55. Human heat?

"How the fuck did she end up in the puma's territory? Don't you think that there is a reason why humans do not live among the cats?" Eros gripped the steering wheel, speeding for the borders.

"I have no idea; someone just told me that she was spotted going over the border, straight into their territory. As soon as I announced that your mate was missing, the whole pack went crazy, looking for her. As to why there are no humans, I have no idea, man," Zander replied, gripping the seat, afraid that even a seatbelt wouldn't help him.

"Shit. The pumas have approximately the same heat season as we do, but they start like a week or two after. They kill humans during the heat," Eros clenched his jaw, seconds away from shifting and taking off alone.

"What the fuck? Does it give them some kind of sick, sexual pleasure, or what?" Zander furrowed his brows, confused about the large difference between their species.
In general, he didn't know much about the cats. All the information he got was from Eros when they were younger. After the last messenger died, Alpha had announced that no wolves will ever have contact with cats, deciding that "natural enemies" should maintain their distance. After that, all books, or information, about pumas were removed from libraries or data bases; nobody in school spoke about them, and as the years passed, almost everyone forgot about their neighbouring puma pack. He had met a couple of cats in the town, on free lands, years ago, but never dared to approach them. It wasn't because of fear of Alpha; it was the disgust cats kept showing him by sneering and throwing dirty looks.

"No, it's not that, it's more complicated than you think. When we go into the heat, we fuck around like animals, which we technically are, always thirsty for more. For them, it's different- puma males keep looking for more females, their sexual drive is so intense, they can't stop. After making sure that their mate is impregnated, they don't settle. When our wolves, or beasts, feel that mate is carrying a pup, they can hold down the desire and fight the heat just to keep pup and female safe.”

“Pumas don't have such a level of control- when a female is carrying the next child, they go for another to avoid hurting mate or the fetus. Often, they went for humans because, even though pumas were made for pumas- their females cannot bear the physical pain given by their males. So, they went for humans. Of course, there were rare ones which agreed to sleep with the males, but for the most parts they tried to fight back. In short, one by one, the human women were killed during the vile and brutal mating night with pumas. Males went through the same with puma females, yet some tried to escape their lands and ended up being killed. That is the reason why no human lives there or should ever step on their lands. And now, my Eve is there, close to fucking pumas heat." The car became deadly silent, none of the men dared to speak up or question Eros anymore. Balthazar kept staring at his watch intensively, waiting for something. Zander stared out of the window, avoiding looking at his best friend. The information was hard to swallow; they hadn’t thought that the pumas would be so brutal.

"We're here," Eros announced, stopping the car, and getting out of it.
In an instant, he walked towards the border, turning around, and stopping as he heard steps behind him.

"Where do you two think you're going?" he asked them, sounding as displeased as never.

"With you? Following the leader, you know. You might need backup, and we're going to help," Zander announced proudly, while Balthazar kept quiet.

"I'm going alone. I just told you, their heat season is nearing, and if I go there, with a fucking backup, the leader might take me as a threat more than some random dude, who got there to find his mate. I'm sure my mother is there, and I need to get her out." Eros massaged his temple, trying to forget the conversation he had with Alpha just minutes ago.

"My boy, he's right, you might need some help," Balthazar finally spoke up, deciding to stand by Zander's words.

"No, I am in no need of help. I'll deal with this on my own. Eve is my mate, and I'm responsible for her actions and well-being. I'll be back shortly, look after the car. And for the love of God, try not to burn anything down," with that being said, Eros disappeared between the trees and bushes. Zander and Balthazar did as they were told instead of going against Eros orders. They sat down and waited in silence, both worried about the human and their closest friend. Balthazar hadn’t known Eros for long, yet he already felt like the young man was the missing piece of his family tree. Eros stepped over the border, waiting for someone to arrive, and if needed, to accompany him in search of Eve. Just a couple minutes later, the border patrol appeared, with their leader in front. The puma shifted back into his human form and smiled warmly at Eros.
"My boy, it's been years since the last time we met. I hope you're good, but I do need to find out why you are crossing the border," he spoke rather happily, like an old friend would.

"It's been a while, agreed. Since you see me still standing here- I am no harm to your pack, waiting for your approval to go further in your lands. As for a reason- it appears that my mate ended up on your land, I've come to collect her, and bring Eve home," Eros extended his hand towards the pumas' leader, which was instantly grabbed and shaken in a friendly manner.

"I see. She's near the old forest cabin with your mother. My mate, some other females from our pack, and children went to meet the human. Evangeline didn't seem to be against the idea, so we let the kiddos run and look at the human. I hope this is not a problem," the leader spoke calmly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"That is no problem at all. So, do I have permission to wander around your lands until I find her?" Eros mimicked the leader's actions, proudly showing off his enormous, muscular body, making the leader look like a twig, next to a fully grown tree.

"You have my permission, take as much time as you need. We shall leave for a bit. Hopefully, I'll meet you again, my friend," as the last word left leaders parted lips, he shifted into a puma in seconds. His shift looked so flawless; Eros nearly felt jealous of him. He watched how the patrol disappeared into the forest and bolted away from where he was standing. Eros reached the cabin, Eve’s scent lingering around everywhere nearly made him go crazy. Eros decided to take a look at what was happening, before running off and making a fool of himself.
The first thing he noticed was his mother, dragging Eve behind her. At first, he wanted to leave his cover and confront his mother for possibly hurting his mate.

"No, don't, just watch," Ares, yet again, was more logical than Eros. He kept reminding Eros to be patient and give himself a little time to see what would happen next. His jaw nearly dropped when he noticed how his mother moved Eve behind her, to protect the human. A couple of puma females and a lot of kids stood in front of them. Luna and one of the women had a conversation until Eve stopped them and said something he couldn't hear. Luna smiled at Eve and gestured towards the cabin, leaving the human alone with all those shifters. Eros let his eyes roam over the oddly peaceful place; it was just a split of second until his eyes fell on Eve again. He nearly gasped, seeing a child on her arms.

"Imagine that being ours, imagining how cute of a mom she will be," Ares couldn't stop howling, admiring his mate. He was way too excited to remember how to breathe, not to mention how to act as a decent wolf should.

"Indeed, I agree on that one," Eros smiled, a tiny spark of adoration dancing in his eyes as he kept watching her.

"Aren't we acting a little like sick stalkers now? Don't you think so? She's out there, living her best life with puma children, and we're hidden in the bushes, watching her," Ares added.
He didn't want to come out like some sick freak; he wanted Eve to fall for him and accept his mysterious nature, not to scare her away.

"This is not weird or sick, we are admiring our mate from afar, and we have all rights to do so," Eros added, bending deeper in his knees, avoiding the possibility of Eve catching a glimpse of him.

"True, but it's still a stalkers thing to do. It would be completely another thing if Eve knows that we are watching, but since she's clueless, I find our actions illegal," Ares snarled displeased.

"Zip it for a second and enjoy the bright smile on her face. Do you have any idea what that means? She loves children! She will want children with us!" Eros almost squealed like a little girl. His joy was short-lived when he noticed one of the puma females growing distant. She caught sight of him, probably trying to decide if she should tell everyone else about his arrival. Deep down, Eros hoped that she would keep her mouth shut, giving him a couple more minutes to enjoy the happiness written all over his mate's face. Of course, she had to ruin everything and utter a phrase that got everyone on their knees. They knew that he was near. Eve looked around frantically, trying to notice where her mate was. Her eyes darted everywhere, nearly scanning the forest faster than the shifter does. Soon, her eyes stopped on the spot where Eros stood in the cover. He loved her eyes on him, even from a distance. Eros moved his body a bit, making a couple of tree branches move. Eve instantly bolted towards him, calling his name. Eros walked out of his cover, happy to see her unharmed. He opened his arms and caught her tiny body, pulling her tightly against his chest, inhaling her scent.

"I was so fucking worried about you. Don't you ever fucking dare to leave me!" Eros growled against her skin, unable to hide the hint of anger and fear he felt.

"Eros," his name left Eve's lips as a moan. She smelt divine, better than before. Something about her scent had changed drastically.

"Fuck, your scent changed. Eve, you smell so damn delightful," Eros growled, tracing his lips over her flushed skin. Eve mumbled something under her breath; the words he understood was something about Eve being hot.

"You must have a fever, it isn't even warm outside," Eros announced, pressing his lips against her forehead, concerned that she might have caught a cold. As he did, Eros took in her scent again.

"Holy fucking mother of Goddess, you're in heat," the realization hit Eros, his cock hardened, suddenly making his jeans become the most uncomfortable piece of clothing ever made.
He scanned his surroundings, making sure that no puma male was around.

"Eros!" his mother called out.

"Warn the leader that I'll kill any male, crossing my path. Mind-link Zander to start the fucking car, and get away from border territory, I'm taking her home."