---Anders' POV---

I woke to the sunshine warming my skin, a few birds chirping and the rough voices of the inmates outside. A low growl escaped me in disdain before I realized the sun wasn't the only thing warming my bed.

My eyes instantly opened to my mate and I grinned. Benji was lying with his hands folded between our chests, his cheek flush against my pec and our legs intertwined. He was still deeply asleep, mouth slightly open to release soft breaths.

For a while, all I could do was stare and smile at the wonder that was my little mate. The quiet breaths puffing from between his parted lips, how he frowned and cutely rubbed his eyes when the sun started to shine brighter. I grinned when Benji rolled over further and buried his face against my chest in an attempt to hide from the sunlight.

He let out a frustrated mewl when I chuckled but I yelped and flinched away when he retaliated by biting my nipple. "You cheeky little devil." I chuckled as I saw his wide grin before he rolled over to hide his face in the covers.

His shoulders shook with laughter but that quickly turned to a moan when I grasped his hips and yanked him closer against my morning wood. It brought a bright flush on his cheeks, eyes warm and teasing as he glanced over his shoulder.

I was more than happy to give a repeat performance of last night, especially with the memories hot in my mind. Sadly, I could hear the grumbles of the polar bear down the hall and more specifically, the growls of Benji's stomach.

My little wildcat was starving.

Leaning forwards, I smirked slightly as I whispered in Benji's ear, "You're lucky we have guests over love, or I would've returned that little nip with one of my own. I would've had you spread out under me, moaning and writhing in absolute pleasure as you begged for more."

Benji's cheek flushed as he panted at the vivid picture I painted, a slight moan slipping from his lips. I chuckled and nuzzled into his cheek, letting my fangs drop to scrape them over his sensitive skin.

I was almost tempted to lick his gorgeous throat and bite down for another sip of his heavenly blood. Sadly, I could hear footsteps down the hall and sighed heavily as I pulled off of Benji.

My little mate flopped over and inhaled deeply, unashamed of his naked arse sticking up in the air. Hunger clutched at my body while my lips curled in a lecherous smile, especially when Benji didn't move to cover himself.

He did squeal and scramble up when I swatted at his perky behind though. I laughed heartily as Benji groaned in the covers and rubbed at his bum before sighing and stretching out.

I couldn't resist to crawl back on the bed, rubbing my little mate's back when he hissed in discomfort. He sighed and relaxed quickly as I rubbed at his tense muscles in his lower back and I couldn't help a satisfied smile to know why his back was tensed up.

"We should really get up and get you some food love." I murmured after a while, even though I was now straddling his legs. Benji was letting out small sounds of pleasure as I massaged his back and hips, deciding to tease my mate by leaning over and rolling my hips.

Benji moaned as he bucked his hips back in clear invitation, his scent thick in the air. My mouth watered as I leaned forwards, only to drop my forehead on his shoulder and groan in frustration as we both heard the knock on the door.

"I swear, if I get cockblocked one more time, I'm gonna slowly castrate whoever it is." I snarled before pushing off my mate reluctantly. Benji chuckled, though I could tell by the look on his face that he agreed. Opening the door, I came face to face with a smirking Vane.

"I'd love to see you try hybrid. Anyways, some of those sniveling brats of yours have been whining at the front door. Something about the pack of wolves still on the island." The polar bear huffed before flashing his teeth in an impressive smirk.

When his words registered, I sighed and rolled my eyes. Of course those wolves would be an annoyance. But somehow I felt that there was more to it, especially with the way Vane was looking around the house, inhaling deeply.

The man turned around, eyes turning golden for a second. "Are there any serpents on the island?" I nodded once, my mind instantly filled with Vaughan's smiling face. "A King Cobra."

"Psh. King my ass, more like a little weasel. I can smell him, slithering around the house." Vane's eyes narrowed slightly, darkening to a terrifying degree. "If that snake flicks his tongue anywhere near my mate, I'm going to turn him in a pair of boots." He snarled, barreling out the door.

I sighed, shook my head before deciding to at least warn the inmates of the Polar Bear. If that man got his hands on any of the men, there would be nothing left to identify them with.

Already the scent of fear was heavy in the air, inmates literally tripping over themselves to get away from the huffing bear. I hid a smirk as I watched Vane sniff the air, trying to get a good scent.

But I knew enough from Vaughan to know the man was cunning. I could call him many things, but foolish wasn't one of his many flaws. Vaughan knew when to back off, when to pick a fight and more importantly, how to use people around him.

He could turn two best friends into mortal enemies within a few hours, make lovers paranoid of one another and more. I can even recall an incident where one of the younger males had pissed off Vaughan.

When he woke up the next morning, he smelled heavily of Vaughan himself and it made his mate think he had cheated with the slippery snake. It was only after days filled with the pain of rejection, haunting cries and desperate pleas that Vaughan had confessed nothing happened.

Paul was still groveling with his mate in an attempt to make up for what he put Xenos through. After all these years, Xenos had a heavy case of separation anxiety and feared Vaughan above anything else.

And as I sniffed the air myself, I wondered what Vaughan was up to, trying to lure us in a wild goose chase around the island. My mind drew blank for a second before I realized why and quickly went back to my house.

If that traitorous serpent thought for one second that he could use my mate against me, he had another thing coming.

---Benji's POV---

Stretching again, I yawned widely as I clawed at the covers. My eyes were still heavy with sleep but after that lovely massage from Anders, my back felt amazing. I blinked tiredly and stood up, feeling my hair stick and twist all over the place.

Scratching through the mess, I stood on wobbly legs and hissed as I felt a slight spark of pain shoot up my back. Okay... Clearly I need to take it slowly. I shuffled down the stairs towards the kitchen, all the while yawning tiredly and scratching at my hair and chest.

As soon as I was in the kitchen though, all sleepiness evaded me. There, at the head of the table, stood a man who turned and smiled the second he heard my heart stumble in my chest.

"Oh? Excuse me for entering unannounced but it seemed that Anders would never share you otherwise." He smirked, standing at full attention before he leaned against the doorway. "Your mate seems to think I have bad intentions for you, little one."

I instantly bristled at the sneering endearment, eying the man warily as he walked around the kitchen table and plucked an apple out the bowl.

"Who are you?"

The man smiled, looking up as he smiled. For a moment I caught sight of sharpened canines and a low, satisfied hiss before he bit down on the apple. "How rude of me, I'm Vaughan. One of the more important inmates here."

He motioned around us, indicating the island before he sat down, kicking his feet on the table. "You know, I'm quite stunned to see you still alive. Word was that Anders would kill the little cat that dared bite him. At last pull out its teeth. But nothing..."

I blinked as he bit down again with a loud crunch, twisting the apple between his fingers. "You've got some powerful allies...first the hybrid, now the polar bear... Maybe you could do something for little old me too?"

Oh he was good. A smooth talker that would make you feel at ease, unknowing of the coils he wrapped around you. His voice was his poison, lethal if you allowed it. Instead I frowned, crossing my arms slightly.

"Surely someone as high on the food chain as yourself wouldn't need help, especially from a little Margay like me." I retorted, watching with satisfaction as Vaughan's mask fell briefly, his nails digging into the apple as it hovered in front of his lips before he smirked and bit down again.

Licking his lip from excess juice, he looked up at me, all previous warmth gone. "Clever cat. I can barely see why Anders would be interested in you, even if you're his true mate."

His feet dropped to the floor as I bit back an angered growl before he stood up. Vaughan stood at an impressive height and glared down at me. "I'd watch my back if I were you little one. I know Anders is paranoid regarding you. He knows that all we need is a little bite, a snap of a wrist or even a little drop of venom in your food. You're easy to get rid of, cat. Remember that."

My stomach burned in my chest at the threat before he smiled warmly and winked. "That being said, welcome to the island Benji. Have a good day." Vaughan smirked before strolling out the door, whistling as he did.

It was a few moments later that Anders appeared in the doorway, nostrils flaring before his eyes turned pitch-black. "He was here... he spoke to you?" I nodded slowly, a bit shocked with the whole situation.

"Y-yeah... He kinda threatened me or warned me... I'm not sure." I mumbled, making Anders snarl in anger before I was pulled in his warm embrace. Nuzzling against his chest and inhaling his soothing musk deeply, I returned the hug.

"He won't harm you Benji, mark my words." Anders swore, pulling me off my feet and back to our room. It was clear that Vaughan's ability to slither in our house undetected had unnerved him greatly.

And to be honest, I was worried too. Vaughan's confidence was unsettling, especially combined with his cool words and the burning curiosity in my stomach as I realized he never told me what he wanted from me.

However, my stomach turned as I stared up at Anders, who knew with utmost certainty that whatever Vaughan was up to, it wasn't good.

For neither of us.