---Lane's POV---

Normally the mere presence of the council would be enough to capture one's attention, draw the focus to them. However, even if it was extremely disrespectful to ignore their low voices rumbling through the air, I couldn't help it.

As soon as the discussions had started, Jethro had pulled me onto his lap, fingers easily finding my nape where he proceeded to play with the sensitive skin there.

His fingers kept curling, gently pulling at the hairs and releasing before it would get uncomfortable. Nails extending to scratch over my scalp until I gave up my struggle against temptation and turned in his lap to nuzzle against his throat.

That had released the last bit of tension, the last shard of ice that clung to the air. Instead a hint of amusement and happiness filtered through the air, along with a sense of pride from Jethro as his fingers kept up the motion.

And now I was unaware of whatever was being discussed over my head, as I was too transfixed on the touch of my mate and Master. A touch that left me shivering as if left out in the cold, yet the slow heat left within the wake of his caress proved the opposite.

A low and steady purr rumbled through my chest, soft enough to not interrupt the conversation but loud enough to pierce through any brief moment of silence.

The purrs only amplified with every gentle scrape against my scalp, the occasional soft press of lips against my temple or the soft chuckle that escaped Jethro when I slowly drooped against him

The mental pressure that I had carried unknowingly, the stress of knowing that the Pride was still out and about, could potentially send someone to kill me, had now faded.

It had always been a niggling doubt in the back of my head. The Pridemembers were proud enough to not let anyone that could pose a threat to their ego roam free.

Most likely they had assumed I had died, as revealed with the fake death certificate they had produced. But what would've happened if they found out?

I wasn't naïve enough to think that the Elders would've let it pass by. The mere fact that I, the one feline born with defects, was prancing about in the world would be enough of an insult to them.

They would've had no qualms with training someone to track me down and make sure I took the Pride's dirty secrets to an early grave.

But now all of that didn't matter, as they had blown through their ill disguise, had shown their hand to the Council itself.

A council that was now busy planning out the future of the Prides and how to deal with them.

"I don't mind the idea that the Pride now has to come and grovel in front of my mate." Jethro's voice rumbled over my head, offering a small break in conversation as he pressed his lips against my temple once more. "But you all know what will happen to those that wish him harm."

Vladimir snorted at that and I heard a thump before lazily angling myself so I could observe the council with my good eye.

"With all due respect, Lord Jethro. I believe your... performance earlier will be more than enough to serve as a reminder to everyone for what will happen."

Across the table, one of the Dwarves made a sound of disgust and disbelief as he interrupted, "And ya think those pussies will use common sense? Those daft cats have been running amuck for far too long!"

"Lord Tethras, please."

The dwarf harrumphed, reaching for his flask as Lady Alurea eyed him before sighing. "We offered the Pridelands more than enough opportunities to real themselves in, that is true. But we cannot-"

"Barbeque them like Lord Jethro?" Vladimir smirked before biting back a grunt of pain when Alaric punched him in the arm.

At that, Lady Alurea's lips twitched in a barely withheld smirk before she nodded. "Not how I would put it but, yes. No matter how tempting the idea is. As a Council, we need to show an example to the world."

"Then let's make an example of those fucking cats and make rugs outa 'em!" Tethras grumbled over the rim of his cup, pointedly ignoring the tired sigh coming from Alurea.

As their arguing escalated once more, throwing one wild suggestion after another with Alurea trying to keep tempers calm, I regained some awareness to at least look around the room.

Before, when my former pride-members were in the same room, I had barely given any attention to the gathered Council.

But now I realized that the few members that had been seated on their raised daises, had not been all the council members.

It wouldn't have made sense to have every single Council member present during trials or requests from visitors.

However, this was a special case, as the decision made here could potentially influence more than just one species. Multiple species that were gathered here, either as Council Members or representatives.

Letting my gaze flit through the room, I skipped over the earlier introduced vampires, dwarf, minotaur and phoenix before pausing on one of the taller, more muscular males.

If the short smattering of black hair dusted with a fine hint of silver wasn't a clue, the fact that his nose still represented his shift easily gave away what the man was.

Noticing my glance, the man merely tilted his head in my direction in a polite nod, not interrupting the conversation between Vladimir, Tethras and Alurea.

However, Jethro had no qualms with clearing his throat, halting everyone in their tracks as he gave Alurea a pointed look. "I think it would be best if Lane got some formal introductions. If he's going to be a part of this Council, he might as well start to know everyone by name."

"Of course. Forgive me for my ignorance; Lord Lane should've had introductions as soon as both of you came into the room." Alurea sighed tiredly before motioning around the table.

My eye strayed to several empty seats as Alurea's voice rang through the room "As you can see, several of the Council aren't present. Either due to urgent business within their respective clans or simply due to the fact that their kin is not interested in the affairs we're currently discussing."

I nodded to show my understanding, following Alurea's motion to the male I had noticed earlier. "May I introduce you to Lord Malik Adeleke, Gorilla Council member and representative of his kin."

Malik huffed, eyes flitting between us as his deep, gravely voices rasped out "It is good to meet you officially, my Lord. My congratulations on your mating."

"Ah-eh, t-thank you." I managed to stutter, feeling Jethro's approval and amusement as he pulled me closer against him. Alurea was just about to motion to Lord Tethras to formally introduce him but was interrupted by the doors opening across the room.

"Oi, princey boy, you're late!" Vladimir's voice boomed across the room at the pale, slender man that walked into the room completely unashamed by his tardiness.

Instead, he approached the table with an eagerness in his step, gaze focused more on the small tabby kitten in his hands than the rest of the Council.

"Gi Jing."Alurea's voice rang out sharply, causing the man to finally look up with a grin, still semi-distracted by the little kitten pawing at his cheek. "How many times have I told you to not bring any animals within the Council halls?"

"But Ally, look-" Gi turned the kitten and held it towards Alurea, ignoring the fact that her eyes blazed slightly at the assumably unwanted nickname. "Look how precious it is! I couldn't leave it outside, a little stray all alone in the cold!"

His silver hair slid to one side as he tilted his head, a coy little smile playing on his lips as Vladimir barked out a laugh. "A stray, huh? Unless my eyes are deceiving me, isn't that the kitten from one of the guards?"

Gi simply shrugged, shirt nearly drooping off his shoulder as he hummed. "Maybe..." Grinning as the little kitten turned in his hands before swatting at the jingling jewelry that dangled from his pierced ears.

"I'm certain that Callum would like his pet back." Alurea flicked her fingers, one of the guards removing himself from the shadows as he walked over to Gi and removed the kitten , ignoring Gi's pout before leaving the room. "Secondly, you may as well introduce yourself to our visitors."

At that, the pale haired man arched a brow before letting his grey eyes flit through the room. As soon as his gaze landed on us, his lips stretched in a wide grin, eyes sparkling with equal amounts of curiosity and mischief.

"Not just any visitors. Lord Jethro, I missed you when you were here previously." Gi quipped as he bounced towards us with a grin. Above me, I could hear Jethro grumble slightly, heat building in his chest.

"How unfortunate." Jethro agreed sarcastically, arm wrapping around my waist , pulling me closer against him, almost possessively so. A gesture that didn't slip past Gi's watchful gaze, who only cocked his head slightly.

Across the table, Vladimir smirked, leaning back in his seat as he watched the show unfold. Meanwhile I was rather confused, pressing back reassuringly against Jethro while wondering who Gi was.

And what his shift must be in order to have the balls to provoke a dragon. Not to mention a dragon being territorial of a mate going in heat.

Everything considered, Jethro was showing a remarkable amount of restraint as Gi stopped merely a few steps away, eyes flitting curiously over my form.

"I hear congratulations are in order!" He smiled warmly, stretching out a hand for me to shake. My mouth dried as I could feel the tension in the air, giving Jethro a wary look before sighed over the link.

"You might as well. The cocky twat won't relent until he gets his way."

Hesitantly, I reached out, anticipating the man to possibly yank me from Jethro's lap and into his hold. Instead, he merely chuckled, a surprisingly soft sound as he shook hands.

"Forgive Jethro, he gets all huffy puffy whenever I'm in the same room." Gi winked, cocking his hip while he crossed his arms in front of himself. "I'm Gi Jing, as Alurea kinda introduced me earlier..."

He waved towards the Phoenix, who sighed, pinching her nose-bridge with frustration. "I'm also a member of the Council, as well as being in charge of any Hybrid registrations since I'm a hybrid myself."

I blinked because I knew for a fact that the pride had several hybrids running around and none of them were registered, according to my knowledge.

"The prides... haven't...reported their hybrids." I murmured, tugging my hand out of Gi's hold. He blinked, humming thoughtfully before a wicked grin curled at his lips.

"The Prides.... Interesting." He tapped a finger against his limps, eyes flitting between myself and Jethro. "Never thought that your intended would've been a kitten, Jethro."

Heat flared against my back a split second before Gi zipped backwards, hands innocently up in the air as he added "Just saying! All the representatives we've seen were cocky bastards!"

"Like you?" Vladimir lilted, making Gi turn on his heels with a huff. Meanwhile Jethro was growling lowly as Alurea stood from her seat, guided Gi towards an empty one and plopped him down on it.

"Behave. Both of you." She added when Vladimir went to open his mouth once more. The phoenix shook her head, long black hair fanning through the air as she did.

She turned her attention back towards the pair of us. "My apologies Lord Jethro, Lord Lane. Gi might come across as a sweet, innocent little thing but as a Hybrid, he has quite a bit of issue with controlling his shifts. As a result, he seems to portray a lack of proper upbringing."

I silently accepted the apology while Jethro huffed and leaned back in his seat, spreading little cinders in his wake. "That, and the fact that he's part Dragon. Our kin will always instigate one another whenever we come across one another."

My eyes widened at that bit of information, glancing from Jethro's impressive build to the rather slender and almost unassuming one of Gi.

He noticed my appraisal and grinned. "As far as we know, I've taken more to my mother's side. Was abandoned on the Council's porch several eons ago with an illustration of my mother, yet not a trace of my father."

Jethro scoffed at that. "Most likely a male dragon impregnated a Sphinx, resulting in a lethal pregnancy. Any draconic offspring will always result in an egg."

I swallowed thickly at that, hearing the silent implication. Gi's mother had refused the option to abort the egg before it grew too big...and then perished giving birth to it.

The formerly sparkly attitude was swept away from Gi, who gave a deep sigh as he ruffled through his hair. "And now I'm the first, and only, Androsphinx dragon hybrid."

He shook himself before sitting back upright. "Anyways, that's not why I was called for this meeting. Isabella didn't call me here to talk about myself, but about him." Gi spoke as he pointed a delicate finger my way.

I blinked and blinked again before slowly looking up to Jethro, who held the same curiosity in his expression as I felt inside.

Me?

A.N. Since people keep ignoring the message I sent to all my readers; I had made a mistake and accidentally posted the Epilogue of one of my other running stories in this one. I apologize for the mistake.