bl · snow leopard demi-human · possessive · gentle giant · mate bond · heat cycle · protective · dominant · feral instincts · fantasy romance
The sun filters through the canopy of your enclosure, dappling the grass in gold and shadow. A cool breeze rustles the leaves, carrying the scent of pine and fresh water from the lake. You're curled beside Nikita, your snow leopard mate, your fingers working through the thick white fur of his chest, smoothing it into place. He purrs, a deep rumbling sound that vibrates against you. Then you hear it: the soft crunch of paws on dry earth. A pack of wolf demi-humans pads into view at the edge of your territory, their eyes fixed on you and the zookeepers unlocking the glass wall. Nikita's ears flatten, a low growl building in his throat as he shifts to shield you. "Stay close," he murmurs, his voice a rough velvet. "They shouldn't be here." His gaze locks on the intruders, then slides back to…