Chapter 2 - Somebody New, Somebody Old

Years were passing by without any other mysterious incidents or even meetings with the strange yet breath-taking wolf again and eventually the memory if the night was surpassed back in her mind.

Gail graduated top of her class, almost got married to a guy who took off to serve in the army before the wedding day, and so she joined the police force as it was expected from her. The life was going on, some days were good, some days were bad and some almost insufferable terrible, like her being kidnapped.

The funny thing was that as a wolf she was able to hold quite enormous amount of alcohol, yet when it came to drugs she was a wuss. And that unfortunate day, she was drugged and taken away. He body was not able to filter the toxins as they kept coming. At the end, Jerry sacrificed his life and Perik was in such a rush that he forgot to dose her again. Lying in a trunk of a cab, her body managed to collect itself enough to break out of the car and send it to the nearest tree. She was out of control and exhausted. Fortunately when her police fellows found her, she was in full human form again lying in a ditch.

Nick was all busy being concerned and playing a boyfriend even though Gail had never gave him a second chance. He was not her mate, anyway. Chris was neither but him leaving her for his best friend even though there was nothing going on between her and Dov, it betrayed her trust into him. She would trust him with her life but not her heart. Plus all the romance mess going through the division was very exhausted. Humans, their narrow minds and incapability to hold their emotions were kind of toxic to her. She did not need to put her own feelings into the mix.


Four years in service and she believed there was not much which could surprise her. Until a new wolf appeared in the city. She felt its presence but there was no word from the Elders who would say if this new entity was a threat, yet noticing this person on a crime scene was suspicious.

"Hey Lunchbox, you are not allowed down there," she called after a woman who passed her like another tree.

"Thanks, appreciated."

Gail's senses sharpened as she smelled the wolf out of the newcomer. "Who are you?"

"The forensic pathologist."

Gail lowered her voice above a whisper looking straight into the dark eyes searching for hidden answers. "No. Who are you?"

"As I said, the forensic pathologist," the brunette replied in the same volume, her eyes slightly changed shade as she recognized the true nature of the police officer guarding the scene.

"Do you really have to be here?"

"You are not up to your medical jurisprudence…"

Gail did not really notice much of the words flowing from the doctor's mouth as she tried to figure out the woman in front of her. Two wolves who did not know each other at one place surrounded by humans, was not good at all. And even worse it became when Sam sent them to the morgue together.


The ride in the car was silent yet anybody could cut the tense between them. Gail was staring out of the passenger window, her feelings and senses sharped to maximum. None of the women was more dominant than the other which was also unsolved business since neither of them could demand answers or solution from the other. They needed a moment of privacy, no humans around and no other vehicles since the situation was completely unpredictable.

Once they arrived at the garage of the forensic institution, they both dashed out of their seats and met in the front of the parked car.

Gail posture was alert but straight while the doctor's was defensive a little bent forward ready to charge or defend, her eyes changed colours into shining amber.

"I am not here to harm," said the brunette, accompanying her word with a low growl.

"What is your intention here?" dealing with many different people at work, Gail used her calm and careful tone of voice.

"I returned home. I chose the career of forensics because I love the science, nothing more, nothing less."

The woman was not that much older than Gail herself, so that meant the blonde must have met her before if Toronto was her home as well. There were not that many wolves in the city nor the Greater Toronto Area. She looked at the newcomer more carefully; the dark chestnut shining hair, chocolate brown eyes which now had the yellowish colour, made her mind remember. A flash-back appeared from the night when she was a teenager.

"Twelve summers ago, you were protecting a cub; you almost attacked a human child."

The other woman's eyes went wide like plates in surprise. She eased her posture and looked at the police officer. She tilted her head and squinted, looking at the cop's bleach blond hair and cerulean blue eyes.

"Looks can be deceiving," continued Gail as she noticed the brunette's eyes shifting from her head to her own eyes. She let her wolf show itself. As the colours of the world around were not so bright, her eyes turned icy blue.

The scientist chuckled in irony, as she bent her head backwards and spun around. "Oh, my freaking luck!" she cursed and looked back at the blonde. "Look, let me find out the cause of death and give you the clues to solve this case, we both know it was a murder, and I will move on. I promise to never return back."

"What do you mean?" asked the officer confused, frowning.

"You are a Peck," she pointed at the name tag. "The police and wolf royalty. I mean, it is great you take care of the city, keep humans save and prevent their harm, but I really want to keep living."

"I have never reported you," admitted the younger woman. The brunette frowned and tilted her head again, asking a silent question. "First you were protecting your child and second the boy never got harmed," Gail shrugged.

A lop-sided smile appeared on the brunette's face. "Thank you," she said sincerely letting out a sigh, her posture eased up and eyes turned back to human. She extended her hand offering a hand-shake. "Holly Stewart."

"Gail Peck," the blonde introduced herself, accepting the offered hand.

As they touched there was a thunder echoing in Gail's mind and she felt electricity running though her whole body which exploded in the same lightning bolt she felt only once before.

Slowly she let go of the hand and looked at the other woman with surprised expression, yet those brown eyes showed only warmth and gentleness.

"Let's find out how the guy was killed," offered the doctor and pointed her hand towards the door to the building letting the officer go first.

As Gail was passing her partner for the rest of the day, she felt Holly's hand on the small of her back and warmth was radiating from the place of the touch. It almost made the cop purr like a cat.


The day at the morgue was eventful. The officer peeked here and there and actually did improve her medical jurisprudence. Holly was a great teacher and despite being a complete nerd, she was a very pleasant company who was not easily scared away with snarky comments.

By the end of the day, Gail got so used to the special doctor that she did not want to call it a night yet. There was something about the newcomer which the blonde could not figure out. She wanted to enjoy the presence a bit longer.

Holly parked in front of the station and placed her hand on the blonde's forearm. "Thank you, for today and for… everything," she said sincerely.

The younger woman really enjoyed the touch, which was confusing. Touching was not her thing anymore, alas she did not want to let go. "How are you doing reacquainting with Toronto?"

"Could be improved."

"Give me 15 minutes to shower and change," the cop smiled and quickly rushed into the building. Gail had no idea what got into her or what her brain was thinking but her intuition was humming contently and it was all she needed. There were times it was better to rely on her sixth sense than mind and eyes.

She got back, dressed in civil clothes with a smile on her face. She jumped in and threw her bag behind the passenger seat. "So, what was your favourite restaurant or pub when you were living here? Let's see if it is still open."

Holly laughed heartily at the idea. "It was shortly after my graduation when I left the city so it is not like I knew every pub; anyway I remember this gyros place I really liked."

"Then Greek village it is!" encouraged the younger woman. "But the Bloor Street would be a nightmare at this hour."

"Then it's good I have a police officer with me," winked the other woman. "And it's not like I am in a rush anyway."

"Off duty, I don't care. And for your info I am in a rush because I am hungry."

The doctor chuckled and petted her partner's leg. "Aren't you always?"

"Hey! Just because I am a wolf does not mean I would eat anything." Holly raised her eyebrows and the blonde gave in. "Alright, it does, but anyway."


Almost an hour later they finally reached their destination and placed their orders. The waitress was surprised at the amount of food two fit looking women ordered which not even three big men would eat, but it was her business after all. The more people ordered the better for her shop.

"How's the cub of yours?" asked Gail, trying to get to know the new wolf in town more deeply.

"She is well, thank you." The brunette looked at her with a tilted head awaiting more questions from her companion but not willing to initiate them.

"Good. So forensics, huh?" the cop changed the topic. If Holly wanted to talk about her child, the blonde would be happy to listen, but it did not look like that at the time, so she let her of the hook asking about her profession instead. "What attracts you to this job?"

The scientist laughed, grateful for the change of topic and geeked out about her life career.


Thank you for reading :)