"Don't take this the wrong way," Will began, with Reyna glancing at the doctor. He was throwing away the supplies he had used to stitch her leg up. "We need to stop seeing each other like this. I like seeing you outside of my clinic, but not inside."

"I feel the same," Reyna assured. "I'm a little sick of seeing you as well."

"Harsh," Will commented. Reyna slowly stood and carefully stretched. Will finished throwing everything away and grabbed his coat.

"Not like that," Reyna corrected herself as she rubbed her forehead. "I appreciate you helping me. I just wish this place wasn't like a second home."

Will chuckled. He put his coat on and walked towards the door. Reyna followed behind him. They made it outside, and Will locked up his clinic. He put his keys into his pocket and then froze, "Did you put money in here?"

"I did," Reyna confirmed. "You won't let me pay otherwise, and I feel like I've gone through too many supplies."

"This is your whole paycheck," Will began. He pulled out the five hundred dollars and looked like he was about to hand it back. Reyna stuffed her hands into her pocket and took a step back.

"It's not. I can afford it," Reyna promised. "I wouldn't have given it to you if I couldn't afford it. Just take the money and treat yourself. Or put it to good use."

"Fine," Will relented, but he didn't look too happy about it. Reyna didn't understand how someone was so good at giving charity but didn't know how to receive. "Do you need a ride home?"

"I have a bodyguard," Reyna replied as she pointed behind her and towards Clarisse. Will waved. "Thank you again. Have a good one."

"You too."

Reyna turned and walked towards Clarisse's car. A scowl settled her face as she sat in the car and laid her head back. It was silent as Clarisse started the car and began to drive.

It wasn't until they were close to Reyna's apartment that Clarisse spoke, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," Reyna muttered. She closed her eyes and tried to relax. The pain medicine left her feeling better and kept each breath from feeling like a stab to the lungs.

"Are you actually going to leave?" Clarisse questioned. Reyna shrugged. "Seriously."

"Exterminata might know where I live," Reyna muttered, even though she knew it was a lie. She may not have seen her sister for years, but she knew that Hylla was embarrassed by her. Ashamed even. Hylla wouldn't have told anyone exactly where she was going, and by telling them it was a false alarm, the issue would die then and there.

"They won't. Your sister said she would tell them this was a false alarm," Clarisse noted. Reyna glared and looked out the window. "I think it's a dumb idea to just run, Reyna. I know you're mad and upset, but please just take the time to think clearly."

"Thalia is thick-headed and rash," Clarisse continued. Reyna opted to tune her out. Her mind drifted back to what had happened; being arrested left her fuming. It also meant that Thalia would try to get into her business even more, and Reyna was not going to let that happen.

There was also the fact that the other hunter knew what Reyna had done, but she did let Reyna go with a warning. At least someone appreciated what she'd done. Reyna felt a sharp pain in her arm, "Ow!"

"Pay attention to what I am saying," Clarisse ordered. Reyna opened her eyes and glared at Clarisse.

"Thalia already arrested me once for no damn reason. She doesn't like me, and she got me interrogated by the police captain. What the fuck is the point of staying around with that bullshit hanging over me?" Reyna demanded.

"That police captain isn't going to bother you," Clarisse assured. "Trust me. Thalia is going to get her head out of her ass, apologize, and then protect you. I promise. Hell, if she doesn't, I will."

Reyna looked away, and Clarisse gently grabbed her shoulder, "I really enjoy having you as a friend, Reyna. More than that, this is your chance to have the kind of life that I know you deserve. Sure, there are going to be hiccups along the way. You just have to push past them. With the help of friends."

Reyna closed her eyes. She did not have anyone like Clarisse before. Reyna never had someone who would go out of their way to help her. Who cared enough to even have this talk with her. Could she stay here, though?

Even with everything that had happened since she came here, it was still safer than where she used to be. Now, Ma Gasket and Lycaon were out of the picture. Hopefully. Exterminata wouldn't know where she was. The only one from that group who did was Hylla, who wouldn't bother with her anymore.

Reyna had a job and a place to live. She had the money to just throw all of that away and move somewhere else, but there were also people at the bar that she had friendships with. Her and Annabeth were getting closer. Her and Jason were friends with benefits for the time being at least. And Clarisse.

"I think I need a drink. And food," Reyna finally said.

"We can do that," Clarisse agreed as she made a sudden right turn. Reyna grabbed onto the car to keep from getting thrown by the momentum of it. "Sorry."

"I just forgot that you were crazy when it came to driving. Well, everything," Reyna teased.

"If you weren't hurting, I would throw you from the car," Clarisse threatened. Reyna smiled slightly. "It's decided. We're going to spar more, so can you stop getting your ass kicked."

"I would have been fine if a gun hadn't been pointed at me," Reyna countered. Clarisse huffed under her breath. "I'm serious."

"Are you going to let a gun stop you?"

"When it's loaded with silver bullets? Yeah," Reyna answered. Clarisse pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant that Reyna hadn't been to yet. The two of them walked inside, and Reyna realized it was a buffet. Her stomach growled.

"You almost die, get arrested, and the first thing you think about is food," Clarisse commented as they walked up to the counter. "Two please."

"You're making me rethink this staying thing," Reyna stated. Clarisse paid and then looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

"So, you're going to stay?" Clarisse asked. Reyna studied her and then looked down. She hadn't decided officially, but if she was going to run, she already would have.

"I think I will," Reyna said softly. Clarisse smiled at her and gripped her shoulder in a comforting way. She grabbed her receipt, and they followed the host to a table. After ordering drinks, they split up to find food.

Reyna felt at peace with her decision. This place was like a home, and there were actually people she could count on. There was also always the chance to turn and run if things started to go bad again. Reyna would keep a bag packed just in case.

Reyna loaded up on her plate, loaded up another, and then brought it back to the table. Clarisse was already back with her plate piled high. Reyna sat across from her and started to eat. It was quiet through her first plate. When she reached her second one, she put her fork down.

"That stuff you heard when I was talking to my sister," Reyna began.

"I already forgot about it," Clarisse dismissed. Reyna shook her head.

"You didn't," Reyna said. She looked at her plate. "My father wasn't a good man. He lived and breathed Exterminata, and he passed that on to his daughters. From a young age, we were learning how to hunt and kill all the beasts of the world. I still remember every lesson."

"That's fucked up," Clarisse said. "Kids should have a childhood. They shouldn't have to worry about how to kill anything."

"My father didn't see it that way," Reyna muttered. "And when he learned I was a werewolf, the first thing he did was tell Exterminata and try to kill me. So, I ran."

"But, he found you," Clarisse recalled.

"I had to defend myself," Reyna said softly. Clarisse nodded. She gently bumped Reyna's arm. "I ran after that. I didn't go back to Hylla. I don't know if I thought my father would survive that or if I couldn't bear going back to her. I just ran."

"Was your mom a werewolf then?" Clarisse asked softly. Reyna nodded. "What about Hylla? Did it just skip her? Or do you have different moms?"

"She was the lucky one," Reyna answered. "It skipped her and found its way to me. I never knew my mother. I don't think she stayed around my father either. Just visited him when she was in town or something."

"Have you thought about looking for her?" Clarisse gently prodded.

"No," Reyna replied. She sighed. "My mother is probably dead. Her pack found out about her having relations with not just a human, but a hunter. That doesn't sit well with them."

"Can't you find the pack?" Clarisse asked. Reyna smiled bitterly. She finished her second plate.

"I did find them," Reyna answered. "When I ran, I didn't know where to go. I ended up in the forest, and after a day or so, my pack found me. They took me in, questioned me, and had me fight the pack leader to the death."

Clarisse's eyes widened in surprise. Reyna continued, "Ironically, it was hunters that saved me. They had been tracking me and managed to walk right into the scene of the one sided duel. All hell broke loose, and I did what I do best: run."

"I was wounded and hurt. I managed to find a kind soul who took care of me. I stayed with them for some time," Reyna recalled. She scowled. "Then, Exterminata found me again. They killed my caretaker, and I was on the run for a very long time. Until I found a woman that fucked over my life and gave me the rest of my trust issues."

"Shit," Clarisse said softly. Reyna shrugged and stood to get another plate. Clarisse stood as well and suddenly pulled Reyna into a hug. Reyna tensed at first. Then, she hugged the larger woman back and relaxed against her. "I'm here for you now, Reyna. I promise."

"Thanks," Reyna said with a smile. Clarisse gently shoved her away.

"Now go eat. People are starting to stare at us," Clarisse said.

"You hugged me, though," Reyna commented. "Thanks, Clarisse. Seriously."

Clarisse smiled at her. Reyna turned to grab another plate. This could be the biggest mistake of her life that would end up with her death, or it would be the best decision she ever made because it meant she could actually live a life.

Reyna really hoped she wouldn't regret it.