Chapter 17
Chill Day (Mostly)
Mixed

◇•◇•◇

Kim

"Yes Vylad, I'm on my way." I say into the phone.

"Good, also have you seen Garroth anywhere?" He asks.

"No." I lie, "Sorry."

"Ugh... no it's fine Kim. Your doing your best. I'm just worried about him and Zane. I can't lose both my brothers." He sighs. "I wonder if... she did something to him and Laurence."

Please quickly note: whenever someone is referring to someone else, with just she, or her, they are talking about Aphmau.

"Maybe..." I sigh, "it could just be a coincidental situation. Both of them are wanted criminals. Perhaps they decided to just... stick together for now."

"I hope not..."

"Let's not dwell on it. I'm here." I say, parking the car in front of Vylad's house. He hangs up as I get out, and the door opens.

Abby stands there, waving.

"Hai Kim!" She cheers, waving.

"Hey Abby." I giggle, ruffling her hair as I walk up.

"Why are Jeffory and Abby here again?" I hear Cathy ask from inside.

"Oh my Irene Cathy, just shut up. Please." Dante begs.

"Don't tell me what to do Sonic." She retorts.

"Excuse me?! Do I look like a hedgehog to you?!" Dante exclaims.

"Stop arguing!" Betty shoves in between them. "My Irene, Cathy you've done nothing but pick fights with these people since Aphmau broke out last night."

"Sorry, I'm just... on edge. Aaron, Katelyn, Travis, Lucinda, Ameri, Arnoux, Kaiya, and Taiya disapeared the same night, along with those two other werewolves. I bet Aphmau did something to them." Cathy says.

"Aphmau isn't stupid, picking a fight with Aaron or Katelyn is the last thing she would ever do." I sigh.

"Kim is right. As dumb as it was for her to attack Zane, she isn't stupid enough to pick a fight with 6 foot something muscle man who is actually extremely smart despite being so strong." Vyald agrees, "Aaron could pretty much snap Aphmau in half like a twig if he wanted to. Plus Aaron is protective of his kids, and Katelyn wouldn't go down without a lot of noise."

"What other explanation is there?" Jennifer asks.

"Maybe they helped break Aphmau out of prison. Aaron and Katelyn were very insistent that she's innocent, Kaiya and Taiya still care for her, the boys are just babies, and Lucinda... Lucinda honestly wouldn't really care. She's smart, and knows very well what her beliefs are." I say.

"Aaron isn't stupid either." Cathy grumbles.

"I never said he was." I reply.

"I'm just worried about them all." Jeffory sighs.

"Don't be worried about her, she's a bitch." Cathy says.

"Oh. My. Irene. Cathy, seriously. Shut up." Dante sighs.

"Do you guys have any plans? Like, help with the search, or something?" I ask.

Subtle much?

Oh shush. Emmalynn right?

Yeah, I remembered my name, and would prefer to be called by it instead of "Ghost".

Fair enough. I'll let the others know to.

"Kim!" Vylad snaps his fingers in front of my face, "Are you listening? We answered your question."

"Ah! Sorry, got lost in my thoughts. What were you saying?" I ask, blushing a little from embarrassment.

"I said, that the current plan is to stay out of it, while the Ro'Meave's fund the search." Cathy says.

She's lying. She knows we can't be trusted.

Shut up and let me focus.

"Oh, alright." I smile. "That's probably for the best anyway. Don't want anyone getting hurt."

"Hey look at this." Xavier holds up the newspaper he was reading, "A group of prisoners escaped at the same time and place as Aphmau. They're all friends who call themselves the Phoenix Flames. They're leader is a ginger haired woman named Mikatsune, but almost everyone calls her Phoenix."

They're talking about the group that left this morning, Mika and her friends, and Kaiya and Taiya's childhood friends.

"Scary." I mumble.

"Yeah, no kidding. You think she joined them or something?" Xavier asks.

"Pfft, Aphmau? Join a scary group like that? I heard they all got caught at different times. The leader was caught last. Little girl like Aphmau joining them is impossible." Cathy snorts.

"You don't know that..." I mutter under my breath.

"Did you say something?" Jeffory asks me.

"No." I reply.

"Doesn't matter. We should keep an eye out for them just in case. Hey... those two werewolf girls in the photo of them all. They look like those two werewolves who started hanging out with Taiya and Kaiya suddenly." Vylad points at the picture.

"They're names are Ellie and Pearl." Abby says, "I talked to them a few times. They were cool."

"It gives information on the members. Look here, it says Ellie was a tempered werewolf who was always being held back by her older sister Pearl, who was the team's healer. They speculate that if the team were to be broken up, Ellie and Pearl would be the only two that stick together because of their blood relations." Xavier points at a section on the paper. We all crowd around and read the sections.

"We should definitely keep an eye out then. They probably have something to do with the disappearances of everyone." Dante says. I nod, though I don't agree.

I wonder how far away they are, and if we could possibly catch up to them.

Judging from their name, they are probably going to stick to this town, Phoenix Drop, so we could find them if we really wanted.

We can leave it for now.

◇•◇•◇

Nana

U

nlike Kim, I spent the day at the hospital with Zane.

He was asleep most of the time, but whenever he's awake, I give him a whiteboard so we can communicate.

Right now, he's awake, so we're just chatting.

He scribbles something on the board and shows it to me.

How are others?

"The others?" I ask, and he nods, "Well... Laurence convinced Garroth that Aphmau didn't do it, for now. He stays with us, but... I'm a little worried he's going to turn his back on us and tell Cathy where we are... honestly I think Laurence is the only reason he doesn't. Aaron and Aphmau are fine. Aph escaped prison, if you haven't heard, but so far things have been good. Kim... Kim says that the others who don't trust Aphmau are doing fine, but... they follow Cathy right now. Your parents are convinced Aphmau did it, and are funding the search effort for her and Garroth. Part of the reason Garroth left during court was the police, and the other part was Laurence convincing him that Aphmau was innocent."

He smiles a little at that.

My phone buzzes.

It's.... Nell? I remember giving my phone number, but I never thought she would text me after I left the lab.

Nell: Hey Nana! I know this is a sudden question, but your boyfriend, Zane right? Has he been in any kind of accident recently? Like... stabbed, or something?

Odd question... also kind of suspicious. Zane was stabbed, but how does Nell know?

Unless...

No. Impossible. She's jealous and wants Aaron to herself. She wouldn't work for them, especially since their goal is to kill him.

Nonetheless, I reply.

Nana: Odd question, and sudden yeah. But, yes. Zane was recently stabbed in the back. Why?

Her next text makes me nervous.

Nell: oh s**t. That's not good. Neren and I are on our way, and your friend Ein. He's... not happy he got left behind, but I think he understands.
Word of advice: don't trust Cathy.
I think the Ishida family's contract with the Guardian Forces is over.

"What the?..." I stare at my phone. Zane taps my hand. I look at him.

His face shows obvious concern, and he holds the sign up.

What's wrong?

I show him the texts.

Oh.

My phone beeps again, with a text from Kim.

Kim: Hey, just leaving Vylad's place. The others are doing fine, but Cathy is hiding something. She knows that Emmalynn and I know her crime, and she's keeping her plans from us. Otherwise, is there a way to warn Mika and her friends about them? Xavier was reading a newspaper article on them. Has a lot of information and pictures.

It's a group chat.

Aaron: Doesn't sound good. Whose Emmalynn? How does Cathy know about you knowing?

Kim: Emmalynn is Ghost's real name. She wants us to start calling her that now she's remembered it. As for how Cathy knows... Emmalynn. She kind of possess-threatened Cathy.

K~C: Kay.

Garroth: Darn... are Zane and Vylad okay?

K~C: Zane is fine. Worried about you all. Still not able to talk, but awake for now. His phone is charging too, I'll add him.

Kim: Vylad is fine. Worried like Zane, but... still kind of untrusting.

"Grab your phone." I tell Zane. He nods and picks it up. I add his contact to the group.

~K~C has added Zane to the group~

Zane: Hi?...

Garroth: BABY BROTHER! :D

~Zane has left the group~

Garroth: :(

I raise an eyebrow at Zane. He glares at me, and starts writing.

Why?

"They were asking about you." I shrug. He smiles faintly.

Aphmau: Not sure about a way to contact Mika. Maybe Kaiya and Taiya?

Taiya: Gimme a minute I'mjwoon seksnwgephbsiishsi jeiwjyLxndiq0 @£×*#&×¥€,heiw

Kaiya: She's busy laughing at Garroth Laurence and Travis. They are... being themselves.

Aphmau: Understandable.

Kaiya: We might be able to contact Ellie and Pearl with howling, but it would be risky. They won't be the only werewolves who hear it.

Aaron: I thought that might be the only solution... any other ideas?

Laurence: Nope.

Travis: what are we talking about?

Taiya: We could follow their scent trail. They only left this morning, they can't have gone far.

Kaiya: No, they could be anywhere in Phoenix Drop by now. And on that note, did anyone bother to get rid of the scent trail we left during the bailing?

Taiya: Nope.

Aphmau: We were supposed to?

Aaron: Uh... nope.

Lucinda: No.

Katelyn: 1. No. 2. Can y'all shut up so I can sleep?

EllieYEE: Nah, you might have a problem.

Taiya: Okay, how the hell did you get into this chat?

EllieYEE: I suppose nobody told you that this is literally an online public chatroom and anyone can join.

Kim: Wait what?

Hetapun: YO! What's the conversation about?!

~Kim has closed the chatroom~

"Heh... I love you..." I tell Zane, putting my phone in my pocket and kissing his forehead. He was given his mask back when he woke up, mostly due to intense demand and attempts at speech.

I scoot the chair closer to him, and grab his hand, leaning back.

I guess I fell asleep.

◇•◇•◇

Aphmau

"So... what do you wanna do?" Aaron asks, helping me put the boys down for a nap. It's lunch time, and we just fed them and burped them.

I didn't realize how much I missed caring for these two little cuties.

"I dunno..." I sigh quietly, "everything is just happening so fast, it's a little crazy."

"Do you have all your memories back?" He asks.

"Almost... I think I'm only missing one... when we first met, online. I remember meeting you in person, talking to you, loving you, but I just can't remember how we really met." I reply softly. He looks up at me, and smiles softly, moving closer. I tilt my head slightly in confusion, and he swoops me into his arms. I squeal, but thankfully the boys don't wake up.

"Don't do that!" I whisper yell.

"Heh, sorry not sorry." He whispers back. I growl playfully, as he walks out of the room, closing the door with his foot gently, and going into ours. I'm sat down on the bed, and he grabs his lap top.

"Hey." He says quietly, "Thanks for saving my life."

I'm confused at first, but gradually the memory seeps back in.

"Your welcome. My name is Shu. What's yours?" I ask softly.

"I'm FC." He replies, in the same tone before.

"Do you wanna be friends?" I ask.

"Friends, with me?"

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

"I do want to..."

"Then let's be friends."

I smile at the memory.

I was playing my game, and had just saved some idiot's butt. The player turned his character towards me.

?: Hey, thanks for saving my life.
Shu: Your welcome. My name is Shu, what's yours,
?: I'm FC.
Shu: Do you wanna be friends?
FC: Friends, with me?
Shu: You don't have to if you don't want to.
FC: I do want to.
Shu: Then let's be friends.

I clicked on his username, and pressed "Send Friend Request".
He accepted it almost immediately.

"One of the best days of my life." Aaron smiles, and I smile too.

"Yeah... takes a lot to beat the day I saved your sorry butt." I joke. He smirks.

"Oh? And what about all the times I saved your sorry butt?" He asks, towering over me with sexy- *cough*  sorry, cute, smirk. I blush and look away. He sighs.

"How many times will we play this game Luna? Look at me." He orders. I comply, trying not to blush.

"Your so cute when your flustered..." he whispers softly, and seductively, in my ear. I can't help my squeak when he nibbles on it, the blush spreading across my face like a wildfire. He chuckles, pushing his hands up my shirt.

I gasp, and quickly pull away.

Uh, don't ask right now.

"Huh? Are you okay?" He asks, suddenly worried, his dominant side disappearing.

"Uh... y-yeah, just... not now. I... uh... I still need some time... to a-adjust. I only just got my m-memories back... ha... ha?"

A completely obvious lie.

But I think he fell for it.

"Right, sorry. I didn't think about that." He replies softly, his ears and tail lowering in guilt.

"Hey, it's fine." I say just as softly, gently petting him. "You didn't know. Anyone could make that mistake..."

I feel horrible for lying to him. My Alpha, mate, and fiancé, but I don't want to tell him. Not yet.

It's something only the others who were in prison with me found out. Because it happened in prison.

I won't tell him just yet. Maybe I never will. I can deal with it on my own anyway.

I don't want Aaron to get upset.

"Grr... Aph~..." Aaron growls, in obvious pleasure. His tail wagging and ears perked up.

He's such a giant puppy.

"Dawwww... your such a big puppy..." I tell him softly. He blushes and looks away.

"No I'm not." He argues, crossing his arms, and pushing my hand away. I giggle.

"Puuupppyyy~" I tease him. He growls.

"Am not!" He exclaims.

"Are too." I reply.

"Am not!"

"Are too."

"No!"

"Hehe~ yep."

"No!"

"Yeess~"

"Really?" He recovers himself from the petting and leans down to my neck.

"Can a puppy do this?"

A shiver runs down my spine as he says that, with his tone lowered and husky, just adding onto his already deep, smooth, and sexy voice. I feel his lips land on my neck, kissing right above my crescent moon.

He bites down, hard and rough.

I gasp, and go limp, falling back onto him.

"Told you I'm not a puppy." He whispers, in the same voice, making me squeal. I can't move. He has me paralyzed, not sure how. Probably just from him being dominant.

"Your still a big puppy." I mumble, gaining enough willpower to push off of him and sit up.

"Don't make me bite you again." He growls, still using that voice.

That voice, I can't even describe in words how seductive and sexy it is, and it makes me swoon.

My eyes meet his, and suddenly it's all I can see. His beautiful night coloured eyes, with little sparkles that glimmered like stars.

His smirk brought me out of my trance, and I realized I was pinned to the bed, and unable to get away. I blinked, and started squirming. His smirk just got bigger and bigger the more I struggled.

This... isn't going well for me.

"L-let me go..." I beg quietly.

"What makes you think I would do that Love?" He asks.

"What makes you think I'm going to do that Baby?"

"Aaron, seriously... let go..." I say nervously, shaking a little.

His smirk fades, being replaced with worry as he pulls away.

"Are you sure your okay?" He asks. I nod.

"I... I'm gonna go get something to eat..." I lie, standing up and quickly leaving the room.

I accidently bump into someone.

"Oh, sorry!" I say nervously.

"Oh, hey Mom. You okay?" Taiya asks.

"Hey Aph... are you okay?"

I nod shakily, and go downstairs, grabbing laptop off the table on the way down. I go into one of the private rooms, and open it up.

I need someone to talk to right now.

Guess it'll have to be one of them.