---Jethro's POV---

Vladimir smirked as he walked up beside his older brother Alaric, amused as the formerly proud and confident Alpha Curtis had managed to soil himself in front of all the Council members.

Most likely the fear that was stinking up the room was what caused the Alpha to wet himself, though it also could be an instinctual display of absolute submission.

Both of the Dracula siblings wore matching smirks that were slightly unsettling. It was something that they had inherited from their great uncle Vlad Tepes Dracula, after all.

The stories didn't do the legendary family any justice because like most things in life, people assumed they were that; stories. Everyone assumed that the legends and myths around the vampire had been exaggerated when they had in fact, been watered down.

Both siblings were representatives from Romania, mostly due to their famous name and family ties. What vampire in their right mind would create a fuss at the Council that has ties to the great and famous Dracula, after all?

Even the unruliest of vampires would instantly obey when the Dracula name was dropped. And if they didn't, Alaric and Vladimir both showed exactly why their great-uncle achieved the nickname "The impaler".

I smirked when Lane didn't seem the least bit intimidated, instead watching the show with interest and a hint of disgust. He rubbed his cheek against my leg when he noticed he had drawn my attention, making me chuckle gruffly.

"Damn, he sure is a big one, isn't he?" Vladimir stated obviously, grinning like a kid being guided into a candy store. He licked over his fangs in excitement before sighing when his older sibling clasped his shoulder warningly.

"Though it takes a lot to kill vampires, even I know that we're no match against a dragon's wrath, Vlad." Alaric spoke calmly, most likely to sooth my smoldering anger from exploding.

Vladimir smiled sheepishly, rocking back on his heels to whistle an awkward tune as he realized he was overstepping his boundaries.

Not anymore than Curtis, but the yipping pup had already managed to piss me off and Alaric knew not to push anymore buttons.

Dragons didn't take kindly to insults after all, nor did they follow the rules of society. If they wanted something, they took it without questions asked.

And once they had a treasure hoard worth keeping, they protected it with their lives. The only way one could get their hands on a dragon's treasure, was by slaying the beast.

Luckily there were only a few left of my species but still. The older and bigger the dragon, the more power they had. Even an adolescent dragon was more powerful than most of the members on the Council.

Lane bunted against my thigh, purring only deepening when my fingers easily dipped into his scruff, finding all the spots that made him shiver and twitch.

It made me eager to seek the isolation and privacy of the room the council had dedicated to me. After all, I was an honorary member and they took great pride that they were on good footing with a dragon.

"Vladimir and Alaric, this is my mate Lane. Lane, sweetheart, these are the two vampire representatives of the Council, related to Dracula himself.

Lane chuffed in greeting, whiskers twitching as he eyed the two curiously. Alaric kept a polite distance, eying Lane curiously whilst Vladimir looked like a child in a candy store.

Vladimir and Alaric could easily be mistaken for twins at first glance; pitch-black hair that draped over their shoulders like an oil spill, haunting blue eyes that pierced through your very being, and an angular jaw that gave their faces something feral.

But Alaric had a grey streak underneath his black curls, something Vladimir always joked him being the cause of his sibling's early greying.

It was funny to see how both siblings were curious about Lane though. They eyes kept flitting to my mate with barely veiled curiosity, Vladimir even more so than his sibling.

Not surprising, seeing how Vladimir was always eager to test his abilities and would love to see how strong Lane truly was.

A smirk curled my lips when Lane yawned, flashing an impressive set of teeth before he turned his tail to Curtis and his wolves, effectively dismissing the man.

The remainder of the Council was keeping their distance, but I could clearly see the curiosity in their eyes. Some of them might even hope that they could hold Lane over my head, to sway me into doing their bidding.

As if.

I fully trusted that Lane wasn't going to betray me in any shape or form. As I knew he trusted me with everything he had.

The older beings on the Council knew better than to mess with me, especially now that I was mated. But the younger ones might be swayed by the idea of power.

Those individuals could pose a threat but then again, the other members of the Council would keep a close eye on any sign of corruption.

They too didn't want to mess with a mated dragon. A slight shove against my knee made me look down at Lane, but surprisingly, he wasn't looking at me.

His hackles raised, tail flicking with irritation as his eyes were pinned on the door. And the four feline shifters that had just entered the room, warily eying their surroundings.

Already a few whiskers sprouted from their cheeks, the tension in the room making them partially shift. Even the loudmouth representative, a male lion shifter, was staring slack jawed at my mate.

"Who is that?" the representative croaked, envy filling his eyes. A slow smirk slipped on my lips as I could almost see the gears turning in that pompous ass' head.

The envious sneer on his face was clear as well, eyes flitting over my mate before glaring in my direction. And then quickly averting his eyes when I huffed, smoke billowing around me.

"Careful Mason, you're not the first one who managed to piss off Lord Jethro today. And unless you want to feel his wrath by insulting his mate, I'd reconsider whatever it is you're up to."

Mason's eyes lit up at that tidbit of information. I could already anticipate his delighted purr as he asked, "And what pride does he belong to?"

All eyes turned to us as everyone in the room was curious to that information as well. "None." I stated, smirking as Mason blinked owlishly.

"None? Preposterous! He has to belong-"

Silence rang out as scales started to pierce through my skin, no doubt my eyes would be blazing with the smoldering rage. "My mate doesn't belong to anyone except me."

Mason swallowed thickly, nodding once. Eyes flitting back and forth as if to try and find someway to use Lane against me. Because I could predict how that brat was thinking, how his pride was thinking.

They would claim that, because I had mated with one of their own, that I owed them some form of recompense. For whatever absurd reason, they would feel themselves entitled to my eternal loyalty.

Loyalty and gratitude, for the way they treated my mate? After the countless of sleepless hours I've spent at his sickbed, having to clean out his injuries. If Lane hadn't stumbled upon my territory, he would've most likely died due to the starting inflammation of his injuries.

And now these cats, who had attempted to kill my mate simply for the fact that he was born with a minor defect, wanted me to show some gratitude?

They should be kissing Lane's feet as a thanks for holding me back from flying back to their worthless pride to teach them what happens after you laid hands on a dragon's mate.

Even now, my dragon was snarling on the inside, forcing on this partial shift to show just how much I was struggling. And it would be so easy to give in, to let the baser, animalistic side take over.

To lay waste to their entire pride and leave none alive. Because I had read between the lines, had seen the lost and hurt look in Lane's eyes when he spoke of home.

There was nothing and nobody in that pride that had made him feel like he belonged. Nobody that had realized the foolishness of the pride elders, or the pride in total.

Luckily for Mason and his gaggle of kittens, Lane's gentle bunting against my side managed to draw my attention away from my prey. He was lowering his head demurely, showing that he wasn't trying to tell me what to do.

He simply didn't want me to dirty my hands with blood and possibly anger the Council. I chuckled lowly, scratching behind his ears before I turned to Vladimir and Alaric.

"We're done for today. I'm heading to my quarters, if I so much as smell any of these cats near my door, they will wish for a swift execution." I warned because even my dragon had limits on how far it could be pushed.

Alaric bowed while Vladimir snickered, "Don't worry Jethro, we'll deal with these bastards before sending a team to Curtis' turf. Seems like someone doesn't know how to behave properly."

I sneered over his shoulder at the alpha in question, who visibly cringed under my gaze. He didn't even dare to look me in the eye, whimpering as I curled my lip in distaste before scoffing.

"Lane." The tiger chuffed instantly as I stalked away, loping to my side. As we passed the feline representatives, I snickered when Lane whipped his tail against the jealous face of Mason.

"Oh kitten, wait until I have you in my room. I'm going to reward you for your excellent behavior..."

The only reply I got was a deafening purr as Lane picked up the pace with a flick of his tail. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me, shaking my head at my silly, adorable little kitten.