So it seems Monday is the new update day :) Hope you all don't mind! Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and thank you to those who are still following this story :D

Chapter Eighteen

Full Moon

The day of the next moon, Hermione and Jacob had travelled to the reservation to spend some more time with the pack. Hermione was concerned that if they didn't spend more time with the other shapeshifters that they might start to become suspicious that something was different about the couple. She didn't want them to know until she was ready.

The should-have-been Alpha was wrestling with Seth. He was rather fond of the boy and enjoyed play fighting with him in both wolf form and human form. Meanwhile, his curly haired wife was sat in a chair outside Sam's house with Paul.

She hadn't seen the man in a while and she found she rather missed his company. The last time she'd seen him, he'd imprinted and he had a date scheduled with her. She was excited to find out how the couple had progressed.

"So how is the love life going?" She asked, grinning.

Paul suddenly seemed a little bashful. It was so out of character for the burly man that it caused her grin to grow. She rather liked seeing a shy Paul. It actually suited him and she imagined that this soft side was something he showed to his imprint. She felt rather privileged to see this side.

"It's going well. We've had quite a few dates now." He told her.

Hermione bit her lip. She was so pleased to see him happy and to know that it was going well.

"Does she know yet?"

The smile slipped a little from the shapeshifter's face. "Not yet."
There was a silence between the two and Paul ran a hand through his jet black hair. He sighed and looked back at his closest female friend.

"She's not from the reservation." He started. "She's from Texas. She moved here to help out with her grandmother's shop. I'm...I'm not sure how to tell her about the wolf side of me."

Hermione slipped her hand into his and lightly squeezed. She had come from a magical background so it hadn't been so much of a shock to her, not that Jacob had known that at the time. She could understand that it would be difficult to tell someone with no knowledge of the supernatural something like this. It had been hard enough for Professor McGonagall to convince her parents that she wasn't insane. At least the simple patronus wasn't as intimidating as watching a man morph into a wolf.

She was from Texas too. The bible belt. That could prove tricky too. She had heard stories of churches banning fantasy books from their parishes. How would this woman take to knowing that the things from the books were real?

"I'm sure it'll be fine." She whispered. "What's her name?"

A soft look came into Paul's eyes, replacing his worried gaze. "Cassiel. Her mother named her after an angel, with a variation. She's this gorgeous, fiery red head with a sharp tongue and a quick mind."

Hermione giggled. "She sounds wonderful."
Paul nodded enthusiastically. "You should meet her. I think you'd get on well with her. She's smart."

A teasing glint came into her eyes. "Well being smart isn't a requirement."

She glanced over at where Jacob was flipped over onto his back by a enthusiastic Seth. The older wolf huffed and jumped up nimbly. He quickly tackled the younger boy and they both crashed to the floor, growling playfully.

Hermione found it strange how the boys could act so wolf like when they were in human form. She wondered if it might happen with herself from time to time. She'd seen Remus' eyes shift colour when he was angry or stressed and she knew that her senses would become heightened closer to the moon.

During the day, for example, she'd found that she could smell things more strongly than normal. Jacob had woken up before her and had gone downstairs to make breakfast, and Hermione had found herself drooling in her sleep. It was rather unsightly and she was glad that he hadn't been in the room to see her.

As the day had worn on, her sight, smell and hearing had increased. She was practically overwhelmed by the amount of information hitting her. She was working very hard to suppress her gagging reflex at the flowery scent worn by one of the imprints hanging out with the pack. It was too strong.

She was suddenly aware of the rosy tint blossoming onto Paul's skin. She'd lost track of time. She'd spent the morning with Jacob getting ready for the day, they'd had lunch with Sam and Emily, and then they'd spent the afternoon with Billy. It was late afternoon when they joined the pack. It was only supposed to have been for an hour or so, but she had gotten caught up with Leah before finally running into Paul.

It was getting later and the sun was beginning to set. Soon the moon would rise and, if she didn't move it, then her secret would be exposed. Her eyes widened and she looked across. She just managed to catch Jacob's eye. She looked towards the setting sun and then back to him again.

Jacob nodded minutely. He understood. She would leave and, a few minutes later, he would follow.

"I have to go." Hermione told Paul.

The other wolf stared at her. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I have to get home and put dinner on. I'll speak to you soon."

She got to her feet and walked briskly towards the tree line. She was careful to make sure that she headed in the direction of the cottage. She was very aware of Paul's eyes on her, so she had to act as normal.

Hermione waved to him before moving deeper into the forest. The sun was sinking lower and lower in the sky and she could feel the ache in her joints and bones that told her she would be transforming soon. Once she was sure she was out of sight, she spun on the spot and apperated to the clearing she and Remus had chosen to transform in.

Remus looked up as Hermione arrived. She looked wrought and tense. No doubt it was because of her late arrival and her close call.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry I'm late, I was caught up with the pack. Jacob and I visited them but we were there longer than we meant to be." She gasped.

The older werewolf frowned lightly. "That could have been risky if you'd transformed on the reservation. Have you had your wolfsbane?"

Hermione nodded. "I took it before breakfast this morning."

Remus' shoulders sagged in relief. He knew she was a sensible girl and wasn't likely to forget, but he also knew what it was like to get caught up in the events of the day. During the war, he'd nearly forgotten a couple of times. If it wasn't for Tonks reminding him to take it, he probably would have had a few transformations like the ones he'd had during his school days. Only there would be no marauders around to keep Moony in line.

Hermione wrapped her arms around herself and looked up at the sky. The first stars were just pushing their way through the orange to begin shining. Soon it would be dark and she would be a wolf. A shiver went down her spine at the thought of the painful transformation.

Remus gave her a weak smile. It was as though he knew what she was thinking. Then again, he was probably thinking the same thing. She wondered absently if it ever got any easier. Remus had been turning ever since he was a little boy. He had had to endure countless moon rises and moon sets. How had he managed it?

With a small gulp, it suddenly hit the witch that that was what she faced. A life full of painful transformations and wolfsbane potions. Still, it was only once a month. She was sure she could handle it. She'd handled so much already that it seemed like a small price to pay for a happy life.

"It's time." Remus muttered.

Hermione bit her lip and nodded. It was time to get undressed and wait for the moon. She disappeared to her usual changing spot and completed her routine of undressed and hiding her clothes and wand.

'Jacob should be here soon.' She thought.

"I win, again." Seth beamed as he stood over Jacob.

The older wolf rubbed the back of his neck as he looked up at the taller boy from his position on the ground. He had to admit it, the kid was fast. Being dropped from his height though was painful. The Clearwater boy had shot up over recent months and was fast becoming one of the tallest pack members. He even towered over Leah, who wasn't short at all.

"Yeah, yeah." He grumbled.

Seth held out his hand to help Jacob up and all hint of grumpiness disappeared from him. He took the hand and leapt to his feet. The moon was nearly at its height and Jacob knew that Hermione would have transformed by now. He felt a little selfish waiting until she'd finished transforming, but the sounds of her bones breaking and her cries cut him deeply. He didn't think he could handle it again. He was sure she wouldn't mind.

"Right, I've got to head home." He announced, clapping his hands together.

Sam looked up at him from his spot on a log by the fire, Emily curled up into his side. He frowned and shared a quick look with Embry.

"Now? Can't you stay a little longer?" Leah asked.

Jacob shook his head. "Hermione's probably finished dinner by now, so I better get home before it gets cold. I'll catch you all later."

He turned and climbed onto his bike. They'd taken it to the reservation instead of apperating because Hermione was feeling a little too ill for sidelong. They decided to take advantage of the nice day to ride on the bike. With a wave, he began to follow the road back towards the cottage.

He didn't reach it though. Once he was sure that he was far enough away from the pack, he pulled over and rested the bike in a nearby ditch. He covered it with some branches and glanced around to make sure the coast was clear. As soon as he was sure that he was alone, he shifted.

None of the others were in wolf form as his head was blissfully silent. Just in case one of them shifted, he tried to keep his thoughts on random topics. He knew they would find it strange that he was in wolf form, seeing as he'd left on his bike, but he was hoping that they wouldn't pry too much if someone discovered him.

Right now, Hermione needed him and she was his highest priority. He would deal with the fall out if any of his pack members shifted later.

Please Read and Review. Oh Jacob, you might be dealing with the fall out a lot sooner than you think...