Mine for Eternity [Council Enforcers] (Siren Publishing Classic)

thought it was funny that his lion hadn’t made one peep about the cub calling him kitty.
    That’s because he doesn’t know any better. Give him time and he will soon learn that I am a magnificent beast. There is no other lion out there with my looks or hunting skills.
    Mitch agreed. They weren’t one of the best enforcers by accident. Still he couldn’t help teasing his animal as they headed down the stairs. “I think ego is what’s holding up that mighty mane of yours.” He got a rumble that he considered a laugh from his lion as he sat Nico in a chair at the table and began to fix breakfast.
    After the cub finished eating, Mitch had to clean him up since it seemed like he was wearing most of his breakfast. Once that was done, he took the cub outside. He figured the best place to let his lion out to play was in the yard because it gave him more room to move. He couldn’t bear it if he accidentally knocked Nico over or hurt him because he didn’t have much room. This way, they could run and play and the cub could make as much noise as he wanted without waking Tessa.
    He still wasn’t sure if he was making the right decision by shifting in front of Nico. Mitch had a feeling it was either going to be the best decision he ever made or the worst. He was leaning toward the latter.
    Quit stalling.
    Mitch sighed and knelt down to talk to Nico. “Okay, little man. I’m going to let you play with the kitty. You don’t have to be scared.”
    He stood and began stripping off his clothes and watched as Nico frowned and looked around the yard. Mitch had a feeling the boy wasn’t worried about his weird behavior. He was focused on where the lion was. By the time Nico turned back to him, Mitch had smoothly shifted into his lion form. Being able to shift easily and quietly was one of the reasons the council recruited him. For most shifters, shifting took a while and was not a very quiet event because of bones popping as they reformed. For adolescent shifters first learning, shifting could be painful due to lack of concentration, and oftentimes they could be heard crying out when they changed.
    For Mitch, he had never had a problem shifting. Even his first shift was silent. He got a tingly feeling like he had electricity running through his body, and then one second he was human, the next he was a lion.
    Once he had shifted, Mitch lay down in the grass and waited for Nico to come to him. Of course it didn’t take but a second for him to yell “kitty” and throw his arms around Mitch’s neck. While Nico stroked and petted him, Mitch let his senses out and checked his territory for danger. He smelled the tall grass coming from the back of the house and the animals scurrying for a hiding place in the woods at the edge of his yard, but no threat coming from any direction.
    Mitch laughed which sounded more like he was choking on a hairball when Nico suddenly climbed on his back like he was playing with a horse instead of a lion and wrapped his tiny fist in Mitch’s mane.
    “I wanna ride!” the cub squealed.
    He figured his lion would balk at having his mane crumpled, but he said nothing. Instead, he stood and began trotting around the yard with the cub on his back. Nico laughed and screamed the whole time, amazing Mitch. The boy was fearless. Not once had Mitch smelled fear coming from the tiny boy. Even though he barely knew Nico, Mitch couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride.
    Of course he would be strong. He was meant to be our cub. I wouldn’t expect anything less.
    After several laps around the yard, Mitch lay down again and Nico climbed off his back. It was then that his lion took over and did what he had wanted to do since the cub had arrived. He stood then lowered down on his front legs with his rear end in the air like he was about to pounce. He made a couple bouncing motions toward Nico, who, being as smart as he was, immediately got the point and took off running. Mitch gave him a head start then began to chase. Each time he caught up to the boy, he would give a small growl then lick him before Nico would take off again laughing and screaming. Mitch had a feeling he would never get enough of hearing the sounds of happiness coming from his cub and vowed to always keep him that way.
    Evidently tired, Nico collapsed in the grass giggling and Mitch lay down beside him, half covering the boy up. He began purring as Nico stroked his fur and laid his lead down. Of course, that was the moment Tessa chose to