Welcome to Gaia! ::

Dray gasped. "Oh! Mom! I'm sorry. I thought you'd catch yourself." Dray said with his hands over his mouth. Lily looked at him as he came over. He looked so pitiful it was a shame.....but then he started sobbing and asking what to do. Lily put her arms around him and help him and Dray leaned against them both.

"Normally at this time, the Rayah, which is you, would take over. But I don't think you're strong enough to do that at this time. I think you should put Uri in charge for now....But you'd have to tell him verbally so it's official." She told him as she rubbed his back with her free hand. Afacan turned and looked at Alex, wondering why he was crying. He put a small hand on Alex's head.

Uri had just gotten off the phone when Kaeden came up the steps and his wife slipped past with Afacan. Uri looked disturbed when he looked at Kaeden. "We've got nothing to go on. Logan was protective of everyone except himself. He made sure the tribe was taken care of and his Rayah was as safe as he could be. But for a attack from within?! Well.....I don't know if he ever planned for that. If he did, he didn't tell me." Uri said putting his phone away and trying to think.

"Alex is safe and the kittens are safe. We should try to keep this to ourselves, as far as the tribe goes, so the others don't become alarmed. I've already called for more guards. They just think we are doing drills. They will find out sooner or later. But until then, we need to find out who hit me over the head without being seen, who all planned the get-a-way and where our semal is." Uri said thinking aloud.

Kaeden wasn't there when this happened, so Uri quickly filled him in on what was going on while he was gone. "It was either one of our own or an outsider. But they would either have to have been hidden in the trunk, which I would have heard open, or they were under the car, which is low because it is a limo. That is why I speculate it's one of ours. Otherwise the guards would have seen a stranger on the land walking up to the house." Uri said giving his reasoning hoping Kaeden could put some input in as well.

Mrs. Church came up the steps and Uri frowned. He liked her, but this was a bad time. She smiled at him. "Such a face. What's wrong? I just wanted to tell Logan and Lily that Alice might have come up with a solution for the bracelet. But Alice needs Lily." Mrs. Church said. Uri cleared his throat. "Sorry, Logan is busy and Lily is keeping Alex company. But if it'll help get our Rayah back, we'll need to let Lily go." Uri said and glanced at Kaeden.

Uri needed Lily to watch Alex and the kittens or Alice to do so. If they were both gone, who'd watch the kittens and the Rayah? Trevor!...But where was he and his family? And Uri needed Kaeden to help with the search.

Mrs. Church, seeing she'd interrupted some business decided to slip away. She nodded and left back down the steps. Uri took a deep breath. "That is one thing about Mrs. Church.....she knows when to come and when to leave you alone." He said with a real smile on his face before turning back to Kaeden.

Lily nodded and helped Alex to the doorway where Uriah was guarding and Kaeden was talking with Uri. Uri was about to answer Kaeden's questions when he saw them approach.

Uri bowed. "You have my word, Rayah. I will not stop until Logan is returned." Uri promised. Lily gave an encouraging smile before helping Alex back inside. "You are exhausted and upset. Rest now or you'll be of no good to anyone. Uri will take care of this with the other guards. As Rayah, you are to look after your kittens and the rest of the tribe. And you can't do that if you are tired." Lily said trying to get Alex to rest.

She slipped off his shoes and placed them on the floor by the bed. Dray came over and set up the pillows just the way his mother liked before getting the opposite corner of the bedspread and folding it back and over his mother. "I'll try to keep the kittens entertained but quiet while your rest." Dray said before going to see what the kittens were up to. They had been too quiet.

Uri turned back to Kaeden once Alex was inside and moved further from the doorway so they couldn't hear. "Logan had asked for the guards to be actively rotating. They were to be walking around the house so they wouldn't fall asleep on their feet. But Logan had also sent a few to help the newcomers. That only left four walking the perimeter of the house with two at Logan's balcony on the side and two on the roof watching the other side and the back of the house. Walking in intervals around the house, there was a few moments where there is no one in the front." Uri said thinking as he spoke.

"That means the kidnapper knew our patrol times and was watching and had been watching." This knowledge angered Uri....could it really have been one of their own?!

Uri took off down the steps and motioned for Kaeden to follow. Uri dashed outside and off the steps. He looked around. "There are many trees inside the perimeter, but none of them are thick enough to hide in and watch from. Who ever knocked me out for those few moments had to have been near the house or in it. The stables are too far and would have raised suspicion of he'd been running." Uri pointed out, wondering if he'd missed anything. "Call Trevor. We need our Rayah back. He's the only one with a connection to Logan that could track him down quicker than us. If Alex was in his right mind, we would have found him by now." Uri said with a growl as he punched a fist into his other open hand.

Rose could sense it as well, but she stood guard with her brother while Koko helped the other twin heard the kittens inside. Rose, seeing on the triplets were left, got one while her brothers got the other two.

Dray smiled and nodded at his little brother. "And this is how I know I'm adopted. You all knew what to do and where to go." Dray said feeling more guilty. Dray picked up Leo and set him in the nest in the closet before turning to his siter and asking her to help him carry Alex in there as well. "In the closet?" She asked with a raised brow. "It's an Alex thing. He just gets nests together and it makes us all feel better. Leo just pulled most of the clothes down and made one. It would be rude to say no." Dray quickly explained.

Lily shrugged and picked up Alex effortlessly. "He needs to eat more. He's so light." She muttered as she carried him. It was tricky getting Alex in the next while he was alseep and the little ones were already in there. But with Dray's help, Lily got them all settled before Dray shifted and got in too.

Uri waited for Kaeden to end the call before answering his questions. "No. I checked all the mirrors. We were the only ones on the road coming back. And we only stopped at the Glass Works. But I suspected none of the house guards. That's why they are guarding the house. They are the most trusted." Uri said before turning to see his lover, Blake, coming down the way and up the steps with a gorgeous smile on his face.

"Hey love. You look busy. I just wanted to know about the prized animal you brought back. Or was that Logan's kill? But we can talk about it later." Blake said and turned to leave. Uri looked at him confused for a moment before catching his arm and seeing Trevor and Caemeron quickly rushing up with their babies in arms.

Uri held onto Blake and turne his attention to the couple. "Thanks for coming so quickly. We are trying to keep this on the down low for now, but Logan's been taken and we are trying to find him. Alex is not taking it well and the kittens are worried. If you could look after them. That would be really great. Lily would stay, but the girls may have found a way to return Alex back to normal. So, she needs to leave." Uri quickly explained and then added. "Oh, if you wouldn't mind having them in your room or in the game room. Logan would have both our heads if I let you stay in their room. You understand, of course? Uriah will help you get them moved."

Uri had almost forgotten that Logan didn't want too many people in their room. And it was rightfully so since he was mated to a Rayah. It should only be their scents and their children. Even having Lily and his own mother was out of the norm for other cats that held the Laws closer to heart than their tribe.

Uri turned back to Blake, who looked completely confused.

If the situation wasn't so dire, Uriah might have chuckled. Trevor rushed through his words just like Alex did when he was excited about something. It was rather cute. But this was not the time. Uriah nodded and turned just as Lily came to the door. "Trevor, Caemeron, its good to see you both." Lily said. "They will watch the kittens and Alex while you are gone. We'll move them to the game room." He said. Lily nodded and quickly went for the baskets as Uriah went to the closet. Earlier he'd seen them all heading that direction, so he knew where to go.

Dray sat up and looked at Uriah. "Trevor and Caemeron will watch over you all while Lily goes with Alice to try and help your mother." Uriah said. Dray got up and shifted. He knew he could carry more kittens in his human form. Lily came in with the baskets and started putting them in. Rose and Koko latched on to some of the clothes and pulled them into the basket. Lily smiled sympathetically. "I'll carry some over. I promise." She said throwing some of Logan's and Alex's shirts over her shoulder.

Uriah carried Alex and Lily handed two of the baskets to Trevor and Caemeron. "Thanks for coming so quickly." She said as she turned to pull out a comforter. She knew the kittens would feel better if they were on a comforter from their room that smelt like their parents. The other kittens were just glad to be amongst the others and being taken care of.

While they got Alex and the kittens settled, Uri looked at his lover. "I don't understand. What kill did you see?" Uri asked. Blake frowned wondering how this fitted in with their missing Semal. "When you came through the gate, some of the guards where wondering about the kill that was on the back of the limo. They knew Logan was going out, but just thought he was taking his family to the Glass Works and not hunting too........but by the looks on both your faces, you didn't go hunting........did you?"

Once Lily helped get her family settled, she quickly waved to the other couple and slipped out. She went to her room and got her weapons. She didn't know where they'd be going or what they'd be doing, so she wanted to be prepared. She kissed her girls, Kayla and Afacan before leaving. She was only in there a moment, so the children didn't have time to ask any questions.

Lily came back out and gave Kaeden a kiss on the cheek before jumping down the length of all the steps and running out the door. Blake looked at her with admiration and slipped Kaeden a smirk.

Uri shook his head no. "No. I checked the mirrors before we came close to the gate. The only time I slowed down was there were a few bumps in the road and for the gate to open......but that would have been enough time, wouldn't it have?" He said frowning. He was feeling like he hadn't done enough and this could be his fault.

Blake spoke up, trying to piece together what he'd just learned. "So, you're saying the Semal is missing, you were hit over the head by someone, there was a kill on the back of the limo that wasn't yours, and this had to be planned because they came with knock out liquid and a get away car?" Uri nodded and looked at Kaeden.

"Sounds like, now this is completely hypothetical, when the Semal and Rayah left, whoever it was, got ready. On the way back someone posed as a kill to fool the guards. But you probably couldn't 'see it from the rear view mirror. They hid most likely under the limo until the kittens were out, hit you over the head and drove off with our leaders. They then stopped at a point they probably had scouted out, moved Logan and sped off." Blake said.

"You need to lay off those mystery books." Uri said with a tease in his voice; but his voice remained stern. "But that's what it sounds like. Unless you can think of something." Uri said thinking and looking at Kaeden.

Koko woke up a little and mewed. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he whimpered from being moved. Dray petted his head and Koko went back to sleep.

Lily smiled at her. "Mother told me you have good news for Alex. We really need it right now." Lily said before looking around to make sure they were alone. They were, but she still whispered. "Logan has been kidnapped and we really need Alex back to himself. Uri is in charge at the moment." She said eager to help Alice if she could. "I'll do what it takes to get him back so we can get my brother back.

Uriah stood at the door to the game room and kept watch. Dray made sure his sisters and brothers were tucked up comfortably and close to mother before snuggling in the rest of the kittens just in case Trevor and Caemeron wanted to join the next as well. There was enough space cause the comforters were large and fluffy.

Dray looked at Caemeron when he spoke. "Well, we went to the Glass Works so father could show us around. He did and then we went to his office. We stayed in there while he got us dessert. After that, we left and came back home. He said we'd head to the room so we could get something to eat. But as we got closer, they got all lovey dovey. So Uriah and I took the kittens up while they...." Dray blushed when he got to that part. It was strange telling others about it though it was perfectly natural since he grew up with it. "Well,.....you know. They were gone for a long time. The next time I saw mother was when Uri was carrying him in and then Lily came. So I'm not sure. But it looks like father was taken some time between when we came up and when Uri came back with mother." Dray said.

He petted all the kittens, included theirs. "It's strange to me. Usually other cats want a Rayah. But they left my mother. I'm surely not complaining......it's just odd." Dray said softly.

Dray lookedat their little ones that were looking around and chuckled. "There are a lot of little ones. They look surprised." Dray said and looked at Trevor. "There will be more once Alice and Andrew mate." He said with a smile.

Meanwhile, Kayla had seen the girls yawning. They were trying to stay awake to wait for their parent to return, but were quickly falling asleep. She spoke to them in Russian. "I think they will be awhile. They are trying to find our Semal. You two should rest." She said.

Uri's brows furrowed as he looked down. "I do not know. We have nothing to go on. Even if the guards saw the kill as we came in, they couldn't tell us about the getaway vehicle that was waiting miles down the road."

Blake chimed in. "At least call the Glass Works and make sure no one is missing. Just say it's a random check. If it was a cat from there, they could have run through the forest and hitched a ride. If not, then we are back to square one."

Uri nodded and pulled out his phone. He was put on hold for a long moment before someone came back. He frowned, thanked the man and hung up. "No one has been gone and they are all accounted for. I can double check it on Logan's computer." Uri informed.

Just then one of the guards from the front gate came running into the house. He looked around, spotted them at the top of the steps and ran up them and bowed. "Forgive my intrusion, but this is serious." He said thrusting an opened envelope at Uri.

Lily nodded about the potion and listened to the ingredients. "Baby breaths sounds like flowers. Those small white ones they put as a filler in bouquets. That will be easy to get. They also grow on the side of the road. Just regular honey? That'll be easy as well. Mom keeps us stocked up on that. And if for some reason she doesn't have any, I'm willing to get stung sticking my hand in a nest. There are a few down at the far end of the stream that runs by the land. Bloom of a lily......hmmm, I've not paid attention to the flower beds, we might have a lily or two on the property. We can just pick one. But I don't know about the maiden's lips." Lily said and thought about the last ingredient.

"A kiss of love.......we all love him. What's not to love. Do we need to kiss the bottle when we are done?" Lily pondered. "You know what? Let's get what we can and worry about the other stuff as we go along. That way were use up less time." She said pulling out her phone.

"With me here and Kaeden needed with the guards to find Logan, Kayla is watching the kittens. But if she's needed, I'll just tell her to leave them with mother or Trevor. Trevor and his mate, Caemeron are watching the rest of the kittens."

Lily got to her feet. "Come. Mother will tell Kayla to meet us in the car garage." She said taking Alice's hand and leading her out just as her mother picked up the phone. "Hey mom. I need Kayla. Would you tell her to drop the kittens off with Trevor and meet us in the car garage? Thanks." Lily said hanging up so her mother couldn't ask her any questions. "Mother doesn't know." She quickly told Alice.

Mrs. Church was wondering what was going on, but she didn't ask. She went up and told the girls and Kayla. Kayla had just finished giving them a bath when Mrs. Church came in. Kayla nodded and went to the game room with the girls while Mrs. Church went back to the kitchen to cook the next meal.

Dray gave a half heart chuckled. "I'd wished for an exciting life once, but right now I could use a break and I'm sure my parents could use a vacation from all that's been happening." Dray said and then yawned.

But he too looked up when Kayla came in with Yanny and Yen. They both looked sleepy. Kayla looked at them and spoke.....but it was in Russian. But then she stopped when she realized they didnt' understand her. She tried digging deep into her english....but she knew so little. "Kids....you." She said with hopeful eyes. She had a mind just to leave the girls there and leave when Yen spoke up half sleep. "We're suppose to stay with you."

Kayla kissed the girls and Yanny tried to cling to her, but Kayla peeled her off and turned her around and gave her a little nudge toward Trevor. Kayla quickly left and Yanny started to cry. She wasn't familiar with Trevor and his mate. Kayla stopped in the hallway, but knew she had to go.....she kept walking. She caught Kaeden on the way down. "Lily needs me. The girls are with the babysitters and Dray." She said....but in Russian. She kissed Kaeden's cheek and ran off.

Blake chuckled at Kaeden's look. "She said the kids are with the babysisters and Dray. Lily needs her." He said. "You need to learn some Russian, my friend." Uri said as he opened the letter.

Uri sighed and gave a growl at the same time before smelling it and handing the letter over to Kaeden. "It looks like we are going to war. I know that handwritting and signature. And the scent of the paper says it all as well......Cheov Clipton!"

The letter said: Seeing how you have plenty of kittens that will grow up to become Semals, I'm sure you won't mind if I take your Semal, Logan Church, from you. My tribe has been without a Semal for years and we need order. Also, our Ya-Rayah has to marry a Semal or remain alone the rest of her life. Sorry for inconvience. By the time you get this letter, we will be long gone.
CLC

Kayla ran out to where she remembered the car garage to be. She'd only been past it once. Lily saw her and honked the horn. Kayla ran over and quickly jumped in just before Lily sped off.

Lily had no intentions of slowing down for the front gate. She honked the horn and stuck her head out the window. "Open up!" She called. The gate was quickly opened and the guards jumped out of the way. "I'll apologize later. Alice, you know any Russian? Kayla only speaks Russian. I've not had time for English lessons yet." Lily asked before introducing the two.

Yanny piped down when she saw Alex asleep. She wiped her eyes and went to Trevor's outstretched arms. She was tired and quickly went back to sleep in his arms. Yen on the other hand had her sleepy eyes on Dray. She wondered if she should go to him. She remembered the words that had been spoken to her by his parent. They couldn't be together if he was to try to be a Semal when he grew up. But he reached for her and she couldn't stop her feet.

Dray took her hand and pulled her down next to him between him and the kittens so she'd stay warm.

Uri nodded to Kaeden remembering the Law. But there was another part that would help them as well. "And the good news is, while the Semal is out, the job of protection falls to his chosen, which is me, and his beset.......which is you." Uri said with some hope in his eyes.

Blake frowned some. He loved Uri so much that he didn't want to lose him, but he knew their leaders came first. "Don't get too happy, lover. You just painted a target on both your backs. That doesn't sound like good news to me." He said flatly.

Uri actually smiled. "I love you too. But if it means keeping the life of the Rayah, then I'll do anything." Uri said softly. Blake knew this to be true, but he still leaned into Uri for some comfort. Uri put an arm around him and looked at Kaeden. "Since we need to stay for now, I think we should send some men over to pay Cheov Clipton a little visit." Uri said with a deadly smirk.

Kayla smiled at her knowing Russian. "I am good but worried. I'm not sure what all is going on. But I will be of help if I can." Kayla said as she leaned forward from her seat to see where Lily was taking them as such a high speed on a dirt road.

Lily only slowed down when they got closer to town, but then she suddenly pulled the car over, making everyone grab for something secure. "Sorry. Look! Over there." She pointed to a small field of while flowers. Baby's breaths were among them. "Do don't know how much we'll need. It's best to get too much than too little." She said. "I'm on it." Kayla said jumping from the car.

Kayla ran quickly with outstretched hands and grabbed the stems until she had two large handfuls of the flowers before returning to the car. She jumped back in and set them in the seat next to her. Lily smiled at Alice before she took off again, wheels turning. "Lilys are next. We'll need a flower shop."

Kayla called out and patted Alice on the shoulder before pointing to a flower shop that was behind a few buildings. She had a sharp eye if she knew what to look for.