Hello, all of my amazing Klayley readers! I promised a new story would follow, and I kept my promise. It is a plot that I had going on in my mind for quite some time, but I could never really put all my ideas in order, until now. "Double Hearted" is a story about the passion and the curse of two Labonair twins, Hayley and Andrea, and in what way their lives affect each other. It's going to be a tough journey and I hope you will enjoy it.
PLOT: With the birth of two wolf princesses, the Crescent Wolves, who live in the bayou of New Orleans, couldn't have been more overjoyed, especially the proud parents, Rowan and Ayleth. However, danger lurks around each corner, as the timing of the birth of these two girls couldn't have been more inappropriate. An indirect war is set out between the witches and the vampires, forcing the leaders of the Crescent Wolves, the original werewolf pack of New Orleans, to choose a side, and if they refused…they would pay the price.
Howls could be heard on the outskirts, the place where one of the oldest packs in the history of werewolves, now lived. Rowan Labonair lead his pack in great pride, and although the rivalry between him and Victor Kenner, the alpha of the North East Atlantic pack still held on for years, they have agreed to change history for the better. When the time came and the two of them would have heirs, they would create a powerful alliance through their marriages, an alliance which would solve all of their problems, starting from their constant disagreements with the Vampire and Witch factions of New Orleans going all the way to the problem of which Faction should be the leader of them all. It was Marcel Gerard, the vampire who led his faction against all the others, the one who proclaimed himself the King of New Orleans, who was also Rowan's secret friend. Of course, if the alpha of the Crescent Wolves would ever be discovered to be cooperating with the vampires, he would be judged with treason, and Victor Kenner would get his chance to take over this pack as well. But the discussions with Marcel had never been pointless. The two men bonded on a spectacular night at Rousseau's.
It was for a good cause…for the peace they had both craved in the city. Rowan was surprised to realize how much in common he and Marcel had, but he decided not to get too surprised, and simply used this to his advantage. The werewolf leader now stood up on a cliff on this rainy night and stared out beyond. His father had left him a precious possession: the pack, his family. He would do anything to help his pack, to make sure that they had everything they needed, and soon enough they will. A loud cry could be heard from inside one of the cabin and Rowan closed his eyes, not wanting to imagine what sort of pain his wife was going through, but they both knew that in the end, it would all be worth it. Loud footsteps were heard, running towards him. "Rowan!" Someone cried out and he turned around. "What is it Gregory?" "Your wife. She gave birth...to a girl." There was a small smile playing on Rowan's face when he heard this. Victor and his wife had a boy born five years ago, Jackson. They would be able to create a match at once. The age difference would not be a problem at all. But before Rowan could respond to the joyful news, another cry of pain could be heard. "What is going on? Why is she still in pain?" he demanded to know.
Gregory couldn't figure out the answer. Both of them rushed back into the cabin, where Ayleth, the beautiful wife of Rowan was sweating like crazy. "She is giving birth to another one." One of the women nursing her, said. "Another child?" Rowan asked, in bewilderment. "Twins." Gregory confirmed when the second baby popped out. The women gathered blankets at once to put the newest child in it, as it was trembling. "Another girl. Twin sisters." The lady confirmed and placed the two of them in their cradle. Rowan stared at them with delight as they watched them cry together, their eyes pressed closed. "My lady…you have lost a lot of blood. You must rest now." Angela, the nurse said when Ayleth asked in a whimpering tone, "Where is my baby?" She was held down on the bed as they were treating her. "Is she going to be alright?" Rowan asked with immediate fear in his heart. He knew just how dangerous werewolf pregnancies could turn out to be. They had to be careful. "She was bleeding very much. It took us by surprise that she had twins. We were prepared for one child. But after this treatment we prepared for her, she is going to be alright, Rowan, don't worry." Eve, an older woman, placed her hand on Rowan's back to comfort him. She was a close family friend.
"Rowan." Ayleth whispered his name and he immediately went at her side and took her hand in his. "How are you feeling, my love?" "Terrible." "Understandable. We have twin girls, Ayleth." The woman's eyes widened at once. "Two? I had two?" "You didn't realize it?" "No, I was…I was barely conscious…and I feel so weak." "That is why you must rest. Eve told me that you lost a lot of blood. Everything can be arranged so that my Queen has everything she needs to get better." "But I have to be there for my girls. The two of them need me." "Eve can breastfeed them for the time being. You cannot move from this bed, Ayleth. I will put my best guards to watch you. Until you get back on your feet, you must not make any sudden movements." Understanding how important her health was to him, Ayleth eventually nodded and said, "Then at least bring them to me so that I can see them." Rowan nodded and asked Eve to help him. He brought over one of the girls, and placed it next to her, so Ayleth could find the strength to caress her cheek. "She is the eldest, born first." He explained. Ayleth smiled and whispered, "Hayley. The name of a female hero. She has to be Hayley. She's a little hero. I sense it. She will be strong…she will make me proud."
"Agreed." Rowan responded, smiling, as Eve handed him the second daughter. "And what of her? How should we name her, the youngest?" "She's a little beauty…and she is calmer than our own little Hayley…we shall give her a peaceful name…a womanly name…Andrea." "I will agree to anything to make you happy right now. You have given me two beautiful daughters and I couldn't be happier. We have to contact Victor right away and tell him the good news. We have a bride for his five year old son. Since Hayley was born first, she is the rightful heiress to this pack, and she shall be the one to wed Jackson when the time is right." Ayleth started shaking her head. "I can't believe that this is all you can think about during such a happy moment of our lives. Rowan, we have children and you talk about getting Hayley married. She is only a baby." "We shall announce their engagement at once. You know how desperate I am to create this alliance with Victor. An engagement is our only chance…and of course we will have to wait for them to be of age before we can marry them." "I want to enjoy my daughters for as long as I have them…I want to be a good mother to them before I can send them away to be married. I want to be a parent. I want you to parent them with me." "And we will. We will do it together, as a team and these beautiful girls will have everything they will wish to have."
Eve came forward to them and took the babies, placing them back into the crib. "Eve, I am appointing you their guardian and personal nanny until my wife can recover! Care for them as you would care for your own children!" Rowan informed her. "Yes, of course. As you wish." Eve responded. Kissing his wife's forehead, he let her rest, turning to Gregory and telling him, "Send word to the North East Atlantic clan and inform Victor that my Queen Ayleth has offered me two beautiful girls to treasure and one of them, the eldest, named Hayley, is proposed to be Jackson's bride. Let me know what he thinks of the idea." Gregory bowed and left at once. It was a long way until he would reach Victor's pack. That was for sure. But bringing someone like Victor such good news, was definitely worth the trip. Rowan refused to leave the crib where his two daughters were sleeping, Hayley being fussier and Andrea, calmer. He adored them. Although it was known to be good luck on the pack if the alphas were to produce male heirs, Rowan couldn't care less. This was his flesh and blood and there would be no bad luck these beautiful angels could bring in his life.
…
Rousseau's was crowded the next morning, when Rowan entered it. The vampires all threw him some angry glares, but they knew that since he was Marcel's friend, there was nothing they could do to him, without upsetting their leader. He placed himself at the counter and tapped his fingers on the table, impatient. He had told Marcel that he was going to meet him there at this precise hour. At that moment, his phone rang and he answered it. "Rowan, my friend!" "Marcel, where are you? I'm waiting." "Yeah, about that. Sorry, I got caught up in something. Come to the compound. Don't worry. I will make sure to tell Diego to expect you. We have a lot to talk about." Rowan hung up and managed to step into the fabulous Abattoir for the first time. It was the place where the leader of the city lived, the place where he would work and throw some of his amazing parties as well. "My man!" Marcel called out before Diego could say something. Rowan smiled as Marcel pulled him into a tight embrace. "I heard about the birth of your daughters! Congratulations!" "Thanks! Ayleth and I are very happy to have our family growing." "Take it from someone who can't have kids…they bring you joy in your darkest moments. When I was a kid…I was pretty much a slave." "300 years ago?" "Yeah, and someone found me, an elder vampire, one of the best in the world. He raised me, treated me like his son…he and his family loved me. They even turned me into a vampire, so I could be part of their family."
"And what happened afterwards?" Rowan asked as they headed upstairs. Marcel pressed his lips together and chose not to answer, and therefore, Rowan knew better than to push him. "Marcel! What's going on? Who is he?" A young blonde woman stepped into the master bedroom. She looked in her mid-twenties, with an angel-like face but a judgy attitude. Rowan furrowed his eyebrows until Marcel clapped his hands together. "Ah, how rude! I didn't properly introduce you to my Queen. Rowan, this is Cami, former bartender at Rousseau's, until she asked me to turn her into a vampire. Now, she's hanging out with me. Cami, this is Rowan leader of the Crescent Wolves." "The werewolf clan that lives on the outskirts?" "Yes, for our own protection…and to protect the citizens from the way we react to the curse once every full moon. We don't want anyone to get hurt. And Marcel agreed to let us stay there." "But it is inhumane. You should be receiving the same rights as any other faction." "Cami…" Marcel started saying but she cut him off. "The witches are way out of control, and yet you do nothing to keep them in line." "The witches?" Rowan asked, confused. "We have some business to discuss, so please, Cami…" Marcel pointed to the door. After a lot of hesitation, she left.
"You have to forgive me. She is very spirited and on the path of righteousness, in fact one of the things I always loved most about her." "So, you turned her? Doesn't the human faction have anything to say about this? I thought it was part of your deal with them. They do not expose the vampires as long as you leave them alone and don't even think about turning them." "Yeah, but this was more Cami's choice. She insisted, and when the humans found out that I was going to make her my Queen, well…how could they not accept? Now, let's move on to some lighter subjects which are our daughters." "I have arranged with Victor Kenner that my girl would marry his son, and we can align our packs and end the feud." Marcel stifled a groan but he said, "You know how much Victor hates vampires." "We are not against you, Marcel and you know that. Victor will someday understand that the witches are the ones causing the problems. What more information do you have?" "Celeste was appointed the newest Elder of their faction…and she is desperate to create an alliance with the werewolves…against us." "An alliance with us?" Rowan asked, surprised. "I am surprised she hasn't talked to you already. She holds a huge grudge against me." "What exactly are you saying, Marcel?" "I am saying that the witches are so out of control that they want to disturb the peace that I have worked very hard to build in this city."
"And you think that I am going to help them take over?" Marcel pressed his hands together and leaned back in his armchair. "You really don't trust me, do you?" "Look, Rowan, you're a good leader, just like I am, and we have a lot in common…you and I. We look after our people. I look after my guys and you look after yours. If your pack gets a good offer by these crazy ass witches…I am sure that you would take it and side with them against me. I just need to know what you're planning and to understand…maybe you're not happy with the way I run this city. Maybe your own guys are pressuring you to bring them all back into the city. They still think that I am the one who outcast you all, huh?" Rowan sighed and admitted, "I was too afraid to admit that it was my idea." "Yeah, I get it, but I don't mind." "So, tell me more about Celeste. What's her angle exactly?" "To get you on her side, what do you think?" "I don't think it's right for you to judge me like that." "I am not judging you." "You are suggesting that I will take her up on her offer to take you down. Well, I can promise you right now that it is not going to happen." "And what are you going to do if your own pack out rules you?" Rowan frowned. "What do you mean?" "Celeste is smart. She can be very persuasive and she is not going to seek an agreement just with you. Also with your wife, your closest friends…you would be outnumbered."
"You think that my own pack can talk me into agreeing to something I don't want to do?" When Marcel nodded, Rowan simply started laughing. "Yes, well, this is one thing you have yet to learn on how different werewolves and vampires are. Werewolves respect the decisions made by their alphas, but if your guys have something against your methods of running things, they create what is called a mutiny. You see, you rule in such way as to please your faction, I rule in a way as to benefit my faction, whatever their displeasures may be. That's the difference between you and me Marcel. And I am not comparing us in a way as to make you believe that I may be a better leader than you are. That is not true. You have many qualities that I don't have. What I am trying to say is that just because Celeste may have the power to manipulate your guys, it doesn't mean that they can manipulate mine. That is not how it goes. It is my call." "I hope you're right, because if Celeste does get to you and your pack, you will destroy the peace and you will start another revolutionary war as there was 100 years ago." "What happened 100 years ago?" Rowan asked, seeming interested more and more about Marcel's history.
At that moment, Cami came back inside and took a seat next to Marcel, saying, "I am kind of bored so I thought that maybe I could listen to some of your history, since you don't tell me almost anything." Marcel laughed and placed a kiss on her lips, before turning to Rowan. "You remember the old vampire I told you about who adopted me when I was a kid? His name is Klaus Mikaelson, the Original Hybrid." Rowan gasped slightly at hearing this name. The one time he had heard it was from an elder in their pack, who talked about the hunger and power Klaus Mikaelson craved. He was obsessed with creating more people like him, because he hated to be the only one. And he damaged the lives of thousands of werewolves, some of them succeeding to turn into hybrids while some died in the process. Rowan did hope that he would never get the chance to see this Original Hybrid in New Orleans anytime soon or better yet…never. "He raised you? The monster everyone talks about?" Marcel chuckled and shook his head. "You may be surprised but he was a pretty decent guy back in the days. He was just insecure. But the anger and rage he held inside of him was all due to his father, Mikael who was trying to hunt him and his siblings down." "For what reason?" "Klaus killed their mother, and Mikael was not even his true father. His mother had an affair with a werewolf alpha of the North East Atlantic pack and produced him."
"And for that reason, I suppose he wanted to get revenge on the poor guy." Cami suspected and Marcel nodded. "Yeah, he had some pretty rough centuries ahead of him. So many of them spent, by running away from country to country, switching identities, simply so that his father would not find him. He was held in fear. And fear made him that monster everyone thinks he is. Anyway…100 years ago, Klaus and his family were the ones ruling New Orleans, not me. I was still part of their family of course. Until Mikael finally showed up. And his set this town on fire, tortured me…until Klaus and his siblings fled the city, leaving it just the way it was. I stayed, and I rebuilt it. And now, here I am." "You said they cared for you like family…so why did they leave you behind?" "They must have thought Mikael killed me. They only found out that I am alive and well since recently." "How did that happen?" Marcel smiled, laughed and brought a beer to his lips. "That is a story for another time. Now, tell me what you think we should do about Celeste…and your daughters." "What do my daughters have to do with this?" "You remember the Cold War, don't you? The battle between America and Russia? Well, a similar battle is brewing at this moment in this city…and your daughters could become targets."
"Whose targets?" Rowan asked, clenching his fists. Whatever the cause may be, he was not about to let anything happen to his daughters. "I told you. Celeste is on the war path and if she can't get you on her side, then she is going to make you pay." Cami pitched it. "Then why don't you do something to help him?" "Because we don't exactly have the necessary means to. At least, not right now." "So, what, do I need to pledge my loyalty to you or something?" "I know where your loyalties lay, Rowan. They will always lay with your pack. I just thought it would be amicable of me to warn you that you are getting yourself in some deep problems that I don't know what I can do to get you out." Rowan smiled and nodded. "Well, I appreciate your concern but I do have a lot of allies. If I ever need more help, I will let you know. Thanks for your time." The two shook hands and Cami whispered, "You should really look after your daughters. You can never be too sure with someone like Celeste. She is a devil worshipper." "My pack and I have it covered."
…
Deep into the Lafayette Cemetery, the Elder of the Witch Faction, Celeste Dubois, couldn't help but smirk at what she had discovered. "Sabrina, come here, would you?" she exclaimed and another witch entered her own personal space. "Do you need anything?" "I have just received some interesting information that Rowan Labonair is plotting with Marcel Gerard against us." The other witch looked surprised. "The werewolf alpha and the vampire leader? That can't happen! The werewolves and the vampires have been enemies for years! They don't have it in them to work together!" "And they don't know what a big mistake they have made by agreeing to work together!" Celeste turned to the images she was receiving through her mirror and whispered, "They are planning on ruining us due to some suspicions Marcel put in Rowan's head." "What suspicions?" "Marcel thinks that we are out of control and we produce negative energy for the peace of this city. What they fail to realize is that by taking sides, Rowan Labonair is proving to be the one in favor of taking away the town's peace…and he will pay." "How do you plan on doing that?"
Celeste looked outside and whispered, "Today is a very beautiful day, don't you think?" "I think so." "It is about to darken up very soon. I was thinking of paying a visit to the Labonair swamp dogs. As I heard, their traitorous alpha was blessed with two beautiful daughters the other day." "Too bad that he doesn't deserve such a blessing." Celeste smiled at Sabrina's anger and shook her head. "We shouldn't jump to such conclusions, my dear. It is not in our nature. We have not exactly heard the final decision of Rowan Labonair and there is still his wife to consider. I am going to offer him and his family one last chance. If they agree to follow my lead, we shall end this day beautifully and by tomorrow night, Marcel Gerard and his vampires would have disappeared from this city, as our ancestors have ordered. If things don't go according to the plan, I am afraid that they will go the opposite I wish for them to go. Rowan Labonair will wish that he would have never said no to me." Small footsteps could be heard from outside and the two witches spun around to find a young five year old girl standing there, with a pot in her hands.
Sabrina scoffed and asked, "Sophie, what are you doing there?" "Jane Anne broke my pot. Look, Mama." The little girl showed the disaster to her mother. Sabrina turned to Celeste and whispered, "I am very sorry for this, Celeste. I know you said that this is no place for children but…" "Not at all. I am glad that you brought your daughters here. They are spirited and the ancestors have blessed them with many gifts. Sophie and Jane Anne Deveraux have a great future in this clan. Who knows…maybe one of them would have my blessing to become Elder one day." "Oh, I sure hope they will serve the ancestors as strongly as I have. Sometimes, they seem so careless." "That is just how children are. Sometimes you must demand discipline from them. And when they grow older, they will understand what is truly important in our lives and what is not." "What is important?" "The clan and the power the ancestors give us, because without them, we are nobodies on this Earth. Now, it is time for me to leave." "Where?" Sabrina asked, dumbfound. "Why, I have not offered the little werewolf princesses any gifts. It is only right for all the factions to offer tribute to the royal family. I shall offer it to them of course…grace, beauty, strength…anything those girls could want…if their father will not let me down." She left her cave and mumbled in Latin, her teleportation to the bayou at once.
Once she reached the place where she needed to be, a smile opened up on her face when she heard the laughter of children playing with a ball. With a flick of her wrist, the ball had stopped in midair and the children were looking at her in confusion. "Where do you suppose that I may find Rowan and Ayleth Labonair?" she asked and a woman appeared in view. She was blonde and an elder. "What do you want with them?" she demanded. "And who mind you be?" "A friend of their family, the one looking after the two princesses while our Queen is still in bed." Celeste pretended to look worried. "Oh, the darling! I am so sorry. What happened?" "It was a difficult childbirth for her. No one expected her to have twins." "Of course not. And for both of them to be girls…something like this has never happened in the history of Labonair royalty." "It is your turn to tell me who you are!" "Why, my name is Celeste Dubois, Elder of the Witch Community of New Orleans. You must have heard of me." "Yes, we have heard of you. You don't necessary seem pleasant. Why are you here and what do you want with the royal family?" "I need to have a little chat with Rowan…but I also came to congratulate the mother and offer tribute to the two princesses…Hayley and Andrea, is that correct?" "Yes. I don't think that…" Celeste held up her hand and Eve stopped talking. "I am going to see the royal family and there is nothing more you can say that is going to change my mind."
The hut where Ayleth was laying on the bed was quickly disturbed by the entrance of this woman, with Eve behind her. Ayleth frowned and whispered, "Who are you? What are you doing here?" She looked questioningly at Eve, who shrugged. "I tried to stop her but she insisted to come here." "My name is Celeste Dubois and I am the Elder of the witch community. I heard about your difficult childbirth and I came here, to offer tribute to your daughter but…I also want to heal you." Ayleth remained silent as Celeste stepped over and pressed her hand to the Werewolf Queen's forehead, chanting softly. In a matter of seconds, the color in Ayleth's cheeks reappeared and the young werewolf could finally get off the bed. "Thank you so much!" she exclaimed with happiness and Celeste smiled back. It was my pleasure, my dear!" Eve crossed her hands over her chest as she went over to stand by the crib. "And now I suppose you want something in return." "I told you that I only wish to speak to Rowan. I have nothing against you. I simply want an alliance, against the vampires…most importantly, Marcel Gerard, the vampire who thinks that he can rule the city the way he wants to…and neglect you…and neglect me." Ayleth was about to say something when a voice stopped her.
"Marcel Gerard rules the city just fine!" Rowan was at the door and he declared with pride. The three women looked surprised to see him. "Rowan Labonair! Just the man I wanted to see!" "I know all about your schemes, Celeste and if you think that you can manipulate me to get the werewolves on the witches' side, I can tell you right now that you are delusional." "My love…she healed me. I wanted to thank her…" Ayleth started saying but Rowan cut her off and went to his wife, wrapping his arms around her. "She did it with purpose. Ayleth, you must not buy into her lies." "Rowan…I don't think it is much to ask for an alliance. The vampires have left us here in the bayou and…" "No! It was my decision!" "What? How could you do that?" "That is not something to be discussed at the moment." Celeste covered her mouth with her hand and asked, "Is this your final answer, Rowan?" The leader frowned and placed himself in front of his wife. "Yes! Now, get out of my sight!" Celeste started laughing at once, clapping her hands together. "Of course! But you forget that I also came here to offer tribute to your daughters." "No. You can leave now!" Eve snapped, making Celeste's eyes darken. "I believe not!" she exclaimed and held out her hand towards Eve, as the werewolf felt like she was chocking.
"Oh no!" Ayleth exclaimed in shock as Eve was thrown against the wall, and Celeste was now behind the crib. Placing her hand on one of the baby's foreheads, and blue smoke started coming out of her mouth, and Celeste sent this smoke into the mouth of the other baby. "GET AWAY FROM THEM!" Rowan yelled out but he was thrown against the wall by Celeste too. Her eyes became green, as she picked up the body of one of the babies, which looked now lifeless. "NOOO!" Ayleth started crying, feeling paralyzed to move anymore from the spot. She believed the witch had killed one of her daughters. Celeste smiled down devilishly at her and shook her head. Her voice sounded like an echo now, throughout the hut. "If you think that you have lost your daughter, you couldn't be more wrong! For Rowan's betrayal to the Witch Community, he must pay the price. Our souls are too pure too take away the life of an innocent child but the curse placed upon them can bring dire consequences indeed! Two souls, in one body, sharing the same organs, but different minds. One day for one soul, and the next day, the other will take its place! The princesses will share lives, but also influence each other's! One day, one soul, and when the clock strikes 6 AM, the souls will switch! Half a life will be waste for one and for the other! The price two souls will pay for the sins of their father's!" The werewolves all gathered inside the hut, sensing the danger.
At that moment, the witch took her leave, taking the lifeless body with her. "NOOO!" Ayleth cried out in pain as she went over to the remaining baby. Was it true? Were both of her little girls trapped in a single body? Rowan's eyes filled with tears as he stepped over to the crib, to look down at the body of one child who was now crying. "This is Hayley." Ayleth whispered, knowing in just one day, the one difference between the twins. One represented fire, restlessness and passion, while the other represented calmness, sweetness and was less lively. "We will get them both back. Both of them together! That witch will die by m hands. The curse will be reversed. I promise you…this will happen. Hayley and Andrea will be okay. They will be okay."
A/N: What did you think of this first chapter? Did you understand the curse on the Labonair daughters explained by Celeste? What do you think will happen next? What about the arranged marriage between Labonair and Kenner? How will that work out?
Thank you for reading and please leave me reviews!
