AN: Ohhh it is all kicking off now! ;)

Hope you enjoy this one!

Riza busied herself with removing more things from the bed of the truck. Jean had taken over the duty of watching over Rebecca. Not that the man needed much persuading. Riza had quickly grown restless and uneasy as she waited for her friend to wake up. It didn't help her conversation with Roy had been cut short. She only hoped he was either away from their house or on his way here. The blonde desperately hoped for the latter, but she could understand if he wasn't.

From Roy's point of view, they had essentially abandoned him. Riza didn't feel the need to fill him on the details of their departure at the time because he was supposed to be away and wouldn't arrive home until the end of the week. She didn't want him to worry. The fact he didn't share his business with her still stung a little, but she was sure he had his reasons.

Now, Riza felt even worse not telling Roy what was going on. He had arrived back sooner than expected and was currently without his pack in dangerous territory.

She should have at least of told Maes.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Slamming down the compartment lid with excessive force, Riza took a deep breath and sighed, as if willing her frustration and worry to leave her in that breath.

Tears threatened to overwhelm her as images of Roy lying murdered by the Hunters filled her mind.

If he was killed, it would be her fault.

Making up her mind, she pushed off the side of the truck. Determination filled her as she turned to stride back to the hotel room. She would tell Jean and Kain she was going back for Roy.

Riza paused in her stride, faltering, as she spotted a familiar mop of black hair walking across the parking lot towards her.

Roy's expression held nothing but relief and he smiled when Riza finally noticed his presence.

Dropping the bag she had been carrying, Riza's feet carried her over to him.

He was okay.

Riza threw her arms around his neck, burying her head in his chest. Tears of joy spilled down her cheeks. She breathed in his scent, relishing in the comfort of it. Just him being here, holding her tightly against him, soothed her frayed nerves, banished her worries.

Roy shifted and Riza lifted her head, looking up at the man who loved her.

Roy lowered his lips to hers, kissing her softly.

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you," Riza whispered after they broke apart.

Roy shushed her quietly. "It's all right. You are safe. That is all that matters to me."

His words sent a thrill through her. Riza never expected to ever meet someone who cared for her as much as Roy did. Nobody would want to be associated with a monster. Yet, Roy had accepted her, faults and all. Of course, it helped he was in the same predicament. Nevertheless, the pair had moved beyond the beast that stirred within them both and had begun to care for each other, despite that.

"I didn't want you to worry," Riza continued, feeling a strong urge to get these words out.

"I have come to accept the fact that I care enough about you, Riza, that I will always worry," Roy smiled, kissing her forehead. "What exactly should I be worrying about?" he asked.

"I'll explain everything, I promise. But let's get inside."

Roy froze as he entered the room Rebecca occupied. He narrowed his eyes dangerously, zeroing in on Kain Fuery. The young man flinched under his stare, fear over taking him once more.

After Riza got the whole story from everything that had transpired between them, Riza felt a new respect for the young man. He had saved Rebecca's life, knocking over the Hunter who had been poised to kill her. Jean had also explained how he bravely fought against the Hunters, trying to help and protect the two of them.

Riza watched, as if in slow motion, as Roy strode away from her, grabbing Kain by the front of his shirt, and slamming him against the wall of the hotel room.

"Roy!" Shit. She had forgotten to warn Roy.

Kain struggled under his grip, but there was no way he would be able to get free. Not from Roy's death grip.

"You," Roy hissed, increasing the pressure against his throat.

"Wait!" Kain gasped, clawing at the older man's hands.

Riza sprang over to them, pulling Roy off him.

"Roy, stop it! He means us no harm."

"No harm?" Roy asked incredulously. "He tried to kill you, Riza. He almost did." Kain squeaked as the pressure increased once more. "I will never forgive him for that."

"He also saved Rebecca's life. He told us everything. We can trust him! Let him go."

"Please," Kain whimpered, tears rolling down his cheek.

Riza felt sorry for him. He didn't deserve this. Yes, he was in that clearing on the wrong side, but from what Riza had gathered, he had no idea what was going on. He was simply guilty by association. However, he had redeemed himself somewhat in Riza's eyes.

"Roy!" Riza barked, her tone harsh. The man in question whipped around to face her, his expression hard. His eyes were filled so much hate and anger. "Let him go," she commanded, her tone softer. Her gaze flicked worriedly between him and Kain, who was turning a worrying shade of red.

"Trust me," she urged, getting desperate. If she didn't act quickly, Kain would pass out.

Another moment passed. The tension was so thick in the room it was uncomfortable. Jean watched the scene unfold before him worriedly. However, he hadn't moved from Rebecca's side. This wasn't his fight.

Finally, Roy dropped Kain who crumpled to the floor, gasping for air.

Riza rushed to his aid, straightening him up so Kain could get air into his lungs.

"Come on," Riza murmured, half pulling Kain out of the hotel room. Roy watched the pair, thoroughly confused.

Why was Riza trying to help the man who tried to kill her? She had said Kain could be trusted.

Riza towed Kain across to their other room. The young man was still gasping for air. Riza was worried he might vomit, but it didn't seem likely at the moment. Sitting him down on the bed, she got a good look at his face. There was slight bruising already forming around his neck. Kain's face had begun to return to a normal colour.

"I'm sorry Riza," he muttered miserably.

Riza felt for him. She really did. Since that day in the clearing it seemed Kain had tried to do nothing but redeem himself for his actions, but the world kept tearing him back down.

"It's all right Kain, you don't need to apologise anymore. I'm the one who should be saying sorry. I never spoke to Roy before he entered the room. I should have and you suffered the consequences for that oversight."

"I just wish I had never let my brother force me to come along." Head in his hands, Kain leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I wish I hadn't even been there in that clearing."

Riza was silent as Kain spoke, observing him. The poor man was distraught. The interaction with Roy didn't help matters.

"Well, you were," Riza told him. "And you have begun to redeem yourself. Jean told me what happened when the Hunters tried to drag Rebecca away and had Jean pinned. You saved their lives. You very likely saved my life, along with Roy's, because you warned us the Hunters were nearby." Riza patted his shoulder, offering Kain some comfort. "I am not mad at you for what you did. I knew just by looking at you in that clearing you were terrified and didn't want to be there."

"I've just… I've screwed up so badly."

"But you recognise that and have tried to make right your wrongs."

"It doesn't make it right!" he cried, springing up from his seat. "I should have been stronger. I should have fought my brother. I should have had some goddamn backbone for once in my life."

"So use that now. Work on those things for the future so, when you need to, you can stand up to your brother. I don't think he will be very happy you have clearly aligned yourself with us. You will need to tell him what he is doing is wrong. You will need to help him."

Kain paused in his pacing, considering Riza's words. The blonde just hoped she had done enough to get through to him.

"Look, take a few minutes to think things over. Think about what you want from your future now. Everything has changed." Kain sighed at her final statement. No doubt he wanted nothing to change. "I know it is hard, believe me, but what are you going to do about it now?"

"Okay," Kain answered, offering Riza a small smile. "I will."

"Again, I'm really sorry about Roy."

Kain waved her apology off, sitting on the edge of the bed in defeat.

Riza closed the door quietly behind her, giving him some privacy.

"Roy, what the hell was that?" Riza hissed, dragging the other man out the hotel room.

"What is he doing here? He tried to kill you."

"I am well aware of that fact," she snapped back.

"Then what the hell is he doing here?"

"Because he can be trusted."

Roy snorted derisively. "I highly doubt that. He tried to kill you, Riza. Almost succeeded that that!"

"Would you shut up for once in your life and listen to me?" Riza cried, tired of Roy repeating the same thing. She was well aware of what Kain had done. But he still didn't deserve to die.

Roy did quieten, surprised by her outburst.

"I know what Kain did, but killing him isn't the answer. It just breeds more hate. He saved Jean and Rebecca's life already, and has filled me in on details of the Hunters and their next plans. He has helped us. Also," Riza added, looking across to the room the young man currently occupied. "If you spoke to him you would easily be able to tell he doesn't want anything to do with the Hunters."

Roy sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, grimacing in pain. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." He caught the disbelieving look on Riza's face. "Truly, I don't. As soon as I saw his face, this rage filled me. I don't –" Roy sighed deeply. "The months leading up to my change I couldn't keep a lid on my emotions, especially the negative ones. A couple of minutes ago, that's what it was like all over again. All I saw was the man who tried to kill you standing in front of me."

"If Kain truly was a threat, I wouldn't have brought him along with me. I appreciate you are looking out for me, but I can fight my own battles Roy."

"I know. It was never a question of that."

His apology was sincere and Riza felt her own anger at his action simmering. She knew all too well how it felt to not be able to control your emotions properly.

"You can't go around trying to kill everyone who has wronged me."

"It wasn't my intention."

"It sure as hell looked like it was. Poor Kain is probably traumatised."

Silence reigned and Roy instantly felt bad about his outburst. The boy, Kain, was just a kid.

"I'll talk to him," Roy offered.

"Please don't," Riza replied sternly, beginning to walk away from the hotel. "At least, not right now. I don't need the kid having a heart attack at the age of nineteen. Give him some time. He's a good kid. He saved Rebecca and Jean's life when the Hunters tried to kidnap Rebecca and kill them both."

Roy's gaze snapped up from the floor. "They did what?"

Riza nodded. "Jean, the blonde man in the other room, is Rebecca's soul mate."

Confusion crossed Roy's face. "Soul mate?"

"It's a concept between vampires and werewolves. Everyone has someone out there who is "The One"." Riza utilised her air quotes again, feeling the sensation of déjà vu. "You and I are soul mates, so are Jean and Rebecca."

"Wait, what?" Roy stuttered. Riza had stated that fact so casually. This was a major deal. Soul mates? Roy wasn't sure. However, he knew he had never cared for someone as much as he did Riza. Looking back now, his childhood crush made a lot more sense.

"You heard me," she stated, a smile playing across her lips. She pulled Roy by the hand so he would sit on the bench next to her. They had taken a walk down the street of the hotel to get some privacy. Riza was aware she didn't want to stray too far, however, it was nice to simply walk with Roy. She could almost pretend, walking down this quiet street, they led a normal life and weren't being pursued by people trying to kill them.

"But… soul mates? That's some heavy stuff."

Riza shrugged. "It is."

"I don't mean that horribly," Roy rushed to add, sensing a sadness in her tone. "I am more than happy to love you, Riza." He paused. "I'm elated, actually. I just meant, it is a lot to take in. However, it does explain a few things."

"That's what I thought. I mean, people don't generally go around telling others they are in love with them only a couple of weeks after meeting. Well, desperate ones do."

Roy chuckled. "I've been there," he muttered.

"Oh yeah?" Riza asked, amused. She fought down the sudden urge of jealousy the wolf within bristling. For God's sake woman, he is a grown man. Of course he has been with other women. Pack it in, wolf. "And what did you do?"

"Turned tail and ran the other way."

Riza laughed. Roy watched her as she did so, relishing in how beautiful she was. He felt bad leaving her out of his own plans, but seeing her today and talking to Riza made him realise she could handle anything he threw her way.

"I didn't leave to of out of town on business." Riza turned to look at him expectantly, a slightly concerned look on her face. "Before I changed, I proposed a deal to someone. A very shady someone. I wanted to know what he was up to on my Aunt's estate and this was the only way to do so."

Riza vaguely recalled a conversation between her and Maes about Roy and his social status. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

"Anyway, he showed up in my home the day I left. There was wolfs bane on him."

Riza paled, worry overtaking her expression. This confirmed Kain's information about the Hunters. They were close and getting ready to make a move.

"I know. So, I followed him and he met up with someone, a Hunter. He gave them my name and offered to find more. The guy was older, my guess was he was maybe the guy who was in that clearing? He did say they had been to the hotel area before."

"This is… Not good."

"I know," was Roy's grim reply.

"Kain essentially told us the same thing."

Panic flitted through Riza at the thought of the Hunters knowing Roy's name. That meant his Aunt would be a target. Hunters weren't generous. If someone was associated with a supernatural being, they would kill them too.

"Your Aunt is at risk," Riza stated, plans already formulating in her mind. On the one hand, coming here was a good idea because it meant they could care for Rebecca without the worry of the Hunters knowing where they lived. On the other, it left Roy's Aunt defenceless. It also meant that if they were looking for Maes, his family would be at risk.

She wouldn't leave them to fight this themselves.

"I know." Roy placed his head in his hands. His voice strained. "But I had to come here. I had to see you. After overhearing that conversation then returning to an empty home I…"

Riza took his hand, giving it a tight squeeze. Now, Riza realised how bad the situation looked from Roy's point of view. No wonder he was angry with me on the phone.

"I'm here, don't worry. I won't be beaten so easily. Especially by the Hunters," she added with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"But you almost were, though."

Silence reigned, Riza at a loss for words. It was true, she couldn't deny it. Sighing in frustration, Riza just wished there was a better way to combat the effects of the wolfs bane.

"I don't want to almost lose you again. I can't."

Riza heart tugged at Roy's words. She felt the same way. When Maes had approached her about Roy being poisoned, weeks ago, Riza knew this was the case. Even if he had been horrible to her, she didn't want to lose him.

"Go back to your home. Pretend everything is normal," Riza stated quietly, their conversation being much more subdued now. "If this guy gets an inkling that you are on to them then he will probably act."

"And what about you guys?" Riza felt him tense at her words. His jaw clenched in response, clearly unhappy with her suggestion.

"I will wait until Rebecca is better, then we will come back. I, hell, we won't leave you to fight this by yourself. You are part of the pack," Riza replied firmly. Then her expression simpered. "We won't have anywhere to stay though."

"You could stay with me," Roy offered. "All of you, of course," he added as Riza turned to meet his gaze. "Like you said, we are a pack. You can't go back to the house if they know where you live."

"That is a lot to ask of you, Roy, and of your Aunt –" Roy waved off her protests.

"The house is too big for the two of us anyway. It would be nice to have some company in there for a change."

Riza kissed him soflty. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he grinned.