Chadwick leaned closer to Draco and asked, "Are you going to be okay? Because I gotta say, you look like you're about to eat everyone in this car."

He hated to admit it, but Chadwick wasn't far off. Draco was on edge and it was only getting worse. The effort it took to remain seated was becoming more and more difficult.  Although part of that was because he had to sit there and listen to Lowell blather on and on about everything from the meal that they were preparing to the luxurious accommodations of the Council's manor. Draco was getting closer to ripping off the door and beating the man with it.

"Because I have a suggestion for who you start with," Chadwick joked as he rolled his eyes at Lowell's constant fawning over Saber.

Draco had to bite back the laughter that tried to work its way out. Chadwick might've been spot on with his comment, but it was inappropriate, especially since Lowell was there in the car with him and had shifter hearing just like they did. Sure, the man might have been annoying, but he was trying, and that went a long way in Draco's book. He just hoped the rest of the guards felt the same way.

The car rolled to a stop in front of an enormous mansion. Apparently, the former council didn't worry about spending money. Then again, with the taxes they collected from the various packs, they could probably afford something this grand. Another example of how the old council was corrupt.

Draco flung open the door before the car even came to a complete stop. The only reason he didn't fly off right then and there was because he had arrived at his destination. He couldn't explain it, but he knew whoever was calling to him was inside this monstrosity of a building. If only there weren’t another two dozen guards waiting at the door to greet them, Draco might've started his search.

But the moment he stepped out of the car, he could sense an evil presence lurking nearby. There was someone in this group that planned on doing them harm and Draco wasn’t about to let that happen.

“Shit,” Saber mumbled as he glanced Draco’s way as he also got out of the car.  “I know that look.  What’s going on?”

Draco shook his head back and forth twice as he scanned those before him.  The entire Council, with the exception of one, was also there, completely vulnerable.  Not that they couldn’t hold their own - the fact that they’d fought for their positions on the Council attested to that – but Draco had a bad feeling they wouldn’t even know what was coming before it was too late.

“Someone’s planning to kill us.”  Since he had no idea who it was, Draco didn’t bother saying any more as he continued to sniff out each person there.

A soft groan spilled from his lips as his cock went rock hard, leaving him a little dizzy as the blood rushed south.  How was he supposed to concentrate with that alluring scent driving him crazy?  It was nearly all he could smell.

“Uh-oh,” he vaguely heard Chadwick say as Draco started walking away.  The pull to find the owner of that heavenly aroma was too strong to ignore, even if it meant his death.

“Where the hell is he going?” Saber’s voice was too loud not to hear, but Draco didn’t bother to stop and explain.

But Chadwick’s next words had warning bells going off in his head, not that it stopped him.  “I think he’s found his mate.”

If Saber responded, Draco didn’t hear him as he entered the house and followed his nose to the kitchen.  The moment he crossed the threshold, some of his senses came back to him.  Because, there washing pots and pans in a huge sink, was a human.

In all his years, Draco could count on one hand the amount of times a shifter mated with a human.  By the enticing scent that had his dick throbbing in his pants, ready to explode, not to mention the almost unstoppable urge to bend the cutie over and sink as deep into his body as possible, this man was most definitely his mate.

The question?  Was he okay with mating a human?

The moment he’d thought the words, both he and his animal shouted, “YES,” in his head.  It may not be normal, but Draco didn’t care.  His entire being wanted nothing more than to drop to his knees and praise fate for giving him this man to love and cherish.

His only problem was he wasn't quite sure how to say hello. It was obvious this human was being made to work for the Council. Unfortunately, that probably meant he was treated not very well, which would make Draco's job that much harder to woo his mate, especially since he was a shifter.

For right now, in this moment, Draco was content to just stare at the beautiful man with long flowing chestnut hair, slim body, and determination to scrub each one of those pots until they shone. The only thing he wished was that the man would turn around so he could fully see his face and stare into his eyes. He’d actually cut off his right arm just for a glimpse of the color of his mate’s eyes.

As if his mate could read his mind he suddenly whirled around to place a freshly scrubbed pot on the island behind him to dry. A soft gasp escaped from the man’s sweet lips. Draco had the sudden urge to wrap his mate up and hold him tight as he reassured him that everything would be fine. Except, Draco couldn't do that. In the shifter world there was no such thing as fine, especially for a human. Too many of their kind felt that humans were put on this earth to serve.

"Who are you?" Even the man's voice was perfect. The melodic sound called to something deep within Draco.

Golden eyes held Draco entranced. Without thought, he took a step closer. It wasn't until he saw fear cloud those beautiful orbs that he realized his mistake in approaching too fast without even introducing himself. Shaking his head just enough to clear it, he said, "My name is Draco Orah. I am your mate."

The sheer terror that engulfed those golden eyes told Draco two things. One, his mate knew exactly what mates were. Two, whatever experience he had with mates, or shifters, hadn't been good. It would mean a harder time for Draco. Then again, he had never been one to back down from a challenge.

His mate backed up against the sink, his body somewhat bowing backward as if he was doing everything he could to get as far from Draco as possible. "Stay away for me," the man said, breaking Draco's heart in the process.

Draco knew he couldn't exactly blame his mate for his reaction but it still hurt. He tried to slump his shoulders a bit and seem less intimidating. Draco wasn't sure it was working but it was all he could do. "I'm not sure what the old Council put you through, but I promise you that I will keep you safe."

Admittedly, Draco hadn't exactly expected that to just work, not with the fear that was still shining from his mate's eyes, but he had hoped the man would stop looking at him as if he were the devil come to feast upon his body. "Can you try and give me a chance?"

That seemed to jolt his mate from his fear. Because he suddenly stood up straight and glared at Draco. "Give you a chance? Give you a chance?" He said much slower the second time emphasizing each word. "To do what exactly?"

Small hands clenched into fists and landed on slim hips. "The last time I gave a shifter a chance this happened." The rattle of chains was clearly heard echoing against the stone walls of the kitchen as his mate lifted his leg and placed it on top of the island.

Draco couldn't stop the roar of agony that burst from him at seeing his mate chained up. The beast within him wanted nothing more than to tear those chains right off of him. He had actually taken a step closer to do just that but, thankfully, his human half stopped him. There was no way he would be able to rip the cuff off his mate’s ankle without doing severe damage to his appendage. Instead, he demanded, "Where is the key?"

But instead of cringing back as his mate had done in the beginning, he seemed to find his inner strength. He waved a hand at the chain that still surrounded his ankle and with sarcasm dripping from every word he said, "If I knew where the key was, don't you think I would have already taken it off?"

Draco was taken back a bit. Other than a few of his friends and maybe Chadwick, no one dared talk to him like that. That it was a human made it all that more unusual. It actually gave Draco hope that his mate would be able to make it in Draco's world. Shifters were a harsh lot and any weakness was often exploited to the fullest. "What is your name?"

His mate cocked his head to the side as if he were making up his mind on whether or not to answer. Then, as if deciding there was no harm in Draco knowing his name, he said, "Ryland Knox." He took his leg off the island and turned back to the sink. "Now, if you don't mind, I have work to be done. After all, I wouldn't want the new Chief of the Paranormal Council to have a reason to beat me on his first day here."

Draco roared his outrage at the thought of anyone touching a hair on Ryland’s body. He hadn't missed his mate stiffening as if waiting for a blow and that just pissed him off even more. It meant Ryland had not been treated well and he would tear apart anyone still alive who had dared to harm his mate. With how mad he was, Draco was tempted to bring Refugio back from the dead just so he could kill him all over again.

"No one is allowed to touch you. Do you understand me?" He demanded of Ryland.

But instead of being relieved as Draco had thought Ryland would be, his mate turned around with fire in his eyes. "You don't get a say in who touches me. You don't get a say in anything that happens to me. And you don't get a say in what occurs in my life, got it?"

Each of them stared the other down. Draco wasn't sure if he should be proud or frustrated at his mate’s attitude. With Ryland having nowhere else to go, Draco cautiously strode over to where he was standing until he could feel the heat of his mate’s body. He looked down at his much shorter mate and gave him a small smile. "I just mean I won't allow anyone to hurt you ever again."

Then he leaned down and he brushed the gentlest of kisses against Ryland's forehead. "I'm going to go find something to get those chains off you. I'll be right back." Draco's heart actually hurt having to leave his mate, especially when he was chained up with nowhere to go. But he also refused to allow his mate to be nothing more than a captive for a moment longer.

He just hoped whatever Refugio had done to him wouldn't turn Ryland against Draco forever. For he may have only met the man a few moments ago but already he was falling for him. How could he not? Ryland’s strength, perseverance, and sassy attitude were a testament to just how strong he really was.