Their journey to the private island was uneventful, but it didn't mean that he wasn't on edge the entire time, fighting with his cat keeping it as subdue as he possibly could.

When it comes to her, he was everything but Mr. always in control. He could barely think straight, but he has better get his shit together.

His people was still in a vulnerable position right now with him not having taken the oath yet and all. But he needs her by his side when that day comes.

He had her placed in his bedroom. She still hadn't awakened, but when she changed he wanted her to be surrounded by his scent. Hopefully that will somehow work to appease her if she recognizes him as her mate.

Kids in his world are prepared and trained all their lived for this big moment until they've reached 16+ years old for the big change, and even with all that preparations it can still get pretty tough and erratic for the new cat. So he can't even imagine how his new kitten will feel.

His bedroom was massive but he still had everything moved out of there except the bed she was in, and the desk he was currently sitting on to do his work... Or trying to do his work anyway.

Upon hearing that he was bringing a human within the pride, his mom, dad and the council were not too happy. And then to hear of her impending transformation...

It was the first time he's ever raised his voice at his parents, especially his mother. He would not have them disrespect his woman.

That's when the council members smartly retreated out of the palace. He will deal with them again soon for sure.

His parents were baffled by his behavior. Their son regardless of what was happening around him or to him, was always the picture of perfect control. But then this human came and turned him into raw ball of nerves.

They didn't believe that she was his mate chosen by moon Goddess like it used to be done long long long ago. But his behavior alone had them rethinking that maybe she really was or that he truly believed that she was.

Besides almost biting their heads off when they tried to tell him how wrong he was to break such a big rule that could potentially harm the safety of the pride, he looked positively exhausted with bags under his eyes and his skin paler than usual.

They've wanted to come and visit and meet her since then, but he refused.

The only other person who was allowed in the room was the doctor, only because he had no choice. When she wakes up her senses are going to go haywire, and he was trying to minimize the different scents that will be lingering in the room.

Luc knocks on the door and entered before he heard a come on in which prompted a chest rumble from Henri.

"Calm down Henri, just wanted to check how our girl was doing."

"Our?"

"Yes yes... OUR and deal with it. She might be your mate but she is my Queen, my sister in law and soon to be best friend. As a matter of fact i might just have a bigger claim on her than you." He said a mischievous glint in his eye.

Henri was about to kick his butt out, but quickly realized what his brother was doing. He was trying to annoy the stress out of him. He shook his head with a small smile on his lips... The first one for days.

Luc noticed the small almost non-existent smile that adorned his brother's lips and he let out a sigh of relief. He will be ok after all.

He was not used to worry about his brother. He was always so level headed, so controlled, it has been unsettling to watch him lose that just from the mere sight of his mate hurt.

"What it it Luc ?"

"I had to schedule your ceremony..."

"What?!"

"I know, i know you wanted to wait for Lia to wake up and be by your side, but we cannot wait any longer.

The pride needs you now more than ever and the old farts are out there trying to rile the people up using the fact that you've broken our rules for her. Whatever trick they'll think of in order to have their puppet in power, they will do it. "

He knew his brother was right, but...

Before he could give his answer, Natalia stirred on the bed.

The full moon was shining from the windows bathing her in its lights.

" You need to leave now!"

" Are you sure you don't want me to stay, her cat might get out control."

"I can control my OWN MATE! You need to leave. You here might overwhelm her causing her to lash out.

Just in case though, tighten up security on all possible exits. She might try to dash out of here."

"Are you sure you won't need the help?" asked Luc again visibility worried, but he was getting on Henri's last nerves and he could tell.

He threw his hands up in surrender. "Ok ok fine, I'll leave you to it. Try not to scare her though. Your lion is scary as fuck."

A smirk appeared on his lips with a flash of gold in his eyes. Apparently Adil was proud that he looked scary.

Luc snorts shaking his head and strutted out of there.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Henri standing on the side of the bed close to her head at the ready for anything... Or so he thought.

She was still out but the whimpers coming out of her parted lips were heart wrenching.

Fuck

It has been so long, he forgot how painful the first time was. Every bones in your body is broken and realigned to change into a completely different being.

Beads of sweats were already coating her body clinging the soft gown onto her skin. He tore it apart revealing nothing underneath other than the bandages around her midriff.

She hadn't fully healed yet from the gunshot wounds but he was hoping that it was enough that her body could take the added stress of the change.

Although he could always appreciate her beauty, right now he was just flooded with concerns and thoughts on how to make her as comfortable as possible.

Her gutteral scream jolted him into a slight state of panic. Her chest and face were red, veins popping out of her neck. Eyes still closed, she was fisting the sheets around her while her body writhes in pain twisting left and right.

He pulled the IV out of her, put one arm under her neck and the other under her knees lifting her off the bed to bring her in the middle of the room and putting her down on the plush carpet in fear of her falling off of the bed. He hissed in pain when he felt her nails digging into his arm.

Her claws were already growing out.

Another scream.

He winced, sits on the floor next to her.

The change could happen in the next few minutes or few hours. It was different for everyone, but he was praying for the former.

Guilt satiated his soul.

He sighed loudly and furiously rubbed his hands over his face, his hair flying around him following the sudden movement of his head.

He did this. She was going through this because of him. If he could magically endure the pain for her, he would in a heartbeat. But no matter how guilty he felt at the moment, he would have made the same decision over and over again, because watching her die was unacceptable, unimaginable and would have been his own death sentence, he was sure of that.

His heart dropped when he heard her bones cracking and crunching, her body twisting in odd ways.

He moved back giving her room.

Her eyes flew open and in a mere second he was crouching in front of her.

Goddess he missed her beautiful hazel eyes. He could almost cry at the sight of them. But something was wrong. Her eyes were open but she was not there. She was looking at him but didn't really see him.

"Baby?"

Nothing... Just more screams and closed mouth groans.

She was drenched in her own sweat, the heat coming from her was scorching so he quickly got up, sprinted to the bathroom and wet a small towel in cold water.

When he came back in the room she was in all four and it was happening.

Shit shit shit

He shot down on all four as well watching her closely.

The room was bathe in darkness with only the moon as a source of light streaming in from the windows, not wanting to overwhelm her with yet another unnecessary sensory. He didn't need it anyway. He could see everything that was happening to her, was attuned to every breath she took down to every goosebumps sprouting on her over heated skin, that one single bead of sweats trailing from her forehead, to her nose down to her opened lips which were now opened with elongated canines peeking out.

Her whole body shook and he had to stop himself from going to her and hold her against him. But that would have just made things worse. Her skin right now was ultra sensitive and it would just cause her additional pain.

She mewled then white fur began sprouting out everywhere on her body and a few minutes later, the bandages around her broke into pieces and there stood a gorgeous lioness.

He stayed as still as possible, letting her get a feel of her new body without interruption. But something was wrong. She was still not awake. This was only her cat.

Her panicked eyes met his, and his mouth went dry. But before he could do anything, she'd collapsed and he watched her change back into her human form.

He hovered over her for a moment watching as her ample breasts heaved up and down, her hair stuck to her face and shoulders, her wounds fully healed leaving no trace behind. She had lost a bit of weight understandably so, but thankfully not too much. He loved his woman with meat on her bones to have something to grab onto, and her lush curves in all the right places more than provided that.

She was still radiating heat, but other than that she looked ok. Thank the goddess.

He picked her up and held her tightly against his chest inhaling her new scent and brought her to his bathroom.

*****

She suddenly woke up in a frenzy. You know how when you decide to take a fifteen minutes nap, end up sleeping for two hours just to wake up abruptly wondering who, where, what you are? Is this planet earth? Well that's how she felt when she finally peeled back her eyelids.

She slowly sat up the bed and try to make sense to where she was. The brain fog was a bitch.

Next to her was Henri, sitting on a chair his head on the bed asleep next to her.

She remembered him.

He looked exhausted.

She looked down at herself and noticed she was wearing an oversized t-shirt, no doubt his with nothing underneath and she was also sporting two french braids pigtails on each side of her head.

She swooned at the thought of him combing her hair.

Then the memories started rushing in.

The defective detective.

Club.

Bathroom.

Shot...twice.

Her hands flew to her belly as the tears threatened to roll out.

Hospital.

Henri begging her to fight.

Henri telling her he loved her over and over again.

The fear of never seeing him again.

She was shot and possibly dying but what was hurting the most was her inability to say those three words back at the moment.

Her mouth was filling up with blood. She was screaming it in her head begging for him to hear her and then everything went dark.

She brushed the hair out of his face gently, afraid to wake him up. He looked like he needed to sleep for the next 48hrs straight.

But simply from her light touch he shot up, the chair crashing down behind him.

He stood there frozen for a few seconds as if wondering if this was a dream.

And just as he was about to jump on her, she leaped into his arms, almost knocking him off balance. Buried her nose on his neck and rubbing her face on his chest not realizing her movements were very cat like.

"Kitten... You are awake!"

"I love you too." she answered purring against his chest while her legs and arms were tightly wrapped around him.

"What did you say kitten?"

He heard her the first time, but he needed her to say it again for good measure.

She then looked up at him, her beautiful hazel eyes shining more than ever.

She cupped one cheek of his tracing the dark circle under his eye.

"I love you Henri. I love you so much it hurts. I was dying and the only thing i could think of was how stupid i was for not telling you immediately how i felt when you told me you loved me. I am so so so sorry I've put you through all of this."

He gazed at her intently as the words flew out of her full succulent lips and warmed his whole being.

A lesser man's knees would have buckled at the weight of how big his heart had gotten from just hearing those words from her for the first time.

She loved him.

There was so much to talk about.

Heck, she might never speak to him again after she's learned everything.

But right this moment, she was perfectly molded against him. His body tingling from everywhere her skin touched his, the heat from her body seeping into him, awakening his beast.

Right this moment she loved him.

A lump formed in his throat, but instead of crying he crashed his lips against hers, and slammed her against a wall.

"Hold on to me kitten." he instructed huskily against her lips.

"Yes sir" she answered already panting from just the searing kiss. Propped up against the wall, with her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, she was holding on for dear life.

He wanted to take his time and make love to her, kissing every inch of her, but his need to fill her up superceded all of that. He's been on edge since that night, and now that she was in his arms he had to have her immediately.

Later on he'll give her a thorough inspection, but for now...

He dipped two fingers in between her folds and was pleasantly surprised.

"You are already so wet kitten, so ready."

"oh please Henri" she begged while grinding herself against him her juices drenching his fingers fucking her tight hole. "i need you." she whispers to him, as he was sucking on her neck.

"No need to beg kitten, I'm going to fuck you through this wall."

He pulls his fingers out of her, bringing them to her lips making her taste herself. As she closed her eyes, lapping at her own essences, moaning and sucking on his fingers he thrusted into her in one swoop.

She yelped at the sudden intrusion. He groaned.

He stayed still for a few, giving her a chance to adjust until she started moving.

He placed his hands under her knees, removing her legs around his waist spreading them further apart giving him the perfect view of her hungry wet pussy swallowing his cock as he retreated and buried himself in her over and over again. His cock glistening more each times, in and out, in and out, his balls slapping against her plush behind every time. Her soft moans and grunts were music to his ears.

"I missed you so much kitten." He says pounding into her harder and faster then he's ever had before, but she could take it now.

He bit down a nipple and an unexpected orgasm tore through her suddenly leaving her gasping for air and sinking her nails on his back.

"That's it kitten... Good girl...Come on my cock." he grunted to her not once stopping his assault on her quivering core, so she knew it wasn't going to be long until she came again.

Sex with Henri had always been amazing but now...now it was... Oh my God! It was hungry, passionate, it was desperate, possessive.

She couldn't explain why, but his scent mixed with a new mixture that she'd never identified before, but instinctively knew was his arousal waffled to her nose driving her crazy.

She didn't know when it happened but they were both stark naked and on the bed. His full body length flushed against hers, every inch of his body touching hers was sending what she could described as a steady stream of tiny doses of ecstasy.

He had his fingers pressed against her sensitive nub, while pounding away at her like his life depended on it. His long hair cascading around him teasing and tickling her. She giggled and he smiled and growled. The sexy growling that goes straight down to her core.

She was so wet, they'd have to change the sheets after.

"Oh kitten you feel so fucking good. Perfect for me aren't you?... My own little slut. No one else will ever even come close to this pussy again. You are mine Natalia." he growled, putting his hand around her throat squeezing it lightly and thrusting his tongue into her mouth.

She shook her head yes. Words were no longer available. She was a moaning mess underneath him, with her hips thrusting upward meeting and matching his rhythm.

She contracted her walls clamping down on him even tighter. He groans and suddenly tilt his head back with his eyes closed, which suddenly gave her the weirdest idea.

She reached out to him, and pulled him closer. She started kissing, licking and rubbing her nose all over his neck. She was on a mission, until she can find that right spot.

Right there where his neck met his shoulder, his scent was strongest there. She lapped at it.

He knew what she was doing, and wanted nothing more in this world than to do the same to her, but he also knew better and for once he didn't have to fight his cat about that. There's too much to explain first.

His suspicions were confirmed when she tightened her legs and arms around him keeping him snug and in place, and she bit down on him hard.

He growled against her neck fighting the urge to do the same. Unbeknownst to her, she was marking him and doing a beautiful job at it. He felt her teeth retract, replaced by her tongue cleaning the blood off helping it heal faster.

Perfect.

She was perfect.

His thrusts became more erratic and from her labored breathing and flushed chest, he knew she was right there with him climbing that peek.

"Mine" she whispered to him, and that did it. He slammed against her one more time and they both screamed each other's names hugging so tight, you would think they were one.

That was the hardest she's ever come, and minutes later her body was still twitching beneath him, her legs still shaking around him riding those last waves.

When he could tell that she was no longer feeling the aftershocks, he begrudgingly pulled out of her, and tumbled down besides her, his arm still around her waist pulling her close to his chest.

He can never let go again. He will never let go again. She is going to get sick of him.

"Oh my God baby I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me." she exclaimed embarrassed and horrified.

He purred at her new nickname for him, and buried his face in her hair hiding his smile.

He was thrilled that she marked and claimed him as hers, but that also meant he would need to explain everything to her quickly.

" We have to talk kitten...

But first let's get cleaned up and put some food in that belly of yours." He said planting a soft kiss on her lips and the tip of her nose. She was breathtaking basking in her after orgasm glow.

Belly.

Then it hit her.

"Henri?"

"Yes kitten."

"How long was i out for? How come I'm completely healed? And how do i know another man was in this room not too long ago?"

Shit.