A/N: Um…this chapter is pretty much why I rated this R….so consider this your warning, if you somehow haven't missed where this story was leading up to.
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For the third night in a row, Remus laid back against the soft pillows in his bed, hazel eyes narrowed, focused upon the bookcase. He had gotten what he wanted; Belle would be staying with him the entire summer.
The predator in him was out tonight, the moon's near-fullness making him take on more of his wolfish characteristics than normal. His senses were even more heightened than usual, he could hear her slight breathing, smell her clean scent, nearly taste her on his tongue. He heard her go out on her balcony; she was still out there, standing near the edge, hands on the railings.
Blood simmered in his veins as he brooded over the evening's events. Tonight. He had to settle everything between them tonight.
Remus got up, disregarding the fact that he was only covered in dark blue silk pyjama bottoms, heading towards the bookcase. A quick tap of the third book on the left and the door swung open, leading him into her room.
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She heard him coming, didn't have to turn around to know he was right behind her, the warm rush of breath on the back of her neck contrasting sharply with the cool night breeze.
"What is it Remus?" she asked with a sigh. She was so tired and had many things to do tomorrow, such as prepare the house for Harry.
"I want to talk to you." She felt his arms fall on either side of her, his hands resting on top of hers. She was trapped between the heat of his body and the coldness of the balcony. There was no escape.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this, Belle. This isn't how it should've been. I only wanted you to be happy, safe, with a husband and family surrounding you. You had everything going for you, I never meant…I never meant for you to hide yourself away from the world. I didn't want you to end up hating me for what I was, that would've been unbearable. It happened so many times before, people would find out and never speak to me again, hating me. I didn't want you to hate me." His voice was strained, distant, sounding very far away like he was speaking to her through a tunnel.
Belle gazed up at the stars overhead, Remus' words sinking in. It was so clear to her now; he'd never really understood her, never comprehending how much she loved him. He'd automatically lumped her in with the rest of the world that had always shown him hatred and fear, without ever giving her the chance to prove herself. Anger welled up inside as she thought about this, but just as quickly Sirius' words hit her again: You've punished yourselves enough now. You belong together.
What should I do? Do I just forgive him and try to move on? Belle looked up to the moon, to see if the pearly orb could provide some answers. I love him. I know he loves me too, I can feel it.
"So what do we do now, Remus?" She felt him heave a sigh and gasped as the strong arms gently turned her around to face him.
Wolfish eyes bored into hers as he caressed her cheek. "I…uh…I…I want you to stay with me." He seemed almost scared, hesitant. Belle wasn't fooled.
"I am staying with you, Remus. Remember Dumbledore's task? Harry will be here in a few days." She broke away from him to go inside. Damn him! Why won't he say it?!
Belle's arm was nearly jerked from her body as Remus harshly pulled her back and fused their mouths together in a deep, desperate kiss. Heat coiled inside her as he pushed her back up against the railings, her hips making a soft cradle for his own. She felt the predator in him, he was turning feral on her, out of control as he ravaged her mouth, bruising her lips once again. Her arms wound tight around his neck as she felt him try to break away. Not this time, Remus.
"Belle!" He gasped hoarsely, trying once again to break her hold.
"I love you, Remus," she said, pulling him back down to her for another torrid kiss, refusing to let him leave her. "I know you love me. I'm not going to let you do this to us a second time."
He gazed down at her for a moment, she could see the moon reflected in his eyes, mixing with the love and desire already in those hazel depths. Her world turned upside-down as she was suddenly hoisted up in his arms. God, yes, she was starving for a taste of him, needing to be a part of him. He carried her off the balcony, ignoring her gasp of surprise as he walked directly past her bed and went in through the bookcase to his own chamber. She wanted him so much, so badly, she never stopped planting sweet kisses on his face and neck, didn't let go of him when he gently laid her down on the soft sheets. He ended up falling on her, groaning aloud as their bodies made full contact, the heat burning them alive.
She'd made love to him so often in her dreams, there was no fear, no hesitation as the dream slowly became a reality. He was tender, he was fierce as his hands and lips lovingly memorized every inch of her body, wringing soft moans and gasps and sighs from her. She got to explore the tastes and textures of his own body as well and the room was filled with his deep moans and growls, echoing out into the night.
"Belle…Belle…please," she heard him whimper as she delicately traced each scar that criss-crossed his chest with her tongue, stopping to lave the mark that branded his skin, wanting to take the pain from each wound. Molten fire poured through her veins as she watched him remove his only clothing; her own filmy nightgown had long since been torn from her. He was so beautiful, stretched out over her, completely naked. She just did manage to bite back a scream of pleasure as he lowered himself over her, fitting her to him perfectly.
A small cry ripped from her throat when he finally entered her, filling her heart and soul as well as her body with warmth and love. Wave upon wave of the most glorious sensations washed over her, leaving her feeling finally whole, completed. His own heated moans exploded into a silent scream of ecstasy as he too, found fulfillment, and she sighed deeply as she felt him collapse upon her, loving the feel of being completely surrounded by him, inside and out. She almost missed his soft words as he gently rolled over and pulled her to him, covering them with the satin coverlet.
"I love you, Belle."
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Remus stretched languidly as the morning sun crept through the curtains. A smile formed when he felt a soft body cuddled against him, silver hair fanned out over his chest, face nestled in the crook of his neck. God, he'd never felt so right, so good before. Never. He was quite content to just stay right where he was, never moving for the rest of his life. He toyed with that sweet thought for a few moments longer before reality set in.
Had he been to rough with her? He was out of control last night, the hunter in him seeking its prey. He knew it was her first time, it was his as well, and he should've been more gentle than he was. He certainly never should have loved her again and again, not so soon after the first, but he'd been hungry for her for so long…
A dreamy sigh interrupted his thoughts.
"Morning," said a sleepy voice. He felt her stir against him, raising her head to plant a kiss on his lips. She was so beautiful, her ivory skin cast into a rosy-golden glow in the early sunlight. She was temptation personified as she rolled him over on top of her and deepened the kiss. It was another hour yet before Remus could think rationally again.
"Are you hungry?" he gasped, trying to force his breathing back to normal.
"Mmmm…I could eat. But I don't think we can leave this bed, do you?" she murmured in his ear, her own voice raspy.
"We don't have to." Remus held out his hand, summoning his wand. With a quick wave and an ever quicker incantation, a small tray filled with tea, milk, muffins, clotted cream and strawberry jam appeared in the space next to them.
"Ingenious!" Belle rose up, settling them against the pillows and eagerly biting into one of the muffins as he poured the tea. In between kisses and soft sighs, they managed to empty the contents of the tray, and when this hunger was satisfied, they fell back unto the tangled sheets to satisfy the other, more urgent need.
They stayed that way the entire day, each unwilling to move beyond the world they created where the only thing that existed was each other and the love they shared. Remus was wrapped in a warm cocoon of satin and the silk of Belle's body when he noticed the light outside had faded into deep shades of purple and pink and gold. Night was rapidly falling.
"Belle," he whispered, waking her from her sated slumber. "Belle, wake up."
"Mmm…" He nearly cried at the thought of having to leave those sweet lips and soft caresses she lavished on him so generously.
"Belle," he tried again, easing back. "Belle, it's almost night."
That woke her up immediately. She straightened up, turning to face the window. He watched her bite her lip. "You need to take your potion before you go."
"I will," he agreed, kissing her one last time before raising up. "Belle," he swallowed, once again fighting to say the words he wanted to say the previous night, before she burned through his control. "Belle, I love you." She smiled, coming to her knees before him. He grasped her shoulders. "I'm going to the cellar. Will you….will you be here when I get back?"
She wrapped her arms around him. "I'll always be here, Remus," she said against his lips. "I'm not leaving you. Ever. Didn't you know? Wolves mate for life."
He smiled roguishly. "I'm the only wolf here."
She kissed him hard, running her fingers through his already mussed hair. "That's what you think."
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Belle watched him leave, sadness taking hold of her insides at the knowledge of what he would soon be going through. She eased up out of the bed, wrapping his night robe around her, his musky scent imbedded in the soft folds, surrounding her. She crept downstairs, hoping not to have to run into the other house guest; Sirius would definitely get a few teases in. In the kitchen, she took note of the empty goblet, still steaming with the smell of the potion. Closing her eyes, she could almost sense the changes occurring in Remus; the pain, the desperate struggle to fight, senses escalating as the wolf took over the man inside. Like she had said repeatedly, she spent her time at Privet Drive practicing and learning many, many things; spells and charms and potions that few wizards could do.
Should she go to him? She was in no danger, Remus would never hurt her, no matter what form he took. She could go down there and be with him, help him, comfort him. No one would ever know.
Her decision made, Belle opened the door that led to the cold, musty cellar, hinges creaking as the door swung open. Silently, she descended the darkened stairwell, not the least bit afraid of meeting a full grown, live werewolf.
She could smell him before her feet even touched the freezing stone floor. The cellar was cold itself, rivulets of water trickled down the brick walls, the smell of must and dirt mixing with the scent of wolf. Wine barrels were stacked along the walls, the only witnesses to the transformation that had just taken place.
Grey eyes scanned the shadows cast from the moonlight coming in from the tiny window near the ceiling. She had excellent night vision. Turning around slowly, she could hear the deep breathing of another being, a small scuttering of a mouse as it ran across the floor.
There, in the corner, underneath a set of barrels, was Remus. Even in his current state, he was beautiful. He was huge, almost the size of a small deer. He was covered in light brown hair, with gray streaks on his sides and down his neck. He was asleep, curled into a large, furry ball, tail wrapped around him. Belle carefully eased herself up to him, snuggling deep into the warm fur. He even smelled like Remus. She stared at him a moment longer, pressing a kiss to his ear, which twitched on the top of his head. Belle curled up against him, a blissful sigh escaping through her teeth.
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Remus woke, eyes blinking, adjusting to the darkness around him. A heartbeat thudded in his ear. He was so warm, so peaceful, it was eerie. He'd never felt this way, not in this state. Mind still groggy from the combination of the effects of the transformation and the potion, his senses were not as sharp as they normally would be. Something was nuzzling against him, warm gushes of air stirred the hair on his neck. He could almost smell her, feel her in his arms. Leaning back, he tried to see what was there with him.
Wolf eyes widened in shock. She practically glowed where the moonlight illuminated her white silvery fur. She was absolutely the most beautiful being he'd ever encountered. Where did she come from? How did she get here? As if sensing his questions, she slowly raised her head, yawning, exposing rows of pointed ivory teeth. She stretched, long limbs reaching out, back arching gracefully. A she-wolf. Her eyes met his; her grey human eyes. Remus felt his draw drop. He could've sworn she winked at him. He watched fascinated as she pressed her nose into the fur just above his neck, blowing a warm puff of air and licking his ear, her long pink tongue hot against his skin. She laid her head back down onto small paws, and smiled at him. He followed suit, and nose against nose, they drifted off into sleep again.