Newt woke to the chipper tweets of birds heralding in a new day. Something was tickling his nose and there was something scratchy and warm along his cheek. He was laying on top of something hard but there was no roughness that he'd expect from the ground. Blinking rapidly to clear the haziness clouding his mind, Newt opened his eyes to see his surroundings. As soon as he saw what-or rather who he was sleeping on top of everything came back.

Prison. Graves. Heartbreak. Full moon. Heat. Graves. Mating. Graves.

Graves…his mate!

Newt gasped and jerked up, but the thick arm banded about his waist kept him from getting far. The sudden movement caused him to gasp in pain. He was sore all over. Blushing, he realized he had every reason to be sore. He had no idea how many days passed but heats usually lasted three to five days, sometimes going on into a full week if a mated couple had been through a trauma or gone too long without each other. It was their bodies way of ensuring the mates wouldn't be parted again for a long time and to increase the chance of a pregnancy.

Oh, god, a pregnancy?

Though most of his memory was clouded by his heat starting, he did remember a few werewolves attacking him and trying to rape him. He whimpered at the fuzzy memories. He might not remember the images with much clarity but he remember the terror knifing through his body as if it had happened minutes ago. Call him a coward but he was thankful he didn't remember who had attacked him or much of the how. But Graves had saved him in time and for that he was endlessly thankful.

But he was also pissed. How dare the man leave him and then come back and mate him? Granted, he saved Newt but he also made him cry. Newt steepled his hands over Graves's chest and frowned down at the sleeping were.

And now he might be pregnant with the weres babies and he didn't even know what creature his new mate was. Could different species even intermingle and procreate?

Newt sighed, the frown falling from his face. He had a mate. He was loved. It was everything he'd ever dared to hope for. Sighing in contentment, he smiled and snuggled down under Graves's chin. He sniffed at his mates skin, trying to imprint that unique smell into his olfactory senses. He was never going to let go of this man.

"Newt?" Graves groaned awake. His arms tightened around the smaller were as he came to consciousness.

"Hi," Newt demurred, suddenly shy. He'd spent the past who knew how many days naked and moaning under this man and yet he'd never felt as shy as he did right now. Being naked and pressed right over every inch of the man didn't help either.

Graves's expression softened as he took in the blushing were on top of him. He curled a finger under his timid mates chin and tilted the flushed face up to take a kiss. Unlike their shared kisses of the past few days, this kiss was soft and sweet. Everything Newt was and everything Graves was not. He coaxed Newts wet tongue out to his, entwining them and sliding slippery wet in a teasing dance. Newt moaned in sweet, wanton desire.

Graves slid his hand down his mates back, circling his large hand over one of his adorable cheeks. His fingers slipped into the sweet, warm crevice to the hot and moist opening still loose from their repeated mating. Sweat, cum, and slick eased the way for Graves's invading digits. Even so, Newt's opening was puffy and swollen red from too much use. Newt whimpering pain, the sound lost in their kiss. Graves pulled away to let Newt breathe as he checked for internal and external tearing with the greatest of care. Newt was a werewolf, built to take knots, but still Graves showed his concern, a frown growing on his face.

Oddly it was that concern that helped Newt over his embarrassment of being touched so intimately. He smoothed his thumbs over Graves forehead and down his cheeks, resting them at the corner of his mates downturned lips.

"I'm okay," Newt whispered with a soft smile.

If anything, that reassurance only deepened Graves's frown. "Are you sure? I was pretty rough and…" he trailed off, his voice gravelly in the most delicious of ways.

His heart was literally melting right now. "You were perfect for me," Newt assured. He emphasized his vow with a kiss, this time keeping it to just the warm press of his plush lips.

"I mated you." Graves stated unnecessarily .

Newt nodded, wondering where his mate was going with this. Did he regret it already?

"I-did you want this? You were in heat so I can't expect you to be in your right mind when you said you loved me-"

Newt sunk his canines just under the sensitive part underneath Graves's jaw. Now he was getting angry. "First of all, don't tell me that I was out of my mind when I said that. Second of all, I want my apology for you leaving me all alone!"

Graves looked up at the furious omega and for the first time since mating, smiled. "I love you." He said gruffly.

The heat went out of Newt and he pouted. Just when he was getting good and angry and Graves just had to be the sweetest thing in the entire world. "I love you too, but I still want my apology," he muttered, although inwardly he was squealing in joy. Graves said he loved him!

"Newt, I had to. I'm sorry but I was doing it for your own good."

Well, it was nice while it lasted. There Graves went again deciding what was good for him without even a asking what his opinion was. "Why?" Newt complained plaintively. "What were you protecting me from? Graves, I don't think you realize how much I suffered. I ached for you. I cried over you for days!"

"I know, princess, I know. And I'm sorry for that but you don't understand-"

"Then make me!" Newt pleaded.

Graves sighed and brought up a hand to rub his eyes. "If I tell you, you'll want to break this mating. And even knowing all the dangers, I can't let you go. I'm sorry but I can't. And I don't want to see you hate me."

This was the first time Graves was being so open with him. So instead of taking offense at his words, Newt took brushed away Graves's hand and kissed his brow. "I'm your mate, for life. Nothing can change that."

They were silent for a while, Graves seemingly in deep thought as Newt continue to brush random, soothing kisses along his face and jaw. Finally, the were came to a decision and gently pushed Newt away. He helped Newt sit up, wincing himself when Newt moaned as his sore limbs were forced to work. Graves brought Newt flush against his chest as he sat the omega between his knees. Newt was just happy he was getting to cuddle up into his mate of a few days.

Graves dropped his forehead to Newts shoulder, the same side where his mate bite laid. He wrapped his arms around Newt's waist, his forearms resting right over his abdomen. His heart skipped, wondering if even now he could be pregnant. He hoped Graves wouldn't notice the sudden stiffening of his body. He wanted to hear what Graves had to say before they tackled that dilemma. But thankfully, Graves was too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice. Newt laced his own smaller hands over his mates forearms and waited patiently for the man to start.

"Im a reptile shifter."

Newt hummed, letting his mate know to continue. He knew that already, he just didn't know what species.

"Have you seen a lot of human movies?

Confused by that sudden tangent, Newt shook his head. He'd been in a pretty isolated pack who didn't like their members intermingling with humans or even other were species.

"Ah, shit." Newt frowning wanting to reprimand his mate for cursing, and in front of their potentially unborn litter too! But decided to let it slide just this once. He'd let his mate know later that cursing was a no no. "So, there's a movie the humans made after they used bombs on each other. The Japanese made it about a giant, reptilian creature who was a mutation of a dinosaur. It was used as a euphemism for those nuclear bombs the humans used."

Newt nodded again, not really understanding. "I saw that movie, about Godzilla."

Graves went silent and still behind him. Newt twisted his body to look at his mate with concern. Had he said something wrong?

"You saw it?"

"Mhm, even though alpha kept the pack pretty isolated from the humans they still liked to see the movies they made about weres. They thought it was funny. One of the gammas got a movie called Godzilla and it was this huge monster that destroyed everything. It took on two flying dinosaurs and blew fire. The movie said something about it giving off dangerous radiation or something, I don't really know what that means."

Graves grunted, staring down at Newt's mating bite. "And what did you think about Godzilla?"

Newt tilted his head to the side. "Godzilla? Well I thought he was pretty cool. He was so huge and powerful, but looked really lonely I think. He didn't have any of his kind and everyone was scared of him. Even the humans tried to kill him, not to mention the other creatures. But I think I'd be scared of him too! Imagine if something like that really existed, its more powerful than even a dragon. I have to say the humans have a really creative imagination. Um, Graves?" During his explanation his mates face had gone oddly blank.

"What if I told you it wasn't the humans imaginations?"

"What do you mean?"

Graves finally looked up and while looking into Newt with utter despair in his eyes, he admitted "I am Godzilla."

It took a few seconds to register. Newt smiled uneasily. He was unnerved about the look of despair present in his mates eyes. "That's very funny, Graves. But please don't joke with me."

Graves just shook his head and sighed in frustration. "I wasn't born like normal weres. I was created. Humans have made a lot of headway into genetic mutations and engineering. There's a human society that knows about us, all about us and they're not happy about it. They want to wipe us out."

Newt gasped at that. The number one cardinal rule of weres was to never reveal their existence to humans. Sure, some knew but he'd never imagined there would be a group of humans that were trying to kill off weres. "Who are they?" He whispered in horror.

"It doesn't matter. That particular group doesn't exhaust anymore. I've made sure of that."

Newt cupped Graves's chin and leaned in to kiss his cheek. "What happened to you?" He whispered the question against his mates skin. The were crushed Newt to him and Newt let his body bring comfort to his mate. He still didn't believe that his mate was a Godzilla creature but something terrible had happen to Graves, he just knew it.

"Like I said, I was created. Humans found out about weres and started hunting them off. But weres were strong and made use of human weapons to escape and defeat the humans. At the same time the humans were also warring with each other. So they began capturing live weres and experimenting on them. They took out their DNA and used that to create monsters. Monsters like me." Graves took another deep breath before continuing. Newt noticed his arms had tightened around him, as if he were afraid Newt was going to run.

"They took reptilian DNA from the egg of a dinosaur, mixed it in with some other shit and incubated me inside a snake shifter. They told me I was giving off so much radiation I killed my mother by my six month by poisoning her. But the egg was developed enough that they were able to salvage me from the carcass of my mother's body and incubate me to full growth. They intended to use me as a weapon against their enemies and against the other weres. Those atomic bombs I was talking about? I came first. When they saw what I could do saw the chaos I caused, they used me as a weapon. But I got free and killed them all."

With sinking horror, Newt finally believed. Graves was not the joking type and the waves of misery meaning off their moaning bond was more than enough proof for Newt. He pulled Graves even closer than they were and brought Graves to rest on his shoulder. The larger were huffed a breath over the mating bite, sending shivers down Newts spine.

Instead of meaningless apologies or supplications, Newt affirmed his love. It was the only thing he could do. "I love you. I love you. I love you." He affirmed the mantra over and over again, hoping to replace all his mate had lost with his love. It wasn't enough, it might never be enough but Newt would always try to fill in that hole created by loss with his love. His mate had lost his mother in the most horrific way possible and who knew how he'd been raised in captivity. He knew now wasn't the time to delve into that particular subject and he didn't want to press on an obviously painful subject. Whenever Graves was ready, Newt would be there to listen.

"The humans who know about me are scared of me, the weres who know about me are scared of me. I don't have a place to call home. The closest I've gotten was prison."

Newt was shaking his head in the negative even before Graves finished his sentence. "I'm your home now. I promise to make you feel at home no matter where we are, forever." He kissed whatever part of Graves he could reach, which happened to be the shell of his ear.

Graves didn't lift his face when he asked "Your not afraid me?"

"I love you," was his his simple answer.

But it was everything Graves needed to hear. It had remained constant throughout everything.

"Why were you in prison?" Newt asked.

His mate shrugged. "You kill people, you go to jail."

Newt frowned. That wasn't much of answer. It was only then he realized they were not at the clearing where Newt remembering being claimed for the first time. They were sitting at the mouth of a cave, carved into the base of a mountain and hidden from view. "Where are we?"

Graves finally lifted his head. "I had to hide you before they came looking for me. When I heard your howl I, ah, broke out of my cell to get to you. I wanted to take you someplace safer but with you in heat this was the safest I could find. We've been here for eight days."

That was a lot of information to take in all at once so Newt decided to get to the most pressing problem. "Graves, how did you get out?"

"I transformed and destroyed the entire facility. The entire thing blew up. I, ah, have a hard time controlling the beast. Half the time I don't even know what I'm doing when I'm transformed. All I could think of was you."

Newts eyes widened. "So if it was so easy for you to escape, why didn't you escape before?" But he got no verbal answer. Newt reached deep into this bond and found swirling emotions of shame and guilt.

Atonement. Graves had been in prison for atonement. Though the gruff man might not show it, he was was sorry for the lives he'd taken. He felt like he was a threat to the people around him and so he'd secluded himself in the prison. But his mate was wrong. He wasn't a danger to others. He'd just been used and abused by the humans and weres around him. Newt didn't see what Graves had done as bad. The were had only been trying to defend himself.

"Well, I'm glad you stayed or else we'd have never met," Newt chirped, wanting to lighten the mood.

Graves laughed and nodded. "I'm glad too."

Their foreheads meet as they rested in peace with each other. They knew this quiet wouldn't last. There was so much uncertainty. Of course were officials were looking for them. Newt couldn't quite grasp the gravity of being mated to Graves and he didn't quite know what it entailed but he didn't care. Graves would take care of him and he in turn would take care of Graves.

"What do we do now?" Newt finally broke their peace, albeit with great reluctance.

"We run. Fuck, princess, I'm so sorry. I'm putting you in so much danger but I don't know if I'm strong enough to break this bond."

For that stupid comment, Newt pinched his mates ear viciously. "Good. I don't need a stupid, strong self sacrificing mate. I just need you to be be here, with me, loving me. That's all I need."

"You're so easy to please," Graves teased.

Newt giggled. "Only by you." Their small moment was interrupted when Newt's belly grumbled and they both broke out into laughter.

"I should probably get you something o eat."

"Grave, I can hunt my self!" Newt protested. He was not a damsel in distress. He'd killed one of his attackers so Graves knew he could the fight.

"I want to, no I need to do this. I've made things so much harder for you but at least I can do this," Graves said, his expression serious again. Newt wanted to protest but he nodded. This wasn't him being weak, no Graves just needed to be useful. Newt wanted to assure that he don't need to be useful or try to make up for anything but if this made him happy than Newt was more than willing to lay back and let Graves get him food.

With a last kiss, Graves loped off out of the cave and Newt was left to his thoughts. They were scary and numerous. Newt touched tentative fingers to his mating bite and shivered when the sensitive skin tingled. Yes, their future was uncertain and certainly dangerous but they had each other. They would be okay.

It didn't take a long time before Graves came back carrying his bloody bounty. Newt fell onto the food with a grateful shout. The appearance of food made him realize just how hungry he'd really been. Graves had gone overboard and brought him six plump bunnies. His inner omega preened, liking that his mate was providing so generously for him. Only after Newt had started in on his second bunny did he realize Graves must be hungry too. So with an abashed smile, he pushed two bunnies Graves's way. The were shook his head. Up that that point, he'd been content to just sit and watch his mate eat. Newt frowned and Graves instantly broke down to eat a bunny too.

Newt liked this new power he had over Graves. Maybe it was the mate-bond, maybe it was because of how much they'd shared with each other but Graves was finally listening to him. To an extent.

After they were finished, Graves took Newt outside. They were near a small lake, where Graves washed away the dried bits of blood still on them both. The cool water felt divine over his skin and Newt basked in the attention. Graves ran his large hands over a few bruises and cuts. Newt knew what he was thinking of.

"I'm okay now."

"I know, but those bastards should have never even looked at you, let alone touched you." He growled menacingly.

Newt pushed away the trauma of what had happened to him. He wasn't ready to face it right now and would rather not think about it. "Bu you saved me and that's all that matters right now."

Graves grunted, then smiled proudly. "Princess, you didn't need saving. I saw the way you took out that werewolf and it was amazing. You're not as much of a light weight as I thought."

Newt pouted, flinging water into Graves face with a flick of a wrist. He wasn't sure if he liked that his mate had fallen back on the old habits of teasing him. The were grinned feraly before tackling him and toppling them both back into the lake.

"Graves! Be gentle with me, I might be pregnant!"

At that, Graves instantly pulled Newt out of the water and carried him to shore, treating him very much like delicate China.

"You're pregnant?" Graves croaked, looking so terrified it made Newt want to laugh.

"Maybe, I don't know. Are you mad?" Maybe Graves didn't want children with him. Newt bit his lip in worry.

Graves must have felt the sudden sadness through their bond. He hurriedly shook his head. "No, no, i- fuck Godzilla babies can you imagine? I'm hunted as it is so they'll be hunted too. Son of a bitch!" Graves whirled away from him and began to pace in front of him. Newt too worried about that, now that Graves had brought it up. He splayed a hand over his stomach but when he imagined cute little mini Graves blowing toxic smoke, there was no space for fear or doubt. Newt would protect his babies with his life.

Newt stood up on wobbly legs and threw himself at Graves, dropping himself over his mates naked back. "Can you imagine cute like mini yous? Ahh, they'll be so cute!"

His mates thick shoulder dropped but Newt could sense his mates happiness. "I want a mini princess like you to spoil."

Newt whined in protest. "I'm not a princess!"

Graves turned quickly and lifted Newt up in his arms, bride style. "No your not, you're my princess."

Huffing, Newt nonetheless rested his head on Graves shoulder as they headed back to their cave. "When did you get all sappy?"

"When I met you, apparently," His mate mumbled, sounding just a hint annoyed. Newt laughed and kissed his mate.

Everything would be okay. Newt was determined to make everything perfect for his much abused mate. They'd do it together.

...

In the end, they'd stayed at their little cave and made it their home. Graves had monitored any were activity but after a few months of searching for them, the officials gave up searching for him and Newt. Or so he'd thought. He'd gotten a message requesting a truce a few weeks later. They'd told him they knew about his pregnant mate and wanted to leave him alone in his piece of the forest, as long as he never left the area to threaten the lives of other weres. Graves guessed his entire annihilation of the prison really scared them.

He was still on high alert, despite the message promising to leave him alone. He had no problem with the stipulations. Like Newt had promised, the omega really was his home, no matter where they were. Regardless, he set up traps all over their forest and always stayed vigilant just in case those weres decided to come after him.

But truth be told, he was more terrified of the litter Newt now proudly carried than any other were that might be trying to kill him. They didn't have access to a healer so both of them were going into this blind. Graves hadn't had any parents and from his fucked up childhood, he'd only learned how not to raise a kid. And now he was going to be the father to at least one kid. Newt didn't seem too concerned, saying it was instinctual and that countless weres before him had given birth without healers. Graves had caustically pointed out those weres hadn't been pregnant with a genetically mutated monster litter. He'd been given the silent treatment for an entire day for calling Newts litter mutated monsters.

Graves allowed a small smile to curve over his lips. His mate was already a fierce mother. He always had a protective hand over his stomach. He insisted on talking to his belly and made Graves do it too, saying it would be good for the babies to hear his voice. He wouldn't admit it but Graves loved talking to Newt's belly. That was how he'd slowly, painful detail by detail told Newt of his childhood at the human facility. Living in captivity and then being turned into a monster. He'd been afraid to look up to see disgusted eyes but Newt always said he loved him multiple times day and it was no different that time. He chipped away at the ice surrounding his heart until Graves was left vulnerable. But Newt never betrayed that trust. He built an implacable wall around their bond, doing as he'd promised and protecting their bond.

Graves whistled happily as he entered their new home and dropped the dead carcass of a dear at the mouth of the cave. "I'm home, honey!"

"Graves, I missed you!" Newt waddled as fast as he could to Graves and threw himself into his mates welcoming arms, disregarding the blood all over him. Newt had been getting more clingy as of late, always snuggling up him and wriggling around trying to cover himself in Graves's scent. They'd salvaged some clothes and other necessities from what was left of the prison and Graves had rubbed his scent on a few sheets to leave with Newt when he went hunting. But even that was not enough. Newt always said getting the scent straight from the source, I.e. Graves, was the best. Graves enjoyed his cuddly, nesting mate more than he'd admit though.

Newt pouted when he saw his large stomach wouldn't let him get as close as he wanted to Graves. Graves started when his mate promptly burst into tears and shoved Graves away from him.

"Newt, what's wrong?" Graves reached of this mate only to have his hands slapped away.

"Don't touch me! I can even hug you properly because I'm so fat!"

Rolling his eyes, Graves sighed. This was not the first time this complaint came up. "You're not fat, you're pregnant."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing! It means you're pregnant!" Graves explained in exasperation.

Newt sniffled. "Are you saying my pregnancy means nothing? How dare you? These are your babies too, you giant smelly lizard! Hmmpff!" Newt folded his slender arms over his prodding stomach and turned his back on Graves.

Shit. Graves really didn't want to be put in the dog house again. He'd just gotten out a week ago after he'd made an offbeat comment about Newts swollen ankles while giving him a foot rub. He'd been lucky he hadn't lost his balls that time seeing as how Newts feet had been resting in his lap and he'd kicked out when Graves had made the admittedly insensitive joke.

"I thought I'd taught you how to curse properly?" Graves sneaked his hands around the girth of his mates stomach. He didn't know why or how but he felt so calmed whenever he touched that particular part of Newt.

"And now you're encouraging me to curse in front of my innocent babies! I'll not have you corrupt them even before they're out of my womb."

"So I can corrupt them after then?"

Newt turned, ready to really give a piece of his mind to Graves when Graves grinned and caught his mate up in a kiss. Newt instantly melted into his embrace, pressing his fisted hands to Graves's pectorals. His own hands went to his omegas behind. Pregnancy had filled the slender man to beautiful proportions. Not that Newt hadn't been perfect before, but now there was just a bit more for Graves to grope.

Newts behind in particular got plumper and his hands were just obsessed with the plumb cheeks. He kneaded them with a groan, which Newt happily swallowed. The omega pushed into his mates touch, their petty squabble forgotten under the onslaught of their sudden and fierce desire.

Graves really liked that Newt preferred to stay naked most of the time. The only time he covered up was when he was mad at Graves. Needless to say, he tried to stay on his best behavior.

He slipped a finger inside Newt, who whimpered at the sudden intrusion. He was still wet and slippery from their morning romp, when Graves had woken him up with a nice little orgasm.

"Fuck, you're still so tight and hot. Your ass is greedily sucking me in."

"Graves…you can't say that, the babies!" Newt protested half heartedly even as his lips were seeking more kisses. Graves chuckled darkly as he eased his mate to the floor of their cave. Newt sat up with his legs spread wide to accommodate his big, muscular mate.

"Alright, then let me show you." He gave into Newt's demands for kisses one more time before pulling away to the sweet sound of his protesting whines. Graves kissed down his omegas clavicle, down his sternum to his bellybutton. He rested his lips there for a minute, his hands rubbing the sides of his mates swollen stomach. A stomach swollen with his babies. There was so much reverence in his hands and lips as he tried to communicate just how happy and grateful he was to Newt for giving him all this. For giving him hope and a home. And despite being scared shitless about being a father and having innocent lives in his brutish hands, he knew Newt would be there to guide him.

But more pressing concerns called for Graves's attention. He willingly followed Newt's demands as he trailed his lips to Newt's weeping cock. Precum dripped generously from the pink tip. Graves had to swallow down the burst of saliva pooling in his mouth. He'd teased his mate for his eagerness but he was equally desperate for a taste of his omega.

"Graves!" Newts plaintive cry spurred him to action.

Graves swallowed the entire length of his omega in one go, relishing the sharp cry Newt gave. He sucked hard and fast, wanting to bring his mate to a crashing orgasm. He slipped one, two, three fingers easily inside of his mates opening. The furled muscles sucked in in, milking his fingers like it did so beautifully for his cock. Graves curled his fingers and scraped a nail over that sensitive nodule that he'd made sure to grow intimately familiar with in these past months. He knew his omegas body better than he knew his own, having spent hours just exploring with tongue and fingers until Newt was a moaning, wet mess.

Newt came embarrassingly quick with a half yell, half sob. Graves drank him down, nursing the twitching cock until Newt's tired hands pushed him away with feeble strength. Graves kissed his way back up his omegas body until he could share his mates taste with Newt.

They kissed, sloppy and dirty, saliva and semen running down their chins. Graves pulled away to lick up the mess, even catching a few stray drops of tears. When Newt cried during an orgasm, he knew he'd done particularly good. It was an odd thing to take pride in, but then Graves never claimed to be normal.

"You still need to apologize for saying the f word," Newt whispered, his voice hoarse.

Graves burst out laughing; leave it to his mate to not let an orgasm deter him from reprimanding him.

"I fucking love you."

"Graves!"