Paris lay on his side his head in his hand propped up on his elbow, Ariel lay opposite in the same position, both had insanely big yet lazy smiles on their faces. Night had fallen outside the window and Paris realised with a jolt of guilt that he had spent all day making love to his sexy lioness rather than talking about the young cub he had come here to see. Savitar would have his head for this. Oh well, he dipped his head down to taste her lips again, he would die happy. As if reading his thoughts, Ariel sighed once he had pulled back and bit her lip guiltily.

"We're going to be in trouble," it took a few moments for the words to sink in since her nibbling her lip was numbing his brain, Paris tore his eyes away from her mouth. "Have you even seen Aiyana today?"

Paris shook his head and placed his finger tip against a teeth mark on her breast, he looked up to find Ariel smiling at him, he grinned back.

"I saw her tail as she ran out the door, then you distracted me," he popped her lightly on her ass as mock punishment.

"In case you didn't notice pervert," Ariel laughed when Paris gaped at the insult, "you were peeking in my room. I had no control, you ravished me."

She had a playfully evil glint in her eye that Paris found so seductive, Paris looked down at the bite and scratch marks on his thighs, where she had … he grinned again in a self-satisfied way.

"I ravished you, huh?"

"That's right."

"My body says you did your fair share of ravishing yourself."

Ariel laughed and rolled on to her back where she stretched, her body felt so loose and used, sore and limber, though she would never have chosen to have sex in her right mind, the sated relaxed feeling made her thankful for Paris's timely visit. Who could have thought a Katagaria could be this good of a lover, she had known they were rough, Ramirez had always been so, but Paris was different. His bed play had varied in style and position, Ariel found herself blushing when she thought of the rough dirty sex they had to begin with and how exhaustion had taken its toll until she had rode him slow and easy to another release. Sated beyond anything she could have dreamed, Ariel realised, though she would not tell him so that he had spoilt her for other men, how could she ever have thought she could live without sex? Ly had thought her crazy and now Ariel fully understood why.

"I guess we should get up then," Paris suggested, though he made no move to, he was too comfortable laying here beside her, just looking at her made him burn for her yet there was something easy about her that allowed him to lie naked by her side just indulging in idle pillow talk. Something he realised he had never done. Paris wondered vaguely what she would do when he left or would she perhaps ask him to stay the next three days so she wouldn't be forced to endure the mating season without any release.

Or perhaps she would find someone else? Again that jealousy that shouldn't be there went through him, he had no claim to her, no desire to have one … not really. Paris pushed it out of his mind and focused on Ariel, her hair free and flowing over her shoulders made her look younger, somehow softer yet with her hair up as it had been at the omegrion she had been no less inviting. Her eyes were teasing as she lay beside him, they were not cutting and icy, they were warm and deep, seeing this side of her when he had first thought her a cold, unfeeling woman touched something foreign and tender inside of him. Made im feel special that she would show this side to him. Causing an ache that he had no origin for, no reason for. Paris pushed his hand through her hair and then brought a lock to his nose so he could inhale the scent.

"What are you doing?" Ariel said with a laugh, she drew her fingertip over the bridge of his nose and then traced his eyebrows, she pulled her hand away quickly when she realised she used to do the same thing with Ramirez. She used to sit there by the firelight tracing the lines and planes of his face, memorising his face, the fact she had done so with Paris, another Katagaria disgusted her, she bunched the duvet in her hand and allowed him to continue playing with her hair.

"Just remembering you," Paris muttered casually, he pulled her on top of him so she lay against his chest, he stroked her hair and back. "Its been quite enjoyable today. Its one of the things I will not mind remembering."

"Oh," Ariel muttered distractedly as she stared out of her window and watched the dots of light far in the distance that could be a star or an aeroplane.

"Oh?" Paris repeated indignantly, Ariel hid her smile before she lifted her head from his chest to meet his eyes with a bland expression, his brows were drawn in irritation.

"Err, yeah, oh."

"You think today was just 'oh'?"

"Well, you said it was only enjoyable," Ariel countered with a casual shrug and she and Paris stared at each other, she couldn't keep her lips from twitching. Paris laughed and slapped her bottom.

"Hey!"

"Don't even think about saying you didn't deserve that!" he cried laughing but rubbing the slapped cheek all the same. "I thought I was losing my touch!"

"Can't lose what you never had baby."

Paris growled threateningly but Ariel just laughed, it amazed him, no she amazed him. He was used to women literally begging him not to leave their beds, used to them crying and telling him he was the best they've ever had. It was slightly disconcerting to have Ariel act so blasé about what they shared, because he himself found their sexcapade today to be nothing short of staggering, it hadn't just been great sex it had been mind-blowing.

Paris also felt uneasy about the fact that he hadn't just got up and left her after the act, yet here he found himself, her snuggling up on his chest, sparing with her and he liked it. He liked a lot about her, he found her fun and witty … he found himself wanting to fall asleep in her bed, every time those thoughts came into his mind he pushed them out again, explaining to himself that he was tired, that he hadn't been in the company of lions for a long time and he had missed it. But deep down he knew that to be a lie, it had never bothered him to be in the company of his own kind, he had all the company he needed travelling with Ax. In fact he hadn't seen his own family for over a century and it made him wonder how Ariel lived with hers.

"Who leads your Pride?" he asked looking down at her, she lifted her head from his chest again her face emotionless.

"Why do you ask?" she said cautiously and for some reason that hurt Paris, after the day they had shared together, and it wasn't just each others bodies, they had talked and laughed in between their bouts of love making, it made him wonder whether it had been the same for her.

"I'm just curious, Ari," he sighed and looked bemused when she grinned, she shrugged.

"My family call me 'Elle', no one has ever called me Ari except you."

"Does it bother you?"

"No," she laid her head back on her chest, tracing circles on his muscles, Paris thought about questioning her again, but he didn't want her to freeze up so he was content to just hold her. He could feel himself drifting on a doze when a burning on his palm made him go cold.

Ariel didn't hiss like he had at the burning pain on his palm or draw up her hand to inspect what had caused it, she had felt it once before and a feeling of dread rose in her so strong that she jack-knifed off the bed and ran immediately for the hallway. Knowing she would run faster in her lion form she shifted and ran down the stairs, too panicked to realise she could flash herself from the house if she had to.

Paris was too stunned to think, all he could do was stand like an idiot for almost a minute while he watched the beautiful geometric symbol swirl into place upon his palm. When he was able to think again the first thing that went through his mind was: your mated!

It made him uncomfortable when he realised that he wasn't as upset about it as he thought he should be, Ax would have his balls for this. Then he looked around for Ariel and realising she had fled, he hissed out a breath and flashed himself downstairs, he barely registered he was in the kitchen when a full grown lioness came skidding in to the room. She pulled up dead in front of him and roared, but the smell of fear was rancid in the air, Paris stayed in his human form hoping to calm her down, he didn't feel like having to battle to the death when he had just found out he had been mated.

"Ariel, calm down," Paris said in a low placating tone, it shocked him that she would react like this, she had seemed so calm and collected and in control that he didn't even contemplate she would run. "Lets just talk, shall we?"

Paris pulled out a stool to the breakfast bar and sat down, he pulled one up next to him and gestured with his hand, the lioness stilled an instant before she changed back into a human, Paris was glad as he had tensed himself for attack. Ariel stood in the lioness's place, fully clothed in jeans, boots and a black shirt that was stretched tight across her breasts, her hair was once again tied backing a severe bun and her face was hard and unreadable. Paris saw this as an attempt to gain back control and put them on equal footing, however he noticed that she was frighteningly pale. He mentally kicked himself for noticing it and reprimanded himself straight away forcing the thought from his mind; your acting like her mate already!

"I'm sorry about that," she said in a firm voice that only shook slightly, she tried to muster up a smile but couldn't, "it was a knee jerk reaction."

"No problem."

It looked as if she was having trouble finding a job for her hands to do, they moved to smooth over her hair, they touched buttons, they smoothed down the fabric of her shirt.

"Would you like something to eat?" she was already turning to the cupboards, Paris felt his stomach rumble at the question but he pushed it aside.

"No," Paris said slowly, "baby, I think we need to talk. I think you need to come and sit down so we can talk."

Ariel became still, she lowered her hands from the cupboard to grip the edge of the counter, Paris watched her profile, she was beautiful and lovely. The fates had blessed her in terms of beauty. Ariel turned to face him but made no move to sit down next to him or move closer.

"Say what you have to say," she bit out, Paris saw her eyes flickering from him to the door.

"Okay, well erm -" What could he possibly say? He didn't exactly have a manual of etiquette for this kind of thing? Paris let out a sigh, he didn't have smooth words to calm the situation the best he could do is reduce her fear. And to think, he had always thought females wanted to be mated!

"Listen Ariel, this is unexpected and its unnerving to say the least," he began in calm tones, "but I want you to know you have nothing to fear from me. I won't hurt you."

She curled her lip in outrage. "I would kill you if you tried!"

Paris gritted his teeth, why was she so prickly? "Why are you so afraid? And before you give me the bullshit I can smell it in the air like mustard gas, so don't lie it just pisses me off!"

Ariel growled threateningly and Paris held his hands up in surrender.

"I have no intention of giving myself up to someone simply because the fates think I need another mate!" Ariel snarled, terror and anger beat at her insides until she wanted to curl up in a ball under the table in the farthest, darkest corner, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. She was a full grown lioness now, not some callow cub, she had proved herself long before she should have, no one would threaten or control her life again.

"Another?" Paris asked, his brows raised in question, "you've been mated before?"

Ariel bit back a curse, if she could she would have kicked her own ass, in temper she had let slip a secret she had sworn to herself would not be let out. The shame of it! Even her family knew not to mention it in front of her if they wanted to live long lives. Ariel warred with herself against answering him.

"C'mon!" Paris said impatiently, "you've let it slip you might as well cough up the whole story."

"You don't need the whole story!" Ariel took a calming breath and Paris watched as a miraculous transformation took hold, she drew back in to herself, locking down her emotions and turmoil until there was nothing left but that icy exterior he had first seen on her. It was so quick that it was almost shocking, the air around him seemed to become colder in response to her sudden plummeting in emotion.

"I'm your mate," Paris said quietly, "I deserve to know as your mate."

"We can remedy that!"

Quick as lightening Ariel manifested a dagger in her hand and lunged for Paris who didn't move, Ariel was sure that he deliberately let her raise the cold blade to his throat and it shocked her, his lethal demeanour and skill as a fighter was palpable, why on earth hadn't he tried to fight her?

"So kill me," Paris gave a nonchalant shrug that brought the skin of his throat up against the blade, to his credit he didn't flinch at its icy feel. "By killing me you lose out on your only chance to have children and a family all because of your prejudice!"

"My prejudice?!"

"That's right your prejudice!" Paris spat at her surging from where she had him pinned, the momentum taking her into the wall opposite to pin her under his powerful body and look directly in her eyes while he snarled at her. "You think I don't get it? Because I'm Katagaria I'm unworthy, ain't that right? The horror of the situation to be mated to an animal, well get over it, sweetheart because whether you like it or not your one of us!" Paris gave her a little shove before pushing back from the wall to pace in front of her, running an agitated hand through his hair, his golden eyes flashing menacingly.

"You know it really makes me laugh," he said suddenly, not laughing at all.

"Yeah, this situation is so very hysterical!" Ariel growled back.

"I'm not talking about this situation! I'm talking about you, your kind! You think your so much better then us because what? You have a human heart? You know all that tells me is that I wouldn't trust you with anything because your all liars and cheats, that's something us animals aren't!"

Ariel felt her control snap and before she could stop herself she drew back her fist and slammed it in to the side of his head, then in the stomach and while he was bent double brought her arm down over his back. Paris went to the floor a little winded but more out of surprise then anything else.

"You arrogant - you piece of - you fucking -!" Anger seemed to have robbed her of breath and words and when Paris looked up he was shocked beyond belief to see a sheen of tears glimmering in her eyes and two sides of him were instantly at war. The vicious side, the sadistic side was happy to see them, truth hurts doesn't it, bitch! He thought. While his other side hated him for causing her such pain, because even though her tears were probably caused by anger there was no doubt that underneath that he had hurt her.

"You self-righteous prick! We're the liars? We're the cheats? Oh yeah, but you animals you don't ever put a foot out of line, you're the most saintly of them all! Let me tell you something -" Ariel reached down and clutched a handful of his shirt and pulled him closer so she could sneer into his face and look into his golden eyes the way he had done to her. "You animals have no scruples and no principles. You have no problem killing your family as you would a stranger! Your own family! You would rip through the throat of your son or daughter or brother or mate because you know no such thing as forgiveness and reason! I was never hated until I met one of your kind who had no qualms about holding me down while he -"

Ariel sucked in her breath sharply and pulled back, she looked at the hand that had been gripping his t-shirt, her knuckles were red where the fabric had been so tight around them. Her movements were shaky and her breathing quick and shallow, she clenched her hand in to a fist and held it against her breast, she closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Ariel didn't know how to gain control again, her emotions were so volatile, she had almost let slip something that she had buried long ago.

Ariel opened her eyes to see Paris staring at her with a strange expression, it was almost wary, as well he should be, she thought savagely. If he thought she was crazy the less likely he would be to consent to mating.

"I think you should leave. Now."

Paris got to his feet and moved towards her only to have her backing up so quickly she stumbled, having to catch herself on the counter. Paris kept his hands to himself, he was desperate to know what was going on in her mind, in her heart, because at that moment with her looking so wounded and young he found his own heart tugging painfully.

"Baby, who hurt you?" Paris surprised himself how low and gentle his voice become even so she flinched as if he had shouted. He saw now that her tough cold exterior was no more then a façade, a defence against the world and he had broken it down, shattered it. He saw that now and it filled him with a deep self loathing he never would have expected an Arcadian would have produced in him. Ariel raised her watery eyes to his face and he watched her own harden, the lines becoming sharper.

"You." She said in a low, wavering struggle to keep her voice level, "only you."

How could he respond to that? Did he dare with her looking so vicious? Instead he let out a deep breath and walked over to the phone that was stuck to the wall, beside it someone had tacked a pad and a pen on a string.

"This is my number in case you want to reach me." He scribbled it down and wrote his name under it. "We'll need to talk eventually."

Ariel didn't even look at him as he strode past her, she hated that however much she detested his kind and the fact that they were mates, her heart astonishingly ached at the parting. A part of her wanted to tug at his hand in a silent plea for him to stay. Little did she know that she was not alone in her aching, for when Paris flashed himself to his bike he found himself wanting to ride it back up to the house.

So he could spend the night with her. His mate. Damn, he had a mate! He'd never thought to have one and now … he couldn't say what he felt. Only an approaching doom and feeling of dread if he didn't convince her to mate with him he'd never feel the touch of another woman again. Yet that didn't frighten him as it should, what was making him sick was the thought that he might not get a chance to touch Ariel again. With a despairing sigh he flashed himself back to Trey.