Caelen sat on the top step where her father had placed her moments before he crouched over in pain. It clearly hurt him to transform more so than for her, for Caelen it wasn't exactly a comfortable change but it didn't pain her. Remus let out a short howl as his bones shifted and joints cracked making way for his other form, moony.

Where Remus had been now stood a large werewolf he was panting from his transformation and it took a moment for moony to become aware of his surroundings the first thing the wolf noticed was he was not alone, there was a tiny cub watching him nervously. Instincts told him this cub belonged to him and he felt a fierce protectiveness well up within him.

She nudged his paw with her tiny nose as if to question if he was alright now. Caelen had never seen another wolf she'd never watched the transformation herself and the obvious pain he'd felt worried her, was that normal? She didn't have long to ponder these thoughts before the large wolf began nuzzling and sniffing her ears committing her scent to memory.

She'd never been touched in a loving manner that she could remember, maybe before her mother realized she was a werewolf. Caelen vaguely remembered the night Gena had found out. It had been a full moon of course up until that time she'd been oblivious to her daughter's transformations. Baby Caelen had always slept well so a small wolf cub sleeping quietly in her crib once a month had gone unnoticed by the neglectful, self absorbed woman. When the child had begun to walk however, she was often ignored and one night had fallen asleep on a rug in the living room. She'd been awakened by a rough kick to her ribs sending the small cub across the room. That night had been the beginning of her nightmarish existence, she remembered the terror, her tiny paws trying desperately to outrun the infuriated woman. This night was totally different the large wolf nuzzled her gently, she pressed her tiny body against him soaking up the warmth and affection she was so desperate for.

Caelen grunted as moony picked her up by the scruff of her neck and carried her down the stairs to the mattress in the corner and placed her on it gently. She rushed to him rubbing against his front paws much like a kitten begging for attention.

Moony lowered his large snout licking the small cub affectionately. He jerked back in surprise when he felt a nip and tug on his ear followed by short playful yips. His cub wanted to play and he would not disappoint. He lowered himself on his front paws barking in gentle encouragement, moony rolled and growled lightly pretending to be struggling to fend off the cub's playful attacks.

Caelen slid off the larger werewolf's head landing with a grunt between his front paws. He nuzzled her exposed belly gently and she snuggled into his neck, her tongue rolling out in a mighty yawn, last night had been spent escaping and the tiny cub had never felt so tired.

Her large wolf eyes studied his as if it was the most important thing she'd ever had. 'I'm not alone anymore!' She thought happily relief coursing through her tiny body causing her tail to wag. 'I've never felt so safe!'

She hadn't realized her father would hear her thoughts, the bond between a werewolf and it's cub previously unknown to her, so to say Caelen was shocked when she heard a response would be an understatement.

Remus' voice, slightly deeper and with a pronounced growl to it, sounded in her head, 'never.' The larger wolf responded tucking her in close between his front paws, 'You will never be alone again, and I will always protect you, my little cub.' He placed his head gently over his cub in a protective manner, no one would get near her, no one would harm her.

Caelen sighed happily wriggling her nose out to lick her father before nuzzling closer and closing her eyes. Her last coherent thoughts were happy and peaceful.

Moony eyed his cub's sleeping form, she let out a tiny whimper and pressed herself further into his fur searching for comfort. He hadn't had a companion during his changes since losing his friends nearly thirteen years ago. The wolf was aware of three emotions, something he'd rarely had to deal with before, one being the fierce need to protect his cub, another the anger at Remus' human mate who had clearly harmed her, and the last a longing for the friends he remembered from his childhood. 'Sleep well little cub. You're safe now.' he murmured in his mind before settling down himself for the night.

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The next thoughts either of them had were human thoughts. Caelen felt warm and comfortable she couldn't recall the last time she'd slept so well. She stretched her little body out happily snuggling towards the warmth she felt next to her.

Remus hurriedly pulled on a pair of sweatpants and covered Caelen with his t-shirt careful not to wake the sleeping child. He watched her stirring next to him in her sleep. A soft smile graced her face and she snuggled closer to his side. "Good morning little one," Remus whispered gently hoping not to scare her.

Caelen jumped realizing she wasn't alone, the warmth she'd been seeking came from a person. She hid her face in his side embarrassed.

Remus felt the girl stiffen against him before she shoved her face against his side. In any other moment he might have laughed at the adorable behavior but now he knew he had to be cautious. Lupin assumed, from their cuddled position, last night had gone peacefully and he didn't want to wreck whatever bonding might have happened. "Sleep well?" He questioned as if this was a normal everyday thing.

"Best ever," she mumbled in reply peaking up at him hesitantly. Caelen inched away sitting up uncertainly. "You sleep good?"

"Very well yes," he smiled at her sitting up as well, "you wanna go get some breakfast? I'm starved." Remus turned towards the stairs walking slowly to give Caelen a chance to wriggle into his t-shirt. He smiled gently when he felt a tiny tug on his arm.

"Can I hold your hand? Please?" She whispered hesitantly.

"Any time little one." Lupin replied gently squeezing her little hand, "Sooo..what do you want for breakfast?"

Caelen shrugged lightly, "I don't think I've ever had breakfast before..." She whispered in reply.

Remus paused next to the fridge, he inhaled sharply closing his eyes and clenching his teeth together to control himself. Coming to a decision he grabbed the milk, bread, and eggs and got to work, "in that case we'll have to do this right French toast coming up I think you're gonna enjoy this."

"Can I help?" The little girl asked shuffling her feet uncertainly.

She gasped when rather than answer Remus scooped her up and sat her on the counter. Caelen watched with interest as he dipped the bread into the egg mixture and dropped it neatly on the sizzling skillet.

"Soooo...you um," Remus paused flipping the toast and glancing at the girl watching him patiently, "guess we can assume you take after me huh?" He said chuckling.

"With the wolf thing you mean?"

"Yeah," he laughed again, "you make a cute wolf cub by the way, have you always changed?"

"I think so, ever since I can remember anyway." She replied with a shrug, "m-mother didn't know until I was almost two that I was a monster."

"You're not a monster Caelen," Remus stated quietly hating that Gena had made her think she was, "just because you're different doesn't make you a monster. A monster is created through actions not looks."

They stared at each other quietly for a moment his daughter absorbing his words. She had just opened her mouth to respond when a knock sounded on the door.

Caelen's eyes widened frantic, "if its her..!" She began in a terrified tone.

"You're never going back to her, not ever you understand?" Remus told her sternly holding her shoulders in a calming manner.

Helping his daughter down from the counter, Remus walked swiftly towards the door. "Albus! This is a surprise come in." He greeted cheerfully upon seeing his old professor.

"Remus, it's good to see you," the older wizard greeted with a smile.

Caelen watched the exchange quietly, peeking around the kitchen doorway. She'd never seen anyone quite like the man, his long hair and beard were white like a puffy cloud or a fresh snow drift. He wore crescent shaped glasses that the young girl thought were fabulous. And his strange robed attire made her childlike mind sore with fanciful thoughts. Still none of her mother's friends had ever been kind and the cautionary nature that had kept the girl alive this long told her to stay put.

"So Remus how've you been," Albus questioned cheerfully his wise old eyes sparkling as usual.

Remus eyed his old professor he'd known Dumbledore long enough to know he wasn't one to make simple house calls, there had to be a reason, "I've been good professor, might I inquire what brings you out here today?"

"Can't I visit an old student?" The professor responded.

"Of course you can," Remus admitted, "it's just unlike you..."

"Fair enough, Remus I'm in need of a teacher for defense against the dark arts."

Lupin stared at him thoroughly puzzled, "and you think I'd be a proper choice? With my...condition?"

"With the new wolfsbane potion no one need know," Albus replied spreading his hands, "I need you Remus. I think it could be good for both of us."

Remus looked towards his kitchen and the small child he knew lurked nervously near the door, "it uh...it wouldn't be just me professor. Caelen? Could you come here please?"

Albus' eyes widened in surprise as a small head of brown hair popped into view. Caelen kept well away from her father's visitor as she rushed to Remus' side. "Albus uh this is Caelen, she's uh, she's my daughter." Remus explained.

Albus looked thoughtfully between the two Lupins, "yes I can see that, quite a resemblance. Am I correct in assuming you were unaware of her until recently? I guess it doesn't really matter I just assume had you known earlier, I'd have known of her."

"Yes that would be a correct assumption." Remus agreed rubbing the nervous girl's shoulder reassuringly.

"Well hello my dear, I'm Albus Dumbledore I'm headmaster at your father's old school, Hogwarts."

Caelen scooted further behind Remus' chair before mumbling a hello in return.

"Well we haven't had a teacher with a child in many years but of course we will make allowances for her Remus." Dumbledore began, smiling gently at the obviously fearful child, "It would probably be best she not roam the halls unsupervised but as long as you can teach with a child on hand I don't imagine the little one would be an issue."

Remus looked at his daughter thoughtfully, she was starting to warm up to him but he could tell from her reaction to Albus, new people frightened her. Still, he could use the work especially with a child depending on him jobs were not exactly easy to find for a werewolf. "I'd be honored to teach for you professor." He finally agreed offering his hand.

"Wonderful we'll expect you by September 1st, it was wonderful to meet you young lady I look forward to getting to know you better." With his task complete Professor Dumbledore took his leave.

"It'll be alright little one," Remus reassured Caelen gently, "there will be a lot of new people but I'll look out for you. No ones ever going to hurt you again as long as I'm around alright?"

The girl nodded slightly burying her face in her father's leg. Anywhere with Remus, even with people, still had to be better than her mother's right?

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Well this is chapter three and I must say I'm getting a bit discouraged I love this story so far but I seem to be the only one is anyone reading this? If there's anyone out their reading and hopefully enjoying it could you just say yes or I like it or something just to let me know I'm not wasting my time? Thanks. Alrighty off to write more laters