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***Christian's POV***

"She's underweight. A little dehydrated and weak from the chains. I think she will make a full recovery. Shifting may not happen for a while, I see a few healed breaks. Other than that, she's just exhausted and frightened." Dr. Walker continues drawing blood while giving me the quick rundown of what condition the kitten we rescued is in.

"Will she be, okay?" Josie hasn't let go of the baby since we bought her. Leah stands right beside him, assuring Josie that everything will be fine.

"She should be. Give her a couple of days and bring her back. I don't think she is in immediate danger, anymore." Dr. Walker smiles at Josie with kindness beaming in his eyes.

"Thank you, doc." Leah shows gratitude before returning to comforting my best friend.

"Can we take her home?" Tony stands, arms crossed and legs apart, staring down on the small feline who his beloved has apparently claimed as his own.

"Sure. I have some formula and a couple medications here. This should get her through the worst of it. If you run low on milk, just pop back in. I can deliver if necessary. We will try a little wet food in about a week. For now, she just needs nutrients. This formula resembles a mother's milk and will provide everything she needs." Dr. Walker begins to walk away when I stop him.

"How old is she?" I ask curiously.

"Hard to tell. I would say no more than a few weeks. She should never have been removed from her mother. This is a serious case of abuse. I honestly can't see what the point of any of this was." Dr. Walker knows the story. I told him on the way over. He knows too much of Ryder to be shocked. This seems to be his wheelhouse, stealing and selling living beings.

"Well, if that is all. I guess we will see you in about a week." Tony thanks the good doctor with a handshake before ushering us out of the office. I know he is ready to get home and heavens above knows that Dr. Walker has answered his fair share of afterhours calls. I am positive the man needs a rest.

"She needs a bath." Josie runs his thumb in between Callie's eyes as the kitten sleeps as if she hasn't been able to in way too long.

"Dr. Walker said to wait. You can wipe her down when we get home. She doesn't need the trauma of water." Leah reminds Josie of things that I am sure he missed. Josie was too interested in cuddling the little animal. He wasn't paying too much attention to what the doctor was saying.

The ride home is content with chatter about the newest member of our coven. Josie worries aloud about the newborns. I remind him that we do not necessarily thirst for kitten blood. Enough of the newborns have been trained to know not to feed inside of our home. They wouldn't dare to try using Josie's baby as a snack. I doubt she would be satisfying at any rate.

Josie carries the small furball in his arms, covering her small head to keep her hidden. Tony reassures him repeatedly that he would kill them all if they breathed too heavily on the kitten. I wouldn't have pegged Tony for the protective type, of an animal, but here he is.

"Josie, you have to try to feed her. Go sit down and I will warm the milk. I can make you something to eat as well." Leah steps into the caregiving role, leaving me with hope that one day we may have a bundle of joy of our own to dote over.

"I will eat after Callie. Thank you." Josie barely takes his eyes away from his patient long enough to give Leah a smile of gratitude.

"I can get you a rag." The voice is strange. I did not expect to hear it. So, I am taken aback immediately as Cade enters the room.

"May we help you?" Tony cuts his eyes at Cade menacingly. Cade wasn't invited. Of course, Tony would be suspicious.

"I caught her scent as you came in. I apologize for intruding. May I watch?" Cade sits down when Tony gestures for him to sit down.

"She barely has a scent." Leah walks in with the miniature bottle, screwing the micro-nipple onto the container.

"It may be stronger for some." I console my beloved. She didn't say anything wrong. It's true; all that I smell is Ryder on the poor thing.

"If you so much as sneeze on her, I will gouge your eyes out and lick the blood from my claws." Leah hisses as she passes by Cade. Cade nods in agreement, pinning his back to the cushion of the chair he is occupying.

"Calm, my love. Cade won't try anything." I assuage my sweet Leah.

"Here you go, baby." Leah rubs the nipple of the bottle across the kitten's lips, letting a little milk seep onto her fur. Immediately, the kitten's mouth opens as if she had been waiting for the formula.

"She's drinking." Josie coos. His eyes alight with pride as his rescue nurses from the artificial nutrients that she is being offered.

"Hungry little kitty." Cade sings his praise while sitting forward with a curious expression upon his pale lips.

"Have you hunted lately?" Tony requests an answer from his newborn.

"This morning, Sire. I promise. I mean the beauty no harm." Cade gives a soft smile with his proclamation. I send assurance to Tony through our link. I think we are safe. Cade seems genuinely interested in Callie's wellbeing. There is no need for such caution.

"She's squirming." Josie moves his arm, allowing us to see how Callie wiggles back and forth. A small grunt comes from the kitten's belly.

"Josie." Leah busts into giggles. The kitten is cute but, I wasn't moved to laughter.

Leah giggles louder and louder until she starts gasping. Her laughter is disturbing the feeding of our small house guest.

"What's funny?" Tony asks with peaked interest.

"She peed." Leah laughs raucously as she points to the moisture that drips from Josie's elbow.

It is funny. Funnier still, is the look of betrayal on Josie's face.

"Noooo." Josie jumps from the chair, jostling the kitten from her sleep. A strange whine slips between Callie's lips.

I bust out laughing as Josie pushes the wet kitten towards Tony. Tony looks at me. With hands held in defense, I deny touching the thing. She needs a bath.

"I will hold her." Cade stands, approaching slowly. Tony looks to me for confirmation that this is okay. Noticing nothing sinister in the waves of comfort rolling off of Cade, I shrug my shoulders. Let him hold her.

Cade takes the kitten, while slowly pulling off his shirt. He wraps Callie in the warmth of his clothing as she snuggles in the crook of his arm. A soft sign escapes the kitten's lips before she settles back down as before.

"I was not expecting THAT!" Josie squeals as he enters the room wearing a fresh top.

"The look on your face." Leah covers her mouth. However, we can all tell she is still tickled silly over the transpiring fluid exchange.

"She pissed on me. Right here." Josie points to his arm as if we were not all here to witness the escapade moments ago.

"She's a baby. They do that." Tony chuckles as he pulls his Josie into his arms. The glare on Josie's face states clearly that he is not amused.

"I'm suddenly glad I can't shift. I am even more appreciative that it means I won't have any of those to tend to." Josie points at the inoffensive feline as it lays nestled in Cade's arms.

"I can take care of her tonight." Leah looks to me for approval.

"Whatever you want, love." I kiss her forehead while granting my unnecessary permission.

"I have her. You can take morning shift." Cade suggests.

"You can't take her to the basement. She needs rest." Tony argues.

"I will stay up here with her. You can check on us all night." Cade gives an ample argument to support his offer.

"That's fine. We need to eat and shower any way." Leah seems satisfied with the new arrangement, so I do not argue.

Josie pulls Tony towards the kitchen. Now that the kitten is safe, we should eat. It has been a long day.

"Food." Josie moans out when he sees that my beloved has pulled out sandwiches. I am impressed by her attentiveness and hospitality. She is finally becoming comfortable in our home.

"Yes, you should eat." Tony helps Josie onto the countertop, Josie's favorite seat, before pressing a plate into his hands. Josie kicks his feet in contentment while munching on the slider.

"I still am curious about the story behind Ryder having dealings with your family, Josie. Who is Callie anyway?" Leah asks in between bites of her own meal.

"I haven't figured out the bond there, yet. I bet it doesn't boil down to anything good." I admit.

"Thank you! For saving us." Josie sends a warm smile in my direction.

"We saved you guys, including you. You fought just as hard for that kitten as any of us did." Tony runs his thumb over Josie's jaw practically cooing as Josie leans into him.

"She needed saving." Leah interjects.

"That she did." I agree. There was no way we were leaving Josie to his family or Callie to that rat bastard, Ryder.

"The blood tests should prove her lineage. We will know more in a few days." Tony explains what he must have found out from Dr. Walker. They had stepped out into the hall for a spell. I guess that answers what they were doing out there.

"I am just interested to find out. The information won't change a thing." Leah takes the last bite of her sandwich before loading her dishes into the dishwasher.

"Let's focus on Callie's recovery. That is most important. We have plenty of time to figure out the logistics." I announce as I take Leah's hand in mine. I am ready for bed. I am not tired, per say. I am just ready to lay down. The day was long. We accomplished more than we set out to. I am ready to call it a night.

Tony smiles as we walk past Josie and him. I see my best friend send me a grateful smile as well. Cade is so focused on the kitten in his hand that he doesn't bother to acknowledge our departure.

Walking into our room, I let out a sign of relief. This has been draining. I cannot continue to chase down this group of cats. We will need to eventually provide both Callie and Josie with a more permanent form of safety.

"I can't shake the feeling that were missing something." Leah admits while changing. I watch the way the lean muscles in her back flex. She is beautiful. Her every move is captivating for me.

"I agree. We won't figure it out tonight though." I explain gently.

Leah moves towards the bed with just my t-shirt on and her lacy panties. If we were not so emotionally drained, I would attempt to have sex with my beloved. Instead, cuddling would be perfect.

"You don't know Ryder. There is something sinister going on between him and Josiah's family. I would be my own life on it." Leah slips into the sheets before turning towards me with her head settling down on my own pillow.

"I do not. However, let us not stake claims with your life as the ransom." I chuckle gently. I am unwilling to barter against Leah's life, not even for my own.

"You know what I meant." Leah rolls her eyes playfully. I did. It does not hurt to put qualification in place.

"I will let you know what I am thinking." I offer. "When Callie shifts back to human form, we can ty to convince her to give us information. She was an active participant in any misgivings. She would be the best source."

"That is possibly the best plan." Leah agrees. She shifts in bed, turning her back towards me. I wrap my arm around her and pull her closer, letting the space between us disappear into my chest.

The story is what it was. What it will be, remains to be seen. I can only hope that eventually we will get to the bottom of everything. What matters most is that we keep our family safe. Everything else is mere semantics.