---Lane's POV---

"Shift."

A shiver ran over my spine at the growl that reverberated through that single word. Doing as told, I shifted on the spot, making sure that I ended up on my knees in submission.

Because I could sense just how close Jethro had been of losing it. How close both Curtis and then Mason had pushed my master, angered him to the point where his dragon was forcing its way out.

If I hadn't distracted him when I did, I was quite certain that the Council would've had some cleaning up to do. And I didn't know how much Jethro could get away with before he'd end up being in trouble with the Council.

At that I nearly snorted and rolled my eyes at myself. Jethro, in trouble with the Council? The most they would do, was politely inquire Jethro to please not to do that again.

All of them knew better than to attempt to scold a dragon. Hell, Jethro was well within his rights, seeing how both Curtis and Mason has been harassing his mate.

Defending one's mate wasn't punishable by law.

A stunned purr slipped from my throat as fingers dug through my hair, gently scratching with barely contained claws. "Do you remember your safe words, kitten?"

The purr deepened as I pressed into the scratches, replying happily. "Yes, Sir. Red to stop, Orange to slow down, Green to continue."

"Good boy." Jethro purred in my ear before commanding me to stand. His mouth instantly found his mark on my shoulder, hands landing on my hips and guiding me forwards until I was pressed against the cool surface of the door.

His skin was hot to the touch, not blisteringly so, but enough to be noticeable. Almost as if he was running a slight fever... or his dragon was taking over.

And as I glanced over my shoulder, a stuttered gasp slipped from my lips as I looked directly into pure amber eyes.

"Such a good boy, kitten." Jethro rumbled, voice echoing to show indeed, his dragon was very much out and about.

And it looked hungry.

Oh so hungry.

A slow, wicked smile bared slightly pointed teeth, tongue flicking over his full lips. Clawed fingers held my chin as Jethro leaned closer, claiming my mouth instantly.

His tongue pried apart my lips, forcing my own tongue into submission as he pressed me flat against the door. A low moan rumbled out of my throat, shiver running up my spine as I could just feel his clothes slowly burn away.

For a second, I was certain that Jethro was going to throw caution to the wind and just plow right into me. But much to my surprise, he simply pressed closer, letting me feel his entire body against mine, pinning me against the door.

Letting me feel every dip and curve of his musculature, every growled breath that pressed his chest firmly against mine.

"Turn around and don't move your hands precious." He purred in my ear, giving it a little nip as my hands were pressed against the door above my head, leaving me completely helpless for his roving eyes.

A little mewl escaped me as my eyes found his, a wicked smirk sliding over his lips. Surprisingly, he leaned in once more, not for a kiss but simply to rest our foreheads together, closing his eyes.

I inhaled slowly, deeply, feeling my thighs quiver with anticipation when Jethro' s throat vibrated with a groan. His nose pressed against my throat, inhaling deeply before his eyes opened once more.

A thrill of excitement rushed through me as I watched his pupils dilate, nostrils flaring as he inhaled my scent. He grinned, lips brushing over my skin, nipping at my bared throat.

Jethro chuckled when his breath fanned over my nipple, a little whimper slipping out of my lips. I gasped, arching into his mouth as he nipped at the sensitive flesh, surprising me at the sensitivity.

"Oh?" Jethro smirked darkly, giving it another, almost playful bite before soothing the sting with his tongue. A low moan rumbled through my throat as my cock twitched, jumping with each slow suck from Jethro's mouth.

He only relented when I was shaking on my legs, giving me a small moment of reprieve by leaving open-mouthed kisses down my chest, swirling his tongue over my quivering stomach.

My fingers curled, desperately trying to find something to hang onto, to follow Jethro's command to not move my hands.

I jolted as a warm hand curled around my cock, making Jethro chuckle as he gave me one slow, delicious pull. And just as suddenly, his touch disappeared, leaving me feeling lost, mewling for more.

"On the bed, kitten. Face down, hips up."

I couldn't stop the moan if I tried, wobbling over to the bed before laying down as I was told. My cock was throbbing fiercely, balls achingly full as I nuzzled the bedding.

Heavy footsteps slowly thumped on the floor, making me shiver in anticipation before the bed dipped down from the added weight.

A low purr rumbled through my chest as I could feel Jethro's body heat, slowly crawling over my back until his breath brushed over my jaw. Hips flush against my own, with his own cock hot and stiff against my thigh.

"Remember your safe words and come whenever you need, precious. Let's find out how many releases you can handle, kitten." Jethro purred before his mouth attached to his mark.

I moaned, arching further against him, feeling pleasure spark as he sucked and licked at the overly sensitive mark. His hands brushed over my ribs and I mewled at the loss of his lips as he slowly retreated.

A shiver jolted over my sensitive skin as I could feel the slight bite of claws at Jethro's fingertips. He chuckled gravely, fingers hooking around my hips while he backed off the bed.

For a moment, I anticipated Jethro to thrust forwards, to claim me instantly. Instead I could feel his hard length press against my spasming opening, letting me feel him without entering.

"Stretch yourself, pet."

My breath caught in my throat, thighs shivering as I glanced back at Jethro, who smirked darkly as he held me within his grasp.

Releasing my hips with one hand, he leaned forwards while pressing closer against me, grabbing one of my hands with his before pressing my own fingers to my mouth.

I didn't need a command, opening my mouth as Jethro watched me with darkening eyes. My tiger took over for a moment, purring as it sucked on my fingers, allowing my tongue to swirl between the digits in a rather teasing, provoking manner.

"You are playing with fire, kitten." Jethro murmured as his eyes remained fixed on my tongue and spit drenched fingers. "Be careful that you don't get burned."

He released my hand, allowing me to reach back with my wet fingers. A blush reached over my cheeks at the rapt attention aimed my way, Jethro's groan as my hand brushed against him only succeeded to make the muscles in my lower stomach tremble in need.

His eyes followed my every move, glowing amber as I slowly pressed a finger against myself, biting on my lip in hesitation. It wasn't something I had done myself before but before I could even blink, my tiger chuffed and took over.

It couldn't stop the blush from spreading over my face, leaving me beet red as my tiger had no qualms with spreading our legs wider for Jethro's viewing pleasure.

His groan echoed my own as a finger slowly slid inside, stretching the muscles before adding a second one. Even though Jethro told me to stretch myself out, I could tell that my tiger was only doing so halfheartedly.

It wanted Jethro to be in charge. To take over, take possession and absolutely dominate us until we had no idea where we ended and he began.

Suddenly my hand was pulled away before Jethro's own fingers replaced my own, instantly finding my prostate before gently scratching at the sensitive gland.

I moaned deeply, squirming underneath him as pleasure bolted up my spine, a broken sob escaping my lips as he added another finger and thrusted sharply against it.

My breathing hitched, fingers digging into the covers before I whined in protest when Jethro's fingers were removed.

And then screamed in orgasmic bliss as his throbbing flesh filled me in one strong thrust. I arched against him, feeling my own cock pulse and release several ropes of cum on the bedding beneath us.

Jethro's hands held a firm grip on my hips, claw-tips pricking into my skin as he pulled out, agonizingly slow. I could feel my walls flutter against his flesh, a mewl escaping me as one hand landed on the arch of my back, pressing gently until I dipped lower.

His hand followed my spine, claws gently raking over my skin before they settled back on my hips. I panted, could feel Jethro shuffle his weight as if bracing himself.

And then my eyes rolled back, toes curling in the covers as he started thrusting, slow, deep thrusts that never failed to hit my prostate dead on.

Moans and whimpers escaped from my lips as I started to purr. Saliva flooding my mouth before mindlessly slipping free as each thrust brought me closer and closer to yet another orgasm.

Part of me wanted to hold out, wanted to see how long Jethro would go, how far he'd push me. But then I remembered his words earlier.

"Let's find out how many releases you can handle, kitten."

He chuckled gruffly, a warm palm grasping around my cock firmly, pumping in time with his thrusts as he pulled me upright.

I grunted, hands mindlessly reaching back to weave in his hair, unconsciously presenting my body freely to his administrations. Muscles spasming under every brush of his hand, skin tingling as his thrusts slowly sped up.

My thighs trembled as I was turned to a drooling, moaning mess while Jethro pumped into me, spreading me open for his pleasure until I screamed when his teeth sank in his mark.

The second they broke through my skin, once again filling me with his pheromones, I screamed and cried as my balls erupted, blinding pleasure making me shake in his hold.

And was more exhilarating, was to hear Jethro growl and moan in my ear, how I could feel him shiver against me as he too found his release, pumping me full of his essence until we toppled over on the bed.

I panted heavily, unable to regain control over my limbs as I trembled against Jethro. And much to my surprise, I could still feel his cock pulsing inside, not softening in the least.

Jethro slowly pulled out, hand grabbing me by the back of my head before guiding me in an all-consuming kiss that turned my mind to mush.

The room was soon filled with breathless moans and sighs as Jethro turned me on my back, my thighs resting on his forearms as he entered me once more.

I whimpered, delirious with pleasure as this wasn't raw, mindless fucking. This was slow, agonizingly sweet loving that sent me reeling.

My fingers clawed over his back and Jethro hissed, groaning in my ear as his hips stuttered. It only succeeded to make my tiger purr deeper, to dig my fingers over his back and down to his ass, to feel his muscles flex and clench with each thrust.

"You are mine!" Jethro grunted, hugging me to his body as his hips moved in a frenzy. I thrusted back against him, crying out while he moaned, "Yes, let them hear you. Let them know who owns your heart, my love."

His hand reached up to grab the headboard of the bed, aiding into the strength of his thrusts. And even in the state we were in, he looked breathtaking. Biting his lip as he fought back his own release, throwing his head back on a groan when my walls clenched and fluttered around his cock.

"Come with me, Kitten." He purred in my ear before sinking his teeth in my mark. I screamed, sobbing in a pleasure so sweet, it was almost painful. My cock pulsed line after line of cum as Jethro chased his own release, stilling on a roar that vibrated through the air and echoed off the walls.

Claiming me as his mate.

My eyes rolled back, as I was left struggling to breath, overwhelmed by the persistent flood of pleasure before I whimpered and lost consciousness.

And even in darkness, all I was aware of was Jethro and the never-ending waves of pleasure that tormented me.