Stonehaven and the surrounding environment was starting to bustle with activity as dawn began to break. Riley could hear the gentle whistling of Antonio as he turned his attention to the washing that had been neglected from the last few days. Her phone was vibrating on her bedside table as it tried to remind her to answer the text message she had received from Sophie questioning her about when she was coming home while the postman was nervously tip toeing towards the front door; his eyes frantically searching the swaying forest before he literally shoved the post through the letter box and bolted back towards his van. Riley couldn't stop the smirk from falling from her lips as she curled her arms around her chest once again as she went back to her pacing.

She had only gotten a few hours of sleep, and even then she had been plagued with terrifying images of her hunting the previous day and she had barely found the motivation to get up and dressed. Today meant suffering Claytons continuous grumbling as she went about his care, growling at her to make sure she understood what was happening, but the truth was, as she looked at the photos she had taken through the microscope the evening previous she realized that she really needed to recap on her animal and human haematology.

The young Doctor simply walked over to her desk that was placed in front of the large bay windows, a small frown overwhelming her features when she studied the purple dyed coccus shapes that was Clayton's blood cells. She had hoped to understand how Clayton's body was fighting the venom at the same time as trying to uncover how the anti-venom utilized the infection. But, as her grey eyes took in the shapes of the spotted basophil cells it seemed Clayton's immune system was releasing inflammatory agents such as histamines, cytokines and interleukins to try and replicate specific disease fighting leucocytes. Nevertheless, it was the reason why that was confusing her.

Then again, it seemed too good a day to be plague with so many different thoughts and emotions. She knew what her pack were asking of her and deep within her she knew that the task they had set her was near impossible. She didn't know how this venom worked, hell she didn't even know why Clayton's body was producing the leucocytes that it was; for all she knew that was what was supposed to happen.

However, it was the knock on her bedroom door that abruptly pulled the scientist from her thoughts and pacing. With a squeak the door to her room opened and the resounding echoing footsteps welcomed her Alpha into her room. Riley refused to allow the frown to engulf her features as she took in Jeremy's bangs falling into his eyes while his hair was pulled tightly into a hairband at the nape of his neck. It was when her eyes noticed the large purple circles shining under his eyes did she really understand just how stressful this situation was becoming for her Alpha.

"Riley, I see you're already awake." Jeremy expressed coolly with a very small smile, a smile that did not reach his eyes.

"So are you, you're up early." Riley countered with a very small smile as she fluttered her eyes to study Jeremy's blank expression as she continued to cling onto the photographs.

"I needed to clear my head so I went for a run." He replied gently as he headed for her bed and sat to the edge, patting the mattress next to him once he was comfortable. "Sit with me a moment." He finished, smiling when Riley raised her eyebrows before she too trod over to her alpha's side and fell onto the mattress next to him, consciously relaxing when she felt his hand come up and intertwine their fingers together. "I'm really glad you're here Riley." Jeremy started as he angled his body so he was looking towards Riley who was awkwardly studying his eyes.

"I just wanna help." Riley replied wearily with a small smile and a half shrug of her shoulders.

"I know and I appreciate that." Jeremy voiced with his own uncommon smile as the grip he had on her hand tightened.

"But?"

"But, I fear this situation won't be enough to keep you here with us." Jeremy replied truthfully as his dark eyes seemed to sparkle with unobserved emotion. Riley simply balked at him, unsure as to where this deep sense of sincerity had come from considering her Alpha never needed nor wanted his pack to know just how deeply his emotions and his concerns ran through him. But as the Doctor stared at him the shock of him saying and displaying the things he was left her speechless. "You've never really given yourself the chance to really accept us Riley, to let your heart come to trust us and allow us to care and fight for you. What happened to you to make you so cynical? Was your upbringing so uptight that you refuse yourself the love of a family?"

"My father abandoned me and the rest of my family blamed me for him leaving, what do you think?" Riley countered bitterly, snapping a little to harshly considering Jeremy was only concerned for her. Then again, how else did he expect her to react to questions so deeply intrusive into the past she so desperately fought to keep hidden; she did not want the painful reminders of how uninvolved her mother had been as she was growing and the continuous oppression she got from her sisters.

"Riley, you're twisting my words." Jeremy started, his face having fallen a little at her remark "Its just my only priority is protecting the pack and you are part of that. I need your help both now and in the future. You have valuable information on these creatures and you're dreams seem to be linked to the things happening here. I would be a fool to let you leave." Jeremy finished, wanting to go on before the knocking of the open door quickly pulled them from their reprieve.

"Jeremy, sorry." Antonio expressed as he apologetically moved into the room, his large form filling the doorframe, "I don't mean to interrupt, its just Karl has heard back from his contact from Australia." Antonio finished as he turned his full attention to the older man who was releasing his hold on the younger werewolf.

"It's alright Tonio," Jeremy smiled as he invited Antonio further into the room "Did his contact find out whether the murders were linked to the situation we have here?"

"He believes so."

"But why would these creatures kill off high risk victims? Most of the time police think men killed like this are linked to gangs. What makes Karl's contact so sure that this is the creatures kill?" Riley asked, confusion evident on her features as she got to her feet to place the photo back with the others before she turned to her companions and folded her arms across her chest while Antonio leant his large shoulders to the edge of her wardrobe.

"Karl said that the creature may have singled out one of the victims because he was killed very differently to the others."

"He was scratched." Jeremy stated, seeming to already know the answer as Antonio nodded his head once again.

"Right, it appears that he was also dragged away from the other men and hidden behind a dumpster to try and hide his body. Unluckily for him the wild animals got to him before the authorities found him and pieces were left on show."

"The police thought the scratches could be some sort of signature of a human killer?"

"Apparently so, but Karl's contact believes the investigation to have gone stale and no further leads."

"Why was this guy killed so differently though? Was he a supernatural?" Riley asked, pulling the attention of her other companions towards her.

"Karl can't be sure, nor can the other guy as he wasn't a werewolf and doesn't have a good working relationship like we do with the other races."

"So the only thing we can tell is that these creatures are hunting and killing certain targets." Riley voiced with uncertainty as she played with her bottom lip nervously.

"There were no eyewitnesses left alive to know if this is a different creature or the one that has been preying on you." Antonio stated as his dark eyes bored deeply into the young Doctor's. "But it clarifies that Riley may be in trouble."

"Great, just what I needed." Riley grumbled sarcastically as she looked towards the corner of her room.

"We really need to identify this thing. We needed to figure out how it hunts, how it kills and why it kills. Maybe then we can find a way to destroy it." Jeremy started. "Antonio, when he's awake, send Nick to the library to try and get as many books on the Arthurian legend as he can, hopefully then we can try to get better acquainted with the history as we can. Hopefully one of these legends details something similar to these creatures."

"Will do." Antonio nodded as he stood to his full height once again.

"I'm going to check on Clayton." Riley said, "Hopefully he'll be up and about again today." Riley finished before hurriedly excusing herself in hopes of being alone with her thoughts for just a few private moments.

0-0-0

A cloaked figure dashed through a swirling mist of fog, tripping and stumbling through the deep snow and toppling upon the broken foliage along the dark barriers of the mountains forest. She weaved through a scatter of mutilated bodies that blocked her path. There was no time to stop and check whether any were still alive, she had to swallow her pain and her grief as she tumbled past the soldiers that had sacrificed their life. She had to get away from here, to find a place to hide till the danger had passed. Staggering and reeling from the blistering pain caused by her wounds, she forced herself to press onward. Oh what she would give for Merlin's healing magic. She was on the verge of collapse, but she couldn't falter now, not when she was so close to her rendezvous point. There would be plenty of time to collapse and rest back in Camelot. Right now, it was imperative she makes it down the mountain for she held information of vital importance. The whole well-being of Camelot depended on her and her alone, a burden she had not wished to carry considering she was supposed to be queen sometime in the future.

Swathed in her dark royal red cloak, she ignored the massive amount of blood that gushed out of several deep wounds. She was extremely dizzy from the blood loss and she questioned herself many times as her old leg injury twinged and hindered her escape. She wondered if she was even going in the right direction, but her doubts were relieved when she remembered what Merlin told her once; moss grew on the side of the tree or mountain facing north and north was where she needed to go.

New blood trickled down her face from the gash that travelled from her forehead, curled around her eye and ended at her jaw, remembering how the tip of the sword felt as it cut through her skin. Wet and dried blood mattered her deep brown hair against the side of her head. Scrapes and bruises from falling onto mountain rocks burned as she tripped and landed on the freezing ground. Images around her swam in slow circles as she greedily drew in the cold brisk midnight air; the air was not crisp and minty as it should be under normal circumstances. On the contrary, the air was tainted with the charred smell of smouldering wood and burnt human flesh. Breathing in the fumes brought an uncomfortable stinging sensation to her lungs and added miserably to her already ailing health.

The young woman simply heaved her damaged body to it's feet, her leather gloves and vambraces fighting to keep her hands warm as her red and silver chain mailed royal amour was adorned by clumps of snow. She drew her hood tighter around her features to avoid being pelted by the rain of embers and snow that appeared to be falling from the sky. In dodging the debris, she tripped over an unforeseen boulder; just as she was about to tumble head first into the snow once again, she grabbed the side of the mountain to steady her from falling. The impact sent a bolt of excruciating pain through her body, causing her to cry out. The pain was so intense that she thought she was going to pass out for sure. She breathed and willed herself to keep from fainting.

A quick roll of thunder rumbled somewhere over the mountains, like a reminder that she needed to keep moving. She lifted her head and surveyed the sky for a minute, then forced herself to run. There was nothing in the strength and prowess of her blade that could help her now. Her strength diminished tremendously considering she had fought for hours to defend herself and her fellow knights against the dark creatures; they were too strong, zapping all hope and passion and light from their environment as they fought the soldiers of 'light'. She simply grew weaker just thinking about it as she bled out dark blood.

She had put a good distance between her and the creatures. Their winged, fire-breathing, sharp-clawed mounts were what terrified her. They had swept through her company within seconds, picking up her men and bashing them against the mountainside. Screams of fear and terror had washed over her body and she had been frozen in fear; Faeron had never been this terrifying. And what was worse she still had no idea as to who or what they were. After all, they had done their damage and would no doubt catch up to finish her off as the taint within her blood sung to them her location. Full of determination, she gathered up all of her strength and picked up her pace, her server limp not hindering her running as she anxiously checked over her shoulder and the small leather pouch that was strapped securely to her wrist. Her bloodied hand trembled as she groped for its content to confirm that it hadn't fallen out during the length of her escape. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized the object was still there.

But her hold on consciousness was slipping away. Numbness spread limb by limb. In a matter of seconds she collapsed, falling forward and she hit the ground. She saw a hazy fog surrounding the vast mountain range in front of her before her eyelids drooped to a close and she welcomed the comfort of the darkness.

0-0-0

That time it was different; that time she felt Ayleths fear and pain; the emotions that usually dissipated once she awoke stayed with her. Her nightmare seemed to pulsate throughout her body as she sat within the warm confines of the front room, the fire blazing in the fireplace as her memories were plagued with images of a ferocious battle on the top of a mountain, the familiar smell of burning flesh and the sheer panic of running for your life seemed to overwhelm her. The pictures wrapped around her, almost suffocating any rational thoughts as she tried to force herself back to the studying in which she was conducting before her eyes became to heavy.

For hours she had been sat in the lounge, her eyes frantically studying the complicated schematics sent to her via her friend in London regarding the molecular structures of the anti-venom in hopes of making a connection in how the poison reacted to the introduced anti-venom. However, she had text him a few hours ago asking if he was available to talk because she was coming up empty and Riley had the nauseating feeling that it wouldn't be too long until another attack and the venom was vital in eradicating the creatures primary weapon.

But, Riley was abruptly pulled from her discouraging studying session for her mind was blank on just how the anti-venom was binding to the venom; Riley felt that her intense scientific background and knowledge was inadequate at the time it was needed most. She could hear the harsh rattling of keys within the Stonehaven front door as someone ungracefully forced their way into the building like a shopaholic would after a day of spending. She couldn't deny it but she was a little surprised to hear Nick's frustrated voice.

"I am this close to loosing my shit with you! I watch Criminal Minds you jerk! I can make you're death look like an accident!" Nick roared, the designer very rarely loosing his easy-going demeanour meaning something must have really ruffled his feathers to get him to retaliate in the way he was. The young Doctor was about to head towards the foyer in hopes of calming Nick but with her sensitive hearing she could hear the creaking of the upstairs floorboards and the rickety stairs which meant Elena must have convinced Clayton to stretch his legs; especially now that Riley had advised him to get up and walking.

"Was that the unknown caller again?" Elena asked, her kindness etched into her voice as she vigilantly stood at Clayton's side as her husband grunted a little as he navigated the staircase.

"Unfortunately." Nick sighed as he cancelled the call and juggled the books and his phone once again; all the while, the three of them were unaware of Riley struggling to block out their conversation considering she didn't want to eavesdrop. "Not saying anything is one thing, but the heavy breathing is really starting to get on my nerves." Nick uttered sadly, his voice holding so many different emotions Riley couldn't help her heart leaping out towards him.

Their pack had known of the mysterious phone calls Nick was receiving and their concern only grew considering he had been receiving them for over two years. Each one of them had tried to support him through it; either by convincing him to change his number or by going with him to the police, each time had failed. Now, he was constantly plagued by this unknown caller who rung him at all hours of the day. Riley could remember a time Nick and his father had been staying with her over in London; Antonio had headed off to a meeting with his executives but Nick and Riley had stayed at her flat to watch a couple of films she had been meaning to watch. For them it had been late morning, but for the stalker it was very late at night; had Nick been home and in the States that call would have woken him.

"You should consider changing you're number again my friend." Clayton's voice sounded, surprising Riley by his gentleness. Again, this shouldn't have startled her considering Nick and Clay had been friends since they were eight.

"I was free of creepy stalker calls for two months before they started again, I don't see how changing it again will be much use."

"Why do you answer unknown calls anyway?" Elena questioned, "If you're having this much trouble surly you would know not to answer them."

"My clients and associates ring me on a variety of different numbers. It is also the primary way of contacting me if a new business wants to hire me. Dad can't afford me not picking up the phone considering my department is doing remarkably well at the moment."

"Maybe you should consider remembering the number." Clayton said with a slight humorous tone to his voice.

"That would be sensible." Nick replied with his own light-hearted tone.

"Join us for lunch?" Clayton asked and Riley could only assume that Nick nodded his head for he said nothing and echoing footsteps quickly followed. As they left Riley was in two minds whether to follow them. She had been looking at the same stupidly long scientific names of various lyophilized venom samples that had been used for hours and she was bored. She had been trying to get her head around the complicated methods London researchers had used when unmasking certain venom glands within a variety of different reptiles and she really couldn't face looking at another protein transcript that coded for distinctive DNA bases. But then again, she didn't want to intrude on the time Elena, Clayton and Nick had, for the three of them had spent very little time together since this had all started. Riley also didn't want to alienate Clayton further considering this was the first day he had been able to get out of bed and she doubted he would want to see her anytime soon considering all she had done was poke and prodded him for the last couple of days.

To her surprise, she suspected that the kitchen door that linked the back door area to the living room was open for she was still able to hear their conversation albeit a little quieter. Again, Riley felt remarkably guilty for eavesdropping but when none of them realised she was even sitting in the lounge she thought she could get away with it or completely blank them out as background noise as she took in the sophisticated molecular drawings.

"I'm glad you're up and about Clay, when I dragged you back, half conscious, it didn't look good." Nick stated after a few moments of quiet as the three of them dug into whatever they had found for lunch.

"Yes, well, if it wasn't for Riley and her quick thinking I doubt I would be here." Clayton uttered truthfully. His words stopped the clattering of knives and forks on plates and made Riley hover her pencil over the paper while she thought her heart might beat its way out from behind her ribs and sternum. Did Clayton really say those things? Did he really just compliment her?

"Come again?" Nick spluttered as he tried to regain his composure, the shock of Clay's words had seemed to surprise the other werewolf just as much as it had the Doctor.

"You heard me. Though she can be a total pain in the ass and stubborn and diffident and standoffish and…."

"We get the picture Clay." Nick voiced dejectedly as he tried to get Clay to state his point.

"I think she is a remarkable Doctor there's no denying that and her determination and intelligence will get us through this but she's still the reason were in this mess."

"Was that you're perverse way of saying that secretly I think Riley is a very intelligent young lady and I want to thank her for saving my life." Nick said with a smile.

"Don't push it." Clayton replied and Riley couldn't stop the smile from washing onto her features considering Clay had unknowingly given her a complement when he thought she was nowhere around.

Nevertheless, before Riley could do anything, or even listen a little more, the clattering of her phone ringing pulled her attention away from the conversation. She also noticed that the trio in the kitchen also quickly stopped talking as they too heard what was happening within the walls of the other room. The young Doctor inwardly cursed considering she had been intently listening to a private conversation between her pack mates; a conversation that just so happened to evolve around her.

Nevertheless, Riley clambered for her phone in hopes of not making her presence in the front room known; as she recognised the name displayed on her screen, the relief that washed through her body was like a man sipping his first liquids after being in a coma for a decade.

"William!" Riley greeted with a relieved smile.

"How many times have I told you to call me Will little wolf?" The melodically voice sounded through the phone. It was then that Riley's smile reached her eyes as she spoke to an old friend who was using the nickname he gave her.

"I'll start using it when you call me by my given name." Riley countered jokingly, her spirit soaring as she fell into a familiar banter with a friend that always seemed to have the time for her, even if it was to ask a stupid question or if she just needed the comfort only a supernatural could provide; even if he was a four-hundred year old vampire. Nevertheless, the conversation she knew she needed to have with Will set her nerves on edge due to the enormity of it; she wasn't surprised that her body had worked on instinct as she began to pace the living room.

"Fair enough." He mused, his soft voice radiating over the speaker before Riley could hear his gentle chuckling. "Anyway, though I welcome the small talk, we both know you hate that so what did you need? Got a trivial question to ask me? Or did you just want to listen to my ravenously beautiful voice?"

"In you're dreams!" Riley exclaimed with a singular laugh. "Unfortunately I need to discuss something a little difficult with you."

"Uh-oh, werewolf problems?"

"Something like that." Riley countered as she placed her pencil back to her elegant scrawlings.

"I'm going to see you again right? I really don't fancy arranging a funeral service, too much work."

"William seriously?" Riley interrupted, exasperated by his joking "How the hell did you ever become a scientific researcher?"

"I dunno… my good looks?"

"You're so full of yourself!"

"And you love it!"

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Do I sense some confidence in you my little wolf? Normally you would have backed down. Blimey, maybe this trouble you have gotten yourself into won't be all that bad. Especially if you're able to stand up for yourself."

"Though I appreciate the compliment, I believe we may have strayed from topic."

"Right, you were about to fill me in regarding an evil mastermind's end of the world plot."

"Finally, we're done with the small talk." Riley joked with a roll of her eyes.

"What did you need little wolf?" Will asked gently and Riley just pinched the bridge of her nose in attempts of gaining some courage as she broached a subject she really didn't want to face.

"We've got a problem over here in the States." She started "With the creatures we've been studying."

"Ah." Was all William said "That kind of problem."

"Yeah. At least five young woman have been killed, we found a disturbing mass grave attached to a weird cult worshipping sacrifice cave and one of my pack was also scratched by this thing."

"Blimey." Will breathed; the young werewolf knew that her vampire friend would be rubbing the back of his neck if she were with him. "How long have you been over there?"

"Me? About a week, but the five women have been killed over four weeks and the mass grave happened at least four months ago. With the temperature not reaching above zero for the last couple of months, the bodies have yet to decay."

"And you're friend? How is he?"

"Recovering." Riley started. "The anti-venom sample you gave me seems to have utilized the venom but I was hoping to synthesize more in case this happens again. I'm ringing to try and understand how the hell you did it as I'm coming up empty." Riley informed. However, as she continued her pacing she was so engrossed in her light conversation that she had failed to hear the clicking of shoes against the wooden floor until Nick was encasing her shoulder with her warm hand. She shoved her head towards him, her eyes taking in the concern and the edge of apprehension that was twinkling in his eyes. She simply smiled at him as her fingers moved through the strands of her fringe, a manipulation she only seemed to do when she was nervous. Nick mouthed if he should go while pointing behind her shoulder but Riley simply grabbed hold of his hand as he took a step to leave. This quickly made Nick stop and look down at her.

Even though she wore her blank expression, he was looking into her grey eyes that just so happened to be the window into her emotions. She knew that he could see the uncertainty and apprehension while doubt and despair also shone within her eyes. But as she looked up at him, observing the beautiful man who was intently studying her, the compassion and overwhelming affection that seemed to overtake his handsome features made Riley's heart shudder in her chest as Nick took a step closer and gently placed his large hands to the small of her back as he provided her with the comfort she so desperately needed as she spoke with her vampire friend. She also noticed the fluttering of her heart and the butterflies bouncing from within the walls of her stomach.

"Damn, I was hoping you didn't need to use that."

"I don't understand." Riley voiced and a frown took over her expression, unknown to her that Nick was looking down at her with his own concern.

"We've been collecting samples from both human and animal victims of this creature and after further study, synthesising an effective antidote that can treat each strain of the venom is proving difficult."

"Strains? Please tell me you haven't found evidence that there is more than one of these things?" Riley complained, "We don't have time or the man power to identify a variety of different individuals to be able to collect samples for study. These things are far too dangerous and are already two or three steps ahead of us. They have us chasing our tails. Literally."

"I know." Will stated "And most of the time I would agree with you but we've found evidence that each time the venom is treated by a certain antidote it mutates and evolves into something entirely different."

"How is that even possible? Not even the common cold defends itself that quick."

"The common cold is a RNA-based virus with only ninety-two thousand base pairs within its tidy genome and unfortunately has no 'junk' DNA and a noticeable mutation occurs after each infection. That is why we can't synthesise an effective antibiotic for the damn thing." Will explained "But it must also be noted that we have found a strong correlation between venom composition within certain snake species and their geographical position. This is why I believe we have more than one individual because we need to consider that bites or in our case the scratches of this conspecific population differ in molecular structure and so require different treatments."

"So you're saying the creature I've faced in the UK has a different strand to the one over here in the States?" Riley questioned, as she looked up at Nick, her stress and emotions evident in her voice. Nick just gave her free hand a squeeze.

"It's a theory. Unless the one from here has followed you over there, which could be true considering we have no idea what the hell we're facing."

"I positively ID the one we've faced here as the one I've wounded back home."

"You must have seriously pissed this thing off if it's following you."

"You wouldn't have constructed this theory if you hadn't collected global samples. You think I'm naive for thinking there couldn't be more than one of these things."

"I think you're stressed, scared and overwhelmed by the whole thing. Which is why you may be hitting a brick wall with your investigation. And you don't have my team or equipment. You forget Riley that I've been studying this thing for as long as you've been hunting it." Will soothed, his words and Nick's presence allowed her to relax if but a little, and before she could say the next thing she wanted too William cut her off. "But the disconcerting thing is that when we have tested a certain antidote on one sample, when we do the same test on a different sample its useless. The sample seemed to be resistant."

"Now that is definitely not possible."

"You're telling me. Its like they're a hive of bees that seem to protect a queen. I tell you what it's like, it's like one of these creatures comes into contact with the venom, sends a signal like some crazed monster wi-fi to their 'queen' who mutates her monsters and making them immune to a certain anti-venom."

"Are you trying to tell me they have a weird physical defence that acts like a messed up hive mind? So as soon as one comes into contact with the antidote all of them are immune?"

"Unfortunately yes, which is why we have stopped testing. We can't afford to waste the time and substrates we have left. All we can do it use what we think will treat the scratches and hope for the best."

"I don't like that."

"None of us do, but it's the only choice we have; unless you can provide definitive information that may help us."

"Brick wall remember."

"Right."

"Well thank you William. At least you've positively confirmed that there are more of these things out there."

"It's only a theory, but the amount of bodies that are being identified with similar causes of death, we can't afford to ignore them."

"I'll keep you posted."

"Thank you, oh and Riley..."

"Yeah?"

"Keep yourself safe. I meant what I said earlier… funeral services take forever to plan." He expressed with a humorous laugh, a quip that received a small laugh from Riley. They signed off, promising to keep the other in the loop and as Riley lowered her phone from her ear she groaned. The young Doctor rested her forehead to Nick's shoulder, relaxing as his familiar scent overwhelmed her olfactory senses and his body heat warmed her. Nick in return just wrapped his long arms around her further as he drew her into one of his famous embraces.

"Not the answer you wanted to hear?" He whispered into her hair, unaware of the goosebumps that were adjourned to her bare skin.

"Worse." Was Riley reply before she pulled away, but only a little, so she was able to look up into his beautiful features. "We need to tell the rest of the Pack, they need to hear the bad news." Riley finished before succumbing to Nick's comfort once again.