Reyna glared down at her salad. Even though the lettuce looked fresh and there was a perfect amount of dressing on it, it didn't look appetizing. Reyna hadn't been that hungry the last few days, and she wasn't sure why. She hadn't been sleeping well either. Everything felt wrong, and she couldn't place a reason.

Reyna missed Thalia. She regretted how things ended, and she wished she could go back in time to stop her younger self from dating Thalia for such a petty reason. And, Thalia hadn't talked to her since what happened. Jason barely even looked at her when he visited, and she swore that Piper kept her distance as well.

Then, there was this whole damn thing with Lupa. Just thinking about it still made Reyna furious. Anger filled her core, and she just wanted to punch something. To make matters worse, Nico told her that her mother stopped by the gym to talk to Lupa. What Reyna would give to see that damned woman.

Reyna didn't know what she would do to the bitch. Hell, she would probably see red, and everything else from there would cycle through that hazy filter. Maybe, it was for the best that the two didn't meet.

To top it all off, Reyna's wrist was still hindering her. She had started exercising again, but punching anything even with her other hand hurt too much. She was behind in her training, and there was nothing she could do about it other than rest.

That wasn't going to stop her. She would win her fight with Clarisse and embarrass the woman. But first, she would help Hazel and Frank with their own matches.

Unless Annabeth was going to do that too.

Reyna tried not to be jealous. She tried not to get mad every time she turned her head and saw Annabeth helping Frank or Hazel. And the fact that they went to Annabeth instead of Reyna, not to mention that Lupa and Annabeth were now sparring together twice a week.

It wasn't like Reyna wanted to spar with Lupa anymore. But it still hurt to see just how quickly she had been replaced. Why was she surprised, though? Lupa already showed that she didn't care for Reyna as much as she pretended to.

"Reyna," a voice said. Reyna didn't look up and continued to stare down at her salad. She saw a shadow fall over her. After a few moments, she forced herself to look up at Lupa. "May I sit?"

Reyna nodded and pushed her salad away even as her stomach growled. Lupa sat across from her. They were the only two in the room, which somehow set Reyna's nerves off more. She slowly spoke, "What do you need?"

"I wanted to talk to you about what I said in the interview," Lupa answered.

"About giving me your nickname?" Reyna muttered.

"It was a belated birthday gift," Lupa explained. "I was trying to find a way to announce it on your birthday, but after what happened..."

"Yeah," Reyna grunted as she averted her gaze and stared at the wall. Lupa sighed softly.

"I've been planning this for months," Lupa continued. "This is not a token for forgiveness. I don't want you to think that, Reyna."

Reyna just shrugged. Lupa looked like she wanted to say more; instead, she sighed and stood from her seat. Lupa walked out of the room, and Reyna wasn't surprised. Lupa barely even looked her way anymore, and whenever Romy was in the building, all of her attention went to him.

Reyna stood and grabbed her salad. She threw it in the trash as hard as she could and then kicked the can for good measure. Reyna turned towards the door and froze as she saw Mellie standing there, staring at her.

"I'm sorry," Reyna muttered, looking at the floor. She tried to awkwardly walk past Mellie.

"Wait, Reyna. I was looking for you," Mellie spoke up. Reyna stopped walking and looked back at her. "After the gym, do you have any plans?"

"No," Reyna answered after a few moments. She frowned slightly. "Why? Or, do you need someone to watch Chuck? I'm not great with kids, but I can watch him for a few hours."

"No, no. Nothing like that," Mellie assured. She glanced behind her before looking back at Reyna. "You know my husband, right? Gleeson Hedge."

"I've met him once or twice," Reyna confirmed as she glanced down at her aching wrist and slowly moved her fingers. "I know he's Clarisse's trainer."

"He would like to meet you for dinner tonight," Mellie said with a small smile. She pulled a business card out of her pocket and handed it to Reyna. After a moment, Reyna took it and looked down at the card. Her eyes widened.

"He doesn't have to do this," Reyna began as she looked up. "I heard that it's almost impossible to get a reservation here."

"Hedge knows the right people," Mellie assured her with a smile. Reyna stared at her and then looked back down at the card. It had the address for one of, if not the most, expensive restaurants in town. The time was right after she would be done at the gym. "I can give you a ride, if you want. That way we can leave a little early."

"Um. y...yeah," Reyna stuttered. She cleared her throat. "Yes. Thank you, Mellie. That would be great."

Hours later, Reyna found herself sitting in Mellie's car. They had left the gym early, with Mellie stating that Reyna was going to help her with Chuck. Reyna had spent all that time trying to wrap her head around the invitation. Why was Hedge inviting her?

Reyna didn't even tell anyone about it, not even Nico. She supposed that she should have, but it just took her by surprise and almost sent her into a tailspin. Reyna fixed her suit that she had hastily thrown on. She shifted in her seat and nervously rubbed her wrist.

"Are you okay?" Mellie asked. Reyna slowly looked at her.

"Just tired," Reyna answered after a moment. She watched Mellie pull up to the restaurant. A valet started to walk towards them, but Hedge stopped him, whispering a comment to the employee. Hedge walked towards them and opened the car door himself.

Reyna slowly got out of the car and looked at Hedge. He smiled at her and held out a hand. Reyna slowly shook it. Hedge spoke, "How are you doing today, Reyna?"

"I'm good," Reyna answered after a moment, looking back at the car. "Thank you for the ride, Mellie."

"Anytime, Reyna. I'll bring you home after the two of you are done. You two have fun," Mellie waved goodbye. Hedge closed the door and led Reyna inside. Her eyes shot around the restaurant as they passed the front door. It was probably the fanciest place she had ever been in her life. The walls were an immaculate white, looking almost like marble.

The floors were made of marble as well, and there were elaborate paintings and statues for the decor. It felt like she had stepped into a museum; everything was pristine and priceless. Reyna felt so out of place. Hedge walked up to the host and spoke, "Is my room ready?"

"Of course, sir," the host confirmed. He turned away. "Follow me."

Reyna slowly followed behind the two. She tried to figure out why Hedge wanted to go out to dinner with her. She had watched Chuck twice for them, but that was at the gym and really only for an hour or so. It wasn't like they were that close, though.

Why did Hedge bring her here then?

The host led them towards the back of the restaurant and into a hallway that was also made of tile, but that tile had fancy designs etched in it. Reyna watched the tiles scroll through her vision as they walked, and they finally arrived at a door. The host opened it, and Hedge led Reyna inside.

The room had one table centered in the middle with two chairs. One bottle of wine rested in the middle of the table. Hedge walked towards a chair and pulled it out. He waited for her to sit, and Reyna slowly did. Hedge sat across from her.

"I don't... Thank you, Hedge. I don't know what to say," Reyna uttered as her eyes moved around the room. There were all kinds of paintings on the wall. Each painting had different colors and some kind of abstract shapes on it. "But, why do all of this?"

"There are a couple of reasons," Hedge answered as he poured both of them some wine, and a glass was given to Reyna. She took it and stared at the amber colored liquid. "This is their best wine. It's a thousand dollars for a bottle."

Reyna almost choked on her spit, and she stared at the man in front of her. Reyna slowly spoke, "I can't-"

"Can't what?" Hedge interrupted. "Accept a gift? This wine is nothing, Reyna. You should be drinking wine like this every day with how skilled you are. I'm sure you're the highest paid fighter in this league, so you should enjoy the finest things in life."

Reyna was still dumb founded by just the price of the wine, so Hedge took the opportunity to continue, "I'm sure Lupa has taken you to places like this before. I know she did when she recruited Annabeth Chase into the Wolves."

"She hasn't," Reyna agreed after a few moments. Hedge looked right at her and studied her eyes.

"Hmm. Well, this is my apology for the behavior of someone from my own gym. I was beyond furious when Clarisse broke your arm during your last match, and then, she keeps pushing the envelope by the things that she says to you. Bringing up your family, your arrest, your car wreck, all of the bad things in your life. Clarisse has been grasping for straws to weaken you because she knows that she cannot beat you at full strength," Hedge described.

"You didn't have to go through all of this," Reyna mumbled as she felt her face heating up.

"Why not?"

"It's too... much," Reyna answered. "You didn't have to take me to the most expensive restaurant in this state just to apologize."

"I didn't," Hedge stated. He leaned forward. "I was like you, Reyna. I didn't grow up with much. My parents were drug addicts under the guise of being nature lovers. They were never home, and our home was a small little camper that we took from place to place. I understand what it is like to have to raise yourself.

"How all the adults judge you. They think that you should have it all together just because you're alone. And if you act out, it's your fault. It's not because you don't know any better," Hedge explained. He took a sip of the wine and motioned for Reyna to do the same. She hesitated. "After everything that I have been through in my life, I know I deserve the finest things. You do, too."

Reyna slowly took a sip of the wine. It was strong, and she coughed a little before taking a sip of water. Hedge smiled, "Not used to the good stuff?"

"I don't drink much wine," Reyna admitted as a waiter walked in. A plate of gnocchi was placed in front of her.

"It's five courses of the finest food in the country," Hedge informed her. Reyna nodded and forced herself to take a bite even though her stomach was doing barrel rolls. Her eyes widened at the taste, it was so good that she immediately took two more bites.

"Let me ask you something, Reyna. How do you like it at Lupa's gym?" Hedge asked. Reyna slowly looked at him and hesitated. She liked it at the gym. She loved it, really. But with all the recent events...

"Because I think you deserve more," Hedge continued. A look of confusion crossed Reyna's face. "You should already be a champion by now. Why haven't you had a title shot yet? You've certainly earned it. You're one of the best fighters in the league."

"I've lost the contenders matches or had a minor injury," Reyna mumbled with a shrug.

"That's not why. It's because Lupa's holding you back," Hedge stated. Reyna opened her mouth to argue, but Hedge held up his hand. "Your trainer is also your promoter. Lupa should be talking you up to the league officials and telling them that you are more than ready to hold a title and be the face of the league.

"Lupa doesn't believe in you, and it doesn't look like she cares about you either. With that whole 'knowing your mom for your whole life but never telling you' thing. I can't imagine it," Hedge egged on. Reyna looked down and took another sip of wine. It was quiet as she ate her gnocchi and drank her wine.

Reyna wasn't even sure what to say or think. Everything Hedge had said raced through her brain, which is why she immediately accepted the next glass of wine he gave her. And after that second glass, she felt a little more relaxed. A lot more, actually.

"What do you mean Lupa is holding me back?" Reyna asked as their second course came out.

"You've been doing this for what? Four years? Five years now? And you haven't had a single title fight yet?" Hedge questioned. "Lupa hasn't been pushing your brand enough. Your name should be the one coming up as a replacement when a champion's challenger is injured. Hell, your name shouldn't even have to come up because you should be the champion.

"The truth is that Lupa knows talent. That's why she brought you in, and that's why she holds you back. You will surpass her legacy. That is why she hinders you at any chance she gets," Hedge stated with such conviction that it caused Reyna to pause.

"I heard you signed a new contract recently. One that has all kinds of restrictions in it that no one else has. Why? To hold you back. Are you getting paid more than Annabeth Chase?" Hedge asked.

"About the same," Reyna muttered as she looked down.

"That doesn't make any sense to me. Sure, you pay Chase to get her in the door, but after she is signed to a contract, you have to turn around and pay your homegrown talent more. That's how you know they appreciate them," Hedge explained as Reyna finished her third glass of wine. She declined a fourth.

"Maybe, she is trying to replace you with Annabeth Chase."

Reyna tensed and felt her eyes narrow slightly. Hedge continued, "Didn't she invite Annabeth to a fancy restaurant, but you didn't go, did you? And did Lupa even ask you, one of the most senior members of her gym, if Annabeth would be a good fit or not? Did you know Gwendolyn was retiring ahead of time?

"Not to mention how much Lupa has been shutting you out these last few months. She didn't tell you about Annabeth or Gwendolyn. Didn't her 'son', that crack addict, come back into her life recently? And when you were just trying to protect her, she yelled at you? When you were goaded by Clarisse and punched her, didn't she yell at you?

"What about when you were arrested? Didn't she try to kick you out of the gym? That isn't what I would do to my brightest pupil," Hedge said with conviction.

"How do you know all of that?" Reyna slowly asked as she slurred her words slightly.

"I have my ways," Hedge answered with a small wave of his hand. "Should we even talk about how Lupa wanted the league to suspend you after you were arrested? Did she even check on you? Or did she blow up on you and reveal that she knew about your mother? And, that wasn't just a slip of the tongue, was it? No, we both know it wasn't.

"Lupa wanted to hurt you, Reyna. Why else would she reveal that? How could she go this long and not reveal anything, and then suddenly do that in a fit of rage? Lupa is the most poised woman that I know. Everything she does is calculated. She is trying to get rid of you.

"Why don't you ask her yourself? But I don't think she'll give you a straight answer. Or the honest one, really. But, why else would she put those restrictions in your contract?" Hedge wondered.

"To keep me under control," Reyna muttered as she glared at her food. Hedge barked a laugh.

"Keep you under control? If she cared for you, she wouldn't care what you did. Do you know how many assaults have been covered up by the league? How many crimes did they hide? Not to mention how much the trainers cover up. But not Lupa. Oh no. She exposes what you did. But no one else. Isn't that weird?"

Reyna didn't answer as she shifted uncomfortably. Hedge's words felt like they were body blows, and some of it was what she was thinking. Reyna quickly drank another glass of wine.

"You deserve more than Lupa," Hedge assured. "In fact, I would love to have you as a member of my gym."

"But, Clarisse-"

"Is a wild dog and a loose cannon that I want to get rid of. Her father hinders me from doing that. I would get rid of her in a heartbeat if you joined me," Hedge swore. "I would pay you twice what Annabeth gets. There won't be a last chance clause. And, I'll get you those commercials and sponsorships that Lupa doesn't let you have."

"I don't know," Reyna slurred, and she tried to control her voice. Hedge smiled at her.

"I know it's a big decision. That is why I want you to think about it," Hedge said. "Now, let's enjoy the rest of our meal. Afterward, if you're feeling up to it, I'll take you out on a night that a champion would experience. One Lupa won't let you have.

"And, I did all of this because I believe in you. I want you to know how much I would appreciate having you at my gym. Together, we can help you finally get the title that you crave. And deserve."

"So Reyna, what do you say?"