Chapter 016 Full Moon Pull
The Pack Hall buzzed with something raw and electric, like the air right before a storm hits. Wolves prowled the edges of the huge room, their laughter rolling deeper than usual, bodies moving with that liquid grace that made her analytical brain kick into overdrive. Quinn hugged her cup of punch tighter, not planning to touch it. She felt like the stray human who'd stumbled into a wolf den during feeding time. Out of place. Watched.
They'd seemed almost normal earlier—rural folks with a secret. Now? Undeniably not. Her eyes cataloged it all: gazes catching the firelight with a weird reflective sheen, voices thrumming low when they talked among themselves, bodies spacing out territorially as they shifted through the crowd. Beautiful. Terrifying.
Hey.
She jolted, punch sloshing sticky over her fingers. Jared grinned down at her, looking sharper tonight, that predatory gleam in his eyes dialed up. Dark hair brushing the collar of his soft Henley, two beer bottles dangling from his fingers.
"Want a real drink?"
"No thanks. I'm good." She waved her cup. "Punch is my... limit."
"It's just fruit juice." He leaned against the wall next to her, close enough his body heat cut through the room's chill. "You're hiding."
"I'm observing."
"Observing what?" His eyes swept the room, landed back on her with a smile that said she beat the whole pack for interest. "The strange customs of the local wolf pack?"
"Something like that."
"You should join in. Full moon celebration's the best night of the month." He held out a beer. "Come on. Live a little."
She paused. Drinking with a flirty werewolf on full moon night? Recipe for disaster. But lurking like a wallflower wasn't winning her any points either.
"Okay." She took the beer. "But only one."
"That's what they all say." His laugh warmed through her, easing the knot in her shoulders. Charming. Too charming. If she'd met him before Julian—before that possessive growl, those heated stares, the wall-slamming kiss—maybe. But those memories were etched in.
"Nice to see you relax," Jared said. "You've been holed up in that office all week. Starting to think Julian built a robot to fix our internet."
"I do enjoy my work."
"Nothing wrong with that. But pack needs interaction." He clinked his bottle to hers. "Even human consultants."
They drank in easy quiet, watching the room pulse. Music thumped harder than usual, vibrating up through the floorboards into her bones. Couples danced close, bodies grinding in a way that flushed her skin. The air hung thick, charged with something urgent. Primal.
"It's the moon," Jared said, like he'd peeked into her head. "Pulls at the wolf. Makes everything more... intense."
"Julian mentioned that."
Sharp glance. "Did he? What else'd he say?"
"Your control gets... frayed."
He laughed. "One way to put it." Leaned in, voice dropping. "Like being hungry. For everything. Food, drink, touch. More you deny it, stronger the urge."
"Everyone the same?"
"Depends on the wolf. Young ones like me? Restless. Antsy. Want to run, hunt, play." His gaze dragged over her, appreciative, not pushy. "Elders get grumpy, stubborn. And the Alpha..."
He trailed off.
"And the Alpha what?"
Hesitation, eyes flicking across the room. "Good thing he's got a whole territory to run tonight. This much energy bottled up in one building? Messy."
She followed his look. Julian stood by the massive stone fireplace, talking with Coleman and Irene. Even across the crowd, he looked alone. Shoulders rigid under his dark sweater, body coiled tight. Not really with them—fighting something inside. Something clawing out.
Her stare pulled his head around. Eyes locked. World narrowed. Noise gone. Just that golden fire in his gaze, pure possession and hunger, stealing her breath. Jaw clenched. Muscle ticked in his cheek.
Jared's words echoed. The more you deny it, the stronger the urge gets.
He was denying. Hard. She felt the strain from here.
Part of her—reckless, stupid—wanted to cross the room, poke that control, offer an out for all that pent-up storm.
She looked away first. Turned back to Jared, faked a smile. "You said you hunt? What do you go after?"
He caught the pivot, rolled with it smooth. "Deer mostly. Wild boars if they get too close. Apex predators, but we respect the balance. Forest gives, we don't take more than needed."
"Sounds... wild."
"It is." Leaned closer, prickle of warning up her spine. "But pack needs a den. Safe place after the hunt. Gets lonely out there. Even for wolves."
Commotion by the fire saved her. Julian had stepped away from Coleman, facing Elder Sterling now. Sterling's posture screamed disapproval, gestures sharp with anger.
"They don't like you here," Jared murmured.
"Mutual."
"Not personal. Tradition. Change." Grimace. "Sterling preaches old ways or ruin. Been at it since I was a pup."
"He'll flip when my security stops the bank drains."
"Poor and traditional beats rich and modern for him." Pause. "Julian's different. Risks for the pack's future. Like hiring pink-haired human in our heart."
"That why you're chatting me up? Alpha's risk?"
Slight flush. Embarrassed grin. "Partly. But you're interesting. Not scared. No flirting or simpering. Just... you."
Presence hit behind them. Air thickened, pressure dropping like before thunder. Julian. Didn't need to turn. Felt him—stillness, chill, power humming.
"I need to speak with Quinn." Voice even, growl under it like buried quake.
Jared went rigid. "Alpha."
She turned. Challenge hung silent between them. Julian's jaw locked, eyes predator-fixed on Jared. Her DNA screamed run. Jared held, then dropped gaze. Submission.
"Of course." Jared set his empty bottle on a table. "Quinn. Nice talking."
"You too." Heart hammered.
Jared vanished into the crowd. Left with Julian. Party roar dulled. Focus narrowed to him—tension radiating like heat off asphalt.
"Need something?" Voice steady. Proud.
"Stay away from him."
"Jared? Just friendly."
"Young male wolf. Full moon. Friendly's not his head." Gaze dropped to her mouth. Heat flooded her. "You're... distracting."
"Me? Standing here."
"Exactly." Nostrils flared. He was scenting her. Heart rate. Arousal shift. Unnerving. "Shouldn't be out here. Too much stimulation."
"What I want," chin up, "is to experience the culture I'm modernizing. Can't lock me in a tower."
"I can if I want."
"Shouldn't." Stepped into his space. "Julian, can't protect from everything. Need to navigate on my terms, or it crumbles when I leave."
Jaw muscle jumped. "Don't get it. Moon amps everything. Instincts. Urges. Wolf says that male's a threat. Response? Make clear you belong to me."
"What're you telling your wolf?"
"Can't claim a woman who doesn't know what that means." Eyes pained. "He's a fool about to ruin everything."
Heart softened. "Not a fool. Doing right. But can't decide for both."
"Quinn—"
Howl exploded. Wild. Joyous. Vibrated floor. Freedom. Pack surged as one, fur and muscle river pouring out back doors into night.
"What's that?"
"Moonrise. Run with them. You stay with Irene. Safe."
"Not scared."
"Know you're not." Ghost smile. "I am. Run's intense. Not full control." Took her hand, fingers lacing. Jolt hit. Primal. Terrifying. Comforting. "Talk only Irene or Coleman. I'll be back for you."
Squeezed. Turned. Followed pack. Room emptied fast. Left her, few elders by fire, peaceful.
Julian's words looped. I'll be back for you. Promise.
Irene approached from refreshment table, two steaming mugs. Calm face, sharp eyes.
"Thought you could use this." Handed one. "Chamomile. Helps... overwhelming evenings."
"Thanks. Don't have to babysit if you want the run."
"Run's for young." Dismissive wave. "My days done. Besides." Gaze softened. "Someone watch the human."
"Won't get in trouble."
"Know. But Julian's not only protective one."
Ached at the kindness. Forgot what it felt like—cared for, no strings.
Sat quiet by fire. Crackle. Distant howls joyous, wild. Stared out open doors, moonlight spilling lawn. Watched for dark wolf, golden eyes.
"He'll be back," Irene quiet.
"Know."
"But worry."
"Full moon. Control frayed. What if... someone else?"
"Moon amplifies. Doesn't create. No other satisfies him."
Tension eased.
"How long run?"
"Varies. Some quick. Fighters..." Glance. "Hours."
"Like Julian?"
"Yes. Might not trust return till dawn."
"Bed then."
"Laptop to room, pretend work?" Dry.
Laughed. "Predictable."
"Indeed. Come. Escort."
"Not necessary." Ignored. Back to main house, grabbed laptop. Up to bedroom door. Sniffed air.
"Expecting hide-and-seek?"
Half-shrug. "Not if they value life. Never underestimate full moon male stupidity."
Laughed. Impulsive hug. Both startled.
"Thanks."
Patted awkward. "Welcome, dear. Sleep. Exhausted."
Alone, adrenaline crashed. Hollow. Days piled—work, politics, kisses frustrating/wonderful. Toll.
Room too quiet post-party. Distant howls lonely, calling something deep. Closed balcony doors, curtains. Blocked moon, him in forest.
Changed. Faded Cure tour shirt, panties. Bed. Body done, mind raced.
Replayed: Julian's anger, Jared's charm, pack energy. Claiming words. Fighting control.
Achy. Restless. Out of bed. Curtains open. Balcony doors quiet. Stepped out. Forest hushed, occasional howl. Heavy quiet.
Golden eyes glowed shadows under trees.
"Julian?" Whisper. He heard.
Wolf stepped moonlit. Dark pelt near invisible, gold flecks sparkling stars.
Him. Knew.
Padded lawn silent, powerful. Stopped under balcony. Looked up. Golden.
Sank by railing, knees weak. T-shirt, panties. Night air goosebumped skin. Should scare—human alone with predator. But those eyes? Safe. Bone-deep.
Breathtaking. Muscles rippled dark fur, power coiled. Enormous. Taller than her. Wild. Untamable.
"You're back." Soft. "Irene said all night."
Looked up. Breath, man. Huge. Naked.
"Couldn't stay away." Growl. Voice rough. Eyes gold solid. Heart thumped.
"Didn't want you to."
Eyes locked. Leapt. Caught railing, swung over. Grace impossible.
Breath hitched. Close. Heat rolled off. Pine. Earth. Him. Stepped. Closer. Wall of muscle blocked world.
Stared up. Hammering heart. Point of no return. Trust wild connection? Or safe alone?
No safety alone. Life without him—terrifying intensity gone—worse.
Reached. Hands on chest muscle. Like first time. Froze. Rumble built chest.
"Not afraid." Golden eyes steady. "Make me yours, Julian."