"Love? Love, wake up," Loki's voice bid you after dawn. You cuddled better against him in reply. He sighed in exasperation and shook you gently. "Darling, as much as I enjoy the wonderful view, it is too cold outside for little wolves with no fur." You shot upright, flushing when you understood his words. Your body had automatically shifted back at dawn, and apparently not bothered to wake you when it did. It had been fine sleeping on your bed of pine needles when you were both wolves with fur. It was much less fine lying on a bed of pine needles and snow without a stitch on besides the gold necklace Loki had given you; it somehow survived your shifts to and from wolf. It would be nice if your clothes could do the same thing. "There is absolutely no reason for that charming blush, my love," Loki told you gently as he draped his cloak over your shoulders. "You're beautiful, in all of your forms,"

"You wouldn't say that if you changed back to human without your clothes," you grumbled, pulling his cloak more securely around yourself, embarrassed that he had seen you naked. Casual nudity wasn't something the werewolves were supposed to be embarrassed about by the time they hit your age...and yet... it wasn't quite casual, and was totally unfair since he reappeared from changing shapes with clothes.

He sighed and stood, pulling you to your feet too. "Very well," he said with a mischievous smirk. You had time to briefly wonder what he was up to before his clothes...disappeared. All of them. Gone. Poof. You just stared in mesmerized impressed awe. You were pretty sure your mouth was open. His physique was perfect. He was a god after all. And... well... he was endowed like one as well... and that was all the further you were letting your mind get on that subject. He was chuckling as his clothes shimmered back into place. "There. We're even. Feel better now?" he asked, still chuckling at your reaction.

"I don't have words-" you finally managed. Your brain was still very firmly in the off position. It had been a marvelously impressive view.

He kissed your forehead. "I will accept that and your tied tongue for the compliments they are, little wolf," he teased. It took another minute for your flush to ease and your brain to turn back on again.

"When did you change back?" you asked, looking for any line of conversation besides what had just happened.

"Just after you did," Loki replied carefully. "It's only been maybe five minutes. I thought the change would have woken you..." he added sheepishly. Ahh, so he thought you'd been awake and letting him enjoy the view. No wonder he'd felt the need to make it even. You also realized that his clothing choice for himself had been automatic, since he was wearing Asgardian style clothing.

"It usually does..." you confessed. "It hasn't been since...before Jareth expressed interest in me that the change hadn't woken me after a full moon," you added, not quite sure how to explain what the difference was. You should have woken, but you must have realized you were safe. That was the only reason for you not to.

"Since you trusted the pack," Loki supplied. You nodded, grateful he figured out what you were trying to say, since you couldn't, and pulled his cloak tighter around you, shivering.

"However, my toes are getting numb. Any chance you can summon me some shoes? Pants would also be appreciated so we can walk back to the house," you grinned, making light of the request.

He considered it. "I could...or..." you shrieked and giggled when he swept you effortlessly into his arms, his cloak wrapped around you like a blanket. "This is a much faster way to get you back to the hot shower and clean clothes waiting for you at the house," he smirked.

You huffed and rolled your eyes. "Fine, stubborn god," you softened the words by kissing his cheek. At least it was a short walk back to the house. Your clearing had been nearby.

"You're back! We were getting worried!" Sara greeted you when Loki set you on your feet just inside the house. She didn't seem surprised by your outfit or that Loki had been carrying you.

"We took a nap. Lost track of time," you explained sheepishly. She gave you a warm smile and a knowing look.

"Of course, and the wolves find nothing wrong with taking a nap in the snow. Your bag is upstairs in the guest room. First door on the right. It has its own bathroom. Breakfast will be ready by the time you're showered and dressed. We'll entertain your mate until you return," she added with a smirk.

"Thanks," you smiled and kissed her cheek. You kissed Loki and warned him to play nice then went to find the promised hot shower and clean clothes. You found the duffel bag sitting on the bed in the guest room as promised. It not only had clothes, but a bottle of the shampoo and conditioner you used and a bar of the soap you liked. You were touched by the thoughtfulness and consideration that you wouldn't have to spend the day smelling like someone else. There was also a note telling you to leave the toiletries behind for next month.

Clean and dressed you headed back downstairs, leaving the duffel bag by the door. "Y/N, can you help me set the table?" Joshua asked when he saw you. Sarai was showing Loki how to cook something in the kitchen.

"Sure," you replied after giving Loki a quick kiss on the cheek to reassure him that you were ok and loved him. You took the plates into the other room to help Joshua.

"You're trying for the five year rule, aren't you?" Joshua asked without preamble.

"That was my plan," you admitted. You saw Loki look over at you from the stove, intrigued by the conversation. "The five year rule states that a wolf who had not received aid or support from the pack in five years can apply to be a lone wolf and not have their application rejected, as they are clear of the pack's obligations and politics," you explained for Loki's benefit. "This Winter's Moon will mark the end of the fourth year. I wasn't expecting that Jareth and Ferris would threaten to drag me back to the compound the day after graduation. And the way my scholarship and internship are set up, I can't extend school another year," you added. You'd been mulling over this problem since Dan had given his warnings. "I'll figure something out. I'm not going back,"

"Of course you aren't, little Omega, and I mourn for the souls of any who try to oppose you," Joshua teased. His expression turned more serious. "There is another way to get them off your back..." he reminded you with a quick glance at Loki.

"I know," you replied softly, not looking up from your task. "And were there more time before graduation, I might entertain that option." Since you refused to look up from your task, you could ignore Loki's curious look. "I'll figure something out," you told Joshua firmly.

"I have no doubts," he replied warmly.

Breakfast was a hurried affair. You had to get to work and Joshua and Sarai had things to do too. You said your goodbyes after breakfast and Sarai promised to see you next month.

"You're welcome anytime," Joshua insisted instead. He hesitated a long moment before he steeled himself to add: "If you need or want sanctuary for Winter's Moon, we will shelter you here." Loki stiffened next to you, recognizing that he was being insulted, somehow, but not understanding the true nature of the insult.

You glared at Joshua. You understood the insult even if Loki hadn't. "Joshua. That was uncalled for," you told him firmly.

"You are an unwed female of the pack. You know damn well that honor dictates that the offer must be made, no matter that your mate will be insulted...once he knows and understands..." Joshua grumbled back at you. You knew he was right, but that didn't make it better.

"Will one of you three sneaky secretive wolves kindly tell me what Winter's Moon is?" Loki asked dryly with a fake casualness that you knew was hiding his urge to stab one of the three of you. You weren't quite sure that you were exempt from the stabbing. "I would very much like to know why I am being insulted,"

"NO!" all three wolves replied at the same time.

You took Loki's hand before he could do something stupid. "Lo, we can't. Not that we don't want to. Not that it's awful and embarrassing, though it is. We can't. It's ancient pack magic, such old bindings over the secret that even I can't disobey them. I swear, I would tell you if I could, but I literally cannot," you explained quickly, pleading with him to believe you. It was never something you had to do with him, since he could hear lies.

"You can't tell me?" his voice was an icy snarl of hurt feelings and disbelief.

"Loki. I. Can. Not. Tell. You." you replied firmly. "Hear the truth of my words. You can hear a lie at least as easily as any of the wolves," you added for the benefit of Joshua and Sarai, who didn't know the extent of Loki's abilities.

"Surely there must be something you can tell me," Loki replied, still hurt, pained. He thought you didn't trust him, didn't love him enough to trust him with your secret.

You sighed, fighting your own emotions back. "Let me think on it, love. I'll come up with something. There's still a couple of months before-"

"Careful!" Joshua exclaimed. His warning came too late and you clutched your head against the sudden stabbing pain in your temples. You had apparently almost said too much. "She does not lie, Odinson," Joshua snarled at Loki. Loki swiveled to you and pulled you into his arms, running his hand down your hair worriedly while you breathed through the pain.

"I'm ok," you told Loki, pushing out of his arms when the pain subsided. "Is that what disobedience feels like?" you grumbled at the others.

Sarai laughed. "Usually we can't even get that far. Though, yes, it hurts to fight the compulsion of orders you can't agree with. Be glad there are so few orders that bind you, little sister,"

"I am," you replied.

With a final round of goodbyes you finally got back to the car so you could go home. Loki insisted on driving since you had to leave for work nearly as soon as you got back. "So....Winter's Moon," he pressed. You sighed.

"Lo..."

"I know. You can't tell me. Not directly anyway, but I'm not stupid, little wolf. I can put the pieces together if you just leave me the clues. A couple of questions and I'll drop it for now," he insisted.

"I'll answer what I can," you promised. It meant a lot to him to find out what was going on and why this was such a big deal, so you promised to do what you could to help. He nodded, accepting that.

"There are still a couple of months?" he confirmed.

You nodded, adding quickly with a sudden burst of inspiration. "On a completely unrelated note, remind me to tell Cap that there are two weeks in early March that I won't be able to be on duty to the Avengers, not even on emergencies." You grinned when that didn't retrigger the disobedience pain.

"Completely unrelated?" Loki asked with a smirk, an eyebrow raised.

"Completely," you replied with as much sarcasm as you could put into your voice.

"I see. I will make sure to remind you," he smiled, enjoying the game and the puzzle as long as it didn't cause you pain. "How bad was the insult from Joshua?" he asked too casually.

You sighed heavily and looked out the window. "Had he not been duty-bound to make the offer, it would have been a grave insult. It only isn't because he is honor bound to ensure my safety, even at the risk of offending you. If he asks again next month, then it's an actual insult and you can stab him for it. With a normal dagger, not silver," you added quickly. He didn't look completely appeased, but accepted your words as truth.

"Fine. If he does it again, then it is an insult and I will stab him for insulting me," he finally agreed. He hesitated, obviously not wanting to ask the next question, but he forced himself to spit it out anyway. "Do you want to spent Winter's Moon here?" he tried to hide the hurt at even asking the question, but you knew his own honor demanded that he ask it.

"No. I want to spend it at the tower with my family, and more importantly with you. Though I hope you'll forgive that selfish desire..." you added the last part softly, looking out the window instead of at him.

He roared in laughter, booming more like Thor than himself. "Selfish? You? I think it's more likely that Thor would cause Ragnarok than that I will see the day that you are selfish, my darling little wolf." With his laughter the tension eased and you could spend the rest of the drive home on lighter conversation.

*

"Wolf-girl!" Tony called as you were getting coffee on your way up to your room so you could get dressed for work. The coffee maker was just finishing making the cowboy coffee you'd need to survive the day after the full moon.

"Make it quick, Tony. I don't have a lot of time," you told him as you filled your mug.

"You've been promoted," he announced.

You whirled and looked at him in shock. "Promoted? I just got promoted a month ago. Plus, I'm just an intern," you protested. It wouldn't do to get special treatment just because you were an Avenger.

"Yeah, you're still an intern, which is why I can't get you promoted to the position I want you to have until after graduation. Until then, you're officially Pepper's personal assistant, not just another minion in her office," Tony explained quickly. He had skipped about twenty steps in his explanation, which was usual for Tony.

You raised an eyebrow. "Why?" you demanded, knowing he had to have an ulterior motive. This was a huge jump for an intern and he knew it.

"Because I'm a selfish bastard and you won't tell me 'no' since this will propel your career and independence. Besides, you're a good fit for the role intellectually, have enough energy and stamina to keep up with Pepper most days, and I want someone close to her who is capable of defending her without being obvious security,"

You thought over his words and nodded. "You're right. I won't tell you 'no'," you finally told him.

"Good. By the way, the day you graduate your positions changes from assistant to adviser. There's stupid legal things about what interns can and can't do, or I'd just put you in that role now,"

"I'm hired? Full-time?" you asked him, shocked. There were tears of joy in your eyes.

He looked at you confused. "Of course. Pepper said you're the best intern she's ever had, and that was before you saved her life. She agreed to the promotion because of your work skills and despite my ulterior motives. No one told you yet?" he asked. He 'oof-ed' in shock as he absorbed the impact of you glomping him, your arms wrapped firmly around his neck.

"Thank you!!"

"Oi! I don't do hugs!" Tony protested, but even he couldn't resist the charms of a happy Omega. "Reindeer Games, get her off me," Tony grumbled when you didn't listen about him not liking hugs.

Loki chuckled and actually took an order from Tony for once. He wrapped an arm around your waist and hauled you off of Tony. You turned and hugged him instead, all puppy excitement. "I got the job after graduation!" you told him excitedly.

"So I've heard," he replied with a smile in his voice. "That's wonderful news, darling. But you have to go to work, remember? We'll celebrate tonight after you get off." You kissed him and ran upstairs to get ready for work. A pair of black dress pants and an actual blouse and heels waited for you on your bed.

Congratulations on the promotion - Nat read the note lying on top of the clothes. You grinned at her thoughtfulness and her ability to know everything, changed quickly, and managed to get your hair presentable in record time. You made it back downstairs to tell Loki goodbye with minutes to spare.

"You look lovely, darling," Loki greeted you when you got off of the elevator as he evaluated your outfit. It wasn't your usual work attire of jeans and your school hoodie.

"Thank you," you accepted the compliment today when you weren't dying of moon fever.

Loki touched the celtic knot pendant on its golden chain around your neck with a warm smile, obviously touched you were wearing his gift. He tucked a strand of hair behind your ear before he leaned down to kiss you goodbye. "Have a good day," he bid you while you waved him from the elevator down to the garage.

*

You found out quickly that being Pepper's personal assistant would be deadly to a human. It consisted of following her around all day, taking notes, ordering the minions around, making sure you both stayed caffeinated, making sure she ate something, and running from meeting to meeting with her all day. In heels. Thank all the gods for your strength and stamina, or you'd never have been able to keep up. Pepper was impressed too. "My last three assistants gave up halfway through their first day,"

You grinned in reply. "Weaklings,"

"Indeed. Needless to say, I won't hurt Tony for this suggestion. He did well. For once,"

"For once," you agreed with a smirk.

*

As you were walking to your borrowed car that afternoon you saw a text from Loki on your phone. That was strange. Loki rarely used his phone. You weren't even sure if you had known that he knew how to text.

-Your outfit for the evening is on your bed. I will see you soon.-

You smiled at his formality and wondered what your evening would entail. Silly Trickster was really good at making plans when he put his mind to it. You drove home and went straight to your room, knowing you wouldn't see Loki until after you were dressed in whatever he had laid out for you and not a moment sooner.

You sighed when you saw the gorgeous floor length gown he'd laid out for you. It was beautiful and a soft comfortable material and a wonderful dark green color, but dresses weren't really your thing. You'd grown up playing in the woods. You'd never even owned a Barbie. You put the dress on, praying that you'd have fun tonight despite the clothes. You tied your unruly hair up with long golden hairsticks with celtic knots dangling as charms from the tops, they matched your necklace well.

You stepped out of your room when you were dressed to find Loki waiting outside of your bedroom door in a perfectly tailored suit. He offered you an elegant bow. "My lady," he greeted you, lifting your hand to his lips to kiss the back of it.

"Your Highness," you replied with a hint of teasing in your voice. It was the proper term of address for him...on Asgard. He smirked, appreciating the teasing, and stood from his bow over your hand.

"You look wonderful tonight, my darling," he told you with such warmth and honesty in his eyes and tone that even had you not been a wolf, there would have been no doubt that he meant the words.

"You look great too," you replied, though you couldn't help reaching up to straighten his tie. Not that it really needed it, but it was just a touch off of perfect. Loki smiled and offered you his arm.

"Shall we?" he asked. You took his arm, grinning at the fun already.

"So where are we going?" you asked as you rode the elevator down to the garage.

"You'll see," he replied with his Cheshire cat grin. You giggled at his silliness and let him walk you to your usual of Tony's fast cars. He held open the passenger door for you and helped you inside, closing the door behind you when you were safely in.

The first stop of the night was a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant, hence the fancy clothes. "It has come to my attention," Loki started over dinner. "That we have not yet had a proper Midgardian date,"

You thought it over and laughed. "No, we haven't. We can't do anything normally can we? We've slept in the same bed how many nights, have seen each other naked, and hadn't been on a date yet," you laughed over how absurdly backwards your relationship was. "At least we started as friends first... that's supposed to be the first step,"

"And then usually comes a first date, right?" he asked with a smile.

"Yes, then comes the first date, not living together, sharing our beds half the time or more, and denying we're dating," you giggled. You had dragged him out on a lot of outings that could have been considered dates had you not both been so thoroughly denying the fact that you were dating. He chuckled.

"Yes, that generally is not how it works, though in my defense, you are an incorrigible cuddler," he teased.

"Like you don't like it," you replied and stuck your tongue out at him. "But yes, the first date does not usually come a month after the relationship starts,"

"Well, then I best make sure you have a good time to make up for the horrible delay in proper Midgardian traditions," he said with a smile. You spent dinner enjoying the delicious meal while telling him about your new job, telling stories about the team, and trading stories of your childhoods.

"That was a lot of fun," you told him, twirling adorably in your dress outside of the restaurant when the meal had ended. Loki chuckled, holding your hand and twirling you again like a dancer.

"The evening is not over yet, little wolf," he smiled and laughed when you were confused.

"What else could we be doing?" you asked. He helped you back into the car and refused to tell you. He parked the car and looked over at you.

"We will need a slight costume change," he finally said. "Beautiful as you are in that dress, it is not practical for this activity," he explained. Green magic filled the car and you were suddenly in comfortable jeans, a soft sweater, and a peacoat, as well as gloves and a hat and much more sensible shoes than heels. He was in jeans and actually wore a coat too, and a scarf. He was immune to the cold, so he didn't usually even pretend by wearing a coat.

You waited for him to open your car door for you before getting out of the car. You'd learned your lesson at the restaurant when he teleported to your side of the car when he realized you weren't going to be patient and accept the courtesy. You accepted it now and took his hand when he opened the door. You walked hand in hand with him a few blocks until you reached the huge outdoor skating rink at Rockefeller Center with the giant Christmas tree in the background. You stared in awe at the gorgeous tree. You'd lived in New York for four years, but hadn't made it down to see the tree.

"Come along, little wolf, the pretty tree isn't our destination," Loki took your hand more firmly and led you to the skating rink. You hesitated, planting your feet

"Lo, I've never-"

"Surely a werewolf isn't afraid of a little ice," he teased, until he saw your expression, saw that you actually were afraid of speeding across ice on tiny blades on your feet. "Darling, it's fun. I'll be there and I'll teach you. It'll be alright. I promise, it'll be fun," he insisted. You nodded and continued with him. "There's my brave little wolf," he kissed the top of your head.

He was true to his word and stayed with you, showing you how to skate and helping you balance on the ice and thin blades of the skates. It was terrifying until you got the hang of it. You saw how much you hampered him, though. He was still having fun, but you saw the mischief in his eyes. "Go show off, silly trickster," you told him. He hesitated, not wanting to leave you alone. You pulled out your phone. "I'm going to take a lovely video of whatever tricks you decide to do and plaster it all over the internet. That's my fun in this," you told him.

He grinned, took off his scarf and tied it around your neck. "Very well," he told you. You set the video up and watched in awe as he spun and twirled on the ice, including a few very impressive jumps you'd only seen in competitions on TV. Most of the other skaters stopped to watch his antics. He skated back over to you once he'd had his fun.

"Have fun?" you asked, grinning. "That was impressive,"

"Frost Giant," he explained, but he was grinning. He'd had a lot of fun playing on the ice and showing off. He loved the attention. You managed to lean up on you toes to kiss him, but promptly toppled you both onto the ice for your efforts. You both burst into laughter and Loki had to haul you back to your feet.

You skated for awhile longer, then sat together next to the rink, watching the other skaters, and your video of Loki showing off, while sipping on hot chocolate.

It was late when you made it back to the tower. "I hope you had a good time this evening," Loki said as you were walking down the hallway your rooms were on.

"It was perfect," you replied, laying your head on his arm. "Best first date ever," you added with a smirk.

"I am glad my lady is pleased," he replied overly formally. "Now, if I am correct, Midgardian custom decrees that at the end of the first date, the gentleman escorts his lady to her dwelling," he gestured to your bedroom door which you were now standing in front of her. "And proceeds, with his lady's permission of course, with the sacred tradition of the good night kiss,"

"You are quite the scholar of Midgardian traditions, your highness," you teased back.

"So, my painstaking research is correct then?"

"It is," you confirmed. "Though you did neglect the part where the lady judges the worthiness of her gentleman suitor based, in part, on the quality of the goodnight kiss,"

"Of course," he inclined his head regally. "Then I shall have to make sure my lady is pleased by my performance," his words sent a shiver down your spine. He brushed your hair back from your face, keeping his hand on the back of your head, tilting your head up to him, his other arm around your waist. He leaned down until his lips were a breath away from yours. "May I?" he asked formally.

"Yes," you breathed, your eyes closed in anticipation. Despite all of the kisses you'd shared already, he had somehow been saving the absolute best for this one. His lips were soft as ever, cool against yours. The kiss was perfect, somehow a simple single kiss was so full of emotion and love, that you knew despite all of the teasing and jokes, he was treating this kiss as though you really were judging the worthiness of the relationship on the quality of the goodnight kiss.

You were breathless when he finally broke the kiss, happily dazed. He smiled at your reaction. "I take it my lady is pleased with my performance," his words were soft.

"Very," your voice was an equally soft purr.