The house was quiet when Riley awoke the next morning. Usually the sounds of clattering pots and pans reverberated from the kitchen while the distant tuneful melody of Antonio's whistling could be heard from the hallway. Today she had nothing and today she simply remained as she was, her small form almost overwhelmed by the large winter duvet that Jeremy had provided as she continued to snuggle deeper into the warmth that was her bed. She could not find the enthusiasm to get up and get ready for the day, especially when the soft material of her long-sleeved pajama top made her all the more comfortable; so she stayed, her sensitive ears listening to the wind and the clicking of the tree branches against her window while the early morning light struggled to penetrate the thick curtains that hung over her windows and just barely managed to light her bedroom.

The young doctor heaved in a large lungful of air as she stretched out her limbs, bubbles of air popping as she stretched her back, arms and legs; her petite hands rubbed against her eyes before she rested her hands gently to her forehead, struggling to sweep her large fringe away from her eyes. It seemed she was long overdue a haircut and there was no chance in hell that she was to let Elena do it… not after last time. Riley couldn't stop the smile from washing to her lips at the memory, but as she reached over to her phone that was sitting on the bedside table, as she looked at the time she momentarily balked. Six in the morning, this really was early.

She continued to count on her fingers as back in England it would just be reaching lunchtime and if she hurried she may even catch Sophie who was just about to start her lunch break. She started to type in the number when suddenly the emotion and events of the last few days fogged her exhausted mind. If she called she wouldn't get an answer but then the thought of hearing Sophie's voice, even as a voicemail message seemed to comfort her mind. Her eyes welled with unshed tears and the doctor harshly blinked them away; now wasn't the time to show weakness, even if she was hidden away from her pack. She had cried too much already and she knew Sophie would be smacking the back of her head if she could see how emotionally out of control she was; especially considering Riley never lost composure and considered herself scared of any emotions.

The werewolf harshly brushed at her eyes with the back of her hand as she flung the quilt away from her body so she was able to sit at the edge of the bed; the biting chill of the house seemed to overwhelm her almost immediately as her bare feet crushed the soft carpet, she wrapped her arms tightly around her chest to try and retain her body heat. Riley quietly padded towards her chest of draws, inwardly cringing when the draws squealed open, as she hoped none of her pack would awaken at her noise. She curled her hands around her change of clothes and quickly but quietly headed out of her bedroom and down the hall to the large bathroom so she could shower and get herself prepared for the day, even if she didn't feel ready.

She turned on the shower and waited till the water hit scolding before she stripped down and entered the warm water and closed the shower door behind her. For what seemed like days, she finally felt her muscles relax as the pelting water smashed against her tense shoulders and over her naked skin while she allowed her mind to wonder. Even though her body seemed to be working fine and even though her mind seemed awake she was far from well rested; the dreams that had plagued her sleep had been long and tiresome and confusing and as she continued to delve deeper into what appeared to be Ayleth's memories she was beginning to share her ancestors emotions, pain and concerns. Could it be that the pair of them were bonded so heavily that even after thousands of years Riley was to experience everything that happened all those years ago as if it were yesterday? If that was the case she hoped she wouldn't be affected by the same thing that Ayleth seemed to suffer with because Riley really didn't like the idea of dying; she was still particularly attached to life, even if it was a real struggle at times.

But it was this ideal that also caused her some concern. If she was to see everything like a history lesson, if she was to feel what Ayleth felt did that mean that all of the deep emotions she felt for her future husband could be passed to her? Hell, she knew it had been a great many years since she had even considered the possibility of finding someone to fall in love with, but when you're a werewolf, the prospects of settling down and having kids was completely out of the question. But for Ayleth it was her duty to produce an heir, and with the legend that Paige had given them a few weeks ago stating that she fell completely in love with Percival, and Riley seriously hoped that she wouldn't feel those emotions for a man long since dead. Her emotions for Nicky were confusing enough and she didn't want to feel the love for both men and start making judgments in who was better; she barley had enough time for that kafuffle in a movie or a TV program so she really didn't want to have to go through that herself in real life.

There was also the question of Faucon and the emotions that stirred up with Ayleth whenever she thought of him. She had loved the man once that much was certain when Riley watched her dreams, but her emotions turned to ones of hurt, anguish, anger and fear. If this man was to frighten possibly the strongest willed woman she had ever encountered she had no idea in how she would react if this threat were still real. Running was the gut instinct that overwhelmed her when she thought about it, but that was also the only option not open to her. If she ran now she knew her pack would be seriously pissed off.

Riley simply lifted her face into the water as she tried to qualm the nervousness that suddenly seemed to be swarming around her body, her mind slowly letting go of those troublesome thoughts as the water kept pouring over her body and allowing her time to just relax and enjoy the feeling.

For what seemed like hours she stood motionless, letting the hot water cascade over her, washing away any and all remnants of the last week. She just wished that the water could rinse away her problems, but as she felt the scolding water start to chill Riley knew that she couldn't hide from the world any longer. She simply moved out of the shower, the water droplets drying from her skin, the chill of the house and the bathroom causing her to shiver as she wrapped her body as quickly as she could in the towel, her sodden hair being wrapped into a messy bun at the back of her head as she concentrated on dressing.

However, after Riley had prepared herself for the day the house was still in darkness. She looked around at the kitchen; the room barely lit as the grey sunlight streamed through the netted curtains that overhung the large wall of windows, the normally cluttered kitchen table was empty of foods, books and other things the pack required while the sheer emptiness of the room seemed all the more prominent considering the majority of the pack spent a large percentage of their day in this one room.

The young werewolf just walked by the table, her fingertips trailing the smooth and well-polished woodwork of the table top, her eyes taking in every detail as if she were observing the room for the first time. Then again, Riley very rarely spent a great deal just studying the details; for a woman whose career was taking notice of any change in condition she wasn't allowed even this basic requirement to satisfy the attentiveness of her brain for too much was always going on or Clayton and Karl were being difficult. But even now she couldn't face the idea of studying Stonehaven, because if she studied her home it meant giving in, it meant accepting her life as part of the Pack, it meant suffering Clayton's continual taunts and it meant she had to learn to tolerate being overlooked.

She went outside. Her eyes taking in the melting snow and ice, her sensitive hearing picking up on the gentle chirpings of bird finally rising from their slumber while the hairs on her skin stood on end as she felt the serve cold that was threatening to overwhelm her. Riley simply sat on the patio furniture, observing the forest and the coming of the new day.

The Doctor had no idea how long she had been sitting there, but she was abruptly pulled from her thoughts when a heavy, but remarkably warm blanket was wrapped around her shoulders. Jeremy was standing over her with Antonio following closely behind, three mugs of coffee resting in his hands.

"Thought you could do with one of these." Antonio said as he handed her one of the steaming mugs "It's not English tea I'm afraid." He finished before coming to perch next to her while Jeremy sat on her other side, the three of them gazing out towards the forest in a way very similar to how Riley was observing the forest earlier.

"How long have you been out here?" Jeremy said

"No idea."

"You'll catch cold if you're not careful."

Riley just shrugged her shoulders with a half smile. "I'm sure I can craft something if that were to happen."

"You seem awfully sure of that." Antonio interjected as he took a large gulp of warm coffee.

"I'm a Doctor, it's my job."

Antonio chuckled "Hard to believe that a few years ago you would barely say two words to an elder, now you're joking with them."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Riley questioned with a frown, taking a sip of her own drink and feeling the warming liquid falling down her esophagus. Antonio just lapsed into silence, which caused the young Doctor to think of an explanation or a reason for his words. The others had hinted at her attitude differences like that conversation she had had with Elena a few weeks back but Antonio and Jeremy had never questioned her before. Why insult her by doubting her and then never fully explaining ones self.

"All Antonio means is that you've grown in confidence." Jeremy interjected, hoping to qualm the fiery anger that he could see building in her eyes. "You have obviously taken well to a leadership role over in England."

"It's not that" Riley uttered pulling the blanket closer around her "The guys over in England never wanted to lead, they never even wanted to police the other mutts over in the UK. They had to because I asked them too."

"Asked?" Antonio voiced, a deep frown pressed to his features as he tried to comprehend what she was saying. Pack animals were never asked into a pack environment.

"The pair of them were in some pretty big trouble, whether that be with the other pack authorities or knee deep in mutt problems. I said that if they helped me I would do everything in my power to help them out. As it turned out they accepted and we managed to deal with what ever needed dealing with." Riley explained, never once looking over at her elders as she explained herself "So they had no choice, either join me or die, and being mutts and pretty dangerous ones, they preferred life over death."

"You're saying you're policing the mutts of the UK with human killers?" Antonio balked, nothing but disdain and disgust on his features

"Just the one, but I can assure you that he's changed. He's a different man since he's been working with me; he's become good. They both have."

"Mutts like that don't change over night Riley, you have no way in knowing what they could be doing behind you're back. Besides associating yourself with mutts like this could be the reason were in this mess. We have no idea who they may have annoyed." Jeremy voiced gently, trying to make her understand why Antonio was getting upset by the new information that she had just given them.

"I trust them with my life. I give them the courtesy to prove themselves to me, to give them a chance. That's more than any of you have ever given me." Riley snapped, her eyes flashing with anger as she shoved herself to her feet and moved herself out of their company. All the pack master could do was watch her go, not wanting to anger her further, but as he turned his attention towards his oldest friend he knew that the emotions shining on his countenance could also be found on his. Sorrow, confusion, anger and worry.

"I can't believe that she would consort with wolves like that Jer, she has no idea what kind of danger she could be putting herself in." Antonio urged as he put down his beverage that had been forgotten.

"I know. But she's also right."

"Right? About what?"

"That we don't give our pack members a chance to prove to us what they can do. That's why were surprised by Riley's sudden confidence. She's finally showing us what she's made of and were not accepting her for who she is."

0-0-0

Riley had come to realize that she may have overreacted but she was too proud and stubborn to verbally apologize to Antonio and Jeremy. Instead, she sat there, her eyes staring at the book but unseeing of the words as she listened to the rain-pattering against the window panes of the kitchen and trying to ignore the looks Antonio kept given her. They did not speak of what weighed on both of their minds, although Riley could hear it in Antonio's voice when he spoke with his son, it seemed Nicky was oblivious to the tension that engulfed his companions.

Despite her early start her exhaustion from her crappy night's sleep and failing to sleep in a little longer was starting to get the better of her; maybe that was why she seemed to be trapped in the same painful thought conversation that was the predictable coda of the last few days. Her learned mind disheartened and perplexed as she kept replaying Sophie's last moments and the events that led to her death. For starters she was unable to come up with a viable explanation as to why Sophie was in the States in the first place. Having looked back at her phone history she had answered every text or returned every call unless she hadn't been as careful in regards to keeping her emotions true or not keeping her lies as believable as she had hoped.

But why did Sophie say those things before she died? Was that the reason she was here? To give her some information that she was missing and data that would ultimately prove useful in regards to stopping these creatures or by detailing some sort of evidence that would explain her nightmares, Ayleth and this damned prophecy?

She looked into the vast space that was the kitchen; she could see Antonio preparing a pot of tea while her tired eyes took in Nick's form standing over a particularly ancient looking book that he had picked up from the library. She was frustrated with herself that she had put herself into this position in the first place. A few years ago she would never have given herself the chance to get into an argument with her elders, she would never have defended herself or the ones she was closed to in case it got her too much attention and she sure as hell wouldn't have walked away from a heated discussion. Now she seemed to be getting into a weekly argument and was bubbling with pent up emotions making her pack tread lightly around her in case she exploded.

The Doctor knew that Nick would not be impressed with her if he knew; back in England he has begged her to look after herself, to let him know if the nightmares were beginning to get too much or if she ever felt like she wasn't herself; and now she simply sat opposite him, festering all of these untold problems and she wasn't able to utter a word. It seemed that she was able to face a grieving family but she was inexperienced in facing the man she loved and the people she would consider her own family. It was in that moment when she heard the turning of a book page; she fluttered her eyes up towards Nicky and his father who was pouring the boiling water into three mugs.

"Hey, take a look at this." Nick expressed as he slid from his position on his chair so he was out of the way for both his father and Riley.

"What is it?" Antonio asked, gauging his son's reactions and mirrored his emotions as he walked away from the counter and took up the position Nick had evacuated only moments before. Riley simply looked at the hand Nick was holding out for her; she took it gratefully, heaved herself to her feet and came to stand in front of him but to Antonio's right. Nick himself simply curled his arm around the young Doctor, his forearm touching her back while his hand came to rest on the back of his father's chair. Riley, though momentarily distracted by Nick's closeness managed to finally focus her tired eyes to the crinkled pages in front of her.

"It was a book the librarian suggested I loan out when she noticed the other books that I intended to borrow. Seems a lot of the towns people read it to their children whilst they were growing up."

"They think it's just legend and fairy tales?" Riley asked as her eyes continued to study the words and one of them took her by surprise.

"They mention her by name!"

"Who?" Antonio asked with a confused expression.

"Ayleth." Nick stated "At first I thought it was just coincidence, but then it started to go into some serious detail, especially on the Sir Percival side of things. Just rung far too familiar to what Paige said."

"And Faucon? Does it mention him?"

"I've only gotten through the first couple of chapters but it appears to have been from the point of view from a Druid Scholar known as Gregory…"

"Bostel." Riley interrupted, running on autopilot and it was when she took in the confused expressions of her companions that she realized her mistake. "What?" She asked, trying to shift their attention to something else besides her.

"How did you know? Have you read this?" Nick questioned.

"No but it's a pretty common name."

"No it isn't."

"Yes it is."

"No it isn't." Nick voiced again, this time putting some effort into his words as he bore his eyes to hers. He knew how she knew, he was the only person who knew just how serious these dreams were and from the look he was giving her right now she realized that this conversation was far from over and unfortunately for her she had no other choice then to detail to him the images she had been seeing. Thankfully for her Nick suddenly changed the subject and turned to the front page. "Apparently it was written by a British author that goes by the name of Jeffery Hyde."

"Jeffery Hyde?"

"Name sound familiar?" Antonio asked as he took a sip of his tea

"I had a patient with that name. Happened to be a Shaman too."

"Do you reckon it could be the same guy?"

"Could be." Riley voiced "Leave it with me and I'll do some digging." Riley expressed as she grabbed hold of her phone from the tabletop. However, before she was able to find her relevant contact Clayton came barreling into the kitchen with an expression that showed they had a task given to them via their alpha.

"Jeremy wants us to check out the murder site." He voiced and watched as the three of them got to their feet, Antonio closing the book in the process "Ah, just you two." He voiced, no tact and no sympathy as he fluttered his gaze towards the Sorrentino boys. Riley couldn't prevent her heart from dropping as she watched the frown over taking Nick's expression. The older wolf turned his attention back towards Riley as if silently asking if she wanted him to pursue this, but as the Doctor perched back to the kitchen chair she simply shook her head and watched him go. Again, solidifying her doubts about Pack life, her useful ness and once again proving a point that Jeremy was still not giving her the chance to prove herself in a 'tracking' or 'hunting' respective of her life.