Author's Note: Here's the next chapter of Submit to the Power of the Moon! I spent the better part of the last hour trying to coax my two cats to kill this stink bug, but they were intelligent enough not to attack it. (Perhaps, too intelligent). Anyway, there will be a couple more chapters of this WIP. I hope that this chapter meets your expectations.

As always, enjoy.

-Carolare Scarletus

Submit to the Power of the Moon

Chapter Two

Remus' magic cascaded down on her like a fallen star.

All she could see was him.

He tore the bandaged off his chest, a mischievous gleam capturing his eyes as he crawled over to her. Remus gripped her wrists, pushed her down, and stared at her for a moment before lowering his face to hers. A feral look eclipsed his features and she laid there with the breathless need for him to do something to alleviate the mounting burning deep in her core.

"I should have known there was something extraordinary about you," Remus finally confessed, moving his hand to the back of her neck. His mark was visible in the light of the moon. A shiver ran through her as she stared up at him, admiring his half-naked form and penetrating eyes. Remus looked at her in the same fashionable sense as a predator would look at its prey. His eyes roamed hungrily over her body, taking in every available curve and crevice. The apparent hunger in his eyes was tangible and once again, Hermione couldn't resist the unnatural pull of his magic. "You're a relentless little witch, do you know that?"

"You're not playing fair," she whispered, unable to stop the words from tumbling from her mouth. Her body moved on its own accord. "You're using your magic to seduce me."

"All is fair in love and war," he smirked, eyeing the angry bite with longing. "It's taking every bit of my being to stay in control. I can't tell you how hard it is to keep him at bay."

"Your wolf wants to come out?"

"He wants to do more than just that," he confessed. Remus exhaled sharply, looking at the bite before meeting her eyes. "Seeing you so vulnerable… it's so hard to keep from touching and marking you with my scent."

Hermione moaned at the gentle touch of his fingers brushing against her hip bone. Something about the action drove her insane and she knew Remus must have been gauging her reaction because he did it again, lowering his administrations below the band of her jeans.

She gasped, throwing her head back against the cold floor of the forest. Her hands fumbled, gliding over his shoulders as her nails pierced into his skin. Her core tightened and her panties became moist. It was just a small taste of what he was capable of giving her.

Something carnal snapped within his eyes and he attacked.

Rough, expert hands began to explore the exposed surface of her stomach. The hot inferno that lay dormant within her was now burning with uncharted need and desire. Hermione's body was burning up. Remus' scent ghosted over her in powerful waves. The sweet pheromones reminded her greatly of amber and wood, something she was sure his wolf was sending out as to allow her to open up to him. Before she could stop herself, her legs opened up and he settled in between them and he began rocking his body into hers with fast, urgent strokes. Even through the thin layer of clothing cladding her body, she could feel his roped muscles flex beneath his heated skin and the large rod of his masculinity. She wrapped her arms around his thick neck before running her fingers down to his chest to feel the swift movement of his pectorals as his moves grew frantic, almost desperate.

"You wake something feral inside of me, Hermione." Remus brushed his lips against hers, only giving her a small whisper of what was to come. He leaned his body into hers and she arched her back. She bit her lip.

In the light of the dying fire, she sighed at the first touch of his hand upon her body.

His words breached through her hazy conscious. She was riding out the waves of euphoria as she felt his hands roam over her body for the first time. The intense look in his dark eyes was enough to melt her, to make her fall head over heels in love with him all over again. While the light of the moon was basking them in an ethereal glow, she could tell it was killing him to stay in control; he'd only turned back to his human form and the wolf inside him was already rattling the chains that kept him chained. His porcelain skin glistened. The tight cords of muscle in his abdomen contracted as he pressed his body against hers. Remus bent his head down, kissing her fiercely while he poured every bit of emotion he could muster into the kiss. The first touch of his lips was sublime. His free hand fisted into her hair. His controlling presence dominated her. Hermione trembled, submitting to him in a way that she never thought possible and she couldn't have wanted for more as his lips moved sensually against hers while his hands continued to explore her body.

His body pressed against hers, his hands toying with her body and running up and down her sides as if to calm himself rather than appease her. He kissed her like a starved man desperately trying to contain his hunger.

"You smell so divine, Hermione," he breathed, pulling away from her lips and rubbing his nose against her jaw before lowering to the column of her thin neck. He moved lower, his lips ghosted over the abundant curve of her breasts. A low growl emitted from his throat, sending shivers down her spine and straight to her toes. Her body rippled with the energy of his magic as it pulled and pushed her own. He stiffened for a moment, his eyes darkening. "I can smell how aroused you are and all I want to do is taste you."

"Remus," she whispered breathlessly, jutting her chest out as he splayed his hands on her thighs and pushed them apart. Her inner thighs dampened at the thought of what he was capable of doing. Sometimes, she found herself fantasizing about him, but her nimble fingers were nothing compared to the ones playing with the waistband of her jeans. The buttons popped open with a discernible 'pop'. She wanted him to touch her, to explore her. His chest rose and fell rapidly as he pushed the thick material past her hips. She fought hard not to drag him down on top of her to quench the burning between her thighs. "Please, Remus. I need…"

He ignored her pleading call as his eyes were drawn to the necklace that lay forgotten on the grass. His eyes flashed with a familiar need that made Hermione quiver where she laid. She wanted to know what he was thinking, if he was thinking anything at all. After all this time, he still eluded her, so whatever it was, it was destined to be grandiose.

For a moment, she watched him. He appeared to be contemplating something, almost battling some hidden demon and she could only speculate as to what it was.

"What is it, Remus?" Hermione's chest rose and fell, much like his own. It took him a moment to answer, his eyes growing dark as he spoke.

"He wants to mark you," he breathed finally, his eyes flashing yellow as he looked between her and the necklace.

"He wants me to wear the necklace?"

"No, my beautiful girl, that's what I want." Remus' hand tightened around the pendant and he breathed out slowly. "I've wanted you to wear this for as long as I can remember. It's a rite in our world. What he plans to do with you… it's more animalistic than that, but I don't think you're ready for it."

Hermione shot up, grabbing for him. "I'm ready," she begged. "Please, Remus. I've waited so long for this… for you to accept me. I...I've never done this before, and-"

"That's what I'm afraid of, Hermione."

She fell silent, flushing at the thought of being intimate with him for the first time. She'd seen him at his worst- naked and afraid with nothing more than her calming touches anchoring him to the ground. Thinking back on it all now, she supposed she'd gotten as close to a werewolf as anyone had. There was nothing more natural that seeing him so vulnerable and scared. She felt privileged enough that he allowed her to see all his transformations and she wanted him to know that she trusted him enough to take their relationship to the next level.

"He's….dominating. His strength could crush you in seconds. I don't think I'll be able to control him if he decides to switch. Seeing you so vulnerable is becoming too much to bear."

Hermione reached out, almost startling him. There were times when she questioned why she loved him. Why was this moment any different? He had fears like any other human she knew. Remus roamed the earth for countless years, almost equating to almost three lifetimes for her. How long had he searched to find his mate? Just how long did he watch his familiar find someone, while he was destined to wait another agonizing decade after decade to find her? Hermione's heart tightened inside her chest. If only she had found him sooner, then he wouldn't have suffered for so long.

"I'm stronger than you think, Remus. Whatever he throws at me, I can take it."