Hello, hello HI THERE all you wonderful people.

Before I get into this, I wanna say a quick thanks to someone.

Oceane, my friend, if it weren't for your message, the previous chapter would have taken even longer to get up. So thank you for your kind words and for being so understanding and not rushing me at all. Facing the fact that you and a lot of other faithful readers have been waiting far too long for a chapter pretty much kicked my arse into overdrive to get back at it, so thank you again.

This story means a lot to me and I would never leave it unfinished, its just that sometimes I lack the motivation amongst other things going on in my life to get chapters out like I used to.

But again I say, I will never leave this story unfinished. We're on 47 now, I'm shooting for around 50 or 55... We'll see.

By the way, we hit 1000 REVIEWS! WHOOP!

Ross'sJuliet: I remember you from pretty much the very beginning, always leaving kind words and thoughts about each chapter. I'm so glad that you're still here!

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Ariona: Very sorry, but you would not do my story and its characters justice :( Also, if you were to 'adopt' this story, you'd need my permission to do so and I am not willing to give you that permission :) I do hope you enjoy this chapter though.

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Sumone: Thank you! And yes, I will definitely finish this story! Count on it!

Lizziebot: I'm sorry that I made you cry but I'm also touched that my story had the emotional pull to do that to you lol XD Hope you enjoy this chapter!

ShaNayNay: I'm glad that I'm back too! Your kind words and thoughts are much appreciated :) Ally has definitely been kicking some serious butt! She's been working hard. Hope that this chapter is to your liking!

Oh, quick note guys. The previous chapter stated that Austin was away for 8 months. That was a mistake on my part, sorry. He's actually been away for a year :O

Yup...

Alright! Onto the chapter my fellow pack buddiesss :D

Read on...

Previously On Blood Moon...


She scratches up my shoulder like hell and falls, but hangs on. Her paws find purchase and her claws act like grappling hooks as she hangs over the edge.

She roars up at me, but her eyes show franticness as she tries to scramble her way up.

Fuck you.

I bring my paws down on both of hers, digging my claws into her flesh.

She howls and I dip my head down, our teeth inches from each other. I speak to her for the first time since she killed my mother.

"You wanted me to use my teeth? My pleasure."

Her eyes go wide and I swoop in, circling my jaws around just the perfect spot before tugging back smoothly, freeing up her paws.

The blood squirts over my muzzle and chest as shock registers on her face and her grip on the cliff edge loosens.

She finally fucking falls.


Ally POV

Any other time I would have snapped my gaze away from the view of that much blood, but this time I couldn't.

Not because I've seen more than enough blood during this battle, not because I've changed mentally as well as physically this past year, but because I couldn't take my eyes off of Austin.

He's here.

He's finally back.

Back home.

I could hear the Silvertails retreating now, but I didn't turn around to make sure as Austin phased back onto two, the familiar cloud of silvery grey smoke vanishing as quickly as it came as he rolled his shoulders and neck, groaning as he did.

Before my mind could make sense of my movements, my body was moving towards him, ignoring the bursts of pain that erupted from my muscles now that I could feel everything with the adrenaline gone.

"Austin," I breathed, and he turned around, battered and bloody as we all were. The blood from his nose was already beginning to dry, his lip was split, and he had a deep gash running from the side of his neck down his chest where it disappeared behind his green t shirt.

And yet, he was the most beautiful, most strong, handsome man I had ever seen.

He looked between both my eyes and exhaled, choking out my name before pulling me into a massive hug.

"Ally," he breathed out and we both squeezed each other tighter, immediately loosening our hold right after as we both winced and pulled away a little to look at each other in the eye.

"I'm sorry!" I apologized just as he cursed out 'Oh fuck!'

We both let out a weak chuckle and I brought my hand up to cup his cheek. He leaned into my palm and dipped down, touching his forehead to mine.

"Ally, I missed you so much," he whispered, gently squeezing my hips.

Caressing the side of his face, I was about to say I missed him too when I heard a loud, louder than I had ever heard, howl pierce through the air.

Austin and I snapped our hands to our ears as I turned around, seeing the pack also all phased back doing the same. The howl got louder, bringing some of us to our knees before just like that, it stopped.

I turned around to Austin who was holding out a hand to me while looking out at the distance in the direction of the howl. His lips moved in a single word which I couldn't make out or hear through the ringing in my ears.

I took his hand and looked at him in question.

"What?" I asked, my own voice sounding weird as my hearing slowly came back.

"I'll explain later," he said as he helped me back to my feet. "Right now I need to spend some time with everyone." He pulled me into a hug once again and kissed me on the temple. "Especially you," he mumbled sweetly through his lips.

I squeezed back and we stepped away from each other.

"Dez," Austin said, looking over my shoulder.

We made our way down to everyone, Dez already limping up to us and meeting us halfway.

The two embraced, Austin clapping Dez on the back.

"You're not leaving us again," Dez said. "I don't give two shits that you're second in command, this is an order; you're not leaving again."

Dez was practically sobbing now and if it weren't for me holding back my own tears and swallowing the painful lump in my throat, I would have probably been laughing.

I heard Austin sniff, chuckling lightly. "I wouldn't dream of it, man. I don't think I could leave ever again."

"Good," Dez said and smoothly let go of Austin, wiping off his tears with the back of his hand.

"Is anyone hurt...?" I called out and trailed off as Austin made his way over to Trish and Jace. "...badly?" I finished when I saw Jace inspecting Trish's wrist that was beginning to bruise.

"We're okay," Trish said, smiling up at me before embracing Austin who pulled Jace into the hug too.

"Everybody's got some injuries that'll need taking care of," Dez said, coming up to stand next to me. "Some worse than others but we'll heal. We've been through worse."

I nodded and watched Austin make his way to each pack member, finally getting to Mark and Anthony who barely had any scratches on themselves.

I made my way over too just in time to hear Austin say, "Ever the skilled fighters, my cousins."

"There were hardly any wolves comin' at us," Anthony said.

"They were all makin' for the humungous sabre toothed dog that was running around bulldozing everything," Mark followed.

Austin chuckled. "Hope I didn't scare you guys too much."

Mark's face softened. "Man, you scared us by having us think you weren't ever coming back."

That painful lump in my throat grew in size, but I pushed it down and willed the tears in my eyes to not fall.

"You've been gone a year, bro. Come here," Anthony said and pulled Austin into an embrace, almost lifting him off his feet.

"Jeez fuck, Anthony," Austin rasped through the pain I'm guessing.

Anthony was gonna let go but Mark stopped him and joined the hug, Austin groaning but giving in soon enough.

"Love you, guys," Austin said when the three pulled apart.

"We love you too."


"I know I need to explain," Austin began.

"We don't need to do this now."

"But-" he said, frowning when I shushed him with a finger to his lips.

I shook my head. "Not now. Later."

He sighed in resignation and hesitantly held a hand out to me, which I took.

We were in his room now in the cabin, everyone else nursing their wounds and cleaning themselves up. It was almost 10PM now, but everyone insisted they'd all be okay for a big meal in the dining hall.

Austin is back, we defeated the Silvertails, so there was cause for celebration.

He led me into the bathroom and looked around, taking in the sight of my hair and body products on the basin counter, smiling when he noticed his dog tags hanging on the towel hook next to the shower door.

I let go of his hand and stepped in front of him, touching the chain.

"I came in here when there was news of the Silvertails making their way over fast," I whispered, feeling Austin move closer behind me. "I was gonna wear it, thinking it would help me fight, but I couldn't. I took it off and hung it up. I didn't want to risk something happening to it. I didn't want to lose it. I already thought that I lost y-" I choked up then, putting my face into my hands as the sobs finally wracked through my body.

"Baby," Austin exhaled and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

I leaned back onto his chest, continuing to let the tears fall.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he whispered, burying his face into my hair. "I wanted to tell you, I wanted to tell you all but I couldn't."

I swung around and shoved at his chest in anger.

"Why? It was better to have us think that something was wrong?! Something terrible happened and you couldn't ever come back?"

Austin held up his palms in surrender, pain and frustration clear in his eyes and took a step towards me but I moved away, my back hitting the glass shower door behind me.

"Ally, please, I-"

"Akela came here months after you took control of yourself, months after, Austin. He said that you were in total control but you chose not to come back. Why? You're away for months and we don't hear anything from you except 'he chose to stay with us' from Akela and then you're gone a whole year! No explanation, no way of contacting you, no way of finding out if there's anything we can do, NOTHING!"

Austin's jaw flexed and his nostrils flared. I was expecting him to go off yelling but he took in a deep breath and let it out.

"You don't understand," he said through gritted teeth. "I had my reasons."

I picked up my arms and shrugged my shoulders in question.

"What happened to talking about this later?" He hissed.

I groaned and angrily wiped the tears from my eyes.

I did say later, but I needed an explanation. I was angry, I was confused, frustrated and...oh so many things but... I just missed him so much.

His eyebrows rose when I stepped up to him, pulling him into a rough kiss by his shirt, taking care to not touch the wound on his neck.

"Whoa!" He let out, stumbling back a bit but immediately grasping my hips in his strong hands, kissing me back.

There was a twinge of guilt that went through me, remembering he had a split lip not even two hours ago but the feeling was gone when he brought his hands up to cup both sides of my face, pulling me in deeper.

He healed up fairly quickly or he didn't care, I wasn't going to question it.

I let go of his shirt and ran my palms down his chest. He gasped against my lips and muttered, "Take it off."

I quickly obliged and tugged the shirt up and over his head.

The gash on his neck went right down the side of his chest, it wasn't bleeding anymore and didn't look as bad as I pictured but it obviously still hurt.

"Austin, maybe-" he didn't even give me a chance continue before he was pushing me up against the shower door.

"I'm okay, baby," he muttered, moving his kisses down my neck while his hands now went to the hem of my t shirt, tugging in question. "Are you?"

Well, I had a good few scrapes and bruises. My body was pretty much aching and throbbing but...I missed him.

I leaned my head back against the door when his lips settled on my pulse point, nibbling gently.

"Yes, I'm okay...off" I managed to say in between shaky breaths.

He pulled away and made quick work of getting me out of my shirt, tossing it over his shoulder to join his on the floor and then wrapping an arm around my waist, pulling me back into a kiss while the other reached behind me to slide open the glass door.

We stumbled into the shower, still locked in a kiss.

Again his hand reached behind me now to turn on the water. I felt the cool spray make contact, turning warmer within seconds.

"We could have...taken our pants off...before...getting in here, you know?" I said in between kisses.

"No, this is fine," he said and tugged my hips into his by my belt loops.

My jaw fell slack at the feel of him. "Austin," I breathed out, tilting my head back and he pulled away long enough to look at me, allowing him his turn at a slack jaw.

"Ally," he breathed, looking me up and down. "Wow."

"I know," I chuckled. "I'm still not used to it myself. But I feel good about it."

I don't suddenly now have the physique of a powerlifter, but I have muscle definition in places I never pictured I'd ever have. Getting to this point was not easy. Through the constant training with Mark and Anthony, the gruelling workouts and long hours, it was difficult but I needed it.

A baseball bat, any weapon can do a lot in a tough situation, but only if you know what to do with it.

Anthony's words ring true, that bat along with everything else I learnt this past year helped immensely in the fight against the Silvertail pack.

"I'm not even surprised, of course you'd be capable of doing this," Austin whispered and ran his hands over my arms, feeling the difference. "I love you."

I touched my forehead to his and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"I love you too," I said, and he brought his lips to mine in a gentle kiss that sparked my franticness from just a minute ago, so I pulled him closer and tugged on his bottom lip as he dragged his palms over my hips, going higher before settling on the back of my bra.

"Can I?"

"Yes," I answered immediately, and within a second I felt the straps loosen on my shoulders and fall away.

Austin flung the offending material over the door and looked at me, groaning before dipping his head down to my breasts.

I gasped as he made contact, heat flaring up my body from my need and the water showering down on us.

"Yesss..." I whispered, gripping his biceps in both my palms and revelling in the firmness and hardness of them. I'm not the only one who changed. They're bigger, firmer. "Austin, ki-ohhh," he cut me off by nipping slightly, sending a sharp jolt through me.

"Saying something?" he mumbled against my skin.

I nodded, even though he didn't see.

"Hm?" he asked when he pulled away to look me in the eyes, a grin on his face.

I nodded again.

"Kiss me."

He leaned in but I placed two fingers on his lips, shaking my head. He stared at me for a moment before his eyebrows shot up and his grin widened.

"Yeah?" he asked, his hands already making their way to the button on my jeans.

"Yeah," I whispered, biting down on my lesser lip.

Austin slowly dropped to his knees, bringing my jeans down my thighs as he did, already having undone the button and zipper.

I stepped out of them, bracing my hands on his shoulders.

They're stronger too, I thought.

I gripped them more firmly when Austin ran his nose up the inside of my thigh, stopping at the waistband of my underwear that found a place between his teeth.

The image of him on his knees below me like that was almost too much.

He pulled back, still with my panties between his teeth and a mischievous gleam in his eye. "Don't you dare," I said and he winked playfully, tugging back further before letting go.

The elastic band slapped back onto my skin, drawing a yelp from me and a very pleased chuckle from him.

I made a move to shove at his face but he laughed and batted my hand away, moving his head back to me and kissing just above the waistband of my underwear.

"I'm sorry. I'll give you a kiss worthy of forgiveness, I promise," he said and dragged the very edges of his fingertips up the sides of my thighs, taking hold of my panties before they too joined my discarded jeans behind him.

I wasn't ready. I wasn't ready for the onslaught of feelings and sensations that rammed into me, almost bringing me down to my knees when he kissed me, touched me, licked me...

"Aaahh...ah...haa..."

Oh my god

"Mmm," Austin hummed into me, his mouth and tongue working together perfectly.

My grip moved from his shoulders to his wet hair, which I noticed earlier was much shorter than usual but still long enough for me to hold onto, thankfully.

My breath came out in shudders as he continued, again my head tilting back and offering the water a clear path to my face.

Slowly up and down Austin caressed my thighs before settling in a grip just below my butt, pulling me in deeper, moaning into me as he did. "Oh, Austin!" I yelled and gripped his hair tighter, feeling that pressure begin to build deep inside me.

He didn't let up, driving me closer and closer.

"Yes! Austin, ohhh please!"

He angled his head, pulling back just a bit and used his tongue to hit just the perfect spot.

I gasped, moaned, yelled, I did something as my back arched, and my knees buckled, the most amazing pleasure making its way through me.

OH MY WORD

Austin was up on his feet to stabilize me, a wicked grin lighting up his face.

"You have no idea how long I've dreamt of doing that for you," he growled and smashed his lips to mine. "If you ask me to do it again I might never stop."

I was dizzy with pleasure, and tasting myself on him just about had me falling over if I wasn't snuggly in his hold.

"I might never ask you to stop," I breathed out with a dazed smile on my face.

Austin chuckled and licked his lips. "No complaints," he winked.

I giggled and smacked his shoulder, leaning closer to him when I felt him through his jeans. He groaned.

I dragged my calf up his leg and tilted my head up to place a kiss on his chin.

"Mmm, not that I'm complaining because I don't mind this position we're in at all," he said and dragged a hand down to gently squeeze my butt cheek, "but the waters probably gonna run cold soon so I say we clean up a bit."

I stepped back just a bit and brought my hands to the button of his soaked jeans.

"That can wait a bit."

Austin looked down at me and smiled, halting my hands movements with his own and bringing them up to his lips, kissing each finger tenderly.

"We don't have to do that right now, that can wait."

I opened my mouth to protest and he shook his head, and then kissed my knuckles. "I have to explain everything to you all, Ally. I need to get it all off my chest so I can get on with...pretty much anything else."

I looked between both his eyes, the playful glint now gone and replaced with the pain and frustration I saw before we got into the shower.

My own hurt resurfaced then.

Yes, an explanation is needed. But looking at Austin now, knowing that he had his reasons, knowing the type of person he is, I'm certain that whatever decision he made while away from us was called for, and he needed to do it.

I cupped his face in my hands and nodded.

"Okay."

He smiled softly and turned his head, kissing my palm.

"I really don't mind these jeans coming off though, a bit uncomfortable now."

I laughed and popped the button, pulling his zipper down and holding back a giggle when he let out a thankful sigh.

"Ohhh that's better, fuck."

He stepped out of his jeans and I tried not to stare, choosing to turn around and grab the shower gel.


We got out of the shower, threw our wet clothes into the laundry hamper, got dressed and were about to head out the door when a tiny mew came from under the bed.

Austin groaned.

"That rat has been sleeping in here?"

I smacked his shoulder before looking under the bed and cooing at Luna. "Hey, sweet kitty, come on, come here."

She let out a squeaky meow again and came up to my outstretched hand, rubbing up against my knuckles. I scooped her up and kissed her on the nose.

Austin raised his brows. "She grew...like an inch."

I laughed and brought her over to him, smiling when she burrowed her soft furry body closer to me when she fully noticed him in front of her. "She missed you," I said and held her closer to his face.

"She probably doesn't remember me."

Luna stared at him for around five seconds before curiously reaching out a very short limb. I gave a pointed look to Austin and he rolled his eyes, dipping his head down lower.

"Hey."

She immediately mewed and batted at his face excitedly and he drew back with a huff, shaking his head.

"Rat," he muttered but didn't object to holding her when I laughed and held her out to him. He took her in his arms and she right away began to try scrambling up his chest and to his face. "Yeah, okay, could you relax?"

"I told you she missed you," I giggled and Austin smirked at me.

"More than you?"

I smiled and careful of the now bandaged gash on his neck and Luna in his arms, I leaned up to kiss the corner of his mouth.

"I think we're neck and neck."

He bumped his nose against mine and smiled. "Let's head out. Everyone's probably waiting."

I nodded and opened the door. We stepped out, making our way to the dining hall where we could hear the sounds of cutlery and voices from the pack.

Just as we were about to enter; Mike walked out and stopped in his tracks.

"Oh, there you two are. Or three, I mean," he chuckled when he noticed Luna in Austin's arms.

"Mike, hey!" I greeted. His arm was in a sling and he had a bruise above his right eye, but other than that he looked fine. I smiled. "All okay?"

He smiled in return. "All fine, Ally dear, thankfully." His eyes flicked to Austin behind me who only now did I notice was awfully quiet. I turned around and was taken aback by the look on his face. Jaw clenched, eyes slightly narrowed and his chest was heaving.

"Austin?" I said timidly and stepped up to him, taking his free hand. His eyes didn't leave his dad's gaze but he squeezed my hand back gently.

"Hello, son," Mike said from behind me.

I was left in utter confusion when all Austin did was give a stiff nod in reply.


AND SCENE.

. DR-AMAAAA.

So the pack doesn't know about Michael not being Austin's biological father. That discussion happens in the next chapter which I hope to have up sometime soon, but then again, I'm an arse and I usually don't mean to make yall wait but its what happens. But hopefully this time it won't.

BUT I AM BACK. I always come back, you all know this.

Okay, so leave me your thoughts, let me know what you think might happen in the next chapter!

Once again, thank you for 1000+ reviews. This story has come so far and I am so grateful for all of you :)

Also, please stay safe amongst all of this COVID 19 business. The whole world is practically in a standstill because of it so please take it seriously and take all necessary precautions. BUT! Silver lining, it may sound bad but I'm kinda...just a little...happy? In a way you know? Like Mother Nature is healing just a little bit, the earth is getting a bit of a detox, that's the good part, I love it.

But because of the lockdown and stuff, I'm hoping that I can get out another chapter soon since I'll have nothing but time on my hands so...yes, here's hoping! I'll try my best!

I Love You Guys!

PEACE.