#redacted stealth

“Asher? Milo? Rascal?” David called out through the bond. Running as fast as he can towards the howl.

“David, I think Rascal’s having a panic attack. We haven’t been able to snap them out of it and shifting makes it worse.” Milo responded. “That damn truck that always backfires made a sound like a gun shot and I think it triggered them.”

David finally found them thanks to Asher’s howl. Milo gestures to where Rascal was as he steps into their view.

“Please… It’s me… I’m not a monster… Please… don’t hurt me…” Rascal continues to whine. It broke all of their hearts to hear them like this.

“Rascal.” David said softly. They are all surprised to hear the whimpering stop. “Do you recognize who I am?”

They all wait for a response. “D…David?” It was a question, as if they didn’t believe it was him.

“I’m here, can you come out?” David asked.

“No!… not safe… he’s out there… he’ll hurt me…” Rascal whined. They inched further in trying to obscure themselves completely.  

“You’re not alone anymore. You have a pack now. Asher and Milo are here. We’ll keep you safe.” David said lowering so he could see them. Asher and Milo follow his lead so they could see all three of them. They look at the wolves in front of them. Their pack.

“We want to get you out of here and to safety.” Asher added,

“No one’s going to mess with ya while the three of us are around.” Milo said.

They inch close to the opening, sniffing the air contemplating. It was quiet while they waited. None of them wanted to push them and make them retreat back into the small hole. None of them could fit in there so unless they decided to rip out the entire tree it was going to be a waiting game. After they have completely cleared the hole, Milo slowly slipped behind them blocking it so they couldn’t get back inside.

They watched how much Rascal frantically looked around. Their entire body shaking. “Remember what Cam taught you. Count your breaths evenly.” Milo directed.  

Taking in a deep breath for four seconds, holding it, then letting it out for four seconds. Repeating it while Milo guided them. “Can you shift?” David asked receiving a whine, he knew they didn’t want to shift back. But he didn’t want them to hide in their wolf form out of fear. “Let me take you home.”  

They reluctantly shift back as Asher and Milo quickly do the same. Asher pulls off his shirt to cover up Rascal’s body from the elements. David shifts back holding his arms out until Rascal approached. Letting him pick them up as they could no longer hold back the tears.

This was the first time they cried. Before only letting out whimpers, but now they sobbed. Holding onto David and burying their face into his shirt. “Let’s get back. The others are probably freaking out.” Asher said as David nods. Milo walks first being sure there was nothing David could possibly trip on while they made their way back to the house.

Hearing them continue to sob and whimper was heart wrenching. Cam warned them Rascal would probably get worse before they would get better. But seeing it was another thing. Something none of them were prepared for.

“Ya hear that?” Milo asked as they all stop. Focusing on the noises of the forest. In the distance they heard cries of all of their names.

“Angel?” David said first before he could see their silhouette further within the trees looking around desperately.

“Rascal! Milo! Ash! Davey!” He herd them yell, their voice hoarse as David began to pick up his pace. Trying to bridge the gap between them.  

“Angel!” He called out so they could hear him. They turn seeing him carrying Rascal and running towards them as fast as they can.

They didn’t see the tree root sticking out.

“Shit!” Asher ran over to them seeing David’s panicked look at seeing his mate trip and faceplant into the ground hard. Watching closely as Asher helps them to their feet. “You alright?”

“What happened? Are they okay? Are they hurt?” Angel asked as Asher brushed the leaves off them while David and Milo caught up.

“Idiot! Why the hell did you come out here?” David growled checking them over making sure they themselves weren’t injured anywhere.

“You ran off! What was I supposed to do? Just wait there not knowing what was happening?” They snapped back before stopping seeing Rascal still sobbing in David’s arms. “Rascal?”

David feels them flinch in his hold; the cries soften as they turn seeing Angel look at them worried. Why were they covered in dirt and looking at them like that? Was that their fault?

“I’m sorry…” It came out almost as a whisper. All of their eyes go wide at the words. Rascals first words while not shifted.

“Shhh, you did nothing wrong!” Angel was the first to snap out of the shock trying to keep them from devolving back into sobs. “Let’s get you home.” They nod the them before curling back into David’s hold with a shiver.

“Let’s go before you two catch a cold.” Milo suggested as they continue their track back to the house.

---

Stealth and Babe waited in the backyard. Babe was pacing back and forth. “Should we have gone after them?” They asked,

“No, If the others came back then no one would be here to help if something bad did happen.” Stealth reassured.

“What if they get lost…”

“Then David and the others can go back and look for them after Rascal is safe.” Stealth reassured.

They knew Stealth was right, but that didn’t stop their worrying. But they finally let out a sigh of relief when they see all of them leave the trees. “They’re back.”

Stealth moves over seeing all of them, their focus going to Rascal in David’s arms. Both of them dash over to join their mates and they all move back inside. “I took the food off the stove.” Stealth reassured taking Milo’s hand seeing how worried they all were.

“Are they hurt?” Babe asked as Ash shakes their head.

“Not… physically.” Asher answered as he closes the door behind them.

Angel moves over to the couch before reaching for Rascal. David leaned down so Rascal could easily get to Angel. They let him move them into their arms but whimpers the moment David walks away. “I’m just grabbing a blanket.” David said wrapping both of them up before sitting down next to them.

“We’ll stay right here until you feel better.” Angel said. Rascal gives them a nod before tightening their hold around Angel.

“Go over everything.” David said.

“We were running around when we heard that old truck backfire nearby.” Asher said.

“Rascal was already in that old fox den before we realized.” Milo added, “Nothing we said to them got through.”

“And when Milo shifted to give them a familiar face it only made it worse.” Asher said.

“Hence the howl. Good thinking.” David said sounding relieved. He watched as Rascal slowly continued to relax in Angel’s hold. Eyes fighting the urge to sleep. “You shouldn’t have gone out there.” He said sternly looking at his mate. “I know you were worried. But what if it was Quinn? You know what he’s capable of…”

“I’m sorry… I wasn’t thinking.” They apologized. “Would you believe me if I said it was instinct?”

David lets out a huff before kissing their forehead. He can’t fault them; he was just as worried. “For now on please don’t run into potential danger. If anything were to happen…”

“I promise I’ll try to restrain myself.” Angel said half as a joke. David lets out an annoyed growl, but it stops when he notices Rascal fell asleep.

“Let’s get them to bed.” David said as he scoops them up in his arms and the two of them head to their room.

“Sweetheart, I know you can’t speed up your investigation. But if there’s anything I can do to help…” Milo said.

“I’ve been able to narrow the list of kids around their age named Sky.” They said,

“How many do you have to go through?” Asher asked,

“147…” They said with a heavy sigh. “And that’s after I narrowed it down to the Dahlia region. I’m waiting for my contact in the Dahlia police station to get me more information.”

“When they were in their attack, they said something… He’s out there…” Milo said, venom in his tone. “They’re afraid of someone specific.”

“If we can make sure they know that person can never hurt them again. It could give them some closure.” Babe said.

“If only it were that easy.” David said as he returned to the room. Tossing a new shirt to Asher. “Angel is staying with them just in case they wake up. They didn’t want them to wake up alone.”

“That’s a good idea.” Asher said.

“Later we should think about starting to get Dump involved. If the one Rascal is afraid of is an unempowered, they are a liability. And the faster they aren’t a threat the better.” David said.

“I’ll get on it right away.” Stealth said as Milo huffs.

“You can do that tomorrow. It’s late Sweetheart.” Milo said as David nods in agreement.

“All of you get some rest. We’ve done what we can for tonight. And with the entire pack I’m sure we can help them.” David said.

---

David saw them all off before returning to Rascal’s room. Angel was in bed with them holding them close. He could hear the whimpers of another nightmare. “Looks like they’re back.” Angel said.

“Not surprising after what happened.” David said climbing into the bed next to them. “How’s your ankle?”

“A little sore, but not bad.” They said shifting to get closer to him.

“If it hurts in the morning I’ll give Marie a call to have a look at it.” David said kissing their neck before reaching over and petting Rascal’s head.

“Davey… They spoke.” Angel said struggling to hide the small bubble of excitement in their tone. “I know you said they speak through the bond. But…”

“That was the first time they spoke out loud, yeah.” David said. He wished it was under better circumstances but hopefully this means they will start to talk more. Hopefully, they can get more information and help them move forward.

“I hate that their first words to me were an apology.” They said.

“Let’s hope it’s not just a one time thing.”

---

The following morning Rascal woke to Angel still holding them. Letting out a heavy sigh. They didn’t feel rested at all. Eyes felt swollen and throat was parched. Tugging on Angel’s shirt to try and wake them. They shift a bit but don’t wake.

They let out a small whine as they try to wake them up again. David quickly sits up hearing them and looking over seeing them awake. “Hey Rascal. How are you feeling?” He asked softly.

“Th…thirsty.” They said hoarsely letting out a quiet cough.

“Hold on,” He said climbing out of bed. David gingerly tugs Angel’s arms away before picking Rascal up. Hearing them let out grumbled protests as he began to leave the room.

David takes them to the kitchen getting them a glass of water. Rascal looks down at the large shirt they were wearing, it smelled of Asher. They remembered now…

“Hey,” David was kneeling in front of them wiping newly forming tears away from their eyes. “Focus on me alright?” They nod as he hands them the glass of water. “Drink. You need to get hydrated.”

They do as he said drinking the water as he patted their head. “Davey?” Angel calls out,

“Kitchen.” David calls back hearing slow footsteps towards the kitchen followed by a yawn. Quickly glancing down to their ankle the moment they were in sight. It was definitely bruised but they didn’t appear to be favoring there other leg.

“You left.” Angel grumbled tiredly.

“They needed water.” David said. Angel walks over to Rascal with another yawn before patting their head.

“Feeling any better Hun?” They asked.

“Tired…” They mumble still drinking water. Angel’s eyes widen and look at David before quickly turning back towards Rascal before they notice the shock on their face.

“Well why don’t we get you some food and then we can rest on the couch?” They offer. Rascal gives a nod putting the empty cup down. They go and sit at the table while David starts cooking and Angel begins to set the table.

Rascal reaches down to grab their necklace, but it wasn’t there. Letting out a confused whine looking around for it. “What’s wrong?” Angel rushed over seeing then gripping the shirt they were wearing. “Oh! Hang on I think it’s in your room.” They run into the hallway. Coming back with Rascal’s necklace and handing it to them.

“Thank… Y…You.” Rascal coughs. Their voice sounded so strained from lack of use.

“Don’t force yourself to talk.” David said bringing over another glass of water. Rascal nods and takes a sip of water while Angel pats their head. They hum to the contact as they nod.

---

They sat in the living room after eating. Rascal had curled up next to Angel and fell asleep on their lap. “Do you think they’d like to learn to swim?” They asked.

“Not sure, they were rather against baths.” David said as they roll their eyes.

“I mean… I know a lot of dogs that love swimming but hate bath time.” They chuckle hearing Rascal let out a long sigh in their sleep. “It’d be something to do while I wait for the books to come in.”

“Books?” David raised an eyebrow confused. He didn’t remember them ordering anything.

“School books. They are behind in at least a year of studies. Once they are in a stable place mentally they should get back into school. Someone their age should have friends.” Angel looks over at David who was staring at them dumbfounded. “What?”

“That’s… Angel I didn’t realize you were thinking this far ahead.” David said.

“They’re pack now and that makes them family.” Angel said. David leans in kissing them passionately. He was overwhelmed with pride hearing his mate say that. To know they feel for Rascal as deeply as he did was reassuring that they were doing the right thing.

---

They worked tirelessly after the clock. Scouring all records for any clues to who Rascal’s family might be. They had narrowed down the search further. Focusing on genetic details, blue eyes, Ashy brown hair. The list continued to shrink. Down to 50 Sky’s that match those details.

Milo told them after they got back to their apartment and settled for the night that Rascal spoke. They don’t want to push them and possibly trigger another attack but if they could just get their last name. Even if it’s just the first letter. It would hasten their search.

“Investigator…” They jolt not expecting anyone else to be here this late. Their commanding officer looked them over concerned. “I thought you already worked your part of the overtime.”

“I did sir.” They say internally panicking. They hoped he wouldn’t try to gleam further into what they were doing. “This is just a pet project of mine.”

“You’re not looking into Shades again are you? I understand your report explained they acted out of the ordinary…”

“No sir, with how rare a Shade is already I don’t have anything to go off of without more evidence.” They explained.

“Oh! Is this about that rogue vamp? The one that cause that incident last Halloween? His name was Whin or something?”

“Quinn sir…” They said, “And yes, I want to get as much information on him as possible. I understand this isn’t a priority for the department, but I beg to differ.”

“Hence why you’re researching after hours.” He lets out a sigh. “I get that this is personal. But don’t burn the candle at both ends. You’re a good investigator and we don’t need you accidentally getting yourself killed following a lead.”