#werewolf frankie

[something-tofightfor]

Liminality: Part 14

Pairing: Frankie Morales x Female Reader

Word Count: 8,392

Rating: R - the general themes and tones of the previous chapters carry over, but there's no outright violence or sex.

Summary: As the plan comes together, and you and Frankie attempt to get his friends on board, decisions are made that not everyone agrees with.

And when you two take some time apart to give everyone breathing room, you make a discovery that gives you plenty of new information, and the chance to make the first move.

But as is typical with Frankie and his friends ... nothing goes according to plan.

Author’s note:

Here we go.

I really like this chapter, and I hope you do, too.

Masterlist (for the journal entries and all of the other 'extras' + previous chapters)

The time apart from Frankie gave you a chance to think clearly. 

Even though it was only a couple days, you used them wisely - and thanks to the rain, you spent the majority of them indoors. He’d been right; the storm had been little more than rain and some wind, and while the lights in your hotel had gone off briefly, you hadn’t been in the dark for long. 

And Frankie called you during those two days, checking in in the morning and before bed, along with sending photos and texts throughout the day. In another situation, it would have been overkill, and made you feel like he was trying too hard. But you understood that he was doing it to prove to himself that you were alright, and to let you know that even though you were apart, he was still thinking of you. 

Will sent you a few messages, too, asking how your leg was doing and how you were enjoying your trip. You knew that those replies were going to the entire group, all of them on alert thanks to what you’d revealed about Tom. 

You wondered if they were sending updates to Tom, too - like they had in the past. But you didn’t dwell on that, because instead, you went back to what you’d been doing for years prior to meeting Frankie: going over your notes and findings.

Having all of your research - and Alec’s - in front of you was helpful, as was the opportunity to focus on it. 

You hadn’t had so much time to yourself in months, and you used it wisely. You were almost certain that Tom had met the wolf that turned him at a prior realtor’s conference, and you spent hours poring over his social media friends and photos. There were tons with the men you knew, both in uniform and out. There were even more with Molly and Tessa, and people that you assumed were extended family based on facial features and last names. 

But Tom was also tagged in photos from the conferences and even a few dinners throughout the years, and it was those you paid the most attention to. You made a list of all of the people that had started to appear in his photos and comment on his content in the previous 16 months, and your search was made much easier when you realized that he’d joined a group specifically for realtor friends…and its members list was public. 

Three of the names popped up repeatedly, and when you searched them further, two of them were connected to each other in different ways, too. It was a man and a woman, her long auburn hair braided and hanging over her shoulder in nearly every photo. He was taller and stocky, with piercing eyes and a smile that didn’t reach them. 

They’d gone to college together, their photos going back well over a decade, and at about 3 am on your second night in Punta Gorda, you found it. 

The photos were grainy, since they were from 2013 and 2014, but they clearly showed the man’s arm wrapped in a bandage and the woman pointing at it with a look of mock horror on her face, and then, a few months later, the two of them relaxing on a boat somewhere, his arm exposed … and a brand new scar that looked suspiciously like a bite mark near his elbow. 

The second photo also showed what looked like a long-healed mark on the woman’s inner thigh, which meant that if you were correct, and they were Tom’s connection to the Chaos line, she had been the one to bite the first man. 

From there, you researched as much as you could into her history, and after an hour of searching through that, you got your confirmation. The woman’s name was linked with one that had shown up in Alec’s research as a possible Chaos wolf. I’ve got him. I’ve got him and if I want, I’ve got them, too. 

You didn’t know where Tom’s bite was, or how he’d hidden it from Molly, but it had to be in a place that would have been covered, even if he went to the gym or the beach with any of the guys. His inner thigh, like hers? Or maybe his side? You frowned, thinking. His back or chest? 

You took one more look through Tom’s recent photos, foot tapping restlessly on the floor while you scrolled. In the previous year and a half, he’d posted a variety of pictures from different locations, including a few from the beach with his family. 

After taking a much closer look than you would have liked at one of him sitting on a low chair, legs spread, you determined that the bite wasn’t there. So it’s on his upper body. 

There were a few shirtless images, too, and in all of them, his left arm was never raised. There was only one that showed a somewhat clear view of that side of his body, and when you zoomed in on it, you saw what could have been a discoloration from scar tissue. But that could have been from anything. Shrapnel, getting shot, something going wrong during the missions… there’s no way to know. 

But it hadn’t been there in earlier photos. It hadn’t even been there when Tom had posted a picture of the tattoo on his shoulder. It was a small thing, but it gave you something to go off of, and you made a note of it to show Frankie and the others. 

You went to sleep at 5 that morning and woke up a few hours later, quickly packing your room and carrying your things back to the car. It was still drizzling, but it seemed that the worst of the rain was over, which would make your drive back to Tampa simpler than the one south had been. 

You used that time to think, too, trying to come up with a plan that would work to draw Tom back out to the RV during the next full moon. He’d never gone back to the previous month’s crime scene before, but he’d also never attacked anyone that any of the guys knew before, either. And now that he knows I’m planning on staying, and that I’ll be out there with Frankie as often as I can … 

What you didn’t know was what Tom’s end game was. You didn’t know what he hoped to achieve by hurting you - or continuing to hurt others. Part of you wondered if he was just doing it for fun and because he could. Another part of you wondered if he was making up for the fact that he was no longer in uniform and getting sent out on missions where he was able to do whatever it took to complete them. 

The others had settled into life after the military, but Tom was the exception.

Frankie was doing what he loved, Pope was able to take care of his family and kept himself busy with Yovanna and the small logistics company he ran. Benny and Will had the bar - and the fighting and training - which kept them focused and fit. 

Tom had the same dead-end career that he’d taken up before the South America trip, and by his own admission, wasn’t very good at it. He had the money to do whatever it was that he wanted - in any part of the world he wanted to go to - but he’d stayed in Tampa with his family, and continued to work in a job that he didn’t need and didn’t make him happy. But he chose to do that. He could have decided anything else, and being unhappy doesn’t mean that the only solution was to become a wolf and hurt people. 

As you passed Bradenton, it clicked. 

Tom was doing it for the attention. He’d been the group’s defacto leader throughout their entire enlisted time together, and then afterward, too. But when they’d come home from South America and been forced to deal with Frankie’s bite - and wolf status - the focus had shifted from them looking to Tom for leadership to doing whatever was necessary to help Frankie find answers, and to keep him safe and hidden. 

You probably wouldn’t ever know for sure because there was no way to ask him without playing your hand, but all of his behaviors added up. He wanted to be a leader again. He wanted to have people following his orders and doing what he said. He wanted people to fear him and what he was capable of. He’d proven himself over and over during mission and assignments - by the admission of everyone in their group… and once the need to do that was gone, he’d had no purpose. 

And even though the Chaos line was well established and likely didn’t need someone to lead, they needed other things that Tom could provide: strength, ruthlessness and financial support. He’d traded one group for another, and didn’t seem to care what he’d given up in order to achieve his goals. But hurting me still doesn’t make sense. He has to know Frankie would care. He has to know that he’d want to do something about it. Going after me was a risk. 

Drumming your fingertips against the steering wheel, you bit your lip. There was a solution, and you knew Frankie wouldn’t like it. But it has to be mentioned … and I need someone on my side. 

Reaching for your car’s touchscreen, you dialed out and waited for an answer on the other end. 

“Hello? Is everything alright?” 

“Hey, Yovanna. Everything’s great.” You closed your eyes and nodded. “But I need your help. Are you going to be home in about an hour and a half? I need to run something by you.” 

— 

“He’s going to fucking kill me.” Pope’s words were muffled because his hands covered his face, but you still understood all of them. “He’s going to kill me and then bring me back just so he can kill me again.” 

“He is not.” Yovanna swatted at him, her expression set into a glare that you never wanted to be on the receiving end of. “It is a good plan.” 

The three of you were waiting outside on Pope’s back deck, untouched glasses of lemonade on the table. They were beside each other on the larger couch and you were curled up on one of the single chairs, the sun just beginning to set. 

Frankie was planning on meeting you when he got back from visiting Carmen, and though the plan was for the four of you to head out to dinner, you didn’t know if that was going to happen. 

“It’s not a good plan. It’s a stupid one, but it’s the only way I -” Pope cut you off, looking up and at you from between his fingers.

“It’s not stupid.” He sighed, sitting straight up. “It’s actually really smart. He’s just not going to like it.” 

You agreed, and even though you knew it would be difficult to make Frankie understand, you thought it was possible. “There’s still a lot to work through,  but unless we start now, there’s no way we finish before the next full moon and I just … I want this over. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.” 

You heard a car door slam, and all three of you listened for a few seconds, waiting to see if it was Frankie arriving. It’s got to be. He said he was close. 

“Here we go.” Pope closed his eyes and then leaned over, kissing the side of Yovanna’s head. “Hope you’re ready to see Frankie lose his shit.” 

Turning in your seat, you watched as he opened the gate and stepped into the back yard. Your breath caught at the sight of him, even though it had only been a couple days since you’d said goodbye. He wasn’t wearing a hat that night and his curls were exceptionally tousled, sticking out wildly over his ears. His facial hair was longer than you’d gotten used to, too, and as he got closer, you bit your lip at the sight of him, repositioning yourself so that you could stand. 

“Stay right there.” He held up a hand and shook his head, speeding up as he stepped up and onto the patio. “I’m comin’ to you.” He leaned over when he made it to the chair and used both hands to brace himself on the arms. “Missed you.” 

He didn’t say anything else before he kissed you, but as soon as your mouths met, it was clear that he didn’t need to. Missed you too, Francisco. You stroked the back of his head before he pulled away and then took a seat, jerking his chin in the direction of Pope and Yovanna. “How was your trip?” 

“Great.” He grinned, running his fingers through his hair. “Carmen was excited and it didn’t rain for one of the days, so we went to the zoo.” His grin widened. “She’s getting so damn big and wants to run everywhere.” Pope laughed and you grinned back at him, heart breaking at the fact that in only a few seconds, you’d ruin the few days of peace that he’d had. But I have to rip the bandaid off. “See you made it back in one piece, too. Rain bad down there?”

“Not really, no.” You reached for the drink in front of you, lifting it and taking a small sip. “But I still spent a lot of time inside, thinking.” His expression fell slightly, but Frankie didn’t say anything. “There’s something I need to talk to you about, Frankie. You’re not going to like it, but -”

“That doesn’t sound good.” He frowned, leaning in, and you watched his eyes flick over to Pope and then back to you, his jaw twitching before he spoke. “Did you change your mind? Are you leaving? Are we -”

“No, Francisco.” You moved before he’d even finished, scooting to the edge of your seat and reaching over to cover his hand with yours. “Of course I’m not leaving you. That’s the last thing I want.” It hurt that his first thought was that you were going to abandon him, and you wondered if that was a constant fear of his - specifically when it came to you. I hope not. “I love you. I told you I was staying here and I meant it.” He put his other hand atop yours and curled his fingers against it. 

“Then what do you need to talk to me about? And why here? In front of them?” 

“I needed backup, Frankie.” Wetting your lips, you reached over with your other hand and actually took his, linking your fingers together. “Because you’re not going to like this at all.” 

Time was against you, and even though it wasn’t the way you would have liked to explain your plan to him, you had no other option. 

“I’m going to remind you, ‘Fish, that this is my parents’ place. So you have got to keep it together, alright?” Pope cut in, warning - and a little amusement - in his tone. “Let her talk.” You felt his fingers flex, but Frankie only nodded at his friend, never taking his eyes off of you. 

“The moon is less than two weeks away, and all we’ve gotten so far is that we think Tom will come back to the RV and try to finish me off.” It was a crude way to describe your situation, but it was the truth. “But we can’t know for sure, especially since he’s supposed to be in Orlando that night.” 

He nodded slowly, but stayed quiet. You could almost feel the tension in the air, and when you risked a glance over at Pope and Yova, you saw her give you a slight nod, though there was apprehension in her eyes. Here we go. 

“I think he’s doing this because he misses the way he felt when you were enlisted and he was the go-to guy. I think he sought the Chaos wolves out because he wanted to feel important again, even if none of you knew it. And I think, Frankie, that he wanted to attack me to prove to you that he’s always one step ahead of you, and that even though you’re … different now, you still couldn’t keep me safe from something like him.” 

It didn’t entirely explain why Tom had attacked the others throughout the summer months, but it was a start, and despite his uncertainty, you could tell that Frankie agreed with you. That’s good. 

“You need answers, and to get those answers, we need confirmation that Tom’s a wolf. He’s not going to admit it if any one of you confronts him. He’s too stubborn, so you … we have to catch him during a full moon, and to do that, we need to know exactly where he’ll be.” Frankie was frowning, the lines between his brows deepening by the second. But I’m right. Pope and Yova agreed with me and I think Will would too. “Frankie, I need to make him want to come back to the RV on the full moon.” You took a deep breath, closing your eyes. “I need to piss him off so he’ll come after me again.” 

“No.” He pulled his hands free and stood up, holding one out toward you, pointing with a single finger. “No, that’s not going to happen. You’re not using yourself as fucking bait for a werewolf that we can’t -”

“It’s the only thing that’s going to make sure he comes back to the RV.” Pope sighed, leaning forward and rubbing his eyes. “If he thinks she’s a danger to you - or to himself - he’ll act. We saw how he fucking reacted when we questioned him with Lorea and the money. This will be the same.” 

“I can’t believe you’re just going to agree to her doing this. She could get hurt, Pope. I can’t be there, because Tom won’t show up if he can smell me. And if one of you fucking shoots him before I get back, we won’t get answers. This isn’t going to work.” He looked back at you, head whipping back and forth. “You’re not doing this.” 

“I am, Frankie.” Even though your heart was racing and you hated going against what you knew was only him trying to make sure you were safe, you didn’t budge. “I’ll meet with him under the guise of talking about another apartment, and I’ll just … casually mention something that’s intended to rile him up.”

“What would you even say?” He scoffed. “And that means you’d be alone with him. He doesn’t deserve to be in the same room as you, and you want to meet him somewhere and -” 

“Tom won’t hurt me while he’s human.” You were sure of it. “He -”

“‘Fish, she’s right.” Pope leaned forward in his seat, hands hanging between his knees. “He’s hiding behind the wolf the same fucking way he hid behind the uniform and behind the secrecy of the shit we did after.” He cleared his throat. “Pissing him off gets results. How many times have we seen it before?” 

Frankie didn’t reply right away, instead looking between the three of you with a pained expression on his face. You wondered what he wanted to say. You wondered what was running through his mind and how he was going to try to convince you not to do what you’d suggested. 

“He needs to feel like he is smarter than you. Than all of you.” Yovanna spoke up, standing and stepping in front of Frankie. “He wanted to kill me and my brother instead of leaving us in Peru. He would have done it and he would not have been sorry.” You looked over at Pope, watching as his lips parted and he stared at the woman, eyes wide in surprise. “She has obviously done something to make him mad already, Francisco. He would not feel threatened by her otherwise.” 

“Threatened by what?” Frankie threw his hands up, shaking his head. “She’s done nothing but come here and -”

“He is threatened because he feels like she is taking you away from him.” Yovanna reached out, putting her hands on Frankie’s arms, just above his elbows. “You have told no one for years, not even me. But her? Yovanna leaned in, looking up at Frankie. “You told her after only weeks. You told her and you spend all of your time with her and she accepts you. And that means you do not need him as much. Whatever he thought would happen by becoming a wolf doesn’t matter anymore, and that scares him.” 

It made perfect sense. It was about more than Tom needing or wanting to be in charge and the one they all looked to in a pinch. It was about more than protecting Frankie’s secret or keeping their secret about Lorea. It was all about Tom’s ego, and it seemed that Yovanna had figured things out long before anyone else had. I understand why Pope loves her so much.

“Maybe he wants you to figure it out.” You spoke as soon as the thought entered your mind. “Maybe he thinks that if you figure out that he’s the other wolf, the two of you can … bond or something? He probably figures that you’d understand wh-”

“I haven’t killed a single goddamn thing that isn’t furry or feathered since South America.” Frankie reached up and gently removed Yovanna’s hands before he sat back down, dragging his fingers through his hair. “Why the fuck would he think I’d be alright with him going out of his way to kill people? How could he think I’d forgive him for hurting … fuck. Is he really that stupid?”

You had an opinion about that, and if her expression was any indication, so did Yovanna - but neither of you spoke. 

The yard was silent for almost a minute, even as Yovanna retreated back to the couch and sat down, Pope pulling her onto his lap. It was you that finally broke the silence, scooting all the way to the edge of your seat and reaching for Frankie’s hands. 

“I’m going to do it with or without your agreement, Francisco.” Linking your fingers together, you squeezed. “But it would mean a hell of a lot to know that you’re on board with it.” 

“What if you’re wrong?” He looked up at you, and you gasped at the sight of his red-rimmed eyes. He’s crying over this? “What if all of you are wrong and this backfires? What if he hurts you and then runs, and then we have to worry about him coming back and hurting someone else that we care about?” He gestured to Yovanna. “You? Or Will’s wife? Fucking Carmen?” 

Frankie pulled his hands free from yours, the loss of contact hurting more than you thought it would. “We won’t let that happen.” You whispered the words, lowering your head. “He wouldn’t run. He wouldn’t do anything that makes him look weak.”

“And if he even went near Carmen, it wouldn’t just be you that was fucking angry.” Pope cleared his throat, saying Frankie’s name. “We can figure out the details in the next couple days, but as much as I don’t want to admit it, I think … I think this is the best option. Put Tom on edge. Make it so he has to act.” He sighed. “It fucking sucks, but … it’s the best shot we’ve got.” 

“Wait.” Frankie cleared his throat. “If he’s going to Orlando for the conference, how can he come to the RV? They track attendance at that shit.” 

“The registration fee was only a couple hundred bucks, Frankie. Even with a hotel I don’t think he’s going to be too concerned about that.” You took a breath. “The only issue will be whether or not he reaches out to the woman that turned him, because -”

“You know who it was?” Pope cut in, eyes narrowed. “How?” 

It only took a few minutes for you to explain what you’d found, and bring up the Facebook profiles. They looked through them wordlessly while you watched, chewing on your lower lip. “And if he tells her? Or this other guy? Or someone else that he reports to?” Frankie handed you your phone back, his face set in a scowl. “What happens when a whole pack of wolves comes here looking for him or looking for me because of what I fucking do to him?” 

“They don’t …” You sighed, rubbing your temples. “As far as we know, the Chaos wolves don’t stay in packs. It’s not like Ashley’s group, or other smaller family units.” You paused, looking between the three of them. “That’s one of the reasons it’s so hard to find them. They’re usually alone, and from what we’ve gathered throughout the years, it’s … why there’s so much turnover.” You sighed. “To them, Tom’s just one of many. He hasn’t interacted publicly with either of the two in just about a year, so to be honest, she probably just recruited him and then he went somewhere else to learn from -”

“He was gone for three weeks last year.” Pope snapped his fingers and then pointed at Frankie. “Remember? Molly took Tessa somewhere on vacation, and then he said he was going to make the most of the time they were gone?” He laughed, swearing under his breath. “We thought that asshole went to a fucking cabin somewhere up north, but instead he went to werewolf bootcamp?” 

It shouldn’t have made you laugh but it did - and the sound seemed to ease the tension between all of you. Thank God. “It makes sense.” You swallowed hard and then took a deep breath. “And so does no one coming to his rescue if he’s in trouble. They’re known for drawing focus to themselves, but what Tom’s doing is … too much. They won’t want the attention and sending multiple wolves to -”

“He would not call anyone.” Yovanna laughed, the sound bitter. “He would never tell them he needs help or can’t handle a human woman.” She curled her lip and looked directly at you. “He has too much pride.” She nodded slowly. “This is a good plan.” 

There wasn’t much more to say, and so a few minutes later, you stood, taking a slow breath. “I’m going to go. I know it’s early, and we were supposed to get dinner but today’s been a lot.” You got a sympathetic smile from Yovanna, but it was Frankie that spoke up. 

“Which house you going to? Because if it’s the one you’re renting, I’m going with you.” You hated to admit how much you liked it when he got protective, but the look in Frankie’s eyes as he said his piece made your chest burn. 

“I…” Shaking your head to clear it, you sighed. “I need to get clothes, so mine.” You’d moved a few things into Frankie’s place, but the majority of your small amount of possessions were still in the rented apartment. “But I don’t need to stay there tonight.” 

“Well, then.” Pope stood, crossing his arms. “The four of us can get dinner later this week. Yova and I are hungry now, though. So… get the fuck out of here.” He was joking, and with some good-natured grumbling on Frankie’s part, the four of you began saying your goodbyes. 

He paused next to his truck when you got to your car, but after a few seconds, he closed his eyes. “I’ll follow you, alright?” You wanted to question his hesitation but chose not to, agreeing before you climbed in and started the ignition. 

The drive over wasn’t long enough to get lost in thought, but by the time you parked, you knew that you needed to say something. And when he parked behind you, the door of his truck slamming as you got out of your own car, you started. “Frankie, we need to -” 

“Not now.” He was on alert, his eyes bright and his fingers curled into loose fists by his size. “I need to focus.” It was the closest he’d ever been to actually being rude to you, but you let it slide when he beelined it for the front door, positioning himself between it and you. “Key?” You handed it to him, and when he used it to open the lock, Frankie stepped inside without turning back to look at you. 

You followed closely, eyeing the interior of the space, and trying to figure out if anything was amiss. The living room looked fine, but when your eyes made it to the kitchen, and then to the bedroom, you froze. “The door is open.” He was here. “Frankie, I closed the bedroom door before I left. I’m sure of it.” 

He moved in that direction without speaking, and when he pushed the door all the way open and disappeared into the bedroom, you stayed put, waiting. Did he think I was lying about going out of town? “If he was in here, he didn’t fuck with anything.” At the sound of Frankie’s voice, you moved again, taking the few steps necessary to reach the bedroom. “I don’t smell anything, nothing’s torn up. Your suitcase is still closed and -”

“He moved it.” You entered, walking over to where the luggage was and pointing. “The zipper pocket was facing out. I always leave it like that when I leave my stuff in hotels or rentals. It’s just me being paranoid usually, but … not this time.” 

“What the fuck was he looking for?” He took his hat off, scratching at the side of his head. “There’s no way he knows what you’re really doing in Florida, so what the fuck would he have found?”

“Maybe…” You sat on the edge of the bed, shivering at the thought that he’d done the same. “Maybe he was seeing if I’d written anything about you down? I don’t know what he thinks I would have found, but… I don’t know.” 

Frankie sat beside you, waiting a few seconds before reaching over to settle his hand on your knee. “I really don’t like the idea of you meeting him alone.” 

You’d wondered how long it would take for him to bring it up, but the fact that he’d pivoted from finding out that Tom had actually been in your apartment while you were gone back to your potential meeting with him spoke volumes about just how worried he was. I get it but it has to happen. 

“I don’t like it either. But we need to get him to that RV, and he’s already attacked me once, Frankie. If I give him a reason to come out and finish the -”

“Don’t even think that.” His fingers curled, Frankie hissing out the words. “I get it, but I can’t… I don’t want to hear it. The fucking thought of him…” He trailed off, and when you looked over, you saw that his head was lowered, his eyes on the floor. “I don’t think he’ll attack you when he’s human, either. I think he’s got too much to lose if he did it as Tom. But he’s so fucking unpredictable, I can’t know for sure.” He sighed, the sound heavy. “I wish I could go with you.” 

“I know you do.” You put your hand atop his, keeping your voice soft. “And there’s no way to know for sure. But it’s a risk we need to take, Frankie. Because even if you never know why he’s doing this, you still need to … stop it.” 

“What are you going to say to him?” He looked over at you then, meeting your eyes. The look in his almost broke your heart; he didn’t just look sad, he looked scared, the fear making them glisten. “And when are you going to ask to meet?”

“As close to the full moon as possible.” He sucked in a breath, his eyes widening. I know. “And before you tell me just how dangerous that is, I get it. But the less time I give him to figure out how to react, the better. He seems like he responds emotionally, and that’s what I’m counting on.” 

“You fit right in.” He smiled, though it was brief. “With us, I mean. You might only have half a plan, but you’re focusing on the important shit.” That made you laugh, and as you did, you leaned over and rested your head against his shoulder. “Get your clothes and let’s go back to my place.” He kissed the top of your head, sighing again. “And I don’t know why you pulled that bullshit at Pope’s - I know you’ve gotta be hungry, so we’re gonna drop your car off at home and then go get something. How’s that sound?”

You didn’t miss the way he’d casually called his house home after inviting you there. Oh, Frankie. It was deflecting from the seriousness of the situation you were in, and both of you knew it. But we’ve still got more than a week until the full moon … so for tonight, it’s fine. 

—  

The morning you were supposed to meet Tom, you woke up with a ball of apprehension in your chest. 

It persisted even as Frankie pulled you tighter against his body, arms wrapped around you and urging you to tuck your face against the side of his neck. “Cancel.” He whispered the word, mouth hovering just above your ear. “Don’t meet him today.” His hold on you tightened and you exhaled, concentrating on the steady beat of his heart. 

“I have to.” You pressed your lips against his bare skin, keeping your eyes closed. “This is our best shot at ending this.”

“I’d rather never end this than risk losing you.” He backed away, saying your name, and when you’d locked eyes with him in the early morning light, he spoke again. “I fucking mean it. Your life is worth more than -” Oh, Frankie. 

“To you it is.” What he was saying loosened the tightness in your chest, but it didn’t change the truth. “Frankie, the people that he’s killed in the last couple months also had people in their lives that felt the same.” You repositioned yourself so that you were comfortable on the pillows and could look over at him without lifting your head. “If … when this is over, you’re stopping him from hurting anyone else, not just me.” 

“I don’t care about anyone else. I care about you.” 

“That’s not true. You care about Carmen. You care about Becca. You care about Pope and Yova and Benny and W-”

“What are you going to tell him?” He sighed, running his hand slowly up and down your bare arm. “Have you figured it out yet?” 

“That I’m going to start looking into wolves. That I’m going to see if I can use my contacts from past projects to look into the paranormal and figure out if there’s anyone I can put you into contact with or anyone we can maybe get more information from.”

“But we’ve all been looking for years, and found nothing. Why would that scare him into stopping you?” He frowned. “It’s a start, but it’s not enough, and -”

“I’m going to tell him I found someone out west, maybe somewhere in Oregon or some shit, to talk to. That they seemed to know something, and that after this next moon, I’m going out there to investigate.” 

“Why Oregon?” 

“Because between me and Alec, we’ve got information about wolves out there, and if we were able to find it, then Tom and his connections probably know about them, too.” You paused, thinking. “I’m not sure they’re still there, but it wouldn’t surprise me, and I think, Frankie, that Tom will want to keep me from finding anything out. I think he’s been purposely misleading you this whole time to keep you in the dark, because how else would he have found something and no one else did? And if I tell him that I know something, even if it’s an unverified lead, I think it’ll scare him.” 

“Do you know how much I hate to admit that this is a decent plan?” He reached up, following the line of your brow with his fingertips. “You’re playing at his ego. You’re giving him a lead to chase that won’t go anywhere, but it’ll still make him want to stop you from finding that out. Why the fuck are you so willing to do this? You’re putting yourself in danger, and -”

“Because I love you. Because I understand how dangerous he and other wolves like him are. The Chaos line isn’t usually this ruthless, Frankie. They start shit and they hurt people but they’re not usually serial killers.” Saying it out loud made it real for you, and if the look in Frankie’s eyes was anything to go by, it made it real for him, too. “We have to stop him, and if that means doing something unpleasant to give you the chance, I… I’ll do it.” 

“You’re brave as shit, d’you know that?” He was still scared for you, you could tell by the way he held you, but he spoke like he’d resigned himself to your decision. It won’t always be like this. “What time are you meeting?” 

“Two.” You twisted one of his curls around your finger, biting your lip. “And we’re meeting close to Ironhead’s so if I need to make an escape… Will’s working today.” He nodded. “I’m going to be alright, Frankie. I’ll update you as soon as I’m done.” 

“He’s going to be a little unpredictable since the moon’s the day after tomorrow.” Frankie swallowed and then curled his lip. “I’m fuckin’ wound up, so I can’t imagine what he’s feeling.” You’d counted on that - Tom’s emotions getting the better of him and causing him to think and act irrationally. “And if you can, pay attention to your heartbeat. He’ll sense anxiety. He’ll … fuck. If he thinks -”

“Frankie.” You inched closer, hooking one leg over both of his. “Of course I’d be anxious. I’m about to go back into the woods with you after being attacked. And I’m also contemplating going alone to a different state to seek out other wolves. This is all supposed to be new to me, so if I wasn’t nervous?” You laughed, head moving across the pillow toward him.  “There would be a problem.” 

“Good point.” He mumbled the words before kissing you briefly. “I know that we’ve been talking about some pretty serious shit, but…” He rocked his hips forward, grunting. “You’re naked in my bed, and -”

“I could use the distraction.” And I know you can, too. You kissed him again, nodding. “You don’t have to ask me twice.” 

— 

You were early to your meeting with Tom, and you used the time to try and calm your breathing, like Frankie had suggested. It was easier said than done, but when you reminded yourself that it was literal lives on the line - including yours and Frankie’s - you were able to focus. 

When Tom’s truck pulled into the parking lot and drove by your car, you took a final deep breath, put your phone into your bag and reached for the handle. Here we fucking go. 

He was dressed casually, wearing dark jeans and a t-shirt, and you wondered if, like Frankie, the closer he got to a full moon, the warmer he ran. Probably. It’s gotta be a wolf thing. “Hey.” He jerked his chin at you, the lopsided smile on his face making you want to throw up. “Isn’t this the same Dunkin’ we met at the first time?”

“It is.” You got closer, walking with him to the door. “I thought since it was close to your office, it would be easy for you to meet here before you go back to work.” 

“I’m not working today, actually.” He opened the door and waited for you to step inside before he followed. “I’m meeting you and then going back home to pack. I’m driving to Orlando tonight.” 

You joined the short line and stood in silence as you ordered your coffees, making sure to pay for Tom’s as well as yours. He didn’t even offer. “Checking in early for your conference?” He nodded while you waited, his eyes moving over the few people seated around the restaurant. “Well I won’t keep you long.” I can’t. I can’t physically… 

“We should go sit outside.” He pointed using the hand holding his coffee. “Couple tables out there.” That suited you just fine, and when you were both sitting on opposite sides of the table, he spoke again. “You could have just emailed me.” He sipped his drink, watching you over the lid. “We could have set something up for when I get back.” 

“We could have.” You lifted your cup, agreeing. “But I wanted to do it now, just in case any leads come up over the weekend while you’re in Orlando.” Just fucking get to it. The sooner you do this the sooner you can leave. “I’m staying in Tampa, Tom. Frankie and I are …” You didn’t want to elaborate on your relationship, but you knew you had to. “Neither of us planned on it turning out this way, but I’m going to need a more long-term place to stay.” 

“No shit. You’re staying?” He laughed, his smile wide. It’s so goddamn fake. “Just like that? What will your family think?” 

“It’s pretty much just me. I’ve got some cousins, but I don’t see them much. None of them are going to care what I do.” Alec cares, but it’ll make him happy to know I’m finally doing something for myself. “And after … everything, I think me staying is best, don’t you?” You swiped your thumb over the plastic of your cup, wiping off a bed of water. “That’s a pretty big thing to walk away from.” 

“It is.” He drank again. “I’d be pretty upset if I was him and I’d told you everything and you just … left.” He tipped his head to the side, eyes narrow. “Be pretty shitty of you to abandon him after he trusted you with a secret like that.” Fuck you. “So you want me to look for an apartment for you? Where? What’s the budget?” 

You gave him some bullshit numbers, telling him you wanted to stay within fifteen or twenty minutes of Frankie’s place and to his credit, Tom actually took notes on his phone, nodding along as he typed. He repeated the information before he set his phone down on the tabletop, reaching for his cup. Time to change the subject. “Benny’s going with us to the RV.”   

“Yeah?” You nodded as he shrugged. “I’m surprised Pope doesn’t want to go.” 

“He did. But Yovanna’s got plans out of town or something.” You waved a hand in the air, sighing. “And since Will went last time and you’ll be in Orlando…” 

“I’m kinda shocked you’re going.” He narrowed his eyes, tilting his head. “After last time. You’re not afraid it’ll come back?” He’s fishing. He’s too fucking cocky. Unbelievable. 

“I’m going because I want to be there for Frankie, Tom.” You spun your straw around, the frown on your face deepening. “I need him to know I accept what he is. And no, I’m not afraid it’ll come back, because that hasn’t been the pattern. All of the other attacks that have been in the news have been at different locations, never the same one twice.”

“You really looked into this shit.” He dragged his fingers through his hair, still eyeing you. “Talking about patterns and attacks and -”

“I did. That’s what I do. And …” Ok, here goes nothing. “And I think I found something else, too.” His eyes flashed in the sunlight, but Tom stayed quiet, waiting. “I think I found more wolves.” 

“What?” He stiffened, narrowing his eyes, and you could almost feel the change in the air. “More wolves?”

“I didn’t want to tell Frankie until I was sure, because I didn’t want to get his hopes up, but yeah. I think… I’ve been emailing with someone for a little while, and I’m almost positive that they’ll be able to tell me more about wolves in general and about why one of them would be doing what the other wolf in Florida is doing.” 

“Did you tell them? About ‘Fish I mean?” He leaned in, nostrils flaring. “Because you said you wouldn’t.” 

“Not about Frankie specifically, no.” You leaned back to put distance between you - the motion reactionary, and not one you could stop. “I just strongly hinted that I’ve been in contact with a wolf, and that there’s a second one that’s causing chaos and bringing a lot of unnecessary attention, and the two -”

“You fucking idiot.” He hissed the words out, lip curled into a snarl. “All they’ll have to do is look up an increase in animal attacks and they’ll know where we are. You just put a target on his -”

“I did not.” You stood, pointing a finger at him. “I haven’t once mentioned him by name. I haven’t used my real name. And when I meet them in person, I’m still going to be careful, because I’m not stupid, Tom. But he deserves to know more about being a wolf. He deserves to have some help, and if it can give him an advantage when it comes to getting rid of the other piece of shit wolf that tried to kill me last month, I’ll do whatever it takes.” He scoffed, leaning all the way back and crossing  his arms, head moving back and forth slowly. “What? What’s that look for?” 

“You really think you can just come here and be his fucking savior?” Tom rolled his eyes. “Do you know how many women have tried that? How many times we’ve tried that? He probably wouldn’t even still be clean if he hadn’t gotten bitten, and -” How dare you. 

“You’re a shitty fucking friend to him.” You grabbed your cup, fingers tightening around the plastic. “In a lot of ways. But this is…” You leaned in, the anger blooming in your chest, and stared straight into his eyes. “This is something else.” Tom laughed again, tilting his head back briefly. But when he met your gaze, there was no mistaking the reddish tint to them, and it froze you in place. Get out of here. Get out of here now. “I thought you’d understand, because you’ve been trying to help him since South America. I thought you’d be happy that I might have found answers for him.” But first … “Unless you don’t want him to learn more about wolves, Tom. Is that it? Are you so fucking desperate to keep him in the dark about it and relying on your protection that you purposely keep information from him?” 

“Don’t say another goddamn word.” His eyes narrowed. “You need to stop right fucking now.” 

“Or what?” You set the cup down, the anger flowing through your body and making your heart pound. “Are you going to attack me again, Tom? I bet not, since it’s broad fucking daylight and you can’t hide behind the wolf this time.” 

You realized what you said as the words were coming out of your mouth. Shit. Shit shit shit. Straightening up, you took a step backward and toward the parking lot, never breaking eye contact. Oh, fuck. “Well that’s a surprise.” He smiled, but there was no warmth to it. “And you still came here today?” He leaned over the table, the smile widening. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or think you’re really fucking stupid.” 

“I’m not afraid of you.” You inched forward again, even though every muscle in your body was screaming at you to turn and run the other way. “I think you’re a coward.” Tom was silent for a few seconds and then he cleared his throat, his shoulders relaxing. 

“You should be. And so should he.” He gestured to the parking lot. “Go. I’m not going to stop you.” He rubbed his jaw with one hand, nodding. “Not today, at least.” You glared at him for a few more seconds before turning and walking back toward your car, fighting the urge to sprint. He said your name after you’d taken a couple steps, and you paused long enough to look back over your shoulder at him. “Tell ‘Fish I’ll see you both in a couple days, alright?” 

He laughed then, covering his face with both hands, and you took the opportunity to get back to your car, sitting down and locking the door before you put your seatbelt on. “Fuck!” You yelped the word out as you started the ignition, pulling out of the space and going back toward the road without giving Tom another look. “Fucking idiot. How could I be so stupid?” 

You held it together the entire length of the drive to Ironhead’s, parking and then walking across the lot on shaking legs. Will was behind the bar when you entered, the blonde talking to a brunette sitting on one of the stools - but when he saw you he immediately excused himself and headed in your direction. 

“Are you alright?” He put both hands on your shoulders, concern evident on his face. “You look -”

“I fucked up. Will, I really fucked up. I just met with Tom, and …” He swore quietly before putting an arm around you and guiding you down the hallway and toward the office. Once you were inside, he locked the door behind you before turning to face you again. There was no kindness in his eyes then, just cold, steely resolve. 

“What happened?” 

“Will, it slipped. He knows that I know. He -”

“I guess that means we won’t have a problem getting him out to the RV this week, hmm?” Benny appeared from the smaller room, leaning against the doorframe as he spoke. “Shit’s about to get real, isn’t it.” 

—

[chaoticgeminate]

HI YES HELLO I AM LOSING MY MIND OVER THESE TAGS

AAAAAAAAAA

"Come here, Nerys."

In response to the command a bark of defiance sounded from the pool, making you giggle behind your hand as Adelia sat beside you in the lounger with Oscar in her arms. The pair of werewolves had put you on bed rest following the birth of the twins, your mate and his daughter -and his pack- tending to nearly everything so you could recover.

It had been pretty damn traumatic, and you were still going through therapy because post partum depression was an ugly reality, but you had the support you needed to keep going and that was what mattered.

"Just pick her up, it's a kiddie pool."

"That's her territory, amor, I won't enter it without her express permission. Just like the big pool is yours. Werewolf thing."

"I'll get her then."

"You will not, I can do this, she needs to learn pack hierarchy."

"I don't take my seal skin off for three weeks, Frankie, my mother had to Change to feed me."

His brows shot up at the mention, it wasn't often you discussed your parents and even less after everything that happened once you'd learned your own history. But you knew it was important since this was your daughter, and he had no idea how to raise a selkie.

"Nerys, mija, come here please."

Another bark and the sound of claws scraping at plastic made you roll your eyes skyward, it was honestly just too cute. But you got up anyway, walking over to the pool, and crouched down beside your mate.

Your little one was rolling around the dry portion of the pool, trying to get to one of her toys, and her big eyes honed in on you the moment you waved.

"Nerys, do you want to swim with Mama?"

You extended your hands and smiled as she scrambled to come closer, the kiddie pool was shallow and barely let her swim properly per Frankie's paranoia. But she was a selkie, your little one, and you knew she could handle the pool.

Frankie shot you a jealous look but you knew that Nerys would bond with you more, just like Oscar would bond with his papa and half sister more since he was a werewolf. Frankie kissed your cheek and took your place on the lounger but his eyes were alert, trained on you and Nerys.

Your little pack was going to be fine.

[seealandraw]

your favorite ghouls!

[yandere-wishes]

𝕐𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕟𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣 ℍ𝕚𝕘𝕙

❤️‍🩹Characters: Yandere! MH Ghouls x GN! Reader

❤️‍🩹Summary: There's something ancient within you. Lost and forgotten. You're an eldritch creature living amongst monsters. A piece of you lives within each of them. And a piece of each of them lives inside you...

❤️‍🩹Warnings: Yandere behavior, obsessive tendencies, Body horror in Frankie's part, slight gore and blood in the rest, angst, super cryptic.

❤️‍🩹Could be read as romantic or platonic.

I am a monster, for now and forever. I am a monster, what a terrible being.〜♡॰ॱ

There's something ancient within you. Lost and forgotten. ~❣✧❣

⚡︎Frankie Stein ⚡︎

There's something ancient within you. Lost and forgotten. Frankie is desperate to unravel it. To crack it open. She feels you in every one of her limbs. Feels you in the stems of her patchwork heart. That has to account for something right? 

Your melancholy seeps through you, tainting the tiles in shades of gold. 

Frankie blames the binding of your skin, she's always found it too loose. 

Nothing extramundane, to tether your essence within yourself. She wouldn't mind taking you apart and stitching you back together. Recreating you into something perfect. She's grown wry of watching you crack your ribcage open, shoving astral celestials where your heart should be. You mutter things, things she doesn't understand, things she's scared she'll never understand. Her bones rattle, a rouge spark runs down her spine. Every piece of you haunts her...

Frankie use to believe, verily childishly, that parts of her were salvaged from you. She knows now that that's impossible, yet she still wishes every night for the childish dream to come true.

In many ways, Frankie has always been bound to you. Your first friend, your first confidant, your first punishment, your first comprehension. Even when you'd been too young to understand the cacophony of the world, you'd still know the two of you were connected. 

It had only taken a lifetime to understand why. 

Bones collapse into constellations. Somehow she feels you slipping away. Her slender fingers trace the stitches across the hollow of your chest. A meteoric reminder of her work. "It's okay I'll have you fixed in no time." Frankie doubts you find any truth in her incentive. You've always been drawn to pessimism. Still, she feeds the needle through skin and muscle. Praying she remembers the stronghold pattern her mother taught her. 

The shade they used for your blood is too bright. You bleed in rivers, 

flowing with no end insight. You wash away her sorrows with farfetched promises. Awakening a longing, she never knew she had. 

Frankie wishes she could pluck out your spine. Kiss each vertebra like an iridescent pear. Maybe then your souls would tether, maybe then everything will go back to the way it once was. The needle snags across bones, marring your skin in star-kissed bruises. She pecks each one, muttering a sorry across cold flesh. You feel like home under her lips. A home she never got to know. 

Yet the echoes of its brilliance linger faintly in the hearts of those who once knew its warmth.

Frankie smiles as your eyes crack open. Dizzy and distant, you've yet to notice your enhancements. The pieces of herself she tethered onto you. She wonders when you'll notice the new eye, the new leg, the mismatched fingers. Her heart sparks thumbing loudly in her ribcage. 

She sinks down, by the operation table,skinning her knees. You feel like home, now more than ever. 

Your fingers find her head, patting the matted hair, she smiles something solemn and forlorn. She trails her fingers over one of the stitches on your arm, prying her slender digits between the threads and into the gaping tissue. Her fingers release a spark, your body arches off the table. After all, blood has always been a good conductor for electricity. "It's just a power boost. You'll be right up in a few minutes." a giggle rips from her throat, as you mummble an acknowledgment. Eyes overcast with equal parts grief and glee. 

She always knew she loved you how could she not? You'd been linked to her for as long as she had a conscience. You had always been her everything. Sometimes she wonders how you both ended up like this. Stitching pieces of yourselves into each other. 

Frankie closes her eyes. Her mind struggling to regain control. Her deep breaths waver as she hears shifting from the table. 

"It's alive..."

𓆩❤︎𓆪Draculaura𓆩❤︎𓆪

Draculaura can smell the ethereal ichor now. Maybe it's always been there. Hidden under bygone layers and golden sand. She wonders if now, knowing what you know, makes you see her as anything less. You're older now, smarter. Maybe you understand the world just a little bit better than she ever could. 

Despite her gifted immortality, Draculaura likes to think that she's grown, too. No longer the little batling who faints at the mere scent of blood. Yet the urge to vomit is still there, an acidic reflex in the back of her throat. She's been avoiding you lately, simply because you make the urges go away. 

She can't live with that.

Can't live with what you make her. 

You trace the heart on her cheek. Your fingers feel like divinity sinking into her skin. You try to reason with her, tell her the truths of the crypt. "Surly Draculaura, you must know who you really are. Isn't it silly that you persist in this nativity?" Your words are harsh. Good intentions wrapped in silver blades. She bites her tongue, killing the queries before they dare spill. 

You make her crave things. 

Things she's avoided her whole life.

There's blood on your lips, dripping onto the ground. She fights the urge to kiss you. The heat of the sun amplifies the scent of the decaying flesh. Her stomach growls, this isn't right. The grip on her parasol tigtens. There is justice behind your actions, not one she can make herself understand. She watches as you tear into the decomposing body. "Don't", it's nothing less of a prayer. She feels her fangs elongate. How she wishes the world would turn to black.

Can a vampire be haunted? 

Surly they can, it's the only answer to your staunch lingering. 

Draculaura's coffin feels too snug, like a home and a prison encapsulated in one. She wishes she could feel cold dirt under her nails, feel the thrill of digging her way out of a grave. It's your fault, it has to be. Why must you awaken such ancient sensations? Such horrid cravings, such primal needs. 

Why must she see divinity in your face, liquid darkness shimmering behind enigmatic eyes? You are something terrifying, something painful. You are what she was supposed to be, what she's fled from her whole life.  

Your silhouette is a curse and a blessing. A reminder of a lineage she was thrusted into. A legacy she never wanted. Everything about you is a hunting familiarity for a family she never knew. She wonders if she would have been the prettiest girl in the morgue. She wonders if her father should have let her die all those eons ago.

 "I used to be human" She confesses one night. She doesn't know why you agreed to come over. Why seeing you in your pajamas sparks one too many fond memories.

"So?" your tone is one of perplexity. She feels foolish under your gaze. You glide the makeup brush across her cheeks. dusting them with faded nostalgia. "I can't eat them. It'll feel like I'm eating myself" How long has it been since the transformation occurred? how long has it been since she shedded the body of that sickly fragile girl? She's been a vampire for centuries yet still can't get used to the title. 

"You can eat these ones..." Something ancient within her stirs, her bones rattle with comprehension. She knows what you mean and it fills her with a need to scream. 

Draculaura can't see her reflection, can't gauge how different she is now. You used to help her with her makeup back in high school. Back when the shade of your lipstick determined your personality for the day. She's never seen her face. She prays it's identical to yours. She prays that someday she can embody you...

There's a deathly hunger within her. Bubbling in her stomach. She needs to let it out before it kills her. Can she even die? She's almost sure she wants to. You almost make her want to succumb to the impulse of quitting her humanity all toghter. Your presence makes her all so hungry. She's gotten better at hiding it under school-ghoul gossip and trend talk. 

She settles for a kiss tonight, a rushed peck on the cheek. Some vampire she is, instead of bleeding you dry she's pouring her sorrows into you. She wonders if you take note. See the ghosts jouncing within her soul. 

Draculaura's nails pick at the skin of her birthmark.

The skin cracks.

blood trickles. 

Can a vampire even be haunted?

Yes. 

She knew the charade wouldn't last forever. 

Knew that one day the lights would dim and the stage would fade to black

A final curtain call. An impending doom.

The final nail in her glass coffin. Rendering it to shards.

And she'll be left plucking fragments from her eternal flesh.

There's a small joy in knowing you'll be her effacer. 

The one to put an end to 2,000 years of pretend. 

"And then he was all like "You know?" and I was like "Whatever" and he was-" 

"Draculaura, I have no idea what you are talking about." She turns to face you, your smile is a crushing weight. On her shoulders crave. You throw your head back and laugh. Laughing at how little she's changed since you shared a desk in class. Since your most eminent concern was fearleading practice and algebra tests. Draculaura should laugh too, this she knows. Yet she remains distracted by your neck and all the glory it holds. 

Just a small bite won't hurt...

☾🐾☽Clawdeen Wolf☾🐾☽

Clawdeen is protective to a fault. A trait she could never identify as innate or habit. Still, the urge to stalk you persists. Pricking away at her fur like wolfsbane. 

Clawdeen's been brought up to believe in legacy, to worship the moon and the stars and their maker. Ancient things have a way of lasting lifetimes. She knows this now, finds its evidence when she unravels her family, her pack, herself...you. Her kind has been known to nurture those they love, to birth and raise every great warrior. She ponders again if this was originally encrypted in their blood or if her species picked it up throughout the years. 

All she knows is that something inside her awakens when she sees you. A testament to an ancient love, long since stifled under sand and snow. 

She wonders if that's what she's done with you all these years. If, in her own way, she's raised you to become some sort of warrior, a great beast living amongst subsidiary. 

The two of you sit beside the bay window. Her newest sketchbook draped across her lap. You lean in resting your head on her shoulder, listening as she explains the inspiration behind each design. 

You feel like you've been mauled. A piece of you thrown in every direction. Only to morph into the creations of your hunter. "You remember your first design?" you ask, closing your eyes to still the world. "Wasn't that when we wrapped Howleen in a red blanket and my mom's scarf?" Her claws prick her upper lip as she stifles a giggle. "And made her walk around the house like it was a Scaris runway" You add, relishing in the bygone recollection. 

Your childhood memories together are coated in ichor. Jejune days 

when you'd watch her tumble over herself trying to be everything she could never be. Even back then, you'd known something was amiss with the world. Seen the ancient wolf that lay dormant within her. felt its bonds call out to you, pulling you in deeper. You'd cling to her like a frightened child to a teddy bear. 

But you're older now. Instead of the scared child, you've turned into the monster under the bed. Funny how everyone's heritage catches up with them at some point. Even when you grow unaware of its presence. Legacy still tends to echo in your bones. You're both the same in that regard.

"I can never tell if I'm alive or dead." You tell her one night. 

"Neither" Clawdeen's voice is rigid, stiff. She can feel your awakening and rebirth. It sings in her head, more vital than a howl. "creatures like us don't die so easily. We only transform." She remembers the legends, the wars, they rattle in her bones sending shivers up her spine. Neither of you have ever died. You've survived every tribulation. 

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" you reply, Clawdeen notes the embers that burn behind your eyes. How they spread across your body like a wildfire.

"What doesn't kill me, simply gives me a reason to kill it" She swears she sees the moon flicker in retort. 

Clawdeen slits her throat with her claws. 

Choking on moondust and half-fallen stars. 

Her father once told her heritage is everything before giving her a golden ring fashioned as a wolf's head. She still doesn't know what he means. 

She knows her kind was born from misplaced love. 

She's just glad your fates are entwined. 

"Someday you'll have red eyes." You trace your thumb over her lashes as you speak. Trailing down to play with her curls. She knows what you mean. Oh how, she wants to devour the hope you offer so freely. Rip it from your heart and feel it pulsing under her fangs. Maybe then her stars will align and she'll truly understand what she is. 

 Clawdeen's feelings grow teeth, gnawing at her carnivorously as she pulls you close. Muttering a 'thanks' as if it holds the weight of the world. There's comfort in the thought that she's molded you. Helped nourish your flames until they grew so potent. She's ever only been the middle child of the moon. But with you, she feels like so much more. Like something celestial, something ancient. An heirloom made of blood and moonrock. 

Above you the clouds part. Giving way to the full moon. 

₊˚.༄Lagoona Blue₊˚.༄

The air in her lungs feels synthetic, dry. She chokes off the sand and ozone, blinded by the unfiltered light, leaving burns on her frail, scaled, skin. She wonders if this is how a fish feels as it's being reeled on land. She wonders if she's any different now.

Her heart hammers when she sees you, cracking her ribs in hysteria.

Water lilies bloom from their marrow, she counts them just to distract from the stars burning in your eyes. Her teeth catch her bottom lip, gnawing the pink flesh like a shark does its prey.

Her eyes burn when she catches a glimpse of you by the pond. Gazing conflicted at three-eyed frogs. She can't help but see you as a cacophony of unmarked graves. Too many ghosts linger across your body, they're prints evident in the afternoon sun.

You leave a water lily behind her ear as you brush past her in the hallway. She thinks your perfection is exaggerated, artificial like the air. The kind daydreaming divers pray to find in rogue oysters. Lagoona is sure you're the last of your kind. An endangered creature too proud to ask for help. She clumsily fingers the flower's petals. The wave of nostalgia that invades, has her gasping for air.

The ocean she once called home is overrun by rot. She too is infected by the pollution that plugs her gills. In her dreams, she treads through clean oceans, webbed fingers entwined with yours. There is no corrosion here, no death. Just you and her and everything that entails the definition of good. When she wakes up she notices that her gills are falling one by one. Pastel blue glints scattered, floating across her bed like the empty husks of sea stars.

She too is the last of her kind.

She too is destined to perish in agony.

She wonders if you hear her tears. Hear them fall into the abyssal sea. Feel their reverberations as they create rings on the surface. She can't expect such a thing from you. You're in your own world struggling with your own scars. You left her another flower today, nymphoides indica, she doesn't understand what you're trying to tell her.

The pond has started to bleed too. Its decaying scent is pungent from miles away.

has it bled into her?

Is she infected too?

You're there again today, worlds apart yet close enough to touch. Her body stiffens as she kneels next to you. Desperate for your attention, desperate for you to tell her what she is. Maybe, just maybe she can confess her love in time to share a grave with you.

"I used to be so beautiful.." Your voice sounds evasive. A final cry for help before the ocean consumes you. Your reflection in the pond is muddled over. A glitch in reality, something Frankie would have more experience with. "you still are mate…you still are" Her words are earnest, yet she doubts they bring you solace. "If it's any consolation, I'm polluted too..". You laugh so condescending it makes her stomach churn. She rolls the words in her mouth again, tasting them for misunderstandings.

"We're all polluted Lagoona. We always have been."

You're made of one too many pieces, all doused in poison. You rearrange the water lilies on her head. Your fingers feel like home threading through her hair. "The last of our kind." Lagoona giggles, her body is growing dryer, desperate, the moisturizer and hydration station have long since stopped working. Now she awaits the poison to take over fully. You're her memento mori another helpless creature awaiting death.

And yet, to her, you're still as radiant as the first day she met you.

Lagoona's grave will be in the sea. It's a last wish one you decide to honor. You kiss her on the cheek as she turns to you. Body half submerged in her home. She hugs you, with all the longing her frail corpse can muster. It's only too late when you notice that you too are being submerged. Dragged into the eternal depths. Lagoona refuses to part with you. This is her final gift, the last present she will give you. A quick and painless death. One with a comforting presence.

Her father used to tell her strange tales of bizarre men who'd come to their ancestrial home, seeking answers far too advanced for them. She wonders if she's had the answers all along. Maybe she just had to look a little deeper.

It doesn't matter now. For her final breaths, she is at peace. She is content to end like this. With you in her arms.

𓂀𓆣☥Cleo De Nile☥𓆣𓂀

Cleo likes to think she's come a long way from her former self. No longer an autocrat cheerleader with stary eyes and a need to be worshipped.

She likes to think she's filled out the role of queen, of sovereign, of absolute. 

She's done her dynasty proud...

Shattered and transformed herself into the perfect vessel. 

It's not until she catches her rogue reflection in the gleam of your eyes, that she realizes she's still the same. Eons have passed yet Cleo still remains the same frail cowardly daughter bearing the burden of the D'Nile name. 

You look every bit a queen, a sovereign, an absolute. You've grown to fill the role you never knew you had. 

Cleo bleeds gold. She always has. 

Little did she know, you did too. 

You always had.

There's a crushing weight, something that makes her long for entombment. "I wish I were a mere child once more." her tone is sand on sand. So faint you think it nothing more than a mirage of sound. Her head lays on your lap bleeding out her sins as she prays for the sun to melt her. Feeble, unstable thing she is. Hailing from a feeble unstable place.

Maybe it would do you both some good to forgo the past. To embrace a thundering, grotesque future. Maybe it's time to retire the thrones and gold bangles. Maybe it's time to depart. 

she laughs at such a preposterous notion. 

Cleo's Icoffine lays in a pool of shards and wires and golden beads. Her bandaged fingers wrapped tightly around your bicep, tugging you closer until the scent of spices and flora became overbearing. "it's...okay" you lie through the rage bubbling in your throat. Through the tears that sting the corners of your eyes. "It's not-it's...it's never been��okay", the words feel like boulders crushing her bones. turning her body and bandages back to dust. 

You've known Cleo to always wear a broken crown. Funny how, after a millennia, the cracks still keep growing. Only now they bleed into her corpse, cut through bandages, and aim for the heart. You want to wipe her tears away. To whisper glory and purpose into her bejeweled ears.

Cleo lies on the golden floor. It's cold, frigid, she doesn't remember gold to be so unwelcoming, so petrifying. You pull her hand to your heart, hovering above her. Watching as she melts and hardens in the same breath. 

"Allow me the pleasure of death once more. Allow me the luxury of being the only monster you ever have to know." Cleo doesn't remember missing her sarcophagi so much. Her lungs fill with broken promises as her eyes sting from mulish obsoletes. "I've been so blind for so long." She confesses, free hand fiddling with the jewels on her blouse. Running them along her nails waiting to see which will scratch first. "As have I, there's no need to-" her voice is harsh as she sits up. The undead rising from its bejeweled grave. Her hands cup your face. She tries to be gentle, to cradle you like a flower petal. "I'm-I-" her breath hitches as her fractured mind screams. "I hate myself all so very much. Yet I love you with every bit of the heart I thought I lost all those millennia ago."

Chaos has a way of squirming through her veins. 

Her dreams are tainted in rubies, seeing you lying in the sand. 

The noise above is defining. She hates that she's not used to it by now. 

It can't be fair. 

The world can't take you from her. 

You're the only lifeline she has left. 

The only hope that remains. 

You tell Cleo you want to die one starless night, she understands the sentiment. You don't know why that makes you cry. Her lips leave phantom kisses across your eyelids. Spilling gold pleated secretes into your skin. Cleo wishes she kept you entombed next to her, rotting away far from every disaster. Yet she knows she can't, not now at least. You've morphed her into her purpose better than her omnipotent father and cruel sister ever could. With you by her side, she's truly become a queen, a sovereign, an absolute. While you rein above her, some all-knowing creature who she can't help but worship. 

Maybe someday, decades from now. 

The love you share will be dethroned

How unlikely such a feat seems.

Taglist: @hadesnewpersephone @feedmestraycats @deathangelraven @itotallysleepenough @yuuka29 @umgatochamadopercyval

[noisyghost]

random assortment of old (2020-2022 ish) werewolf sketches that never made their way here bc im lazy :')

[the-shy-wolf]

My first attempt at making info sheets!

[hulkster000]

Alll of them together now🫶🏻🫶🏻

[juletheghoul]

a/n: I saw a post a few weeks ago (if anyone sees it please send it to me and I'll tag it) about a partner turning into a monster little by little and becoming increasingly aggressive and this came to me. Hope you enjoy! 🩷🩷

warnings: a little bite, mentions of sex, language (let me know if I missed anything)

Frankie x f!reader

-

It was only a scratch.

The dog had come out of nowhere, scared him half to death but he’d managed to get away before it bit his leg off. Big fucker, biggest dog he’d ever fucking seen but he’d gotten away. Had gotten in his car and driven the fuck away.

It was only a scratch.

It healed without issue, but he still felt it. The ghost of sharp, yellow teeth gouging out a tiny bit of the skin of his shin. It followed him throughout the week, every day a little more visceral, a little more corporeal.

It was only a scratch.

He dreams about the dog, it haunts him in his sleep. It stalks him as he lays in bed, the one place he cannot get away. The dog is a spectre as the days go by, an omen at the edge of his vision and it slowly heats his blood. It cooks him from the inside and he swears he’s never been so fucking angry in all his life.

It was only a scratch.

Aggression grows, and he’s almost a different person. You notice it, it’s so blatant. The sweet, soft man you’d fallen in love with is hidden behind the curtain of his eyes. He’s still in there, somewhere but as the days turn into weeks, it’s harder and harder to find him.

It was only a scratch.

There’s no more lovemaking. He fucks. He rails and makes you take everything he has to give. He gives you his anger and his terrifying devotion, and as far away as his eyes get you’ve never been wetter. It’s so good, it’s so rough, it’s so fucking consuming you think he might eat you alive.

It was only a scratch.

He disappeared for three days. The moon is full, but your bed is empty and something in you is frozen with fear. He’s never been gone like this, your Frankie has never just left without an explanation. Something howls outside while you worry about him in bed and the sound is so sad, it raises the hairs on the back of your neck.

It was only a scratch.

He comes back and it’s like the sun touches your face for the first time because it’s him. The real him. The smiley, soft, caring man you love and you’re so happy you forget all of the worry, all of the strangeness and bask in the safety of his arms. He keeps touching his shin, rubbing at a spot under his sweats.

“Everything okay?” You ask him.

“Yes, it’s only a scratch.”

-

[godteri-takk]

Happy pride to all monsters!!! Words cannot describe how happy i am about the queernes of monster high, both canon and fanon <3 in this drawing they're aged up a bit (only cus I wanna draw them like that) LOVE THEM<3

Click images for better quality, image description in ALT!

[pedroshotwifey]

Hungry Like The...

Pairing: Werewolf!Frankie Morales x AFAB!Reader

Word Count: 3.6k

Tags/Warnings: Smut, PIV sex, oral sex (f receiving), fluff, established relationship, no use of y/n, Frankie has a monster cock, im missing stuff but I want to go to bed so...

Summary: You and Frankie decide to attend an 80s themed Halloween party. Through all of the excitement, you must have forgotten what day the full moon falls on.

A/N: I'm gonna go ahead and say that I rushed the absolute fuck out of this one, but I think it turned out pretty good. I really kind of jumped outside of my comfort zone with this, so I'm kinda proud that I did that. That being said, please feel free to call me out on anything that might not make sense or anything that I should change at all because I'm half clueless with this kind of stuff. Please consider reposting and/or liking. Thank you for reading and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! <3

***

You have no idea where Frankie snuck off too. 

He claimed he was going to get the two of you more drinks, but that was about ten minutes ago. You’re well aware that it should have taken less than half of that for him to find his way to the refreshment table, pick up some drinks, and bring them back to you. 

Right now, though, you’re too blissed out to care—not that you have much to worry about with your loving boyfriend anyway. The lights are almost blinding as you spin around beneath them, but they transform into a nice glow thanks to the buzz you’re sporting. “Mony Mony,” is blaring through the speakers and you're in your zone as you swing your hips to the beat. 

You’re glad that Frankie had suggested that you two attend this party specifically. The only requirements were that you had to dress up as an 80’s character in order to fit the era the party revolves around. 80’s costumes, 80’s music, 80’s decor. Luckily for you, the 80’s is one of your absolute favorite decades, and you’re pretty sure Frankie knew that when he signed the two of you up. 

The dance floor is packed with people to the point where you can’t stretch out all the way without bumping into someone. Usually, that would irk you, but you can’t find it in you to mind tonight. It’s not like anybody else does. 

As you snap your hips to the beat, you look around at all the different costumes in the crowd. You see a handful of Star Wars characters, a couple of Freddy Kruegers, some Ghost Busters, and—of course—a shit ton of Madonnas. The rest, for the most part, are pretty original. 

You’re pretty proud of your own costume, to be honest. You had spent a couple of weeks configuring a custom-made Storm costume. You’ve been an X-Men fan for as long as you can remember, and it made you so happy to try on your costume for the first time a few days ago. It’s pretty damn spot-on. 

Frankie, on the other hand, had insisted on being a werewolf. Like turning into one once a month wasn’t enough already. You had simply rolled your eyes and asked him what he had in mind so you could make his costume. It was worth it to see the way he lit up, even though he’s cutting it close with the party’s theme. 

After the year he had, he deserves to be happy—even if it means you have to endure his stupid jokes every now and again. When he gets tipsy, his goofy humor always makes an appearance. It’s one of your favorite parts about nights out with your boyfriend. He never fails to make you laugh. 

Just as you begin to worry that he might have gotten lost in the crowd, you feel a hand spin you around. You’re getting ready to tell someone off until you come face to face with those irresistible brown eyes. 

“Hey there, Hermosa,” he says as he cuddles up to you, swaying you to the song. “Having fun, sweetheart?” 

You giggle as he bends down and nuzzles his face into your neck. Glancing down, you almost aren’t surprised to see that he doesn’t have any drinks. 

“Frankie?” You ask casually as you throw your arms around him. 

“Hmm?” 

“Did you find the drinks?” 

Suddenly, he stops moving and stands up straight again, a playful smile plastered across his face. 

“Guess not,” he says. “Found something to eat, though,” he winks and you playfully roll your eyes as he throws himself back onto you. As the song changes to “When Doves Cry”, he begins to dance with you. Frankie has never been the best dancer, but it's better this way. Neither of you take anything seriously as you push and pull your bodies together, giving eachother flirty kisses every now and again. 

You laugh as you bump into someone and flash them an apologetic look. Frankie really loves to bring out your careless side. You honestly didn’t know you were capable of being so care-free until you had met him. Sometimes he makes you feel as if nothing else matters but you and him. It’s times like these that you really realize just how lucky you are to have him. 

“Alright, baby,” Frankie says after a moment, bringing you out of your thoughts. “I’m going to go get us those drinks now.” 

Instead of answering him, you get up on your tip-toes and kiss him. He begins to wrap his arms around you again, but you gently push him off, giving him a faux stern look. 

“Alright, alright, I get it, baby, I’m going!” he says over the music before turning around to scamper away.

You have to suppress a giggle when he jolts as you deliver a light slap to his ass. He turns just enough to flash you a dirty look, and you give him one of feigned innocence in return, well aware he’ll get you back for that eventually if you continue to tease. 

“Hurry up, wolfboy!” you shout after him. 

***

Alright, you’re actually about to be pissed this time. 

There’s absolutely no way he lost you—or rather, you lost him—twice. He has to be playing with you, right? Whatever, if that’s the case, two can play at that game. 

You’ll just pretend like you don’t even notice something is missing. Maybe once he sees you where he left you, completely unaffected by his absence, he’ll stop being such an ass. 

Perfect. Perfect plan. 

You shake your head and dance as the song ends. You can have fun by yourself if your boyfriend wants to be immature. 

Well, it would have been a perfect plan. 

As if he could somehow read your mind—which you almost wouldn’t doubt at this point—you spot Frankie in your vision once again. However, this time, he’s not coming over to you. 

He has a familiar dark look in his eyes that immediately soaks you, despite yourself. You stop dancing because as quick as you see him, he’s gone again. You spin in a panicked circle as the song changes to one by Duran Duran. You almost laugh at the irony as “Hungry Like the Wolf” blares through the speakers. 

Your phone buzzes in the small pocket of your bodysuit, and you pause your quick search to look at it. Your brow furrows as you see that it’s a text from Frankie. What the fuck is he playing at? Quickly, you unlock your phone and open your messages. 

“Better start running, baby,” the text reads. You look up, your eyes frantically scanning the crowd around you. Maybe the song choice isn’t so ironic after all. 

“Don’t let me catch you… feeling hungry like the wolf tonight…”

You don’t stop to think before you make a mad dash toward the exit, your heart dropping to your stomach as you go. You get some pissed looks as you shove through people, your heart hammering in your chest and your eyes darting every which way. 

You have no idea where he could be at this point. Maybe he’s somewhere inside, having missed your exit. He could be trailing right behind you, ready to grab you at any moment.

Soon enough, it is revealed that he is, once again, always one step ahead of you. As soon as you step out of the doors, a large body is engulfing yours and carrying you to a secluded spot on the patio, though there’s nobody outside anyway. 

You would scream if not for the large hand that covers your lips when he grabs you. You know it’s Frankie, of course, but the exhilaration that comes from the scare really adds to the game the two of you just started. 

You ignore the heat simmering between your legs as he sets you down on your own feet and removes his hand from your mouth. Neither of you move, you don’t look up, he doesn’t crouch down. You just stand there, breathing heavily as Frankie embraces your figure. 

You can’t help but lean back into him, letting your guard down probably isn’t the best idea right now, but you can’t find it in you to care about that fact at the moment. 

The fresh air feels nice on your heated cheeks, but Frankie's front against your back feels even better. The music continues to play faintly behind you as you sway side to side, Frankie’s arms wrapped tightly around you, his head resting on your shoulder. 

You swear you could stay here forever. Actually, you could stay anywhere, as long as you had Frankie. But right now, you can’t imagine anything more perfect than this. As long as you have your boyfriend’s arms around you, you would do anything or go anywhere he wants to. 

Your body may be his, but you decided a long time ago that your soul belongs to him as well. He can pick it up and do whatever he wishes with it, and you know he could never do anything that would cause your trust or love for him to dull.

“Look up, sweetheart,” Frankie’s soft voice brings you out of your thoughts, making you open your eyes. You hadn’t realized they had slid shut in the first place. 

The sight of the full moon high up in the night sky confirms your suspicions. Frankie’s going to turn tonight. 

Fuck, you’re screwed, your subconscious automatically screams at you. 

You can't miss the way your panties dampen as the thought crosses your mind. Your body stiffens as you fight the urge to run, the adrenaline getting the best of you.

Frankie must feel the way you tense up because his arms immediately tighten around you. 

“It’s alright, hermosa,” he whispers into your ear. “Just means we’ll have a bit more fun than usual.”

You try but fail to stifle your grin at his menacing tone. Just because you know you’re screwed doesn’t mean you don't enjoy it. 

“Probably got less than ten minutes now,” Frankie says far too casually. “Let’s pick up on our little chase, yeah?” 

He lets you out of his grasp this time, and you turn around to give him a peck on his cheek, allowing your hand to brush past his erection as you pull away. The touch is just enough for Frankie to grit his teeth as he hisses out. The warning glance he gives you makes arousal burn deep into your core, only serving to make you more excited. 

“I’ll give you a head start, sweetheart,” he says, his tone giving you a warning, “I’d take it if I were you.”

With his word, you spin on your heel, ready to plummet into the forest, but you only get about a foot before he has a large hand wrapped around your wrist. Your heart beats louder in your chest as you turn to look at him, his eyes dark with lust. 

“Don’t let me catch you this time,” he says, pulling you close enough for his lips to flutter across your ear as he speaks. “I won’t go easy on you.”

You ignore the shiver in your spine as you pull back as much as you can. 

“Maybe I don't want you to go easy on me,” you whisper back, earning a slight growl from Frankie. He lets his hand linger on you for only a moment more before letting go, this time allowing you to back away. 

“Don’t push yourself too hard then, because I’m going to fucking exaust you when I catch up.” 

You smile before turning once again, pushing yourself into the trees without looking back. 

***

The sound of your heartbeat is deafening as you run through the otherwise silent forest. The steady pitter-patter of the organ combined with your ragged breathing and your frantic footsteps make a horrifying symphony. Even those sounds seem muffled, though, with the amount of pure adrenaline that courses through your veins and drowns out your senses. 

Frankie can’t be too far behind you now. You guess you’ve been running for about fifteen minutes. There’s no doubt that he has turned at this point; he proved it with the howl you heard bellowing through the woods a couple minutes ago. 

Since then, you haven't stopped to take a breath. There is pure fear in the fact that you have a beast on your trail, but also excitement in knowing what will likely happen once he catches up. 

For now though, fear is the dominant emotion. It’s prominent enough to keep you going even as your hair gets tugged by branches and your skin gets scratched and torn by twigs and thorns. None of it seems to matter right now just as long as you can keep your distance from the monster hunting you down. 

Suddenly, you hear a snap from somewhere behind you. The noise is sharp, a twig snapping beneath heavy weight. It reverberates all around you, sending a shiver down your spine. Soon after, You pick up on the steady thumping of what sounds to be an animal hot on your tail. 

The sound gets closer and closer even as you push yourself to run faster. Your entire body is shaking and you can feel tears welling up in your eyes. You can practically feel Frankie’s breath on your neck, the sensation almost more powerful than the ache overtaking your legs and abdomen. 

“Please, leave me alone!” You cry out the plea over your shoulder, your voice bordering a sob. Your gut is curling with a mixture of panic and arousal. The responding growl makes the tears you have been holding spill over and your knees buckle. 

For a second, you’re worried that you might fall, but you’re pushed into the ground before you have the chance to do it yourself. The weight of Frankie pouncing on top of you knocks the wind out of you, a sharp cry leaving your lips as your breath is taken. 

In the time that it takes you to get your breath back, Frankie has your bodysuit torn enough to pry off of your shaking body, and your lacy panties shoved–or ripped–down your legs. Luckily, the bodysuit was the cheapest and easiest to find component of your costume. You can feel a whisper of his claws against your skin as he drags scraps away from where he needs you most.

Your arms flail wildly, your fingers trying to grasp a handful of fur from the beast atop you. Frankie sees what you’re trying to do, and with a growl, he ducks down and slides toward your feet, away from your hands. 

Before you can question what he’s doing, you feel something thick, wet, and warm against your bare, soaked cunt. 

A high pitched moan tumbles from your lips as Frankie drags his tongue across your pussy before dipping it into your core.

The hot muscle digs deep into your cunt, curling once it's in all the way. You can feel his nose bobbing up and down against your ass as he starts to work his tongue in and out of your cunt.

“F-Frankie, fuck!” You scream, feeling your orgasm building embarrassingly quickly.

The way his tongue swirls and scrapes against your walls is absolutely delicious, and that combined with the tip of the muscle prodding against your g-spot? You’re fucking done for. 

You’re writhing as Frankie brings his tongue out to swallow down the slick he’s collected, and you can feel the way a combination of your arousal and his saliva leaks out of your pulsing cunt, coming down to collect at your clit and make you shudder. You’re so close to coming, a warm feeling that can only be described as pure euphoria making a home deep in your lower abdomen. 

Almost as soon as he was gone, Frankie shoves his tongue back inside of you, meticulously prodding all the right places. You’re gasping and moaning so loud you have half the mind to feel bad for whatever critters might reside in these woods. 

That thought passes quickly, though, once you feel yourself returning to the edge. Frankie flicks his tongue one more time and you’re suddenly convulsing around him. The high seems to go on forever, your toes curling and your fingers grasping at the leafy ground in front of you. 

The beast doesn’t pull away as you come, instead, he allows you to rock your hips back and forth in order to prolong your pleasure for as long as possible. You don’t even notice that you moved your arm until you feel one hand entangled in soft fur, your subconscious mind telling you to hold him to you. 

You hear Frankie whine from behind you and you have to suppress the urge to giggle. He’s always liked it when you tug at his hair, and apparently, being in this form leaves no room for exceptions. 

Your body goes limp as Frankie backs away from you, making it easy for him to nudge you to prop you up where he wants you. Hands and knees, of course. He wastes no time in getting into position behind you, crowding you in with his massive form. 

The tip of his cock feels massive against your swollen cunt, but it only takes a few swipes of the beast’s hips before he is notched into your entrance. With one more thrust, he’s pushing in all the way, making you scream as your pussy stretches to accommodate his girth. 

Frankie lets out a series of whimpers as he starts a brutal pace, not giving you a second to adjust. Your hands come up to grasp above his paws, which are positioned on either side of your head, and then up a little. 

“F-Frankie!” Your moan comes out more like a screech, the pain quickly turning into a sick pleasure as he rips you open on his cock. Each time he thrusts, it’s accompanied by a puff of breath which fans out across your cheek. 

The sound of his whines and ragged breathing mix with the squelching noises coming from your cunt and the panting coming from your lips, everything combined making the filthiest symphony you’ve ever heard. 

Your second orgasm starts to build rapidly, your cunt beginning to flutter around Frankie’s unforgiving length. With each punch, the tip of his cock touches something heavenly within you, making your eyes roll to the back of your head. 

You’re pretty sure you’re drooling, but you find that every limb has turned to jelly, preventing you from bringing your hand up to check. If not for the monster above you impaling you on his length, you would likely be flat on the forest floor right now. 

Every thought that had previously occupied your mind is forced out of you as Frankie effortlessly pries another orgasm from you. He doesn’t slow or pause as you squeeze around his cock like a vice. If anything, it only spurs him on and gets him going faster, if that's even possible. 

With each slam of his hips, you feel your body being sent forward, only stabilized by your palms, which are somehow still firmly planted on the ground. 

‘Oh god, Frankie,” your voice sounds hazy to your own ears. “F-feels so fucking good, Francisco.”

You hear him grunt at the sound of his full name, something you usually only call him in bed—or in this case, in the middle of nowhere. 

It does feel good, his cock feels absolutely massive. You know that it is definitely bigger than when he’s in his human form—the size of which should be considered supernatural in it’s own way. Right now, though, he feels bigger than ever, thicker, longer. The only thought occupying your mind at the moment is how badly you want to suck his cock. 

How the fuck does this man fuck you so good to the point where you fantasize about giving him a blowjob while he’s already inside of you? Next time, you’ll have to get his dick in your mouth before he shoves it into your cunt. 

Your eyes droop as your second orgasm morphs into a third, your body growing weaker with each movement from Frankie. You ignore the shaking to spread your legs wider to allow him better access, which results in him getting to a deeper spot with the new angle. 

Your mouth drops open as you begin to come again, a silent scream getting stuck in your throat. This time, as you constrict around his monstrous cock, you can feel his hips stutter. He’s getting close, which is probably a good thing considering you’re about to pass out from both pleasure and exhaustion. 

“C-come on, Frankie, f-fill me up,” you command through moans. It very obviously eggs him on because before you know it, he’s stilling inside of you, howling into the trees, and blowing his massive load deep into your core. 

The feeling of his cum painting your walls is fucking heavenly. Spurt after spurt of his warm seed fills you to the brim until it eventually starts to seep out around the base of his cock. If you thought you had felt full before, that was nothing compared to now. 

Frankie gives you a few minutes to calm down before he starts to lower himself to the ground, laying on his side and tugging you with him. Your body and mind are equally compliant with his request. 

As your eyes shut once again, you can feel Frankie starting to shift behind you, probably making his transformation back to his human form. Try as you might, you know you won’t have enough energy to wait for him to be done, so you make the most of it and snuggle into his soft fur. You know that you’ll wake up safe and sound in your bed, tangled with your kind, attentive, and very much human boyfriend.

[zeeth-scribbles]

another mh redesign. she's so much cooler than you.

[something-tofightfor]

Liminality: Part 15

Pairing: Frankie Morales x Female Reader

Word Count: 11,066

Rating: M - There's some smut, but it's not graphic.

Summary: Now that the secret's out and you've lost the element of surprise, your plan of action needs to change.

With only two days to figure things out, you're pressed for time, meaning emotions are running high. There are some things you don't want to admit, but not speaking them out loud might just be worse.

Author’s note:

Frankie Friday, anyone? This chapter was a labor of love, and is beginning to set up things that I've been planning since I first came up with this story. I hope you all like it as much as I do. Thank you for reading.

Masterlist (for the journal entries and all of the other 'extras' + previous chapters)

You stayed at Ironhead’s, though you didn’t hide in the office while you were there. 

After sending out a group text to update Frankie, Pope and Yovanna - and a separate text to Frankie, explaining what had happened and that you were safe - you went out into the main bar area and took a seat at it. 

Both Will and Benny came out and kept you company, the older Miller joining the female bartender to help with the lunch rush while Benny plopped down on a stool beside you, both of them doing what it took to keep you distracted and your thoughts occupied. 

You ordered food that you only picked at, still trying to understand how, after so long of being so careful, you’d blown everything because you’d let Tom get under your skin. Which is exactly what he’s been trying to do this entire time. 

It had been stupid of you, and you knew it. But neither Benny or Will had looked angry or disappointed. Instead, they’d just seemed concerned, flipping immediately into protect mode as all of you waited to see what would happen. 

“I should have recorded it.” You hung your head, shoulders slumped. “Then you could all hear what we said. Then you could prepare for -”

“You didn’t. And there’s nothin’ you can do about that now.” Will leaned over the bar and said your name, waiting until you met his gaze to speak again. “The only thing you can do is get yourself ready for it. That’s all any of us can do.” 

“He’s right.” Benny put his hand on top of yours. “And I’m going to be right fucking there with you when he shows up. I want him to see what a piece of shit I think he is before -”

“Ben.” Will straightened up, head moving from side to side. “Not the place. Not the time.” Benny pulled his hand back and grumbled, reaching for the glass in front of him and downing most of it. “We’ll talk about it later.” 

You wondered how long it would take Frankie to see the messages and to get to you - and what his reaction would be. He’s going to be pissed. He’s going to be so pissed. You checked your phone and saw that there was a message from him from a few minutes earlier, and winced at the short, harsh nature of it. 

Stay where you are. I’m coming. 

“Frankie’s on his way.” You held your phone up. “I guess he’s done flying for the day.” Will dragged a hand through his hair and nodded, and Benny stood, flattening his hands on the bartop. 

“I’m going to go back into the office. I need to get some shit done before he gets here.” Will nodded, and as Benny turned away from both of you, you rubbed at the bridge of your nose. 

“I wish I could have seen the look on his face when you slipped.” Will picked up a towel and started rubbing at the already clean space in front of you. “He must have been pissed.”

“Probably. He was probably so mad that I figured it out faster than you guys did, or at least he thinks I did, anyway. But he was just … he gave me this look like… I don’t know, Will. It was scary. He stayed so still, and … he just smiled.” 

“Redfly does that.” He sighed. “It’s almost worse when he doesn’t react.” You agreed. “He got real good at it when we were enlisted, and that’s how we all knew shit was bad in South America. We’d never seen him the way he was then.” Will reached for your glass and then picked up the soda gun, tilting it to refill your drink. “And none of us have ever seen anything like now.” 

You dragged your thumb along the condensation on the bartop and then looked up at  the blonde. “I’m sorry.” You saw confusion on his face, Will frowning as he waited to see what else you’d say. “I’m sorry that your friend is … not what you thought. And that my being here brought it to -”

“He was doing this shit before you got here.” Will rolled his eyes. “You being here sped things up, but you didn’t cause it. You just made it real fucking clear that there’s no limit to what he’ll…” He clenched his jaw. “You being here is a good thing. Especially for ‘Fish.” 

Part of you agreed, but another part of you felt responsible for the fact that Frankie would need to end the life of someone he’d considered a brother for the majority of his adult life. Even though stopping Tom is important no matter what, it … 

“What does she owe you, Ironhead?” You felt him behind you as he spoke, Frankie pressing against your back as he wound his arms around you. “Because whatever it is, we’re paying and then leaving, and -” 

“It’s on the house, ‘Fish. You know that.” Will rubbed at his jaw and looked past you and at his friend. “We’re all good here. You good?” Frankie’s arm’s tightened around you and he didn’t say anything else, even as Benny reappeared at the end of the bar, a towel slung over one shoulder. 

“Good to see ya, man.” He sidestepped a stool and then stood next to you, resting one elbow on the wood. “Good flights today?”

“Real good.” You could hear the tension in his voice as well as feel it in the way he held you. One hand rose to stroke the length of his forearm without pause, your fingers glancing over the raised skin of his scar. Oh, Frankie. “Dinner at my place tonight. What time you off?”

“We can both be out of here at 7.” Will cleared his throat. “You tell Pope yet?” Frankie grunted out a no, and Will’s gaze shifted to Benny, who sighed, the sound heavy. 

“I’ll tell him. We’ll bring some beers. There a game on tonight?”

“Hell if I know.” Frankie’s arms finally loosened, his hands moving to rest on the back of your barstool. “I’ve been busy worrying about a bunch of other shit.” Ok, that’s enough. 

“Alright.” You stood, smiling at Will and then at Benny. “One of you tell Pope and Yova about dinner. We’ll order wings or something and have ‘em delivered.” You looked over at Frankie for the first time that night and were stunned to see how wrecked he looked, his skin paler than usual and his hair disheveled, like he’d spent the entire drive over running his hands through it. “Oh, Frankie.” 

Benny nudged you forward, and you reached for Frankie’s hand, your fingers slipping between his. Neither of you spoke as you headed for the exit, and once you were back out in the late afternoon sunshine, you took a deep breath, collecting your thoughts. “I’ll drive. I don’t want to let you out of my sight.” 

“I need my car, Frankie.” You turned to face him, reaching up to rub your thumb over his cheek. “Can’t just leave it here for the next couple days.We’re trying to keep things normal, so -”

“You can get it tomorrow.” He pulled you closer, hands settling on your hips as he stared you down. His eyes were still mostly brown, but they seemed lighter - and it wasn’t a brief change; it was constant. Oh, Frankie. “Please do not make me watch you walk away from me right now.” It was a simple enough request - and you could get the car the following day; you leaving it in the bar parking lot wasn’t out of the ordinary. Especially since Will and Benny own it. 

“Ok.” You nodded twice, and then leaned in to kiss him. “I’m fine, Francisco. It was scary when it happened, but …” You sighed. “There’s no way he would have tried anything in public or in front of the Millers.” 

“No, he wouldn’t have.” Frankie’s eyes shut and he sighed, his head shaking back and forth slowly. “I just … I got that message, and then I still had another flight that I couldn’t cancel, and …” 

“I know. But I was safe. I said something really stupid, but I was safe.” Moving your hand, you put your arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, Frankie’s head immediately lowering so that he could bury his face against your neck. He held you close, and only let go when the blare of someone’s horn from the street startled him. “Let’s go back to your place. We can talk there.” 

— 

But when you got to his house, Frankie didn’t seem interested in talking. 

Instead, as soon as the front door was shut and locked behind you, he was on you, mouth moving over your face and neck as his hands pulled at your clothing. He’s never been like this before. It was sudden but not unwelcome, and once you’d managed to kick your shoes off and put both of your hands up, fingers sliding through his hair, you finally got a word in. I need to know what’s going on in his head. 

“Wait.” You tugged on his hair, pulling his face away from you. “Frankie, wait a second. Talk to me.” 

“I can smell him on you.” He curled his lip, eyes more gold than brown, though it was gone before you knew it. “It’s mostly just Tom, but since we’re so close to the moon and you riled him up, it’s the wolf too. And I fucking hate it.” 

“Could you smell it before?” Your breath came out shaky, but you continued. “Before I got to Florida, I mean? Do wolves smell like wolves, or -”

“

“I don’t know.” He leaned in, nuzzling against your throat. “Maybe. But after he stopped coming out with me when I run, I guess… I guess I stopped seeing him close to the full moon altogether. And since I’d never been around another wolf, I didn’t … fuck. I should have paid more attention.” 

“No.” You kissed his temple. “Because you had a suspicion the night he cut himself, and you didn’t smell it then, either. You had to smell his blood. Maybe it’s just before the moon, Frankie. Maybe -”

“Then why did I react the way I did to Ashley?” His hand slid beneath your shirt and ran up the center of your back, his skin warm against yours. “I walked into that hospital room and I knew.”

“She was on the defensive.” You swallowed, stroking the back of his neck as Frankie’s mouth worried the skin at the base of your throat. “She was on high alert and so were you, so maybe … maybe that’s what it takes. Or maybe since you knew she was a wolf, there’d be something different to scent, or -”

“I’ll ask her.” He groaned as he mouthed at your pulse point, raising his head slowly. “But right now all I want is to get these fucking clothes off of you and make you smell like me instead of that fucking …” He bit at your chin, your head tilting backwards as you whined. I kind of like him like this. I kind of like … 

“You going to be able to keep it together if we have sex right now?” He met your eyes, his lips parted as he waited to see what else you’d say. “I thought you were riled up last month, but this is …” You bit your lip. “I wish it was for a different reason, but I kinda like you like this.” 

“No promises.” He raised a brow, and for the first time, you saw a brief smile on his lips. “Except that yes I can keep it together enough not to bite you.” He leaned in, tilting his head to the side and letting his mouth hover over yours. “Hard, anyway.” That made you giggle, the sound catching you by surprise - and making Frankie’s eyes widen as his smile returned after he backed away. “It’s good to hear that coming from you.” 

“You’ll hear a lot more things you like from me if you kiss me again.” You tugged on his hair, licking your lips. “Do you want to stay out here, or go into your room?” 

“Bedroom.” He nudged you toward the doorway. “We’re having company later and I think they’d appreciate not sitting on the same couch that we just fucked on.” That made you laugh again, and you leaned in, kissing his lips. 

“You’re so considerate.” He snorted as you stepped away, turning your back to him and reaching down to pull your shirt off. “It’s one of the reasons I love you.” His hands found their way to your hips as he followed you into the bedroom, Frankie close behind. “Wait.” You turned to face him, tossing your shirt into the dirty laundry pile. “You said… we’re having company.” 

“I did.” He focused on you, only breaking eye contact when he pulled his shirt off, too, throwing it over with yours. “And I meant it exactly how it sounded.” 

“I like that.” You undid the button on your pants, shimmying out of them and watching as he unbuckled his belt, pulling it free from the loops with one hand. “Are we going to talk about -”

“After.” He dropped his jeans, stepping out of them before he kicked them to the side. “Need you first.” He moved forward, his hands finding your bare skin and sliding over it, wide palms moving fluidly as he urged you closer. “Sit on the end of the bed.” You nodded, carefully turning so that he didn’t have to let you go. 

He walked with you to the bed, and as you lowered yourself onto the mattress, you looked up, raising a brow as he stayed in front of you. “I’m in the perfect position, Frankie.” You placed your hands at his waist, fingertips trailing along the edge of the elastic band of his underwear. “Let me -” 

“Later.” His hips jerked forward as your hands moved, but he shook his head. “I -” You paid no attention and tilted your head to the right, leaning forward and kissing his abdomen, mouth moving inward toward his belly button. “Fuck, you’re not … you’re going to …” He was hard beneath the cotton, the outline of him clearly visible against the light gray material. “Shit.” 

You smiled as you moved your mouth down, your hand dropping from his waist to cup the bottom of his bulge as you kissed along the length of it. The urge to press your thighs together was strong, but you couldn’t with him where he was - and you knew that when you finally removed the rest of your clothing, it would be apparent that teasing him had turned you on. Good. Good, he needs to know. 

Making your way back up, you opened your mouth and sucked the tip of him between your lips, tongue lapping at the cloth. He hissed, one hand moving to grip your shoulder and the other going to the back of your head. “You’re in a mood today.” He groaned and mumbled your name as you squeezed him gently. “Gonna make me come in my goddamn underwear like a -” He moaned when you dragged your teeth gently along him as you lifted your head, raising your eyes to meet his. 

“No. I was just teasing you.” Licking your lips, you shrugged. “You’re very tense, Frankie.” He was breathing hard, his eyes bright. “I just …” Biting the inside of your lip, you sighed. “I was trying to help.”

He moved abruptly, dropping to his knees in front of you faster than you thought possible, and then it was him looking up at you. “You like teasing me?” He reached up, one hand sliding along the inside of your thigh. “Let me return the favor.” You widened the spread of your legs as his hand moved closer to your center, and when one of Frankie’s thick fingers found its target, pressing against the damp fabric, you couldn’t stop the whimper that escaped you. 

“Jesus, you …” You closed your eyes and tilted your head back, a second finger joining his first. “Holy shit.” His mouth met the inside of your thigh before it moved inward, the motion of his fingers never ceasing. 

You deserved the teasing - deserved to have him do the same thing you’d done to him - touching and tasting you through the fabric instead of without it as a barrier. It’s only fair. Reopening your eyes, you looked down at him, watching his progress and gasping when he withdrew his hand and used it to urge your leg over his shoulder. 

He pressed down on your other one with his hand, widening the spread of your legs, and before you could say anything to him, he took the edge of your underwear between his teeth and tugged, releasing it moments later and letting it snap back against your skin. 

You moaned at the feeling - half his name and half just noise, and then Frankie’s mouth was on you, pressing kisses to your soaked core and dragging his tongue along it afterward. You dug your heel into the center of his back and curled your fingers, bunching up the blankets beneath you against your palms. 

He’d already proven time and time again that he was capable of getting you off quickly with his mouth, and you knew that if he continued, that time would be no different. I need to tell him to stop. “F-Frankie.” You forced it out, even as you rolled your hips forward and against his mouth. “Unless you stop, I’m…” He snapped the elastic again, which made you pause, teeth digging into your lower lip. Dammit. “I need you.” 

He looked up then, pulling back enough that when he exhaled, the heat of his breath fanned out over you and made you shiver. You repeated yourself, nodding as you sat up and reached behind you to unhook your bra. “Need you too.” He eased your leg down, and once it wasn’t in the way anymore, he rose, reaching down to take off his underwear. “You have no fucking idea how much.” 

Frankie climbed into the bed as you moved yourself backwards and into a more comfortable position. Once you were in place, you also took your underwear off, staring up at him as he reached over and into the drawer for a condom, the muscles in his upper body rippling with each motion. I think I do know how much.  

You assumed he’d tear the foil open immediately, but instead of doing that, he set the square down on the pillow next to you and then leaned over, taking a slow breath as his eyes moved over your face. “You put yourself in danger today by meeting with him, and I don’t like that.” He clenched his jaw and you saw a muscle in his cheek twitch. “I understand why you did it, and I know you were safe after, but it still…” 

“I know.” You spoke quietly, reaching over with one hand to touch his. “I’m sorry that it happened that way.” Frankie lowered his head and kissed your cheek before turning so that his lips were in front of your ear. 

“You will never have to put yourself in that position again.” You heard the growl in his voice, and when he met your eyes again, his expression was hard. “I promise.” All you could do was nod, reaching up to pull his face back down to yours so that you could kiss him. 

You could feel the tension in his shoulders, but as the kiss deepened, Frankie’s lips parting at the first gentle probe of your tongue, he relaxed. That’s good. He needs to relax… and so do I. 

When he broke away to breathe, you jerked your head to the side, eyes moving from Frankie’s face in the direction of the condom. “You gonna use that, or what?” 

— 

“They’re going to be here in like ten minutes, Frankie.” You were toweling off, though your attention was on the shower, where Frankie still stood under the steaming water. “We’re cutting it really fucking close.” 

He grumbled out an agreement, but only moments later the water stopped and he poked his head out. His eyes widened at the sight of you holding out a fresh, dry towel, but he took it without saying anything. Despite the time crunch, you still took a few moments to stare at him when he stepped out and onto the bathroom floor, the towel hanging low on his hips, though it was wrapped tightly, the end tucked into place. 

He caught you looking and straightened up, one side of his mouth lifting into a smirk. “See something you like?” 

“Maybe.” You winked at him and forced yourself to turn away, giving yourself one final look in the mirror. “I’m glad we ordered food before we showered.” He stepped up behind you and wrapped his arms around your waist, meeting your gaze through your reflections. “What?”

“How are you so calm?” You’d known it was coming. Though the two of you had pushed the truth of your situation to the side long enough to focus on each other in bed, the fact of the matter was that in only a few minutes’ time, your friends were going to arrive to talk over something very serious. Shit. 

“I don’t know.” You pulled the hem of your t-shirt into place and then reached up to pinch the bridge of your nose. “I’m trying not to let myself think about it right now, to be honest.” Turning so that you could look at him, you tried to smile. “I have to believe that between all of us we can figure something out, and that it’ll -”

“We’ve already figured it out. I’m going to fucking kill him.” He didn’t flinch as he said it, Frankie’s tone even. “And if, for some reason I can’t, or I fail…  then you and Benny will finish the job with silver.” 

You hadn’t even considered that Frankie might not be able to kill Tom. And if he failed, then that means… no. “You’re not going to fail.” You put your hand against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath it. “Frankie -”

“No. I’m not. But …” He shrugged. “We need to prepare for anything.” You knew that he was right, and that Benny wouldn’t hesitate to raise - and use - a gun. “Let me get dressed. I don’t think any of those guys want to see this much of me when they get here.” You lowered your head and nodded, trying to steady yourself as Frankie backed away and then disappeared into his bedroom. 

You exited into the main hallway, turning and making your way into the kitchen, where you busied yourself with getting plates and napkins ready. Despite everything, you felt comfortable moving around in the space, the feeling from the morning after you’d been with him for the first time amplified. And he likes having me here, too. 

You glanced down at what you wore and smiled, briefly closing your eyes. You’d left a few things at his place - a few outfits and a toothbrush, along with some toiletries - so that you weren’t just constantly bringing everything back and forth. It made you feel more settled, and that was something that both of you liked, especially with the situation you found yourselves in. As you finished, you looked around and let your gaze linger on the chalkboard.

He hadn’t erased your message from the morning you’d left after him, but he had added to it; an arrow pointing directly at it along with three words: I want to. 

It was more a note for himself than anything else, but it still made you grin and your cheeks heat. I can’t believe I found someone like him. You finished with the dishes and then turned back toward the living room, checking your phone as you crossed the space. 

“Pope’s about to pull up.” Frankie entered the room, running his hand through his towel-dried hair. “Benny and Will shouldn’t be too far behind.” You hummed out an agreement and lowered yourself onto the couch, hands in your lap. He sat beside you after unlocking the front door, pulling you close and encouraging you to tuck your head against his chest. “You smell better.” He kissed your hair, inhaling deeply. “And I put your clothes into the washer.” 

You laughed at that, the sound short. “Thank you.” You heard a car pulling up, followed by the sound of a door slamming, and only a few seconds later, Pope was walking through the front door, a 6-pack of beer in one hand. Frankie didn’t stand to greet him, and after saying hello, he walked into the kitchen, returning a minute later with an open beer. “Yova said to tell you she’s sorry she couldn’t be here. She had a spin class or some shit tonight, and she didn’t want to miss it.” He sat on the chair, eyeing the two of you. “Molly’s in the class.” 

It made sense - keeping up appearances was going to be important. And if Molly’s acting weird, she’ll be able to tell us. “We ordered food. It should be here soon.” You checked your phone. “Arthur has our order and is getting close.” Pope nodded, looking between you and Frankie. 

“I’ve been working on some things today. I think Yova and I are going to stop at the RV on the way out of town tomorrow and drop some shit off for you.” 

“Where are you going after?” You sat up, putting your hands in your lap. “Isn’t the RV out of the way?” 

“St. Augustine.” He gave you a small smile. “She’s never been. And it’s a good alibi, just in case.” You agreed - but that brought up another question. 

“I didn’t even think of that. Obviously if … when Tom goes missing, you guys will be questioned, since you’re his friends. And we’ll be at the RV, but … it’s in all of your names. They’ll look there, too. And if you fight him, Frankie, there’s going to be blood, and -”

“I said I’ve been working on some things.” Pope leaned in, saying your name. “I need you to trust me when I say that we’re planned shit like this out before. It’s a hell of a lot easier when you’ve got money.”

“I…” You closed your eyes, taking a deep breath. “What if Tom fucks you over? What if he fucks us all over, and tells Molly, or tells someone from the Chaos line, or … I don’t know, preemptively calls the police and tells them to go to the RV site, and -”

“Then we fucking deal with it.” Frankie stood, crossing his arms. “There was enough wolf in his blood after the moon that I could sense it, so if they find blood at the clearing, it’ll come back animal with some human DNA in it, whether it’s mine or his.” He turned in a slow circle. “And we’ve all bled up there at one point or another just from doing dumb shit. All of our DNA is all over that trailer from the last couple years.” 

“I don’t think he’d call police.” Pope spoke up, taking a sip from the beer bottle. “If he wants to finish this, he won’t want to be interrupted.” It made sense, and as the three of you thought those words over, you heard another car pull up, followed by the sound of Benny and Will’s voices as they greeted someone. The food. 

Frankie walked toward the door and pulled it open for them, saying hello to his friends and then addressing the delivery guy by name. Good timing. The three men came into the room at the same time, Will carrying one bag, Frankie another, and Benny with a second 6 pack of beer - and a bottle of soda - in his hands. 

You greeted them, too, and didn’t miss the wink Benny gave you after assessing your new outfit and Frankie’s still damp hair. Don’t say a word, Benjamin. He didn’t - about that. But it was Benny that spoke up first, gesturing toward the kitchen as he headed in that direction. 

“We’ve got some important shit to talk about … but we should eat first.” He paused, looking around at the rest of you. “Mission planning always goes much smoother when you’re not fuckin’s starving.” 

“Can’t argue with that, little brother.” Will nodded, following him toward the kitchen. “Lead the way.” 

— 

You didn’t talk about the plan while you ate, but you talked about other things. 

The five of you sat out in Frankie’s back yard, and they listened while you recounted your meeting with Tom in detail. When you got to the end, repeating that he’d said to tell Frankie he’d see you in a couple days, you felt him stiffen next to you, though he’d kept quiet. 

“So he’s going to be at the RV.” You nodded, your attention on Pope. “Which means that he has two days to plan, too.” 

“But he’s only got himself.” Benny cut in, pulling his phone out. “And we’ve got all of us.” You definitely had the advantage, but it only went so far. “And,” the younger Miller continued as he typed on his screen. “Tom’s in Orlando right now.” He turned the device outward so that you could see a photo that had been posted roughly an hour earlier. “He went to that conference.” 

Frankie took the phone and stared at it, and you did, too. The picture was of Tom and a few other people sitting in a restaurant, with what looked like registration packets sitting on the table in front of them. He actually fucking went. 

“So what, is he going to run 90 miles as a wolf?” Will scratched the side of his head. “That doesn’t seem right. It would take him hours. If he brings his car back here, he can’t use the conference as a cover.”

“You know how fucking easy it is to get your hands on a shit car and register it to someone else, Will.” Frankie handed the phone back. “And if he doesn’t take the toll roads, the license plate won’t be picked up, so as far as anyone knows, he’ll be in Orlando and just hanging out in his hotel room until it’s time to check out … and he doesn’t.” You hadn’t even considered the traffic cameras, so you were glad he had. “My guess is he goes to the conference tomorrow and the day after, and heads here early afternoon. He’ll park in one of the overnight lots for camping that’s closer, and then wait til he turns to go to the RV.” 

“You’ve thought about this.” He nodded. “But that means you’d have to confront him as a wolf.” He nodded again. “You won’t get answers.” 

“Unless I don’t kill him until morning.” Frankie scratched the back of his neck. “If I’m able to hurt him enough to keep him there, then I can wait til we’re both human again, and -”

“I’ll gladly tranquilize his ass.” Benny spoke up, his tone hard. “Put enough of that shit into him to knock out a fucking elephant, and sit with him until the goddamn sun comes up.” 

“Me too.” You reached over, touching Frankie’s leg. “I wouldn’t think twice about it.” 

“I want you up in the blind.” He looked over at you. “I don’t want you on the ground in case anything goes wrong.” 

“No.” You shook your head, the motion almost violent. “No. I can’t do shit from up there. He’s actually hurt me, Frankie. I swear I won’t get in your way or Benny’s, but I want to be on the ground.” 

“She’s right, ‘Fish.” Will held up a hand. “More people on the ground will confuse him. He’ll have to try to pay attention to a hell of a lot more, and it could give you the upper hand.” 

“One of the things I’m taking out there tomorrow is a silver net.” Pope pulled his phone out and showed you and Frankie a picture. “There is a surprisingly robust market for shit like this. People take their cosplay very seriously.” That made you snort back a laugh, and Benny joined you, Will following along a few minutes later. “Anyway. It’s electroplated silver, but the girl that did it told me it’s pure.” 

“We could test it.” Frankie swallowed. “I can turn, and you can test it on me.” 

“‘Fish, that …” Pope started speaking and then stopped. “That might actually be a good idea.” He stood. “It’s in my trunk. Where should I bring it?”

“Garage.” Frankie stood, wiping his hands on his pants. “Let’s get this shit over with.” He reached for your hand, fingers closing around yours as he helped you to your feet. “You don’t have to watch.”

“Yes, I do.” You could almost feel his gratitude, and as you headed for the garage - and Pope for his car - all of you were silent. Frankie, to your knowledge, had never attempted to fully turn on command. And he’s doing it tonight just to test this net. 

“We’ll wait out here. Tell us when it’s alright to come in.” You assured Will that you would, and then you and Frankie entered the garage, his right hand reaching out to flip the lights on as you passed the switch. 

He undressed quickly, pulling his t-shirt off and setting it on top of his workbench along with his pants and boxers before he turned to face you.”I don’t know if this will work.”

“It will. You can do it.” You reached out, cupping his cheek with one hand. “It’s close enough to the moon that it’ll probably be easier than it would be otherwise, too.” He swallowed, staring at you. “I love you, Francisco. I -”

“You do it.” He wet his lips. “No way in fucking hell I’ll hurt you, and I have no idea how I’m going to react to this.” 

“You’ve come a long way in a month.” You kissed him, lips lingering against his. “First you weren’t sure whether or not you’d hurt me and now you’re sure you won’t.” You stepped back, keeping your eyes locked with his. “Alright. Go ahead.”

You leaned back against the wall, arms crossed… and waited. 

Frankie closed his eyes and flexed his fingers, and you watched his breathing change - shallow ones lengthening, his head tilting back as he exhaled. It took longer than it had the previous month, and when it happened it was slow, his muscles bulging beneath his skin as his limbs lengthened, a quiet groan reaching your ears when he pushed his shoulders back and crouched down, his hands making contact with the floor, fingers spread wide. 

He still didn’t look at you, and when his head dropped forward, you were able to see his face changing, features shifting as the fur began to sprout from his skin. It was an incredible thing to see - and something that, months earlier, you would have been terrified of. But it’s Frankie. He growled, head shaking back and forth, and you gasped when his ears seemed to slide up at the same time they elongated - which was something that you hadn’t seen previously. 

Fingers and toes turned to claws and paws, and then things sped up. You blinked and he was almost fully a wolf, Frankie in a sitting positon as the final stages of the transformation took place. He finally lifted his head and met your eyes again, and you gave him a sad smile as you nodded. “I love you, Frankie. It’s ok.” 

He whined, breaking eye contact, and when he shook himself, nails scraping across the garage floor, you cleared your throat, calling for the guys to come in. Frankie kept his distance, standing on all fours as they surrounded you. I wonder what this looks like to him. “Whoa, ‘Fish, you’re bigger than I remember.” Benny laughed, but it wasn’t entirely natural. “It’s fuckin’ wild with the tattoo. I never would have noticed that before.” 

Frankie lowered his head to look at his paw and then cocked it to the side, eyeing Benny. We need to hurry. I don’t know how long he’s going to be able to hold this for. “He asked me to use the net, Pope. He said he wants it to be me.” Pope agreed, moving to stand beside you. “Frankie, why don’t you lay down? That way we can start small, and just … lay it on your leg or something. Maybe we won’t need to cover you with it.” 

He moved as you spoke, lowering himself to the ground. Will and Benny remained silent, but Pope stepped forward with you. “I’m just carrying it, ‘Fish. It’s a little heavy.” Frankie nodded, which was somewhat jarring for you, but your steps didn’t falter. “I don’t like this. “ Pope spoke quietly, the two of you kneeling down in front of the wolf. “It’s going to hurt him.” 

“Yeah.” You held your hands out, and Pope handed the folded net over. Shit, it is heavy. “But only for a second. It’s going to hurt Tom a hell of a lot more.” You hoped you were right - hoped that the silver made Tom miserable.

You unfolded a section of the net and then took a deep breath, tuning out Pope’s presence and focusing on Frankie. Reaching out with one hand, you tapped on the paw that didn’t have the tattoo marking, and he extended it a little further. 

“We just need to know what it does. A few seconds. And please try not to howl, Frankie. The neighbors… shit.” Picking up a corner of the net you extended it and took a deep breath. Here we fucking go. 

As soon as it touched him, Frankie’s entire body jerked, and he let out a long, low whine. “You need to put it on his leg. We need to know if he can move.” Pope spoke quietly, trying to keep his voice even. “We need to immobilize Tom if possible.” You reached out with both hands, lifting the metal and then extending it further, apologizing to Frankie before you set it down again. 

He growled then, turning his head away and snapping his jaws - but he didn’t move the leg that you’d covered. “This is good, Frankie. You’re doing great.” Oh, this fucking sucks. There was no smoking or smoldering, and the chain hadn’t left any marks on him - that you could see - but it was definitely having an effect on the wolf. “Ok.” You reached out, carefully lifting the net again and pulling it back. “Enough. You can tell us about it when you turn back, but … no more.” 

It took him a few seconds but he finally moved, lifting his paw and shaking it out as he stood back up, Frankie using his other paw to swipe at the one you’d tested. “”You can change back now, ‘Fish.” Pope gathered the net up and then stood, clearing his throat. “We’ll give you some time.” Frankie whined again, and you watched as the other three left the garage, heading back out and into the yard. 

When you turned your attention back to him, it only took you moments to open your arms to the wolf, Frankie moving immediately to let them encircle him. You turned your head inward, closing your eyes as the wolf rested the bottom of his muzzle on your shoulder. “Come back to me, Francisco.” You stroked one hand along his fur, breathing slowly. “Whatever you need to do.” 

He broke free from your hold, and though it surprised you at first, when his entire body began to shake, you understood why.

The transformation from wolf to man was much different - and much more violent to witness, and as soon as you knew he wasn’t looking at you, you pressed your lips together and covered your mouth with one hand to hide your shocked gasp. 

He seemed to shrink, dark fur turning back into skin, ears moving back into place on the sides of his head, mostly hidden beneath his curls. He whimpered, head whipping back and forth, and even though you didn’t want to, you had to look away as his fingers and toes began to reemerge, the lengthening of the digits turning your stomach. I shouldn’t have asked him to do this. 

The whimper turned into a low groan, and when you looked back, it was Frankie in front of you, crouched on the floor. His whole body trembled, and even though you didn’t know if he’d want it, you crawled forward and put your arms around him again, drawing him in and against your chest. He came willingly, his hands grasping at your shirt, and for almost a minute, neither of you spoke. 

His heart was racing and Frankie was breathing hard, but he calmed under your touch, hold loosening… and it was him that spoke first. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“I’m not.” Kissing the top of his head, you closed your eyes.”Thank you for doing that. Is that the first time you’ve turned on command?”

“Fully, yeah. I’ve …” He inhaled, holding his breath before he released it. “I’ve practiced a couple times, but never gone all the way. Fuck I’m tired.” It didn’t surprise you, and you hoped that him forcing the turn early wouldn’t put him at a disadvantage with Tom. “It wasn’t as hard as I thought, though. I’m sure next time … will be easier.” He sat up, pointing at where his clothes were. “Can you get those for me?”

You stood and did what he asked, Frankie taking them from you and then slowly standing. You turned to give him privacy, and were taken by surprise when he hugged you from behind, holding you tightly. “Frankie…” 

“You’re incredible.” He kissed the side of your neck. “I’m so lucky you found me.” You could have argued that it was the other way around, but chose not to, instead just humming out your response. “We should go back out there with them.” 

When you rejoined the others, you noticed that they’d cleaned up some of the remnants of your meal while you were in the garage, leaving less for you to do later. Someone had also brought out a large bottle of water and a couple packets of electrolyte mix, setting them on the table in front of where Frankie had been sitting. That’s so goddamn thoughtful. 

He mixed the drink before sitting, gulping down half of it in one go and then finishing it in a second. “Thank you.” He looked between his friends, nodding at each one in turn. “The net was a good call, Pope.” 

“I figured.” You and Frankie sat again, Frankie yawning while he got comfortable. “We did all those tests with you after we got back home, and you reacted to the silver, so…” He shrugged. “Did it hurt?”

“It did.” Frankie held out his hand, showing you his unmarked skin. “But it didn’t burn. It just sort of … paralyzed me, I guess? I wanted to move my leg away but couldn’t. Everything else was fine, though.” The others nodded, Benny’s features set into a thoughtful expression. 

“So if we throw that over Tom, he won’t be able to move?” 

“Correct.” He yawned again. “So the plan should be … get him into the clearing. I distract him with an attack, and then we tranq him. Once he’s asleep, put the net on top of him and keep it there til morning, when he turns back into a human and I can question him.”

It was a good plan, a simple one, and that made you doubt it. “And once you have your answers?” Will leaned closer, head tilted to the side. “Then what?”

“I take care of it.” Frankie clasped his hands together. “I know it’s Tom, but … he’s crossed so many goddamn lines.” Benny opened his mouth, but Frankie cut him off. “We’ve all crossed lines, Benjamin. I know it. But he’s killing and hurting people because he can. He deliberately hid this from us and then attacked someone I love and fucking pretended he didn’t. There’s no other choice.”

“What about Molly? And Tessa?” Pope sighed. “Tom’s a piece of shit, but those two …”

“That’s not our problem, man.” Will crossed his arms. “I can’t believe Tom would fuck them over if anything happened to him, though. Especially not with Tessa starting school.” You agreed. But what if they know something? What if they suspect, or he leaves a note, or … 

“How do we protect ourselves from this?” Will frowned. “Pope, you’ll be out of town, I’ll be at the bar. But Benny, you’re going to be in the middle of the woods, right  where -” He paused. “Right where it happens.” He looked at you. “You, too. And ‘Fish. If they start looking, it might not be too hard to piece shit together.” 

“We’ll figure it out.” Frankie stood, swaying on his feet, and stabilized himself with one hand on your shoulder. “He doesn’t get to get away with this, especially not now.” Frankie pointed, gesturing to all three of them, “If you want out, that’s fine, and you’ll never know what happens in that swamp. But I am not fucking risking him coming after anyone else. We can end this. We can protect ourselves and other people. I can. And if that’s the one good fucking thing I can do after this?” He held his scarred arm out, fingers curled into a fist. “It’s enough.” 

“I’m in.” Pope stood, holding his hand out and setting it on top of Frankie’s. You got up, too, and added your hand to the top of the pile. Will was the next to stand, his large hand settling on top of yours and then Benny’s landed, too, all five of you silent as you eyed each other. 

“Go… team?” 

You tried your hand at adding levity to the situation, and to your surprise, Benny laughed out loud, tightening his hand before he pulled it away, everyone else following. “We’re behind you, ‘Fish. All the way.” 

— 

Once they’d left later, you and Frankie climbed into bed early. You checked Tom’s profile again, looking through the posts he’d made from that evening. The first one was accompanied by another of a different group and at what looked like a different location. You scoured it for the man and woman that you thought were responsible for turning him, but they were nowhere to be seen. 

“I can’t believe he went.” Frankie rolled toward you, stretching out. “He’s giving himself an alibi.” 

“We’re all doing the same.” You darkened the screen, setting your phone on the tabletop. “You and Benny taking me to the RV to spend the night so that I can write where it’s quiet while you guys hang out? Will at the bar? Pope and Yova out of town? We’re all trying to cover our asses, Frankie.” 

“We won’t need to.” He closed his eyes. “They’re not going to find Tom.” He sounded certain of his words, and you appreciated that. Even though so much can go wrong. “Tom still thinks he’s untouchable. It’s been that way since we first met him. I’m counting on his arrogance here.” 

You understood where he was coming from, but that didn’t make the thought of something happening to him - or to any of you any easier to consider. “I trust you. And I know you know him better than I do, but it still…” Just tell him the truth. “Knowing this is going to end one way or the other in two days is fucking with me.”

“There’s only one way this is going to end.” He reached over, resting his hand against your cheek. “Him dead and unable to hurt anyone else ever again, and the rest of us getting back to our lives.” 

It was cruel - especially when you considered Molly and Tessa, but the longer you looked at Frankie, the more you realized that the thought that they were better off without Tom wasn’t just a thought … you really believed it. 

“I can’t wait.” Closing the distance between you, you rubbed the tip of your nose along his and then pressed a light kiss to his lips. I hope he’s right. 

— 

Benny drove the three of you to the RV on the night of the full moon, but unlike the previous time, the mood in the car wasn’t light. You were in the back and they were sitting side by side in the front, and though they kept up a steady stream of conversation, there was tension in their tones. 

You’d used a burner phone before you left to fill Alec and Ashley in on what the plan was, promising that you’d update them when you could. And just in case you didn’t end up making it back from the RV, you’d packed all of your family’s research into a single box and addressed it to your aunt, mailing it out while Frankie was at work. You left some of your book research in the rented apartment, along with all of your other belongings. 

It was probably overkill, but you didn’t want to lead anyone anywhere … especially if it would put the others at risk. You had your laptop, though, copies of your information and updates stored on a hidden drive. 

You’d done everything you could to get ready for that night, and you wondered if you were as nervous as you were because you’d never really been involved in a situation like the one you were heading off to. They have. They’ve done so many dangerous things. “Hey.” You were startled out of your thoughts by Frankie’s voice. “You hear what I said?”

“No. What’s up?” He gave you a tight smile. 

“I asked if you wanted to stop for food. We should eat before.” Telling him you didn’t care where you went, you lapsed back into silence and stared out the window. 

You didn’t know how to articulate to him that you were scared because there was a chance that you’d never see Frankie as a man again after he turned at sundown. If I tell him that, then he knows I’m worried he might not finish this. You didn’t want to psych him out. You didn’t want to give him any doubts about what was going to happen, or make him think that you didn’t believe in him. Because I do. I just … nothing’s certain. 

You didn’t speak again until you were parked at the RV, the three of you carrying your things from Benny’s SUV to the front door. Nothing looked out of place - everything seemed in order, including the ground where you and Tom had bled the previous month. Tom and Will both spent time cleaning it up.  

Setting your bag down on the couch, you turned straight into Frankie’s chest, his arms going around you. “It’s going to be alright.” He whispered the words, holding you close. “I promise you.” 

“Yeah.” You turned your head, pressing your cheek against his chest. “It’s going to be fine.”

After you checked out the new supplies Pope had dropped off - the net, a new first aid kit and a restock of silver bullets along with a slew of tranquilizer supplies - you went outside and sat at the picnic table to eat. You had roughly 90 minutes before sunset, but you knew that the time would pass quickly. 

“He posted this morning from the conference floor.” Benny spoke around a mouthful of hamburger after taking a photo of the three of you sitting at the table. “And Pope said that Molly and Yova talked at that spin class like nothing was different than usual.” He scoffed. “I can’t believe we fucking … fuck.” He dropped the last few bites of his dinner and then stood up from the table. “I have some fucking questions for him, too.” 

“We all do.” You ate a fry, glancing over at Frankie before you said anything else. “I just want to ask him what he thought he would gain by attacking me, and how he found the Chaos line.” You gestured toward Frankie. “And why he never thought to tell any of you that he’d found anything in the first place.” 

“I’m staying outside.” Benny paced behind your chair, the sound of the gravel crunching beneath his feet loud in your ears. “I’m going to be right here when this asshole shows up.” 

“Remember you’re not shooting to kill.” Frankie adjusted his hat, looking between you. “You’re trying to get that tranq in him and then distract him so we can get that net over him. We need Tom alive til morning.” Benny nodded and so did you, but Frankie went on. “He’s looking for me. This is between me and him, so -”

“My aim isn’t great.” You let out a long, slow breath. “Frankie, what if I hit you with the dart?” 

“You won’t. I trust you” He smiled. “Pope left us lots of extras, too. So once we’ve got him out and under the net, we’ll have to keep dosing him. The wolf body will try to heal him, and that means absorbing the drug faster than usual.” Benny nodded and sat down again, linking his fingers together on the tabletop. “This is going to work.” 

For a man that was likely only hours away from seriously injuring - and then killing - one of his best friends, Frankie was remarkably calm. You wished that you felt the same. Maybe I need some of that tranquilizer. “Yovanna just posted from the beach.” Frankie held up his phone, smiling. “Look at ‘em.” 

You took the phone and widened your eyes at the picture - the two of them, sand dunes and a sign for a restaurant at their backs. The wind was whipping Yovanna’s long hair, strands of it covering her face - but they looked happy. Alibi secured for them. “I wish I was at the beach.” 

“We’ll go.” Frankie smiled, reaching over to take the phone back. “You an’ me. We’ll ask them where they stayed. Make a weekend of it.” 

“I’d like that.” Covering his hand with yours, you squeezed. I need to tell him. “Frankie can we talk for a minute? Before you start getting ready, I mean. I just …” The look in his eyes changed, going hard for a second, but he agreed. 

You followed him into the RV, so much like you had the first time you’d been there, but that time, he didn’t immediately turn to kiss you when the door shut. Instead, Frankie sat down on the edge of a couch cushion, hands hanging between his knees after he removed his hat. 

“You’re worried about tonight.” You sat next to him, sighing. “What exactly is bothering you?”

“I’m not thrilled about watching you fight someone to the death, Frankie.” You bit your lip, staring down at your feet. “He’s been your friend for how many years? Even if what he’s doing now is  inexcusable, that wasn’t always the case.” He reached over, taking your hand. “I’m worried that I’m going to have to stand there and watch you get hurt because you hesitated for a single second and he didn’t.” 

“I won’t hesitate.” He squeezed, your interlocked fingers flexing with the motion. “You’re not going to have to watch me get hurt.” Frankie said your name and when you looked over at him, you could feel how determined he was, his jaw set and eyes hard. “Tom made his decision the first time he chose to attack someone. He confirmed it when he attacked Alec and Ashley. And he signed his own death warrant the second he fucking touched you.” 

The words made you shiver, but he didn’t waver - or look away. 

“You and I are going home tomorrow morning with Benny. That’s all there is to it.” He finally closed his eyes and inhaled, the man’s mouth lifting briefly at the corners. What’s that about? “It’s going to be ok.” 

“Do you promise?” He nodded, leaning forward and pressing his forehead against yours. “Because I’m kind of looking forward to a hell of a lot more years with you, Francisco. And you need to be around for those.”

“I will be.” He dragged his nose along yours, the hand that you weren’t holding rising up so that it could cradle the back of your head. “Please listen to Benny. Don’t try to jump in and put yourself in danger.” 

“I won’t.” Swallowing, you parted your lips and pressed them to his. “Fuck, I’m scared.” 

“I know.” He kissed you again. “But it’s almost over.” 

He excused himself a minute later to go into the bathroom, and you stood, turning toward the table where all of the supplies were. Might as well start getting ready. You unlocked the lockbox and pulled out the same gun you’d had earlier, checking the bullets before setting it down onto the table. From there, you reached for one of the tranquilizer darts, holding it up and taking a shaky breath. I feel more confident with this than the gun. Slipping a handful of them into the pocket of the hoodie you wore, you picked up the gun again and turned for the door. 

“I’m going outside, Frankie.” You didn’t wait for an answer, stepping through the doorway and out into the fading sunshine. Benny was sitting at the table, phone to his ear. As you approached, you heard him say something about a delayed order, and wondered if he was talking to Will. Another alibi. 

He hung up as you got closer, checking the screen of his phone before he put it down. “Nineteen minutes.” It’s so soon. “As soon as he comes out here, I’ll go in and get what I need. I’m not leaving you alone for a second.” You didn’t think that was necessary, but you nodded in agreement as you sat down, the RV at your back. “You alright?”

“No.” You twisted your fingers together, eyes on the clearing as you answered. “I’m scared for Frankie and for us. I’m worried Tom’s going to pull something out of his ass and figure out how to be two steps ahead. I’m afraid that after Frankie turns into a wolf tonight, I might never get to hear his voice again because -”

“Tom has never been one step ahead of anything on his own in all the years I’ve known him.” Frankie stopped next to you, the blanket wrapped tightly around his shoulders. “He might have a plan, but it won’t be a whole plan because there’s unpredictable shit happening.” He gestured at you and Benny with one finger. “Like you. Like me. Like …” He looked up and at the sky. “Like everything that’s going to happen in the next couple hours.” 

Benny snorted as he headed for the door, leaving you and Frankie alone. I hope he’s still laughing when this is all over.   

Frankie stood in front of you, looking down at where you sat “What?” He stayed quiet, eyeing you, and it only took a few seconds for you to realize that he was staring at you because he wanted a last look. “Francisco?” You rose, taking the few steps necessary to reach him, and then touched his face with your fingertips. “You said it was going to be alright.” 

“I know.” He shook his head slowly. “I just…” Frankie wet his lips and then poked his tongue into his cheek. “You never know.” That was the problem. You knew that Frankie believed he had a good shot at beating Tom and getting answers. You knew that the odds were stacked against Tom, with you and Benny on hand to back Frankie up. But … “If it looks bad… shoot him.” He touched your face, thumb sweeping over your cheekbone. “I know we want answers, but if it means you or Benny get hurt, it’s not worth it.” 

“But -”

“No. No buts. I’m telling you, if things go to shit, kill the bastard.” He locked eyes with you, and you saw actual fear in them. “If you can’t do it, Benny will.” I can shoot him. I will shoot him. “But I want you to listen to me, alright?” He shifted on his feet, straightening his shoulders. “This isn’t gonna be the last time you hear my voice.” Frankie winked at you, and for a few seconds, it was like things were good. “You could never be that lucky.” 

“I’m going to hold you to that.” He nodded, and you reached up to tuck hair behind his ear. “I love you, Francisco.” 

“I love you, too.” The blanket slid down to expose the tops of his shoulders as he adjusted it, and then Frankie’s arms extended so that he could wrap them around you. You leaned into his chest, resting your cheek against it and letting your hands move over his sides and then across his back, feeling the movement of his muscles beneath his skin. 

You knew that your time was winding down, and Frankie would open his mouth to tell you that you needed to step away and let him turn. But we have a minute. We have now. He kissed the top of your head, mumbling that he loved you so goddamn much, and when you squeezed your eyes shut, you had to will yourself not to cry. 

“‘Fish.” You were startled by the sound of Benny’s voice, both of you turning toward it. “Couple minutes.” 

“I know, Benjamin.” You felt it when he spoke - the sound a deep rumble in his chest - as Frankie’s attention focused on his friend. “I can feel it.”  He said your name and you looked up, taking a half step back. “I’m staying in the clearing tonight.” He looked between you and Benny, easing the blanket down so that it only covered his lower body. “I’m not going anywhere unless it’s to chase after him.” 

You nodded, and Benny agreed out loud, but you didn’t look away. Frankie’s muscles began twitching, the movement visible beneath his skin. But wait. You rushed forward, catching him by surprise. “Just be quiet.” He didn’t argue, and when you kissed him, your lips meeting his in a desperate press, he dropped the blanket and crushed you to his body. It was a way for you to say what you couldn’t speak, and you took the opportunity. 

The danger of him beginning to turn as you kissed didn’t matter to you. You licked past his lips and into his mouth, and Frankie’s fingers dug into your hips, holding you in place. I love you so much. You didn’t care that Benny was only a few feet away, or that it would likely be awkward when you and Frankie broke apart. He’ll understand. Stroking his hair, you inhaled through your nose as your mouths stayed busy, trying to memorize the taste of him. Just in case. 

But when Frankie pushed you away roughly, and you stumbled back a few steps, you knew that time was up. “Love… you.” He spoke through gritted teeth, his fingers balled into fists - and you only got a glimpse of his face before he doubled over, shoulders slumping. You didn’t want to, but you stepped back further, only stopping when you felt Benny’s hand on your arm… and you watched Frankie. 

It happened faster than you thought it would, his body’s shape and size changing as he dropped to his knees and then to all fours. He didn’t try to stay quiet, either, his groans and grunts loud, as was his breathing, the sound almost harsh. He yelped, and it made you flinch, briefly closing your eyes. Oh, Frankie. 

That sound turned into a howl, long and low, and when you reopened your eyes, there was a wolf in front of you, his head hung low and his chest expanding rapidly as he tried to catch his breath. “Hey, Francisco.” The smile you gave him was genuine, and in response, Frankie tapped his paws against the ground before straightening up and then heading for you. 

He stopped just in front of where you stood and then sat, looking up. “You smell anything, ‘Fish?” Benny leaned forward, eyes on Frankie. “Any sign of him?” It seemed unlikely that Tom would have been able to get so close so quickly without Frankie noticing, but Benny’s question made sense. Frankie’s head moved back and forth and when he tipped his head further back, nostrils flaring as he scented the wind, you looked away and out at the gathering darkness in the clearing. 

He stood, nudging your leg with his nose before turning and trotting away. You and Benny watched as he circled the perimeter, pausing a few times briefly but never stopping. “Him bein’ calm is a relief.” Benny got comfortable in the chair, and you sat down too, crossing your arms. “He really loves you.” 

“I really love him.” You knew that Frankie could hear you both, but figured that was also a good thing. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not worried.” 

“Would be stupid not to be.” He reached over, settling a hand on your knee. “But ‘Fish has  … we all have been through a lot of shit that’s at least as dangerous as this.” He smiled, reaching up to adjust his backwards ballcap with his free hand. “And you’re here now, so we’re even more ready to deal with it.” You had to laugh at that, Benny’s well-timed joke breaking some of the tension you felt. 

“Thank you, Benny.” Laying your hand on top of his, you squeezed. “I needed that.” Both of you went quiet as Frankie made his way back and then plopped down in front of you, crossing his front paws and resting his snout on the ground. “Now … we wait.”

---

[val00r]

Frankie, Draculaura, Clawdeen and Cleo as college students.

[teamghoulstudiosmx]

monster high GX project - G3 height comparison with GX

A comparison of the heights of G3 with GX

The versions of Monster High G3 will be used for an episode where the ghouls of the GX universe will help them with a problem with a kaiju

[yandere-wishes]

Monster High Taglist

It's going to be a while before this fic is out. But you guys know the drill. Let me know in the comments if you want to be tagged.

[xfangs]

more mh doodles. visting my family and they only had pink n purple thick markers