out? Their out? Sharla asked.
"They're out". Tau responded.
Bo and Aife
Bo and Aife had arrived home. Hale and Kenzi ran out the minute Bo stepped into the house. The Succubus laughed and called the kids. Ethan came first, followed by Dillon. Charlotte walked in like she was mad again. She glared at Bo but curled up on the floor at her feet as she was sitting on the couch.
"Look Charly. Nana has a surprise for you! Aife cooed showing the shifter her phone. Charlotte lifted her head, and shook it before laying back down.
"No seriously sweetie look". Aife laughed and set the phone down so that Charlotte could see Lea's dead body.
Bo jumped when Charlotte took the phone into her mouth and violently chewed on it.
"Well shit. Now I will need to get a new phone". Aife laughed.
TBC
Lauren and Bo plan a trip.
Aife overhears two shifters threatening Lauren.
Charlotte won't allow Lauren out of her sight.