"We free Niklaus tonight…end of discussion." Elijah finished dabbing the handkerchief around his mouth and stood, glancing at each of us standing there. I couldn't have agreed more with him, it had been five years since I'd laid eyes on the keeper of my heart and I didn't want to waste another moment. "Let's go then, I've been away from my daughter long enough." Hayley was getting frustrated, I didn't blame her. It had just been the three of us for so long that it was killing me not being with Hope too. We drove the final few miles to the outskirts of New Orleans, a place we had called home just a few years before that now seemed so foreign, so empty.
*a few hours later*
I sat basically glued to his side, only taking my eyes off him for a few glances at Hayley, silently communicating with her how relieved and equally terrified I was at this precise moment in time. The drive home was silent, we were all shattered and utterly drained. Getting back to the farm house, the home Hayley and I had forced ourselves to create for Hope seemed to take forever, when we finally pulled into the drive we let out a collective sigh of relief. Nik shifted slightly beside me, I watched as the rest of our extremely fucked up family exited the car and went to do the same myself; feeling his hand clasp around my wrist stopping me. He pulled me towards him, placing is forehead to my own. "Tell me this isn't another trick of the mind Elle, tell me that you're truly here." The desperation in his voice was breaking my heart. The only thing I could do was wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him, hoping that this was enough to show him how I felt and how real it all was. We followed everyone else into the house a few minutes later. I led everyone to their respective rooms, leaving Hayley and Niklaus to talk and check in on their daughter. Deciding I would leave everyone in peace I walked towards the kitchen, I needed to run. It had been weeks since I had properly changed, I hadn't run with my pack in over 2 months. Grabbing my cell phone I quickly dialled my alphas and best friends number. "Elena hey, it's Elle. We got out of Nola okay, well as okay as we can be. I'm thinking of coming back home for a few days. Leave the Mikaelsons to get reacquainted with each other…let Niklaus get to know his daughter. Can you ask Nicky to pick me up at the airport if he's free? I'll be there tomorrow evening. Text me when you get this. Love you." I hit the end call button. I hated leaving voicemails they were so cold. 5 minutes later my phone pinged with an email 'your flight confirmation and check in details…1 way ticket to Bear Valley, New York.' I quickly scratched a note to say I would be back in a few days and to call if anyone needed anything. Grabbing my overnight bag from the closet I crept out of the house and into the night.
At the heart of the forest I stashed my bag and clothes into a hollowed out tree trunk. Breathing in the night air I prepared myself for the change, feeling my skin start to stretch and my limbs extend. Flexing my paws into the earth beneath me I set off at a run, leaping over fallen trees and rocks that dared be in my path. Revelling in the sound of panicked forest creatures scurrying for safety. After a while I tired of running with out purpose, I needed to chase something, needed to hunt. Slowing down and sticking my nose in the air I breathed in the scents of the night, I could taste my target already. A little ways to the north, heading the long way round so as to mask my own sent I moved towards it quietly. The rabbits ears pricked up just as I leapt and sank my teeth into it, shaking for good measure. I carried my prize up to a ledge overlooking the valley. I lay down, and began tearing strips from the rabbit, the human in me was a little disgusted that I'd just killed Thumper, the wolf was savouring every morsel. I heard the smallest crack of twig branch in the forest behind me. My hackles began to rise and I sprang to my feet, my teeth bared. The blonde wolf slinked from the trees to my lookout. Dropping another rabbit at my feet and thumping himself down in the spot I had been lying, helping himself to the remnants of my catch. I picked up the fresh one and proceeded to make myself comfortable beside him, making sure I was as close to him as I could be. When in wolf form the only communication we really had was reading body language, and understanding the tone or pitch of a whimper or howl. After a while when we'd finished our snack, I felt him nudge my neck, pushing me to get up. When I didn't move and he was already on his own feet I got a quick nip on the shoulder and I could see his tail wag quickly before he ran into the trees. I followed suit, not wanting him to get the better of me. We played chase for a while before I lost sight and scent of him. I crept to the edge of a clearing, and watched as he changed back into human form. Niklaus Mikaelson truly was a magnificent being. I found a spot to change and quietly made my way back to the clearing…he was gone. Pinned to the tree where my clothes were was a note.
Thank you for never giving up on me.
For helping Hayley to raise my beautiful little girl.
I know you need time to process everything.
Know that I will wait however long it takes.
Forever yours,
Klaus
I smiled, he knew me better than I knew myself at times. I dressed quickly and made my way to my motorbike hidden in a run down bothie. Pulling my bag on to my back I headed to the airport.
*The following week*
"When's Aunt Elle coming home Mom?" Hope put the paintbrush down and glanced up at her mother. Hayley faltered, trying to find her words. Truth be told she had no idea, Elle had just up and left without saying goodbye. Just a note saying she'd gone to Stonehaven, that she'd be back soon. "I don't know baby but hopefully soon. You can FaceTime her before you go to bed though. Now go get your lil butt into the bath and get ready for bed." Hayley squeezed the 7year old into quick hug before turning to face the man who was leaning on the doorframe behind her. "You truly are exquisite Ms Marshall. I don't know what I did to deserve you in my life." He cleared the distance between them in a few seconds taking her in his arms and locking their lips together in a slow, deep kiss. He swept her to the bedroom, throwing her to the bed, pressing his lips to hers once more. "HAYLEY!" Klaus roared from the other room. "HAYLEY!" The vampiric speed couldn't have got Hayley through the door quicker. Niklaus stood with a limp Hope in his arms looking horror struck.
*Meanwhile in Stonehaven*
I had made the decision to go back home tomorrow. I just needed to run once more with my pack, to mess about in the woods, and just generally be the werewolf I was without fear of getting caught or running into rouge vampires who thought we were nothing but playthings. It had been different in New Orleans; the Mikaelsons, the Original vampires had been careful to protect the little remnants of the Crescent pack that was left. Purely because that's what Hayley wanted, they were after all her family, Hopes family. However when Nik was held captive, and Elijah, Kol and Rebekah indisposed; there had been an uprising and it was becoming sport for some scum to hunt us like common animals and tear families apart. We hid ourselves, making sure to only change when we either had to or were completely safe to do so. There are two types of werewolf, something a lot of people didn't realise. There's hereditary, like Hayley and Niklaus. They come from generations of wolves, only activating the curse if they kill someone. Then there was me, Elena and Clay. We were bitten, resulting in one hell of a lifestyle change; often with little success as the first change is for want of a better word…hell. In all honesty I had been tortured before, it was nothing compared to my first change. Over the years I'd learnt how to change with ease, I could even part change now and that was handy with the aforementioned rogue vampires; werewolf venom only had one known cure and Klaus only gave up his blood for those that he loved and those that would serve him purpose. I pounced onto Clay, pinning him for a split second. Who was I kidding he was twice as big as me and infinitely stronger. A playful nip and he rolled me off of him with ease. We ran until the moon was at its full height, our energy spent we lay in a mossy clearing. This was exactly what I needed. No searching for cures for unknown poisons, no hunting for the venom or blood of mysterious near extinct wolf packs, no sneaking around. Just being free. The following morning I woke up a tangle of limbs. I smiled to myself, content.
We raced back to the house, it wasn't nearly as easy on two legs as it was on four. Pulling my shirt over my head I sat at the kitchen counter, snatching the coffee pot out of Nickys hand and sticking my tongue out. I had just set my mug down when a ball of flame appeared on the counter, a piece of paper appearing in the ashes.
Somethings wrong with Hope, we have to go back to New Orleans.
You don't have to come. Will call with more news.
Freya
Clay drove me to the airport at breakneck speed. The pack knew full well I'd lay my life down for Hope, she was everything to me. Knew better than to argue with me. What happened over the following month was a whirlwind, teaming up with our enemies to defeat something that I struggled to comprehend. The Hollow tried to take everything from us, tried to take Hope. When Vincent came to us with a solution, one that would literally tear our family apart. There was no questioning whether we would go along with it or not. So I said my goodbyes to Elijah, Kol and Rebekah and stood back helpless, as Vincent alongside the powers of his ancestors and Freya worked their magic. The entity that was the Hollow was expelled from Hope and quartered, a piece latching onto 4 of the 5 Mikaelson siblings. They would never be able to see each other again and most importantly could never be near Hope again or all would be lost. It broke my heart knowing that they would never see her grow up. Nik had missed so much of her life already it was horrible to think that the two years and 1 month he had had with her was all he'd ever get. It was over, Vincent shouted at them to leave, Elijah took one last, pained and mournful look at Hayley before turning and leaving at Vampiric speed. I followed suit heading to the abandoned ruin of the Mikaelsons old home. Fifteen minutes later I was joined by Marcel, Elijah, Vincent and Freya. The plan was to compel Elijah to forget his family, forget about the pact they had made hundreds of years ago to always stick together because no matter what happened they couldn't break, could never come to each others aide. The results would be nothing short of catastrophic.
*A Few Hours Later*
I boarded the plane, my latte in hand I couldn't wait to get back to Stonehaven, New Orleans had given me no leads on who had been trying to round up wolves. There was a weird feeling in my gut that I was leaving so much behind, yet this was the first time I'd ever visited the place. I shrugged it off, figuring it was just my love of the culture and diversity. "Hey darlin' good flight?" Clay gave me a hug as I got into the car. "Yeah was fine, glad to be home though." "Of course you are, you're a pack animal…every pun intended." He laughed away to himself. I just rolled my eyes at him. "Oh my god, Clayton Danvers your dad jokes keep getting worse, I feel so sorry for the twins." He just laughed more and carried on driving. I leaned back and watched the world go by, the feelings i'd had leaving New Orleans still playing on my mind.
After we had eaten dinner I debriefed Elena and the rest of the Pack on what I'd found out or rather how little I'd found. They nodded and questioned. Not wanting bore everyone with the cheesy personal aspect of my trip I left it to later and discussed it with Elena over a glass of wine. We chalked it up to the city itself and decided we'd both visit in the future, girls weekend. I excused myself and went to bed, hunting for my phone as I got into bed. God damn it! I must have left it on the plane just my damn luck. Making a mental note to call the airline in the morning I settled into bed and drifted off to sleep.