When I woke, the first thing I felt was warmth—the steady rise and fall of Peter's chest beneath my palm. My fingers moved instinctively, ghosting over the place where my claws had once torn into his flesh. Smooth skin met my touch, completely unblemished, as if I had never marked him at all. It was fascinating in a way I couldn't quite explain, the way our bodies could heal, erase, yet somehow still remember.

My hand lingered for a moment before I shifted closer, seeking more of him. My nose brushed against his neck, and I breathed him in—earthy, familiar, something undeniably Peter. Without thinking, I nuzzled into him, slowly rubbing my face against his skin, absorbing the scent of him, wrapping myself in it.

His body tensed, just for a second, before he relaxed, letting me take what I needed. A low hum of approval vibrated through his chest, the sound soothing, grounding.

"Someone's feeling affectionate this morning," he murmured, voice rough with sleep.

I didn't answer, not with words. Instead, I pressed closer, letting my actions speak for me. Letting him know that, for now, for this moment, I belonged here.

I moved on instinct, my face brushing along his, our scents mingling with every slow, deliberate touch. It was natural—primal. A part of me was lost in the act of marking him, of making sure the world, the pack, knew he was mine just as much as I was his.

Still, the rational part of me hesitated. I lifted my gaze, searching his for any sign that this was wrong—another wolf thing that didn't translate to the human world. But Peter didn't pull away. He didn't laugh or question it.

Instead, he answered me with action. In one fluid motion, he rolled me onto my back, his weight pressing me into the mattress, his face nuzzling into the crook of my neck. He mirrored my movements, his stubble scraping along my skin as he breathed me in, taking his time like he was savoring the moment.

"You're mine, Little Wolf," he murmured against my ear, his voice low, possessive. The words sent a shiver down my spine, heat pooling deep in my stomach in a way that only he had ever made me feel.

I didn't need to answer. He already knew.

His hands moved with deliberate slowness, tracing a path down my body, teasing, exploring. When his fingers tightened around my hips, I knew what he wanted before he even said it. A silent command, a primal urge. He guided me, urging me to roll onto my stomach.

The sharp press of his teeth against the back of my neck sent a shudder through me, a deep, undeniable claim. It wasn't just an act—it was instinct, a wolf's way of marking what was his.

A soft whimper escaped my lips at the feel of him pressing against me, solid and sure. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, my hips lifting, answering his unspoken demand with a need just as wild as his.

His grip tightened, fingers digging into my hips as he drove deep, making sure I felt every inch of him. The possessiveness in his touch sent a shiver through me, igniting something primal in my core.

A low growl rumbled from his chest, vibrating through me as he pulled back, only to thrust inside me again, slow but deliberate. Each movement was a claim, a reminder of what we were—what I was to him. My breath hitched, my fingers curling into the sheets as I surrendered to the intensity of it, to him.

My back arched, my hips moved back, meeting his thrusts, he drove harder and faster. My body aching for more of what he was giving me. He slipped one hand from my hip under me. Finding my sensitive bundle of nerves. Peter's finger kept in sync with the thrusting of his hips.

A moan escaped from my lips as I felt the familiar pressure building. The ripples of pleasure moved through me like wildfire. I felt myself start to unravel around him.

"That's it, Little Wolf," Peter groaned and picked up the pace even more.

I cried out, my body tightening around him as the pleasure surged through me. Every nerve in my body was on fire, every sensation heightened by the way he moved—deep, relentless, utterly consuming. His fingers never slowed, pushing me further, drawing out every last wave of pleasure.

My hands fisted in the sheets, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I trembled beneath him. Peter growled, his pace growing erratic, his own pleasure building as he chased his release.

"Mine," he gritted out, his hands tightening on me as he drove into me one last time, shuddering as he followed me over the edge.

The sound of our mingled breaths filled the room as we came down together, tangled in each other. I felt his weight press against me, grounding me, anchoring me in the aftermath of something raw and untamed.

Peter nuzzled into my neck, his lips brushing against my skin. "You're not going anywhere, Little Wolf," he murmured, possessive and certain.

I smiled, still breathless. "Wasn't planning on it."

His fingers trailed back up my body still vibrating under him. "I can't get enough of you," his voice dark and deep.

I shivered at the way his voice wrapped around me, low and rough, filled with something dangerously addictive. His fingers traced lazy patterns over my skin, teasing, claiming. I was still trembling beneath him, my body humming with the aftermath of everything he'd given me—everything I had taken in return.

"You say that like it's a problem," I murmured, tilting my head to meet his gaze.

His eyes burned into mine, fierce and possessive. "It might be," he admitted, dragging his fingers up my spine, sending another shiver through me. "Because I don't know if I'll ever want to stop."

I smirked, pressing my body against his, daring him to prove it. "Then don't."

His lips danced over my ear, the heat between us building even more. His hips rolled against mine. He was still inside me. A part of me. I couldn't tell anymore where he began and I ended. I let out a raspy moan as my walls fluttered around him as he grew hard again.

"You keep doing that, Little Wolf," he murmured, "you might get your wish."

"And what wish is that?" I asked, my voice breathless, teasing.

Peter chuckled darkly, his breath hot against my skin. "For me to never stop."

I bit my lip, raising up so my back was flush against his chest, wordlessly urging him on. "I don't want you to."

His grip tightened, his next thrust stealing the air from my lungs. "Careful what you ask for, Little Wolf," he warned, his voice thick with hunger. "Because I never do anything halfway."

I leaned my head back on his shoulder, my hips circled slowly, my body craving more. "I want all of you, Peter."

His hand slid up my body, his fingers digging into my flesh holding me tight to him as he thrust again. I closed my eyes, giving myself freely to him. "You're so eager," he smirked against my skin, "to submit to me, aren't you?"

"Yes," I muttered as he drove into me again.

Peter's growl vibrated through my body, his teeth grazing the curve of my shoulder before sinking in just enough to leave his mark. A shiver ran down my spine, heat coiling low in my belly as I pressed back against him, my body answering him in the only way it knew how.

"Good girl," he purred, his tongue flicking over the bite. "You feel that?" His hand slid lower, teasing, coaxing, setting my nerves ablaze. "That's what it means to be mine."

I moaned, arching into his touch, surrendering to the possessive way he held me, the way he took his time unraveling me. Every stroke, every whisper of his breath against my skin sent me spiraling deeper into the hunger that only he could satisfy.

Peter chuckled, dark and knowing. "And here you thought you could handle complicated."

"I can handle—" The words caught in my throat, swallowed by the pleasure that consumed me. My body tensed, a tremor running through me as I shattered around him, wave after wave of ecstasy washing over me.

"Good girl," Peter murmured, his voice thick with satisfaction. "That's it… cum for me." His praise sent another shiver through me, my body still fluttering around him as I gasped for air.

But he wasn't finished. Before I had even fully come down, he leaned me forward, his grip tightening around my hips as he drove into me with renewed urgency. His thrusts were deep, demanding, his pace relentless as he chased his own pleasure.

A guttural moan tore from his throat as he finally let go, his body stiffening against mine. I felt the warmth of him flood me, his fingers digging into my skin as he held me in place, panting against my shoulder.

Neither of us moved, our bodies entwined, skin slick with sweat. Then, slowly, his lips ghosted over the curve of my shoulder, a quiet but possessive kiss sealing what had just transpired.

He pulled out of me slowly, the sudden emptiness making me whimper at the loss. I felt his smirk against my skin before he rolled onto his back, his strong arms wrapping around me and pulling me against his chest.

My body melted into his warmth, my cheek resting over the steady thrum of his heartbeat. His fingers traced lazy patterns along my spine, possessive yet soothing.

"Mine," he muttered again, almost breathless, the word carrying weight, promise, and something deeper—something I wasn't sure I could name, but I felt it all the same.

I sighed softly, pressing a lingering kiss to his chest. "Yours," I whispered back, letting my eyes drift closed, safe in the arms of the wolf who had claimed me.

—-

The afternoon sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. The world outside seemed so far away as we finally pulled ourselves from our cocoon, both a little breathless, but content.

My stomach growled loudly, the sound breaking the lingering silence.

Peter chuckled, the sound low and rich. "I didn't mean to fuck you into starvation," he teased, his voice a mix of amusement and something else, something more possessive. "Come on, Little Wolf. Let's find you something to eat."

I couldn't help but smile, the weight of his words still heavy in the air, but the thought of food now pulling me from the haze. I nodded, sliding out of bed and stretching, feeling his eyes follow every move I made.

"Anything in particular you're craving?" he asked, voice casual, but the glint in his eyes said otherwise.

"Just... something that isn't you," I teased, a playful smirk tugging at my lips as I glanced over my shoulder at him.

He laughed, shaking his head, before standing and stretching his own body with ease. "Smartass," he muttered under his breath, clearly amused by my antics.

As we made our way to the kitchen, I felt a strange sense of normalcy settling between us. Despite everything, despite the intensity of our connection, this moment felt grounded. Even as the chaos of our worlds loomed outside, we had this—this simple, shared time. And it felt like enough.

I watched him as he moved around the kitchen, his muscles flexing with each movement. The way his body flowed with such effortless strength was almost mesmerizing. He opened the refrigerator door with a grunt, peering inside before pulling out a carton of eggs and some cheese.

"I've got limited options, Little Wolf," he said, glancing over his shoulder at me, his smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Omelet?"

"Sounds good," I replied, though I wasn't exactly sure what an omelet was, but I wasn't going to ask. I was just content to watch him work.

Without another word, he lifted me up onto the counter, his hands surprisingly gentle despite the power that lay beneath his touch. I settled on the cool surface, watching as he cracked the eggs and whisked them with practiced ease. The sound of the eggs mixing filled the kitchen, and I felt a sudden sense of domesticity settle over me, something I hadn't expected to feel in a place like this.

Peter moved with purpose, pulling out a skillet and heating it up. His movements were quick, yet graceful, as if he were performing some kind of dance. I was so caught up in watching him that I barely noticed when he turned to glance at me, his eyes softening for just a moment before he focused back on his task.

"So, what do you think of my cooking skills?" he asked, a teasing edge to his voice as he sprinkled cheese into the eggs.

"I think you're good at everything," I said without thinking, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

He paused, looking up at me with a raised brow, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Is that so?"

I felt a flush creep up my neck, but I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "I mean, you're kind of... perfect," I said, unsure if I meant it in the way I thought, but I couldn't deny the attraction I felt.

Peter chuckled, shaking his head as he poured the egg mixture into the pan, watching it sizzle. "You're trouble, Little Wolf. But I like it."

I let him lift the forkful of eggs to my mouth. I'd already learned to eat with utensils but he seemed to like to do it. I wrapped my lips around the fork, savoring the taste on my tongue.

I couldn't help but smile. Despite everything, the simple act of being here with him, in this moment, felt like something out of a dream.

He smiled, clearly pleased with my response, as he lifted the fork again, this time bringing it to my lips with a certain tenderness that made my heart flutter. I opened my mouth, savoring the warmth of the eggs as they slid across my tongue, the cheese melting perfectly into the dish. It was simple, but there was something comforting about it, especially coming from him.

"That good?" Peter asked, his smirk growing as he watched me.

I nodded, not wanting to break the moment. The food was delicious, but it was more than that—it was the way he was feeding me, the way he seemed to care so much about every little detail, even in something as small as sharing a meal.

I leaned forward again, eager for another bite, my fingers brushing against his as I took the fork from him. His gaze lingered on me for a moment, something unreadable in his eyes before he turned his attention back to the pan, making sure nothing burned.

"Did the girls talk to you about what goes on in a woman's body?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" I asked as took another bite of my omelet. "Lydia said girls have to carry themselves with poise and grace to get the right kind of attention from their partner. I kind of tuned it out 'cause I like the attention you give me."

His lips curved into his signature smirk as his eyes loomed over me, "That's not exactly what I meant. The reproductive cycle is different in humans."

I looked at him in disbelief.

I put the fork down, my brow furrowing as I processed what he'd said. "Wait, you're talking about...?" I trailed off, the realization slowly dawning on me.

Peter's smirk softened, his gaze turning more serious. "Yeah. The way human bodies work, their cycles, the different stages... It's something I probably should've brought up earlier, considering everything."

I shifted on the counter, feeling suddenly exposed, even though it was just the two of us in the room. "Why would you bring that up now?" I asked, genuinely confused. "I didn't even know that was something I needed to worry about."

His eyes softened, a mixture of concern and patience in them. "It's not something to be worried about, Little Wolf, just... something you should be aware of. Humans go through cycles, changes, and it's something that affects a lot of their lives, especially in relationships. And with you being, well... not entirely human, I wanted to make sure you understood it, at least in part."

I shifted uneasily, my fingers toying with the edge of the plate. "I don't really know what I'm supposed to do with that information."

Peter moved closer, his hand gently resting on my knee. "You don't need to know everything right away. I'm not expecting you to understand it all at once. But we'll figure it out. Together." He gave me a reassuring smile, the usual mischief in his eyes softened by something more genuine.

I swallowed, my earlier unease settling a little, but not entirely. "Okay... I guess that makes sense."

Peter leaned in closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. "I've got you, Little Wolf. Whatever happens, we'll handle it." His voice was soft, but it had that underlying tone that made it clear he meant it—he always did.

"So how often does this happen?" I asked.

"Every twenty-eight days or so," he answered, "you've been here for a little over a month so if it hasn't happened yet, it will soon. Probably in the next few days."

I tilted my head looking at him, "How do you know?"

"Your scent," he answered.

I blinked at him, trying to wrap my head around the information. "You can tell from my scent?"

He nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, wolves are really sensitive to scent, especially when it comes to things like this. It's a way of knowing when someone's going through certain stages. You probably haven't noticed, but it's subtle. Even if you don't pick up on it, I do."

I shifted slightly on the counter, the concept still feeling a little strange to me. "So, you can tell when, like, I'm... about to go through that stuff? That's, uh, kind of creepy."

Peter chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's not creepy, Little Wolf. It's just part of being attuned to you. Wolves are all about pack dynamics, and that means we're aware of each other's changes. Especially if you're someone I care about."

I flushed slightly, a mix of confusion and something else stirring in me at the way he phrased that. "So you're saying you... care about me?"

Peter's gaze softened, the teasing edge to his voice gone. "Of course I do, Little Wolf. I wouldn't be here with you, talking about this stuff, if I didn't."

I bit my lip, the weight of his words sinking in. "Okay, so... you can tell when I'm... going to... you know?" I gestured vaguely, still not totally comfortable with the topic.

"Yeah," he answered, his tone gentle now. "And I'll be here to help you with whatever you need. No matter what."

I nodded slowly, processing all of it. "I guess I'm still learning what it all means, this... woman thing. It's a lot."

Peter reached out, brushing a thumb against my cheek. "You don't have to figure it out all at once."

My head was spinning with all this new information. "How will I know when it's happening?"

"You might start to cramp," he told me, "some women say that part is worse than others. Then you'll bleed for a few days."

"Human women go through this every month?" I asked.

"Most of them, yes," he answered. "Do you want to talk to Lydia or one of the other girls about it?"

I stared at him, trying to make sense of everything. "I guess… I don't know what to expect."

Peter's gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his presence grounding me. "I understand. It's a lot. But if you ever want to talk, I'm here, or Lydia can help you too. She's been through it. She knows what it feels like."

I shook my head, trying to process the idea. "It just feels weird, you know? I mean, I never thought I'd have to deal with all of this. I thought being a wolf was complicated enough."

Peter smirked slightly, though there was still a tenderness in his eyes. "Yeah, well, being human comes with its own set of complications, too."

I let out a breath, leaning back against the counter. "I guess I'm just worried about how I'll handle it. How I'll even know when it's starting. What if I make things worse or embarrass myself?"

Peter reached out, his fingers brushing my arm gently. "Little Wolf, you're not going to embarrass yourself. And even if you do, I'll be right here to help you through it. It's a part of you, just like being a wolf."

I met his gaze, trying to find some reassurance in his words. "Okay. I just... I'm not used to relying on anyone."

"You don't have to do everything alone," Peter said, his voice steady and sure. "I've got you. We'll take it one step at a time."

I nodded slowly, still feeling a little overwhelmed, but knowing that I wasn't alone in this. Not anymore.

"Can you call her for me?" I asked, "On your phone."

He chuckled at my clarification. "I can call her. You can have her take you to get what you need. I can take you but you might feel more comfortable with her."

"None of this sounds comfortable," I grumbled.

"Most parts of humanity are dirty," he said, "but there are parts that are beautiful."

I couldn't help but snort, the tension easing a bit at his dry humor. "Yeah, well, right now, I'm just trying to survive the dirty parts."

Peter grinned, clearly amused by my bluntness. "Fair enough, Little Wolf. But we all have to go through the messy stuff sometimes."

I sighed, rubbing my temples as if that could somehow help the whirlwind of thoughts. "I just feel like I'm stumbling through everything. This… isn't exactly what I imagined life would be like."

He stepped closer, his hand brushing against mine, a silent reassurance. "No one has it figured out, you know. Even when you think you've got control, life throws something new at you."

I met his eyes, the sincerity in his words making me feel just a little less lost. "I know. But it doesn't make it any less overwhelming."

Peter nodded, his expression softening. "Yeah, it's a lot. But I'll be here, every step of the way. Now, let's get you what you need, yeah?"

I took a deep breath, trying to gather the last of my resolve. "Alright. Call Lydia. But if this goes horribly wrong, I'm blaming you."

Peter chuckled again, already pulling out his phone. "I'll take the blame. But don't worry, she's good at this. You're in good hands."

As he dialed Lydia's number, I braced myself for whatever came next. It felt strange, leaning on them for something so human.

"Peter, how did you even get this number?" Lydia's voice was firm, but there was a hint of amusement under it.

"I have my ways," Peter replied with a smirk. "Nova wanted to talk to you."

"You should really get her her own phone so you're not running interference with her and the rest of the pack," Lydia pointed out.

"Noted. Here she is," Peter handed me the phone, his expression still amused.

"What's going on? Did Peter hurt you?" Lydia asked, her tone shifting to concern.

"I can still hear you, by the way," Peter added, raising an eyebrow.

"The question still stands. Nova?" Lydia said, her voice more serious now.

"Peter hasn't hurt me," I said, a smirk tugging at my lips. "But he did lots of other things to me. I liked those things."

There was a long pause on the other end. Lydia's voice finally returned, shuddering with a mixture of discomfort and disbelief, "That's more information than I needed to know."

I couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Sorry, didn't mean to traumatize you."

"Just... What did you want to talk to me about?" she asked, her voice steady again.

I chewed on my lip, trying to find the right words, feeling a little awkward. "Being a human woman and all the messy stuff that goes along with it."

"Oh, you mean that..." Lydia's voice was suddenly all business. "Has it happened yet?"

"Not yet, but Peter says it'll happen in a few days," I replied, my voice betraying a touch of uncertainty.

"I don't even want to know how he knows that," Lydia shuddered, the sound of her discomfort clear through the phone. "Alright, have him bring you to Derek's loft. I'll meet you there. I'll go through all the gory details."

I could almost hear the eye roll in her voice, and I felt a little more at ease knowing Lydia would handle it. "Thanks, Lydia," I said, feeling the weight of the conversation starting to lift.

—-

I stared at Lydia in disbelief after she explained it all to me. More than I wanted to know. But I knew it now.

"So is there a way to stop it?" I asked.

"There are some birth control types that can make it lighter or make your period not happen at all," she answered, "I can help you get into see my gynecologist and she can help you get that started if you want."

I nodded. "Yes. I want that."

"You and Peter…" she started, for the first time since I met Lydia she seemed uncomfortable with a topic, "You and he use a condom every time, right?"

I nodded, then paused a moment, "Except for this morning. Twice."

Lydia sighed, rubbing her temple as if this conversation was taking a toll on her. "Alright, we'll get you set up with an appointment. The doctor will go over your options and make sure everything's good."

I nodded, relieved to have a plan. But then Lydia gave me a sharp look, her expression unreadable.

"You do know that birth control doesn't protect against everything, right?" she asked.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

Lydia crossed her arms. "I mean, if you and Peter aren't using condoms every time, you need to get tested for STDs too."

My stomach twisted, a flicker of unease creeping in. "Peter wouldn't—"

She held up a hand. "I'm not saying he has anything. But it's basic health, Nova. You should do it, just in case."

I hesitated before nodding. "Okay."

"Good." Lydia's posture relaxed a little. "And for the love of everything, talk to him about it. If you're going to be a human woman, you need to advocate for yourself."

I exhaled slowly, taking in everything she said. Being human was so much more complicated than I ever imagined.

—-

"How was the talk?" Peter asked me as we walked down the steps to the garage.

I paused a moment, "It was enlightening."

"Well you're learning vocabulary from Lydia," he smirked.

"I don't know what that is," I looked at him, "But she made a list of stuff I need." I handed him the paper with Lydia's handwriting on it, "She said to make sure you buy my favorite ice cream. Don't know how that's gonna help but she said it would."

Peter took the list, his eyes scanning over Lydia's neat handwriting. "Chocolate fudge brownie?" He raised a brow at me. "That your favorite?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. Lydia said it is."

He chuckled, folding the list and tucking it into his pocket. "Well, if Lydia said it, then it must be true."

I narrowed my eyes at him, but he just smirked.

"Come on, Little Wolf," he said, leading me toward the car. "Let's get you all stocked up on human necessities."

I sighed, already feeling overwhelmed. "This better be worth it."

Peter slid his arm around my waist, pulling me close as he opened the car door for me. "Trust me," he murmured, voice dripping with amusement. "You'll survive."

"We'll see how well I survive," I smiled up at him as he closed the door behind me. I chewed on my lip. I watched him as he rounded the car to his side, contemplating what I should bring up to him. Advocate for myself, Lydia had said. I suppose it meant to tell him what I liked and didn't like.

"You've got that look again, Little Wolf," he glanced over as he started the car.

"What look?"

"The one where you're trying to find your words," he said, "you can talk to me about anything."

I nodded, "I like having sex with you."

Peter smirked like he was suppressing a laugh, "I had a feeling you did."

I rolled my eyes but pressed on. "I mean it. I like what we do, but… I want to make sure it's not just about what you want."

His smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more serious. "Go on."

I swallowed, gathering my courage. "I want to try different things. Things that feel good for me too." I glanced at him. "Lydia said I should advocate for myself, and I think that means telling you what I like. What I want."

Peter's fingers tightened around the steering wheel, but his expression was unreadable. "And what do you want, Little Wolf?" His voice was lower now, rougher.

I exhaled, heat crawling up my neck. "I don't know everything yet, but I want to find out."

He let out a dark chuckle, shifting in his seat as he pulled onto the main road. "Careful, Nova. That almost sounds like a challenge."

I smirked. "Maybe it is."

His hand left the wheel, fingers trailing up my thigh, teasing. "Then I accept."