--- Lane's POV---

I purred as Jethro absentmindedly scratched through my hair, fingers tugging slightly at the strands before releasing and scraping over my scalp.

The addictive sensation sent shivers down my spine as I nuzzled further into his hold, enjoying the show of love and comfort.

Even if I had the entire couch to stretch on, no place felt better than resting my head on Jethro's strong thigh. Feeling his heartbeat pulse against my ear in a steady pattern, feel the heat of his body. To feel his mere presence envelop me along with his scent.

Jethro chuckled, shaking his head when I nuzzled closer to his stomach, enjoying the warmth. I felt highly aware of my surroundings but also incredibly lazy.

If I was in my feline form, I had no doubt that my tail would be flicking lazily, thudding against the couch. Instead I swallowed the excess saliva that flooded my throat, altering my position a fragment until I laid just right.

"You are a delight, sweetheart." Jethro laughed, nails scraping delicately over my scalp. "And a distraction." He added, a smile to his voice as I turned my head to look up at him.

His smile was still there, soft and warm, equal to his touch as it feathered over my skin.

"Should I-" Making an attempt to move out of his lap was stopped instantly, a firm hand resting on my chest. "I don't want to distract you..." I murmured, wiggling on my back so I didn't have to twist my neck awkwardly.

Jethro hummed at that, eyes on my bared throat before he leaned down and placed a wet kiss on it. Mere inches from his mark. "I never said the distraction wasn't welcomed."

I shivered at that, grinning cheekily before my eyes flicked to the laptop screen when there was a little notification. When Jethro had revealed his study, complete with internet and laptop, I had been surprised, especially after I had seen his reading room.

Seeing the multitude of near ancient scrolls and books was the complete opposite of the hyper modern laptop that was humming lowly in the background. When I had inquired for it, especially because Jethro seemed to avoid using it as much as possible, he had simply sighed.

"I was born in an era where mankind feared the dark and where nighttime was illuminated by torches and hearths." He snorted, eying the laptop disdainfully as he clicked a few keys to get it running. "But if I keep holding onto ancient times, that'll mean people will visit unannounced due to urgent business."

And I understood where Jethro was coming from. After all, he was a private man who didn't like strangers sticking their noses into his affairs.

Having the Council or nearby packs send representatives at the drop of a hat, merely to ask a question, would get tiring very quickly.

Whilst with a laptop, all Jethro had to do was open up a message like the one he just received, answer it and be on his merry way.

However, the deep, reverberating growl that was even too low for my ears told me that this message wasn't going to settle quite as well.

Jethro's amber gaze was fixed upon the screen with an intensity that made me cringe further into his hold. Hoping to sooth the growing rage that burned brightly.

"First I'm being summoned by that yapping dog and now the Prides think it is wise to have me at their beg and call?" He sneered, voice rumbling with annoyance.

I arched into his fingers when they delved through my hair, sighing as Jethro did. "Naturally, as soon as we left, Mason has slunk back to the prides to inform them that I have taken a mate."

Nuzzling his thigh, I murmured, "I assume they took an interest to that." A huff escaped me as I sneered at the mere idea with disgust. The Elders were always keen to look down their crooked noses at other species but then again, they were drooling, chomping at the bit to gain any kind of leverage beyond their prides.

To have any kind of foothold, especially over such a rare and powerful creature as Jethro was sure to make those old coots nearly soil their pants.

Jethro barked out a laugh at that and I jolted, realizing with a flush that I was projecting my thoughts over our sensitive link.

"You have no idea how right you are darling. Asami sent me a message that the Pride is asking to meet posthaste." Jethro snorted, a small cinder zipping along the current of his exhale.

Pushing up, I sighed as my joints popped but grateful that I was no longer feeling the aftereffects of our mating. "So, we have to go."

He nodded regretfully. "Normally I wouldn't, purely out of principle but there is also the fact that Isabell has gotten some interesting finds on your bloodworks."

My eyebrows rose at that, curious what was so interesting of my blood. Then again, the mere fact that my tiger had played hide and seek for so long whilst my siblings had seemed relatively normal, was enough to draw some questions.

I didn't quite know how well Isabell could keep secrets, but seeing how eager she was to explore something new, I just hoped she kept this information to herself. At the very least to trusted members of the Council.

Jethro's eyes hardened at the very idea, a low growl rumbling through his chest.

"They know better but excitement and eagerness could easily lead to oversharing." He sighed, shaking his head while I remembered all too clearly how Isabell had been bouncing on the tips of her toes at the thought of uncovering the apparent mysteries behind my shift.

Accidental or not, she could easily speak to Asami or one of the Council and overshare in the presence of the Prides. And if those cats heard news that, not only was Jethro mated to a feline, but that feline was special...

"Very special indeed, Kitten." Jethro hummed, knuckles brushing gently against my cheek before I pressed against his hand, wanting to feel more of his warmth.

He smirked slightly, pulling me against him before he stood up with me in his arms. I let out a squeak of surprise before scrambling to latch onto him instinctively, though I knew that Jethro would never drop me.

Instead he took me outside, huffing slightly. "The quicker we leave for the Council, the quicker we can return home. To be fair, the Council probably suspects that the Prides are up to something, hence why they're urging me to make an appearance."

Oh.

I realized what Jethro meant rather quickly. The representatives would have to inform the Council of the growth of individual Prides. Which also meant that any deaths or banishments would also have to be reported.

Undoubtedly the Pride made up a reason for why they had to banish me in order to avoid punishment at the hand of the Council. But from what I had seen, the Council members were smart enough to put two and two together.

They would realize that the Pride had banished me simply for the birth defect in my eye. And although the scars on my throat and chest had been hidden by my shifts' fur at the time, the facial scars were hard to miss.

The only reason why Jethro was even willing to agree to this meeting was because he knew the Prides were digging their own graves, had finally bitten off more than they could chew.

And to be honest, I was quite intrigued as well. I wanted to see those airheads get the punishment that was due. The Elders themselves most likely wouldn't be present on this hearing but even they wouldn't ignore a summoning from the Council itself.

Jethro transformed within seconds, his dragon letting out an interesting, pulsing thrill as I let my hands wander over his scales.

He chuckled, hot breath blasting over my skin before I was gently picked up and then we were airborne.

The journey was quick and easy, people still gasping in awe as soon as we arrived. However, this time around they wisely kept their mouths shut and eyes averted.

Jethro hummed in a pleased manner. "It seems the Council has spread word for the citizens to mind their manners." He let his eyes flit over the people that were quick to scurry along in order to avoid a dragon's rage.

"Ah, Lord Jethro. Lord Lane." The guard bowed his head respectfully, the rest of them straightening up and copying the gesture. "The Council is expecting you, if you will?"

The man gestured inside, coaxing us into the building while a female guard discreetly hurried ahead, undoubtedly informing the Council of our arrival.

Ironically, I felt ... anxious. Pressing against Jethro's side unconsciously as I could smell several felines further inside. It had been a while since I had seen anyone from my own pride... former pride.

And the last time I had been face to face with my ex pride members, wasn't exactly friendly.

Fingers gently squeezed my nape and the tension seemed to flow out of my body at the firm yet gentle touch.

"If you feel more comfortable, you can shift, sweetheart." He murmured, voice pitched low for my ears only. I let out a grateful chuff, nuzzling his cheek before allowing my feline to take over.

After all, none of the pride had seen my feline form, had never smelled it. And my own scent was undoubtedly altered after mating with Jethro so there was less of a chance to be recognized by any of these bastards.

Which meant they were more inclined to spread lies and deepen their own graves if the Council or Jethro inquired about the truth of my banishment.

"Hmmm, I love the way you think darling." Jethro's chuckle was deep, chilling for those who were the target of the anger that burned underneath it.

He gathered my clothing and instantly a guard approached, bowing their heads as they volunteered to bring it to our chambers within the Council.

"Good. Where are Asami and Isabell?" Jethro asked as we kept walking, the guard folding the bundle of clothing under his arm as he replied in a hushed voice.

"Both are within the main hall, Sir. While Isabell normally remains within her quarters, she had requested to sit in on the meeting because she wanted to observe the visiting felines." The guard explained, eyes flitting to my own shifted form with a respectful nod as he added "Something about wanting to double check results for herself."

Jethro's nostrils flared but he nodded as the guard quickly continued, "Of course, she is being discreet about this. Asami has spoken to Isabell before they entered the room, advising her to draw as little attention to herself or her research as possible."

That pulled a chuckle from my mate's lips, a grin sliding over his lips as he shook his head. "The Council should be grateful for Asami's diligence and hard work."

Blue eyes widened with a hint of worry before the guard nodded, a bead of sweat appearing at his brow. "I will make sure that none of Isabell's findings are revealed to anyone visiting."

Jethro didn't reply, just gave a curt nod as we approached the door to the main hall, where last time we had walked in on Curtis pleading his case to the Council.

"Ah let me announce-"

A snort escaped Jethro as he easily outstepped the guard. "I think we are quite capable of announcing ourselves." He said as I picked up my pace slightly, spotting the familiar room ahead, could detect the angered voices through the cracked doors.

Feeling emboldened by his words, I loped ahead before using the weight of my tiger and the force of my muscles to shove the door open, allowing Jethro easy access.

Heads spun in our direction as the doors were slammed open as I shouldered past them, a low grumble slipping from my throat as I slowed my pace to walk alongside Jethro.

My fur bristled as I already saw several felines I recognized from my former pride, could feel their eyes on my massive tiger shape as I bared my canines under the attention.

And I knew that Jethro was keeping track of anyone and everyone I recognized in the smallest way. Keeping that information for later.