#werewolf frankie

[something-tofightfor]

Liminaliy: Part 16

Pairing: Frankie Morales x Female Reader

Word Count: 11,975 (it's a big one.)

Rating: I'm going to go with an M. This is a heavy chapter with very heavy themes. Included: violence, blood, gore, injury, death.

Summary: Waiting at the RV for Tom gives you a chance to focus on every possible thing that might happen.

And when things come to a head, it all moves so much more quickly than you anticipate - but hey, at least you finally get some answers... right?

Author’s note:

It's the February full moon tonight, so what better day than to post this chapter? I've been looking forward to this one for a long time. There's only a little more to go in this story - the end of it is so close I can SEE it. Thank you so much for reading along up to this point, I hope you enjoy this one.

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

“It’s after midnight, Benny.” You checked your phone with one hand, the fingers of the other buried in the fur on the back of Frankie’s neck. “He’s just fucking with us now.” Frankie sighed, looking up at you from where his head rested in your lap. “Maybe he’s not coming. Maybe it was all just to put us on edge.” 

“Nah, it was a threat.” Benny stood, stretching both arms above his head. “This ends tonight one way or the other.” He began to pace in front of you, hands sliding into his pockets. “I’m guessing he couldn’t figure out how to get outta that conference early and had to cut it real close with making it back here before sundown.” Benny stopped moving, scanning the treeline. “He wouldn’t be able to sneak up on us. Not with ‘Fish’s nose, so he’d need to figure something else out.” Frankie whined at that but didn’t make any attempt to get up. 

When, after an hour or so had passed and Tom hadn’t shown his face, you stood to stretch your legs and do a lap around the clearing, Frankie had immediately followed, walking beside you - and between you and the treeline. And when you’d chosen to fold the blanket up and sit on it instead of getting back into your chair, he’d dropped down beside you, turning his head to rest it on your knee. 

Neither of you had moved after, and you would have been lying if you’d said that having him so close while a wolf wasn’t comforting. When Benny had excused himself to use the bathroom, leaving you and Frankie in the quiet darkness, you’d started to pet the wolf, fingers stroking along the top of his head. It soothed you, and when you started talking quietly, you hoped your words did the same for him. 

“It’s got to be killing you not to run.” You took a deep breath. “But you’re saving your energy. And Tom won’t be able to do that.” He whined again in response, the sound quick. “I’m glad you’re here with me. I’m glad you trust me to do this.” Bending forward, you kissed him between the ears. “You really are beautiful this way, Francisco. I hope you know that.” You sat up, the sound of the RV door opening again drawing your attention - and breaking the moment. “Have you heard from anyone else, Benny? Pope or Will or Yova?” 

“No. All quiet. I think they’re waiting to hear from me.” He crouched down in front of you, clearing his throat. “Maybe you want to take another look around, hmm? Go out a couple yards into the trees and do a circle around us?” Frankie raised his head, staring at his friend. “Can’t hurt, right?” 

To your surprise, Frankie stood and stretched, turning back to look at you - and then opened his mouth, extending his tongue to lick the side of your face. It made you laugh, but before you could say anything, he was trotting away from you and back toward the trees, head held high. 

“It’s weird tonight.” You both watched as he disappeared into the night, leaving you behind. “Last time, when Tom showed up, the bugs and animals went quiet. Tonight, they’re already quiet because Frankie’s here.” 

“I don’t know what the fuck we’re going to do if he doesn’t show up.” Benny whispered the words, purposely trying to keep his voice down. “I figured he’d be here by now.” Me too. “Will’s wife is safe, she’s in the city. And Pope and Yova are too far away for him to find.” You nodded. “The bar’s too busy and too public, so he won’t go there. Carmen and Becca … Lakeland’s on the way between Tampa and Orlando, but I really don’t think…” 

“He wouldn’t. Benny, he… The Chaos line they don’t… kids are off limits. I don’t think I remember ever reading anything about -” But Tom didn’t seem to care who he attacked, and you were a prime example of that. And that’s terrifying. 

Frankie returned, yipping softly to let you know it was him, and when he sat in front of you, he jerked his head back and forth twice. Nothing. Where the fuck are you, Tom? “Worth a shot to look.” Benny lowered his head, pulling his hat off and resituating it. “Hey.” He looked over at you, and then pointed at the RV door. “Do you need to go inside?” You did - and agreed, pushing to your feet and taking the few steps over to the door before pulling it open.

Benny had turned the TV on, the volume low while a movie played. Smart. You didn’t turn the lights on, and after doing what you needed to, you opened the refrigerator, reaching for one of the cans inside. Caffeine will be good. I need - 

Your thoughts were interrupted as Frankie’s low growl filtered in through the window, followed by the crunch of gravel. Something’s happening. Drink forgotten, you broke for the door and went back outside to find Benny standing with one hand at his hip, fingers hovering over the butt of the gun there. 

Frankie was crouched low, his tail puffy as he faced the far trees - the same ones Tom had emerged from the previous month… and then you heard it, a low, ominous howl that carried on the breeze. “He’s here.” Your hand went to your waist, too, and you pulled out the tranquilizer gun, making sure it was loaded before lifting and pointing it. “Benny, wh-”

“Where is he, ‘Fish? I can’t see ‘im.” Benny stepped forward, using the RV to protect his back. “In front? Behind? Side? Where the fuck is…” The howl came again, and at the sound, Frankie growled - that one louder than the first one, and lingering in his throat as he inched forward. His head moved back and forth as he searched in the darkness, and then without warning, Frankie took off, running for the trees and disappearing into them, leaving you and Benny behind. “What the fuck?” Benny took a few more steps, eyes on where the wolf had gone. “Why did -”

“He’s got to get Tom out of the trees.” You winced as you heard the snapping of branches and the rustling of leaves, eyes darting back and forth as you searched the darkness. “He’s forcing an attack and taking away the element of surprise.” Benny swore, and even though your heart was racing, you felt calm. More than I should, anyway. “If -”

The rustling turned to snarling, and then that turned into the distinct sound of fighting - barks and yelps accompanied by crashing noises, the sounds getting louder by the second. “They’re coming back. They -” Benny swore again as both of them tumbled through the tree line and into the clearing, teeth bared in snarls. 

Your hands wavered when you saw the size difference. 

Tom was much larger than Frankie, his jaws snapping as the two fought. They were a mess of fur and limbs as they moved toward you, and you realized that even though Frankie was focused on Tom, he was also consciously making the effort to bring him closer, giving you and Benny clearer shots. 

Stepping away from Benny and giving yourself a different angle, you took a deep breath and tried to focus, watching as the fight raged on. Realistically, there’d need to be more than one dart used. Tom was big, and the more of the drug you got into the system, the better off you’d be. 

You winced as Tom snapped his jaws and almost got a mouthful of Frankie’s neck, but the longer the fight played out, the more you realized that even though Tom was bigger, Frankie was faster - and much more confident in his movement. Good. You inched closer, waiting for your shot. 

Frankie lunged, catching Tom by surprise, and moments later, the two wolves were rolling over the ground, Frankie’s jaws locked around one of Tom’s legs. They came to a stop with Tom on top, and though the fighting - and snapping - continued, Frankie didn’t try to get back up. He’s giving us a shot. 

You aimed, took a breath and then fired as you let it out, the sound of the gun surprising you - and echoed moments later by a shot from Benny. One of the darts hit - and stuck - though you didn’t know whose it was, but the interruption didn’t phase Tom. They continued to fight, even as Benny fired again, swearing as the dart went wide. “I’m out! I need to reload!” You swore, flexing your fingers, and then fired again, too, that dart making contact and sticking out of Tom’s back. Thank God.

But he didn’t stop attacking Frankie, and you could see that the smaller wolf was getting tired, even if he was still holding his own. Glancing over at Benny, you watched as he grabbed for more darts - but your attention went back to the wolves as you heard Frankie howl in pain. 

Tom’s jaws were locked around Frankie’s neck, but he wasn’t biting hard - despite Frankie struggling. You acted without thinking, dropping the gun before rushing forward as you reached into your pocket for the extra darts. “Tom! Let him go, you shitbag!” 

Both wolves froze at the sound of your voice, and you heard Benny yell for you to back off - but you stood your ground, hand in your pocket and your fingers wrapped around the dart barrels. Shoot him, Benny. Fucking shoot him. I gave you time, what are you waiting for. 

Frankie moved first, attempting to twist out of Tom’s hold but couldn’t. The other wolf clamped down and then jerked his head back and forth, shaking Frankie before letting go. You watched him fly across the clearing, eyes following the movement as you cried out. Your body moved forward without thinking, even though there was no way to get to Frankie unless you passed Tom. 

Tom turned his attention in your direction, launching himself at you - and rather than fear, you only felt resignation. At least Benny will be able to get him. But before Tom got too close, you saw a red dot at the center of his chest, and your brows knit in confusion. What’s that from? Moments later, another cluster of darts landed there, sticking out of the dark fur. What? 

That was the last thought you had before he collided with you, knocking you to the ground. 

Your head bounced as you hit, but there was no time to think about it, the weight of Tom’s wolf settling atop you. You heard screaming but didn’t know where it was coming from, and as you kicked at Tom, trying to reenact what you’d done the previous month, you reached up and stabbed him in the side of the neck with the handful of darts, opening your mouth to scream in rage as you made contact. Take that you fuck. There was a sharp pain in your shoulder, and then his weight was gone, the sound of growling loud in your ears as you laid there, dazed.   

What the fuck just … Attempting to push yourself upright, you hissed as you put weight on your left hand, and were stunned to see that Benny and Will were running across the clearing, carrying the net to where Frankie and Tom were still fighting - the two wolves rolling around in the gravel. Will? I’m seeing things, I … 

“Oh, sweetheart.” You gasped as a pair of arms went around you from behind, and when you looked up, you saw Pope’s face, his eyes filled with concern. “Any one of us coulda told you thatt trying to be the hero’s a really fucking stupid idea.” 

“P…Pope?” Your voice was shaky, but you continued. “How are you … why are you…” 

“Not now.” He glanced up, and then looked back at you, reaching down to unzip your hoodie. “Need to get this off of you, alright?” You nodded, the small movement making your head throb. When you lifted your arm to pull it free from the sleeve, you were alarmed to see blood on it. Is that mine?

“I’m bleeding.” Where is it coming from? You felt fear coursing through you, but you kept your eyes on the ruined material, head shaking back and forth in disbelief at the sight of the tattered garment. Why is it ripped? “Pope, I -”

“It’s alright.” He tossed it to the side and then reached down, pulling off his own shirt and folding it, the man using both hands to press it against your shoulder. “It’s alright, you’re going to be alright, you -”

“He bit me.” You looked down, watching as the blood began to seep through the cotton. “Didn’t he. Pope, he -” What if I turn? What if I turn now and I hurt him? Or one of  - “Get away from me.” You pushed against him with one hand, weakly trying to fight him off as tears began to leak from your eyes. “Pope if he bit me, I might -”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He wound an arm around you and used the weight of your body against his chest to hold the fabric against your skin. “And neither are you. I’ve got you. You’re with me, alright? Look. Look at them. Focus on them.” 

You finally looked out and saw that Tom and Frankie were circling each other, the larger wolf clearly exhausted and beginning to succumb to the drugs in his system. He tripped but recovered, rearing back as Frankie lunged and snapped his jaws. Tom landed awkwardly, stumbling forward - and then he toppled over, giving Will and Benny a chance to drape the net over him. 

He growled, the sound weak, but didn’t make any attempt to move. Got him. After one final look at Tom, Frankie turned in your direction. He snarled and sprang into action, crossing the distance to you and then skidding to a stop. He growled, his gold eyes blazing, but Pope didn’t flinch. “‘Fish, I -”

Frankie growled again and you reached out with your right hand, waiting for him to push his nose against your palm. His muzzle was covered in blood but you didn’t care, and as soon as he made contact, you started crying harder. He’s ok. 

“I need to see it, Pope.” Glancing up, you saw that Will had made his way over from where Tom was trapped, his arms hanging loosely by his sides. “I need to see how bad it is.” Yeah, I need to know too. Straightening up, you winced when the pressure lessened and sucked in a breath as Pope pulled the t-shirt away from your shoulder, exposing the wound. “Oh, fuck.” 

Will swore, covering his face with both hands. It’s bad. All you could do was stare at Frankie, trying to figure out how worried you needed to be based on his reaction. You watched as he sat down on his haunches and then tipped his head back before letting out a howl that was filled with so much anguish it sent a fresh round of tears streaming down your face. It echoed through the clearing, and you felt Pope flinch at the sound of it. Ok, so it’s really bad.

Letting your hand drop back into your lap, you took a deep breath and then looked up at Will. Shit.  “Maybe sometime I’ll come out here and not get hurt.” He cracked a smile, jerking his thumb at the RV. 

“Maybe. I’ll go get the first aid kit, alright? Then we’ll get you cleaned up.” Pope shifted behind you as Will walked away, and when you stayed upright, he got up, too, moving to stand in front of you.  

“When Ironhead comes back out here, we’ll get you over to the picnic table.” Pope reached up, using the hand that wasn’t bloody to rub at the back of his neck. “Did you bring other clothes? We’re going to have to cut that shirt off, and -”

“Inside.” Swallowing around a lump in your throat, you closed your eyes. “There’s a couple of them in my bag.” He nodded, opening his mouth to say something else but you cut him off. “Go inside, Pope. Wash your hands. It’s fine. If… If Tom tried anything, I think Benny would - “

“If this asshole so much as moves an ear, it’ll be the last goddamn thing he does.” Benny looked over, and even in the dim light, you could see the sadness in his expression. “You alright?” No. “Stupid fucking question, I know. But -” 

Pope followed Will inside, and that left you with Frankie, whose head was bowed, making it possible for him to avoid looking at you. You looked down at your shoulder, eyeing the wounds. I don’t want to look at it, either. 

They were still bleeding freely, streams of red running down your skin and dripping onto your pants and the ground. It hurt - the pain a dull ache that radiated through your arm and the left side of your body. It’s going to hurt worse tomorrow. Moving it slowly, you bent your arm at the elbow and pressed your forearm against your belly. I need to keep it from moving. 

“Francisco. If I was going to turn tonight, I would have already, right?” Frankie finally looked up, meeting your eyes. His were still gold, but there was so much of him in them that it made you gasp. “Right?” 

His head moved up and down once, and though it was confirmation, it didn’t give you any real relief. It just means I have a month to sit and wait. Frankie whined, leaning forward to nudge at your uninjured arm with his head. You lifted that hand, stroking the side of his face. There’s nothing he can do right now and it’s got to be killing him. 

“I want you to take these.” Will appeared again, holding out two circular tablets. “Pain pills. Might make you a little loopy for a couple hours, but your arm can’t feel good and it’ll help me do what I need to do.” You took them and then Will reached into the bag he carried and pulled out a bottle of water. “I’ll help you.” He knelt down in front of you, and to your surprise, Frankie growled again, moving closer to where you sat - almost like he was going to put himself between you and Will. “‘Fish, you -”

“Frankie, it’s fine. He’s just …” You pushed your shoulders back, wincing at the way your skin pulled. “He’s trying to help. Stop growling at him.” He curled his lip but did as you asked, staying put - and quiet - while you put the pills in your mouth and Will lifted the bottle to your lips. You took it from him, tipping your head back as you swallowed. 

“How’s your head feel? You’re bleeding from there, too, I think.” Will took the water and set the bottle down after recapping it. “Let me check.” He reached for you, carefully turning your head back and forth as his fingers prodded gently at your hair. “You are bleeding, but it’s not a lot.” He sighed. “I’m going to help you up. We’re going to walk to the table, and then I’m going to clean your shoulder. It’s not going to feel good.” 

“Pope’s getting me a new shirt.” You gestured to yours. “I don’t think I’ll be able to wear this one again.” The corner of his mouth twitched, but Will didn’t speak as he stood, waiting for you to shift your position so that you were kneeling. He reached out for you, using one large hand to grip your good elbow, and then steadied you with his other hand at your waist, helping to pull you to your feet. 

You swayed as a wave of dizziness hit, stumbling forward as Will caught you. “I’ve got you.” He spoke quietly, the words barely audible over a whine from Frankie. “Can you walk? It’s just a couple feet.” You thought so and told him as much. As Pope reemerged from the RV, you eased into a sitting position on the picnic table’s bench, your back pressed to the edge of the tabletop.

“Do you need me over here, Ironhead? If not, I’m gonna go over with -”

“Why are you here?” You took a long breath as Will unzipped the first aid kit, reaching for scissors. “How are you here? Yova posted the -”

“Will and I got here this morning. He’s been up in the blind, and I was on top of the RV.” Pope shrugged. “Hid our scent using the same shit hunters do, and we just hoped Tom would think whatever he could smell was lingering from when we were here before.” He smiled. “Yova and I went to St. Augustine a couple weeks ago and took that. She’s there now, and so is my phone, so it’ll be like I was there, too.” 

Frankie had moved to sit beside you, paws settled neatly in front of his body as he watched the three of you talk. “We needed clear shots at him.” Will spoke as he started to cut at your shirt, the scissors sliding easily through the thin material. “I never had one because they were fighting. Pope got one when he came toward you.” 

“I got him with a couple darts, too.” You winced as he peeled the cotton from your skin. “I hope there’s enough left to keep him sedated until morning.”

“There is.” Pope patted his pocket. “I’m going over with Benny so we can keep an eye on that.” You nodded and he turned away, walking slowly across the clearing and leaving you with Frankie and Will, who was getting things ready from the kit. 

“I’m sorry you have to keep bandaging me up.” You buried your fingers in Frankie’s fur, fingers curling tightly as Will began to wipe the blood away. Ow. “Can’t imagine this is what you want to be doing, so -”

“Not your fault.” He set bloody towels into a plastic container, sighing. “And I’m just glad I am here to do this for you, because as much as I love my little brother, he would have done a shit job.” He was quiet as he got back to work, and you focused your attention on Benny and Pope, the two circling slowly around the body of the wolf beneath the net. 

“How bad is it?” Tilting your head away from your injured arm, you closed your eyes. “Do you need to stitch it, or -”

“Shouldn’t suture puncture wounds.” Will prodded gently at your skin, urging you to lean forward. “Traps the bacteria inside and makes infection more likely, even if we clean it.” Oh. “And … I won’t lie to you. He got you good. Couple of these marks will probably scar bad.” He touched your back again. “I think he hit bone here. Might actually have to stitch that one up, it’s more of a tear…” He sighed again. “Tom bit you. He bit you while in wolf form, and -”

“I know what that means.” You blinked back tears again. “I don’t think I’ll turn tonight. I asked Frankie and he -”

“It probably needs some time to work through your body.” Will began to clean your wounds and you hissed at the sting of it, though you assumed that with the drugs in your system, the pain was much less severe than it could have been. “I wish I could tell you that because you didn’t turn tonight, you wouldn’t, but …”

“I know.” You opened your eyes again, watching as Benny leaned over Tom and gave him another dose. “I guess I’m just in wait and see mode until next month, but …” 

“He’s such an asshole.” Will wiped at the front of your shoulder, more bloody towels joining the others moments later. “I can’t believe he -”

“I can.” You weren’t gripping Frankie’s fur anymore, instead you were petting him, the soft hair between his ears slipping along your palm. “He’s miserable. And he had to know that I wouldn’t die from this, so he wanted me to have to deal with it for the rest of my life.” Absently, you swiped at your face, wiping the tears away. “What if because he bit me, I turn into one of them? An asshole wolf from an asshole line, and -”

“We won’t let you.” Will sighed. “‘Fish certainly won’t let you. And I don’t think you would let yourself do that, either. If Frankie was able to keep himself under control without help from another wolf for years, I think you can do it with all of our help.” 

“You didn’t sign up for this, Will. You and Benny and Pope have your own lives and families, and -”

“You’re with ‘Fish. You’re part of that family, wolf or not.” It floored you - he spoke with such certainty, the admission matter of fact in a way that shouldn’t have surprised you from someone like him who clearly valued the people he was close to. “Now I need you to lean forward. It’s cleaned up, but I want to stitch some of it before I use antiseptic, and the part that needs stitches is low.” You did as he asked, Will reminding you to relax as much as possible. 

He started stitching moments later, and even though it hurt, it was more of a background pain than anything else. “Frankie.” You hummed his name, fingers trailing over his fur. “You should go and get this blood off of you.” He got up, turning to face you, and then cocked his head to the side. “Your face. It’s…” Wait. “Is that yours? Are you bleeding?” You scanned the area where he’d been sitting, and only saw a few drops on the ground. “Are you OK? He threw you through the -”

He whined, tossing his head back and forth before he turned in a slow circle in front of you. No wounds. “He heals pretty quick like that.” Will cleared his throat. “His body’s real resilient.” Frankie sat again, looking between you and Will. “But she’s right. You should take a minute and go clean up, otherwise when you turn back, you’re going to be covered in blood.” 

He didn’t want to leave you - you could tell in the way he sat, his attention unwavering. But he needs to. “It’s fine, Frankie. Go. There’s a creek close by, right?. He whined, pawing at the ground. “I’ll be here when you get back, and Will will be done, and -” He stepped forward and rubbed against your knees, and then spun away and trotted toward Benny and Pope. He paused long enough to growl at Tom and then broke into a run, disappearing through the trees. 

“I’m almost done.” Will trailed his fingers over your skin, voice low. “Some of these are really deep, so they’ll probably keep oozing for a while. But I’m going to bandage it all for you. We’ll change them as needed, but definitely tomorrow when we get back home.” You nodded, staring off into the distance. “Now that he’s not here, how bad is it?”

“It fucking hurts.” You took a deep breath and sat up straight when you felt his touch disappear. You couldn’t see all of your wound, but you could see enough to know that it wasn’t pretty. “I need you to take pictures of it. I need to be able to show -”

“I already did.” He chuckled, nudging you with his elbow. “While you were talking to Pope. Used a burner so that there’s no real evidence of it just in case, but …” He sighed. “I’ll take more now that it’s all cleaned up.” He stood up and took photos - from the front and the back, before setting the phone down on the table. “Antiseptic, bandage and then we’ll get you dressed again. How’s that sound?” 

“Good.” Looking up at him, you managed a smile, too. “I can’t say I’m too happy that I’ve been sitting here in just a bra for twenty minutes. Frankie’s probably not too thrilled, either.” 

“Luckily for him - and for you, I am happily married.” He began to smear the antiseptic over your skin, the gel cold. “But this had to be done, otherwise it would have gotten infected for sure.” He wiped his hand on a clean towel and then reached for bandages. “I’m going to need you to hold the front of this in place while I tape it down, alright?” 

You did as he asked, fingers gingerly pressing against the surface of the covering while Will secured it. And when he stretched it up and over your shoulder, you lowered your hand back into your lap. “I’d do it again, even knowing I’d get bitten.” 

“What?” Will set the tape down, taking off his gloves and sticking them in with the rest of the trash. “Tonight, you mean?” “Yeah.” You eyed the trees, waiting for Frankie to come back. “Protecting him was … instinct. Getting Tom’s attention was the only thing that was going to keep him from going after Frankie again, and since I had the darts, I …” I think I knew what was coming. “I knew what a risk it was, but it didn’t matter.”

“He’s not going to see it that way.” Will murmured the words, leaning in so he could talk quietly. “He’s going to blame himself for not being able to take him down on his own.” I know. “No way in hell he could ever believe you don’t love him now, though.” Will leaned in, kissing the top of your head. “Come on, let me help you get this shirt on, and then we’ll get you inside, so -” “No.” You stood, wobbling again on unsteady legs. “You can help me get dressed, but I’m staying out here.” 

Will didn’t argue with you, but after a few minutes of trying to get you into the new shirt, it became painfully obvious that putting it on the right way wasn’t an option. He used a clean pair of scissors to cut up the side of it - and through the sleeve - and that was enough. The material settled into place, and then with the help of a few large safety pins, he secured the side so that it wasn’t flapping. 

That done, he reached into the kit and pulled out a sling, situating it on your shoulder and easing your arm into it. “It’s probably overkill, but anything you can do to keep it from moving right now will be good.” You nodded, still feeling woozy and a little lightheaded. “Are you cold?” 

“No.” It surprised you - the night air was chilly enough that the sweatshirt had made things comfortable, but the thought of putting another one on made you frown. It’s adrenaline. Or… maybe it’s the wolf. “I’m fine, but thank you.” You put a hand on his chest, saying his name. “Thank you, Will. For taking care of me. For keeping a level head. For being such a good goddamn friend to Frankie and to me and -”

“I’d hug you, but you’re injured.” He smiled, the expression sad. “You’re welcome, though.” He gestured to the RV. “I’m going to go inside and clean up. And then I’m going to come back out here and light a fire to burn this shit.” He pointed at the bucket. “Your pants should probably go in there, too, but if you don’t want to do that, I understand. 

“No, I need to.” Rubbing at the bridge of your nose, you sighed. “Help me inside, Will.” 

Ten minutes later, you were dressed in a new pair of sweatpants the old ones were well on their way to becoming ash. 

Frankie had returned while you were inside with Will, and when you’d stepped back outside, he was waiting for you, his clean muzzle resting on his paws as he eyed the door. He stood as you passed him, staying close by as you made your way over to where Tom was, Pope and Benny seated on camp chairs and staring down at the ground. 

“Will get you taken care of?” Benny fidgeted with his hat as he questioned you, his eyes darting back and forth between you and Tom. “Do you want to sit? You can have my chair, I’ll stand. Can’t promise I’m not going to kick this motherfucker in the head a few times, though, and -”

“Benny.” Pope held up a hand. “Cool it.” Benny’s mouth snapped shut, and despite the seriousness of the situation, the urge to laugh was strong. 

“No, I don’t want your chair. I’ll sit on the ground.” You yawned and then frowned. “What time is it? I didn’t even check my phone.” 

“A little after 3.” Will walked up behind you and draped a new blanket over your shoulders. “Just about four hours until the sun starts to come up.” There’s no way I’m going to make it that long. “Those pills are probably making you tired.” He pressed his lips together, narrowing his eyes. “Your eyes were alright before, so I don’t think you have a concussion. You can sleep if you want.” 

“I’m staying out here. I want to be here when he wakes up.” But sitting down would be nice. Reaching out, you braced yourself on Will’s arm and then began to lower yourself toward the ground. He followed your lead immediately, only moving away once you were settled - but then Frankie sat next to you, tilting his head so that he could touch it to yours. “It’s alright, Frankie. I’m just tired. I -” You yawned again, opening your eyes to his paw on one of your knees. “What?” 

He spun in a circle and then laid down, positioning his body so that he was facing Tom. Does he want me to lay down, too? The thought was appealing - you figured he’d be comfortable, and so with the other guys watching, you eased yourself down so that you were able to rest your head against his side. Frankie whined quietly as you settled in, but didn’t make any effort to move. 

The others started talking after a few minutes, but you just stared forward, eyeing the slow rise and fall of Tom’s chest as he breathed. 

You knew that you were likely in shock. You knew that everything happening so quickly had almost definitely kept you from dwelling on the severity of your situation.You were focused on Tom - and on finding out why he’d made the choices that he had. And when that’s done, I’ll have time to think about what he did to me… and what it means. 

But Frankie’s deep, even breathing and the presence of the painkillers in your system distracted you even more, and only minutes later, your eyes closed and you slipped into sleep. 

— 

You woke when Frankie moved, his head turning so that the could nudge you with it. And you woke to pain, your eyes opening to the early morning twilight accompanied with a wince. “Ow.” It all came back at once - the attack, the capture of Tom, the way Will had taken care of you. And the way Frankie protected me while I was sleeping. 

“Will went inside to get you more painkillers.” Pope spoke up. “Sunup’s soon. You slept for -”

“Hours.” Using your right hand, you pushed upright. “How the fuck did I …” 

“Adrenaline wore off.” Benny sniffed, nose wrinkling. “You’re hurt. The pain pills… all of it together?” He met your eyes. “I’d fall asleep, too.” 

He was probably right. And even though you were still in pain, the hours of rest had helped - at least with clearing your head. “Thank you for letting me sleep. You’ve all been awake for hours, though, and -”

“I napped in the blind.” Will handed you medication, and then took a seat next to you, holding a bottle of water. “Benny slept the fuck in today. And Pope slept for a couple hours on top of that RV, too.” You swallowed the pills, still eyeing the unconscious man in front of you. “We’re all good.” But what about Frankie? 

He sat all the way up, his ears going back, and you wondered what he was sensing - something in one of you or in Tom, though you didn’t ask. “If you say so.” The blanket slid to the ground as you rubbed at your eyes, thinking. “What next?” You took another drink of the water, gesturing at Tom with the bottle. “Do you think he’ll wake up as soon as he turns back? Or -”

“Donno.” Benny shrugged. “But as soon as he’s conscious, he’s got it coming.” Frankie’s answering growl chilled you, but you didn’t disagree. 

You sat in silence as the light continued to brighten, though it was dimmed thanks to cloud cover, and when Frankie moved again, it was to stand - turning around and picking up your blanket in his teeth. He’s about to turn back. “Clothes are by the table, ‘Fish.” Will sighed. “Go do what you need to do.” He hesitated, but then walked away, dragging the blanket behind him. 

Only a minute or two later, you heard him whimpering, the sounds turning into human-leaning groans and grunts. Part of you was happy you couldn’t see what was happening that time, because you knew that as soon as he was human again, Frankie would be in anguish. And I don’t know how I’ll respond. 

You didn’t have long to wait. He was by your side again rapidly, dropping down onto his knees as he reached for you with both hands, cradling your face between them. “I am so fucking sorry.” He swallowed, head shaking back and forth. “I should have stopped him. I should have taken him the fuck down. I -”

“I did what I did.” Reaching up, you ran your fingers through his curls. “It was worth it, Francisco.”

“You won’t be saying that next month.” He blinked, a few tears coursing down his cheeks. “I failed. I fuc-”

“He’s changing.” Pope’s tone was urgent, and at his words, you and Frankie turned your attention to Tom. Oh, shit. Frankie helped you to your feet and then stood with one arm around you, both of you a safe distance from where the half-man, half-wolf Tom laid. 

The others rose, too, Benny holding one of the guns in his hand, and Will’s hand hovering over his hip. “Pope, I need you to come here.” Frankie called for his friend, and moments later, they’d switched places. It felt odd to have his arm around you, but you understood why it was happening when Frankie approached Tom, bending over to rip the net off of him. He grunted, the silver still irritating his skin even as a human. 

When Tom was uncovered, the transformation happened faster - pale skin reemerging and his limbs lengthening, though there was no indication he was actually awake. “Can we cover him?” You muttered the words, rolling your eyes.”Last thing I want to see is Tom naked.” Pope actually snorted, but it was Benny that moved, the man crouching down and then flinging a piece of fabric at Tom. Boxers. It’s boxers. 

None of you spoke after that, just waiting, and you felt the anger in you growing by the second. You were angry for what he’d done to you, but you were almost more upset at the betrayal of his friends. After everything they went through. “Wake the fuck up, Redfly.” Frankie stepped forward, lashing out with one foot. “Get up.” You didn’t know if it would work, because you didn’t know how recently he’d gotten a dose of the tranquilizer. But they would have backed off close to sunrise. 

Shifting your weight, you leaned against Pope, trying to ignore the dull ache in your shoulder. They’d removed all of the darts from Tom’s body while he slept, and there was no indication that there’d been a fight earlier - except for  the blood smeared across parts of his skin. “Is the bite on his side?” You tried to angle your head to see it, but couldn’t from your position. “Benny?”

“Sure fuckin’ is.” He stepped forward, too, the gun still drawn. “Right fucking there.” Benny froze when Tom’s arm twitched, and you held your breath as his leg joined it, Frankie’s posture stiffening briefly. Here we fucking go. 

Tom groaned, moving one hand to his face and rubbing at his forehead. “Don’t even -”

“I’m not going to fucking try anything. I know you’ve got fuckin’ guns on me, Cat.” Frankie’s lip curled, but Tom kept going. “Do I get to put pants on, or are we going to have this conversation like this?”

“You get a pair of underwear and that’s only because I don’t want you to try and justify any of this shit with your dick in my face.” Tom reached for the fabric and you looked away as he pulled the material on and up his legs. He kept his eyes averted, and when they were in place, he drew his knees up, resting his arms atop them. “Talk.” 

“What the fuck do you want me to say?” Tom looked between all of you, his gaze lingering on you. “You know what I did. You know what I am. You -”

“Why?” You spat the word out, gesturing to yourself. “Why the fuck did you do this? To me? To Alec? To all of the other goddamn people you’ve attacked?” 

“Who the fuck is Alec?” Tom cocked his head to the side, obviously confused. “That name wasn’t in any of the …” He laughed, licking his lips as it clicked. “The one with the wolf.” 

“My cousin.” You snarled the words out, straightening up. “My cousin and the mother of his fucking child.” He hadn’t expected that - and even though you knew Frankie had a lot of things to say, you kept going. “My family has been looking for a wolf in the Chaos line for years. So how the hell did you manage to find one and convince them to turn you, Tom?” 

“Your family? How do you know what the line is called? Who the fuck are …” He trailed off. “Are you goddamn hunters? Not doing a great job of that, if you and your cousin are both fucking the wolves you were looking for.” It would have made you laugh if you weren’t so angry, but instead it just ignited the rage in you more. 

“We weren’t just looking for wolves, you asshole. We were looking for the Chaos line, and it led me straight here. To you.” 

“Why, Redfly?” Frankie planted his feet, arms crossed over his chest. “Why the fuck did you do this? After we came back from South America, we had a plan, and you just …” He scoffed. “You just decided to say fuck it and get yourself bitten so that you could go on a goddamn rampage across the state?” 

“I found wolves a couple months after we got home.” Tom stared at Frankie, his breathing deep. “Real fuckin’ easy when you have money and spend all day online at work.” He looked over at the others, rolling his eyes at the way Benny was pointing the gun at him. “You really gonna shoot me, Ben?” Tom laughed. “You wouldn’t.”

“You wanna bet?” Benny took a slow breath. “I just have a lot of shit I want to hear you say before it happens.” Damn straight. “Keep fucking talking.” 

“It took a hell of a lot of convincing, but after a while, they finally…” He reached over, settling his hand on the bite mark. “You don’t appreciate what this is, ‘Fish.” He smiled, the expression turning your stomach. “I feel so fucking strong. Powerful. People fucking respect me again, and -”

“No they don’t.” You stepped forward. “Nobody respects you, Tom. You hurt people. You killed people.” You pointed at your shoulder. “You fucking bit me, and -”

“Now you get to see how great this is.” 

“She didn’t fucking want to.” Frankie inched closer, his tone filled with rage. “Just like I didn’t fucking want to. This isn’t a gift, Tom. None of the people you hurt wanted it, either. They were just -”

“Wrong place, wrong time.” Tom shifted his weight, his smile growing. “That’s one of the things the woman who bit me made me understand.” He rolled his neck, letting out a sigh that turned into a satisfied groan. “For that one night a month, I am a fucking God. People should be afraid of me… of us, ‘Fish. And if you just let yourself be what you are…. Fuck. Don’t you miss it? Don’t you miss the way we felt while we were enlisted? The way we could -”

“No.” Frankie straightened his shoulders, his voice unwavering. “I don’t. I don’t miss hurting people or intimidating people or acting like a piece of shit.” It had started raining as they talked, a fine mist falling through the tree limbs above you, and you shivered. Of course it’s raining.

“Oh, get off your fucking high horse.” Tom pushed to his feet, and you could feel the others tense up, though they all stayed in place. “Acting like you’re better than me after all the shit you did. After all that coke and losing your license, and -” Frankie moved first, one arm shooting out, fingers bent into a fist. He made contact with Tom’s jaw, the sound an audible crack even from a distance. “Wasn’t expecting that.” Tom rubbed his cheek, giving Frankie a lopsided smirk. 

“Does Molly know?” Will cut in, diverting Tom’s attention. “Does Tessa know? Are they aware that you’re -”

“No.” He spun toward the older Miller, his eyes wide. “No they have no fucking idea, and that’s how it’s going to stay.” One question answered. “Just like they have no idea about South America. I don’t make it a habit of telling everyone my secrets just because I’m sleeping next to them.” 

It was a low blow - and you all knew it, but Frankie still took the bait. “Well that’s another way we’re different. I think the person I’m sleeping next to should know all of my secrets.” Tom’s laugh was loud, and you heard Pope swear from next to you, the hand on your back pushing a little more firmly. “What was your plan, Tom? For tonight, I mean. Were you going to kill all three of us and then just go back to your life?”

“No.” He turned to look at you. “I was going to make her watch me kill you and then bite her so she’d have to live through it without you.”

“You think I would have just let that fucking happen?” Benny’s hand shook but he didn’t lower the gun. “Kill my best friend and hurt someone else I care about and then just run off? Fuck that. Fuck you.” 

“You’ve been holding? that gun on me for I don’t even know how long. If you were going to shoot me, you would have done it already.” Tom’s head swiveled to Will and then to Pope, his brow arched. “None of you have the balls to fuck with me. How many times have I saved your ass since we met? How many times have I carried the entire fucking mission? In South America, I -”

“You’re the reason I got bitten.” Frankie cleared his throat. “You insisted we take all that extra money. You wouldn’t let us get rid of it when I said we needed to. You’re the one that pulled the trigger first on those guys in the village.” Frankie pointed at Tom. “Some of it’s my fault, because I should have fucking known better. But you, Tom, are the main reason why I’m standing here right now like this, and the fact that you still think you’re the good guy is un-fucking-believable.” 

“I’ll introduce you to the people that turned me.” He gestured at you. “You and your little girlfriend. You can learn about what it means to be a real -”

“I’d rather be dead than ever take advice from a Chaos wolf.” You pushed forward, closing the distance between yourself and Tom. “You might have fucked me over for the rest of my life, but I will never be like you.” Tom stayed quiet but his smile widened, and you caught a red flash in his eyes. He’s wound up. “Frankie and Ashley are proof that you don’t have to overcompensate for your shortcomings as a human while you’re a w-”

“Fucking bitch. You come here and you think you can just change everything?” Frankie’s jaw was clenched, but he let Tom continue. “I should have made sure when I attacked you last month that I fucking killed you. You don’t deserve this.” 

“Well you didn’t.” Your heart was pounding, and the dizziness was back. “That time or this time. You fucking failed, and -”

He lunged at you, and in the same moment, Pope pulled you backwards and Frankie jumped forward, tackling Tom to the ground. They fought for a little while, rolling around in the gravel and sparse grass, and you winced at the way they traded punches, fists flying and the sound of flesh on flesh punctuating their grunts. 

It was brutal, especially since both of them were likely exhausted, and when they separated, both of them were bleeding - Frankie from a split on his cheek and Tom from his mouth, his teeth stained red. 

“What’s it gonna be, ‘Fish?” He pushed himself to his feet, eyeing the other man. “We gonna keep fighting like this, or are you going to actually do something about it?” Tom spat blood onto the ground and then wiped at his face with the back of his hand. “Because I’ve been looking for a reason to fucking destroy you ever since I made this choice.” He laughed, the sound unnerving. “Maybe when I get out of here I should go pay Becca a visit. Or Yova. We can all be -”

Frankie darted in again, and for the first time, you realized just how much helping to coach Benny had served him. His jabs were quick and accurate, landing against Tom’s ribs and stomach, and even though the larger man got a few hits in, they were nowhere near as devastating. C’mon, Frankie. You leaned into Pope’s side, unable to do anything but watch the fight in front of you.

But in the early morning light, it was easy to see when Tom gave up, his eyes closing as he inhaled, chest expanding. “He’s turning, Frankie!” You yelled out as it happened, Tom’s transformation almost instantaneous. Once he was the wolf, he didn’t move to attack, instead just circled Frankie slowly. 

Benny and Will backed up a few steps, and with some surprise, you felt Pope pull out and aim a third gun at Tom and Frankie. “Can’t even fight me like a man, can you.” Frankie laughed, fingers rising and combing through his already damp hair. “Piece of shit. You’re pathetic.Threatening women? You’re a goddamn coward.” Tom lunged forward, but Frankie sidestepped him, his gaze rising to meet yours briefly. 

You’ve got to do it, Frankie. He’s not going to make it easier for you. You didn’t know if Tom would actually let Frankie turn all the way before he attacked, but it was the only option you had - unless Benny and Will were able to get the net back over him. Unlikely though. It was too far away - and diverting attention from Tom even for a second to get it was dangerous. And speaking of danger… “I don’t have a weapon, Pope. I -”

“You won’t need one.” He planted his feet, still watching Frankie and Tom. “We’ve got it.” You had to trust him - for Frankie’s sake, and for your own. 

Tom continued to growl, the two of them circling each other, and then almost out of nowhere, Frankie’s body exploded into the wolf’s, the transformation happening before you’d even had a chance to blink. Oh, shit. He hit the ground and sprung toward Tom, jaws open… and then the real fight started. 

Will and Benny spread out, guns still drawn, and you heard Pope swear from beside you, the end of his gun wavering slightly as he watched it unfold. 

There was no reason for either of them to hold back that time, and it was clear from the way they snapped and clawed at each other, fur flying with every strike. Frankie drew first blood, his jaws closing around Tom’s shoulder, and when he jerked his head, you watched the larger wolf’s skin tear, Tom howling in pain. Good. You fucking deserve it. Frankie backed away, ears back as he growled, waiting to see what Tom would do. 

“C’mon, ‘Fish.” Benny called out, voice rising. “Get him. Fucking get him.” You wondered how Tom felt hearing his other friend rooting against him, but it didn’t seem to deter him. You gasped when he lunged forward, diving for the ground and rolling onto his back. The low position gave him an opening to snap at Frankie’s front leg, and you winced at the way he responded - the sound filled with anguish as he struggled to free the limb. If he breaks Frankie’s legs it’s over. 

But Frankie got free, barely giving himself a moment to assess the damage before he was attacking again, going for Tom’s belly before the other wolf could get upright. There was more blood, and even though it had started raining harder, you could see it dripping from both of them. Swiping your hand over your face, you cried out as Tom jumped toward Frankie again, ramming into him and knocking him over, his weight falling on top of the smaller wolf. 

“No!” You stumbled forward, ears trained on the way Frankie’s growl had turned into a whine and then a whimper, Tom whipping his head to the side as he attempted to get his jaws around his neck. He’s going to snap his neck. He’s going to kill him. “Tom, stop!” You fell to your knees, heart pounding, and you wondered why none of the others had fired. They could have shot him. They could have weakened him. They could have … 

But they were giving Tom and Frankie a chance to keep it between them, and part of you respected that - even if you wouldn’t have done the same. Just as Tom’s muzzle began its descent toward Frankie’s neck, the sound of a gunshot rang out, both wolves freezing. 

It was only a moment’s pause, but it was enough, and Frankie was able to twist out of Tom’s pin and get back to his feet, shaking himself out as he stabilized. Ok. Ok, that’s better. That’s… Frankie growled again and jumped, rising into the air and sailing over Tom’s back before landing and pouncing. 

The move was a surprise, and when Tom turned his head toward Frankie, Frankie went in the other direction, finding an expanse of his throat and clamping down on it. Tom flailed - feet scrabbling on the wet ground as he thrashed back and forth, the sounds coming out of him enough to make your hair stand on end. This is it. 

You watched as Benny and Will stepped closer to the wolves, and then felt Pope do the same, his body tense and the gun still pointed forward. But you didn’t think it would be necessary, as Frankie’s jaws locked onto Tom’s throat again, the bite deep. 

“He’s done. He just doesn’t know it yet.” Will spoke from beside you, his voice quiet. “Shit.” Tom was losing strength, but still managed to throw Frankie off of him, the smaller wolf skidding a few feet before he stood up straight, shaking his head. He was limping, the bite on his leg from Tom obviously bothering him, but as he circled the spot they’d been fighting, you realized that the roles had reversed - and it was Frankie taunting Tom. 

“You don’t have to watch.” Will spoke directly into your ear. “It might change the way you feel about -”

“That’s why I do have to.” You reached up, swiping beneath your eyes and wiping the tears that had gathered there away. “I’m part of this now, and I can’t hide from it.” You weren’t sad that Tom was going to die. But you did feel for Frankie, especially knowing that he’d remember every moment of the fight and the process of killing someone that had once been like family. 

It happened without warning, Frankie darting forward and angling his head, Tom unable to get out of the way in time. His teeth bore down on the center of Tom’s throat, and that time, when his head jerked away, a large chunk of muscle and fur came with it. Frankie tossed it to the side as Tom toppled to the ground, and when, moments later, you watched as his chest stopped rising and falling, Frankie lowered his head, too. 

He sat, staring at the body of what had been his friend… and then Frankie tipped his head back and howled again, the sound almost unbearably loud. If you’d thought he sounded sad after realizing that you’d been bitten, you didn’t know how to describe the sound he made then, a mixture of triumph and agony, the tone of it shaking you to your core. 

You understood - no matter how much Tom’s behavior had changed and how deserving he was of the ending he’d been given, there were years of history there. And not just for Frankie. For the rest of them, too. 

A quick look around the group proved that the others were just as torn - Benny’s eyes focused on the wolves, unblinking as the rain hit his skin. Will’s arms were crossed, his head held high, but the telltale tic of his jaw made it clear he was struggling, too. And Pope’s response was the most surprising of all, the man stepping forward and then kneeling, shoulders rising and falling as he stared at the two in front of him. 

You wondered if Tom was going to change back, but the longer you all waited, the more you thought that the answer was no. Which is better because then there’s no human body. But Frankie hadn’t changed back either, which was a surprise to you - especially with how soon after the monthly shift it was. Maybe he needs help. Maybe he needs … 

Stepping forward, you rounded Tom’s body and knelt in front of Frankie, trying to ignore how much your arm hurt. “Hey. Francisco.” You kept your voice low and didn’t let yourself reach for him, even though you wanted to. “You need to change back now. It’s ok. There’s no more threat.” He blinked slowly, turning his attention to you, and for the first time as a wolf, his eyes weren’t gold - they were deep brown and entirely Frankie. “Hey you. It’s alright.” Your voice shook, but you didn’t even know if he realized it. “Come back to me. Please?” 

It took a few seconds, but when Frankie rose onto all fours and shook himself out, you released a breath that you hadn’t realized you were holding. There was no gradual change that time either, and only moments later, Frankie was laying on the ground in front of you - naked, soaking wet, and covered in blood and bruises. 

The first place he looked was at Tom, but he didn’t linger there, turning his head toward you without lifting it, his lips soundlessly forming your name. You scrambled toward him without thinking, and gathered him carefully against your chest, ignoring the pain and only focusing on comforting him. He clung to you, his entire body shaking as he began to cry. You needed to get up - needed to get out of the rain and get Frankie cleaned up, needed to take care of Tom’s body and the clearing… but you couldn’t move. 

When a blanket covered the two of you, you looked up in surprise, catching Benny’s eye. “Just stay with him, we’ll take care of -”

“No!” Frankie growled the word out, lifting his head and looking at his friend. “No, I’m helping.” You didn’t argue and neither did Benny, and when Frankie slowly got to his feet, wrapping the blanket around himself, he finally looked at you again, reaching for your hand. 

The two of them helped you to your feet, and then as you walked away from the body, you tried to gather your thoughts. Tom was dead. Frankie had killed him. And it stood to reason that that meant there was significantly less danger to worry about. But it means a different kind of danger, too. 

You went back and stood under the awning, leaning against the picnic table. Frankie rushed past you, going back into th RV and coming out with some of the blood gone from his skin and wearing another new set of clothes - tattered ones that you’d never seen before. He stopped next to you, reaching out to cup your cheek in his hand, but he didn’t say anything. 

“Keep an eye on the fire, alright?” Will came up next to you, holding a pile of damp fabric. “We’re just going to keep adding stuff to it as we clean.” You nodded without looking away from Frankie, leaning in when he swiped his thumb over your cheek. We have so much to talk about. 

“I wish I could do more.” You closed your eyes and took a deep breath. “But whatever you need, I’ll take care of.” Will thanked you before setting the pile down next to the firepit, and then he motioned for Frankie to follow him. He was limping - and you knew he would be for a while, but as they approached Tom, you admitted to yourself for the first time and things could have gone much worse. For all of us. 

As you started slowly adding the scraps of clothing to the flames, you kept half an eye on what the men were doing. 

It didn’t take them long to come up with a plan, all of them conferring as they gathered around the body before separating. Pope headed back toward you, carrying another small pile of clothing. “We’re going to take him to one of the swampy areas. ‘Fish says there’s gators in all of the ones around here, so that should take care of the… body.” He sniffed. “Gotta go grab a bag of marshmallows though, just to be sure.” 

That made you smile, but it was short lived. “Can I do anything while you’re doing that?”  

“No. Just the fire. Make sure everything’s ash. Once we come back, we’re going to start on the clearing, but the rain’s going to work in our favor.” He sighed. “Thank you for helping.”

“You don’t need to thank me.” You added another piece of shirt, glancing down to make sure it wasn’t just going to smolder. “Just make sure he’s alright.” Pope assured you he would, and then went back into the RV, coming out with a bag in his hand. 

He stuffed it into the front of his shirt and made his way back to where everyone else was. You watched as they worked together to lift the wolf’s body before carrying it toward the tree line. Once they disappeared, you sat down, finally alone with your thoughts for the first time. 

It was still raining - the puddles on the ground growing by the second, and you wondered just how much the water would disperse the blood - and if it would be enough. They know how to cover their tracks. You poked at the flames with a branch, and then put in another piece of fabric - one of the blankets - which was much larger and much drier, the flames growing and brightening as it caught. 

And then, as you waited for it to turn to ash, you focused on the ache of your arm, the pain radiating from your shoulder and throughout the rest of your body. You’d been bitten by a werewolf during the full moon, and you knew what that meant. Your entire life was going to change, and you had no idea what the outcome would be. 

It was devastating - to have finally found what your family had been searching for for decades, and then to have been unable to safely do your expected job without getting bitten. And it meant that the hunting of the Chaos line was definitely finished, too, whether you liked it or not. You blinked through tears, standing and making your way into the RV for the bag of your ruined clothing, and when you caught sight of your reflection in the mirror hanging beside the door, the tears spilled over. 

It was partly because of your bite, but your sadness was also for Frankie and his friends - the finality of what they’d done and witnessed likely not settled in yet, and the difficulty of what was to come likely to be an uphill climb. For all of us. Wiping at your eyes, you only gave yourself a few seconds before heading back outside and to the fire, ripping the plastic open and adding both pieces at the same time. We’ll need to get the zippers out of the ashes. 

Instead of sitting, you wandered back out into the clearing and looked for any fabric that might have been missed, along with anything else that you could burn. There wasn’t much - a few scraps of t-shirt from Frankie, and some torn elastic from the waistband of Tom’s underwear - but you picked it up nonetheless, carrying it back over and dropping it into the flames. 

It was almost 9 am, and you knew that Yovanna was likely going crazy since she hadn’t heard from anyone, so you went back inside and typed out a quick message to her that told her nothing explicitly - but still let her know that everything at the RV was alright. Good morning, hope you guys are having better weather at the beach than we are here; it’s raining so hard! Can’t pack up and go home until it slows down - yuck. 

She answered almost immediately, sending a picture from through a window of the ocean and the blue sky, along with a message of her own. 

Fingers crossed it stops soon. The weather is perfect here. 

Leaving your phone on the table, you grabbed an armful of towels and then went back outside, just in time to see the guys coming back through the trees. Will was in the lead and the others followed close behind. They were all soaked to the bone, and you had no idea how the clothes they wore would burn. They won’t. Biting your lip, you watched as they got closer. 

To your surprise, they all stopped and began to strip about ten feet from where you stood, piling their clothes in front of them. Under any other circumstances, it would have been a beautiful thing to see, but that morning, it was somber. Will dragged his hands through his hair and Benny swiped his locks away from his face, both of them heading for you in only their underwear as Frankie and Pope stayed behind, deep in conversation. 

They grabbed towels, thanking you for thinking of getting them as they started to dry themselves off. “Is… how did that go?”

“Gator came and grabbed him almost as soon as we put him in the water.” Benny rubbed at his face. “And then a couple more joined in.” That was a good thing, though you didn’t imagine that it had been easy for them to see. “He stayed a wolf, which is lucky for us. So even if something is eventually found, it won’t be …” It won’t be Tom. 

“I’m sorry about your friend. I -”

“He got what was coming to him.” Will cleared his throat. “I’m sorry for his family, but Tom made his choice.” You agreed, but that didn’t negate the guilt you felt. “We’re going to take turns cleaning up. Can’t fully shower here, because there’s too many of us. But we need to wait for the rain to stop to check the clearing. So we’re going to be here for a while.” 

“Should I make breakfast? You’ve all got to be starving, especially Frankie.” It would keep you busy - and from getting too lost in your own thoughts. “I don’t know what’s here,  but there’s got to be stuff in the cabinets.” 

“You don’t have to do anything.” Pope and Frankie stepped up, and Benny handed them each a towel. “You need to eat too.” 

You agreed, but didn’t get anything else out before Pope said he was going to go inside and make a pot of coffee. Benny and Will followed moments later, leaving you and Frankie alone - and under the awning, the sound of rain hitting the metal above you soothing. 

It was different between you - a distance that had never been there previously feeling like it was growing by the second - and you hated it. “Frankie, are we …. Are we alright?” You didn’t like asking - didn’t like voicing your worry to him, especially after what he’d been through, but you couldn’t help yourself. “This feels … I just …”

“I don’t want to have this conversation here.” He turned his head, eyes scanning the open space in front of you. “I want to do it when we’re warm and dry and showered.” That made sense, but it still didn’t answer your question. “Are you doing ok? Aside from the bite, I mean.” 

“I think so.” You inched closer, nodding. “I don’t think it’s really hit me yet, though. So much has happened in the last few hours, and -”

“You know I’m gonna be right there with you, right? Next month, I mean. You’re not alone, and you won’t be.” He cleared his throat. “And even if you don’t want to stay here and go through this in Florida with me, you’ve got Ashley and Alec, and they’re your family, so -”

“I don’t want to go anywhere.” You put your hand on his chest, his skin warm despite the fact that he was still damp. “If… when I turn next month, there’s no one else I want to be with.” You saw the relief on his face, and for the first time, realized that Frankie had not only had to go through the previous hours dealing with Tom, but with the thought in his mind that because you’d been bitten, you wouldn’t want anything to do with him anymore. “Frankie, this doesn’t change how I feel about you.” You stepped closer, making sure to make - and hold - eye contact with him. “Not at all.” 

“You sure?” He ducked his head, tucking his chin against his chest. “Because I’d understand if you wanted to get the fuck out of here and not look back. I did this to you. I -”

“This isn’t your fault. I don’t blame you. I blame Tom. You didn’t do this to me, he did.” You leaned in, hesitating only briefly before pressing your lips to his. “I love you, Francisco. That didn’t change overnight, and it won’t.” It seemed to be enough for him, because he nodded and then reached for you, winding both arms around you and pulling you closer, though he did it gently. “We need to go inside. We need to get dry clothes on and eat something, and -”

“Yeah.” Frankie agreed but didn’t let you go. “Yeah, we do.” 

— 

[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.

[the-shy-wolf]

Kicking off chapter two with new cover art

[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 :')

[hulkster000]

Alll of them together now🫶🏻🫶🏻

[bubbie2electricboogaloo]

G3 inspired x 13 Wishes/Makeover

🌙 HOWLEEN WOLF🌙

[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!

[thank-you-doggo]

🐺💜💢 Introducing: Lobo, the Borealis Werewolf, part Anubis and Jackal, modeled after the werewolves from Scooby Doo (First Frights and Big Top specifically) and Fruit Brute. His area within Freckles Parkour place is the Crystal Caves, where you have to jump around and stuff through the crystals before they close you off.

Scented like Vanilla and Light Cranberry, Hes very silly

[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.”

---

[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.

[the-shy-wolf]

My first attempt at making info sheets!

[zeeth-scribbles]

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

[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.

[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