---Jethro's POV---

My eyes opened the instant I heard the soft creaking of the wooden floor near Lane's room. Without making a sound, I pushed myself up and out of my bed as my eyes scanned the darkness. The house was quiet in the middle of the night; a few crickets chirping outside and the wind softly blowing through the grass the only sounds I could pick up.

That and the soft growl that came from Lane's room before I heard his door being nudged open forced me to leap into action. Within seconds I stood in the hallway, leaping down the stairs and landing quietly as the backdoor was nudged open.

The moonlight was obscured by the clouds but it was just enough to see the faded outlines of the big cat as it hopped from the porch and strutted towards the forest. A quiet grumble left its chest, tail flicking as it made its way in between the trees.

"Where are you going, you brat?" I murmured softly, watching as the massive beast flickered its ear slightly. Cursing under my breath, I observed the way it walked, eyes narrowing when I saw it limp the slightest bit.

Little shit tore open his stitches while shifting.

I pushed off the porch, calmly walking behind the young shifter. Even though I was pissed that it had ignored my simple orders, I was more angry with the fact that his cat had more than likely pushed the boy aside and in turn, managed to tear the stitches as it shifted.

From my interactions with Lane, it was quite obvious he knew I was in charge and wasn't even inclined to fight for control. Over the past few days he'd been the epitome of confused submission, trying his best to blend in with his surroundings while at the same time observing everything closely.

It was as if he'd been a ghost in his former pride.

Yet as it walked further in the woods, I realized it actually knew I was following it. The cat flickered its ears again, tilting its head slightly so I caught a glimpse of the deep scars running over his muzzle, a milky white eye still managed to find me as the feline stared right back at me.

A sound rumbled through the air as I approached and I had to bite back the snarl that my shift produced. It quickly realized why my shift quickly stopped snarling, for the yowl Lane had produced wasn't threatening or even warning.

It was the sound a cub would make, calling out to its parents.

I sighed, scratching the back of my neck as he continued to call in regular intervals, ears pitched for a response. Fucking hell, no wonder his shift was so on edge and forcing its way out. Lane's animal could clearly tell what kind of shifter I was and was more than intimidated.

And normally, the parents of any shifter would be there when they first shifted to their animal, to sooth and coax their child into their world. Lane didn't have that luxury and that was very rare.

Even orphaned kids could count on their pack, clan or coven, no matter what the species. Lane had no-one but myself and given that I was a predator, by far larger and more powerful than he'd ever be, his shift was scared shitless.

But I remembered the way it had snarled and stood up for himself, testing the boundaries I had created. The kid got some spunk alright. However, now it was calling out to a parent that couldn't and most likely wouldn't respond.

He didn't move when I approached, only flicked its tail before I came to a stop beside him, gently rubbing through his fur. A chuff escaped him as he rubbed against my hold before looking up when I cleared my throat.

"For your sake, I hope I don't see a speck of blood when we get inside." I growled, causing him to hang his head with a low whiny sound. He bunted against my stomach with a light mewling sound but I kept staring at him sternly.

"Acting all cute isn't going to save your hide, Lane. Start walking."

His whiskers twitched before he very slowly started making his way back home. I followed a few steps behind, eyes falling to the slightest limp in his gait. The way his muscles tensed and quivered made it all to clear to me that Lane was in pain but was trying to hide it to avoid any punishment heading his way.

As soon as we were both inside, I closed the front door behind me, locking it for good measure. He shouldn't have tried to sneak out but I'll let it slide this time around. Turning back around, I just caught the tip of his tail slinking around the corner of his room, making me roll his eyes.

"Oh, you're not getting off the hook so easily, little one."

When I entered the room, the big cat was already laying down in the dark, belly up. But I wasn't fooled though; showing your stomach was a sign of submission with canines. Felines on the other hand rolled on their backs in defense, because that allowed all eighteen razor sharp claws to come out and rip at the attacker.

Flicking the light on, I was actually stunned out of words when he rolled back over and watched me closely. The light made me see him all that much clearer and if there was ever any creature that had the power to stun me, this would be it.

Lane's tiger was massive, by far the largest feline I've ever seen. In all my life, I've encountered several felines, even the rarest Cave Lions, who had a staggering shoulder height of 4f but if my guess was correct, the tiger was easily tipping the scales to 5f.

The tiger observed me closely, slightly lifting his head. Its milky white left eye caught the light and bounced it back while his right was glowing with an inner strength. The scars on his face made him both powerful and vulnerable at the same time.

Letting my eyes drift over his body, I glanced at the stitches and calmed down when I realized they hadn't been ripped out, just irritated severely. Most likely Lane's cat took over while he was sleeping and the motions of him shifting had pulled at the stitches, causing a slight pain.

Stepping closer, I ignored his slight warning rumble and gave him a pointed look as I kneeled beside the bed. His submission was quick and to the point, as he revealed his white belly for my inspection.

"You're lucky you didn't tear your stitches or I'd followed through on my promise." Sifting through his fur, I sighed before glancing up at the tiger, who pointedly avoided to look me in the eye. When he felt my stare, he let out a disturbed yowl as he flattened on his side.

Still unsure if I'm going to attack you at one point or not...I guess I understand that.

Instead of pushing further and possibly stressing Lane, I left the room and closed the door behind me, but not before warning him not to try and sneak out again. If he wanted to roam around, he should ask permission and not try to slither away like a thief in the night.

Being caged in would do nothing else but wind him up even more, irritating both Lane and his tiger until they'd lash out. Tigers naturally roamed over their territory, patrolling the edges to protect it from anyone trying to steal it.

And to find their mates.

Sighing slightly, I sat down on my bed, listening to it groan as it carried my weight. Rubbing my hands over my face, I grumbled to myself, shaking my head as I realized the tiger would soon try and venture out even more.

But as I'd seen tonight, it didn't seem to want to run away. It had all opportunity to do so yet it remained in my territory, which made me wonder if it was due to Lane trusting me, or his tiger being just curious.

Laying back down in my bed, I realized I wouldn't sleep for a while. Instead I heard to the quiet rumbles of Lane's tiger, the bed creaking as it shifted its weight before he quieted down.

Maybe...the tiger has accepted this territory as his own or respects me enough to be patrolling it for my sake. It didn't try and chase me out of my own home, in fact it seemed more worried of my reaction to him being here.

I guess only time would tell. With the arrival of Lane's tiger, Lane himself would slowly gain more confidence in everything he does. There's no doubt in my mind that at some point, he might try and push my rules and limitations.

But the question that burned in my mind was rather simple and made me shift around in my bed, the beast inside stirring with curiosity.

If he saw me in my true form, saw the create I'd become...would he shy away like so many others? Would he fear me, shake on the spot and make a run for it? Even the Order, a gathering of paranormal representatives, feared me.

Even though I wasn't an official member of the Order, my council was often asked and headed to. They didn't really bother me for minorities or the usual squabbling between the different clans clashing together.

The only time they've ever summoned me was when a small pack of wolves thought it would be a smart idea to try and steal my land from under me. And even then, I was only summoned to look the Alpha in the eye and warn him to never sniff in my direction again.

As I slowly fell asleep, I wondered how Lane was going to develop over the days. My beast was curious, wondering what made the kid so special, his shift so enormous.

The tiger's blatant disregard of my rules annoyed me.

But his instant submission pleased me.

For whatever reason, I was more than happy to see how Lane was going to come into his own. With any luck, he'd actually stick around and listen to what I said. Yet somewhere in the back of my mind, I didn't really mind him resisting me all that much.

As long as he submitted in the end.