With the Wolves

Even in their most basic form of transformation a Werewolf will crave the affection and approval of its mate. Unable to harm them even when transformed, the bond formed between the Wolf and its mate is speculated to last a life-time. Werewolves identify their mates through scent and are often found when in human form rather than during a monthly transformation; although there have been known cases in which Werewolves have found their mates during the hunt. Speculation that Werewolves will only mate with other Were-creatures was disproved when Gretchen Wilder became the first public human mate of her Werewolf partner Fredrick Price…

Severus paused in his reading to look up into the tired face of Remus Lupin, the Gryffindor was dressed in his usual shabby jumper and seen-better days' jeans—his hair was a mess and his eyes red-rimmed and puffy. Snape could see from the way that he slunk awkwardly into the chair opposite him that he was sore and that coming here had probably taken more effort than Snape was worth.

"I'm sorry for what Sirius did," Remus began, swallowing thickly when his eyes drifted down to the title of Severus' book. "He—uh, he thought that it would be funny, which it wasn't. He said that he was concerned with your sudden interest in Lycanthropes and hoped that by seeing me like that, it would scare you off."

"He was hoping that you'd eat me." Severus sneered, turning his nose up when Remus flushed.

"I'm sorry."

"So you've said," Snape sighed, dog-earing the page before setting it down on the table. His eyes fixed on the mop of sandy hair when Remus continued to look down at the table. "You didn't tell him that I was your mate."

There was little point in being coy about the whole situation, Severus mused when Remus' head shot up, his eyes wide and cheeks a shade of red that could put any Gryffindor to shame.

"I – uh. Well umm—I just—"

"Spit it out Lupin, I don't have all day to listen to your pathetic drivel." Snape hissed, his lips turning upwards in a smirk when the bashful werewolf swallowed and shook his head. Snape's face must have changed suddenly because Remus was suddenly wide-eyed again and frantically trying to put his gaze anywhere but on Severus.

"It isn't my fault; it's instinct, I didn't choose you. It just happened."

"Oh." Snape mouthed, his eyes suddenly dark.

Remus groaned low in his throat, squeezing his eyes shut and chewing at his lip. "I didn't mean it like that, I just—I don't know how to explain it and I wish that I could. I don't know everything—or anything really about what I am but I read the book, and it all just fell into place."

Severus didn't say anything, just sat watching as Lupin tugged frustrated at his sleeves and chewed mercilessly at the inside of his bottom lip.

"Werewolves mate for life, even if you don't want the bond I'm still going to always want you—and I don't just mean that because of what I am. I like you Severus; you're smart and funny and you don't let what other people think bother you and that's why Sirius hates you. Because you have this control over me and you don't even realise it. I have this need to protect you and when I'm human I can push it down and ignore it to a point but as the moon phases I can't do that anymore. I have fought with Sirius and James for months now over you, they don't get it and I don't think that you do either. They don't know that you're my mate and even if they did I don't think they would really understand what that means to me—to us."

Severus remained silent, nodding his head somewhat and attempting to scowl the blush from his own cheeks as Lupin continued to whittle on. He could tell from the Gryffindor's fidgety behaviour and rosy cheeks that this was all new to the both of them, though he may have thought it Severus doubted that Remus had ever said this aloud.

"Why did you run off this morning then?" Snape asked, hating how small he sounded.

"Because I didn't know what to do, what would you have done in my position?"

"I wouldn't let myself be in your position." Snape sneered distastefully.

"I suppose not," Remus shrugged, breathing heavily when Snape continued to look expectantly at him. "I was scared; we don't have the best history. I've never really participated with Sirius and James but I haven't always put a stop to it either—you've made it clear on more than one occasion that you dislike me so I didn't know what to expect."

"I hate Potter and his little gang of misfits. That includes you Lupin."

"See! So what was I supposed to do? You had suspicions but you didn't know what I was really. Now you do and now you know about the whole mate thing and I wouldn't blame you for hating me all the more—because I would! I mean I am the Werewolf and I hate it so why would—"

He was cut off when Snape rolled his eyes and pulled the rambling teenager across the table by the threads of his jumper and kissed him.

"I do hate you, but Merlin help me I like you a lot more." Snape levelled, releasing Remus' jumper for him to sag speechlessly back into his chair.

Remus' cheeks flushed happily and he turned in his seat and fiddled with his sleeve in a way that was irritatingly loveable. Snape could already see those dopey eyes following him around the castle and that warm smile from across the Great Hall in the mornings; could imagine them sat together in the library trading soft conversations over potions essays and transfiguration notes.

It was sickening but in a way that made Snape's mind long for the affection.

"Stupid wolf," Severus snarled his cheeks pink as he pulled the book back open to hide from Remus' stupidly adorable grin. What on earth was he getting himself into now.