Episode 80: Wake Up with Fleas

Genre: Supernatural/Drama
Characters: Kaya, Caleb, Connor, Charlie, Karri, Luther, Giselle, Miles, Xander, Harley, Jacobi, Claire, Garrett, Cillian O'Leary
Word Count: 3,198
Rating: R
Type: Series
Summary: Luther and the Savages discuss terms. Connor gets an earful from Karri. Harley and Jacobi have a falling out. And Kaya has a big surprise for them all!
Warnings: Language, suggestive material, violence, strong sexual content, adult content, adult situations, nudity.

“Why should I help you? You made it perfectly clear where I could go when the shoe was on the other foot.” Luther said, callously flippant about their request as he and Giselle exchanged a look.

“Cut the shit, Luther. You and I both know you’re in no position to feign indifference,” Caleb said with a scowl as he folded his arms in front of him. “You know why we’re here. Now you can either man up and talk to us like an Alpha or we can leave you to stew in your mess and see who’s left standing once the dust clears.”

“You’re a Shifter. What do you need with anyone else when you have all the power you need to stop what’s coming? You and that bitch whelp of yours.” Caleb growled and took a step forward. Charlie quickly thrust a hand in his chest, pushing him back.

“Don’t,” he whispered, glowering at the ruthless smile on Luther’s face. “Not here.”

“Fine,” Caleb said, his eyes burning holes into Luther’s as he slowly backed away. “I gave you a chance. Don’t forget that.” He and Charlie turned for the door, feeling the Alpha’s glare at their backs with every step they took.

“Wait,” Luther stood with a sigh. “Let’s talk. See what solutions we can find.” The brothers exchanged a look and started forward. Luther was a smart man no matter how sadistic. He knew it was better to work with the Shifters than against.

Connor’s face sank and for a moment Karri believed he was ready to explode. But in an instant, his eyes smiled and he was leaning back as a boisterous laugh filled the room. “Jesus, Karri. You scared the shit out of me. Is that all? Is that what you were so worried about?”

“I didn’t want you to think I was keeping it from you but I didn’t know how you would react…why are you laughing? This is serious.”

“You’re right, it is,” he cleared his throat and rubbed his hands on his jeans. “I don’t mean to laugh, honestly. I’m just relieved I guess.”

“Relieved? How could hearing that your mate murdered someone give you any sense of relief?”

“Because, Karri,” he said, taking her hands and tugging her closer. “We’re wolves. It’s unreasonable to think any one of us does not have blood on our hands at some point. I thought you were going to tell me that you regretted bonding with me. That you were having second thoughts or some crazy shit like that.”

“No,” she sighed, finding comfort in his smile. “I’d never say that. Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this but you’re stuck with me, buddy.”

“And I couldn’t be happier,” he said with a smile and gently pecked her lips. “Now,” Connor exhaled noisily and straightened himself up. “Why don’t you tell me about your first time so we can figure out how we’re going to fix it.”

“My first time?” Karri repeated with a smirk.

“Not that one.” Connor’s eyes rolled and he shook his head before leaning forward for another kiss. Karri took a seat on the bed beside him and with a deep breath, she began retelling the story of her first—and only—kill.

“Xander and I went out one night with friends. It was nothing unusual, really. Just having fun…doing what the Irish does best,” she said with a joking smile.

Mullen’s Bar - Chicago, 2012

“Wait, wait, wait, so what about you two,” Claire asked, turning so she could look at her friend without straining her neck. “You and Xander have been together for what? Two years now? You two considering making it official?”

“Official? As in marriage?” Karri chortled. “No, absolutely not,” she replied almost as quickly.

“What? You two seem to get along well. You’re like the golden kids of two amazing families; almost like royalty, you know? And you said so yourself your dad was really excited when you got with Xan. So why not?”

“Because, I’m just not ready for marriage,” Karri said, turning the glass in her hand pensively. “Besides, Xander and I are enjoying where we are right now. We’re taking things slow.” She smiled at him but Xander didn’t respond. Instead he raised an eyebrow as he took a drink from his glass.

“And no pressure from your parents? It must be nice. My Mom has been on me to find a nice girl and settle down since I was 10,” Garrett joked and tossed Claire a wink. “If she really knew the type of girls I was interested in…”

“HEY!” Claire exclaimed, pouting her lips in faux offense and making Garrett laugh.

“Aw come on, babe,” Garrett smiled, slipping his hand across the table until his covered Claire’s, “You know I’m just teasing.”

“It’s ok,” Claire replied, a playful grin tugging at her lip, “I’m only with you until something better comes along anyway. In speaking of…” She sat up in her seat, peering over Garrett’s shoulder at the three men who’d just entered the bar. They were dressed in suit jackets and slacks like they’d just stepped off a runway. Overly dressed for a night out at Mullen’s, that’s for sure, but just enough to get her attention. “Who’s that?”

He turned to look in the direction she glanced and sighed. “That’s Cillian O’Leary. He’s the second to youngest son of Marcus O’Leary.”

“Marcus O’Leary as in that Marcus O’Leary?” Claire asked, eyeing the man as he and his entourage moved towards the bar. “Damn. He’s cute!”

“Hey!” Garrett shouted and both Claire and Karri burst into laughter. The sound turned the men’s heads towards their booth and Claire gave a little smile, not hiding the fact that she was looking.

“Sorry, but, it’s true.”

“Yeah well it’s also true that he’s rude, obnoxious, and dangerous.”

“Hmm, just what the doctor ordered.”

“You’re really asking for it,” Garrett teased with a smile before glancing at his friend. “Why are you so quiet?”

“Just thinking,” Xander shrugged, tossing Karri an unreadable look before downing his drink. “I’m gonna order us another round.”

“And while you’re doing that, I’m going to visit the little girl’s room. I think my back teeth are floating.” Karri gave Claire a nudge and slid out of the booth.

“Karri Macgrath,” a deep voice thundered behind Karri as she stepped into the bathroom. “I was wondering when you were going to ditch those losers.”

“What?” She turned with a start. Cillian O’Leary stood beside the door, smiling at her before giving her body the once over. He slid the lock in place and she took a step back. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t pretend. I saw the look you gave me when you walked passed the bar. You were ogling me from the moment I walked in. You and your friend. Too bad for her though, I’m not into redheads.”

“I wasn’t ogling you, she was. And she was only messing with her boyfriend, it wasn’t serious,” Karri said, looking passed him to the door. “I think you should leave now. This is not happening. Not today, not ever.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“You alright in there? Karri?” Xander knocked on the ladies’ room door but didn’t get a response. “Babe?” he tried again, turning the knob but it wouldn’t budge. “Karri, open the door. Karri?”

Moments later he heard the lock click and he pushed his way inside. The room was dimly-lit and there was a strong odor in the air as he stepped around the corner of the stalls. His eyes immediately fell on the body lying at Karri’s feet and he exhaled a shaky breath. “Jesus, Karri, what the hell did you do?” Xander asked, rushing to lock the door as he took in the aftermath.

“It was an accident…he-he was…I didn’t mean to hit him so hard. He just wouldn’t…he wouldn’t stop.”

“Karri, do you have any idea what you’ve done? Do you know who this man is?”

“I didn’t mean…” she started again, sinking to the floor as she began to sob.

“Wait, wait ok, don’t freak out. We need—” Xander looked around at his options. There were a few large waste baskets in either corner of the room and it gave him an idea. “We need to clean this place up; get rid of the body.”

“Get rid of it? How?”

“I don’t know, Karri, but…if his family finds out about this—his Dad…” Xander paused mid-thought and Karri looked up at him with anticipation. “Ok, here’s what we’re going to do,” he said, pulling a handful of paper towels out of the dispenser and tossing them towards her. “We’re gonna get this place cleaned up and then you and I going to find the deepest hole in Chicago and shove his body in it, ok?” Karri nodded her head but she didn’t move. Instead, she continued holding herself, rocking back and forth as she watched more blood pool around Cillian’s head. “Karri?” Xander shouted until he had her attention. “Are you with me?”

“Yeah…yeah I’m with you.” It took them nearly twenty minutes to clean the blood off the tile floor, flushing the soiled napkins down the toilet, getting rid of the evidence. Removing the black garbage bags from the trash bins, Xander wrapped Cillian’s body inside and, with Karri’s help, slid it out of the window.

“I’m gonna bring the car around. Say goodnight to Claire and Garrett but be as casual as you can, you understand?” Karri nodded and did as Xander said. She quickly and quietly exited the bar, hopped into the car with Xander and they drove towards Bullfrog Lake, stopping once to pick up some supplies.

Xander dug a hole while Karri kept an eye out for any campers or passersby. When it was deep enough, he dragged Cillian’s heavy corpse from the trunk of his car and tossed his body inside. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone,” Karri said, watching the plastic bag as Xander covered it with dirt.

“Don’t worry, Karri. Your secret is safe with me.”

Shadowvale - Present Day

“I went home, foolishly trusting Xander, and he’s held it over me ever since.”

“I’m sorry, Karri. Had I known I’d have kicked his ass twice.” Karri smiled and leaned her head onto Connor’s shoulder. “Does your family know?”

“No. I couldn’t tell my dad. He’d have…I don’t know what he would have done. It was hard enough facing up to it myself. And I didn’t want to pull my brothers into my mess so I ran.”

“Well after listening to Eoghan the other day about how he cares for you, I’m sure he’d do whatever was necessary to help and to keep you safe. You can’t keep running from this forever, Karri. It’s time to act. You have the entire wolf pack at your back if it goes any farther. And me. I won’t let anything happen to you,” Connor said, gently stroking her arm as she leaned deeper against him. “You’re safe now. I promise.”

“Mmm,” Jacobi moaned as his head lolled sideways off the hard pillow beneath him. His eyes peeled back and he blinked twice waiting for them to adjust to the light. “What…?” He touched a hand to his throbbing head, hoping to ease the pounding of his temples. Cocking his head to the side, Jacobi looked around. He could see he was in one of the cells in the basement. The stained cement walls and floors revealing of the many horrors that had taken place in this pit of evil—of sin. For too long he’d participated in the taking of lives of anything not human. It was his job. It was how he was raised. He was born for it, enjoyed it even. But not anymore. 

He groaned, slowly scooting to the edge of the bed. Trying his legs, he stood, waiting a moment to allow the rest of his body to catch up. With as much strength as he could muster, he took a step. His head spun. Thousands of tiny lights danced in front of his eyes and he found himself tumbling to his knees. “HARLEY!” he shouted, staggering to his feet just long enough to make it to the cell door. “HARLEY! LET ME OUT OF HERE YOU SON OF A BITCH!”

“You know,” his brother’s voice rang out from the left. “She was your Mom too. Only our fathers are different.”

“Open this fucking cage, Harley, or I’ll…”

“You’ll what? Huh? Rip out my heart and have it for dessert? Tsk, tsk, baby brother. Wasn’t it you that said threats would get you nowhere?”

“Harley. Enough with these games. I’m serious! Let me out of here!” He wobbled again. The buzz of anger in his veins heated and rushed to his head. He was no doctor but it would be safe to assume he was slightly concussed and in no mood for Harley’s bullshit.

“And why would I do a thing like that?” Harley sneered, stepping towards the bars enough to peer into his brother’s eyes.

“What are you trying to prove? Huh? That you’re tougher than me? Smarter?”

“No, Jacobi, I was simply trying to save your life. It’s all I’ve ever done. You and Lucy have always been my responsibility. I protected you. I clothed you. I made sure we had a place to lay our heads and food on the table every night. And what do I get for it? Huh? What do I have to show for my sacrifice? An ungrateful brother and a absentee sister. Did either of you ever stop and think about what it is I’ve been through just to keep us together? Have you? No. Even after all these years you still doubt me. YOU chose to bite the hand that fed you. YOU chose this, Jake, not me. Whatever happens next just remember, you brought this on yourself.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“You said it yourself, Jake,” Harley smirked, pushing a cloth-draped table out from the corner of the room. “You’re a wolf. If I want to test this machine, who better to help than you?”

“HARLEY! HARLEY, WAIT! PLEASE! You can’t be serious!”

“Oh I am, Jake. Deadly serious.”

“Wait, Harls, just wait. Look, I’m sorry, ok? I was hurt and angry. You fucking lied to me my whole life. I was just acting out. I didn’t mean what I said. Let me out of here!”

“Can’t. With Lucy missing in action and you well…behaving rather erratically I can’t go out and just find another wolf myself to cage up down here. Sorry. We need this, Jake. But don’t worry, little brother. Your sacrifice won’t be in vain.”

“Harley…” Jacobi sobbed, falling to his knees once more. “Please. We’re brothers.”

“Half-brothers, remember?” he said with heavy disdain, repeating Jacobi’s words to him. “Now. Don’t move. This will hurt a lot.”

Caleb and Charlie had returned earlier in the day. It seemed talks had gone well and the Savages were now in an alliance with Gideon. Just one more worry to add to the list of shit to watch out for. Luther—the snake—for all the promises he’d given the brothers he’d strike them the second their backs were turned and she knew it.

Miles was also here. After he’d chased down Byron and Lucy, Kaya believed his contract had ended but she was wrong. He was a tracker on retainer for the Savages. Someone Vaughn had kept around in case of emergencies. The same tracker Vaughn said would lead them to the solution for their Lexi problem. She was still waiting. But that was a concern for another day.

She could hear Caleb’s voice as he entered his office. He and Charlie were going over a plan of action. It appeared the tracker would be getting more work soon. Turning the volume up on her laptop, Kaya tried to drown out the voices and concentrate. Music was her one solace for all the never-ending crap she dealt with since becoming an Alpha. And Lobo made it look so easy.

Here it was again. The part of the bridge that had her sitting at this damned computer for the last three hours. It needed something but she couldn’t figure out what. Caleb’s bass was fine and Connor never missed a note. She had narrowed it down to either her or Eli. Kaya rewound the track and closed her eyes. The mellow chords of Connor’s keyboard entered first, followed by the sharp edges of her guitar. Eli’s snare hissed in the background before Caleb blasted in with his bass. It was perfect. Right up until the 2^nd chorus when the beat seemed to weaken. It wasn’t so much dissonance as it was an inverse of the earlier rhythm.

Kaya sighed and again spooled back. The piercing sound of Caleb’s guitar harmonized with a jagged ache in her side. She lurched forward. Throwing off her headsets as her hands gripped at her belly in pain. The prickly discomfort was followed by acute throbbing that caused the muscles in her stomach to contract. Contractions! But she wasn’t due for another two weeks. Something was wrong.

“Contingencies are key. Regardless of the help we’re offered or the amount of people fighting on our side, we can’t let anything happen to this pack. It’s not an option,” Caleb said, nodding to each man standing in the room. “Alright. Everyone knows what needs doing; go do it.” He watched as members of the pack disappeared out the door and dropped into the seat behind his desk.

Luther had given them nothing, just as he’d expected. Although he did promise to stand with them when the hunters came knocking. Lobo and Greymane had already started gearing up. The old manor looked prepared for war and he found himself envying his father-in-law’s initiative. Now he had to work on getting Shadowvale equally as organized. A dull sting pulsed in his side causing him to sit straight up. Then another and he found himself on his feet. And another.

“Alpha? Are you ok?” Miles asked, stepping closer as Charlie placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder.

“I’m fine,” he replied, shaking off the sudden dizzy spell and gripping pain. “Get to work. I want everyone ready and in position before the first punch is thrown.”

“Alpha.” The two men cleared the room, leaving Caleb standing over his desk. He hadn’t moved an inch as another violent spasm ripped through his lower abdomen, threatening to explode his intestines. He roared. Using the power of his wolf’s cry to ease the tremendous ache. It took less than a minute to recognize the source of his discomfort.

 

Clearing his desk in one swipe, Caleb stormed from the room and up to the Alpha’s quarters in search of Kaya. The door slammed open and he stopped dead in his tracks. Stuck midway between shock and fear, he stared at the smears of blood on both her skirt and the floor and the desperate way in which she clutched her belly. “It won’t stop,” she cried. Panic gripped them both and he rushed forward, pulling her into his arms as she collapsed against him.

“ALEX, GET THE DOCTOR!” 

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