Carno's POV
 

The doctors had said I was finally healed enough to leave the hospital, which meant I was healed enough to be taken to the local council headquarters until my trial.
 
I hadn't really remembered all that had happened that day, I remember Rafiki's rage and single-minded determination to cripple Ro for life, I remembered the pain but hadn't thought much about it until now, but seeing myself in the mirror for the first time I realised the extent of the damage our fight had caused. It had changed my appearance for life, it looked like I'd been mauled by a pack of dogs, or two big cats. Human doctors had taken care of me so my injuries healed slow and would scar, there wasn't an omega in my family and I didn't know one besides Nobu. Nobu... I sighed deeply and started into the reflection of my russet brown eyes, feeling loathing and self-hate at the person who stared back at me.
 
Leo had spoken to the council members, they'd given me some pills to take once a day, the little pink tablets had silenced Rafiki completely and despite the situation I'd never felt more at peace. My head was quiet besides from my own thoughts, I knew my emotions were mine alone and my actions in my control.
 
I'd been allowed to go to the bathroom before the journey to the council headquarters, the cuffs temporarily removed. The left side of my face where my ear used to be was bandaged, Nobu had torn it off and I doubted it would look pretty once healed. My shoulder was also covered in gauze from Ro's bite and a few large plasters were scattered on my torso where Nobu's brothers had pinned me down with their claws. My neck was wrapped up from Nobu biting the back of it and when I turned my back and my upper thighs was almost all covered in bandages. Nobu had sure done a number on me, I deserved it though, I'd actually caused his mate to die, not permanently but it didn't exactly make it much better. Honestly, what had Rafiki been thinking? Couldn't he just accept Nobu had chosen someone else and move on? I mean it hurt, I'd liked Nobu, he was my Lagneia, I'd been understandably very attracted to him, but Ro was his Agapi, I could never best that.
 
I sighed again and reluctantly left the hospital bathroom, the cold metal cuffs getting secured around my wrists.  I was escorted out of the hospital by two burly bear shifters, they'd been the ones to guard my hospital room and were as stony faced as always. I was loaded into the back of a van, the cage inside having a bench for me to sit on and only white walls to stare at. I'd knew I'd done wrong, the cuffs had made me realise how real this all was but sitting in the back of that van like a criminal really made it hit home. I knew my parents would be so disappointed, I was almost glad they weren't here to see me like this.
 
I wouldn't lie I was scared, about what was going to happen, I could be sent to prison, I was barely eighteen, I wasn't ready for something like that. Without Rafiki I was just like any other kid my age, I wasn't malicious or murderous, I worried about my grades, popularity and what I'd do in the future. I'd dreamed about finding a mate, but who would want me now? Even if I wasn't prosecuted for what happened I'd still done it and would bear the scars for the rest of my life.
 
...
 
I don't know how long I sat in the back of the van, a few hours at least. I was jostled and rocked, sliding a little on the bench a few times when the van braked or accelerated a little harshly, which ever bear shifter was driving sure had a heavy foot.
 
At times I'd find myself drifting off to sleep but the movements stopped me from staying that way, I was quite tired as my body tried to heal itself, the pink pills seemed to have a sort of sedating effect on me as well, it made sense, Rafiki was a apart of me, no matter how much I didn't want that to be the case, knocking him out made me weak. It was worth the blissful silence though, it had been a long time since I hadn't been so worried, the prospect of going to prison was fucking scary but the thought of getting off scot free with Rafiki not sedated scared me even more.
 
Now that I'd experienced what it was like without him in my head I never wanted to go back, he wasn't whispering to me like the devil on my left shoulder, forcing himself in control of our body to do questionable things. For someone in cuffs locked in the back of a van I felt surprisingly free.
 
 
Nobu's POV
 
Ro and Domino seemed to hit it off quite well, we'd migrated to the sitting room and they'd loaded up the gaming console on the obscenely large flat screen. I mostly tuned out the sound of gunfire coming from the surround sound speakers as they went around killing zombies.
 
Spooks had gone for a nap, I'd left her in her box in our room where it was quiet, the sides were high enough so she couldn't get out and the blankets kept it nice and warm for her. I'd check on her in a bit, it was strange not having her in my arms or on my lap, she hadn't really left me since Jax gave her to me yesterday afternoon, I couldn't expect her to try and sleep with this noise going though and I needed to be without her sometimes. I was so attached to her already. It was unusual for shifters to have pets, humans it was common but for us it had always seemed a little strange, with Spooks it felt so right though, or maybe it was my paternal instincts kicking in.
 
"So how long have you and Ro known each other for?" Angie asked me and I turned my head to look at her. We'd both sat on the other sofa, leaving Ro and Dominic to do their thing, it was nice seeing Ro able to do things his age, Dominic must only be a year or two older. So much serious stuff had happened recently, Ro deserved some normalcy, we all did.
 
"Just over a month. It feels like so long ago though." I sighed. It felt like I'd known Ro for years, he was such a big part of my life now I couldn't imagine it without him, I'd experienced so many firsts with him and it had made us very close. I didn't understand love but I knew I cared for him dearly, it was similar to the care I felt for my family but slightly different, I believe it was love, I hadn't experienced it before but what I felt towards Ro was what I'd imagine when thinking of love.
 
"A month?!" Angie's eyes were wide, face full of shock and I couldn't help but chuckle a little, I guess to everyone else we had progressed in our relationship pretty fast, even with extenuating circumstances taken into consideration. "You mated to him only after a month?" disbelief was thick in her voice, I knew she couldn't help but judge, we'd always been taught not to jump and choose a mate in haste, the partnership was for life after all and couldn't be broken even by death.
 
"Actually we've been mated almost two weeks, so I guess..." I tried to think how long I'd known Ro when we'd mated. "... three weeks after we'd met?"
 
"Did you mean to? Were you in heat? Was he rutting and it just happened?" I frowned slightly at her questions, our mating wasn't an accident, caused by pheromones clouding our brains. Neither of us were experiencing a heightened amount of pheromones, either from rutting or heat. Ro had had a mock rut just before his birthday, which wasn't uncommon for male shifters in their teens, their body was doing a test run of a real one before they came of age. I guess I should of known I was a cross before I came of age since I'd never experienced a mock heat, I hadn't even thought of it at the time.
 
I shook my head. "I wasn't in heat and Ro wasn't rutting, we hadn't planned it either but certain things happened that made us mating at the time important, that doesn't sound right... umm... like it was a lot safer for him, and for everyone if we mated, if that makes sense?" I tilted my head, it was hard to try and explain without telling the whole story, I knew Angie was in on all that had happened to Ro when he was a baby, the fact he got taken and his parents had been looking for him for the past seventeen years, Anders had obviously informed his children about it, they would of wanted an explanation for the scars on his face if nothing else.
 
"What made it safer if you mated? If Ro was in danger wouldn't mating to him just put you in danger too?" she had a good point, it was logical, once mated both shifters were inexplicably bound together we didn't exactly share a heart beat but it was a good way to explain it, if one of our hearts stopped then so did the other.
 
"Since Ro had come of age it was a requirement for him to be put on the database. We didn't know, well Ro, my family and I didn't know his background at the time so went ahead and had the council come over and create a profile for Ro and I since my birthday was just two days before his. The two people who'd brought him up and who he believed to be his parents showed up a day or so later, revealing that they'd in fact found Ro at an orphanage, that the Dead Rabbits had approached them on his sixteenth birthday and told them where Ro had come from. Instead of giving Ro to his real parents they sent him away to a little down a few hours away from the city and cut all contact with him without telling him why. His adoptive parents told us the Dead Rabbits were looking for him, if they saw his profile on the website it would lead them right to him, and to us since my families address had been put on the database." I explained.
 
"And the only way to get removed from the database is being either mated or dead." Angie finished. "So you mated to Ro in the hopes it would keep you all safe?"
 
I nodded and let out a small sigh. "It is what we'd hoped, Jax showed up not long after Ro's adoptive parents had left, he'd said Ro shifted for the first time earlier than usual, he was hopeful that the Dead Rabbits wouldn't of checked the database yet, so we contacted the council and mated right away." I smiled slightly as I remembered the day, mostly Jasper's antics, they didn't help at all at the time but looking back on them made me remember it fondly, him and his bloody bucket of lube, I doubt Ro and I would ever need to buy any, I don't know how fast lube went off if it went off at all, but if it didn't we had a life-time supply of it, curtesy of my brother.
 
"...and... how was it?" Angie smiled shyly as she asked the question, her cheeks turning a little pink, she looked curious, I don't really blame her, mating wasn't something we were taught much about, the importance of wating to mate and the consequences of mating too soon but not actually on the mating itself.
 
"Our circumstances weren't exactly... normal, most mated pairs consummate their bond during heat, or both rutting and heat. Ro and I weren't experiencing either, although I went into heat the day after we'd mated, it only actually ended yesterday." I knew it wasn't what she was asking, I wasn't sure if I was comfortable talking about the actual mating with Angie though. It was kind of embarrassing, and a kind of private memory. I remember being so nervous I'd lost my appetite and had knocked a glass of water over. My heart and faced warmed a bit when I thought back to how careful and gentle Ro had been at first, he'd done his best to make me comfortable and so he would cause me the least bit of pain he could. I snorted a little at Jasper's many descriptions of Ro and his... you know, I remember a few choice phrases and names.
 
"Are you..?" I saw her eyes focused on my stomach, I laughed a little and shook my head. "But you don't seem to be in post-heat?" she pointed out confused.
 
"You can thank Jax for that, he got me Spooks yesterday, and Ro's been so understanding, I could never be mad at him." I looked over fondly to Ro and he must of felt my gaze and glanced my way, his light green eyes crinkling in the corners as he sent me a smile before going back to killing zombies. Sometimes I couldn't believe how lucky I was to call him my mate, he was just so handsome and such a good person, I couldn't imagine anyone else better for my mate, nor would I want anyone else.
 
"You must like him a lot, I mean to mate so soon."
 
"I do." I sighed, maybe a little too much, the feelings and emotions I felt around him were overwhelming at times. "He's also my Agapi, but he's such a good person as well, he can be so sweet and you should see him with Spooks, he's so gentle and doting with her."
 
'And he's so fucking hot, and don't get me started on how good he is in the bedroom, phew, I'm getting hot and bothered just thinking about it." I could practically see Eidolon fanning himself and I rolled my eyes. I mean he wasn't wrong, not that I had anything to compare it to but Ro never failed to turn my brain to mush with pleasure. I felt my face warming at the thought and cleared my throat, attempting to think of something else.
 
"What were you just thinking about?" Angie had a strange smirk on her lips and I quickly looked away.
 
"Nothing." I denied.
 
"Come on, we both know, spill." I sighed and turned to face her again, she grinned. "Well?"
 
I groaned and flopped further back into the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. "I was thinking how attractive he is." I admitted.
 
"And..?" she pushed.
 
I squirmed with embarrassment, covering my face with both of my hands and groaning again. "How good in bed he is." I mumbled out, it coming out muffled from my hands.
 
"Ha! I knew it." she said victoriously and a little loud.
 
"Knew what Angie?" Domino questioned from across the room, I hadn't realised there'd been a lapse of gun shooting. I peeked from between my fingers to see the game paused, Domino and Ro sipping at the drinks and munching on the snacks they'd gotten from the kitchen on the way here earlier. 
 
"None of your business, boys are not allowed in his conversation." Angie shewed them with her hands even though they were across the room.
 
"Nobu's a guy Angie." Domino pointed out. "And don't call us boys, we're not five." he grumbled to his sister.
 
"Could of fooled me." Angie sassed back, crossing her arms and I laughed, making her snort and laugh along as well, Ro did smile a little but Domino looked less than impressed.
 
"You're asking for a butt kicking sis." Domino growled.
 
"The only butt that's getting kicked is yours, little bro." Angie threw back, saying 'little bro' a little mockingly. I'd gathered they were non-identical twins, and it seemed to bother Domino when Angie mentioned she was older, if they were twins it wouldn't be much older but it had always been a sore spot for Jasper.
 
In an instant they had both jumped up and had shifted, two leopards stood where they'd been with clothes scattered around them, Domino playfully leapt at Angie and they started to play fight right in the middle of the sitting room.
 
Ro got up and walked around the tussling twins, sinking down beside me on the sofa. I leaned against his side and nuzzled his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around me. "So what where you and Angie talking about?"
 
I whined and hid my face against him. "Ro." I was mortified just thinking of telling him, there was no way.
 
"You know I could tickle it out of you, that seems to work?" he suggested teasingly and I glared up at him, wrapping my arms around my middle.
 
"Don't you dare, we were talking about you ok?" I huffed.
 
He smirked. "What about me?"
 
I whined again and hid my face in his neck, squirming slightly when I felt his fingers slowly starting to skim up my sides where my arms didn't cover. I really didn't want to be tickled but I could never tell him aloud what we'd been talking about, I regret telling Angie what I did.
 
'It's your fault Eidolon.'
 
'Why are you blaming it on me? I didn't make to tell her.'
 
'You're the one who put those thoughts in my head in the first place.' I argued and he rolled his eyes.
 
'Whatever, just tell him, I see no problem, I'm sure he'd like to hear how good we think he is in bed.' he had the definition of a shit eating grin right then, he was no help at all.
 
'I can't.'
 
'If you can't tell him then show him, or I can take control and really show my appreciation.' he purred.
 
A snort of a laugh escaped me when Ro reached my ribs and I tried to wiggle away but he had me trapped. There was no way I was letting Eidolon take control and I think I'd pee myself if Ro tickled me again. So instead of trying to escape Ro's arms I got closer and his fingers paused, no doubt wondering what I was doing. I could feel my cheeks flaming but I nuzzled his throat, one of my hands leaving my middle and slowly sliding up his thigh. I swallowed thickly, my hand getting higher, my lips pressing a kiss to the skin just below Ro's ear. He sucked in a breath when my fingers brushed over his jean covered crotch, a low growl leaving him.
 
He cupped the back of my head and pulled it back until our eyes met and I looked up at him shyly through my lashes and the curls tumbling onto my forehead. His light green eyes burned and I whimpered audibly when his fingers traced over the mating mark just below my hairline on my neck. "What did you say exactly?" he husked quietly and I shivered at the low cadence.
 
He was really gonna make me say it wasn't he?
 
His eyes bored into my own, our faces so close our noses almost touched, I couldn't look away but his gaze was too intense to hold. "I was telling Angie what I like about you." I mumbled, crumbling under his stare, I leaned forward further and nuzzled our noses, my eyes falling closed. "And then Eidolon got involved."
 
Ro chuckled softly and I purred when he ran his fingers through my hair. "I can imagine the direction his mind went." murmured and I nodded a little against him, my cheeks warming again. "Was he acting like Jasper or was it generally?" he wondered and a little snort escaped me and he laughed a bit as well.
 
I glanced up at him and we smiled at each other. "Generally." I answered.
 
'I mean if you want me to...'
 
'No.'
 
'Are you sure? I have quite a few-'
 
'-No thanks, I'm good Eidolon.'
 
"Hmm, so what do you like about me? Eidolon style?" Ro grinned and I sent him a begging look, did I really have to?
 
'His eight and a half inch di-'
 
'-Shut up Eidolon!' I hissed and he cackled in my head.
 
"I like all of you Ro." I whispered and quickly ducked my head in embarrassment, my cheeks burning.
 
"So cute." he lifted my head with a finger on my chin and I mewled softly as our lips met. My eyes fluttered closed on their own, my one hand still on his thigh and the other lightly fisting in his shirt. His hand threaded into my curls and guided my head to where he wanted it, his other arm slipping around me to pull me closer. It didn't matter if I was in heat or not, his kisses always left me breathless, the little sparks I felt with each brush, the slight scratching of his stubble on my cheeks adding another layer of sensations.
 
My lips parted when his tongue swiped over my bottom lip and my taste buds tingled with the taste that was uniquely his when he slipped it into my mouth. Each slight tug of his plump lips on my own and lick of his tongue slowly started to heat me up, I panted and did my best to kiss him back, pecking his top lip over and over as he devoured my bottom one, his tongue twirling and sucking on my own, or rubbing over the sensitive roof of my mouth.
 
"Jesus, I can't leave you four alone can I?" Anders voice reached my ears. "Domino stop trying to kill your sister and love birds suck face elsewhere, I've already heard you two fuck I don't need to see it too."
 
I buried my head in Ro's chest and whined, kill me now.