Review(s):

animerule64 - Hi there! I apologize for it being such a long delay - I've had computer issues and while I did get myself a new-to-me (aka used) laptop - I still have to get the rest of the chapters that we've written (up to 50 so far) off the old laptop. Wish me luck! Funkita - right?! I looked back at this chapter to see what you meant and I started laughing, lmao. Poor little guy indeed!

Here we go again!


Deuce couldn't stop laughing, it took him a good 10 minutes to get Clawnor away from Clawd. The younger wolf thought it'd be a good idea to tell his brother that if he couldn't treat his boyfriend right he'd be taking Deuce away. Until he learned how to treat him properly that was. Clawd's face was priceless, because when he tried to explain why the other was so scratched up – Clawnor had a come back for all of Clawd's 'excuses'. It literally took him a good like 5 minutes to stop laughing after Clawnor had stormed upstairs for dinner.

Clawd's fur was on end. "Would you stop laughing?" He crossed his arms over his chest. "I can't believe he played the whole 'if you loved him you wouldn't hurt him' card. How do I explain to him that it's animalistic instinct and that I'm not proud of it either if I can't get a damn word in edgewise?"

Deuce had tears coming down his face, still chuckling as he wiped them away. "Oh calm your puffy ass down," The gorgon said trying to smooth out the other's fur. "I mean it's cute, he's protecting his family."

Clawd growled under his breath, but then sighed. "Deuce… you'd tell me if I did truly hurt you, wouldn't you? Like, you wouldn't let me hurt you and just not say anything… right? I do love you..." Hell it was safe to say that Clawd loved Deuce more than he loved life itself. They hadn't been together long and it might seem shocking to some how deep his feelings ran… but perhaps a small part of him felt this way for a long time?

Deuce looked down at the few scratches that were on his arms, they stung but they would be completely healed within a few days. "Clawd, if you truly hurt me, I would let you know. I promise."

The gorgon walked over to the wolf and took one of his hands and let Clawd's finger run along it. "See they aren't deep at all, just a surface mark. Within a few days they'll be fully healed. I understand that when dating a werewolf, your claws might break a little skin. I'm alright with that, 'cause I know it's not outta pain but pleasure. You don't mean to hurt me. It doesn't help with the full moon affecting you as well. Like when we make love on a non-full moon, I won't be as marked up. I know this." Deuce placed a small kiss on the end of his furball's nose.

Clawd nodded, the last thing he'd want to do is hurt him. "It's true," he ran his fingers over the surface marks. "all of these I gave you because you've given me levels of pleasure that I've never… been brought to before, ever. I don't know if I've done the same for you at all but… you've done that for me." He shook his head. "Had I have known what this was like, I probably would've skipped dating ghouls." He bit down on his lip, that was a confession he'd been hiding since the first time they were intimate.

Deuce swore his heart stopped for a few moments. "Clawd. You literally leave me begging for more. Honestly, Cleo's the only other person I've been with. Trust me when I say she's even more selfish in bed." The gorgon shivered at the memory. "I love what we got, not just for the sex. But how we seem to know each other's needs, how we can play around." The gorgon hadn't even noticed he crawled into Clawd's arms. "I honestly just love being by your side. As long as I can snuggle you, I'm good." Deuce said planting a kiss on the wolf, man he could never tire of that.

Clawd's arms seemed to fit him so perfectly, perhaps they always had? "I don't know man," he wondered out loud. "she's pretty selfish all the time, you're telling me… there's a more self-centered side I haven't seen?"

"Oh yeah. She knew what she liked and as long as she was satisfied, that's all that mattered. If I didn't give her what she wanted, I was the selfish boyfriend. I wasn't fulling my obligation as 'her lover'." Deuce didn't really know if he should be sharing this information about their ex-ghoulfriend.

Clawd rolled his eyes, he wasn't surprised in the slightest. Her selfishness never did cease to amaze him. "Oh Deuce, I'm so sorry. That's not how any of this works." He rubbed the gorgon's arm lightly. "Sex isn't supposed to be selfish. It's supposed to be something you share with one another. Me personally, I'd rather you climax than me… because me having caused you that rush of pleasure, gives it back to me too. There will be some nights where maybe I climax instead of you, or you instead of me and that's okay… because I'll owe you one." He smirked and nipped at Deuce's ear.

The gorgon bit his lip a little harder then he should have, as a small drop blood began to run from the small wound. "I'm perfectly fine with that." The gorgon said licking up the crimson drop.

"Where's my bartender? I'd fire his ass but then I'd have to get it myself and I'd rather not do that. Deuce! You get more hours and 5 minutes to get to the wet bar!"

Clawd chuckled at his father, especially when he heard him on the receiving end of Uncle Elliot's smack.

"We have to eat first you wild hooligan," there was a polite knock on the door. "we would be honored for you lovebirds to join us when you're capable."

"I guess that's our cue." Deuce said looking up a Clawd, knowing if they didn't come out sooner than later Pops would be coming in.

Clawd heaved another sigh, he supposed Deuce was right. "Alright babe, you go do your thing at the wet bar. I'll be doing homework and maybe laundry, now that I got some of my clothes back. After dinner of course." He kissed Deuce lightly, then pushed the gorgon a bit. If he was being truthful, he hated any time Deuce left him. At least they could go upstairs together though.

(¯`·._(¯`·._(¯`·._( MONSTER HIGH )_.·´¯)_.·´¯)_.·´¯)

Elliot Where helped Scarlet set the table and get the wonderful lasagna out and center on the gorgeously hand-carved mahogany dining table. "Thank you, Elliot." She was grateful for the additional help, the lasagna was all pre-cut and there was more than enough for seconds. If it was one thing there was never a shortage of in the Wolf's home, it was food.

"You're welcome, love." Elliot sat on the opposite side of Barkley. He missed this, it had been way too long indeed.

Clawnor sat down next to Deuce first, on the left side of his Uncle Elliot. Clawd went to take a seat next to Deuce when Clawnor gave a dangerous warning growl.

Clawd paused, studying his youngest brother. He moved to the other side of the table and sat across from Deuce. Apparently that was alright with Clawnor. "How's your knuckles?" Elliot asked the werewolf, noticing they were now bandaged.

Clawd's cheeks blushed heavily. "They're fine, nothing I don't deserve."

Elliot waved it off. "Oh please, Clawd... the only one who deserved anything they received was Romulus Junior. You don't deserve a single hair out of place."

"Don't tell me that you're on board with this too?" Scarlet warned, willing to share again why she felt it was inappropriate.

Elliot held up a hand in protest. "Scar please, he was down right nasty! I only wish Clawd would've gotten more aggressive than he did."

"Can we just not talk about it anymore?" Clawd noticed the twins and Howleen coming to the dining table, he didn't want to set a bad example for them. He shoved his bandaged hand under the table.

Deuce glanced at the youngest wolf, it was cute at the beginning when he had told Clawd off. But was Clawnor going to do this all night? If that was the case, it would get very irritating quick. A small sigh escaped from the gorgon, honestly he just wanted to snuggle Clawd. How Clawnor was acting, it seemed that he wasn't getting that any time this weekend.

A devilish smirk swept across the gorgon's pale features, as he slide his foot along the wolf's leg. Hopefully this would get his attention. Hoping he possibly could flirt with Clawd without the smallest furball catching on.

Clawd smirked at Deuce from across the table as he returned the flirtatious gesture.

Deuce happened to notice Scarlet had put the biggest slice in front of Mr. Where, saying something him being all skin and bones. The gorgon couldn't help but chuckle. At least she was parenting someone else, leaving poor Clawd alone. Maybe at this rate, Clawd wouldn't be hairless by the morning?

Deuce hoped Scarlet or Clawd wouldn't notice him pushing around the food on his plate. Sadly with everything going on the gorgon wasn't really feeling food, although he could go for a nice glass of whiskey at the moment. Sadly he knew Ma would force feed it to him if she had to, she truly had a talent of making him eat. Even when he didn't want it.

Clawd poked Deuce with his foot and silently gestured to the gorgon's plate. He had been caught by his loving boyfriend not eating.

"Where's Clawdia?" Howlmilton asked, looking around for his sister.

Clawdia and Maximilian then came through the front door, with delicious desserts in their arms. Howldon headed right over and took the delicate pies from her unsteady hands. "Thanks Howldon," she kissed his forehead and he headed to the kitchen with them. Cherry and strawberry rhubarb were the flavors. Yum, indeed! "Uncle Ellie!"

Mr. Where headed right for the front door, "Clawdia, sweetheart, how are you?"

They hugged tightly. "Ooh I'm alright, ready to eat the next thing that moves."

He laughed, backing up and eyeing her suspiciously. Elliot noticed how soft her fur was... not to mention how shiny her hair was too. "Are you..." He looked down at her stomach, then back up at her. "with baby?" He inquired, truly hoping he was correct in his assumption.

She nodded excitedly. "Yes! Yes, we are expecting."

He resisted the urge to squeal with her. "Oh Clawdia that's wonderful news! I'm very excited for the both of you. And you, Mr. Maximilian Graves, in the flesh!"

"Hey, best teacher ever." Maximilian didn't actually go to Monster High but a few years back he did a movie that took place at the secondary school over the summer vacation and he'd been lucky enough to meet Mr. Where and learn a few things.

"Come, come - enjoy the dinner Scarlet made." He ushered them to the table and sat down once again.

Deuce couldn't help but smile, as he snuck out of his chair and walked over to Clawdia a hug. Yes - he was using the pregnant wolf as an excuse from eating his dinner. It felt like forever since he saw the she-wolf last and he truly missed her. "Ma made her 7-layer meat lasagna." The gorgon said rubbing the wolf's belly. He honestly couldn't wait for the little fluff ball.

Clawdia started to tear up when Deuce rubbed her tummy, it made everything so real. "Deuce…" She wiped away a tear. "Thanks Uncle Deuce." She hugged him briefly before parting and wiping her eyes on her sleeve. She wanted to thank him for caring so much.

Scarlet looked around the table and counted heads. Someone was missing... Clawdeen! "Where's Clawdeen?" She hoped her daughter was feeling well, there was quite enough bout with illness in this family and she had her fill quite frankly.

Elliot had poured himself a glass of water. "She left for Frankie's house this evening."

Barkley furrowed his brows in thought. "She did? I didn't even see her go."

Elliot gave a nod. "She greeted me before she left."

Scarlet frowned. "She didn't even have dinner. I hope she's alright." For some reason, she couldn't shake the fact that her daughter wasn't where she said she would be.

Clawdia gave herself a slice of meaty lasagna, it looked absolutely stunning. "Oh she's alright, Ma. She clearly finds her - family boring, that's all." She chuckled, handing Max the pan of lasagna and the utensils.

"Well thing is, since you're with child. It has gotten boring, we lost a drinking buddy." The gorgon stated as he slid into his seat, poking at his food with the fork once more. Was it possible he could pawn it off on the twins without his boyfriend seeing?

Clawdia grinned, her pearly canines showing. "Shit, and you've only drank with sophisticated red wine Clawdia. Now rum and cola Clawdia - that bitch is a damn good time."

Max smirked from where he sat as well. "I had my second date with rum and cola Clawdia, she's a blast for sure."

"Aren't you turning 21 this year?" Howleen asked her sister, discreetly taking some of Deuce's lasagna, giving him a knowing wink. It was more convenient for her to grab some of his than reach over him to grab the pan.

Scarlet smiled, "The exact same day pops here turns really old."

The twins and Clawnor tilted their heads.

"He'll be 40, on the same day Clawdia was born." She reminded the twins and possibly anyone who didn't know.

Elliot smirked, "Goodness gracious, you are getting ancient."

"Aww, she was his birthday present." Deuce said rubbing the belly once more. "What are the chances that this little one with carry on the tradition?"

Clawdia shook her head, "No, no - I sure as hell don't wanna be that overdue."

Elliot chuckled, not that he could blame her, carrying to term was long enough. "When are you due, love?"

She wasn't used to answering questions about herself, but she supposed it was something she would have to get used to. "They believe my due date's around the 15th of January, actually. So when pops and I have our birthday, that's February." She narrowed her eyes towards Max. "If you get me pregnant before I can celebrate my milestone with my father, I will shred you to bits." Was it selfish of her to want a good party for herself and her father? "We need a damn good party, Pops."

He wasn't about to object to that. "Damn right we do."

Deuce pulled his hands away and counted his fingers, one thing with this family you didn't withhold was a party.

Mr. Where stared at the lasagna and realized he was only half-way through it. "You always out-do yourself Scarlet, every time I eat anything of yours it tastes 10x better than the last time I had it."

"Oh stop it you," she waved it off. "but do tell me more."

He noticed that Deuce hadn't really eaten anything, Clawd himself was on his second serving.

The doorbell rang and everyone looked at one another. Scarlet got up from her seat and headed for the front door. "Frankie?"

"Good evening, Mrs. Wolf. I'm here for Clawdeen."

Scarlet folded her arms over her chest. "Are you? That's very interesting because she left to go to your house… about half an hour ago."

"Oh she left already?" The young ghoul said trying to play it off as if she forgot that her friend was meeting her at the Stein house.

Scarlet stared directly into Frankie's opposite colored eyes. "Do you know why she didn't wait for you? It's not like Clawdeen to go off on her own."

"Actually," Elliot cut in lightly. "it's very like Clawdeen to go on her own, especially lately. She hasn't hung out with the ghouls in quite some time."

Frankie nodded, "That's right. Hi Mr. Where!"

"Greetings, Frankie." He headed back to the table when a fog-horn sounded off in the closet, or so it seemed. "This wretched thing needs to stop!" He opened the front closet and grabbed the cellular phone. He learned that hitting a button on the side stopped its obnoxious screaming.

Picture Message fr. Othello Stoan

Elliot opened the picture and saw his gorgeous beau half-naked. He had an amazing dragon tattoo that took up the entire left side of his chest, the wings spanning out to his left shoulder and bicep. His washboard abs were wet… his chiseled face had piercings… so did his hips. He tossed the phone into the closet before he could get himself too invested. This had* to end…

Deuce's head perked up, he didn't know how to react that Clawdeen wasn't with whom she said. Or the fact his uncle was hiding something. This required some snooping but right now he needed to find his younger sister.

Howlmilton nearly launched from his seat to fetch what had been thrown as it seemed Uncle Where was talking himself down from a panic attack. The nosy wolf pup dove into the front closet to dig for the phone.

"Well, I'd better get going!" Frankie waved quickly and left, almost running away from the door of the Wolf Residence. "Bye! Have a good night!" She still shouted from the sidewalk - walking away at an astonishing pace.