---Lane's POV---

Living with Jethro was odd, to say the least. While he was a stern, stoic and silent roommate, he was also a lot different from the pride. Where I expected to be ignored when my wounds ached, he gave me medication. When I had issues with controlling my cat, he taught me how to focus and calm down on my own.

My fear for Jethro was slowly changing in a deep respect and awe for the man. Even though he didn't show me his shift, he made it a point to let me shift daily as soon as the wounds were healed enough.

Hell, he asked me to accompany him on his patrols to cover the edges of his territory. I found out I enjoyed those silent patrols quite a bit, my tiger purring silently in my mind and urging me to sink my claws in the nearby trees.

To scent-mark Jethro's territory as well, mingle our scents so it would be our territory.

But even if I didn't get the same shifter upbringing like anyone else, I knew enough to realize that would be extremely rude, downright disrespectful and challenging to Jethro. And Jethro hadn't even enforced his dominance over me at all.

Instinct told me however, that I was already submitting willingly to his rules. Last night for instance, I had gone out on a run and Jethro had warned me to be back before midnight. Even fully shifted and my tiger in control, I had been surprised when I found my cat strolling back before the time was done.

More so, when Jethro looked at me with that gleam in his eyes, that showed me he was fucking proud of me for listening to him, I felt... elated...My cat was purring in my head while I stood on shaking legs, wondering why the hell I felt so pleased and happy that Jethro was proud of me.

Right now, I was laying in front of the fireplace, trying to make sense of this whole situation as my tiger groomed itself slowly, glancing at Jethro from time to time. He was busy preparing supper and I felt annoyed with myself for some unknown reason.

Maybe it was the fact that I was used to fend for myself, or that Jethro was doing everything in the household while I lazed around and did nothing.

A quiet huff escaped my animal as it pushed me back in my mind and stood up, walking up to Jethro's back before bumping its head against his legs. It instantly caught his attention but he didn't respond right away, much to the chagrin of my tiger.

It huffed, turning its head for a moment before pawing at Jethro's leg. "Knock it off, kitten." He warned lowly but the tiger refused to listen and instead, gripped the back of his pants between its teeth and pulled.

Control was instantly given back as the cat realized its mistake when fabric protested sharply and bare skin came into view. My ears flattened immediately, body pressing to the floor as I eyed the long tear in Jethro's pants with fear.

Oh shit...Fuck, fuck, fuck!

When Jethro's muscles tensed as he slowly turned around, I did the only thing that came to mind.

I fucking bolted for the door. Even as my claws clicked on the surface, slightly digging in to give me more grip, I knew he was right on my tail. For a second it looked like I'd make it, the outside clearly visible through the open door.

But right as I was about to reach it, I stopped when I felt fingers on my scruff that held on tight, yet remained gentle. My whole body froze, breath panting through my chest as I was slowly pushed down on the floor.

For a second, I couldn't make out what was going on, my mind filled with memories of my pride's actions whenever they'd manage to corner me. It was probably the reason why I actually dared to hiss at Jethro when he stepped around me, why I jumped slightly before pressing myself against the wall.

Jethro's eyes were dark as he kept a close eye on me, slowly walking around from where I was pressed against the wall. He closed the backdoor with a firm click while I panted, slowly inching back and growling with each breath I took.

"Lane-"

I flinched back as he spoke, pressing lower to the floor at his sudden approach before he stopped when I cringed together. His hand paused mid-air, a dark look sliding over his features as he slowly glanced from my cowering, my obvious fear, to his outstretched hand.

Everything was quiet, except for the sound of our breaths, the birds chirping outside and whatever was slowly simmering on the stove.

My stomach clenched painfully at the thought of the food Jethro was preparing, food that he most likely wouldn't share now that I had shredded his clothes for no reason at all. When I blinked, Jethro was sitting on the floor, carding his fingers through my fur with a serious expression.

Slowly, I crept a bit forwards while keeping a close eye on his features, knowing that I'd bolt if he so much as sneered. He didn't though, instead chose to wait until I managed to take three wobbly steps and pressed my muzzle into his chest.

A deep sigh released from his lips, chest dropping against my head before he petted me gently. My muscles remained tense as he petted me until I slowly managed to relax, bumping into his chest with added force until he pinched my ear.

"Easy Lane, even though you're acting all cute and adorable, your actions still have consequences. You and I are going to have a long due talk but for now, stand." I mewled softly but stood on shaking legs as I knew it wasn't a request but a command.

Hesitantly I followed after Jethro until we reached the living room, where he motioned me closer. "Shift." I did so very hesitantly, staying low to the ground and grasping for the shorts he held out to me.

Several things flashed through my mind, wondering what my punishment would actually be. Would he lash me? Beat me to a pulp? Yet I somehow knew Jethro wasn't a man that would lay a hand on someone without reason.

And I felt my body shiver, relaxing as he motioned behind me. "You're going to turn around and sit on your knees in that corner. You want to act like a child? Then you're going to stand with your nose in the corner like a child."

I blinked, lips parting to protest before they widened when Jethro's finger rested on my lips. "No protests, no sounds, nothing. I'm going to change and finish dinner. The more you mess up, the longer you stand in that corner."

I remained quiet, confused as I rubbed my arm, awkwardly heading to the corner before glancing back at Jethro. When he nodded with a stern look in his eyes, I slowly kneeled down and pressed my forehead against the wall.

A jolt coursed through my body as fingers tugged my wrists behind me, resting them on my lower back. I already knew the silent command that laid in his warning squeeze.

Do not move them.

My chest pumped in a long, deep breathe as the house grew quiet. Heart still racing and muscles quivering, I closed my eyes to focus on my breathing in an attempt to calm down. Slowly I became more aware of my surroundings and not the burning panic from before.

I could smell the food, herbs and heard the bubbling on the stove clearly, so I knew I had to be in the kitchen. From upstairs, I heard Jethro move around before everything grew quiet again.

My body tensed, knees slightly aching from this unknown position as I had time to think as I sat there. Soon enough, the atmosphere in the room seemed charged and I could sense Jethro quietly moving around.

Even without laying my eye on him, I could tell purely by his scent where he was standing in the room, could even smell the fresh scent coming from his new outfit.

"You said the reason why you're here was because you were born...explain."

Each and every muscle in my body tensed, the air of my lungs whistling out in a surprised gasp at the bold question he asked. Yet, I didn't find it in me to refuse to answer. Why would I? Jethro has proven he had my best intentions in mind.

"I'm waiting..."

Tilting my face down, I slowly started to reveal my past to him. How my parents were overjoyed to be expecting, how the pride's foolish nature led to the attack on my mother. And of course, how I was born with flaws.

"Flaws?"

I nodded, breathing against the wall and shivering slightly. "The pride was adamant on being perfect, there were no abnormalities born...except for me." Jethro's growl was enough to give me pause, especially when it sounded too close for comfort.

"Your eye...I thought it was due to the wounds on your face." he sighed, sounding rather troubled when I shook my head. "Did they cause the blindness?"

Well, kinda, I guess. "Due to the premature delivery and my mother's condition growing worse by the second, one of the nurses gave me too much oxygen and caused severe damage in the optical nerves."

He hummed but remained quiet otherwise as I heard the clinking of cutlery, plates being placed on the table before more silence filled the room.

"You may stand up Lane."

I sighed in relief, having to push myself up from the wall as my knees clicked together before I managed to stand on my own. Walking to the table, I kept my head down and sat down at the table.

The food was placed down in front of me, the silent command to eat made me grab my utensils and dig in. Still, I avoided to look at Jethro as much as possible, feeling slightly uncomfortable as I tried to figure out what happened.

He put you in the corner like a kid...and you actually liked it.

I could tell Jethro was waiting for the rest of his questions until I had eaten. But I had questions of my own though, and the determination to demand answers to them was slowly bubbling up inside me.

Guess we're gonna play twenty questions...