Frankie gave a slow nod. ”I think so.” he replied, still trying to wrap his head around everything. ”I just wish I… that you could…” he blushed slightly, barely noticeable in the firelight. ”Nevermind. Thank you for trusting me with your secret.”
"That I could what?" She asked, looking over at him with the same golden-brown calculating eyes as her wolf form had. Thanks to some of the advantages she had from being a werewolf, she could see his blush, but she didn't say anything. It wouldn't be beneficial to him to know about her slightly enhanced senses.
Frankie laughed awkwardly and blushed darker. ”It’s really nothing important. Just me being an awkward idiot. Please, forget I said anything.” he begged. I thought she was beautiful as a wolf, now… She might as well be Artemis. … I’m in trouble.
Selina raised an eyebrow, silently saying 'Really? Just tell me and get it over with'. She moved and leaned back on her forearms, looking at the fire.
Frankie was also looking at the fire, trying to avoid embarrassing himself further. ”So, …uh… I'm the only human who knows about this?”
"The only one I've told, but there are tons of others that have been told and have mostly kept the secret," She replied, nodding, "I know of two others who know about our pack, one of them who is a worker here at the park."
”Ok. Makes sense that someone who works here would help your pack.” Frankie agreed. ”I have heard ”myths” about werewolves but a majority of people don't believe that you're real.” he managed to look back up at her. ”I am honored that you trust me to keep this secret. I won't let you down.”
Selina nodded, "I'm trusting you to keep the secret." She crossed her legs and sighed, "Yes, the worker is one of the only people who our pack trusts to help us."
”I’ll take it to my grave.” Frankie vowed. ”We’re not going to get in trouble with the ranger for you leading me here, are we?” he asked, not wanting to cause any more problems.
"In all honesty, I don't know," She admitted with shrug, glancing at him, "It depends on what ranger finds you, there are a few nice ones and a few mean ones." Her eyes flicked around as she watched the surroundings and she relaxed a little more, picking up no signs of any other humans or werewolves like herself.
Frankie nodded. ”I was expecting something like that for just setting up the first time but I meant with the specific ranger who knows about your pack.” he clarified. ”I don't want you to get in trouble for my sake.”
(Sry if I'm not on a ton, life is getting crazy for me)
"I'm fairly certain he'll be happy if anything that he's not the only one that knows about us, you might get your ear talked off," She replied, cracking a smile at the thought of the ranger and Frankie meeting, "As long as you make sure you tell him in exact words that this secret isn't going to spill, you'll be fine."
Frankie chuckled. ”If I meet him and the topic comes up, I will tell him that. What's the guy's name?” he asked imagining how that conversation would go over.
Selina thought for a moment, eyebrows furrowing in thought, "I think it's Max….or maybe it's Mark. It's been a long time since he's stopped by."
Frankie smiled softly, looking at her. ”I wonder why. I'm sure his job keeps him busy, but if I was in his place I’d check-in at least a couple times a week.” Every day if I could… to see you.
She shrugged, tapping her foot against the ground and glancing at him, "I mean, we don't really count on him checking in. Humans like you and him have lives and families to take care of and protect."
Frankie raised a brow. ”Since he knows about you doesn't he have to listen to your Alpha and use his job to help you, not just keep you hidden?” he wondered. ”I'm not saying he's part of the pack and I understand about having his own life and family but… It seems like there's more he could do for you.”
"Sometimes the best way to help us is to keep us hidden from your kind." She said, clearly still slightly on guard as she continued to look around, "To an extent, yes, he has to listen to Alpha, and yes there is much more he could do. But we are fine with not seeing him and we get by quite well on our own."
Frankie nodded. ”I understand. No news is good news, right?” he chuckled, raising a brow at her restless posture. ”Is something wrong, Selina? You seem a little tense.” he pointed out gently. He had no doubt that she could take care of herself, she was the Beta of her pack but he still was considered.
Automatically, she tried to look more relaxed. "I'm always tense because it is my job to protect the pack and to guard, but this is putting my senses through the roof. I'm not supposed to be talking to you, so everything sounds that much more like a pack member," She admitted, drumming her fingers against the ground.
”Oh.” Frankie reflexively looked around at that, knowing Selina had sharper senses. ”I forgot how serious the situation was. You're breaking a pretty big rule for your pack. I'm sorry to cause so much trouble.” Geez! I feel like I'm some kind of fugitive now.
"It's not that we can't interact with humans," She clarified, shaking her head and turning her attention back to him instead of at the woods, "It's just that we're not supposed to be around you guys alone and without telling Alpha so he could approve the interaction."
”I see. That's not so bad then.” Frankie smiled, letting himself relax a bit. ”Well, if not everyone in your pack would be okay with me then I'm glad you came alone. But why didn't you tell your Alpha about me? Or would I already be dead if you did?” he inquired.
Selina was silent for a moment as she tried to figure out the best way to say it, "Alpha…..doesn't like humans, to put it simply. Getting him to meet the ranger was difficult enough, he would kill you on site if he found out I didn't really 'chase you away' from pack lands."
Frankie nodded, hearing her hesitation. ”I’m sure he has his reasons for that, but I promise I’ll try not to cause any more trouble for your pack.” he looked down as he considered his next words, ”If… uhh, if’d be easier; I can cut my trip here short and move on to the next park.” Even though I don't really want to go yet.