Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the world he lives in. I do, however, own the plot and all the people you do not know. Thank you, and have a nice day!

Plot: It has been eight years since Mia Granger and Blaise Zabini discovered their heritage and lost someone close. Mia and Blaise set out looking for him after graduating from Hogwarts. Their quest takes them through the world before ending up in America as they track all documented werewolf attacks in the wizarding world and unsolved animal attacks in the Muggle world. When they learn someone or something is killing the pureblood werewolves they had met, Mia and Blaise come to the frightening conclusion that they might be next.

A/N: See the end of the chapter.

The Moon's Blood

Chapter Four

Blaise awoke with a jolt as his alarm went off. Sunlight streamed into his window falling directly into his cage. He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

He ached and felt bruised all over. The bars needed more padding it seemed.

How he hated blood moons!

Blaise reached through the bars for his wand lying on the floor. It was close enough for him to touch when he was human, but far enough away from the reach of the wolf. He unlocked the cage and immediately threw his alarm clock against the wall. It was beginning to grate on his nerves as well as his hearing.

Going into the bathroom, he knocked on Mia's door to let her know he was up. Blaise closed the door and turned on the shower. In the mirror, he surveyed the damage to his body. Bruises ran across his sides and back in lines.

"I definitely need to put more padding on those damn bars," he muttered. Quickly, he brushed his teeth before stepping into the shower. Water sluiced through his dark hair and he turned his face up into the spray, feeling the force of the water on his tired face. Blaise soaped up and rinsed. He shampooed his hair and rinsed again. Then he just stood there beneath the showerhead and the pounding water.

Today was Narcissa's funeral.

Blaise sighed as he thought of the woman. She was a soft sort of woman with just the right amount of cunning. Narcissa was utterly devoted to that asshole she called husband, but that was her choice. She was also somewhat dedicated to her son, Draco. She didn't really care about his emotional health, just his physical appearance. That had always made Blaise simmer when they had been in school.

They might not have been friends at the beginning, but they were in the same house. Blaise didn't talk much in his younger years. He preferred to observe as to participating. He had always thought the Slytherins' ploys to rile the Gryffindors were childish and unnecessary, but he was one person. He may have been in the same class as Draco, but he had never shown any interest in leading. Blaise left that to other people.

Blaise shook his head. Enough about Draco, he had to focus on the nature of Narcissa's death and who killed her. He was convinced that it was an Alpha—a pureblood wolf. It was the only thing that made sense in regard to how she died. The why of it, however, eluded Blaise. Narcissa was not a threat to anyone—Alpha or otherwise. It could not have been a Beta. Betas always submitted to Alphas because they were unnatural and they knew it.

He hated Betas. Just because they were bitten, they thought they were the shit. Well, at least they thought they were until they met an Alpha, someone who was born a wolf.

Blaise shut off the shower and grabbed a towel from the rack. He dried himself and wrapped it around his waist as Mia walked in wearing an oversized t-shirt of his. He growled at her in mock anger. "You could knock, you know. I could have been naked."

She gave him a sidelong look before picking up her toothbrush. "Nothing I haven't seen before, Zabini."

He rolled his eyes as he moved behind her. Blaise looked at himself in the mirror as he rubbed his jaw. He felt the prick of stubble beneath his fingertips. Blaise lathered up and shaved quickly and efficiently as Mia took her shower.

Grabbing his toothbrush, he went to his room to dress. Blaise stuffed his toothbrush into the duffel bag Mia packed for him and picked out an outfit in somber black.

It was going to be a long day.

Mia watched the flowered casket lower into its final place. Tears streamed down her face, but she would not cause an emotional scene like a woman did earlier at the ceremony. Blaise stood stock still beside her. She could feel the coiled tension emanating from him.

He was angry, and he had a right to be. Harry hadn't found any leads on Narcissa's killer yet. They were focusing on some obscure trail that was in any direction but the right one. Blaise thought it was an Alpha and she had to agree.

Harry had discarded the werewolf theory because it wasn't the full moon when she had died. Mia was thankful for his ignorance of an Alpha race. It was times like this that she was glad she had never told him the truth about her. She had thought of waiting until he was ready, but years ago decided that he would never be ready. This was one part of her that neither Harry nor Ron could share with her. Only Blaise and Draco possessed that part of her because they could and did.

We'll find out who did this to you, Narcissa, Mia thought. Blaise won't stop and neither will I.

She was staring at the grave, and started when Blaise placed his hand at the small of her back. Mia looked up at his set face and nodded. A small reception at Malfoy Manor was to be held after the burial. She and Blaise had to make an appearance as Narcissa had practically adopted them when she had lost Draco. People they had to speak with would be there to pay their respects to the last of the Malfoy family.

They apparated to the front of the Manor and they stood there for a long minute, taking in its dark beauty, before walking in. The Manor had a sprawling elegance to it that transcended any lingering vestiges of darkness from Voldemort's time. The interior still had the dark hardwood floors and leather furniture, but they were offset by lighter colors that Narcissa had injected into her home.

The reception was held in the smaller parlor just off the formal dining room. It was light and airy in color and atmosphere. This was Narcissa's private sitting room and it was untouched by Lucius's darkness.

Together, they stood in the doorway and surveyed the room. Already people were gathered in the room, the majority of whom she recognized as fellow Alphas.

Blaise led Mia through the small crowd, nodding as they went, to the large bay windows overlooking the Malfoy lands. The gardens took up a vast majority of the landscape. The maze was barely visible as it was on the other side of the house. She took a seat as Blaise went to get her something to drink. She smiled softly at his protectiveness.

Mia stared at her hands folded in her lap. She was still in a slight state of shock. How could Narcissa be gone? Something in her or around her was still grasping, reaching for something that was no longer there—rather like the phantom sensations an amputee feels, she supposed.

She heard someone come towards her and sit down beside her. A frisson of recognition went through her. It was a male, his scent filled with the deep forests after a rainstorm. Mia had run with him before.

"Hello, Mia," a deep voice rumbled. The accent was barely detectable in those two words.

Glancing up, she met clear green eyes. For a moment, Mia was caught in his gaze. Then she shook herself out of it. Quickly, she took in the short blond hair, slightly crooked nose, and beguiling smile. "Alexei, it's wonderful to see you."

He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "And you. I'm sorry to hear about Narcissa. She was a wonderful correspondent." Now his accent was more prevalent as he spoke. Alexei peered at her carefully. "How have you been?"

Mia sighed. "We're okay." In softer tones, she added, "There's an Alpha male in the area, and Blaise is pretty focused on finding him. The attacks have been going on for about six months."

"Young?"

Mia never thought to ask Blaise if he could scent the maturity level of the Alpha. "I don't know, but it would help narrow the suspects down." She looked at him. "And how is your territory these days? Any more rogues?"

He grinned, showing off straight sharp teeth. "No, not since I started to keep the scent markers up around the boundaries. Everything is fine back home." He caught her gaze in his green one. "Now seriously. How are you doing?"

She looked down at her clasped hands. Where does she start? There was too much going on in life and yet, too little. "I'm living. I…want to say that everything is all right, but that's not really true, Alexei." Mia swallowed. "I'm tired."

"You know I would do anything to help you, Mia," he said, voice like velvet thunder. She wondered dimly what Draco sounded like now. Alexei put a heavy arm around her shoulders and went on to state, "Anything you ask I will freely give. No questions asked, Mia."

She could feel herself faintly blushing at his words. Mia still remembered the summer all those years ago in Russia. Just 19 years old and fresh from touring the Continent, she and Blaise fell into the middle of a territory dispute between two Alphas. Shaking herself from the memories that arose from his words, she smiled gently at him. "I know, Alex. I know."

They fell silent and stayed that way until Blaise came for her. Blaise smirked at him and held out a hand. "Alexei. How's home?"

Alexei shook his hand. "Cold." He slanted a glance at her. "But I'm in the market for someone to help keep me warm during the nights."

"Find your own woman," Blaise growled, half playful and half serious. "One who won't mind that scarred hide of yours."

"You're just jealous that I actually have scars, pretty boy."

Blaise asserted aggressively, "At least I don't look like I have a road map carved on my back."

Mia stood after watching them passively. "Boys, boys. Put it back in your pants. All this 'mine's bigger than yours' bullshit is tiring."

Blaise looked like he wanted to say something, but thankfully he kept his mouth shut. Alexei actually started to say something, but Blaise elbowed him before he could get the second syllable out.

Looking around, Mia noticed that there were fewer people in the room. Her eyes taking a second lap around, she realized that the ones who remained still were Alphas. The human acquaintances were gone. When she met the eyes of several others, they came over to her and greeted her. They did not speak with Blaise or Alexei, which meant they had already talked to them. Most were Alphas whom Narcissa had introduced when she and Blaise were still young. She had acknowledged them when she walked in, but had not engaged them in conversation.

"Mia, how wonderful to see you," Michael Riggston said, taking her hands in his and drawing her close to kiss the air next to her cheeks. "How long has it been since we last met, huh?"

She looked into his hazel eyes and saw the ever-present gleam of calculation. Mia simply smiled and replied, "A few years, Michael. How is your grandmother?"

Michael held her in his gaze for a few seconds longer before letting her go. Running a hand through his russet colored hair, he sighed. "She's doing well. You know we do not age as fast as Betas or humans, Mia, or did you forget?"

Mia smiled at his snide reminder. He hasn't changed since she'd seen him last. "I'm just fulfilling the expectations of exchanging pleasantries, Michael. Or have you forgotten your manners like some flea-bitten Beta?"

He snarled at her, evoking a snarl from her in return. They stared at each other for what seemed the longest time before Michael scoffed. "It's definitely been too long, Mia. Are you still living with that ill-bred mutt, Zabini?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, Michael."

He glanced about the room. "Where is that overgrown mutt, anyway—oh, there he is! My, he hasn't changed much, has he? Still has that brow that goes straight across and that heavy jaw line. Yes, he still looks like a Neanderthal." Michael turned to her, smirking. "Where's he dragged you off to now?"

"We're in America right now," she said with a shrug. Mia ignored the idiotic things he said about Blaise. Michael would pay for it later. Blaise would make sure of it. "Colorado to be exact."

His face tightened with disgust. "America," Michael sneered. "Such a crass country, how can you bear it there? I've heard the Alphas there are living it up to their cinematic counterparts' expectations as stupid, slathering beasts."

"Not all of us can be as wealthy and sophisticated as you, Michael," she sneered right back. "There are those of us who actually know what a day's hard work is."

"Save it for the choir. I don't know what you're talking about."

Mia felt a prick of irritation and had the unpleasant feeling that he was playing with her like he always managed to do. She sighed heavily. "That's quite obvious. Perhaps we should all start calling you 'Your Majesty', hm? That would only serve to make your pompous peacock act all the more real."

Michael tilted his head, eyes flashing. A low growl escaped his throat and it raised the hairs on the back of her neck. "You bitch," he said softly. "You've always had a smart mouth."

She heard someone else come up behind her, his clean scent washing over her, and say, "Now, now, Riggs. You kiss your mother with that mouth?"

"I don't kiss my mother at all," he replied. "When did you get back, Alistair?"

Mia turned to gaze up at the man beside her. Alistair Huntley had a pale face with a straight nose and brown eyes that went nicely with his dark brown hair. He was a good-looking man. It seemed all Alphas were blessed with good looks.

"This morning. I hate traveling after a blood moon. It always seems to drain me even more," Alistair drawled. "But, of course, I had to come and pay my respects. Mrs. Malfoy was a wonderful woman and a beautiful lady. She will be greatly missed."

There was something in his comments that made Mia look at him like one does to a bug beneath a magnifying glass. She didn't want to think anything bad of Narcissa, but if she had been involved with Alistair…well, it wasn't her place to cast judgment. When she looked away, she heard Alistair's relieved sigh. Mia fought to keep a smile off her face, so she directed her attention elsewhere.

Glancing around once more, Mia noticed something. While all the people were Alphas, there were a few missing. She couldn't remember whom, but she knew that whoever they were, they would have been here to say goodbye.

Mia turned to ask Alistair, but she was interrupted by a sudden command. "Michael!"

All three turned to look. Michael cursed softly before crossing the room to help his grandmother up from her chair beside the fireplace. Mia and Alistair exchanged knowing smirks.

"If I may have your attention," Arabella Riggston called. She stamped her cane—not that she really needed it—on the floor for emphasis. Arabella, or Bella, as she liked to be called, didn't need to stamp her cane either. Everyone was looking at her with curiosity. "Narcissa was a dear friend of mine, as she was to the rest of you. Her passing was unexpected and she spent too little time in our company. In honor of this magnificent lady, I will be holding a run tonight on my property. All of you here are invited. Do not worry about straying off the lands for I will put a boundary spell up to keep us safe and others out. The run will begin at midnight. I suggest that you arrive at my home fifteen minutes before then."

With that, she bade Michael to lead her from the room. Bella was capable of walking out on her own, but she had an image to project. Every one of the Alphas here had a specific image. It was tiring, but it protected who they were and their relationships from the outside world.

"Will you be there?" Alistair asked.

Mia nodded as she flagged Blaise on the other side of the room. Bella's leaving seemed to signal the end of the reception. She met Blaise by the doors and they took up their positions. They thanked the people for coming. Many asked where she and Blaise were spending their days, but soon said their goodbyes, leaving open invitations to visit and run the lands. One particularly old woman flagrantly offered to introduce her to her grandson. Declining gently, Mia escaped the matchmaking efforts.

Then it was only she, Blaise, and Alexei, but ten minutes hadn't passed when Alexei bid them goodbye. He and Blaise shared a look and a nod, and the big Russian Alpha was gone.

"Want to eat?" Blaise asked. Mia nodded and they left for the kitchens.

"What's going to happen to the house elves?" she asked. "What about the house itself and the property?"

Blaise shrugged. "I don't know. Narcissa might have left a will, but in the case she didn't, we'll have to go to the Ministry and figure out to whom the property will pass to."

There was a house elf in the dining room that took their orders and left them to make themselves comfortable in the spacious room. They sat at the end of the long table that could probably sit two hundred at least.

"Alexei's looking well," Mia said. "Hunting must be good."

"Yeah," Blaise replied. "Did he say anything offensive this time?"

Chuckling at his prod, Mia said, "No. He was a perfect gentleman today."

He snorted. "That's a first. I'm surprised lightning didn't strike him down."

Alexei was very expressive when it came to the opposite sex. Many a time she wanted to crawl under the floor and die from embarrassment. He loved making her blush with his vulgar comments. If Blaise were in a good mood, he'd actually egg Alexei on. Usually, though, Blaise would snap at the other man to stop. There were some fights between the two, but it never escalated to something serious.

The house elf appeared with their food and after asking if they needed anything else, it disappeared. Dinner was a silent affair for they were both hungry.

As she ate, Mia thought about Alexei. Despite his rough edges, Alexei was a good man. He could be crude and vulgar. He had a healthy libido from what her nose gathered. He drank and smoked far too much. A sailor could not keep up with his inventive curses. He could be a tad bit possessive if she said the wrong thing to prod his instincts, but Alexei was nevertheless a good soul.

The same couldn't be said about Michael, though. He'd lost his parents when he was six or seven. He was old enough to remember them and how they died. A hunter had taken them for Betas. He shot them and took their claws for necklaces. His grandmother was the one to tell him when he came into his blood exactly what happened. Needless to say, Michael hunted down this hunter and killed him. Whatever goodness he'd had, it rotted away and left him a changed man forever.

Once their stomachs were full, Mia and Blaise left the house and apparated to Harry's apartment. Entering the living room, she saw him in a chair by the fire reading a newspaper. He looked up when he heard them.

"Hey, Mia," he smiled. Harry nodded at Blaise. "Zabini."

"Potter," Blaise returned evenly with a nod of his own.

Mia wasn't fooled. She could immediately tell that Blaise was uncomfortable here. She thought up a quick plan to get Harry out of their hair so they could go to the run. She said, "Go to bed, Blaise. You're tired as all hell and I know you want to go to Mr. Brustwood's first thing in the morning."

Mr. Janis Brustwood was Narcissa's legal representative. He'd know if she left a will, and if she didn't, he could point them in the right direction to find out what they wanted to know. It was a good cover.

Blaise gazed at her steadily before flicking his eyes towards Harry. He nodded. "All right, but go to sleep after you talk to him. You need sleep, too." Blaise squeezed her hand, tipped his head in Harry's direction as goodnight and left the living room through the hall.

Sighing, Mia walked over to Harry and ruffled his hair affectionately as she passed him to sit in the chair opposite him. Harry put down his paper and looked at her. Nodding in Blaise's direction, he said, "I see he's as talkative as ever."

"Harry, it's been a long day. Can you leave your grudge against him alone for tonight?" she asked tiredly. Despite her long acquaintance and living arrangement with Blaise, Harry still didn't like him. It was just as well that Blaise didn't like Harry either.

Shrugging, he replied, "Whatever. How was the reception?"

"It was okay. A lot of her friends were there for support."

"Slytherins, huh? How'd it go for you then?" Harry asked with a slight grin.

Mia rolled her eyes. "I was with Blaise," she said, remembering her lines well. "They wouldn't say anything to me with him there. Not if they wanted to keep their tongues."

"Ah, yes," Harry said bitterly. "Good ol' Blaise the watchdog. Your friendship still boggles the mind. How's he treating you? Like a glass doll still?"

"Harry," she said warningly.

"Sorry, sorry," he muttered. He looked at her with his emerald eyes. "I just want you to be careful around him, Mia. He could turn dangerous and neither Ron nor I can keep you safe at all times."

A jump of anger went through her and the wolf that had been sleeping began to stir. After all these years, Harry still believed she needed protection. Mia glared at him. "I can take care of myself, Harry. I don't need you or Ron to save me anymore."

The expression on Harry's face told her he thought otherwise. He wisely refrained from voicing it verbally. "I've forgotten how much you could intimidate me with just a glance. I can't say that I missed it."

Before she could help herself, Mia snarled, "Whatever, Harry. I'm for bed."

She made it to the door before Harry finally spoke up. "Aw, come on, Mia! I'm sorry!"

Mia didn't say anything. She just kept walking and entered Blaise's bedroom. He sat on the bed that was pushed against the far wall, looking at nothing but air. He asked, "Well, how'd it go?"

Scowling at him, she said, "You heard. What do you think?"

"You know what I think, Mia," Blaise said softly. "He's an asshole."

Sighing, Mia had nothing to say to that. As much as she loved Harry, she had to admit that he was awfully close-minded sometimes and he saw no reason to keep his opinions to himself.

"Let's take a pre-run nap, Blaise," Mia suggested. Blaise nodded and stood. Rolling her eyes at his actions, she let herself go with it. Mia crawled onto the bed and flopped down beside the wall. Blaise then lay down, putting himself between her and whatever threat it was he perceived. He locked the door with a complex spell.

Mia let herself relax fully with Blaise beside her. She was the first to drift off and she dreamed of the first time she met Alexei…

"Blaise?" she called in the darkening forest. "Blaise!" Mia turned slowly in a circle trying to get a scent. "Where are you?"

Daylight was failing fast. She was alone in the Russian forest. Blaise was an idiot for not listening to her in the first place. 'No separating whatsoever, Blaise!'

Blaise being Blaise, he told her to stay here when they'd caught the scent of an Alpha and blood. Instead of having backup, he went traipsing after the rogue by himself like a knight after a dragon. Idiot…

"Blaise!" she yelled once more. Mia grumbled, "Why doesn't he ever listen to me? I know what's going to happen. He'll get killed and the rogue will come after me and tear my throat out."

Snap.

Her head went up at the sound of the broken twig. She turned in its direction and tried to peer into the darkness, but because of the fading light, she couldn't focus clearly. Mia swore, wishing Blaise was with her.

Breathing quietly, she heard the growl. It wasn't Blaise's. It was too deep. The warning she heard in it was palpable. Mia tensed to Change. The growl came again, a voice with it. "Don't even try it."

The deep gruffness grated on her taut nerves. Mia licked her lips. "Who are you?"

"This is my territory, girl. You're trespassing."

"Please, sir," she said. "I'm looking for a friend. We got separated—"

The sharp growl cut off her words. "This is my territory," he repeated. "And I do NOT like trespassers."

Just as she was about to retort something, the wind changed and brought to her nose his scent—Alpha. The words that came out of her mouth were, "You're not the one we're looking for."

She felt the sudden tension emanating from him. "What are you babbling about, girl?"

Scowling at the shadows, Mia said, "Before you interrupted me, I was saying my friend and I were separated. Actually, he chose to go by himself, the idiot. We found a scent trail mixed with blood. The scent…it's not you."

An enraged growl raised all the hairs on the back of her neck. Her inner wolf cowered from the sheer rage in that growl. Mia took an unconscious step back from where she knew him to be. She didn't want to be the focus of his rage. Blaise was nowhere to be found and this Alpha could probably kill her and bury her some place where Blaise would never find her.

The shadows moved and a large figure emerged. Tousled blond hair and predatory green eyes that reminded her vaguely of Harry, Mia felt shame when her feminine instincts kicked in and bluntly appraised him. He was blatantly male with large shoulders that tapered to lean hips and long legs. Shirtless, he was heavily muscled. There was no fat of any kind on his body.

"While you're figuring out exactly how you want me, little girl," the jerk in question rumbled, "your boyfriend is in danger."

That snapped her out of her daze. "What?" she shrieked, wincing when her ears protested in pain. Mia lowered her voice. "What do you mean he's in trouble? If you had anything to do with it, I'm going to knock you on your ass and castrate you!"

A smirk flashed across his face. "I've no doubt you will, but you have nothing to fear from me."

A howl danced on the air.

Her heart beating fast, she swiveled around to determine location. It was Blaise. Only Blaise had that throaty howl that rang of their hidden pain. As she brought the stranger back into view, she was surprised to see that he was in his wolf form already. His gray coat was similar to Blaise. He looked at her and snuffed.

He wanted her to Change, did he? Mia rolled her eyes as she went behind a tree and pulled off her clothes quickly. Within a minute, she joined the stranger. Lifting her nose to the air, she didn't smell Blaise, but she could smell the stranger's scent.

Giving her a sidelong glance, the stranger then shot forward. Mia stared after him for one unmoving second before her paws moved to keep him in sight. She saw his tail sailing behind him like a gray banner. Mia growled softly to herself.

Idiot males. They think they know everything.

Mia caught up with him and she snapped at him in rebuke. He merely glanced at her. Her gesture had no meaning to him, she saw. She howled for Blaise. She wanted to be with him, not this towering stranger. Who's to say that he won't play with her? Mia didn't know him at all.

Blaise howled back. He was close by! They were heading in the right direction. He howled again, but was cut short. Even at a distance, she could hear the sounds of fighting.

The mountain next to her flat out ran, leaving her at a steady pace no matter how fast she tried to keep up. She followed his scent, finding traces of Blaise's as she went uphill. At the top, she saw the mountain locked in a fight with an Alpha she didn't recognize. It wasn't Blaise because its coat was darker gray, near black, in some areas.

Where was Blaise? Her eyes frantically searched the trees. Her heart was pounding in fright. She couldn't lose him.

A whine carried on the wind and she skidded down the slope. Circling the fighting wolves, Mia found him at the base of a tree. His muzzle and throat was covered in blood.

Changing to human, she whispered to him. "Blaise, you need to be human. I—"

"Mia, wake up."

Something gripped her shoulder and shook her. "Mia, wake up, damn it!"

"Mia!"

Starting awake, she glanced up at Blaise leaning over her. She shoved him back. "I'm awake, Blaise. You don't have to shout."

"I wouldn't if you'd just woken up when I first said it," he snapped at her.

"All right, all right," she said, moving to appease his tyrannical mood. "I'm up. Is Harry asleep?"

"Yeah. He's snoring, too."

She heard the laughter in his voice and she smacked him on the arm. "Be nice."

"I am!" He smirked at her. "I'm the nicest person you'll ever know, Mia."

Stifling the urge to roll her eyes at him, Mia pulled on her shoes.

Blaise led Mia by the hand into Bella's library. It was where they were all gathering before heading outside. Greeting the oldest of the Alphas first, they paid their respects.

Alistair hailed them. "Hello, Blaise. Long time, no see, old friend."

Blaise clapped him into a quick hug. Alistair Huntley had helped him out when he and Mia were in Italy. Mia didn't know anything about the trouble he had gotten into, and he aimed to keep it that way. "Alistair, how fares the family hearth?"

"You know females, Blaise," Alistair said. "A contrary lot, you can't ever please them."

"Like you males are any better," Mia retorted. "Belligerent and stubborn, we wouldn't be contrary if you just did what we females told you."

Alistair deadpanned. "And she's the Queen of them all."

Mia growled low in her throat and moved towards him. Blaise grabbed her and pulled her against his chest. "Easy there, Mia. Alistair would like to have children, you know."

Whatever she was about to say was lost when Bella appeared in the doorway. It was the signal to go outside. Blaise kept a firm hand on Mia. Alistair, idiot that he can be sometimes, walked beside her.

They followed a path into the woods and came upon a meadow. Bella began to disrobe and everyone followed suit. The air was heavy with sadness. They all knew what this run was for—a goodbye to Narcissa Malfoy. No words were needed now.

The clouds covered the waning moon for a moment, hiding them all from its lunar gaze. When the puffs of white flowed off the moon like water, the meadow was writhing with fur. Wolves gray, black, white, and brown moved in complex circles.

They reacquainted themselves with one another. Runs like this were rare. A gathering of Alphas unrelated by blood was a dangerous thing. Hunters, unlikely in this day and age but a threat nonetheless, would have found this to be their greatest wet dream ever.

With a howl, Bella led them into the woods.

Paws struck the earth like thunder. Howls rang throughout the night, carrying on the wind.

The meadow stood quiet for a few minutes after the large Pack had gone. Blades of grass that had been crushed began to rise back up to their original positions. Insects started to fill the night with their nocturnal songs. Mice and crickets moved freely.

Soon the only traces of the Alphas' passage were the clothes that lay on the ground, discarded like the forgotten skin of a snake.

Oh hell, how long has it been since I last updated? Far too long and I apologize from the depths of my fevered brain.

I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, but I started another one. Last semester was a nightmare and got in the way of my writing. This semester I'll try not to let it do the same, but I can make no guarantees.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to review! It makes me happy and remembered in the world of fan fiction.

-TG

[1/5/12] Author's notes: very minor fixes. It's just a word added to a sentence here and there.