The Minx

By the time I got off of work and headed back to the car with Nabi, Aspen was still standing there waiting for me. I hesitated before continuing on towards my car. Aspen followed behind me.

"Camilla, I'm not leaving until Caitlyn is found," he declared. I sighed as I clipped Nabi into her car seat.

"I already figured as much," I replied calmly before standing up straight. Out of frustration, Aspen grabbed my wrist and spun me to face him.

"Why are you so calm about all of this right now?!" He snapped. I could see he was frustrated, but at the moment, there was nothing I could do about it.

"Searching for long lost family members I only recently found out about, living as only half of two species, raising my daughter... this has been my life for the last half year or so. The waiting game, not knowing when Kieran will return with good or bad news, missing Kieran while he's away playing hero, acting like a human and running the company in his absence... I've long grown used to it," I was quick to snap back. I could feel my own frustrations building inside of me due to my own emotions and Aspen's persistence. I missed Kieran.

"Don't you mutts need your Alphas to stay put in order to run smoothly? How could you even afford to be here right now?" Kieran's voice came from behind Aspen. My heart fluttered as a smile cracked my face. All my frustrations seemed to melt away when I heard him. I knew I missed him, but I didn't even realize how much until I heard his voice. Aspen took a breath before letting go of my wrist. Kieran strode up to us before taking my hand in his and turning his attention to me.

"I got Amanda's call," he smiled gently at me. I wrapped my arms around him in a hug.

"I missed you," I said softly. I really did. I didn't even care that Aspen was standing right there. Kieran hugged me back gently.

"Where's our Little Butterfly?" He asked as we pulled away from each other.

"I already strapped her into her car seat. I was just about to head home," I answered.

"Did you find Caitlyn?" Aspen asked frantically as he grabbed Kieran's arm. Kieran glanced at his hand in disgust before moving it off of him.

"I got a clue before I was called back because a mutt came to harass my wife and child," Kieran answered. Aspen responded by growling at Kieran.

"Come with us back to the house. It's not entirely safe to talk out in the open like this," Kieran suggested calmly. I'd only then realized how much Kieran had affected my personality. I acted a lot like he did now. My demeanor, my poise, it had the same calmness that Kieran possessed. I guess he rubbed off on me. I wasn't like this before. When I was with the wolves I was practically frantic; desperate for approval. I didn't need it anymore. We all got in the car. Kieran drove with Aspen in the front passenger seat and me in the back with Nabi. When we got to the house, I took Nabi to her play area in the living room before joining the guys on the couch. I made it a point to sit next to Kieran.

"The trail led me to Colorado," Kieran was explaining.

"So what now?" Aspen asked impatiently. I sat back against the couch and just watched the interaction. There wasn't a need for me to step in just yet, so I didn't.

"According to where I found Cami's birth mother, and the clues I got this last time, I think I was within 50 miles of the facility. Obviously they'll have security set up to keep me out because they're used to me coming and foiling their plans," Kieran thought out loud.

"If the security is strong enough to keep you out, it'll be strong enough to keep me out as well. By rule of the fittest, I think the only one who will be able to break in is Camilla," Aspen deducted. I sat up a bit at the mention of my name as Kieran tensed.

"Absolutely not! I don't want Cami anywhere near that place. Plus, if we all go to save Caitlyn, no one will be protecting Nabi. I can't have that," Kieran protested.

"Your fox child will be fine if we hand her to my beta," Aspen tried to brush it off. Kieran shook his head at how simple Aspen made it sound.

"Nabi is a hybrid too. If they snatch Nabi while we're saving Caitlyn, they'll just keep making more hybrids," I chimed in. Aspen hesitated before looking to me.

"Your daughter is a hybrid?" He asked dumbly. I only nodded before sighing.

"But Aspen's plan isn't terrible. Marco and Ben are pretty reliable. Plus the Silver Bullet pack is known for being one the strongest pack of werewolves in the country. I would feel safer putting Nabi in their care," I thought out loud.

"It doesn't matter. I don't want to serve you up on a platter to the very people who have been searching for you all this time," Kieran argued. I only shrugged.

"I've trained my fighting skills with the werewolves. You've taught me a few of the magical fox skills on the side, and I can weaponize my fox flame. They think they already have me in their possession. They think they already caught the hybrid, so a fully-grown hybrid coming in from the outside would catch them off guard. Plus, the sooner I can return Caitlyn to her mate and destroy this damn research facility, and everyone in it, the sooner we can all move on and lead peaceful lives. I actually agree with Aspen on this one. I think I should go with you to save Caitlyn," I weighed in. Kieran was not happy. It read all over his face and in his stiff posture. He didn't want to directly put me in danger. I knew that. Aspen, however, was willing I do anything now that he had hope that his fated mate was still alive. I also knew that. If it came down to me or Caitlyn, I knew he would pick Caitlyn, but I didn't blame him. She was his mate.

It wasn't a tough decision for me at all. I wanted to get this over with. All I wanted to do was save Caitlyn, burn that place to the ground with everyone inside, and happily raise Nabi with Kieran by my side for the rest of my days. I was tired of living in fear of people I'd never seen before. I was tired of looking over my shoulder and taking precautions with everything I did. I didn't want Nabi to have to grow up worrying about being kidnapped one day. I wanted my clean break from Aspen so I could fully and truly be with Kieran without having to owe anyone anything.

"And you're sure that your pack will willingly look after our daughter and not mistreat her?" Kieran finally asked.

"They will because I'll order them to," Aspen tried to assure Kieran. Kieran didn't look the least bit convinced.

"Marco and Ben have never mistreated me. I trust them to protect Nabi. I also trust Yelang and Avery to take care of her. As complicated as things may be now, they were still my friends," I vouched for the pack.

"Do we tell them about... the genetic thing?" Aspen asked hesitantly. I stood for the sake of something to do before standing in front of both of them.

"We'll have to. I'll have to explain everything in order for them to treat Nabi fairly. Kieran is my fox side mate after all. Comparing it to wolf mates, they'll understand, but we'll also have to tell them about Caitlyn for full disclosure. That way, they won't hate me and Nabi as much and they won't want to kill Kieran on sight," I explained.

"I think it would be best to explain to them first and then have the fox come in after they understand," Aspen agreed.

"I don't like leaving Cami and my daughter to a pack of mutts," Kieran voiced his disapproval. I sat beside him again before placing my hand over his gently. His eyes went to mine as his hatred simmered down.

"I want this to be over," I admitted honestly. Kieran sighed before holding my hand in both of his. He deliberated with himself for a moment before smiling to me gently.

"Let's get this over with then," he finally agreed.