Kierra

This painting is the largest of them, so it works out that I'm the one taking it out. Catching sight of Tigger lazing on his cat tree, I close the door behind me as I leave. Alarico pulls up just as I do so.

Another truck, but nowhere near as big as Shade's. Maybe the white wolf is compensating for something after all. Right now he's under his truck's hood while Z is fiddling with his bike in the shed. Can tell both are keeping their attention on the newcomers even though both appear to be doing something else. Bastion is sitting on the porch railing openly watching them, Maii and Kani roam around the 'front yard', and Xavier takes his spot at my back as I stand in front of my porch.

I give Alarico a smile and small wave, signaling it's safe to come out. While he looks to be dressed normally in a button-up shirt and jeans, his wife has stuck to her biker-chik. Must be her theme. Both are looking at the animals around my home as they get out, the cocky look on her face is one that can only come from a female who knows she looks gorgeous. I fully give everyone permission to shoot me if I ever have that look. Alarico’s eyes show annoyance. Grrreat.

"Didn't have to pull in all your guards to make a show of force."

Ahh, I see. I give him a droll look.

"They all live here, Rico, they go where they wish. It's not like I called in outside reinforcements, I have no need."

Lucia's face hardens, which I find great pleasure in. Childish, yes, but highly satisfying. Red Alpha looks at each of them as if judging them. Should have done that with Shade and Zypher already since they got hired at his bar, but whatever.

"They all live here."

They both look at me as if they don't believe me, his question stating as much right away. I nod, slipping my hands into my pockets.

"If you don't believe me, take a whiff of each one, can guarantee they'll each have a common scent that is mine."

"Just because you fuck each one doesn't mean anything."

Ohhh, this bitch and I are going to go round an’ round. Even Shade slams his hood with a scowl.

"Alarico, follow me? And please leave your wife out here, I do not want her in my home."

Even he glares at her, so she crosses her arms and leans on their car. He then turns and follows me into the house without another word. Once inside his eyes go straight to the couches.

"Their scents are there, but they do not sleep here."

"No, they don't. Bastion and I are the only ones to have napped on it I think. Asher had his own favorite spot."

My voice lowers as I have to fight back emotion. He looks to me, then directly to where the midnight wolf used to lay.

"You were serious about my keeping an ear out for him, weren't you? And not just because he was one of yours, but because you really care for him."

Not going to argue about him being mine part, but I do nod and motion him to follow me, going for the basement door. He hesitates for a moment but keeps coming down.

"If I have the balls to descend into your den, then you can sure as hell muster them to enter my basement. I'm not going to eat you, geez."

That gets him to relax a little and give a small chuckle, but I can tell he still has his guard up. He's looking around as he comes down, eyes landing on the nesting area before coming back to me. When I pull the sheets open more, he can see the closed-off room holding all the guys' stuff. The three small dresser-like things, two backpacks, hamper, and other random items they put up. Xavier's guitar is in the corner next to his dresser, Bastion has the wolf carving on the top of his, and Maii has an assortment of stones on his that he found and liked.

"I haven't gotten Kani or the brothers their own dressers yet since they've only just got here. Shade and Z have said they wish to stay, haven't heard yet from Kani. He just came to me last night, Asher literally chased him into my arms."

Smiling at the memory has my face warming. Moving out of that area, I motion to the nest. He walks over to it, keeping his feet off the blankets. So polite.

"That's where we sleep. Each night we're all in animal form and curl up here. In the beginning, it was just me and Bastion, but since then it's grown. I've also had a very, very large lion, my sister’s ocelot, and a Vampire friend’s tiger sleep with us once. I think I actually want to paint that, just because it was so diverse. And warm, very warm."

I smile while his brow rises and inclines his head.

"The boy above that was on the railing, that is the one Frank is looking for?"

"That's Bastion, yes."

He cocks his head and looks me in the eye.

"He doesn't look too happy right now."

I stare right back, a little annoyed, having shared with him before memories I have with my Imp.

"Of course he isn't. The first creature he'd seen and helped him escape his hell has just left. How would you feel? Where I can run to relieve my pain and anger about it, he has nothing but those of us here, and three of them are new to his home. He's already starting to retreat back to the way he was when I first found him, and I don't know how to stop it."

My voice cracks before I look away from his face. Soft footfalls have me looking toward the stairs, a small coyote and Bastion coming down them. Imp carrying the other boy's clothes over to his dresser and setting them atop it has my brows drawing together.

"What happened?"

My throat closes even more when sad blue eyes direct themselves to me before coming and giving me a hug. Small arms wrap around my waist hard as he presses his face into my side. He heard me.

"I'm sorry."

The soft words are whispered into my side as he clutches me to him. So mine are just as soft as I respond. Maii leans into his legs, looking up with small whines.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, love. I don't blame you for anything. Just wish I could help you more and I don't know how to."

He squeezes tighter before letting go and looking up at me, his baby blues have darkened, becoming a deeper sapphire. A look of determination on his face worry's me.

"You help me a lot. You and Asher saved me and you both have worked with me on different things. Xavier even helps, has been since we brought him home. I'm not retreating, I'm just working on things."

What twelve-year-old do you know talks like this? I pull him back to me, still not sure what to do. He gives me another squeeze, then pulls away. I let him, but I don't want to. He gives me a crooked smile, but I don't read it as such. He motions to Maii at his feet, looking up from his white mask.

"He had a random shift again, just standing next to Shade's truck one second, then stuck in his clothes the next. Brought them in because I wanted to check on you. That woman out there is being very...moody."

I burst out laughing before I look up to Alarico, clapping a hand over my mouth, but unable to hide the large smile. He'd been watching us but stayed out of it and so quiet I almost forgot about him. He sighs and rolls his eyes, so I figure now the best time to ask.

"Did she even want to come? She doesn't peg me as one who likes being outside."

He gives me a sheepish grin. Uh-huh.

"No wonder that woman hates me."

I say it jokingly and share a smile with him, but I know she hates me for a lot of things.

"So what did you think on the drive here? I want to show you the house I was talking about, we can walk to it easily enough. She wearing designer boots she's afraid of ruining?"

I didn't notice, but it wouldn't surprise me. Sure enough, he nods with a sigh. I don't know how he puts up with that woman, but whatever.

We make our way back up and out. I'm tempted to make some lewd gesture at her, but decide it’s a bad idea. Xavier had stayed by the porch, keeping an eye on her. She must have really been laying it on thick, he smells very annoyed. Catching his amber eyes, they're hard and glittering. From him to the others, each one looks perturbed. Kani looks like he's about to lay in on the woman.

"What happened?"