Hey, everyone! As usual, I do not own Firebreather or Monster High. I could not find any reference to Clawdeen's dad anywhere in what I have available to me, so 'Clawson Wolf' is my OC. I also do not own the song "Monster" performed by the Imagine Dragons(I did change one line in the lyrics to fit Duncan better and left out the final chorus). Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 11: Confessions

The next day saw Duncan and Kenny, after calling both Clawdeen and Frankie, climbing into the Jeep. The weather was warm enough still to leave the leather roof off of the black & urban-camo off-roader. The ghouls lived close to each other, making it convenient to pick them up. As the driver, Kenny called "first pick-up". They pulled up to Frankie's house first, to see a few cars in the clinic lot. It seemed that the Steins had some patients today. Kenny walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Frankie opened the door, looking radiant. She was wearing a teal version of the dress she wore when they met, no tie, and her hair tied up in a high pony-tail.

"Wow, Frankie", he said with a big smile, "you look nice."

"Thank you, Kenny! You're so sweet!", she said shyly, then winked. "You look good, too. That t-shirt & jeans combo with that sleeveless hoodie gives you a little bit of 'danger'. I like that."

"Hey, I gotta be tough enough for my ghoul, right?", he laughed.

She smiled, and cupped his face in her hands and gave him a kiss that sent him reeling.

"Hey, Kenny", Duncan chuckled when he saw his dizzy foster brother, "are you sure you're ok to drive?"

"Shut up!", Kenny laughed as he and Frankie climbed into the front seats.

xxXXxx

Before he went to bed last night, Clawson Wolf gave Romulus the 'friendly-chat' of a father to his daughter's new boyfriend when he brought Howleen home. And he appreciated Clawd having a similar chat with Clawdeen's date later. But the 'Alpha Male' in him still wanted to meet Duncan on his own terms before the relationship with his daughter progressed any further. He paced the floor as he waited, while his wife smiled. Romulus and Draculaura had already picked up Howleen and Clawd, so Clawson could focus on meeting Duncan.

"Dad, will you just relax?", Clawdeen said in a tone equal parts deadpan and exasperation. "Duncan is nothing like Thad, so there's no need to try to intimidate him."

"She's right, dear", Harriet smirked to her husband. "You'll wear yourself out before helping me shop today. I need ingredients for my Mac & Cheese that we're bringing to the cook-out tomorrow."

The doorbell rang, and Clawdeen tried to reach the door before her dad, but was just a bit too late. Clawson grinned as he opened the door. The boy at the door had presence, Mr. Wolf would definitely give him that. He radiated strength; not just physical, but that of character as well. He was as tall as Clawd, and his scaly skin, reptilian green eyes, and spiky golden-blonde hair made an impression.

"Hello, Mr. Wolf", the boy said politely. "It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Duncan."

"Likewise, Duncan", he said evenly, shaking his hand, impressed with the strength of Duncan's grip. "What are your plans with my daughter today?" Clawdeen face-palmed behind the door.

"A double-date for a few hours with our friends at the scarnival, sir", he jerked a thumb towards the waiting Jeep. "Then home to get ready to meet at the dance."

'So far, so good', Clawson thought to himself. Then Harriet came up behind him.

"Sounds like a good day, Duncan", she said with a smile, putting a hand on her husband's shoulder and holding out the other. "I'm Harriet, Clawdeen's mom."

"No way!", Duncan said as he kissed her hand rather than shaking it. "I was sure you were her older sister!"

"Oh, you are a charmer", she giggled, causing her husband to arch an eye-brow. "He's a 'keeper', Clawdeen."

"Mom!"

"Yeeessss, speaking of that", Clawson said, taking a serious tone.

"Daaaad! Now? Really?!", Clawdeen griped, both deadpan and incredulous.

"He needs to know, Clawdeen", he said firmly. Then he turned back to Duncan. "Clawd already filled me in on his chat with you last night. I get the impression that you are a monster of your word; that you will not knowingly do anything to hurt Clawdeen. That's good. We werewolves are very loyal, very protective…..of our pack."

"I understand, Mr. Wolf", Duncan said respectfully.

"Then understand this as well, Duncan", he growled softly, staring Duncan down. "When werewolves bond with a mate, it is for life(Clawdeen face-palms again). So be sure you take no steps in a relationship with my daughter that you may not be prepared for, understood?"

"Y-yes, sir."

"Good", he said, then he adjusted his glasses and smiled. "Have a good time at the scarnival."

"Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!", Clawdeen called as she grabbed Duncan's arm and practically dragged him away from her parents.

xxXXxx

"Sorry about my parents, Duncan. Especially my dad", Clawdeen said, rolling her eyes.

"It's ok. Your family just wants to protect you after….everything, y'know?", he assured her. "I get it."

She smiled, and checked out his outfit approvingly.

"That new sleeveless biker-jacket goes great with your normal ensemble", she said. "Just switching to that from your red jacket completely changes the look. I like it."

"Coming from such a clawsome fashionista, I take that as the highest compliment", he said, as bent down slightly to kiss her sweetly.

The scarnival was just as fun the second day. The double-daters decided to stick together for awhile, and they checked out some of the local merchant booths. They won a few more prizes at the games, which they put in the parked Jeep before getting some pizza and funnel cakes. As promised, the food vendors served them for free. They cheerfully greeted various friends they ran into. They even hit all the rides at least twice; including the scaris wheel this time. Then they heard a really irritating voice heckling the crowd.

"I'm still dry, you wimps! Ain't none'a ya can hit the broad side of a mausoleum!"

They turned a corner to see a four foot tall goblin wearing a clown suit inside a dunk-tank, taunting anyone nearby, even more so anyone attempting to give him a bath. Then the goblin saw the double-daters.

"How about you, ya limp-lizard?", he taunted in a grating voice. "Think you got the stones ta ring the bell?"

Duncan growled and took a step, until Clawdeen took his arm.

"Allow me", she grinned. The goblin laughed maniacally as Duncan stepped aside with a grin, remembering saying the same thing to her the night before.

"Your ghoulfriend? Really?! Fine!", the goblin-clown snickered. "I bet she throws like a GIRL!"

That did it. Clawdeen picked up a ball as Duncan paid, and pulled out his phone to use the camera. Here's the wind up. Aaaand the pitch….. DING! The goblin's laughing face comically showed an instant shift into complete dumb-looking shock-*flash/click*-as he fell into the water….much to the laughter and applause of everyone around.

As the tank was re-set, the goblin sputtered and spit water as he got back into position, and Clawdeen claimed a plushy wolf as a prize and gave it to Duncan, who smiled and gave her a kiss.

"Do you want to try and win me a plushy, Kenny?", Frankie asked sweetly. Kenny was about to answer, when the goblin opened his big mouth again.

"Forget it, Patch-work!", he scoffed. "I may have underestimated that werewolf ghoul, but there ain't no way a noodle-armed normie could dunk me!"

In a flash of anger, Kenny's eyes turned red as he grabbed a ball and chucked it at the tank's target…. DING! His eyes went back to normal as the goblin took another unexpected bath.

"Dude! That was awesome!", Duncan said, proud of his 'bro'. "You were always good with darts, but you've never been able to throw a ball to save your life. That has to be the best throw I've ever seen you do!"

"Thanks, bro! I-I don't know what came over me", Kenny said, as he handed the plushy prize to Frankie, who hugged it and him tightly. It was a 'totes adorbs' big yellow round fuzzy pillow with a 'smiley' face on one side, and a 'winking-kissy-face' on the other.

Several monsters came over to congratulate and thank both Clawdeen and Kenny for shutting the goblin's big mouth. Duncan stepped slightly aside to let them bask. Suddenly his arm was grabbed and he was pulled away, between two booths. He found himself pinned against the wall by a familiar figure.

"Reowr. Hi, Duncan", Toralei purred seductively, her eyes filled with lust. She was wearing a flimsy, low-cut white top under her usual jacket; showing off her generous cleavage, along with an even shorter than usual skirt and no leggings along with her usual high-heeled wedges.

"Toralei", he said hesitantly. "What do you want?"

"Isn't it obvious?", she purrdled as she nuzzled up to him, her hands caressing his body. "I want you."

"Whoa! Hold on! You do know that I'm with Clawdeen, right?"

"I don't care", she cooed huskily, purrdling in her throat as she licked and kissed his neck. "She never has to know."

'Wait a minute!', Duncan thought. 'She's acting like….'

"Oh no, you DIDN'T!", Clawdeen snarled as she suddenly appeared and yanked the werecat off of Duncan. "Get your claws off my date! I gonna…"

"Don't hurt her, Clawdeen!"

"WHAT?!", she glared at Duncan.

"It's not her fault!", he said. "Look at her! She's not in complete control of herself! She's….somewhat innocent."

Clawdeen looked at Toralei, as she held her up by her jacket; the werecat's eyes were still lust-filled and semi-glazed, and she was still purrdling as she struggled. Then Toralei's 'not-quite-normal' scent finally penetrated her anger. She'd know that scent anywhere.

"Ugh! You are sssoooo lucky that you're in heat, Toralei!", Clawdeen growled. Then she grinned wickedly. "Maybe I can help you out with that. Hey, gobby! How's that water?", she called out to the clown goblin.

"It's freezing! What do you think?!", he snapped.

"Good! Cool off, Toralei!", she laughed as she heaved Toralei over her head. The werecat yowled as she sailed through the air, and goblin shrieked in fright and jumped out of the way as she splash-landed in the dunk-tank.

A soaked to the bone Toralei, her mind cleared by the cold water, climbed out and looked at herself when she realized all the boys around were looking and drooling at her and many of those with dates were getting smacked or elbowed by their ghouls. She yowled again and desperately tried to cover herself with her jacket when she realized that she had not worn a bra under her now see-through and clinging white top!

The couples laughed as they went to get some chili-cheese fries and sodas. After eating, Kenny volunteered to take all their prizes to his Jeep, then meet Frankie at the scary-go-round.

"What would you like to do now?", Duncan asked Clawdeen. She smiled and took his hand in hers.

"How 'bout a walk?", she said. "Just you and me?"

"I'd like that", he smiled.

And they walked, hand-in-hand, through the scarnival and out into the open field beyond it, stealing adoring glances at each other. They came to a babbling stream cutting through the area on its' way towards Gloom Beach. The sound was peaceful, much quieter than the lively sounds of the scarnival. Duncan looked at Clawdeen, his thoughts nagging him as he smiled lovingly at her.

'I've never felt this way before, so…intense, for anyone', he thought to himself. 'But how can I hope for her to understand the truth about me and what I've done? No….she'd turn away from me in fear.'

'He's holding back….hiding something', she thought. 'But what and why? He knows how I feel about him, and I know he feels the same for me. Why won't he just open up to me? What could he be so afraid of?'

"Duncan?", she said, as she stopped and turned to face him. "I can tell there's somethin' eatin' at you. Every now and then, I can see a shadow pass over your smiling face. At first, I thought it was about you being half-normie. But I've still seen it since you told me. Please tell me, what is it? I wanna help you."

He sighed. His mother and Cupid were right. This was it…..he had to tell Clawdeen the truth if there was to be any chance of a future with her.

"I'm afraid to tell you", he said.

"Why? You know how I feel about you."

"I'm afraid that you'll be afraid."

"Of what?"

"Of me", he said. "Of what I really am."

(Duncan sings)

Ever since I could remember

Everything inside of me

Just wanted to fit in (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)

I was never one for pretenders

Everything I tried to be

Just wouldn't settle in (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)

If I told you what I was

Would you turn your back on me?

And if I seem dangerous

Would you be scared?

I get the feeling just because

Everything I touch isn't dark enough

If this problem lies in meeeee

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me

I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me

A monster, a monster

I've turned into a monster

A monster, a monster

And it keeps getting stronger

Can I clear my conscience,

If I'm different from the rest

Do I have to run and hide? (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)

I never said that I want this

This burden came to me

I was born with it inside (Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh)

If I told you what I was

Would you turn your back on me?

And if I seem dangerous

Would you be scared?

I get the feeling just because

Everything I touch isn't dark enough

If this problem lies in meeeee

I'm only a man with a candle to guide me

I'm taking a stand to escape what's inside me

A monster, a monster

I've turned into a monster

A monster, a monster

And it keeps getting stronger

Duncan changes into his full kaiju aspect; six short sharp horns grow out from his hairline, his ears become pointed, his claws and fangs more pronounced, his hair more spiky with the red tips & highlights more visible, his wings come out, his armor scales more prominent along with shoulder-spikes and sharp ridges on his forearms, the glow his fiery heart visible through translucent scales, and his overall coloration shifted to more red.

Clawdeen took it all in. Sure, he looked more fierce and powerful, but she wasn't afraid. She cupped his cheek with her hand and kissed him.

"But that's what Monster High is all about: embracing who you are, Duncan", she said.

"I know", he said with small smile. "But there's more. Those rogue kaiju didn't attack my old home at random. They were there to kill me. And the main reason Belloc showed up was to protect me."

"What?! Why?!"

"Because Belloc….", Duncan took a deep breath, "he's my…..Dad."

Clawdeen was stunned to silence.

"And he didn't kill that kaiju in the battle", he said resignedly, "I did(Clawdeen gasped). I swore long ago that I would never cross that line, that I would never kill. But when Jenna died….."

(Flashback)

"Duncan….I love you", Jenna whispered with her last breath, just before the light in her eyes dimmed and disappeared.

"Jenna?", Duncan breathed. "Jenna, don't go! Please don't leave me! Jenna, no! NNNOOOOOO!"

Sinister, rumbling laughter sounded nearby, from where the powerlines had been smashed towards him, causing the explosion that took Jenna from him. Astoroth. The kaiju laughed as he took a step toward Duncan. The half-kaiju prince gently laid Jenna's body on the grass, and closed her eyes. Then he looked to her killer and his eyes burned like emerald fire as he went blind with rage, all of his spikes and claws got bigger and his power increased exponentially. He launched himself into the air. As Duncan gained altitude, Astoroth shot multiple forearm spikes at him, as well as his spiked tendrils, to no avail. Duncan dodged them all, then turned into a power-dive towards his enemy. He extended his hand-claws in front of him as he adjusted his wings to turn himself into a high-speed drill-bit. Duncan punched straight through the kaiju's organic chest armor, and released a blast of fire-breath as he went through and punched out through the back armor. Astoroth roared in pain as purple blood erupted from his mouth.

His brother Abbadon and the three others who were keeping Belloc at bay, turned at hearing the roar….just in time to see Astoroth fall over dead. For the first time in his life, Abbadon feared something other than his king. He ordered the others to retreat and ran away. Belloc, weakened from fighting four at once, could not pursue them.

(End Flashback)

Duncan looked into Clawdeen's eyes as he finished his story. He saw shock, awe, and….yup, there it is….fear. He winced and shed a tear.

"I'm sorry, Clawdeen", he said, his voice breaking. "The last thing I wanted was for anyone to be afraid of me…..especially you." He flexed his wings and took off, flying as fast as he could.

"Duncan? Duncan! Come back!", Clawdeen called, but he was gone. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"Sphinx! What have I done?!', she thought. 'He needed me and I froze! What is wrong with me?!'

She stood up and wiped her tears.

'Wait! If he's really half-kaiju, then that means Jinafire….'

She started running back to the scarnival as fast as she could. She needed to talk to Kenny and Jinafire!

xxXXxx

Author's notes: There it is! The whole truth of Duncan's past….and his fears. So, what now? Wait and see! LOL!

Just to be clear; Toralei was not in heat when she met Duncan the first time, she was genuinely attracted to him. This was simply amplified by her condition at the scarnival. As for her eyes, demeanor, and the "purrdling" sound she was making; anyone who has a female feline companion that is/was not spayed knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about! My little Shadow drove me NUTS going into heat at least 3 times before she was old enough and I had the money to have her spayed. Unless you specifically want to breed your pets, good responsible pet owners should always spay/neuter!

As always, reviews, questions, and suggestions are welcomed! (no flames, please)