Sorry it took me so long to update. Things went a little crazy with school and then I got sick and then I just kind of rested.

Anyway, here is the next chapter. I hope you all think it was worth the wait. I will try not to make you all wait so long for the next one. :D

Now, on to what you all really want-the story!

(As always, reviews are enjoyed and read eagerly)


Clawd left as soon as he saw Draculaura enter the creepeteria with her friends, hopefully to talk her into asking the werecats nicely to teach her if she paid them. Heath immediately followed, having spotted Abbey, and Manny, of course, tagged along. Blissfully left alone, Deuce stood up, intending to head over to the werecats and frowned when he saw the table was empty.

He, immediately, strode out into the halls to find them to let them know what Clawd and he had talked about, not because of how Romulus had smiled at her…them. Their laughter suddenly rang out from around a corner and he smiled to hear Purrsephone. Then a few bass rumbles joined in and Deuce tensed. He recognized Romulus' low laugh but couldn't quite place the others. He didn't even notice his footsteps quicken until he had to almost skid to a stop to not overshoot the corner.

The scene, for some reason though, did not reassure him. In fact, he tensed as he took in the presence of three other werewolf males…and Dougey leaning over Purrsephone much the same as Gary had the previous night. Once again, Deuce felt himself grow angry at the sight of another manster so close to Purrsephone, so obviously interested.

What was wrong with him? They were just friends and he knew Dougey was a good guy. Maybe a little on the slow side, but still a good guy, just like Romulus who was looking at Deuce from his position between the twins with an amused smile.

The alpha raised a hand in greeting. "Hey, Deuce."

He managed a friendly nod back, covering up his confusion with a laid back smile. "Hey." His eyes sought Purrsephone's. He could see the worry in her eyes and his own smile slipped in response.

Before he could ask, the black-haired werecat stood up and motioned to the side. Her sister and friend immediately moved to stand but she smiled at them and waved them back. "It's ok, I just wanna ask him a question." She began to lead him to the side when she noticed that Dougey had stood up from the wall and was moving to follow them. The dark-haired werecat turned toward the alpha werewolf in appeal. "Romulus."

Deuce couldn't suppress a smile of amusement. It was the exact same plaintive but cutely demanding tone she had used the previous night when Gary had refused to leave the two of them alone.

Romulus shrugged and looked over at his pack mate. "Dougey, dude, she doesn't need your help to ask Deuce a question. Chill."

The big werewolf looked as unhappy as Gary had but, like Gary, he obeyed, leaning back against the wall but Deuce could feel the manster's eyes on them as Purrsephone led him farther down the hall…much farther since they were trying to get out of earshot of werecats and werewolves and they didn't have music to cover the conversation this time.

They finally stopped in an alcove and Purrsephone looked around suspiciously, obviously checking for the presence of Spectra. Finally satisfied, she turned towards him. "Is everything ok? I mean really ok?"

Deuce smiled down at her, warmed by the honest concern he saw in her eyes. "Everything's fine."

She frowned up at him. "It hasn't looked fine today. Not this morning when you came out of the gym and not in the lunch room." Her tail flicked back and forth as she nervously wrapped her arms around herself. "Deuce…if being friends with me…if it comes down to you have to make a choice between being me and them, I'll understand if we can't talk anymore."

His eyes widened in shock. "What?"

She dropped her eyes, tail coiling tightly. "They've been your friends a long time. You shouldn't have to choose but…if you have to…I'll understand that you don't choose me. I won't be mad, ok?" Her voice made it obvious that this was hard for her to say but that she was being sincere. "I don't want to be a problem for you, Deuce, and if our friendship is—"

He stopped her by laying a hand gently along her jaw and urging her to look up at him. "Purrsephone, you are not a problem. Clawd will get over it and as for Heath…that wasn't a problem, that's just Heath. There won't be a choice because my friends, my real friends, are not going to make something like that happen, ok?"

She didn't look convinced. "But…But what if they do? I mean, what if Clawd and Heath won't—You know Draculaura won't ever be ok with me so—"

"Shhh," He gently cut her off again, stroking a thumb along her jaw. Her furred skin felt like velvet under his touch, soft and warm. "It won't come to that. My real friends would never make me choose so anyone that makes me choose isn't a real friend, are they?" He smiled and continued before she was forced to answer. "Besides, Draculaura is nicer than you think she is. She just got caught by the crossfire between your group and the De Niles…though, I would appreciate it if you didn't target her anymore. I mean, it's not her you're really mad at and she is my best friend's ghoulfriend."

Purrsephone smiled up at him. "Oh, don't worry about that. Cleo's too easy of a target right now, no fun but Gory…" She let her teeth show, sharp and white, "Gory really shouldn't have picked a fight she can't finish."

Deuce chuckled a bit, still softly stroking Purrsephone's cheek, reluctant to pull his hand away. "The fearbook picture?"

"Was just the beginning. Gory messed with Iris." Purrsephone gave a soft purr and her lids half lowered though Deuce wasn't sure if it was because she was enjoying his touch or the thought of what the werecats would do to the arrogant vampiress.

Her breath ghosted over the inside of his wrist. Deuce felt his body tighten and the question if her lips were as soft as her skin flashed through his mind.

Before he could either react to the thought or act on it, their conversation was interrupted by an overly familiar voice. "Oh my Ra!"