---Lane's POV---

My back arched instinctively with each pet over my back, purrs lazily rumbling through my chest. Fingers traced over my spine all the way down to my hips, swirling around before going back up. Sleep slowly pushed out of my mind, allowing me to wake up and stretch lazily.

Jethro's chest rumbled under my own, especially when I crawled up to nuzzle his throat. His finger reached up, soothingly petting through my hair as I purred before blinking my eyes open. His strong jaw filled my vision before I was lifted away from his neck and then pulled down in a smoldering kiss.

"Morning kitten." His voice was deep and raw, making me shiver in delight. I simply purred deeply, sighing a content, "Morning Sir." He chuckled, hands reaching down to kneed at my ass cheeks, which instantly made my skin heat up underneath his attention, as well as my erection to swell against his thigh.

I yelped and shot upright though when his hands playfully landed against my ass with a resounding smack, a blush lighting up my face before I laughed with him. "Time to get up and do our tasks. I want you do run the border on your own today."

Nodding, I slipped out of bed, fussing with the covers when Jethro slid out of bed himself. He shot me a proud smile as I made the bed and fluffed up the pillows, not wanting to bother him with those small yet mundane tasks.

The second I was done and got permission, I shifted and bounded out the door. My tiger was in an exceptional good mood with the knowledge that Jethro had accepted us and even trusted us with the protection of his territory.

My whiskers twitched as I roamed through the woods, traveling quite a distance to get to the very edge. Yet all the while I felt Jethro's presence in the back of my mind, soothing and reassuring.

Inhaling deeply, I basked in the warmth of the morning sun, easily finding my way through the woods. The scent of old leaves, a hint of rain in the air and the dampness of the moss covered soil wafted up from the floor with each step I took.

A few deer scrambled when they noticed my approach but I didn't pay them any mind, save for a flick of my tail. Instinct demanded I chased them but for what? I wasn't into useless bloodshed; I wasn't hungry, nor would I ever be if I knew Jethro well enough.

When I finally made it to the edge, I reached up to one of the trees and extended my claws. The bark protested but broke easily underneath the sharp claws that dug through the exterior, down to the softer core.

I rubbed my shoulder against the tree before nuzzling it, sniffing the air and deeming it marked well enough. Jethro's scent was strong, stronger than mine in the area, but I didn't want to drown his scent in mine. 

I wanted to meld them together.

A low purr started from deep in my belly as I stepped through the woods, feeling the leaves crunch underneath my paws. A few birds were chirping, their song bouncing off of the trees, providing echoes that bounced back and showed me what the forest looked like.

My ears twitched at the shrill sound but I was grateful for the view. Even if I was blind on one side, for some reason my mind seemed to be able to see somewhat, as if the sounds and scents were being transformed into sight.

Sounds in the distance drew my attention, my gait quickening as I quietly stalked through the woods. Stepping over a rotting log, my eyes landed on a small group of wolves sniffing along the edge of the territory, ears pinned back and tails tucked in.

One of them seemed to be pretty high ranking, shuffling his weight nervously as he held a small package in his hands while snarling at the other wolves. He seemed to be hesitant to approach the borders though and kept talking to the other wolves, as if trying to convince them to do it in his place.

"Jethro? There are some pack wolves hesitating at the Eastern border."

A sigh filled the link and I caught a hint of amusement combined with annoyance "Of course, their Alpha sent over another invitation. Show yourself and guide them in, but keep an eye on them. You have my full permission to retaliate if any of them decide to wander around on our territory."

I purred deeply, feeling warmth bloom in my chest as joy filled my being. Our territory. My tail flicked from side to side as I made my way through the shrubbery, allowing branches to crackle and snap to alert the wolves.

They all snapped to attention, a few shifting to human as the group of five huddled together. Their expressions quickly changed to shock and slight fear as they spotted me in between the trees, making my way over to them.

"Wh- Who are you? And what the hell are you doing on Jethro's territory, cat?" the wolf hissed between bared canines, making me huff and fight the urge to roll my eyes. I knew that any sign of me being rude could result in a reprimanding from Jethro and I didn't feel like pushing his buttons today.

Instead, I merely motioned with my head, turning around and looking over my shoulder to see if they followed. They shared looks and shrugged before taking a hesitant few steps.

"If this is some trick to make us trespass, you stupid pussy, I swear-" One of the low ranked wolves muttered, shivering as they felt Jethro's power crackle when they stepped over the border.

I simply mewled, nodding towards the road and keeping a sharp eye on the wolves. Those that remained shifted had their hackles raised, snarling under their breath in a show of dominance they'd lose the second I'd fight.

Jethro's chuckles filled my mind at the thought, making me snort slightly as I walked with the pack. They kept their eyes on me, especially when I walked around to the wolf that was sniffing around and straying from the path.

I quietly placed myself in front of it, glaring as it looked up and yelped when our noses nearly touched. Curling my lip the slightest bit, I hissed warningly and glared at it before it quickly scurried to join with the rest of its pack.

They all grumbled and snarled, acting as if I had threatened their pack member with its death. I ignored them and flickered my ears, walking along until we reached Jethro's house. My pace quickened as he walked out, a chuff expanding my ribs before I nuzzled against his leg in greeting.

He chuckled warmly, rubbing his strong hands through my fur while murmuring a soft "Good boy." just for me to hear. I purred deeply and drooped at his feet, enjoying his hands scratching over my stomach before he patted my chest a few times.

"I do hope you have been kind to my Mate." Jethro stated coldly while glaring at the wolves while I nearly froze underneath him before turning to putty under his hands.

Mate? He wants me as a mate?

I purred deeply, watching as the wolves paled and shuffled on their feet uncomfortably. They all shared looks but stayed quiet, waiting for the higher ranking male to speak up. "W-we didn't... know you chose a mate..."

Jethro snorted and pushed himself on his feet while I rolled back on my stomach, curling around Jethro's feet. My eyes stayed on the wolves, glaring them down whenever they decided to shoot me a disgusted look.

The male sighed while glancing at me, not at all hostile but hesitant before bowing his head. "Our Alpha sent us here to hand you a gift and a proposition, though I fear knowing you picked a mate, this will insult and anger you, Sir."

Jethro raised a brow before motioning with his hand, accepting the parcel when the wolf handed it over. He glanced inside the contents of the box and snorted before removing a letter and returning the rest.

Flaring my nostrils, I could smell the fear growing within the wolf as he held the box tightly to his chest, eying the both of us nervously. Jethro silently read the letter, his brows crunching together the more he read before his fist clenched, crumbling the letter beyond repair.

 "I- I'll inform the Alpha of your decision...a-and your situation." The wolf stuttered, yelping when the letter caught fire and disintegrated into thin air. When Jethro snarled, the wolves all shifted and yelped before bolting for the woods.

"Make sure they leave our property and then return safely Lane." The second those words were from his lips, I bolted after the wolves. They yelped and whimpered when I snarled, chasing them off of the territory and skidded to a halt on the edge.

Jethro roared in the distance and I roared back, knowing that his anger was caused by whatever was in that letter. I suspected we wouldn't see the last of these wolves, though it did make me wonder why the Alpha was so desperate.

When Jethro roared again, I chuffed and turned tails, eager to try and relax Jethro in any way he deemed fit.