Rise of the Underdogs: KADEN

Making Plans

Lying on my bed after the trial had concluded, I attempted to find some rest. Despite my best efforts, my mind was racing, unable to settle, as if working double time. My room was located under the stairs in a hidden alcove that allowed me to sneak up on anyone thoughtless enough to step on Dre’s toes. Chite, meanwhile, was immersed in deep meditation, striving to escape into oblivious sleep inside my head.

Down the hall in his office, Leif and Dre were busy trying to piece their lives back together after everything that had happened.

Among these swirling thoughts, one promise stood out: I had assured Leif that I would figure out how to kickstart the wedding. The weight of this commitment pressed on me, mingling with the exhaustion and uncertainty that lingered after the trial. I’d already had the invitations bought and distributed. Now I was trying to figure out minor details my brother and his fiancé didn’t need to concern themselves with when they had too much on the go already.

Recognizing that I needed to be discreet in my approach, I understood this was not a task I could handle alone. Assistance would be essential if I was to succeed.

Determined to move forward, I reached for my phone and began scrolling through my contacts. After a brief search, her name appeared. My Mate. She was not just another person on my list, but the one who meant the most to me: precious, beautiful, and remarkably powerful. Knowing she was only a phone call away gave me comfort and renewed resolve.

When I dialled her number, she answered almost immediately, picking up on the second ring. The sounds of her household—familiar and chaotic—filtered through the receiver, grounding me in the present moment. I heard the grunts of her brothers training, the whistle of the kettle as Levi told someone off in another language, and the clattered, muted sounds of dishes in water being washed.

“Afternoon!” she chirped, her tone bright and energetic. “Is your work done?”

I could only groan in response, dragging a hand across my face. “Yeah,” I admitted, exhaustion clear in my voice. “I’m napping at my brother’s place. Just waiting for my nephew and niece to get out of school.” The weight of my troubles pressed in, and I finally confessed, “I’ve got an issue that I need help with, and I’m praying you can assist in some way.”

As I spoke, the background sounds on her end faded—dishes clattering, voices, and the bustle of family life all grew distant. It was as if she’d moved away from the noise, seeking a quieter space to focus on our conversation. Suddenly, the sound of knocking echoed through the receiver, followed by a groggy, exhausted voice inviting her to enter. The shift in atmosphere signalled her readiness to listen, and I felt a flicker of hope that together, we might find a solution.

Kita’s voice softened as she spoke, barely louder than a whisper. “Hey, big brother,” she said gently. “I know you told me not to leave, but Kaden’s asked for my help with something.” The hesitation in her words suggested she was seeking understanding, if not outright permission.

A brief pause followed before Jasper responded, his tone tinged with surprise. “He’s back?” he asked, the question hanging in the air. “Two days before the deadline. Good on him.”

“Yeah,” Kita confirmed simply, her answer ringing with quiet certainty.

Jasper let out a groan, followed by a grunt, the sound of bedsprings creaking in the background. The noise made me grin despite the tension. Clearly exhausted, Jasper explained, “I just got off a night shift guarding the south-western quad of the territory. If you’re going, he’ll have to pick you up or send someone for you. You don’t know your way to his home.”

His words were firm, protective, but also resigned. He was too tired to argue further. I agreed wholeheartedly. She was too pretty to let her walk around this place alone.

By ‘this place’ I meant the high-end, high-cost gated community that cost upwards of five-hundred grand a house. An area wherein you needed a code or a wide-awake guard to get in.

One of the guards, a man whom we had trusted to protect our community, was currently undergoing termination.

Not only was he being fired, but his powers and authority were being stripped away as well. The gravity of his actions had come to light: he was a member of the ring, and it was this betrayal that allowed Seamus to gain access to Dreson’s gated neighbourhood. What made his actions even more reprehensible was the knowledge that he was fully aware my brothers’ two young children were intended targets. Now, as the truth surfaced, the repercussions were swift and severe, and he was facing the consequences of his betrayal.

Treason against the crown was unforgivable. And Dad wasn’t a man who took a bad gamble on anyone or anything.

“Kaden,” Akita called out, her voice coming through with a hint of static. “You’re on speaker.”

Attempting to keep things straightforward, I replied, “I’ll send the family driver for her, man. I’ve got a tonne of things to handle for my brother, and I just wanted to see if she was interested in helping me out. Akita, bring your schoolwork too. We can take out two birds with one stone. I mean… shoot. That… th-th…” My words faltered as I tried to find the right phrase.

As I tried to continue speaking, I found myself stumbling over my words, the familiar struggle with my stutter surfacing at the worst possible moment. The worry gnawed at me that, in my search for the right phrase, I might have accidentally offended them with a careless, everyday expression. The fear of unintentionally slighting them weighed heavily, making it even harder to get the words out smoothly.

Jasper, ever the steady presence despite his exhaustion, intervened with a groan. “Kaden, breathe,” he said, offering reassurance. “We know you’re not poking fun at our family name.”

Looking to keep things organized and safe, I explained the plan to Akita. “When the car arrives, it will go to the packhouse. You can meet the driver there, Kita.” I made sure to mention the driver’s name so she would know whom to expect. “Gregory Daniels has been my parents’ chauffeur privé since I was four.”

The intention was clear. To reassure Akita of her safety and provide her with all the necessary details for a smooth pick-up. It also allowed Jasper to see the careful consideration and responsibility involved in our family’s arrangements.

Jasper’s curiosity was piqued when I muttered in one of their three languages. A hint of humour in his tone made me smile as he asked, “Wait, you actually speak French?”

A brief pause lingered before I replied, listing off the languages with practiced ease. “French, English, German, Latin, Italian, Spanish, and in twenty-five different dialects.” I said, the words rolling off my tongue in sequence. “The kids of the Cage family are subjected to linguistic torture until we’re fluent in as many languages as we can learn.” The phrase was half-joking, half-truth—a nod to the demanding expectations that shaped our upbringing.

Akita’s excitement was immediate and infectious. “Teach me Latin?!” she exclaimed, her voice lifting with genuine eagerness. The sheer enthusiasm in her request made me smile. It was impossible not to be affected by her energy.

Letting out a short, soft laugh, I nodded in agreement. “Sure. But only if you teach me how to speak Inuit. I wanna be able to understand when your brothers are bitching me out.”

“I don’t… Never mind,” Jasper grunted. “The guys do. Kita, go get ready. Kaden, take care of her. She’s under your guard while in your care.”

“No.” The word escaped before I could stop it.

He paused, the room on the other end falling quiet. Then, “Come again?”

“I will not protect what doesn’t need protecting. She can beat half the guards to death, and my mother would praise her strength and cunning rather than discipline my girl. In Druid land, Werewolf rules only apply if it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the wolf in question sought to purposely harm or cause harm to the royal family.” I explained.

“But…”

“Jas,” Akita’s voice sliced through the tension. “Izzy warned me he would do this. She told me her favourite cousins prefer to build up girls rather than tear them down. If he says I can move freely and without consequence, then that’s how we do it. Besides, I am an Alpha.”

“Exactly! You get it, Kita! You hold power as an Alpha, which means you will be treated as a visiting dignitary.” I laughed, suddenly excited. ‘Chite, Kita’s coming!’

‘Wake me when she’s here.’

‘Not here. Mom’s house.’

‘You’re going to give your grandfather heart failure.’ My wolf said, humour lacing his tone. He paused, as if he was actively considering the idea.

Akita laughed, “Okay! I’ll grab my books and meet Gregory at the packhouse.”

“I’ll be heading over to the mansion shortly.” A bang from the hall. I could smell Drake’s acrid scent – overpowering and reeking of egocentric entitlement. Behind that, Grandfather Nigel. Listening for a moment, I heard him threaten Dre and Leif.

‘Oh no, he didn’t!’ Malachite snarled, now wide awake and furious that someone dared to hurt our favourite person.

“Akita, I’m going to let you go. Apparently, my asshole grandfather just threatened my brother’s peace.”

She sucked in a shark breath, then: “Ah, hell nah. You take care of that, and I’ll go wait for the ride you’re sending.”

Hanging up, I called Greg, “Hey, can you please go pick up my Mate from Shadow Storm? Her name is Akita Stone.”

“Absolutely, Sire. Where will I be bringing the young Lady?”

“My father’s mansion. I’ll meet you there.”