I'm back, but who knows for how long. Thank you for the patience, I've had a major life change which has given me a lot of time to work on this fic and finally (hopefully) get it done.

In saying that, I want to give a massive thanks to my beta's Bleeding Blue Kunoich and Fear is How I fall for the help they've given.
Thank you so much for your service!

I'll be going back and adding their suggested changes to the already posted chapters. From here on tho, I'll be doing my own editing so that might add to the slow updates.

Enjoy while this lasts :)

Chapter 7: Pack Meeting Failure.

Malia nibbled on her bottom lip, intently focused on the textbook in front of her. She had been trying to puzzle out her latest homework assignment on her own, but for the life of her, she just couldn't make sense of it. Why did she need to know about dead presidents? What use is any of that? She's a coyote and they're already dead!

She glared a little harder and decided to skip this question as well. But her glare only grew stronger as she flipped through her textbook and noticed the overwhelming number of red highlights. Every once and awhile she spotted a yellow passage but there was barely any green. She shut the book with a harsh slam and decided to skip her history homework and focus on math. Yet, again, the highlighted red formulas and equations seemed to taunt her.

Its official, Malia absolutely hated school.

The she-coyote let out a deep growl and shoved her textbooks aside, not caring for their messy tumble onto the floor. She then sprawled out on Stiles bed and turned her frustrated glare towards the ceiling. Why did everything have to be so hard?

Malia was not stupid.

She wasn't dumb, she knew that to be a fact.

Despite spending her childhood as a wild coyote in the woods, Malia knew she was smarter and stronger than the average human. She could strategize, trap and hunt her prey faster than any animal or human. She was fierce and strong enough to protect and guard her territory or prey from other predators alone. She was swift and able to blend into her environment when she needed to. She could even kill and catch animals that were bigger and faster than her with ease.

But none of that seemed to matter in the human world.

To humans, Malia was considered stupid and slow. They thought she was weird and called her strange because of the way she talked and acted. They laughed at her and whispered about her, ignorant to the fact she could hear it all, and sometimes they did it on purpose. If not for Stiles and Scott's lessons in control and careful guard, she would have (gladly) killed someone already.

In the wild, Malia would have shown them all. She would have proved just how 'stupid' and 'slow' she was. There's no need for computers, maths or dead presidents in the animal kingdom. Malia would only need her claws and teeth to show them how 'stupidly slow' she was.

But she couldn't, because she's supposed to be a human now.

Malia was pulled from her surly thoughts by a grunting snort from the computer desk. She twisted, rolled onto her stomach and stared at the slumbering boy by the desk. At some point Stiles had fallen asleep whilst researching and was awkwardly slumped in his chair. The computer in front of him was filled with several open tabs with post it notes stuck to the screen.

The rush of affection she felt chased her earlier frustration away, overwhelming her without warning. The slow beating warmth in her chest brought a soft smile to her lips, while her eyes roamed the sleeping teen's form.

Malia struggled to fight her urge to run back to the wild each passing day. The human world had no importance to her. The she-coyote stayed human for one reason, and one reason only.

She stayed for Stiles.

The human boy who ran with wolves.

He was odd in a way that called to her. She first thought him to be a thief and intruder on her territory. She had wanted to eat him for daring to steal from the grave of her mother and sister. Then Scott had forced her to be human, damning her to suffer eight years of neglected human emotions. Malia had hated them fiercely. She had never once felt hatred and bloodlust so greatly before meeting Scott McCall and his thieving pet human.

But then she met Stiles in Eichen House, truly got to meet the human boy without his Alpha near.

As he stuttered and awkwardly shifted on his feet, Malia found herself drawn to him. She could still remember the rush of pink that gathered at his ears and spread to his cheeks and neck. She could still recall the shift of his eyes as he tried not to look at her naked self. He called to her much like the wild did. Later, Malia realized it was because she recognized him as a potential mate.

Malia quickly noticed that Stiles was not like other humans. He was cunning, ruthless, stubborn and loyal. He was smarter than anyone would think and had a way of distracting his audience from the truth. He was resourceful, inquisitive, unwavering and passionate. He was her perfect match in the eyes of the she-coyote.

He was a survivor, just like her. What better place for her to make her claim on him than in Eichen House. In a prison for the mad and insane, Stiles and Malia had escaped with their sanity whole.

Stiles, a gangly jittery human boy was the best of the best, and Malia would have nothing less.

Malia rose from the bed and sauntered to where Stiles slept. She stood behind her sleeping mate and buried her fingers in his hair, gently caressing his head. She watched the stress melt from his slumbering face as she eased the tension out of him; marvelling at her luck at having found something so perfect. She trailed her fingers lightly over his skin, connecting the spots that marked his pale skin. She nosed at his jawline and inhaled his natural scent.

He was why she stayed.

So, she could wake each morning surrounded by their mixed scents with her mate in her arms. So, he could challenge her in ways the wild would never. So, she could discover new levels of strength she'd never known existed. So, she could be protected and have someone waiting for her return after a hunt.

She stayed, because in Stiles, she found a place to call home.

(^~^) KEEPER'S KEEP (^~^)

Stiles groaned as the feather light touches pulled him from his nap. He groggily tried rapidly blinking to clear the sleep from his eyes. The aching twinge in his neck caused him to wince, and he tried to ease it out by rolling his shoulders and neck.

"You fell asleep."

He drowsily reached for the slim hand in his hair and pulled it to his lips. He pressed a thankful kiss to the centre of the palm with a lazy smile.

"You should have woken me up…" he mumbled with a croak.

Stiles struggled to believe she was real sometimes. There were nights where he'd still wake with his lungs blocked and his heart racing. There were still days where he'd hide from the world and frantically count his fingers and squeeze his eyes tight, afraid to see jumbled words. But she was always there, always near and ready to centre him in place.

Malia anchored him in a way he never thought he'd need.

"I know" she whispered with a shrug.

Stiles played with her fingers, fascinated with their slim length and soft touch. He liked to thread and weave their fingers together and compare the differences between them. Malia laughed drawing his attention from her hands to her lips and the smug grin it wore. She turned his chair and straddled him in place until they were comfortable enough. With their hands still joined, the two teens lost themselves in each other's hold.

"You needed to sleep. You reeked of exhaustion," Malia mumbled.

Stiles groaned pulling back slightly as his earlier stress returned.

"Malia, you know how important this is. We need to be prepared and to do that I need to research. If I fall asleep, I could be wasting precious time! Who knows when the next supernatural creature will decide to show up!"

Malia pulled back a little as well and glared back at him.

"I might have been a coyote for eight years, but even I know humans need to sleep more than you've been getting Stiles."

She was right, but Stiles didn't want to admit it. He didn't like that the pack was growing complacent with the recent 'normal' they've been experiencing. Stiles isn't hoping something supernatural would happen, just being realistic. They couldn't afford to get comfortable with the sudden normality they've been having. Beacon Hill's death rates were still crazy high, and he refused to see it rise any higher.

He let out a sigh and pressed his forehead against hers, hoping they could return to their earlier atmosphere.

"Did you finish your homework?" he asked, purposely changing the topic.

He tried not to smile when she gave a disgruntled huff in response. Stiles watched as her face twisted into a glower as she glared at her scattered textbooks.

"I don't get it. Even with Lydia's notes math is still hard," she growled.

He leaned forward and pecked her lightly on the lips. Much to his delight, she kept him in place the second he began to pull back. Stiles closed his eyes and enjoyed the kiss, losing himself to the feel of her lips on his. She was trying to distract him, procrastinating so she didn't have to do her homework. Of course, Stiles knew what she was doing. But he'd be lying if he said it wasn't working. He allowed himself a few more kisses before (reluctantly) pulling back.

"Come on, I'll help you,"

He ignored the pouty huff she gave and willed himself not to fall into temptation as he sometimes did. A will that wavered as Malia slowly slid off his lap. She purposely pressed against him with her body as much as she was able to. Stiles pursed his lips and shifted in his seat but kept his resolve.

The heated gaze she trained on him had him twitching, but he managed. Only when she'd turned and sauntered back to the bed did he exhale.

Holy shit.

He really was one lucky bastard.

(^~^) KEEPER'S KEEP (^~^)

[6:55pm Stilinski House]

Sheriff Stilinski took a couple of deep breaths in attempt to gather his wits. He knew his son was home due to his open window. Stiles always forgot to lock the damn thing. The Sheriff knew he was stalling but it had been a long time since the Stilinski's last hosted a dinner. Malia didn't count as she practically lived with them.

He wasn't stupid, he was the sheriff.

While he didn't know why Malia barely stayed with her father, he had no intentions of asking. He'd rather wait until he absolutely had to. Besides, he'd become fond of the she-coyote who was unashamedly proud of his son. She was good for Stiles; she appreciated his son and all his quirks, which is all he cared about.

"Stiles! Malia! Are you kids home?"

He stripped out of his uniform jacket and rolled his eyes at hearing the fumbling sound of his son's greeting.

"Da-dad! Great you're home! How was work? Did you solve that case? Was it hard? Oh, by the way Scott called for a pack meeting in about erm…. now? Now! Oh god we're late! Malia!"

"What?"

The sheriff folded his arms and simply watched his chaotic son wince. Both had heard the agitated growl in her response.

"If we don't leave now, we'll be late to the meeting. Derek is going to be pissed and go grumpy wolf on my ass and Lydia will want to strangle us; and by us I really mean me. So, hurry up and get your pretty coyote butt down here!"

Malia appeared at the top of the stairs with an uncaring expression.

"They could try but I can take them, problem solved."

The sheriff pointedly ignored the messy state of both teenagers that hinted at what activities they'd been up to just before he'd come home.

"Malia, we've talked about this. We don't attack friends," Stiles groaned but Malia looked sceptical at his words.

"But what if they're trying to eat you?"

"I- That's- You just don't. Okay?"

"That's just stupid."

"It's not stupid! It's called friendship and you don't hurt friends. Why would they try to eat you anyway?"

"If the hunt was bad, in order to survive, I would have to eat them. I thought I already told you this?"

The father son duo wore identical expressions of disbelief and astonishment. Stiles gave a sheepish shrug towards his father before whispering "Believe it or not it's progress."

Sheriff Stilinski rolled his eyes and held up a hand to get both teens attention.

"Yeah, nope. You're not going to the pack meeting."

Malia shrugged and made her way back upstairs, seeming unbothered by the sheriff's words. He assumed nothing important was to be happening if Malia didn't care. Although, Stiles blatant shock said otherwise.

"Dad come on! This is a pack meeting. Okay? It won't be a pack meeting if the whole pack wasn't there! So, I can't not be there because, hey, I'm part of the pack! And your human son just so happens to have a gorgeous coyote girlfriend who, would you look at that, is part of the pack too! To summarize, how is there supposed to be a pack meeting, if the whole pack won't be meeting?"

Sheriff Stilinski simply sat back on the couch and watched his son with patience.

"Well then, I guess there won't be a pack meeting because you're not going."

"What-… WHY NOT?" Stiles exclaimed with frustration.

The sheriff rolled his eyes again, use to his son's antics, before leaning forward with a stern eye.

"Is there a witch to be dealt with?"

"Well no, but- "

"Is there anyone dying, injured or needing help?"

"Yes! Liam is struggling to adjust in school after the whole witch using him for Scott's heart situation. So there!"

"Liam is 15, there'll be other girls."

"You don't know that! Cindy might have been the last of the female species to ever consider Liam attractive!"

The Sheriff levelled a hard stare at his son, and Stiles held his hands up in defense.

"What? I'm just saying. It's a tough world out there."

Sheriff Stilinski closed his eyes and released another heavy sigh allowing his exhaustion to briefly overwhelm him. He was getting too old for this. When he next looked to his son, he was greeted with an innocent smile filled with hope. Perhaps it was underhanded, but he couldn't bring himself to feel too guilty about it. Not when it guaranteed his son would be safe at home where he could protect him.

So, if he outwardly exaggerated the exhaustion he felt, could you really blame him?

"Look Stiles, I just need one night! One night, that's all I ask. I really want you to meet her."

The Sheriff couldn't be sure of how long Araiya would be in Beacon Hills. The Black family were a secretive bunch who tended to travel a lot. As far as he knew, Augusta Black was the only one to ever settle and establish a home. He wanted Stiles to meet Araiya and where Stiles went, Malia was never too far behind. He was certain the two teens would benefit from meeting a member from the elusive Black family. Although Stiles might have forgotten some of his younger memories, he still remembered Augusta.

"Wa-wait! What do you mean her?" Stiles startled looking appalled.

The sheriff knew his son well enough to know the wild assumptions Stiles was probably making in his head.

"Not like that. Araiya is an old family friend who's back in town to sort out stuff for her aunt. I invited her to dinner so we could catch up" he explained.

It was obvious by the disgruntled expression he wore; Stiles had more questions. Thankfully the teenager's cell gave a shrill ring allowing him to avoid the interrogation. The Stilinski duo knew the conversation was far from over, only delayed for later.

Sheriff Stilinski found he only traded one teen for another, as Malia cornered him in the kitchen.

"Who is Araiya?" she asked with suspicion.

The Sheriff couldn't hold back the fond smile he gave, too amused by the girl. Throughout the entire supernatural circus, he was glad something good had come from it. The she-coyote was an odd adjustment to make peace with, but he learned to appreciate the wild girl. She was the first supernatural case he'd ever solved, who appreciated and boosted his son's self-esteem. While he suspected there were issues within the Tate household, he refused to pry. Henry Tate had been a broken man for so long, and Malia had led an independent life for many years. It would take time to fix, but until then, the sheriff would always welcome the she-coyote.

"She's the grandniece to a very old friend of mine. Now, can you please go upstairs and let Stiles know that I expect him to look presentable."

Malia gave an easy nod, but the Sheriff wasn't finished.

"Also, please remind Stiles that the tag on a shirt is meant to be facing inside not out."

Malia grinned unapologetically but obediently took her leave.

(^~^) KEEPER'S KEEP (^~^)

[7:15pm Derek's Loft]

Liam felt awkward.

His mind was filled with rapid anxiety and stress over why they needed a pack meeting. Was it another creature? A dead pool? What if it was a witch? Is someone hurt? Was Derek attacked? Is Stiles okay? Liam could feel a growl building in his chest, and he tightened his fists to refrain from letting it loose.

God, he wished he was still normal.

Being a werewolf had its perks; super strength, enhanced senses and quick healing. Yet for every perk there was a consequence and Liam hated it. The lying, the constant terror about keeping what you are a secret. The training Derek would put them through that felt more like torture. The constant attempts on his life, the never-ending fear of being hunted. The responsibility was too much and some days, Liam worried it would bury him alive.

He missed being normal.

He missed Mason and the open friendship they'd shared. Those nights he could sleep without worry or night terrors about berserkers. He missed the trust he'd once had towards meeting new people, that was now tainted with constant paranoia that they're out to kill him.

"You're quiet"

Liam only tensed but the knowing look Derek gave him spoke volumes. Another thing Liam hated, the lack of privacy. Derek decided not to comment on his jumpy reaction and Liam tried not to be overly obvious with his gratitude.

Derek gave a cursory glance around the room, taking note of where each member was. Lydia and Scott were sharing a look of fond amusement and mild exasperation as they listened to Stiles on the phone. Kira was close by as well but looked unsure on whether she should interrupt Stiles rant. He returned his gaze to Liam and couldn't ignore the amount of tension the teenager was emitting.

"It's nothing" Liam snapped with a slight snarl in his tone.

Derek wasn't bothered by the temperamental response, just continued to sip on his drink. They shared each other's space in silence, but with every sip, Derek knew Liam's agitation grew greater. Until finally, Liam jumped from his seat and started towards the other teens with intent. Derek hid his smirk behind his bottle and took another sip, ready to watch the teens argue as they always do.

"…. We all agreed to come to the pack meeting to help and support Liam. If you and Malia aren't here to help this wouldn't really be a pack effort" Kira awkwardly explained.

Stiles gave a heavy sigh from the other side of the call before replying through gritted teeth.

"Look I told you! Dad wants us to stay and meet some old friend of his and dude, I think I should. I mean I would have wanted a bit of warning because- as you know- I don't do well with surprises. Do I look like a guy who enjoys surprises? DO I?" Stiles rambled causing Lydia to roll her eyes.

"Well fine, you stay for dinner, but what about Malia? Can't she come?" Scott pushed.

"Nope, Dad wants her to meet her too."

"Meet who?"

"The person coming to dinner! God, keep up Scott."

"I mean, who's coming to dinner?"

"I don't know Scott!"

"Whoa okay, calm down."

Liam hesitated to interrupt after hearing Stiles rant. Though Stiles was the only human in the pack, he was smart. The baby beta thought Stiles to be even smarter than Lydia sometimes, and she was apparently a certified genius. Regardless of the danger or evil they were up against, Liam found Stiles was always the one with the plan. Scott might be the Alpha and Lydia may be the mastermind, but it was Stiles who consistently pulled through. Liam, admittedly, harboured a lot of respect and admiration towards the lone pack human.

Stiles was impressive and Liam hated feeling as if he was a burden to the older teen. Stiles had bigger things to do and Liam was a werewolf. He's sure this is something he'll get over eventually. With his mind made, Liam quickly spoke.

"Hey, Scott? It's okay if Stiles and Malia can't be here. I was thinking of heading over to Mason's anyway."

"That's great Liam!" Lydia praised.

The red head hadn't been keen on the pack meeting anyway. Yet, when she spotted the conflicted expression Scott wore, she knew the Alpha needed a little more convincing. This was going to be their first official pack meeting since Mexico. Scott would be lying if he said he hadn't been excited about the pack getting together.

Since Mexico, Scott felt as if they'd grown a little apart. Derek won't talk about whatever happened between him Braeden since he got back. Malia and Stiles were deep in a research spiral for the dessert wolf and Lydia had been focusing on her social life in school. Scott had tried to be a good Alpha despite knowing nothing on how; but all he did was argue with Liam about Mason. Liam would eventually understand that it was too risky to share such a secret.

It was for the best.

"Was that Liam?" Stiles asked.

"Uh yeah?"

"Right okay, I'm on speaker, right? Hey Liam?"

"Um yeah?"

"Alright, listen up buddy. Girls. They are unpredictable creatures and at fifteen in your young influential mind they appear as seductive goddesses or- Ah! Malia?"

There was a bit of shuffling and muffled arguing before Stiles continued.

"As I was saying! Liam buddy you got to keep in mind that you are a man- a young male on the cusp- GAH! Okay I'll stop!"

Kira, Lydia and Liam shared a look as there was more muffled talking. After a bit of shifting they heard Malia take the phone as she spoke to Stiles.

"Your dad said to look presentable and that his guest is arriving in fifteen minutes! Hurry up."

They all heard Stiles yelp and argue but before Scott could say anything, the dial tone was all they could hear. The teens in Derek's loft shared a look, silently questioning what they should do next. Until Lydia gave a final huff, lifted her hand in goodbye and strutted her way out. Derek mentally began a countdown for when the next teen would leave.

Soon enough, Kira's mom called, and she hastily excused herself to answer; leaving Liam and Scott alone.

"Well, that went well…." Derek muttered hoping to urge the next teen's departure.

Scott looked over to respond to the older man, but Liam used that opening as a chance to escape.

"I'm going to Mason's."

"Liam wait," Scott called causing the baby beta to stop.

"You know that you can talk to anyone in the pack if you're having issues, right? The pack makes us stronger and unites us."

Liam trembled as an uncontrollable rage engulfed his mind. Scott probably meant well, he was the Alpha, he had to look out for pack members. But, why did everything Scott say sound so hypocritical to his ears? A pack should trust each other, but then why so many secrets? Did Scott really care or was he just- just pretending? Just because he's bit him doesn't mean he has to pretend care about him.

"You're always telling me that pack means family. You expect me to be open and talk to everyone just because we share this secret! You may be my alpha, but this so-called pack isn't my family! It's YOUR pack, YOUR friends and maybe YOUR family not mine."

Liam trembled and heaved after his outburst as his eyes flashed beta yellow.

"I'm just the kid you gave the bite to because you made a mistake. If you really care about helping me, you'd let me tell Mason!"

Scott wasn't surprised by Liam's demand. It always came back to Mason. The teen Alpha glanced over to where Derek was quietly watching. Derek kept his face blank making it clear that Scott was on his own. The teen alpha took a deep breath and felt guilty for what he was going to say to the baby beta.

"I can't let you do that Liam. You know why."

Liam snarled and shoved his way pass Scott, growling out his words as he passed.

"Then I'm going to Mason's."

(^~^) KEEPER'S KEEP (^~^)

And then there was one.

Derek sighed as he finished the last of his drink. Scott was reeking of guilt and turmoil, enough to make Derek's nose itch. Perhaps he was being overly sardonic about the whole thing, but Derek couldn't help it. It was kind of nice to see Scott suffer. It wasn't easy being an Alpha, and Derek thanked the gods he lost such responsibility.

"Don't worry. He'll get over it" he offered with a shrug.

"Why is it so hard for him to just get it? Mason would be in more danger if he was part of the pack" Scott sighed with frustration.

"He's a teenager, teenagers always think they know what's best."

Scott seemed to hear him but not really understand his pointed wording.

"I just- I'm just trying my best you know?"

Derek sighed and walked over to Scott's side. He placed a comforting hand on Scott's shoulder and did his best to reassure the teen Alpha.

"You're doing better than I had."

Eventually, Scott left as well leaving Derek alone in his loft. There wasn't much to clean this time around and the silence of the loft embraced him as it always did. Derek closed his eyes and simply let his mind wander. Pack meetings usually ran late but this one ended early. Usually he'd be stuck listening to whining until at least 8 o'clock. Someone would whine for food like Isaac would. Someone would sit beside him, but no one would ever match the silent presence Boyd mastered. But nobody would ever beat Erica in being the cattiest. Derek forced his eyes to open as just for a second, he thought he heard the echoes of laughter of a pack long destroyed.

It hurt to remember them.

It always did.

Derek hated the silence of his loft because it was just another reminder of what he lost.

What he failed to protect.