Some days, the coyote finds him, and Derek catches sight or scent of it before it darts away. He never chases - it - she - always shows up again. Some days, he finds the coyote, always when her guard is down and only ever briefly. Today, it's the latter. Maybe it's coincidence, but even if Derek was inclined to believe in that, the fact is that this city is too big to keep running into someone, or something. She's no stray dog, hanging around where she knows there'll be food or a safe place to sleep, but she doesn't do much in the way of staking claims, either. She just hangs around. Wanders.

And that wandering happens to have their paths crossing. Once had been weird. Twice had made him think.

Laura had told him, during one late night conversation, where they felt brave enough to talk about what was lost (rather, he felt brave enough - Laura never seemed to struggle with that they way he does), the rumour about their uncle. But it had been a story, something she'd over heard between their mom and dad when she was sneaking home from a party late at night. There had been no confirmation, and then suddenly there had been a thousand more important things and nobody to ask.

So Derek wonders. London's zoos are still not missing any coyotes, and she still doesn't smell like just an animal. Frowning, he watches her root around in the trash. She's a shifter, he's convinced of that much, but he wouldn't expect a feral one to be out in the centre of London.

Eventually, he makes his mind up. Leaping off the roof and striding across the quiet street, he comes to stand in the mouth of the alley. He doesn't come closer, not yet, and he doesn't say anything. He simply stands there, watching, curious to see what she'll do, if she'll take off again.

He might even be hopeful.