"Yo Adeline! C'mon! The night's young!" Jack called, now knocking on the door and adjusting his shirt. He then saw the door abruptly open and he gasped at the sight of the large and tall man in front of him. "M-M-M-M-M-M-MR. NORTHCOTT?!"

"Yes…that is my title and name. And may I ask who you are?" Claude said, now eyeing him in slight agitation.

"I'm Mr. Jack Dingle Sir! I am a friend of Adeline's!" he said, his knees clearly knocking.

"Mr. Jack Dingle hmm?" Claude said, arching an eyebrow.

"Yes Sir! I am the best coffee…er…coffee assistant in the office!" Jack said proudly.

"Coffee Assistant?" Claude said, now glancing over his shoulder and seeing Adeline sheepishly walk down the stairs.

"Yes Sir. In fact, Adeline asked ME on a date because she was so impressed with my position," Jack bragged. He clearly was not telling the truth and Claude hid a small smile at seeing Adeline's face forming an icy scowl! None of what he was saying was true!

"Oh my. Such an important young man," Claude cooed, now making Jack sweat hard. "I could no doubt use someone with your talents in my organization."

"Oh I would love that! I am the best at making coffee and doing any kind of assignment," Jack said proudly!

"Anything?" Claude soothed, now grinning out of half closed eyes. Jack felt himself sweating more in Claude's large shadow.

"A-A-A-Anything," Jack weakly responded.

"Claude cut it out! You're scaring him out of his wits!" Adeline said telepathically.

"Nonsense. I'm only teaching this young one a lesson about service," came the amused response.

"So then you would not mind serving my office lunch personally every day for the next two months?" Claude smiled, now leaning over him and grinning more. Jack's pupils shrunk as Claude looked at him. "You can see my secretary in the morning."

"Y-Y-Y-Y-YES SIR! YOU CAN COUNT ON ME SIR!" Jack said proudly!

"Perfect. Now then…you need your rest. Surely you cannot serve lunch when you are out this late," Claude said. "Unless…you are one of those who cause trouble at this hour." He said, now eyes narrowing.

"No! Never Sir! I'm going home now! Now I promise!" Jack said, now turning and running back towards his house. He didn't even say 'bye' to Adeline!

Claude smirked as he turned and closed the door and Adeline turned and looked at him with an arched eyebrow.

"Now listen to me you! You can't just go and do that! He was my date for tonight!" Adeline said, now pouting a bit.

"You don't need a young man like that wasting your time," Claude said, now walking back towards the steps.

"Claude! But what if I loved him…" she said, now smirking. Claude glanced at her over his shoulder and then turned back to face her.

"You couldn't possibly love a young man like that…" Claude said, now walking over to her once more. Adeline's eyes widened as he began closing in on each side.

"And why not?! You said that you didn't love me…" Adeline said, now turning and about to open the door. "That means I can date whoever I want."

But as she gently opened the door, a large hand rushed past her and slammed it shut in a heartbeat. Adeline turned back to face Claude and he smirked down at her. He then ran a clawed hand through her hair and then turned to head towards the stairs. As he walked, he let his tail manifest and it swayed confidently with each step.

"Listen to me young Adeline," he said as he continued to walk up the stairs. "A beast and human relationship has never been established. However…"

And with that, he leaned over the banister and smiled with pleasure as he got to the top of the stairs.

"You have proven your loyalty and for that I am grateful. Perhaps having you as a mate will be…agreeable to me," he said, now going to his room and shutting the door.

"AGREEABLE?! YOU LITTLE RUDE CAT!" Adeline said without heat. But telepathically, all she heard was his deep chuckled that rang into the night.

The next night…

Adeline went downstairs for dinner as usual. She felt her heart lift now that she and Claude were getting closer and closer.

"I wonder if he really is…serious about me," she said to herself, now walking down the stairs. But as she turned the corner to have dinner, Claude met her there.

"Adeline~," he said gently.

"Yes Claude?" she asked.

"I do care for you, but we would need to take things a bit slower. After all…you must get used to me and I need to get accustomed to having a human in my surroundings."

"But you've worked with humans for years," Adeline said gently.

"But working with them is different that considering them for a mate. Love is one thing but compatibility is another," Claude replied, now gently walking over to her.

"But Claude. That is what love is…learning about each other and then learning to be compatible," she smiled, now placing her arms around his waist. He then leaned down and gently bit her ear.

"Alright…when I mate with you tonight, we can…" he started.

"WOAH! WHAT?!" She gasped.

"I was going to say that when we mate, we can discuss offspring," he replied.

"Mate?! Humans get married first and then we discuss children," Adeline said, her face turning super red and flushed.

"Oh I see. Apologies Adeline," he said, now stepping back. "It is time for me to go on patrol."

And with that, he painfully began to transform into his beast mode and his wings began to manifest. Adeline watched in awe and then she chuckled once he was done.

Claude then turned to look at her and then arched an eyebrow.

"What is it?" he asked.

"I just love it when you change Claude. It just reminds me that it's ok to believe in a little magic," Adeline smiled. Claude walked over to her and gently placed his tiger-like face against hers.

"Adeline…I do not know that much about the love you humans demonstrate towards each other. But I do care about you even though I may not always show it. My species shows it differently from humans," Claude replied, but gently giving her a lick on her face.

"I love you though Claude. I understand our species are different, but through it all…I love you so much," she whispered to him.

"And I love you too," he said, now wrapping his arms around her waist and hoisting her up until they were eye to eye.

At that moment, their noses touched and Claude only grinned from ear to ear. It had been a while since he had grown to 'love' anyone. Especially a human. For humans were not seen as worthy or reliable, but Adeline was different. She gave her life to protect him and he did the same for her.

"I knew that you two would finally come to terms," a gentle voice spoke. Both turned and saw the maid walk in with a small smile.

"You…you really helped us. I can't thank you enough," Adeline said gently.

"Because I knew that you both would see it eventually," the maid said calmly.

"And how do you know that it all would have worked out that easily?" Claude said, now looking at the maid a bit closer.

"Because Claude…I know you and I know your heart. Adeline…what Claude didn't tell you is that he is the only beast who ever showed the most compassion towards humans," she said calmly. Adeline looked at Claude and began to massage his wings as she looked deep into his blue eyes.

"It doesn't surprise me. Adonis tried to trick him into putting me into a deep sleep, but he fought for me," Adeline said calmly.

Claude arched an eyebrow at the maid and smirked. "I will deal with you later. In the meantime, Adeline…follow me."

And with that, he slowly began walking towards his parlor. Adeline's face flushed! Claude's parlor was usually his typical "man-cave" and she was usually not allowed in there at all.

The maid only giggled as the two entered and Claude laid down on the floor and motioned for Adeline to come forward.

"Come." He said gently. Adeline's face looked even more bright red and she backed up shyly.

"C-Claude…um…" she started.

"Is there a problem Adeline~" came the soothing response.

"Claude what are you doing?" she asked shyly.

"Simply making you feel comfortable," he replied, now giving her a smooth grin. Adeline then saw him gently chuckle, now realizing he was teasing her on purpose! "Claude that was terrible!"

"Oh come now…you were the one who teased me before," Claude chuckled, now laying on his stomach. He then smirked as she ran forward and grabbed his tail and began massaging and playfully tugging it. He lifted his backside in response. "Adeline…"

"You're so much like a cat Claude!" she giggled.

"That's because I am one. Now then…when you and I have officially become mates, you will need to quit that reporting job," Claude replied.

"What?! When we are mates?! You didn't even ask me!" Adeline said.

"There is no need to ask you; I know your response," Claude said confidently.

"Is that so?!" Adeline huffed.

"Yes, I read your mind." Claude crooned. "Now look at me and tell me that you will be my mate."

"No! I refuse!" Adeline smirked, now hearing the low growl from behind her.

"Adeline~ you won't refuse my offer," Claude said, now jerking his tail towards him. That made Adeline fly forward and he turned on his side and grabbed her leg. "Now…say that you accept."

"Nope." She said playfully. Claude then pulled her leg and made her fall down next to him. He then proceeded to kiss her around her neck and ears. Adeline moaned in shock and tried to gently push on his furry chest. "C-Claude!"

"Answer me…" came the whispered response. "If you do not accept, you will not move from this spot until you do."

He then began gently biting around her neck and massaging and kneading her waist with his claws. It felt wonderful! Now Adeline broke into a cold sweat and began panting!

"EEEEEEEEEEEK! CLAUDE STOP! I'LL MARRY YOU!" She giggled, now feeling him let her up. He then winked at her and then kissed her head.

"And I apologize Adeline if I should have asked appropriately. My species is still learning human customs. Now then…will you be my mate?" he asked, now letting her rub up and down his chest.

"Yes. Yes Claude I will," Adeline smiled, now hugging him as he cuddled her to his chest. But within a few moments, he let her go and looked out the window.

"It is time for me to go and see to some business my love," he said, now sitting up.

"My love?" Adeline grinned, now getting a loving look in her eyes.

Claude only chuckled and ran a claw under her chin. "I will be back before the sun rises."

And with that, he stretched his mighty wings and flew out the window into the night. Adeline only smiled and watched as Claude flew into the sky. Her life had definitely taken a few different turns, but she couldn't have asked for anything more!

"I love you Claude. I am honored to be your mate," she said telepathically and gently.

"And I am honored that you accepted," came the reply. "But there is something I do require once we are mates."

"Yes my love?" she asked, now dreamily.

"I will require at least six offspring to continue our legacy," came the amused reply.

"CLAUDE NORTHCOTT!" Adeline huffed out in shock. She could only hear his deep laughter as he heard her frustrated reply.

"I apologize my love, but the moon is rising and I must go. Have a pleasant sleep," came the reply.

"Claude! We are not done talking about this!" Adeline tried to argue.

"Goodnight my love."

"Claude? CLAUDE?! Claude get back here!" Adeline said, now crossing her arms. But after a moment there was still no response and she could only laugh to herself without heat. Claude was definitely a strong and confident beast, but she wouldn't have it any other way. Their story had finally come to a close, but their future was just beginning.

guestsurprise: I hope you all enjoyed the finale to this story! It was a blast to write and I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! My imagination clearly took wing and to the stars! :)