Forever Yours

Suspicion

For the next four months your romantic relationship was perfect...Well, almost. Every so often Remus would become weak and pale. He consoled you there was naught to worry about and, true to prediction, a few days later he was completely well. The bouts of illness were strangely periodical; once a month, so despite Remus' assurances you never felt entirely relaxed about the matter.

"You worry too much," chided Gabrielle when you confessed your unease to her and Lanette. "Siri won't tell me why we can't have a date tomorrow, only that he has something to do with his mates, and am I concerned? Not a bit."

Lanette murmured quietly, "I hate to say it, Gabby, but suppose he's seeing another girl? Seventy percent of men are unfaithful."

Gabby scoffed, "He wouldn't want anyone else when he has me." She used her manicured hands to smooth out her long, expensive jacket that tightly hugged her supermodel figure.

"I guess not," said Lanette skeptically. "It's just that tomorrow is going to be so romantic. I find it suspicious that he wouldn't want to be with you."

"What's so romantic about tomorrow?" you inquired in bemusement.

Lanette stated, "It'll be a full moon."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes at the sentimental notion; however, it struck a nerve of apprehension and speculation with you.

Some of your feelings must have shown on your face because Gabby questioned, "Something wrong?"

"Not wrong, exactly...Weird things happen during the full moon."

Both of them laughed at that. Lanette remarked to Gabby, "Fantasy has been reading too many fantasy books again. She even did a fantasy novel for her 'Book in a Box' project that she got one-hundred percent on."

You stomped off and ignored them when they called after you. A part of you realised that you were over-reacting, but you despised being laughed at, especially when Remus could be involved.

~

The next evening you ambled to the Marauders' cottage. Remus had told you not to visit him when he was unwell, though you suspected that the reason for that was whatever small amount of male ego he possessed would not allow you witness him in a state of weakness. You were concerned about him, and he would accept and appreciate that even if you went against one of his requests.

You noticed that the usual nighttime noises that emitted from the forest adjacent to the cottage were absent. The silence was eerie, and instinct implored you to turn back. You told yourself that you were being foolish, and you swallowed your wariness and continued on.

When you reached the cottage you saw that all of the lights had been extinguished. They must not be home. Did Remus get so ill that they had to rush him to the hospital? you fearfully thought. Immediately, you changed direction, ready to run back into town to conceive if Remus was indeed in the hospital. A sudden breeze blew, rustling the treetops. Slowly, you returned your attention to the woods. Why was it so quiet? Were the animals afraid?

A sense of adventure gripped you, daring you to discover the reason. As you took a step forward a voice of caution said within your mind, "No. Don't go." It sounded a lot like Remus, and it made you pause. That hesitation caused you to feel cowardly, thus you shook your head defiantly and plunged into the forest.

The further you strolled the darker it became; the full moon's glow was unable to completely penetrate the tree's thick leaves. A howl broke the unnerving silence, making you jump slightly. The howl came again, louder and longer. All of the hairs on your body stood up, for it did not sound like an ordinary wolf or coyote, and even if it had those creatures did not dwell in the woodlands near your populated village.

You were beginning to believe that coming into the forest had, as the voice had warned, been an unwise idea when a growl came from behind you. Spinning around, you saw a slick muscled animal that resembled a wolf, but was twice as large, licking its sharp yellow teeth. This, however, was not what brought a scream from your throat. The ferocious animal had beautiful amber eyes. Remus' eyes.