---Lane's POV---

My fur brushed steadily against Jethro's side as I walked alongside him, ignoring the curious looks and whispered rumors being spread as we went.

I didn't care what these feeble-minded people thought of me, what twisted opinions and rumors would sprout by our passing through.

All I wanted was to make Jethro proud and happy. Already I could assume that many of the murmurs and heated looks from both men and women alike all stemmed from a single emotion.

Jealousy.

I could sense the envy in their gaze, the way they sneered and twisted their lips in disgust when they looked at me. A gaze that quickly turned to awe and lust when they looked at my master, paling when they saw him glare down at them.

Because Jethro himself had no qualms in showing just how he thought about their foolishness. His fingers were firmly woven in the soft fur of my neck, scratching my skin soothingly.

"Good boy."

A deep purr rumbled through my chest, building in strength when Jethro chuckled as I leaned against him. Even my tiger purred with delight, as I had a sneaky suspicion that it loved showing off against our onlookers. Claiming Jethro, showing that he was already mated and didn't need anyone else.

There were plenty of whispered protests, people not understanding why Jethro would find his mate amongst feline shifters. Several of them even whispered about the possibility that I somehow tricked Jethro in the mating.

Tilting my head to glance up at Jethro, I was wondering why he had told me to shift. Clearly the people in this city still held some disdain for felines, even though I couldn't blame them for that.

With the way my people treated others, I wasn't surprised by all the glares and sneers aimed my way. Undoubtedly these people have had too many run ins with the feline representative.

Even if Jethro had said it was the most amicable one of our species, that didn't mean it was amicable to the other races' standards.

A full body shiver caused the fur on my haunches to rise up as Jethro glanced down, eyes golden, flickering with barely hidden embers.

My claws sank in the soil, simply to ground myself as I realized just how close to truth my earlier statement had been. If I hadn't been in my feline form this very instant, if Jethro hadn't commanded me to shift on purpose...

The whispered disapprovals and lustful glances his way along with the instant dismissal that I was worthy enough to be Jethro's mate...

Jethro would have proven to anyone present how worthy he thought me to be.

I gulped, watching as Jethro's eyes lazily flicked to the people around us, all whom were backing away slowly, realizing in what predicament they were getting themselves into.

Not only dismissing a dragon's mate, but also dismissing the fact that said dragon chose me to be his mate. That he himself was utterly satisfied to have chosen a feline shifter...

In other words, they were telling a dragon, one of the most proud and intelligent creatures to have ever existed... that he made a mistake. That he was being tricked by a lesser being.

Questioning both his sanity and his intelligence. And if there was one thing I had learned from any book ever written, is to never, ever, insult a dragon.

I arched into Jethro's strokes as he lazily traced my spine with his warm hand. Gentle yet strong strokes, chuckling slightly when I flopped over and presented my belly for his inspection at the slightest of gesture from him.

My heart skipped a beat as the sunlight fractured off of his jaw in an iridescent beam, showcasing several scales that hadn't been there before.

Patches of scales were pressing through his skin all throughout his body, even his breathing was starting to get that deep, rumbling pitch of his dragon.

Luckily, with each rub and scratch through my fur, with every submissive gesture I made, those scales slowly but surely receded.

And I could almost hear the hushed sighs of relief around us, unintentionally drawing Jethro's attention back to the people around us.

"On your feet, love. We don't have the time to mess with ants, no matter how annoying they are." Jethro murmured, allowing me to roll on my stomach and arch against his hand with a deep purr.

It was ironic how the sound of my purrs calmed Jethro down quite a bit, even though naturally tigers didn't purr. They couldn't, as they didn't possess a flexible larynx bone to do so, unlike some of their feline brethren.

Humans though, did have a flexible larynx bone, hence why feline shivers who naturally couldn't purr, now were able to. And I was rather happy for that fact, my purrs growing in strength when Jethro's fingers scratched through my scruff.

"Be sure to remind me that you deserve a reward tonight, pet." Jethro whispered beside my ear before pressing a kiss on the top of my head.

A full body shiver coursed through my body, tail curling around Jethro's thick thigh with excitement. He chuckled and started walking once more, urging me to follow him with each step he took.

The building ahead wasn't as busily traversed as most streets around us, most people seemed to be avoiding it all together.

"The Council's quarters. The only people allowed near it are those that have been summoned or are of great importance. Anyone else will be guided there in chains." Jethro explained for my benefit, undoubtedly sensing my confusion.

He pointed out several guards at the entrance, all of whom were observing anyone approaching their vicinity.

Their eyes quickly fell on Jethro and much to my surprise, they quickly fell to their knee in a show of both submission and respect.

"Lord Jethro! To what cause do we have the honor of your presence?" One of the older guards asked, face still bowed down in reverence of the dragon.

Jethro huffed slightly, commanding the men to rise up from their feet.

"Some mangy dogs were yipping on my territory in attempt to use what is mine as their garbage disposal." The guards cringed at the acid that laced Jethro's words. "Their Alpha has undoubtedly already weaseled itself inside, whining pitifully at the Council's feet and begging them to make me heel."

"Sir, the Council would never-"

A single gesture from Jethro made the guard close his mouth instantly. "The Council is well aware I don't listen to their summons like a mangy pup. What I won't stand for is that at this very moment, Curtis is inside and foul mouthing my mate."

Every single guard froze, eyes flitting hesitantly to my form before bowing their heads in reverence to appease the dragon.

"Beg my pardon, my lord, we had not been informed that you have finally met your match. Congratulations!" The head of the guard spoke, oddly enough, truthfully.

I flickered my ear in confusion, as I had anticipated these guards to join in the rest of the sneers and disgruntled looks. But these guards, both male and female from different species, all seemed elated that Jethro had settled down.

Jethro motioned to the woman and pup whom where hiding in his shadow. "Curtis' infidelity and inability to keep it in his pants resulted in some offspring. Now that he has mated, he deemed the female and pup less than desirable and tried to have them executed on my territory."

"I see." The guard, a male in his forties with dark brown hair, huffed, nostrils flaring to take in the scent of the pair. The she-wolf and pup trembled, identifying the lethal Grizzly in front of them as their natural enemy.

Yet the guard smiled politely and motioned them inside. "We shall give them sanctuary and food, of course. I assume you'll notify the Council of Alpha Curtis' actions yourself, my lord?"

Jethro's smirk became rather toothy, making even the bear weary, though a light of understanding flickered in his eyes. That understanding grew into slight worry as the man opened and closed his mouth a few times before sighing.

"I beg your pardon, my lord but I have to follow the rules. I can't allow your mate inside until we've filled out all the registration paperwork."

I had to give props to the guard as he stood there unflinching under Jethro's narrowed stare, especially as the silence kept growing.

Eventually Jethro growled lowly, "He's not shifting back unless I'm in the room with him. His body is for my eyes only." The guard nodded quickly, "Of course my lord, for now we can register his feline form until your business with the Council is done. Afterwards, I'd love to finish up his registration so all the staff can treat both of you properly."

Jethro snorted at that before petting over my head once more, crouching slightly so we were at eye level.

"Follow him, love, so he can get a recording of you in their books. No shifting unless I'm near you and when I call for you, I want you to ignore anyone who tries to stop you."

A deep purr rumbled through my chest as I pressed my jaw against his chin, showing my understanding and acceptance of his commands.

Jethro chuckled, scratching through the fur of my throat before he sighed and glanced past me at the guards. "Anyone lays a hand on him and they won't live to regret it, you hear me?"

The scent of fear was pungent in the air as all guards nodded, making room to let us through. Halfway through the hallway, the Grizzly bowed, "If you'd follow me, Sir Tiger."

Sir Tiger?

I huffed slightly, flicking my tail as I followed after the man, sensing two more guards tailing behind us. "Don't worry about them, my Lord. They're here for your safety and to make sure none of the uninformed staff might... trouble you."

The man knocked on a door, waiting only a few seconds before entering. The woman inside looked up with a confused smile, especially as I squirmed my large form through the doorway.

"Commander Louis? To what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked the Grizzly, eyes flickering to me with slight curiosity, instantly snapping to attention as Louis sighed.

"Please start up the registration process for Lord Jethro's mate and be as quick as you can. I'm quite certain the Lord will be happier the faster we can return his mate by his side."

The woman only blinked once before nodding, "I- I see, that is indeed... Yes, right away! If you'd be so kind to follow me, my Lord..." She hesitated, casting a glance at Louis.

"I didn't dare ask Lord Jethro for his name, nor will I pry for it. Nobody wants to anger an already territorial dragon, Isabell."

Isabell nodded instantly, "Naturally, then please my Lord, if you'd follow me to get your measurements done. It might seem a bit odd, but it's all to make sure that there aren't any imposters trying to sneak their way in, pretending to be any of the approved members here."

My tail flicked through the air, knowing that none of these measurements would be too invasive. I'm quite certain that Commander Louis was going to make sure he'd return me to Jethro in pristine condition.