Disclaimer: Teen wolf does not belong to me in any way shape or form... I have soooo many essays to do but I couldn't resist updating haha (I hate myself lol) so I hope you all enjoy this next instalment :)

"So there you have it" Peter sighed, "there's the truth".

She was sitting on the hospital bed, her legs dangling off the edge as she tried to understand what he had just told her. Coming to terms with the fact her life was just more lies upon lies. Everything she thought she knew was just smoke screens. Everyone she ever cared about kept her in the dark.

"That... That can't be right" she mumbled, shaking her head, "I would remember..."

"You would, if it wasn't for Laura".

She looked up in shock, looking across at Peter in shock.

"Laura? What has Laura got to do with this?"

"She became the Alpha when Talia died, as you know" he explained, "Alphas have the power to tamper with, and take away memories. That, and the trauma, is it any wonder you can't remember?"

Tears blurred her vision, her head falling in defeat.

"So that's… that's what everyone hid from me?" she asked, "that I was in the fire, but survived?"

Peter inclined his head into a nod.

"But… But I've read the police reports and the articles. Nowhere does it mention me. My dad's statement says he was here alone. There's no physical evidence putting me there".

"Are you calling me a liar, Kayla?"

"I would know" she insisted, "I would know if I watched my entire family burn to death around me".

"It's maybe just as well you don't" he said, "it's not a pleasant memory".

"Okay, so let's pretend you're telling the truth" she gulped, "you and Dad hated each other. He wouldn't leave me alone with you, or at that house. So how-"

"You snuck back" Peter interrupted, the ghost of a smile on his face, "you loved it there when you were little. Playing hide and seek, climbing trees… of course you didn't want to be hauled up in a motel room. So you came back".

She faltered, straining her brain to try and remember something – anything – but she was drawing a blank. Yet something about his words resonated with her. Even though she couldn't remember, some part of her believed his words.

She pursed her lips, "yeah… sounds like me".

"The fact is, I don't know why they kept it from you" Peter said, sauntering around to stand in front of her, his arms clasped behind his back, "I wasn't there, and I can't speak for them. But they must have thought you were too weak to handle it".

She snapped her gaze to his, her glare fierce and bitter.

"I am not weak".

"I know that" he smiled, "believe it or not kiddo, I'm in your corner".

She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"I am" he insisted, tilting his head to the side as he peered down at her, "in fact… I would say I'm the only one that is".

She remained quiet, trying to tune his words out.

"Your mom, aunt and dad knew I was your real father. Did they say anything? No. They all knew about the fire, as well as Derek and Laura, did they tell you the truth? No. They kept that hidden from you. And don't even get me started on that human of yours…"

She snapped her head up, taken aback by those words. Peter trying to hide his gleeful smirk as he reeled her in hook, line and sinker.

"What?" she asked, "Stiles? What do you mean?"

"His dad is the sheriff" he mumbled, "do you honestly believe he didn't know about the connection between the fire and the murders?"

"He wouldn't keep that from me" she insisted, "if he knew, he would tell me".

"If you choose to believe that, so be it" Peter shrugged, "but I think I've proven myself to be owed a little bit of trust. And trust me…" he trailed off, "he knew".

She fell quiet, feeling herself reaching her breaking point.

"You can't depend on anyone but yourself Kayla" he smirked, "people will always let you down".

He was speaking the truth there. People have, and did, always let her down. Why would Stiles be any different?

They fell into silence, Peter hovering in the corner of the hospital room as she mulled over what she had been told, trying to process it but every time she did, it was like hitting a brick wall. Or maybe her brain was so overwhelmed she didn't want to accept it, struggling to come to terms with the fact her life, and everyone in it, was just one lie after another. Her ability to trust, well and truly shot. Just like her.

A knock sounded at the door, breaking her free from her thoughts as she glanced up, seeing the Sheriff come in.

"Hi Kayla" he greeted, although his eyes were heavy with concern, a notepad held tightly in his hand "sorry, this is mandatory with any gunshot wounds".

She frowned, subconsciously touching her bandaged torso that had already been seen to and fixed. "Is that why they wouldn't let me leave?"

He inclined his head into a nod, walking towards her bed.

"It's just a graze" she insisted.

"Regardless, it's still serious. Are you alright?"

"I'll live".

The Sheriff then noticed Peter standing in the corner, his dark attire blending in with the dimly lit room.

"Who's this?"

"He's…" she faltered, stumbling over the truth. He was what, her father? A murderer? The line was blurred right now.

She swallowed nervously, turning her gaze to Peter.

"He's, uh… He's family" she settled with, not letting those words settle before turning back to the Sheriff, "what do you need to know?"

"How you are, firstly" he replied, "and what on earth happened?"

She was a big believer in the truth. She had always viewed herself as an honest person, for the most part, but it was times like this that she couldn't tell the truth. Her proven ability to lie flawlessly coming out to play.

"Wrong place, wrong time" she explained coolly, "that's all".

"Was this at the Argents?" he asked, and she did her best not to let her surprise show on her face.

"The Argents?"

"Their place got burgled" the Sheriff explained, "as you know, Allison's dad is an arms dealer. Someone tried to take their weapons by force, and it resulted in a lot of flyaway bullets. It was lucky no one got hurt. Uh… hurt worse" he added.

"Uh… yeah" she went with it, a new lie formulating in her brain, "yeah, I was just walking to Allison's to see if she wanted a study date. I heard shots and, stupid me, went to investigate. Guess I didn't duck in time".

"Did you see who fired?"

"No" she lied, "it was dark. I didn't see anything".

The Sheriff scrutinised her, clearly weighing up whether to believe her or not. She didn't know if he did or if he just took pity on her because she looked so deflated and defeated, but he put his notepad away. His expression full of sympathy.

"You sure you're okay, kid?"

She lied through her teeth. "Never better".

Now she knew this time he didn't believe her, but she didn't care. Too overwhelmed to put on a mask.

"You got lucky tonight" he said, "it could've been much worse".

How could tonight get any worse? Her entire life, brick by brick, falling and crumbling down around her.

"Yeah" she mumbled, "lucky".

"You got somewhere safe to stay tonight?" he continued, "I know you're having, ah… difficulties with your mom right now…"

"I'll be fine" she sighed, "I don't need your worry".

"It's my job".

"No. No it's not".

She was being a little short and bitchy, unable to keep playing nice.

The sheriff sighed, looking at her in worry but knowing there wasn't much else he could do.

"Get some rest and heal. And no more running towards gunfire, alright?"

"No promises" she mumbled glumly, glancing down at her lap and playing with her fingers.

The Sheriff looked at her once more, then towards Peter who was still standing quietly in the corner of the room, before taking his leave. Radioing into the station that the 'gunshot victim' was alright but there was 'no certain identification'.

"See?" Peter asked, "even the police are undependable".

"How did I survive?" she asked, "out of everyone there, why did I get out alive?"

Because, really, that was the burning question. Why did she live? Why was she the one who got to carry on breathing? Her life was a mess. Her bad decisions plaguing her. Why was she the one that got spared, when any one of the ten others should've gotten that chance over her.

"Because I saved you" he answered, causing her to snap her head up in shock, "because, unlike everyone else, I've got your back. I always have… and I always will".

"You… you… you got me out?" she whispered, her bottom lip quivering, "you…"

"You're my daughter Kayla" he said, "in that moment, I chose your life over mine. Over everyone else trapped".

That hit her – hard. A sudden guilt twisting and squeezing at her gut.

"You shouldn't have" she mumbled, "I've just been a disappointment ever since".

"Then let's change that" he implored, "those responsible need to pay. You know that. Help me, Kayla. Help me avenge our family's deaths".

Life wasn't black and white. There wasn't just good and bad. Life was full of shades of grey. Things that were complicated and confusing. Was killing people wrong? Usually, yes. But in this situation? She understood where Peter was coming from. Why should her family die, and the ones that caused it get away with it? How was that fair?

Ten people – men, women and children – perished that awful night. Ten members of her family that had done nothing wrong. Ten people were murdered in cold blood, and all for what? Because of what they were? It made her sick. She could see why Peter wanted his revenge. In a twisted way, she understood. People could judge and take the moral high ground, but this wasn't their reality. It was hers. It happened to her family. How would anyone else react if it was their family targeted?

She wanted justice.

She wanted to make them pay.

How could that be wrong?

She was tempted. Her fury completely taking over.

It was then her hospital room door got opened again, only this time it wasn't the sheriff or a nurse – it was Stiles and Scott.

Normally, she would be happy to see them. Now, though? Not so much. Her expression remained blank and void as they rushed in, Scott hovering back a few feet as Stiles hurried around to the side of the bed she ws sitting on, his expression tense and full of worry.

"Oh my god Kaylz, what the hell happened?" Stiles asked, "I heard on the police scanner and-and I freaked out. Are you okay?"

She was eerily silent, staring up at Stiles with new eyes. An edge of distrust in her gaze.

"Uh… Kaylz…?"

"Stiles?" she heard Scott gulp, lifting a finger to point to Peter, who Stiles hadn't noticed yet, in the corner of the room but Stiles paid no attention to him, leaning down to peer deeper into her eyes.

"Kayla… baby?" he asked softly, "what's wrong?"

She hoped Peter was lying. She hoped, just this once, that she was being lied to. Because if Stiles knew about the link between the murders and the fires and he hadn't told her.. she didn't know if she could handle that. He was meant to be different. Out of everyone, she was meant to be able to trust him.

"Stiles" Scott called out a little louder, "turn around".

Stiles finally did as he was told, looking over his shoulder and nearly jumping out of his skin as he saw Peter hovering in the corner, a smirk gracing his lips.

"Ah" he exclaimed, but despite his fear he didn't move, taking a step in front of her as if trying to protect her, "what the hell?"

"It's a pleasure to see you again Stiles" Peter grinned, "although, I don't think we've been formally introduced" extending a hand towards him.

Stiles didn't take it, waving his hands back at Kayla and Scott.

"We need to get out of here" he said, "right now".

"Now now Stiles" Peter extended his arms out, "we're all friends here".

He tried to help her off the bed, but she jerked her arm away. Standing up and looking at him with a glare that was enough to make him shudder. Suddenly, Peter wasn't the scariest thing in the room anymore.

"Did you know?" she asked quietly, but with a burning rage penetrating her voice.

"Know?" he gulped, "know what?"

"The fire" she said, her voice shaking, "did you know that the people that were murdered had a part to play in causing the fire?"

Straight away, she knew she had caught him out. He was not a great liar. In fact, he was a pretty shitty one. His eyes widened as he looked back at Scott, his mouth open in shock.

That second told her everything she needed to know.

Regardless of his reasons, he kept that from her.

He knew, or suspected, that those murdered helped set fire to the house that had ten members of her family trapped in it. For whatever reason, he thought she didn't deserve to know that. Just another person keeping the truth from her.

"Kayla…" he sighed, his voice heavy with guilt, reaching for her hands but she didn't let him finish his sentence, yanking her hands away harshly.

"Don't touch me" she thundered, "stay away from me".

"I-I was going to tell you, I just-I-" he fumbled in panic, "-I didn't want to hurt you".

"Bullshit" she exclaimed, shaking her head in despair, "you're just like everyone else".

"What? No. No, I'm not" he shook his head, panic evident on his features, "I-"

"I don't want to hear it" she interrupted, "I'm done getting lied to".

"I... I... I messed up" he admitted, "I'm sorry, I should've told you-"

"Yeah" she scoffed, "you should have".

"I'm... I'm sorry" he whispered, his voice cracking a little, "I... I'm really sorry".

It wasn't enough.

She shook her head, his betrayal stinging her like poison.

"You were supposed to be different" she whispered, her shoulders sagging in defeat, "you weren't supposed to lie to me".

He stayed quiet, sharing a helpless look with Scott. The latter dipping his head in guilt.

"Look, let's go somewhere and talk about this and-"

"I'm not going anywhere with you" she exclaimed, sending him an affronted glare and her eyes, unknowingly to her, beginning to glow that bright green, "leave me alone".

She grabbed her leather jacket from the bedside table, scoffing as she went to step around him but he caught her arm, his deep brown eyes pleading and anguished.

"Kaylz-"

"If you want to keep that hand, I suggest you remove it in the next three seconds" she snapped, her voice icy cold.

Her change in demeanour from the Kayla he was used to was such a shock that he dropped his hand, staring at her with wide heartbroken eyes.

"Stay away from me Stiles" she said, "and choke on your apologies for all I care. I don't want them".

With that, she swept from the room. Not even acknowledging Scott as she passed and disapearred from sight. Stiles watching her go with sad eyes.

Peter's chuckle brought their attention to him, his expression cocky and delighted.

"There's my girl" he grinned, "I knew she was in there somewhere".

She had that night to calm down and rationalise things.

Did she calm down and rationalise things though?

Nope.

She was still furious, her entire body buzzing with annoyance. Unable to process what her life what turning into.

Her mom lied to her, her aunt, her dad, Derek, Laura, Scott, Stiles... everyone. People told her she needed to trust more, but how could she when, at every opportunity, those she tried to care for was dishonest with her?

The sad thing was Peter, the homicidal maniac, was the most truthful out of the lot of them.

She debated just missing school because she could not be fucked with it or the people in it. Knowing she would have to deal with Allison and Stiles, but she wasn't going to give them this kind of power over her.

She got ready - a simple pair of black denim cargos and a white tee, the sweetheart neckline dipping low on her chest. Walking to the school and, surprise surprise, being late.

Not that she cared.

When she walked into her first class that had already started, suddenly all eyes were on her. Her entrance unexpected.

"Glad you could join us Miss Hale" the history teacher scolded, "may I suggest you invest in a watch?"

She scoffed, her patience running thin.

"May I suggest you invest in a new wardrobe. The 80's called - they want their shoulder pads back".

The silence was deafening, everyone looking at her in surprise whilst the teacher frowned. Her comeback unforeseen.

She didn't wait for the scornful telling off, making her way to her seat. Dropping her bag by her feet and sitting down, ignoring the gazes lingering on her.

Gazes belonging to those that, in this moment in time, she wanted nothing to do with.

In the distance, Brian was glaring at her. His pretty blues full of contempt.

Next was Allison. Making no secret of the fact she was hurt and betrayed, and the Bambi look was enough to grate on her nerves.

Scott at least had the common sense to look away after a short while, either scared or acting smart to stay out of her way.

Last was Stiles. Even though he was behind her, she could feel his eyes boring into the back of her skull. His hesitation at reaching out apparent.

She didn't care. Ignoring each one of them. Her demeanour icy cold. A warning to everyone around her to stay back and stay away because, right now, she was dangerous and not to be messed with.

Of course, that didn't last long.

As soon as class was over, she grabbed her stuff and swept from the room before the bell had even finished ringing but Stiles was hot on her heels, rushing clumsily after her.

"Kayla? Hey, wait. Kaylz? Kayla, hold on, just-"

"Did I, or did I not, tell you to leave me the hell alone?" she demanded, stopping in her tracks to turn and send him a withering glare, "did I not make myself clear?"

He faltered, taken aback by her anger. Nervously biting the inside of his cheek.

"You... You did".

"Then why are you talking to me?"

"To apologise" he insisted, "you're right. I should've told you. You deserved to know".

"You have no right to gatekeep anything about my family" she exclaimed, "they are my family, not yours".

"I know" he nodded, his eyes blurry with tears, "I fucked up Kaylz... I-I'm sorry".

"Save it" she scoffed, "I don't need your remorse. I needed your truth".

"Tell me how I can fix this?" he asked desperately, "there has to be something I can do-"

"Fix this?" she demanded, "fix what?"

He swallowed nervously, blinking rapidly to stop the tears from falling.

"Us" he mumbled, "your trust in me".

"Now is not the right time to talk to me Stiles" she said through clenched teeth, "or I will say something I might regret. Back off".

"But-"

"What?" She screamed, "what Stiles? God, just leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want anything from you".

He looked down in hurt, clearly regretting his actions. His expression tight with guilt.

She hesitated, softening a little. Her words too loud and harsh.

"You... You were meant to be different" she whispered, her own voice choked with emotion, "I let you in because you were supposed to be different. You weren't supposed to lie to me..."

"I... I know" mumbled, lifting an arm to wipe at his eyes, "I wish I told you, I just... I wanted to protect you. Shield you from that pain".

"You can't" she said, "and I don't want you to. My entire life, people have lied to me. I can't have you lying to me too".

"I won't" he vowed, "ever again. I promise".

"How do you expect me to believe that?"

"Because I can't stand the thought of losing you" he exclaimed, "or to have you look at me the way you're looking at me ever again".

"Stiles-"

"Don't listen to Peter" he interrupted, clearly worried about where her alligances lay, "remember, he's the bad guy here".

"Is he?" she asked, "the people he's killing aren't good people".

"But they're still people" he insisted, "he doesn't care about you".

"Maybe" she agreed, "but at least he's honest".

"Honest?" he asked, "you trust him?"

"Not one bit".

"Then what-"

"I was there Stiles" she interrupted, "January the 25th, 2005. That night, I... I was there".

Stiles frowned, unsure what to say. Trying to understand what she was saying.

"My family burned to death around me, and I can't even remember it. You know why? Because that very same family decided to mess with my head and bury those memories. I should've died that night and you want to know why I didn't? Because of him. Because he saved me. Because, for some stupid reason, he picked me over the others and himself. I was there... and I couldn't save them".

For once, he was quiet. His eyes wide and astounded.

"You're right" she acknowledged, "Peter is the bad guy. He's a monster. But who's the bigger monster... the ones that planned and executed ten people in cold blood... or the guy who was left burnt and broken for six years because of what they did? It's not black and white Stiles. Nothing in this world is black and white. I'm fed up with losing people. Those responsible will pay. I don't care how".

She walked off, leaving him standing in the middle of the corridor in shock. Feeling her slipping through his fingers.

She avoided Stiles for the rest of the day, skipping the two classes she had with him and Scott, but should have expected to come face to face with Allison. Her friend clearly on the hunt for answers.

She caught up with Kayla at the end of the school day, shouting after her in the parking lot.

"What do you want Allison?" she sighed, "It's been a long day".

"We need to talk" her friend said.

"Oh?" she asked, raising her brows, "do we?"

"Yes" Allison replied, "I need answers".

"Well, I need a million dollars and a foot massage but I don't see that happening anytime soon".

"You lied to me".

"Yes" she admitted shamelessly, "I did, and don't pretend like you don't know why. The fact your psycho aunt had Derek and I restrained and tortured might give you a clue as to why".

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Hm, I don't know Allison" she remarked sarcastically, "maybe because you're an Argent - your whole family are werewolf killers. Get a fucking grip".

"I'm also your friend".

"I don't owe you anything".

"You don't think I deserved the truth?"

"Maybe" she agreed, "but this isn't girl talk or gossip. This is a dangerous, life changing secret. People die because of this. I couldn't take the chance that you would betray me".

"Me betray you?"

"Yeah" she nodded, "your family killed mine"

Allison shook her head, "no. That's not true".

"You're a naive girl Allison if you think any differently".

"Kate-"

"Kate-" Kayla exclaimed, "-is dangerous. She's the worst kind of hunter. She's drunk on it. She gets a sick thrill when she hurts or kills. Did you not see how excited she got hurting me and Derek?"

"She's not like that".

"Fine Allison" she exclaimed, "keep living in fantasy land. Keep pretending your family are the good guys. I don't care".

"You had no right to hide this from me".

"I had a right" she said, "I had every right. So, I'm guessing that now you know about werewolves you're going to tell Lydia, right?" she demanded, "because she deserves the truth too, doesn't she?"

"That's different" Allison protested weakly, causing Kayla to roll her eyes.

"No. It's really not" she replied, "go on. Don't be a hypocrite. Tell Lydia what you know".

"... You know I can't do that..."

"Then quit losing your shit at me" she shouted, "you didn't know, but now you do. So put on your big girl pants and deal with it. Both of us have bigger fish to fry".

"I don't know if I can forgive you" she admitted, her big brown eyes sad.

"Do, or don't. Honestly? I don't really care" Kayla said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder and taking her leave, "but just know, it you or your family ever come at me again, I won't hesitate to drop you all, do you understand?"

She didn't wait for an answer, not caring either way. The battle lines for war being drawn.

A/N) slightly smaller chapter paving the way for the next chapter which is gonna be OOOOFT just fyi hha so I hope you all enjoyed and I'm eager to hear your thoughts :) see you all again soon x