Fenrir opened the door tentatively, heart beating like a jack rabbit, though he wasn't sure why. How bad could it be? Ash was here. She'd been late, over an hour late and for a time the wolf had been half out of mind. He'd paced every inch of his cell floor, she's coming, no she's not, she's definitely coming...no, Ash hates me. Fenrir felt like a teeter totter, up down, up down... why did he want this again?

But now she was there, on the other side of the door and Fenrir found himself uncharacteristically nervous. This visit had to go well or it may be the last and what would he do then? It wasn't like he could just owl the witch or write her a muggle letter. He paused for a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his brow, here goes nothing.

The room was dim, same as the day before but the mood was vastly different and it reeked of uncertainty and sadness to his sensitive nose. Ash, who had been pacing the floor, paused mid step, halfway across the room, looking completely lost. When their eyes met her mouth opened and then very slowly closed without speaking. Despite the awkwardness and uncertainty, the wolf found himself distracted by Ash's appearance. The other days she had been done up a little sexier, a dress and heels or fancy sandals, her hair bound up but today she was different, more natural and sweet, like when they'd first met. She wore a simple light summer dress and low top sneakers, no adornments or distractions from her natural beauty. The dress was made of a light blue gauze material that fell down to her knees and she just looked amazing, simple and understated but amazing. Her long, straight hair was free flowing and cascaded down over her shoulders and back, just begging to have someone run their fingers through it.

"You look beautiful." Fenrir blurted before he could stop himself.

Ashling looked down at her white sneakers, hands twisting in distress. He was pushing the boundaries of her comfort zone, one of the rare women that was beautiful beyond words and clueless to it.

"Th-thank you." she murmured and though she was still looking downwards he spotted the blush staining her high cheekbones.

Ash was taken aback by the compliment, though not unpleasantly, figuring he'd like her better in her more alluring attire. She'd purposefully dressed like her normal self for that day's visit, it made her feel more confident and Ash needed every little bit she could muster. Today would be on her terms no matter the outcome.

"I'm glad you came." he said softly, walking a few steps into the room.

"I don't know quite what to say after yesterday…" Ash had once again practiced everything she'd wanted to say but had still found herself floundering and tongue tied the moment Fenrir arrived. The way he was looking at her, like an oasis in the heart of an arid desert, made her own mouth go dry and her heart thump madly.

"You don't have to bring the pup here." Fenrir interrupted, unsure if he wanted to hear her thoughts on what had happened or on himself for that matter. After what he'd said, he needed to prove to Ash that he wasn't just some self-serving predator, that he could keep his word and provide for her.

Fenrir closed the distance between them and swept an arm around her waist to halt her almost instinctual retreat. He knew what Ashling needed that day, something less emotionally intrusive, and though it was the complete opposite of what he wanted, he would give her everything she needed just to be inside her, hell just to be near her.

"Maybe we should just not today." Ash said softly and looked up into his eyes almost pleadingly, begging him to not let her feel like a fool again. She still didn't know what to think, mind reeling over words and actions, wants and needs, not knowing if he spoke the truth but badly wanting to believe it. If Fenrir relented on his demand she would be free to go without the guilt of deception.

"Oh no, you're not leaving." the wolf growled, sweeping her along and roughly pushing her front first against the wall. "Today is the day I rut my pup into you."

Ashling stood frozen as he pressed himself against her, hardness prodding the small of her back, half in shock and ready to deny him and half ready to rip her panties off. When animal magnetism was spoken of, it had to be Fenrir they were talking about. Fenrir kept her tight against the cold painted brick as he discarded his shirt and undid his pants. Before him was the rare gift of a woman who loved wolves and their ways and he unwrapped it, dropping her panties down around her ankles. He pulled her leg up, cradling her knee in his right hand, groaning when Ash hoisted her dress up and gave him a splendid view of her bare ass. Fenrir couldn't resist giving it a stinging slap, drawing a low moan out of the witch. He lined himself up with her wet core and thrust home, barely holding back on his full strength. Fenrir's paw snaked up her body and beneath her bra, squeezing Ash's breast and allowing his claws to dig in as he worked inside her. She leaned her head back against his broad shoulder, arms encircling his neck and the vision Ash made almost made the wolf come undone. Her eyes were closed in ecstasy with just a hint of flutter from her eyelashes, plump lips slightly parted to allow her praises to reach his ears, cheeks flushed pink from the heat of their bodies.

There were no words spoken, nothing but moans and growls of pleasure, fears and uncertainties were replaced by instinct and need. For a short time they were wild and free in the way wolves were meant to be, in the recesses of each other. When they climaxed it was together and it was amazingly fierce, leaving them panting, glistening with sweat and aching deliciously. Afterwards, when the wolf had caught his breath, their bodies still pressed firmly together, he leaned down, pushed on Ash's leg until she lifted it and snatched up her panties.

"And I'm keeping these." Fenrir rasped in the hollow of her ear, sending shivers down her spine, and stuffed them into his pocket.

He lifted a brow, daring Ashling to try and take them back but she simply gave him a look, biting down on her lip to suppress a little grin.

Today hadn't been that day it turned out, nor the few after that. And then came Ash's period and with it a barrage of tears. Though she had experience with the monthly disappointment of not conceiving, it never got any easier. Unlike all the other times however, there was no Sean to console her and to share the disappointment with. Next to the loss of her beloved husband, nothing had ever made her feel so empty inside as the absence of that life. There were no consolations, no chocolate or food would do and no arms to be folded into. For a brief moment Ashling's emotions got the better of her and she wished Fenrir wasn't locked away.

"This is highly unusual ma'am." the tall, spindly guard insisted, trying to make his eyes look anywhere other than her red rimmed ones.

"Please." Ash plead, pulling the cloak tighter around her pajama clad body. "I just need to see my, my husband."

"It's after midnight." he replied plaintively, face scrunching up in indecision, but she could already see that he was going to fold, not that she was taking no for an answer anyway.

"Please." she pressed, making sure to catch his eyes. Ash was desperate, the bleeding, cramping, crying and alone sort of desperate. There was no one else to go to. Even dreamless sleep, something that had never failed her, hadn't put the witch out of her misery.

The guard sighed, shoulders sagging in defeat.

"Greyback!"

Fenrir bolted upright with a gasp, eyes popping open but still blind as he searched for the reason of the abrupt awakening.

"Let's go." the voice came again and he finally narrowed in on the night guard standing by his cell door, wand in hand.

The first thought that came to mind was 'what the fuck have I done' but the wolf had been nothing less than a model citizen since Ashling came back into his life. And then the door screeched open bringing his second thought, 'did something happen to Ash'? But no, he was the very last person they would notify even if anyone outside of Azkaban knew she was visiting him. Regardless, Fenrir was already up on his bare feet and following the stiff guard down the cell block.

"What's going on?" he hissed, hoping to avoid waking any more wankers than they already had.

The guard simply shrugged in annoyance and lumbered on towards the stairwell. Fenrir's heart kicked up as they descended the stairs, knowing that it had to be Ash, there would be no other reason for this walk. Fuck, she was pregnant and probably coming to announce that the deal was off, so fucking happy to be rid of him that she couldn't wait until morning. But the moment she stepped into the room he knew that couldn't be it. The look on her face spoke volumes, red rimmed eyes with dark circles beneath them and carefully pursed lips trying desperately to still a quivering chin, there was no baby. But to Fenrir's surprise he didn't feel as much like celebrating as he had anticipated. Despite the fact that this meant he'd get to keep her for at least another month, Ash looked so crestfallen that it made his chest constrict uncomfortably.

Any thoughts of 'what am I doing here' and 'this was a mistake' went out the window when the door had closed behind her and Fenrir was within sight. He didn't ask any questions, just met Ash halfway and simply opened his arms. He was half dressed, no shirt and no shoes, looking wholly unprepared for an emotional display but somehow managed to do the exact right thing. Ashling wilted into the wolf's muscular arms and seconds later burst into tears. When her knees buckled, Fenrir scooped her small frame up and carried the witch to the armchair in the corner. There they sat in silence, Ash taking comfort in arms as scarred as she felt. Her hand clamped down over the jagged mark on his left bicep, squeezing tightly as she cried herself out in the core of his equally marred chest. The ache in Fenrir's chest began at last to ease when Ash's crying subsided to sniffles, her tears drying on his skin beneath her cheek. He continued stroking her rose scented hair long after she'd drifted off to sleep, feeling both contented and proud. His arms had been used for a lot of things, lifting, running and yes killing, but never for comfort. They'd never tossed squealing children into the air or hugged a loved one hello and until that night Fenrir would never have believed them capable of it. He pressed his lips to the top of his temptress's head in a soft kiss and resisted the urge to sleep for as long as possible, thanking his lucky stars that the guard seemed to have forgotten about them. He wanted to remember every moment.