House of Wolves, Plus One

Frank Iero was passing through the area. Truth be told, Frank was only ever "passing through". He had lived with humans and he had lived with his own kind from time to time during his 24 years on this Earth, but he never really belonged.

At the age of 15, the Alpha had abandoned pack life for the open road and the life of a Lone Wolf. That life wasn’t for everyone as Lupo are generally quite a social species, but for Frank, it was perfect.

Of course, being a Lone Wolf Lupo has its disadvantages, like loneliness and no one having your back if something bad goes down, but there are good things too. Frank could travel wherever he liked. He could meet new and interesting people and learn about different cultures...and he could get as far away from his damn mother as he could possibly get.

Frank's father had been killed when he was just a small cub, and his mother had become an overprotective nightmare after that. She told him time and again of the dangers of the world, and more precisely, the dangers caused by humans. Frank's father had been out on a hunt. He’d been in full shift and some stupid human with a shotgun had emptied both barrels into him...Frank's mother never did get over it.

Frank was kept a virtual prisoner to her paranoia and as soon as he could, he ran.

He was nervous of humans of course, after all he’d been told, who's going to blame him?...but he was still an Alpha, and with that came a strength his Beta mother never had.

Slinging his guitar over his shoulder...something he’d been given as payment by a human woman when he’d saved her from a bear a couple of years back...he made his way slowly through the edge of the forest. He could smell that there were Lupo in these woods as they had marked their territory well, and he could protect himself easily, but he didn’t want to have to. He also didn’t want to walk along the road that ran next to the trees, as he really didn’t want to chance being seen by the local human Sheriff, a man he had encountered before, who had taken an instant dislike to the young wanderer.

Frank's eyes darted about as his ears twitched in the cool evening air. He had partially shifted to heighten his senses, and he was glad he had, as he was fairly certain now that he was being watched. Whoever was out there was tracking him, but keeping their distance...for now.

Frank could tell by the scent that it was Lupo, and that they were a Beta. He could take them if the need arose, but he hoped that he could talk his way out of any confrontation by explaining that he was just passing through.

The Beta had been following him along the tree line for a half hour now, and Frank was getting a little bored of it. He stopped walking with a huff and set his guitar and backpack down on the ground next to a large oak tree. He turned toward where the Beta was hiding.

"I don’t want trouble..."

He called, trying to keep the annoyance and Alpha growl out of his voice.

"I’m just passing though."

There was silence for a minute, then soft rustling as the Beta emerged cautiously from his hiding place.

"Who are you?...what are you doing here?"

Frank smiled softly, shifting back to his human form to show that he meant no harm.

"My name's Frank, and I’m on my way to Newark. I’m not planning to stick around here. You don’t have to worry."

"Where are you coming from?"

Frank noticed that the Beta didn’t offer up his name, but he decided to leave that for now.

"All over. I like to travel."

"You’re a Lone Wolf?"

"Yes. Are your pack nearby?..."

The Beta's eyes widened and Frank smelled the fear rolling off him in waves. Frank raised his hands and lowered his head in surrender for a moment before looking back up.

"You don’t have to answer that. I didn’t mean to frighten you."

The Beta took a deep, shaky breath, and tried to relax.

"My...my pack is close."

Frank smiled gently and nodded.

"I should be going. I still have a long way to walk."

Just then, lightning flashed and thunder roared overhead, making them both jump. Frank laughed nervously.

"Maybe I better find some shelter. Do you know how far it is to the next town?"

The Beta's eyes had been cast up to the sky, but now he looked back at Frank.

"You can’t stay at the human town."

Frank raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly.

"Well as long as I don’t run into Sheriff Baker, I think I’ll be ok."

The Beta shook his head decisively.

"No. The town's not safe. You could..."

He glanced back into the woods before turning his eyes back to Frank.

"You could stay with my pack...just till the storm's over."

Rain started to fall then, big fat drops splashing cold on their skin. Frank frowned.

"I don’t want to intrude."

"You aren’t. I can’t leave you out in this weather...or send you off to the humans."

The Beta shuddered as he said the word, but Frank wasn’t sure if that was from the word 'humans', or from the icy water that was now soaking through their clothing. Frank sighed and nodded.

"Ok then, but just till the storm passes...ok?..."

The Beta smiled wide and nodded. He was clearly feeling more relaxed with Frank now. Frank picked up his guitar and backpack, then turned back to the Beta.

"Lead the way."

He said with a smile. The Beta smiled back and they started walking through the thick wet forest. They had been walking for nearly 10 minutes when the Beta suddenly turned his face toward Frank.

"I’m..."

He paused and Frank looked at him, nodding for him to continue. The Beta took a breath.

"I’m Dallon."

Frank grinned wide, looking up at the taller man.

"It’s nice to meet you Dallon."

Dallon smiled back and they continued to walk.

*

*

*

"WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING BRINGING HIM HERE?!...ARE YOU TRYING TO GET US ALL KILLED?"

Dallon whimpered and cowered in fear as Brendon went off at him about the Alpha he’d offered shelter to. Frank thought about just leaving, sneaking away and leaving them to it, but to be honest, he was a little concerned for the Beta.

"I-I’m s-sorry Alpha. The storm, it came so fast and...and he was gonna go to the h-human town. I...I couldn’t l-let him g-go there A-Alpha."

Brendon turned narrowed eyes toward Frank.

"You would stay with humans?"

Frank nodded, drawing himself up to his full height and puffing out his chest.

"It wouldn’t be the first time..."

He glanced at the clearly scared Beta, then looked back at the Alpha.

"I still can if you want me to go."

Brendon sighed, shaking his head.

"You can stay, but you surrender any weapons to me now. You can have them back before you leave."

Frank chuckled.

"I don’t carry weapons man...I’m an Alpha, why would I need them?"

Brendon raised an eyebrow.

"You travel unarmed?...you are either very brave, or very stupid."

"Nah, I’m just not really into the whole violence thing."

Brendon made an unconvinced noise, then turned to Dallon.

"Evelyn's room is still empty, right?..."

Dallon nodded, his eyes still on the ground. Brendon grunted at him then looked back at Frank.

"You can stay until the storm has passed. I’ll show you to your room. You are not to wander around without an escort...understand?"

"Yeah, I get it..."

Frank was used to this level of paranoia in Lupo packs, it didn’t surprise him one bit.

"Lead the way."

Brendon nodded, then took Frank to a small but homely room at the back of the ranch that served as the pack's village. Frank thanked him for his hospitality, then sat on the small twin bed as the other Alpha disappeared back out the door, closing it behind him. Frank sighed and tried to relax...he had a feeling he would’ve been better off staying with the humans.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks, how’s you?

So here's Frank!...nothing else I need to say. :)

Until next time...PLEASE COMMENT and peace out babies!
<3