There wasn't really anything he could think to say to consul Erin about the mistake they'd just made. It was mostly his own fault, or at least his new vet's for making his pheromones go crazy. Thankfully, they were both males and there shouldn't be anything consequential resulting from it.

Erin carefully set him aside on the car seat and grabbed his stuff to get dressed. Arron quickly scooted toward the door, not wanting to overstay his awkward welcome. His backside hurt really badly, too. Right as his hand grasped the handle, though, he felt Erin at his back and his own hand firmly halting his.

Arron glanced over his shoulder with furrowed brows, silently questioning what he was doing.

"You just ran away from wherever you're about to go back to. You're going to come home with me tonight and rest. I'll take you to school tomorrow, then bring you back home afterward."

Arron's heart thumped hard with the thought of having a whole night free from lions. Sure, Jordan was sweet, but his sons were just too much. Besides, Erin was completely back to normal, and so was he, so maybe they could actually become friends, with no more odd benefits.

Erin seemed to be reading his mind when he reached over with his free hand and quickly mussed up Arron's hair with the other.

"Hey!"

His body shifted after a few seconds and Arron jumped at him with an excited growl. Of course, he was easily caught and frustratingly snuggled to a still-naked chest.

"I can't believe how cute you still are. Even without your extra pheromones, I want to just eat you."

Erin kissed his little cheetah form all over his fuzzy face, then tickled his belly till he was kicking and clawing at him. No matter how hard he struggled, Arron just couldn't get the thick-skinned kid to let him go. After a few more kisses he was tossed into the front seat, then Erin jumped over the middle consul, having already put on pants, and plopped down into the driver's seat.

"Come here, kiddo."

Arron didn't really have a choice since he was promptly lifted and set down in his lap.

At least he has his pants back on now.

They were at his house pretty quickly, which had him thinking that he was possibly going to take him there before they had gotten distracted.

When he parked, Arron tried to climb out of the opening door but was scooped up again before his paws could even leave Erin's lap, then carried inside. Compared to the Leo's home, Erin's place was small, but it was still bigger than the one Arron and his mother shared. It also felt lived in, with clothing strewn about and the TV playing cartoons.

He was gently set down on the floor right before a kid jumped off the sofa and ran over. He figured that the boy would have at least a little bit of manners and know that he wasn't something to mess around with, but that wasn't the case. The kid grabbed Arron by one paw and started swinging him around like a stuffed animal.

"Rory! Stop messing with him. If he throws up you're going to be the one cleaning it!" Erin yelled from a few feet away.

Speaking of throwing up.

The kid promptly dropped him as he threw up the ice cream he had eaten earlier. It never tasted good the second time. He was back up in Erin's arms a moment later as he glared at his little brother. Said brother squeaked and quickly ran into the kitchen, returning a minute later with paper towels and some soap.

Wow, I doubt Rylan, Jamie or Jared would help clean up that kind of mess without any complaints.

Arron's fuzzy backside swung from side to side as Erin held him from one arm and helped his little brother finish cleaning up with his free hand. When that was done he set Arron down again, this time on the sofa atop a comforter that Rory had undoubtedly dragged in from his room. It had Toy Story images on it but they were pretty worn, showing just how much the boy probably liked to tug around the big blanket.

Since Erin seemed busy in the kitchen soon after that, Arron decided to curl up and watch television so that his stomach could settle. Unfortunately, Rory was right there, staring at him as he knelt down with the most ridiculously big smile on his face.

Those big ears and grin are unjustly cute.

With a quiet mew Arron reached out and bopped him on the head with his little paw, making the kid jump back in surprise. His clothes went flying a second later, right as Erin shouted for him not to dare shift from the entryway of the kitchen.

There was now a small, one hundred-something pound elephant calf swinging its head back and forth in front of him, trying to get Arron to play with him. He glanced over at Erin as he watched them. He looked annoyed, but not really upset. Guess his brother would be hard to manage if he always shifted when he wanted attention.

"Rory, my friend hurt his leg so leave him be. He isn't going to play with you right now."

The little elephant pouted as it nudged at Arron's little paw with its trunk. Sorry, not gonna happen. His leg might not have gotten hurt, but his butt was telling him no running around. Thankfully, the kid understood after a moment and transformed back. What he still didn't get, though, was that Arron didn't want to be moved in general.

With his grin still in place, Rory climbed back up onto the sofa and dragged Arron into his lap. It wasn't the most comfortable thing, but at least his backside wasn't hurting too badly, so he accept the weird seat.

While he and Rory watched TV, Erin got busy cooking dinner. Arron figured his parents worked late because there were plenty of photos of them, but neither were home right then. That also meant that Erin was likely responsible for watching his little brother.

"Alright boys, dinner's ready. To the table!" He called from the kitchen before appearing with three plates balanced on his arms.

Rory tossed Arron over his shoulder as he hopped up from the sofa and carried him straight to the table.

"Rory, you know the rules. No clothes, no food."

As the boy set Arron down, he pouted, but Erin didn't budge on his decision.

"Clothes. Now, or I'll just have to eat all of your pasta by myself."

That had the kid gasping and running back to the living room to pull on his shorts and T-shirt. He returned in mere seconds and was promptly inspecting his plate to make sure that no macaroni was missing from the giant mound that had been scooped onto it. It seemed to pass inspection, because the little boy quickly sat down and dug in, nearly getting food all over his face and short gray hair.

"Breathe, Rory. You don't want choke again."

The boy grunted but only slowed a slight amount. Arron was so busy watching the kid in fear that he might actually choke, that he didn't notice Erin moving until he was lifted up and placed on the table.

Mom never lets me sit on the table, even when I'm stuck in this form.

"It's okay. With my little brother, there's been plenty of stuff on this table worse then your fuzzy butt."

Arron's cheetah sniffed and pouted.

"Oh don't even try to argue that. You have the fuzziest butt I've ever seen."

Nothing like making me feel like a man about my kitten issues.

"Oh stop pouting, cutie. Here, I'll feed you."

I don't need to be fed. He thought right as a small spoon was shoved into his mouth before he could even think to protest audibly. Erin was also really lucky that he loved macaroni and cheese.

When Arron had finished up the macaroni, Erin cut up a piece of asparagus and tried offering some to him.

I think not.

Arron smacked the utensil away and puffed up his chest as the poor veggie fell onto the table.

"Really Arron? Really?"

He grabbed a full piece and poked the edge of Arron's lips with it, but he had no intention of biting it.

"Come on, eat your veggies or no dessert."

That's totally okay. I just threw up my dessert on your floor. I'm good with not having anymore today.

Erin noticed that his little try at a threat wasn't going to work and laughed.

"Alright, fine."

He finished up what was left of Arron's food, then his own before getting up to set the dishes in the sink. When he returned, he picked Arron back up and carried him toward the stairs.

"Rory, I want you in bed by the time mom and dad get home."

The little boy had a big piece of asparagus hanging out of his mouth as he mumbled something unintelligible.

Arron wasn't exactly sure what he meant to say, but found himself not fretting much. It seemed like the boy knew his brother was in charge, and besides, a nice bed was in his own future and boy did he feel like he could sleep for days.

Taking his attention from his sleepiness for a moment, Arron glanced around. The house was nicely built and had a beautiful layout. The carpets upstairs were a dark green, which would normally be odd, but it seemed to work with the soft brown walls and light blue ceiling. Kind of made the whole place look like a jungle.

He expected them to go straight to Erin's room for some sleep, but when he bypassed all the doors until the last one, he got a sinking feeling in his belly. And of course, the door was pushed open and it was the dreaded bathroom.

Giving his best pathetic kitten growl, Arron struggled until he slipped from Erin's grasp, then ran toward the door. Of course, it was slammed shut right before he could get out.

"Arron, you know what we did, right?"

Arron puffed up his fur with annoyance and embarrassment at being reminded.

"Uh huh. And I smell like you, and you smell like me. On top of that, we both smell like sex."

For once, he was glad that he was in his kitten form because he couldn't be seen blushing.

"Exactly. Now come here. I'll try to make it quick."

Quick... you were pretty quick when we did it.

"I know what you're thinking and now you're gonna get scrubbed from head to toe you brat."

Oh crap.

Before he could run away, Arron was scruffed and put into the tub as Erin stepped in. Darn elephant got naked fast.

"Alright, scrubbing time!"

Arron tried to block out the entire bath, ending up scowling and sopping wet on a towel after the terror had ended.

"You look so cute with that adorable mow-hawk and pouting face!"

He styled my mane up into a mow-hawk... then decided to cut my hair so now my human form is going to have a partial one. This elephant is going to feel my wrath one day!

He was just now letting him out of his vice-like towel wrapping, allowing him to finally start lapping at his wet fur. While Arron was busy cleaning up his messy fur, Erin got himself dressed in pajamas and disappeared for just long enough to allow Arron to finish cleaning up his coat. He was then promptly picked up and carried to bed. The snuggling that came after drew a tired sigh from his little cheetah.

Oh well, I guess it isn't so bad being here. Besides, there are no lions around. The bed is also nice and warm, and Erin is somewhat comfy to sleep against.

He might be able to get used to his current situation.

The next morning he awoke to a very annoying alarm clock that sounded like someone was trying to sing, but failing horribly, also known as country music. After a slight stretch, Arron realized that his fuzzy legs felt a bit longer than normal.

Wait a second.

Arron shot out from under the blankets, his abrupt movement waking the guy sleeping next to him. Erin grumbled and sat up, rubbing at one eye as the other watched him with sleepy confusion.

"Arron, why do you look like you've grown a little?" Erin mumbled.

Sure, he wanted to grow, but gaining an inch or so overnight, and while shifted? As he checked himself over in the mirror right across from the bed, he noticed that his whole body had gotten a little bigger. When he tried to change back to his human form though, he realized that he was still stuck.

"Do I need to call the vet?" Erin asked.

He really wasn't a fan of the guy, but he wanted to get back to his human form so that he could go to school. Giving a nod, Erin sat down at the edge of his bed and waited.

A heavy knock on the front door drew both their attention away from Arron's predicament.

"Who the heck would be here at six in the morning?"

Arron quickly hopped off the bed and ran downstairs with Erin right on his tail. When the door was finally pulled open, Arron wished that he hadn't come down at all.

"Erin."

Rylan growled the word with blazing eyes locked on the elephant shifter. Arron was surprised when the boy stepped back and actually looked worried... until he saw Tarren standing back by the sidewalk and Jordan watching from the car.

Uh oh.

Arron could hear Rory shuffling sleepily down the hallway toward them and decided that it wasn't worth a fight, or more-so, wasn't worth risking the little boy. Lions were normally fine, but when they were all angry they tended to gang up on the smallest, easiest thing first if pushed... and elephant calves would be an instant trigger if Erin tried to go against what they wanted.

After a quick glance up, Arron nodded and turned, running outside into the crisp, cool morning air. Rylan was hot on his heels in his lion form, his previously worn clothing shredded on Erin's doorstep from the abrupt shift. Tarren swung the door to the car open, allowing him to quickly jump in. Before he could even get situated, he was pinned to the seat by one of Rylan's heavy paws.

I'm not giving off anymore pheromones as far as I know, so why are you being so pissy?

"Arron."

He glanced up slightly from where he was being forced to lay, mewing after a moment of silence to acknowledge that he was listening. They were already driving, though he honestly hoped that it was too school. He'd go as a cheetah just to get out of whatever situation he had just walked into.

"Your mother called last night." Jordan said calmly, though it was clear by his tone of voice that he wasn't happy.

Oh shit.

"Do you want to know what I had to tell her?" He asked.

No, honestly. I really don't!

"I told her that you were giving off pheromones that were having an affect on my sons, and that you jumped the fence and disappeared when one of them tried to follow his instincts."

You couldn't have just lied?

"Now, considering that you were with Erin and no longer are giving off much of anything in terms of pheromones from what I can tell, I'm going to assume that you bred with him."

The deep roar from Rylan and bared teeth told Arron to just keep his fuzzy mouth shut on that question. Not that he could actually answer that, anyways.

"Either way, we're going to the vet to get you a disruption pill. Then you will be coming back home to sleep. Rylan will stay with you since I need to go into my office for awhile."

Arron guessed that he could stay home with him if he was just going to be sleeping. Wait a second. The heck do I need a disruption pill for? He did mew at that, wanting more clarification. That was a very specific pill that he should never need.

"Yes, you need that pill. Your mother told me that she wasn't truly your mother. Your father was. He was a rare type of shifter that could reproduce just like a female. While his pheromones definitely attracted your mother, they also attracted a lot of males. One of these ended up catching him off guard one day and well... he didn't want to take a disruption pill."

What?