Smiley (Yandere Werewolf x Reader)

Chapter 19 - Calm

The walk back home felt like we were wading through a thick fog. The old man's words echoed in my mind, mingling with the heaviness of the coming full moon.

The bond, the inner beast, the warning not to run or scream—it all kept circling in my head like a broken record.

I glanced at Smiley, walking beside me, silent as always.

He was close—closer than usual, like he was guarding me from something unseen. His steps were slow and deliberate, matching mine perfectly. I could feel the heat of his body, the soft brush of his arm every time we moved. There was something comforting about his presence, even though my nerves were frayed from everything the old man had said.

Be calm. Don't panic. Pray the bond is strong enough.

Easy, right?

Except it wasn't.

When we finally reached the house, Smiley didn't let me walk in alone. His hand found the small of my back as we entered, and even though he didn't speak, his touch was reassuring in its own way. I could feel his eyes on me constantly, like he was trying to gauge my mood, my fear.

Inside, the house felt strangely quiet.

The air was thick with anticipation, and even though the full moon was still a day away, it felt like its pull was already affecting everything around us.

Smiley stayed close, closer than ever.

He followed me into the kitchen when I went to grab a drink, his presence looming just behind me, like a silent shadow. It was weird, but at the same time, it wasn't unwelcome. I could feel the tension radiating off of him too—like he was holding back, trying to suppress whatever the full moon was awakening inside him.

I sat down on the couch, trying to distract myself, but Smiley didn't go far. Instead, he stood there for a moment, hovering like he was unsure of what to do. His eyes met mine, and for a second, I saw something flicker behind them—something darker, more intense. I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling small under his gaze.

He didn't speak, but his body language was clear: he was watching over me, maybe even more closely now because of what was coming.

The bond between us—whatever it was—felt stronger, like an invisible thread tightening with each passing moment.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Smiley finally moved. He came to sit next to me on the couch, his movements slow, careful. I could feel his warmth immediately, his body almost brushing against mine, but he didn't touch me.

Not yet.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, trying to read his expression, but he was as stoic as ever. His jaw was set, his eyes fixed ahead, as if he was fighting some internal battle I couldn't see.

Then, suddenly, he leaned in closer, so close that I could feel the heat of his breath against my ear. His presence was overwhelming, like he was trying to shield me with his very being.

"N...no worry..." he muttered, his voice deep and husky, filled with something I couldn't quite place. His words were slow, careful, like he was choosing them with great effort. "Beast... c-contained."

I froze for a moment, feeling the weight of his words settle over me.

Beast contained?

I couldn't help but feel my heart pick up its pace.

Was he trying to reassure me?

Or himself?

I turned to look at him, my eyes meeting his, but the intensity in his gaze made my throat tighten. There was something raw there, something primal, just beneath the surface. The calm exterior he always carried seemed thinner, like a veneer that could crack at any moment.

"What... what does that mean?" I whispered, barely able to get the words out.

What beast?

Smiley didn't answer right away. Instead, he looked away, his eyes flicking toward the window where the last light of the day was fading, casting long shadows across the room. His jaw tightened again, like he was wrestling with the words, with the truth of it all.

Finally, he turned back to me, his eyes softer now but still filled with that same intensity.

"M-moon..." he started, his voice barely above a whisper. "It...brings out..."

I didn't need him to finish the sentence. I already knew. The full moon brought out the inner beast. And from the way he was acting, it was clear he was already feeling its pull.

But he was still in control.

At least for now.

He moved closer, his hand brushing against mine, and the warmth of his touch grounded me for a moment. Despite everything, despite the fear and uncertainty gnawing at the edges of my mind, there was something about Smiley that made me feel... safe.

"Smiley," I said softly, turning to fully face him. "You won't hurt me, right?"

His eyes locked onto mine, and he didn't hesitate before shaking his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. He reached out, his fingers gently brushing the side of my neck—the same place he had pointed to earlier when we talked about the mark.

"Bite," he muttered, his voice rough but filled with something that felt almost like regret. "Won't hurt. J-just mark."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. I knew what the mark meant now, what it would symbolize.

A bond.

A permanent bond.

The thought made my stomach twist in both fear and something else I couldn't quite name.

"But why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why is it necessary?"

Smiley's fingers lingered on my neck for a moment before he pulled away, his gaze dropping to the floor.

"Bond...stronger," he muttered. "No...lose control."

It all clicked into place then. The mark wasn't just about claiming—it was about control. The full moon would bring out his inner beast, but with the mark, the bond between us would be strong enough to keep it contained.

Or at least that's what he believed.

A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about tomorrow night. The full moon was looming, and with it, everything would change. Smiley might be able to contain his beast now, but would that still be true when the moon was full, and its pull was at its strongest?

I glanced at him again, and despite the fear gnawing at the edges of my mind, I felt a strange sense of calm settle over me.

He wouldn't hurt me.

He couldn't.

Not with this bond between us.

Right?

But as the sun finally set, casting the room into shadow, I couldn't help but wonder if tomorrow would prove me wrong.