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The full moon hung heavy from the night sky, bathing the wilderness in a silvery glow that made every leaf and blade of grass dipped in dew shimmer. It was one of those special nights, at least to them it was.
In the sparsely decorated, lantern-lit interior of the Birthday Cake, Pearl was fully in the grip of her canine instincts.
Pearl, the wolf hybrid with soft gray ears that twitched at every sound and a fluffy tail that refused to stay still, had claimed Cleo the moment the moon rose. Now she lay sprawled on top of the zombie hybrid, her taller frame pinning Cleo gently but firmly to the large bed piled high with blankets and animal hides. Pearl’s head rested on Cleo’s chest, arms wrapped around them, legs tangled together. A low, contented rumble vibrated from her throat, not quite a purr but close enough.
Cleo lay on their back with one hand idly stroking through Pearl’s long hair. Their other hand scratched gently behind one of Pearl’s twitching ears. “There we go, love,” Cleo murmured, voice dry but affectionate. “You’re heavier than you look.”
Pearl only nuzzled closer, burying her face against Cleo’s neck and inhaling their familiar earthy scent. Her tail thumped lazily against the blankets. Under the full moon, her wolf instincts demanded closeness, protection, and possession. Cleo was hers right now, and she was perfectly happy to enforce that.
A soft knock came at the open doorway leading into the only room so far. Scott’s voice drifted in, cheerful but cautious. “Hey, you two alright in there? We brought extra berries if you—"
Pearl’s head snapped up instantly. Her ears flattened, lips pulling back to bare sharp teeth as a deep growl rumbled from her chest. Her golden eyes flashed in the lantern light. Scott froze in the doorway, hands raised in surrender, a basket of berries dangling from one arm.
“Easy, Pearl,” Cleo said calmly, not stopping their gentle pets. They scratched under her chin and Pearl reluctantly lowered her head again, though her growl lingered as a warning. “She’s in full moon mode, literally. Very cuddly with me, very bitey with everyone else.”
Scott bit back a laugh. “Noted. Impulse is out here too. We were just checking if you needed anything before we turn in.”
From further outside, Impulse called out, “Yeah! We can leave the berries by the door if Pearly won’t let us closer! We already put beds down, dont wanna disturb you two!”
Pearl growled louder at the second voice, shifting her body so she caged Cleo in more securely. One arm planted beside their head, the other wrapped possessively around their waist. Her legs bracketed Cleo’s, effectively trapping them on the bed. If Cleo tried to sit up, Pearl would simply lean more of her weight down, nuzzling insistently until Cleo relaxed again.
Cleo sighed, fond exasperation coloring their tone. They raised their voice to carry through the room. “WE’RE FINE! PEARL’S JUST DECIDED I’M HER PERSONAL HEATED MATTRESS FOR THE NIGHT. LEAVE THE BERRIES AND GO AWAY BEFORE SHE DECIDES YOU TWO ARE INTRUDERS!”
A burst of giggling echoed back. Scott and Impulse clearly trying (and failing) to stifle their laughter.
“COPY THAT!” Scott yelled back, voice cracking with amusement. “Does she want us to howl at the moon for her or anything?”
Pearl’s ears flicked. She lifted her head again and let out a short, sharp warning bark that made Cleo chuckle.
“NO HOWLING!” Cleo shouted. “SHE’LL JUST COME GUARD THE DOOR NEXT AND THEN I’LL NEVER GET UP. JUST LEAVE THE SNACKS AND LET US BE.”
More giggling. Impulse’s deeper laugh mixed with Scott’s lighter one. “Alright, alright! Night, Cleo! Night, Pearl! Don’t eat anyone!”
Pearl huffed and settled back down, licking a small stripe along Cleo’s collarbone in a show of affection. Her tail resumed its lazy wagging, thumping rhythmically against Cleo’s leg.
Cleo continued petting her, fingers tracing the soft fur of her ears and down the back of her neck. “You’re ridiculous tonight, you know that?” they said quietly, voice warm. “All this growling and caging me in. Anyone would think I’m your mate or something.”
Pearl’s ears perked up at the word ‘mate’ and she made a happy little whine, pressing even closer. Her body was warm, almost feverish from the moon’s influence, and her affection radiated in waves. She nosed at Cleo’s jaw, then licked their cheek.
Cleo laughed softly. “Yes, yes, I’m yours. No need to pin me down quite so dramatically.” They tried to shift slightly, reaching for a blanket, but Pearl immediately adjusted, arms bracketing them again, hips settling more firmly. A low possessive growl vibrated against Cleo’s skin.
“Alright, alright, I’m not going anywhere,” Cleo conceded, resuming the pets. Their hand moved in long, soothing strokes down Pearl’s back. “You’re going to be impossible to peel off in the morning, aren’t you?”
From outside, Scott’s voice carried again, playful. “YOU TWO STILL ALIVE OR HAS PEARL GONE FULL WOLF AND EATEN YOU?”
Cleo tilted their head back and yelled, “STILL BREATHING! SHE’S JUST VERY AFFECTIONATE. GO TO BED BEFORE I SEND HER AFTER YOU BOTH!”
Loud giggling erupted again, followed by Impulse shouting back, “WE’RE GOING, WE’RE GOING! ENJOY YOUR CUDDLE PRISON!”
Pearl’s tail wagged harder at the sound of them retreating. She relaxed fully on top of Cleo once more, eyes half-lidded in bliss as clever fingers continued scratching just the right spots behind her ears and along her spine.
Cleo smiled up at the ceiling, one hand buried in Pearl’s hair, the other rubbing slow circles between her shoulder blades. “They think it’s hilarious,” they murmured. “You guarding me like this. But I don’t mind. Not really.” Their voice dropped softer. “It’s nice, having someone wanting me this close. Even if you are a big fluffy menace.”
Pearl responded by nuzzling deeper, pressing a kiss to Cleo’s neck. Her breathing slowed into a contented rhythm, body heavy and warm.
The two of them stayed like that for the entire night. Cleo occasionally shouted sarcastic updates to Scott and Impulse whenever the boys checked in with more teasing calls from the other side of the base (“STILL TRAPPED!” “SHE’S LICKING MY FACE AGAIN!”), each exchange punctuated by fresh giggles from the duo. Pearl would growl half-heartedly at their voices but never left Cleo’s side.
Eventually the giggles faded as Scott and Impulse retired to their own beds. The base grew quiet except for the crackle of distant torches and the occasional night sound drifting in from the wilds outside.
Cleo kept petting Pearl long after the wolf hybrid had dozed off, ears twitching in her sleep, tail still draped possessively around Cleo’s leg. “Sleep well, Pearl,” Cleo whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Pearl’s head. “I’ve got you too, you know. Even when the moon isn’t watching.”