Chapter 58: Camp Night

Uncharted Forest, Unknown World...

Howling winds and numerous trees had been what greeted the traveling group consisting of Severus Snape, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. Everyone had been well aware of Snape's alpha status and that he was engaging in a less than practical relationship with Hermione Granger given he made no attempts to keep his hands to himself during their trip. Tonks had often been amused by the wolfish desire of her former Potions Professor and how he seemed even more wild than Remus in terms of his gifts from Hircine. Draco had been pouting most of the trip annoyed that he too had to make the trek and that Pansy was not welcome among the group of travelers no matter how much he protested.

"It's getting late." said Hermione noting how dark the sky had gotten.

"I suppose we should set up camp." said Lupin.

"I'm all for a bit of rest." agreed Draco still pouting despite his agreement to rest for the night. "I'm starving."

"Can't have hungry werewolves prowling about." said Tonks looking at a sheepish looking Lupin.

"I...I agree that a rest is in order but it is ultimately Severus' decision." he said.

"The lady says we rest so we rest." Snape agreed scanning the area. "Ladies would you be so gracious as to set up camp while the men gather wood for the fire."

"Of course." said Hermione noting the almost wild look behind her wizard's obsidian gaze. "Do be careful."

Snape smirked as he looked down at her his gaze bordering on smoldering.

"Always." he replied before taking off without another word.

Unlike the other werewolves present, he could be moved into a transformation without having to yield to Luna's call which made him all the more dangerous.

"There he goes." said Draco with a sigh.

"He's only making sure we are not disturbed should the others be out for a hunt." said Lupin offering a bit of wisdom from an older werewolf's perspective.

"I did not recall asking your opinion." growled Draco in a hostile fashion.

As far as he was concerned, Lupin was the cause of all his grief given that he had originally infected Snape back in third year.

"He's just trying to be helpful." said Tonks narrowing her eyes at the spoiled Pureblood boy.

Draco rolled his eyes knowing all too well that she was shagging Lupin.

"He should have been helpful in taking his Wolfsbane potion back in third year!" shouted the angry werewolf teen.

Lupin rolled his eyes.

"The whelp does have a point." he said with a growl of his own. "Had I taken the potion none of us would be here now...let alone having the boy and Severus infected."

"At least we have a way to reach the werewolves before Voldemort does." said Hermione sympathizing with the former Gryffindor Professor. "That never would have been possible before especially with Greyback around."

Draco sighed.

He had been out of sorts ever since his transformations began. It was difficult being an adolescent as a wizard and now he was having to deal with raging hormones as a werewolf. The junior Malfoy took off into the forest unable to stomach the sight of the sheepish wizard whom had caused his current condition by infecting his Head of House.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

The Uncharted Forest, Unknown World...

Severus Snape had been opposed to the impulse to mark his territory for only so long before the beast within overpowered his mortal wizard reasoning. He took off toward the nearest row of trees and unzipped his trousers. A steady stream of urine blasted the trunk of a few rows giving off his scent in warning for all whom had approached. He growled and made his way to another row before finishing off a nice radius in line with their soon to be camp. He had just finished marking the last row of trees before his keen ears caught the yelp of someone in peril.

The Potions Professor quickly adjusted his attire and took off toward the sound of the distress. A low growl rumbled from his throat as he noted that it had come from Draco. Fearing the worst for his pup so to speak, Snape leapt into the air and tackled another werewolf in half beast form bringing them to their knees with a swipe as he protected the downed younger werewolf.

"Uncle." said Draco whimpering in pain from his broken arm.

Snape's fury at seeing the boy injured got the better of him and his obsidian gaze began to glow red.

"Bow." said Snape forcing the strange werewolf to his knees.

A whimper escaped his lips as he struggled against the command unsure of what was happening to him.

"Bow low." growled Snape trying to keep from killing this weakling.

He turned his attention to Draco whom had been in a half were form as well.

The junior Malfoy had made for a beautiful werewolf, given he had been ivory in color and his gray eyes seemed to add to his intriguing form. Snape sat beside him whimpering as the beast in him seethed from having his pack member injured.

"Rest now." said Snape as his eyes continued to glow.

Draco began to relax as Snape healed him and the pain dissolved.

The offending half-were continued to whimper as Snape made his way back toward it after having made sure Draco was fully healed.

"Speak." he commanded rather forcefully.

"W-What are you?" it asked. "I was...hunting.."

"Do you not know how to tell the scent of a werewolf from that of a mortal?" growled Snape angrily.

Before the strange werewolf could speak Snape invaded his mind and noted he had been a Kin-slayer.

The rage continued to fill him as he noted what the fiend had planned for Draco.

"You dare attack my pup?" growled Snape enraged.

"L-Let go...let go!" shouted the offending werewolf.

"Kin-slayer." hissed Snape as he proceeded to break every bone in the offending werewolf's body.

He then cast him into the wilderness via his magic and escorted Draco back toward camp.

"Come boy." he said hanging his arm around the younger werewolf's neck.

Draco gave no objections as he made his way back with his Godfather.

"Next time kill." instructed Snape with his eyes glowing.

Draco nodded in agreement.

"Yes Uncle." he said.

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Campsite, Uncharted Forest, Unknown World...

Hermione had gotten a bit restless as she set to work erecting a large tent for the lot of them as well as everything they would need for the reminder of their stay in this strange place. She paced powerful wards and charms all around as added protection for them in case the forest dwellers decided to pay them a visit. Snape had returned with Draco, whom seemed to be in a better mood as Lupin and Tonks entered the tent with a basket full of fish.

There was a nice warm fire going and everyone seemed content to be somewhere that resembled a safe place for the night. They weren't even a third of the way to the summit of wolves where Snape was to sway the man-beasts to Dumbledore's cause.

Following a quiet supper, Lupin sat beside the fire with Tonks in his arms.

He had seemed more at ease when in her presence which did wonders for him in terms of his usual antics.

Snape had not wasted any time pulling Hermione into his arms as he too gazed into the fire. The bushy haired witch rested her bushy head against his chest watching the flames dance as his heart beat calmed her further.

She had truly loved him.

This strange werewolf wizard of hers.

She had not known whether to thank Lupin or Dumbledore for their collective efforts making this strange relationship a reality.

Draco seemed contented following diner and had been well on his way to sleep despite not being with his mate during such an occasion. Hermione felt a little badly for the Junior Malfoy given that he was without Pansy on such a beautiful night.

"For once I am grateful to the old sod for suggesting this trip." said Snape leaning down enough to press his pale lips into the soft warm flesh of Hermione's neck.

"I never would have pegged you for the romantic type." said Tonks with a smile as she looked Snape over.

"I'm not." replied Snape in a low growl. "But, I promised the witch I'd make an effort."

Hermione smiled.

"And you are doing a very wonderful job." she said as he continued to kiss her. "But we do have a lengthy trip to continue."

"That we do." replied Tonks turning her attention to Lupin. "What do you say we turn in for the night?"

Lupin's eyes held a fleeting flicker of desire for a moment reflected by the fire. He got to his feet with Tonks' help and they bid Snape and Hermione good night before turning in on their side of the massive and heavily protected tent.

Snape's own obsidian gaze flickered with desire as he too got to his feet.

"Come along witch." he said in a slightly aggressive tone.

"You promise not to lose control?" she asked.

"I will lose all control and take you right in front of the fire if you do not comply." growled Snape.

Hermione smirked at him.

"You can be such a beast at times." she said almost as if it were endearing.

Snape smirked as they went toward their end of the tent.

Draco slept blissfully unaware of the wolfish antics going on with the older werewolves and their chosen mortal mates. The flames died down as the day come to a close and the journey to the summit had only begun.