Midnight Moons

Voice of Reason

POV: Hope

After dropping off the kids, Dad and I headed towards my high school. The uncomfortable silence threatened to sink my whole day. Finally, I couldn't take it any longer.

"Daddy?" I twisted my hair and peered at my father.

"Yes daughter." Dad sighed as he pulled into a parking spot rather than dropping me off at the front of the school.

Shutting off the engine, Dad turned towards me. "Hope, I know you have questions. I promise to answer every one of them, but I want you to give me a little time."

"But..." I stammer.

"Baby girl, I just ask you to trust me for a few more hours. I promise I won't miss a single detail nor skip over any question you might have. Can you do that?"

I search his face but see nothing but love there. My dad and I have always had a close relationship. I remember how he patiently answered any question I ever had.

Sighing, I grabbed my bookbag. As I opened the car door, I glanced at my dad's troubled face.

"Don't worry, old dude. I promise to wait before I unload eleven thousand questions on you. See you tonight."

Dad accepted a quick peck on his cheek and reached over to hug me. "I love you, daughter of mine." With a final squeeze, I hopped out of the car and headed towards the school's entrance.

Glancing over my shoulder before I walked through the doors, I saw something that caught me completely off guard - my dad was crying.

Before I could run back to the car, two things happened. First, a pair of strong arms grabbed me from behind. Squealing, I turned around to see my gorgeous boyfriend Tim. Second, the voice in my head reminded me what a proud man my father is. Having his daughter see his tears would shame him terribly.

"Tim!" I swung my arms up and hugged my startled boyfriend. Quickly, I kissed his lips and pulled him into the first empty classroom I saw.

Tim and I had kissed many times before but for some reason, I wanted to take it much further. My body felt hot all over. All I wanted was to feel every part of his body on me and in me.

We've been a couple for a few years but unlike a lot of kids our age, we haven't been s****l. It was something that we both agreed on- wait until I turned 18. I'm not sure why we settled on that age but it was okay with me. We had a far deeper connection anyway.

Tim learned into the kiss. I could feel his arousal but I could also sense he was surprised. My tongue pushed further into his mouth. His deep groaning turned me on. He wrapped his arms around me and passionately matched my thrusting tongue's rhythm. I could feel my panties getting wet and I ground my pelvis against his. Tim's eyes snapped open and he abruptly pushed me away.

It took a moment for me to come to my senses. What in the world? Am I really trying to have s*x with my boyfriend in a classroom?

"Oh my goodness Tim, I don't know what came over me." Crossing my arms over my chest, all I could do is breathe deeply. Words escaped me, but Tim seemed very concerned.

Tim's voice sounded strangely frantic but I couldn't really concentrate on his words. He kneeled down in front of me. I struggled to stand upright.

"Nothing." I said shakily. I heard myself speaking but I have no idea what I said. I grabbed my bookbag and flounced past Tim. My face felt hot and I really wanted to get away from him, yet I still wanted to press my body into his.

He swung me around with a force I've never encountered. He peppered me with questions about my feelings. Suddenly embarrassed, I struggled to find a rational thought. Most guys would be head over heels if their girlfriends kissed them. Tim's attitude was aggravating. So I went a little overboard but why was he on this moral high ground.

I tried to move past him only to hit a rock solid wall of flesh. What? When had Tim developed abs of iron?

"He's an Alpha. He's supposed to be strong in order to lead his pack."

"What the hell is an Alpha?"

"What did you just say?"

"I said I'm going to class Tim."

"No, after that. You asked what's an Alpha. Where did you hear that?" Tim's eyes searched my face.

"I don't know, it just popped in my head." I strained to free my arm from his grasp. "Tim, let go. You're hurting me!"

He quickly shifted his weight and relaxed his grip on my arm." Hope baby, please listen to me. How long have you had things pop into your head?" Tim rubbed his jaw but his eyes never left my face.

"Timothy Harper, how many times have I told you about my VOR?" I wag my finger in his face. "So now I know you don't listen to me when I talk to you!"

Sheepishly Tim grinned at me. "Ahhh...guilty. Most of the time I'm looking at your lips thinking how much I want to kiss you. The rest of the time I'm daydreaming about when you turn 18."

It was my turn for a sheepish grin. I flushed thinking about our promise to wait until my birthday to take our relationship to the next level.

Shaking his head, Tim leaned down until he was eye level with me. "Baby, you've got to tell me what this voice says to you."

My eyes bug out as I stare at him. "Dude, it's just my little inner voice. We all have an inner voice that talks to us. It's like your conscience or something, right?"

He no longer met my eyes as he straightened up. "Umm, sometimes it's just your conscience but why would your conscience ask about an alpha? Isn't a conscience just the thing that tells you right from wrong?"

My eyes flew to his face as I realized he was right. My VOR had changed in recent weeks. I thought about how this morning, it told me that my dad was lying and that my mom's bones didn't heal.

"Dang! You're right. Why did my mom's broken bones pop into my head? As far as I know, she's never broken anything."

I glance up and notice Tim's stricken face. He sighs deeply, rubs his jaw again and grabs my backpack.

"Come on babe, I need to take you home. Hope, don't fight me on this. Let's just head to your house."