---Lane's POV---

A few days passed before I could move out of the bed, not that I was really allowed to. Jethro made it very clear to me that I wasn't to move any more than to and from the bathroom and back to my bed.

The one time he had actually caught me disobeying said order was when I was standing near the window sill, as I had tried to reach up for a book. He hadn't said anything, just crossed his arms and silently glared until I put the book back and shimmied back to my bed.

And now it seemed I was under constant surveillance, as the man had yet to leave the room. Currently he was reading some scrolls on the nearby desk as I sat up in bed, looking longingly at the window.

I desperately wanted to go outside, to catch some fresh air and move around. Yet I was quite certain that Jethro wouldn't allow such a thing, especially not with my wounds and the fact that I was barely capable to walk more than ten steps.

A yawn escaped me as I lazily stretched myself, only to hiss as the stitches pulled harshly on the skin. Before I could even blink, I was laid out back on the bed, covers draped over me.

"But-"

"Rest."

Grumbling softly, I turned my back on Jethro and faced the wall, already knowing the grains and lines by heart. I could easily tell how many knots were in the wooden ceiling, how many line each grain counted per plank.

I was bored out of my mind and I could feel the inner cat clawing at my mind, wanting to be let out. Even so, the beast might be raking against the walls of my mind, trying to claw its way out, but one pointed glare from Jethro made it flop on the floor and act like a scolded kitten.

What the hell is going on here?

An audible grumble slipped past my lip, feeling a downright temper tantrum growing under the insistent pushing of my cat. It seemed to want to both test its own capabilities as well as the limitations and boundaries made by Jethro.

Almost as if it wanted to see how far it could nudge Jethro before the shifter would shove back. Against my own will, my body slowly moved around in the bed, gaining Jethro's attention as the man stared me down, eyes darkening as they swept over my body.

"Back off kitten. You don't know what you're messing with." He warned coolly when he heard the rumbles deep in my chest. My muscles burned as I clawed at the bedding, a roar ripping through my throat as my body seemed to be on the verge of shifting.

Before I could even blink or even register that Jethro had actually moved, I was already pinned to the bed, noticing how the grip was tight yet gentle enough to not cause any pain. Still, the cat wouldn't give in, spitting and snarling viciously before Jethro let out a sound that shook my core and nearly make me wet myself in fear.

"Give him back control, cat. This is not the place nor the time to make an attempt at dominance. Don't make me force you to shift and put you in your place." Jethro's voice echoed softly, underlined with a deep, rumbling growl that made my cat press in the bed in complete submission, finally relenting control.

The second it relented, I gasped, squirming slightly in Jethro's hold as his eyes glowed, a deep amber that swirled with honey to frame his dilated pupils. A soothing mewl slipped past my lips as I unconsciously hid my good eye against the pillow.

The deep growls were still rumbling through his chest as he kept me pinned down for a moment longer before he released me. "Control your shift before I'm forced to control mine. And so help me, if you tear that wound open again, I'm going to tie you to the bloody bed."

I inhaled shakily as the door slammed shut, slowly relaxing on the bed as I turned on my side. Holy shit...that was intense. Even now I could still feel the firm grip on my wrists, the strong thigh that had pinned my legs down and Jethro's abs as they had pressed me into the bed.

Closing my eye, I shivered as even my cat seemed to pant in exhaustion. Knowing it actually was capable of taking over meant it was a powerful shift, one I'd have some issue to control for sure. Yet all Jethro had to do was just growl once, not even a snarl from the top of his lungs, and my shift acted like a demure kitten.

It made me fear the moment where my shift would push Jethro too far and I was weary of that moment because I had a feeling my cat was a stubborn one. Somehow I just knew it was going to try again and Jethro would make good on his threat, maybe actually tie me to the bed.

Doesn't sound so bad at all.

Wait, what?!

I jumped as the door smacked open and backed up on the bed in alarm. Jethro was approaching fast and I quickly lowered myself in submission, attempting to sooth whatever anger that remained.

Surprisingly he didn't strike out, nor held me aggressively as he pulled me up. He walked through the hallways, not even straining under my weight as his boots thumped with each step he took.

I was more than a little surprised when he walked out on a patio and gently placed me in the soft swing. The sun had warmed the soft fabric and I could feel a rumble in my chest, a content purr at the soothing heat and the fresh breeze that caressed my face.

A soft throw blanket was tucked around me, Jethro's eyes cool and assessing the situation before he sighed and walked back inside. The seat moved softly as I nuzzled the pillow underneath my face, eye lazily scanning the surroundings.

"Here."

I blinked and looked up, sitting a bit straighter to accept the glass that Jethro held out. "It's a healing accelerant, bitter but effective." He spoke, only after I had already took a big swig of the pale pink liquid. I swallowed and nearly gagged, shaking my head and curling my nose at the bitterness before I glared accusingly at Jethro.

He smirked, shrugging a shoulder before motioning to the glass. "You need to drink all of it for it to work." He said, the silent command in his voice unmistakable. I curled my nose in distaste but closed my eyes to quickly chug the liquid. A full body shiver hit me as I took the last swallow, holding out the glass for Jethro to take.

His fingers wrapped around the glass as he took it, placing it on the window sill for a moment to reach behind him. A loose hoodie was dropped in my lap seconds later and Jethro glared pointedly at the dark clouds swirling in the distance.

"You will call for me when you're getting cold or if the rain is swept in the porch." There was no way to argue or deny his command so I simply nodded, pulling at the fabric and stretching myself to pull it on.

However, I froze when his hands took the hoodie out of my hands, bunching the fabric together before he gave me a pointed look. I rose my arms, feeling my stomach jolt oddly as the fabric was pushed gently over my head, arms pulled out before I was enveloped in Jethro's potent scent.

Jethro chuckled when I sank back into the swing with a deep purr, smiling to myself as I tried to analyze the scent and figure out just what Jethro's shift was. As I was busy thinking, the downpour slowly started but it made sitting outside under the cover of the porch even more amazing.

The rain was kicking up fresh scents all around, the sound rather soothing though I did sigh a bit when I realized the wind was slowly pushing the rain closer and closer to the porch.

As soon as I started to smell the wooden planks getting wet, I sighed sadly before calling out to Jethro. I stretched my arm slightly, holding my hand out to catch a few stray raindrops and smiled to myself before the front door opened once more.

Jethro sighed slightly, giving a pointed look at the rain drenched planks on the very edge of the porch before he nodded to himself. "Well, at least you listened, partially. Though I did tell you to call out before the rain swept inside."

I nodded as his arms pushed underneath before lifting me up completely. "I was hoping the wind would turn the other way." I confessed, gaining a snort from Jethro as he motioned with his head. "Have you seen those clouds kid? You can see how the wind is chasing them over here, so there's no chance in hell the rain is going the opposite direction."

"Hmm." He walked further, a slight smirk on his face at my annoyed huff but didn't comment. Instead he carried me further in his house and settled me on the couch, tossing the remote my way before he left for the kitchen .

And came back with that awful drink.

"Do I have to?" I whined, already feeling my cheeks burn at the thought of the bitter liquid. Jethro's smirk only widened as he brought the food tray over and placed it in my lap. "Yes, you do. Since you're bored and only going to stress yourself the more you're locked in, you need to heal quicker. And maybe next time you'll actually do exactly what you were told to."

I huffed but blushed slightly, averting my eyes from Jethro to look at the innocent pink liquid before I reached for the glass with a sarcastic "Yes, Sir!" I quickly ducked my head and gulped down some of the vile serum at the deep rumble that echoed through the room.

The bitter taste washed away any curiosity I had over Jethro's odd reaction and instead I gagged and shook my head. It was so bitter, my stomach churned at the taste, eyes squinting and tongue absolutely repulsed by the flavor that stung it.

I quickly chugged the drink and reached for the cup of creamy tomato soup, taking several sips to get rid of the vile flavor before I could actually enjoy my food in quiet. Jethro chuckled to himself and left me to my own devices, knowing that I'd call out to him if I needed him.

Please let me be healed soon, especially if I need to drink this with every meal.