Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any known characters from the HP universe. Those copyrights are credited to the wonderful J.K. Rowling.

Warnings: Slash, Mpreg, adult language, extremely AU.

A/N: This is the completely edited version of my story Werewolf Child. This is taking a completely different spin on it and as of right now, I like it better than the original. Reviews are very much appreciated.

Prologue: Internal Conflict

"This just can't be bloody happening." Nineteen-year-old Remus Lupin was pacing frantically around his flat in Diagon Alley. He glanced once more at the glowing tip of his wand, which was still clenched tightly in his fist. The tip was glowing blue. Positive result.

"Fuck!" He roared, tossing the piece of wood away from him as though it were on fire. Pacing toward the coffee table, he reached a hand out and grabbed the pack of cigarettes that were laying open, along with the Muggle lighter that was beside the pack. He had just placed the cigarette between his lips and was about to light it when a sudden, and most likely purposeful, tightening of his abdominal muscles made him stop. "Right. Can't smoke anymore. Damn you to hell, Sirius Black, for getting me addicted to cigarettes." Frustrated, and beyond itching for a cigarette, Remus walked to the kitchen and tossed the new pack of cigarettes and lighter into the garbage can.

He had always been careful; he knew the heightened pregnancy risks due to his condition. They were always careful, always used protection. The one bloody time they forgot. Or maybe it happened the third time they had gone at it that same evening? He had been insatiable…stupid bloody heat cycle…

"Well," Remus sighed. "Might as well toss the rest of the packs while I'm at it…"

Don't forget to pour the alcohol down the drain, a deep voice boomed in the back of his mind. Remus felt his lip curl in a grimace at the mere sound.

"Fine," he snapped aloud. As Remus rummaged around his flat, searching for packs of cigarettes and half smoked cigarettes to toss, he thought he could hear Moony humming in the back of his mind.

"I shouldn't have this baby," Remus spoke aloud again, arms full of packs and ash trays to be tossed away. "There are laws against werewolf breeding. I could be thrown in Azkaban and my child murdered." He dropped his load into the garbage, almost as if to punctuate his previous statement. He moved onto his liquor cabinet and took out most of the alcohol, except for his finest vintages that had been gifts; he could enjoy those after his pregnancy was over. He had the bottles hover behind him as he made his way to the kitchen sink and had them pour themselves down the drain.

Moony snarled, causing the sound to echo around Remus' mind. Remus hated himself for it, but he flinched at the harsh noise. One of his hands went straight to his abdomen, as if to protect the unborn child from his inner wolf, without him even realizing it.

Moony, on the other hand, did notice the protective gesture. You already are protective of the cub. It will only strengthen as your pregnancy progresses.

Remus slid to the floor and leaned against the wall near the garbage can. "I can't have this baby," he whispered in a defeated voice, staring down at his flat abdomen with a remorseful look in his eyes.

You must. This cub is important; Moony's words were both gentle and urgent.

"You're only saying that because it's your cu—child."

You are wrong. I do not know how, but he will play a key role in ending the strife between wizards and our kind. I know only what my instincts say. He must live.

"He?" A son? Remus thought to himself, a happy and proud smile on his face. He could almost see him; large blue eyes and dark hair like his fath—

Remus stopped that train of thought immediately. It would not bode well for him to get hung up on this fantasy, only to have his heart ripped out when he came back to reality. "There would be no way to hide my pregnancy, or to explain how I suddenly have a child with me at all times when I'm not known by many people to be seeing anyone."

Your friends can know of your pregnancy. They can assist you with the casting of glamor charms to hide your pregnancy. Remus almost felt the shrug that ended Moony's sentence.

"And how do I explain why a child is now constantly by my side? One who looks like me?" Remus tried to stop the squeezing of his heart as he began to hope against his will. He had always wanted a family…but never wanted to risk being sent to prison and have his child ripped from him. He had remained single for most of his time at Hogwarts, until his seventh year.

For Merlin's sake, Moony growled and huffed in annoyance. Are you not a wizard? Use glamor charms on the cub. Hide his identity when in public.

"Glamor charms to change an identity in such a way require two people other than me to cast the charms. Otherwise, the child would still look like me, making it obvious to officers in the Magical Creatures office that I was involved with the creation of the child." Remus' butt had fallen asleep by this point in the conversation so he stood from the hard floor and resumed his pacing. He walked by the window and stared out at the busy street. It was a few weeks into November; people were busy starting on their Christmas shopping. He could see young children, not old enough to go to Hogwarts yet, running around and laughing as they chased each other. The sight caused a smile to creep onto his face as he absently placed a hand on his stomach and began to gently rub.

That solution is a little too obvious. Prongs and his mate, Lily. Would they not be willing to assist us? We could make the public believe our cub is their fawn. It would not be surprising for their child to be seen with you or for you to 'babysit' him. Moony sounded smug, as though he knew he had won. Yes, this cub would live and his pack would continue to grow. Remus would finally have the unconditional love he desired. Moony knew it was important that this child live. Luckily his human half was easily persuaded.

This plan…it could work! Lily would be willing to use glamor charms to fake a pregnancy, if it meant that Remus would remain safe. Lily had such a maternal complex when it came to him and would do anything to help. James would help him, as well, even if for no other reason than to appease Lily. His other friends—Sirius and Peter—they would help him where they could, he was sure of it. They would help him keep his cub safe. That way he and S— "Wait…the cub's father…my mate…he and I—"

Cub before all else. Cub before mate. Cub before self. Moony's words caused Remus' blood to run cold and his heart clench painfully.

"But…he deserves to…he deserves to know about his child. We've been together for two years. I love—"

Cub before all else, Moony's voice cut him off, repeating the words of pack law again. Cub before mate. Cub before self. I am sorry, Remus. But he may not know at this time. It could jeopardize our and our cub's safety. Remus was surprised to hear Moony's voice sound thick with tears; he was just as heartbroken as he was.

I am sorry, Moony repeated. But, for now, this is how it must be. For the cub.

"Yes," Remus choked out as tears started to well in his light blue eyes. His hands came up to rest on his still flat abdomen and he wrapped his arms around his middle. "For the cub…" It was then that Remus began to cry—both from joy and sorrow.