I'm awoken by strong, warm arms, ones that I immediately recognise. My mate, Derek.
"I'm sorry," he murmurs into my ear, pressing a kiss just under my lobe. "I know you're finding it hard at the moment, but I need to know why you don't want to tell me. Just know that I'll always be here for you."
My hands curl over his forearms, kissing his wrist. Just hearing those words strengthen my resolve to tell him. "I'm... I'm insecure."
"About what, baby?"
"I don't want you to think I'm weak because I'm letting some assholes get to me."
"They're not just 'some assholes'," Derek growls, his wolf side coming out, which I fucking love. "They're trying to discredit your entire existence. You have every right to be distraught over this. I just... I need more communication with you so we can solve problems together."
"Okay," I breathe out in relief. "I can manage that. I don't want to hurt you. I never do."
"I know you don't," he responds. "Let's get you some sleep and we can talk more in the morning."
I hum, smiling. "I like that idea."
~~~
It's lunch time when Derek brings up what we talked about the night before. We're in a secluded corner of our favourite restaurant, they give the diner back home a run for it's money with their burgers and curly fires."
"I've been thinking," he says and I raise an eyebrow at him.
"That's dangerous."
He sighs, but smiles slightly. "I've been thinking. There's a charity game on tonight, you can sit down at the front, right by the court, and be my good luck."
I blush. I don't normally attend his games because I get very overwhelmed by the sounds. National games are far louder and more intense than high school games. Derek isn't affected like I am, since as soon as he gets on the court, not much else matters to him. "I think I can definitely come," I say. "After all, I am your good luck."
He grins, leaning over and pressing a warm kiss against my mouth. "That you are."
I'm about to continue our conversation, when my phone rings. "Hello?"
"Stiles!" It's Isaac. "I've got a problem at work, can you and Derek come around as quickly as you can?"
I'm on immediate alert. "Of course. We'll be there soon."
"What's wrong?" Derek asks after I put my phone away.
"There's an emergency down at the day care centre." I start packing everything up and paying. "Isaac sounded pretty upset."
"I hope it's not protesters or some shit," Derek growls. "The last thing I want is some assholes ruining kids' lives before they even start."
"I hope not too," I huff, standing up. "If it is, I'm not gonna hold back. It's been a while since I've let my claws free."
Derek chuckles darkly right beside me, following me out of the restaurant. "Yeah, mine could use a workout too."
Yeah. It's nice to have someone right there, beside you always.
"Let's go Der."
When we arrive - in Derek's classic Camero - Isaac is inside the building, smiling, smiling. "He doesn't look too worried," I comment.
"Let's wait until we get inside, you never know what's happening."
I nod, taking Derek's hand, preparing myself before we head in together. "Alright. Let's do this. It can't be that bad, surely."
Inside is dead quiet, with only the murmurings from the room Isaac is in, filling the silence partially. I feel fear rising the closer we get to the room, tightening my hold on Derek's hand.
"It'll be okay, Stiles," he mumbles. "C'mon."
Without anymore warning, Derek opens the door. I see Isaac sitting on the ground, across from a child, about 3-4 years old.
The cutest little bunny hybrid I've ever seen, oh my God.
"Hey guys," Isaac greets. "This is Fletcher, Fletch, these are my very close friends, Stiles and Derek. I'm going to talk to them for a minute. Will you be okay on your own?"
The little bunny nods, a constant pout on his face as he plays with the blocks that are laid out in front of him.
"Good boy." Isaac stands and leads us back out, despite me not wanting to leave the precious boy alone, even for a second.
When we go out into the hall, I cross my arms. "What's the emergency Isaac?"
"Fletcher."
"What about him?"
"I think he's been abandoned here."
My heart drops. "Are you sure?" I ask, desperate for it to not be true.
"Yeah, maybe his parents are just late," Derek suggests.
Isaac shakes his head. "No, the centre's been closed for two hours and no one's contacted me."
"Where's his contact info?" I ask.
"I've already tried calling, but go ahead, you can try again." He points towards a desk down the hall where a large book is. "His full name is Fletcher Kel."
I nod, hurrying over to it, pulling my phone out. I quickly find his name and dial the number, waiting for a response.
"Hello-"
"Hi!"
"You've reached Marcus's Dry-Cleaning, if you have clothing needed to be picked up, press-"
I hang up, not needing to hear anymore. "Fuck!" I hiss, walking back over to Derek and Isaac. "I was a fucking dry-cleaning store."
"Dammit," Derek sighs. "Maybe it was an accident, does Fletch have a bag?"
"Uh... yeah, yes! Inside, along the wall, it's a watermelon designed bag."
Adorable.
I open the door, giving Fletcher a smile before walking over to where the watermelon bag that's left there, all alone.
Unzipping the bag, I start looking through it for any information. I take out the cutest Platypus plushie, holding it while I still go through the bag.
"Beakie!" a small voice calls out and I look over at Fletcher, who has his arms stretched out, reaching for the Platypus. "Beakie p'ease."
Aw, such good manners. I take the plushie over to him and he takes it lightly from my hands.
"T'ank you."
"That's okay sweetie," I say, ruffling his hair lightly. I go back over to the bag to continue looking through it. That's when I find an envelope. Taking it out, I look at who it's addressed to.
'To the owner of Lahey's Hybrid Day Care.'
I don't know if I want to know what's written inside. Regardless, I go back out into the hall and pass it to Isaac. "I found this in his bag."
Isaac and Derek sigh, Isaac taking the letter, and Derek pulls me into his arms.
"He'll be alright, Stiles," he whispers. "He will."
I look over at Isaac. "What does it say?"
He runs a hand down his face and takes a breath. "Dear Owner. I'm a 3 year old Bunny Hybrid. My dad was human, and my mum was a hybrid, but my dad didn't know that. He tried loving me for a while, but he couldn't. Now mum is on her own and can't support me anymore. Please, take care of me."
"Jesus," Derek breathes out. "What are we gonna do?"
Isaac sighs. "I'll take him to the rescue centre."
I roll my eyes, scoffing. "You mean the hybrid orphanage."
"Fine. The hybrid orphanage. Look, there's nothing else we can do. None of us are prepared for a child. It's the best place for him right now."
There's a lump in my throat and tears brimming my eyes. He's right, but I despise the mere thought of sending Fletcher to an orphanage.
But there's nothing more we can do.