Midnight Lovers

Chapter Eleven

Finnick's P.O.V.

Several days passed and soon it was the night before the full moon. I'd taken up sleeping at the office because even though Grace and I weren't strangers to each other any more and cuddled most nights my wolf hungered for more. Tonight was different, as hard as it was being around Grace I needed to explain to her how full moons worked in the pack.

Grace was curled up on the couch when I opened the door. Instantly the delicious scent of food filled my nose. I didn't expect Grace to be cooking dinner considering it'd been only her the last few nights and Cody and his mate went over to keep her company in the evening.

Grace looked up at me with her storm grey eyes and smiled "Cody told me you'd be home tonight, so I thought I could make something up."

I felt an over whelming urge to kiss her. On the lips that is. I'd kissed her cheek, forehead, and nose without any problems, but every time I looked at her lips and thought about kissing her my nerves got the best of me. I smiled, "Thanks, it smells delicious."

I walked into the living room and before I had a chance to sit down, she stood up "Are you okay? You seem exhausted." She reached up and touched my face. I leaned my head into her touch, feeling the stress and tension in my body practically melt away. The feeling, was completely addicting.

"I'm just tired." I said softly, placing my hand over hers. "The full moon is tomorrow and it's been making everyone restless." I sighed "Especially me."

Grace's thumb caressed my cheek "Because we haven't mated...?"

I pulled myself back from her and stared at her in astonishment. Her cheeks were pink and she looked down. "I was worried that you were mad at me since you were staying at the office..." She shrugged lightly "I was asking Betty if Cody had told her anything about what might be wrong and she said that you weren't mad at me. That your wolf instinct to claim your mate was nearly over powering because of the full moon..."

I felt my face grow hot and looked away. "God this is so embarrassing..." I sighed and looked at her "I'm sorry you thought I was mad. I'd never be mad at you Grace." I said softly.

She smiled and glanced up at the clock, then walked to the kitchen. I followed close behind her "Did Betty or Cody explain what we do on full moons by chance?"

Grace shook her head, turning off the stove and pouring pasta noodles into the drainer. She turned and looked at me "Bowls please." I pulled down two bowls and watched her put a large amount of noodles in one bowl, and a smaller amount in another. Obviously she'd realized the werewolf appetite. She poured meat sauce over the noodles then handed me a bowl, climbing up onto an island stool "Explain it to me."

I sat across from her, twisting the noodles around my fork. "Well, usually when it's the full moon we sleep most of the day then when it gets dark we shift and run all night."

Grace slurped up her noodles. "Seems simple enough."

I nodded "For the most part it is... But." I sighed "This is my first shift with a mate and... Well... You're human. And Cody said that because we haven't mated yet it might be dangerous for my wolf to be near you. He might bite you."

She tilted her head "What happens if you bite me?"

I bit my lip "If I bite you in my wolf form it might make you change..." I sighed. "And most females that get bit don't survive the change..."

She smiled softly and gently touched my hand "Thank you for worrying. I'm sure everything will be fine. I trust you."

+++

The next day I spent all day in bed attempting to sleep. I heard Grace wake up, and go down stairs. I desperately wanted to go down and join her, spend the day doing absolutely nothing with her. But as much I wanted that, I needed the sleep more.

My alarm started going off at seven p.m. With a groan I forced myself out of bed, pulling on some sweatpants I left my room. The living room was dark and so was the kitchen. The light in Grace's was on and her door was open a crack. I peaked inside. She was curled up on her bed, her dark hair pulled up into a pony tail. She was reading, her eyes scanning over the pages.

I sighed and eased the door back into it's mostly closed position. I went to the kitchen and saw an container on the island. There was a sticky note in cute, loopy hand writing that read 'don't want you running hungry' filled with macaroni and cheese with ground beef. I smiled, grabbed a fork and started eating without bothering to heat it up.

The pack was gathered in the center of our little town. More than half of them had already shifted. I could see the pale gold fur of Cody's wolf. He was affectionately licking the muzzle of his mate Betty. I had a sudden pang of jealously. I may've had a mate now, but she was human.

I sighed and stripped. Werewolves didn't have a problem with nudity. I got down on all fours and took a deep breath, willing the change. It was painful, especially if you were out of practice. Every bone in your body would snap an adjust, and new bones would grow in. When I finished my change I rested a moment, looking up at my family's home on top of the hill. The patio doors at Grace's room were open, the curtains fluttering in the wind. I whimpered softly and rose to my feet, starting to pad toward the house.

Cody bit into my scruff and yanked me back and growled at me. I knew what he was trying to say Don't be stupid.

I snarled back at him. My way of saying don't try to stop me. I pulled myself free from his hold and loped up the hill through the trees. I went to the back door and started to scratch at the glass. When nothing happened I whined loudly. Not exactly proud of that, but I didn't have posable thumbs to open the door.

The living room light flicked on and I saw Grace look around. I scratched at the door again. She walked over to the door, I heard the lock click then she opened it. She looked down at me, her expression that of confusion mixed with fear "Finnick?" I nodded my head and she knelt down "What're you doing hear? Aren't you supposed to go run with your pack." I snorted and rubbed my muzzle against her cheek.

She I could feel her body tense. I pulled back and whimpered. Was she scared of me? I put my ears back in a docile manner and lowered myself to the ground to make myself as nonthreatening as possible. Grace frowned "What's wrong Finn?" She reached out and gently touched my fur. I gently placed my head on her lap, licking her other hand. She smiled and scratched behind my ear. "Come inside Finn. Don't tell the cold in."

I got up and padded in to the house. Grace closed and locked the back door and started to head up stairs. I followed behind her, my nails clicking against the hardwood. Grace climbed back onto her bed and opened her book. I climbed up and wiggled my way into her arms, licking her cheek again. She giggled and wiped her chin "You really are just like a dog huh? A big, monstrous dog."

Cody howled, followed by the rest of the pack. Grace gasped, dropped her book, and buried her face in my fur. She wasn't afraid of me. She was afraid of wolves in general. I made a small whimpering sound and licked her hand. "I'm sorry." She said softly, her fingers working through my course hair. I rubbed my nose against her cheek, licking her face over and over.

Hours passed. I felt Grace's breathing become deep and even, her muscles relaxed and the book she'd been reading fell off the bed. I shifted my body to look at her. She was sound asleep, her lips slightly parted. I rested my head against my paws and watched her sleep, my own eye lids growing heavy. I licked her hand before falling asleep.