Outcast

Chapter 26

--- 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."