Zaphira's Flame's

Pulling into my spot at the station, Zack’s car is already there, he has to get over this, he and I are some of the only ones in this city, that know what’s going on around us, and he doesn’t seem to care about it at all.

Walking in everyone nodded at me, but no one said anything to me. Throwing my stuff at my desk, and went right for the Coffey pot; I need all the caffeine I can get, to deal with the wolves. And everything else around us. “Detective Lane.” “Morning Ryan, what is it?” “The lab sent these up for you. There lab results they have so far, and photos from the crime scene this morning.” He said handing them to me. “Thank you Ryan. Is Zack in?” He nodded. “Yes he’s down in the gun range.” “Thank you Ryan.”

He nodded and went to make his next delivery. Sighing, the gun range is where Zack goes after we’ve had a fight; and people know it too. Walking into the room, and sure enough Zack is the only one in there.

“So are you feeling better yet?” I asked leaning against the wall. He didn’t turn around, he just hung a new target in place. “Not quite. When I walked in everyone else left.” “It would appear so.” He said we he fired six rounds at the paper target.

“We have some lab results back.” “What do they say?” “I don’t know, I haven’t looked at them. I came right down here with them.”

He took the top folder opening it. “There was dog saliva found in the wounds. But there were no hairs or any other DNA found. She died of massive blood loss. Throat was torn out, and organs ripped to shreds.” “They also sent the photos from the scene. I have to go talk to Ralph. If it was a wolf, he’ll know who it was. I would like you to go with me, but I know you won’t.”

“It’s not that I won’t, but I can’t, and you know that. So don’t give me that.” I nodded, as he set down the folder.

“I know. I just want my partner back. I will be back in a couple hours; if anything comes up, call me.” He nodded and stayed down there while I went back up to the main level to grab my bag and jacket.

“Hey Ryan. Has animal control found anything yet?” Shaking his head. “Not as of yet, I’m going to check in with them in a while.” “Thank you. I have something I need to check out. I hope you find that poor creature and put him out of his misery.” “Yes me as well.” I grabbed my bag, put the folder in, and threw my jacket on, and headed out to my car; hoping I’ll get some answers.

The wolves bar isn’t a place for just anyone. The only time a human gets through the door is if you’re like me, a cop, and a friend. Or if you’re dating a wolf.

Lucky for me, I’m a friend; I’ve known the pack for a couple years now, and they’ve saved my butt more than a few times. Walking through the door, the pack are human and wolf forms. Which isn’t unusual.

I’ve always thought it weird that their in the city like this; I always thought of werewolves living in the middle of nowhere, living off the land. Away from society.

“Hey Zaphira. Long-time no see.” Smiling. “Hey Ray. It’s good to see you.” Giving him a hug. “What are you doing here? You want something to drink?” “No thanks, I’m here on cop business. I need to see Ralph.”

The name barely got out of my mouth, and one of the wolves started to change back.

“Well Detective Lane. It’s good to see you.” He said once the change finished. “Yeah you too. It’s been too long.” “So what can I do for you today?” “A girl was attacked and killed not far from here last night.” “And was does that have to do with us?”

He said as we sat at a small table near the back.

“I think it was a wolf. Take a look for yourself.” I said pulling the folder out of my bag, and setting is on the table. “My god! Raul get over here!” Raul is his Beta second in command.

He looks more like a nerd, then what you would expect for a wolf. Glasses short hair, flannel shirt, and old blue jeans. “See where everyone was last night.” He nodded and moved away, heading to the back of the bar. “These paw prints; they don’t look like an adult wolf. Do you have any pups that are just coming into their powers?” he thought about it for a second, really considering his answer.

“Yes we have a few. But none of them would do this, there just kids.” “Do you know where they all were last night?” “As far as I know they were all in bed.” “You said it yourself, that when they start to come into them that sometimes they don’t know what they’re doing, so one of them could have blacked out when they changed and had no control over what there wolf side was doing.” He nodded conceding my point. “Yes that is a definite possibility. But none of them could have done this.” Just then Raul came back, whispering in his ear. “Good have her and her mother come in immediately.” “There already here.” “Good send them in.”

From behind the bar, two girls walked in. One girl looks like she’s in her late twenties, and the other girl looks like she’s about thirteen.

“Tell them what you told me.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to do it.” “What did you do exactly?” I asked setting my hand on the table. “Last night the change started; and I couldn’t stop it. I tried to call for my mom, but I couldn’t. The change finished and I blacked out, then the next thing I know I’m waking up and I’m covered in blood, and a dead body in the street. I ran home and told my mom.” “I told her not to say anything, and I would take care of it. Please don’t send her to jail.”

I don’t know what to do here. Nothing like this has happened before.

“Ok. Here’s what we’ll do. You have to get everyone that is trying to get control over their power; and lock them up until they do get control over it.” Ralph nodded. “I have someplace we can take them. But what about the girl last night?” “That part I will need your help with. We have to find a dog that we can pin it on. I don’t like doing it, but we can’t tell them a werewolf killed her.” “I know neither do I; but it has to be done.”

He nodded and Raul who pulled out his cell and made the call.

“We will have your killer in about an hour. If you’ll excuse me for a moment, I have to help my pack.”

I nodded as he walked to the back disappearing into the kitchen. Checking my phone; there’s message from Zack.

”Hey Z we got the last of the lab results in. There was no trace evidence found other than the canine DNA found. Give me a call when you get this. Please be safe.”

I hung up the phone as Ralph came back into the bar. Everyone had cleared out, no one said a word to me as they left.

“Well what’s going on?” “Everyone is leaving for a short time. It will be easier for the kids to have the pack around.” “Are you going as well?” “No. I have to stay here; the Alpha can’t leave his territory unattended, or another pack will come in and take over. And no one wants that to happen.” Looking at him, I believe him; I believe every single last word that is coming from him right now. If he leaves, then that could start a war within the werewolf world. “Can I do anything to help?” “No. just be around just in case something happens.” Smiling. “That I can do. If another pack comes into town, you can call me, and I will do everything I can get rid of them.” “Thank you Detective. I really appreciate that.” His phone beeped. Checking it he said. “We have your suspect. There bringing him in right now.” I nodded.

“Thank you. I should call animal control.” I sent Zack a text and made the call to animal control. “There in the area; there be here in ten.” “Good. What do we tell them?” “We tell them, that you found the dog and called me. You and I have a history which my boss knows about, the dog attacked, and you got him down without killing him.”

He walked behind the bar, and brought out a small pouch. “We’ll give him this, and that will take care of that part of the story.”

“You know nothing like this can happen again. If one of your wolves does anything like this again, I won’t be able to help you.” He nodded. “I understand that. And I am sorry for what happened to that girl. But thank you for taking care of it.”

I nodded, and was about to say something but Raul came in. “Animal control is here; and your friend is here as well.” “Good give him this, and he’ll be out in seconds.” Taking the needle he bowed and left. “I will go out to animal control and you go out with the dog.”

Going out front animal control is opening the back of the van, pulling out a large crate. “We’re out back. We didn’t want leave him out front, just to be safe.” They nodded and we headed out back; and sure enough there standing there with a large sickly looking dog out cold on the ground.

“Here he is. Poor thing.” We helped get the dog in the crate and got him loaded in the back of the truck.

“What are you going to do with him?” “Well if it comes back that this is who we’re looking for; then we put his poor thing down. We don’t like to do that, but sometimes it has to be done. Thank you again for your help.” We shook their hands, and filled out the form for the dog.

“Have them run the DNA test. I will be back at the station as soon as I can.” Handing them back the board and got in there truck and drove off. We went back inside, grabbed my stuff. Shaking his hand, I said.

“Thanks Ralph let me know if anything happens that you need help with.” “Thanks Z I have to get them ready to go. See you soon.” Heading to my car, I called Zack telling him I’ll be back soon, and that there bringing in the dog, and too wait for me to get there before I they run the DNA test. I sped off heading for the station.