AN: OKAY so that last chapter was really mean and I couldn't wait to post the next one :'D As a peace offering after chapter 32, have another one (happy times are coming soon I promise).
Onward with the plot!

"How is she?" Rebecca asked anxiously, entering his cabin.

"Still asleep," replied Roy. Anxious himself, he returned to his pacing in front of the fire in his cabin. It felt so empty and cold. Very appropriate for how he was feeling.

After Riza had said those words to him, Roy had crumbled. He regained control once more. Hearing Riza talk about what the Hunters had done to her, well it sent him on the warpath. His world turned red and the wolf seemed as if it was battering itself against his chest, struggling to be free and deliver justice to the people who had hurt the woman he loved. If Riza hadn't been there to talk him down he didn't want to think about what situation he would be in right now. Probably dead. And that would be no help to anyone.

But, the way she had spoken about herself, the way she had given up… It both broke and terrified him. His heart shattered as she told him she wasn't worth it. Of course she was worth it. She was worth everything. He told her that as she clung to him, but there was no response. In fact, she had almost leapt away from him as if she had been burned. He didn't understand it.

"It's fine," she whispered. "I don't blame you. Just… Go. Before I get you into another mess."

It had felt like a knife had been wedged into his heart upon hearing those words. Roy had never experienced true pain and heartache until Riza uttered those words with such a finality it scared him.

Both he and Rebecca were lost. They didn't know what to do. Riza was always a pillar of strength to them. She had gone through this alone and had sought the pair out to help them too. To see her so broken down… It wasn't an easy thing to watch.

Grumman had taken her back to the hospital. He urged them to return to their cabins to get some rest and allow Riza to recover in peace.

"I know you want to stay by her side, but it will let her heal," he reminded them. He had just exited her small private room, closing the door quietly behind him. "I have seen werewolves return from Hunter captivity before. I have seen more than I would care to admit." His expression turned dark and haunted. "Her mental state is very fragile. Even the slightest stress could break her. Today was almost as bad as it gets. Give her some space to let her heal. It is the best course of action. Believe me."

Another part of him was worried. Riza had told him to leave. Was that truly what she wanted?

"She didn't mean it," Rebecca began, her voice taking on a wistful tone. Turning to face her, Roy watched as she stared into the flames of the fire. "You know that, right?"

"If that's what she truly wants –" Roy stopped, partly due to Rebecca cutting him off. The other part was due to the feeling of his throat closing. He didn't want to even entertain the possibility.

Sighing heavily, Rebecca turned to face him with a "are you shitting me?" look. "You know she doesn't want you to go. You don't want to either. Therefore, you are both stuck together. Forever."

"I made a promise to myself to prevent something like what happened in that clearing from happening again. How can I live with myself if I am so useless that I can't protect her?" His tone was helpless and Rebecca felt for him.

"Well, for one thing, Riza Hawkeye does not need protecting," Rebecca reasoned, before frowning. "Despite recent events. Even so, she has fought through and returned to us each time. That says something."

"I can't do this," he whispered, running his hands through his hair. "I can't stand by and let it happen." Silence reigned for a moment. "But I also can't be kept out of the loop like that."

Rebecca nodded. "Neither can I. But look, we are only human. Well, you know what I mean," she smirked, trying to lighten the mood slightly. The corners of Roy's mouth quirked up slightly, but not enough to last. "We make mistakes and do what we think is the right thing. Don't dwell on this too much. We both know Riza is the self-sacrificing type. Hell, she had given up everything just to find the two of us. We owe it to her to listen to her side of the story."

Rebecca's words resonated within Roy. He was right. He had jumped to conclusions before and look where that had got him.

"She is alive. We all are. Just remember that."

Riza awoke gradually, her senses slowly returning to her. Opening her eyes, she found the blurred vision which usually accompanied the action was gone. Once noticing this, Riza tested her hearing and smell, finding both seemed to have returned to normal. In the distance, there were low voices speaking. She smelled something cooking – it smelled like beef. Her mouth filled with saliva at the smell and her stomach rumbled loudly.

Glancing around, Riza found herself in a bare, white room. The first thought that popped into her head was that she was in a hospital. It was the only reasonable explanation given the barren, sterile room.

Thoughts and emotions threatened to overwhelm her as she sat up from the bed. It almost took her breath away, but she closed her eyes fiercely and forced them away. She had broken down already. She didn't need to do it again. Deal with the here and now. Then we can deal with… the incident, later.

Exiting the room she had slept in, Riza found herself in another unfamiliar room. It was empty. Chairs were lined on the wall opposite her, facing the door to her room and the door to another room. The walls were covered in leaflets. Peering up at them, curiosity getting the better of her, she perused the titles. So, you want to quit human blood? Riza frowned. What the hell? Another read; what to expect when you are expecting. A normal leaflet on pregnancy, except there was a picture of a woman holding a child with wolf ears and a tail.

"Don't judge them by their titles too much," an amused voice told her. An old man entered the room through a set of sliding door, bringing in a chilly breeze with him. Riza did notice that the cold didn't affect her. The blonde had almost forgotten what that felt like.

"What are they?" she asked, turning to frown at another one. Turning your annoying husband into a frog.

"They are information leaflets for different species. Because we need to be hidden from the humans our information leaflets are written up to look like a joke. They are actually coded with the information we need so that, to humans, they look like jokes."

"We?"

"Us werewolves, the vampires, and the witches. Those are all the species that reside within this small settlement."

Riza nodded. Another question popped into her head. "Where is this place exactly? And what is it?" The blonde was suddenly very aware that she was alone with a stranger in an unfamiliar place. She was clearly outnumbered, judging by his statement concerning the species living here. Turning to face him completely, she took in his grin, the way it made the corner of his eyes crinkle behind the glasses. He was very unthreatening, but so were the Hunters until they unloaded four bullets into your chest.

As a precaution, she reached out to find Rebecca and Roy without thinking. When she did, memories flooded her mind. Her breath hitched and she felt the feeling of loss and loneliness almost overwhelm her.

"Easy," the man soothed, rushing to her side. He grasped her upper arm, almost as if he was afraid she would fall over. It certainly felt like a possibility. Getting her breathing under control, she focussed on his voice. It held a tone of familiarity, as if he knew her personally. She was certain she had never met him before, however there was a hint in her mind that she knew him. It was so small, she couldn't grasp a hold of it.

"Things will get easier with time," he reassured her, guiding her slowly but firmly over to a chair. "You have to take it easy. Especially after your ordeal."

Riza felt her face screw up in disgust at the reminder. "What did they do to me?" she whispered. Ever since she had escaped she felt derailed. She hadn't been herself and it was frustrating, as well as frightening.

The question was rhetorical, but he answered, to Riza's surprise.

"It will take time for things to return to normal. What you went through is designed to unhinge the mind, as well as assault the body. The Hunters are relentless in their mission to destroy us. They will do it by any means necessary."

Great, Riza thought to herself. Her breathing slowed and the panic that had welled inside her had dissipated.

"My name is Walter Grumman," he introduced himself with a toothy grin. "I "lead" this small settlement." He lowered his hands after doing his air quotes. "We are in the Rocky Mountain National Park. The largest supernatural being settlement in the state," he announced proudly. "You are safe here, trust me."

Riza felt like scoffing at the statement, but stopped herself. She had nothing left now. Perhaps an alliance here would benefit her.

"Come, I will explain everything on the way to dinner."

Her stomach chose that exact moment to rumble loudly. Riza rolled her eyes while Walter chuckled. He stood and beckoned her forward and Riza followed hesitantly behind him.

Feeling more under control, she reached out to Roy and Rebecca again as they walked in silence. They were miles away, to her dismay.

They really have left me. The revelation would have crushed her but Riza felt so numb it made no difference.

So, she was left alone with this strange old man. Her past experience with strangers hadn't been so pleasant, but right now it was her only option.

"I can assure you, you are safe here," he stated a second time. "Your pack arrived here about two weeks ago. Havoc brought them in."

Relief flooded her chest. "They got out," she whispered in a breath. She knew this already, of course, but she was glad that after the shooting they had escaped almost immediately.

Walter nodded, catching her comment to herself. "They did. The boy did well to bring them here, although it wasn't easy on him. I have been protecting them. No Hunters have been spotted within fifty miles. Well, except when you were dropped off." A frown overtook his features. Instead of pondering on it, the threat of panic looming over his words, Riza looked around her as they walked as a distraction. Wooden cabins were dotted throughout the forest, each of varying sizes. People wandered through the trees, chatting to each other. Others were gathered on the porches, enjoying their dinner. Riza's mouth watered once more.

"They are werewolves," Riza stated with a start, only just realising it. She had tried to get a whiff of what they were eating, only to discover the familiar scent of her species. It was the same one Jean had.

Oh… she thought to herself, feeling extremely dumb in that moment. Of course he was a werewolf. Why didn't I smell it straight away?

Walter nodded. "We have over a hundred of our kind here. As I already mentioned, vampires, witches, and humans also reside here. Your friends, the vampires and the two humans are nearby. I believe they are enjoying their dinner at the moment."

Had Maes finally told them? What about Christmas? I didn't think she would still be here.

"Your pack members are out on a patrol at the moment. We needed to familiarise them with the area. The first week was… difficult for them." Guilt flooded Riza. "But, now you have returned, they have certainly perked up. Less like the undead."

Instead of Walter's joke amusing her, it only made the guilt eat at her even more. Riza winced.

Noticing, he sighed. "Don't beat yourself up about it. You did what you thought was right. You did it to protect your pack. You have my respect for that."

"But I didn't think about the effect it would have on anyone else but myself. It was selfish."

"True. But we all make mistakes. Instead of dwelling on it, learn from it. Anyway, that pair will be back soon." His words made Riza's heart leap with hope in her chest. Back? They hadn't left? The blonde forced her excitement down. What was done was done. They wouldn't want to associate with her anymore. Not after what she did. Riza wasn't sure if she wanted to face them again either. If she did, emotions would come flooding back that she needed to forget. She was on her own now. She needed to accept that.

Briefly the thought of breaking ties with the pack occurred to her. But, in her current state, it was too much. Even the thought made her breath hitch.

"Let us get some food in you first before you meet them again," Grumman continued, oblivious to Riza's pain. "I want to speak with you about something beforehand."

Instead of her internal pain, she focussed on Walter's cryptic statement. Curiosity piqued her interest. What could he possibly have to speak to her about?

As they walked along the thin path, lights lit their way. It was currently dusk. The sun was blocked from her view by the thick forest around her, but some rays of light still made their way through. The lights which lined the path were already on, signalling the beginning of the night. It couldn't have been too late, it was still winter after all. Guessing by the sound and smell of cooking, Riza surmised it must have been around five or six o'clock.

The air around them was cold and Riza breathed in deeply, savouring the sensation. Her senses had been dulled considerably during her capture thanks to that bitch and her poison. The wolf stirred angrily within Riza at the thought of her. Shaking those thoughts from her head, Riza refocussed on what Walter was telling her.

"Do you recognise this place at all?"

Riza considered his question. The more she thought about it, the more she felt some kind of recognition. However, it was deep down and Riza couldn't explain why.

"Not really," she answered. "Should I?"

"I don't know," Walter replied, crestfallen. Riza frowned. What was that supposed to mean?

Walter climbed the steps to a cabin which was situated at the end of the path. It led into a large square where there was still a lot of activity. A fountain was situated to her right, which sparked something within her. She was sure she had seen it, or one like it, before. But Riza didn't know where.

The air was cold and it was the middle of winter, but you wouldn't think it judging by the attire of those who sat outside eating their dinner. Some were dressed up in coats and scarves, but they still didn't seem affected by the cold. So they must either be human or a witch. Riza didn't know much about the latter, but in the small amount of reading she had discovered while researching her own kind, witches were basically humans who were able to tap into magical energy. Their physicality was the same in every way.

Her escort opened the door for her, ushering her inside. Jean stood at the sound of the door opening. He looked tense as Riza entered, wringing his hands together. He was back to the Jean she knew from before, before everything had gone to shit and Riza had been captured by the Hunters. He grinned at the sight of her, closing the distance and enveloping her in a bear hug.

"I am so glad you are okay," he whispered in relief. Riza wrapped her own arms around the man, simply glad for some sense of familiarity. His behaviour was odd, she noted. She hadn't known him long, or extremely well, but in this mess, Riza would take any sort of comfort.

"Thank you," Riza replied. She pulled away from his embrace, squeezing his hand to show her appreciation. Walter led them through to a dining area where food had already been served.

"For what?"

"For getting everyone out." At the pained expression on his face, Riza continued. "I know it couldn't have been easy. I know I shouldn't have asked you to do it, but you now understand why I did?"

"I do." The nervous look returned and he didn't elaborate much further. Riza knew there was more than he was letting on. However, she was distracted by the food in front of her.

Thirty minutes later, they had finished eating and Riza felt full and satisfied.

"So," Walter began, looking slightly nervous. Riza watched him expectantly, waiting for him to continue. "You want to know what happened."

Riza looked between Jean and Walter. The former had stopped eating a while ago, but continued pushing his leftovers around his plate. The latter's expression changed drastically. Gone was the welcoming smile. In its place was a look which told her she may not like this upcoming conversation.

"Yes," Riza replied slowly. "What is going on?"

"Nothing is going on," Walter assured her with a sigh. "I have dreamed about this conversation for years and now you are here it is suddenly very hard to get out."

Riza frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Just… Keep an open mind Riza. Please," Jean urged her.

"What –"

"Do you remember when I asked you if you thought this place looked familiar?" Walter asked, interrupting her. Riza nodded. Anxiety pooled in her stomach. Her gut told her she wouldn't like this conversation. "That is because you have been here before."

"When?" Riza's voice was hollow as she suddenly thought why Walter had asked her that question. Riza had probed her mind and her earlier thoughts about that fountain came to mind. She remembered seeing odd people wearing shorts and t-shirts outside in the middle of winter. She remembered trying it once and receiving a scolding from her mother.

Walter took a deep breath. "You grew up here, Riza. With your Mother and Father."

As that bomb landed, Riza sat in stunned silence. Her head hurt as familiarity struck her. She tried to call forth the very vague memories, but there was something holding them back. It felt like she was grasping for something through a thick fog and it was just out of her reach.

"No," Riza shook her head. "I grew up in Maine with my Father. My Mother died when I was a child…"

"You moved there with your Father after your Mother… Died." Walter choked out the last word, the conversation suddenly becoming very difficult for him.

Riza looked to Jean for some kind of either help or confirmation that this was all crazy. She didn't know why she needed it. But this didn't seem real. However, he simply shot her a sad smile.

I do not need this right now.

Looking back at Walter, Riza watched as he took a moment to compose himself. Instead, Jean took over leading the conversation.

"It is true. We grew up together."

Riza stared at him in disbelief and shock. She studied him carefully and finally found a small spark within her mind as she did so.

So do not need this.

"This… This is crazy. My Mother died when I was very young. My Father rose me by himself…" Even that was a lie. Riza had kept herself alive while her Father continued to grieve for her Mother.

"She died when you were ten," Walter told her. The emotion was gone from his voice. "The Hunters captured her and tortured her for information. Much like what they did to you." Walter's expression was stricken as he stared at her. Tears had formed in his eyes. "They returned her in a body bag."

Something stabbed Riza in her chest at this new information. "No… My mother died when I was three or four. That's what Bertohld told me. That's what I remember."

"You… Found her body. So Berthold asked a witch to place a spell on your mind so you would forget it."

Her head jerked up angrily at that detail.

"Now, before you turn your anger against him," Walter urged. "Hear me out. They were after your family. Your Mother had done well to mix in with the human world. You lived in Denver for several years without being discovered. However, one night the three of you witnessed an attempted murder and your Mother changed without thinking. She saved the man's life, but the Hunters saw. They fled here for sanctuary, and found it for several years. However, Amelia's past caught up with her," Walter finished sadly. "She was missing for a week and you found her in the forest. You were inconsolable. So, to protect you from yourself, Berthold asked a witch to cast a spell on your mind so you would forget. You forgot all about vampires, witches, and werewolves and he left in the middle of the night with no goodbye.

"I have been searching for you for years, but found nothing. I never thought he would have travelled across the country."

This can't be true.

"So… If my Mother was a werewolf that means…"

It can't be.

Walter nodded. "You were born a werewolf."

Riza was dumbfounded. So, my whole life has been a lie.

"I… Only changed for the first time towards the start of the year. Why?"

"My guess is the spell begun to wear off. The wolf within broke free from its clutches. They aren't designed to last for a long time."

"Fifteen years is a long time," she muttered darkly. It wasn't aimed at Walter, but he seemed to shoulder those harsh words as if they were.

"I am sorry, Riza." The older man reached across the table and clasped her hand in his. "I am sorry I didn't try to do more. I had no idea where he had taken you. I didn't agree with his methods, but I understood them. Berthold only wanted to protect you."

Riza barked out a laugh. "He never wanted to do such a thing." He met his gaze with her own hard one. "You must have the wrong person. That bastard has never done anything for me. After my Mother passed I raised myself while he stayed locked away in his study. He might as well have been a ghost."

Walter looked pained. Jean looked away uncomfortable. He wasn't entirely sure why Grumman had asked him here. Probably for moral support. But it seemed he had been completely forgotten about by both of them. It hurt him to think his childhood friend had been left to survive all alone. She hadn't deserved that.

"I can assure you, I don't have the wrong person. I would know my own granddaughter."

Riza froze.

"Y – You're what?" she stuttered.

He smiled sadly. "You heard me."

"I… Need some time," Riza stuttered again, standing shakily. "This is too much."

Coward, her mind whispered. Always running away from things instead of facing them head on – Riza shut it up swiftly and all but fled the room.

Walter nodded. He didn't try to stop her as she left.

There is no way. She had been a werewolf her whole life? Her Mother had been a werewolf? So everything she thought about her Father had been somewhat of a lie. He hadn't turned her into a werewolf. Then, how were Rebecca and Roy werewolves? Had their memories of this place been wiped too? Or was this some weird cosmic coincidence. Well, if it is, it is fucked up.

A hand was in front of her face before she knew it. Blinking and looking up, a man waved it in front of her face to get her attention.

"Sorry, you can't come past here. It isn't safe. Grumman's orders."

Glancing around, Riza saw a several men and woman before her, as if standing guard. A large wooden wall stood tall in front of her, blocking her path. She was out in the forest, away from the cabins, away from that damn fountain. Wilderness stretched out before her.

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

"No worries," he smiled softly. However, he didn't budge. He waited patiently for her to turn around and go back the way she came.

Riza nodded and apologised once more, before turning back around. She walked for a while, her head still spinning with this new revelation.

This was too much for her to deal with. Especially now. She knew her mental state was fragile. She could tell straight away after waking up. Normally the thought of her pack wouldn't send her into a panic attack. And for Grumman to drop this bomb on her now? Of all times?

And, she had a Grandfather. Riza didn't know what to do with this information. She had lost all hope of finding any family members. Her Father never mentioned any parents or brother or sisters. He never mentioned anything for that matter.

And, she was born a werewolf. She had been one her entire life, but hadn't known it. So, how did that explain her "first" change, when she couldn't remember anything? Had the wolf been dormant for too long?

Where did that leave her pack? They had concluded it was her Father that had turned them into werewolves. Was this still true? How had that happened? Riza knew Rebecca's parents had been human. Or, had they simply hid it well?

The more she was left alone with her thoughts, the stronger Riza's headache became. She hadn't even begun to process all the information she had learned from her short conversation with Walter. She closed her eyes, rubbing her temples.

Fuck me, what is going on?

Just when Riza thought her life couldn't become more of a mess, it does just that.

She sensed someone approaching and wearily opened her eyes. Jean stopped in front of her. His hands were shoved in the pockets of his shorts and he shot her a sad smile.

"Hey," he greeted softly.

Riza said nothing in return. She was still reeling.

"I know this is hard to deal with," Jean began, taking in the helpless look on her face. "It is a lot to go through in such a short time. But Grumman truly is sorry. I have watched him search for you relentlessly for the last fifteen years. It has been… Difficult to watch." Jean rubbed a hand over the back of his neck nervously. "I am sorry too. We grew up together and I did nothing either. Of course, I was too young to fully understand what was going on –"

"Jean." Riza cut off his babbling. She didn't want to hear it. She was too overloaded on information as it was. Although, the action did spark familiarity in her mind.

"Right, sorry. Anyway, I have proof." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a photograph. It was old and slightly crumpled around the edges but the picture was clear. He offered it to her with a smile.

Grasping it as if it was made of porcelain, Riza peered down at it, almost afraid at what she would find. Her heart hammered in her chest as she studied it. Tears welled in her eyes and fell silently.

In the photograph, she was standing in the front with her arm around Jean. Both wearing goofy grins. Riza held a football against her hip. Her Mother and Father stood behind her, beaming with pride. Another man and woman were behind Jean. Those must have been his parents.

Jean handed her another one. Wordlessly, she took it. In the picture stood small wolves. Both were golden, except one was lighter than the other.

"Turn it over."

Riza did as instructed.

Jean Havoc and Riza Hawkeye. 1993.

Suddenly, memories trickled into Riza's mind, like a leaking tap. It came to her slowly, as if waking from a sleep. She remembered her first change. Her true first change. She had been five. It had traumatised her until Jean found her and told her everything was okay. He changed in front of her, yipping away and bumping her with his muzzle, encouraging her to play with him. She remembered that change though, unlike her time in Central Park. Fear still flooded her at the thought of that blood. In the chaos, she had forgotten all about what had truly happened that day. Roy's parents were still dead and she had been so wrapped up in her own drama that she hadn't even offered to help him find out what truly happened.

As the guilt ate at her and her memories of her childhood returned slowly, Riza felt herself being overwhelmed. Jean pulled her close in a hug, resting his chin on her head. The action felt like home, in some strange, nostalgic way.

Another memory of herself and Grumman walking through the forest. He was grinning and chatting to her, but she couldn't remember what about. She just remembered feeling safe and loved.

"Why was Grumman searching for me for so long?" she asked.

"He was worried about you both. You left in the middle of the night." Riza felt his breath hitch in his chest. This had affected him greatly too, she could sense it. Pulling away, she peered up at his face. She saw the sadness in his eyes.

"He had just lost his daughter and the thought of losing you too almost sent him over the edge."

Another memory came to her. His fiftieth birthday. She had made her own card with the words Happy Birthday Granddad written on it in her six year old scrawl. She handed it to him, proud as punch and kissed him on the cheek. He thanked her with a toothy grin, hugging her tightly.

"I know this must all sound insane to you, but it is true. And now, you know it is." His arms tightened around her. It felt like he was holding her upright and at this point, he probably was. "I have missed you Riza."

Oh my god, Riza froze. Jean knew who she had been the whole time. So, for her to ask him to get her pack away from the Hunters while she was shot… Her guilt increased tenfold. It wouldn't have been easy for him at all. He had finally found her after all these years, only to watch her get murdered.

Holy shit.

That made her heart ache harder.

"I had no idea…" she whispered, referring to asking him to leave her to the Hunters. "I am so sorry."

"Why would you have?" Jean countered. She could almost hear the smile in his voice. "You know, when I had arrived at the Mustang Estate, I had no idea you would be there," he explained, holding her tightly and simply being there for her. "I thought I was dreaming at first. It was too good to be true. I told Grumman right away of course, and he was desperate to bring you here. He didn't tell me to, but I could guess as much." He chuckled. Riza felt it rumble through his chest. "But we had a job to do. I was ordered to keep my identity hidden unless absolutely necessary and try and find out more about the Hunter activity.

"Now, I am just happy you are home."

After Jean uttered that word Riza realised that this place felt more like home than her Father's house had ever been. If he had ever been as happy as that old photo suggested, why did he ever leave? To protect her? Riza had a hard time believing that considering his behaviour as she had grown up. Surely they would have been safer here, surrounded by other supernatural beings.

That question was for another day.

For now, she began to sift through all this new information and come to terms with who she was. Who she really was.