Warning : Dark themes, obsessive love. If you're not comfortable don't read.
Beta credits to Discreet Kitty for such an amazing and extensive work. Thank you so much for your hard work and your input.
Chapter 1: The Girl of His Dreams
Elena stopped the car in front of her brother's house. She checked her lip gloss in the mirror before jumping out of her car. Smiling at the gate-man, she rushed to the hall. She was late again, as usual. Her father, Mikael, glared at her as she entered. Elena noticed all her other siblings were there. Her eyes scanned for her mother but she couldn't find her. She must be in one of her meetings again after dropping her off to at Mayor's house for the competition.
"Gentlemen!" her father barked. "This is my youngest daughter, Elena, and she will now tell us why she is late…again."
Elena looked at the people sitting on the opposite side of the table.
Great, she thought. Another vampire family.
"Hi…I…um…I was busy with preparation for Miss Mystic Falls competition. I…I was with mum," She uttered looking down nervously.
It wasn't like she was afraid. She was after all a vampire. She belonged to one of the most powerful vampire family in the world. "The Originals." Her father, Mikael, was over a 1000-year-old. He was one of the most feared vampires on this planet. Her mother Isobel was Mikael's second wife and about 30-year-old turned vampire. Mikael's first wife died in a feud with the vampire family on the other side of the border.
She was the youngest sister of three most deadly vampire of the world. Klaus, Kol and Rebekah. They might be her half-siblings but they were still very close.
She felt Rebekah hold her hand from under the table providing her support. "These are the Smiths," her elder brother Klaus introduced. She looked up.
"Hi!" she smiled kindly to vampires sitting opposite to them. She sat there as their families discussed alliance treaty with Smith family. She looked up to see the handsome raven-haired vampire eyeing her with interest.
"We will support you against the "Rippers" if it comes down to fight. Not that I think they would dare," Elijah Smith, the vampire that had been eyeing her replied when her father addressed him.
"I know they won't. Even with the advantage of growing oak trees, they are still young. All of them together can't beat me if it comes down to a fight," Mikael said professionally. "I am older and stronger and they didn't exactly violate the treaty but Klaus wanted us to be prepared, just in case."
"Kol got one of them cornered the other day. We found out that they have the Bennett witches for an advantage now as if the werewolves weren't enough." Klaus added. "That part is concerning. Even if they aren't planning to attack anytime soon I think we need to be prepared."
Elijah Smith and Finn Smith nodded. A loud bang diverted their attention. Their eyes darted to the source of the noise and found Caroline Forbes trying to hold the china set from falling down the shelf. Her hand accidentally hit the plates and the shelf fell along with the china set she was holding. A series of crashes followed. And just before the broken shards could hurt her Klaus zoomed to her side using vampire speed and saved her from getting hurt not that it would have been permanent. Caroline was a vampire and would have healed immediately. But Klaus was her mate. Male vampires were awfully protective of their mates.
"and she proves again that she is the world's clumsiest vampire." Kol chuckled.
"Hey!" Caroline chimed. Hey! I was trying to save your favorite china set."
"Are you okay?" Elena zoomed to her best friend's side.
"Of course," Mikael said turning around. "She is okay. She is a vampire."
Apart from being beautiful Mikael could not find as to why Klaus would ever fall for a girl like Caroline. She was awfully talkative. She was very clumsy even after becoming a vampire and she did nothing but create more troubles. And today again she embarrassed them in front of the Smiths.
"Love!" Klaus said as his hand snaked around her waist. " I told you to stay inside the room."
"Klaus," Caroline huffed. "I am your wife, not your slave. I am the independent woman who would do whatever she wants. I refuse to be ordered around."
If there was something she hated, it was being ordered around. Ironically, she married a man who loved to order people around. "And I told you to clean the mugs once you're done drinking. I hate the blood stains on my new mugs. That's it. You're not using new mugs again. It took me ten minutes to scrub them clean…Oh! We have guests…" she trailed off eyeing Elijah and Finn who looked beyond amused by her chatter.
"Hi! I am Caroline Forbes-Mikelson ."
"She is my mate," Klaus added.
"Didn't I tell you not to call me that,"Caroline rambled. "Mate. She is my mate. How wrong does that sound? I am your wife, Klaus. Wife. Use human terms. I get it we did some freaky vampire wedding kinda thing and now I belong to you but I am still independent and I would prefer if you call me wife instead of mate."
Klaus looked down in embarrassment. Yes, he was the vampire the world used to whimper in fear from and here he was getting bullied by his newly turned vampire wife.
"Elena!" Klaus said through his teeth. "Honey! Can you keep my darling wife company? I have some really important things to discuss with Mr. Smith here."
"Great!" Caroline rambled as she turned around with Elena following her. "Ignore me. I don't know why I even love you."
Rebekah was glad Klaus didn't pick her to accompany Caroline. Especially if she was in this mood. Rebekah never got along with the blonde vampire too well. Elena did. But that was because they had been friends throughout college. And due to Elena's ability to get along with almost anyone. Klaus went to visit his sister once when Elena was in college and fell head over heels for the blonde woman who use to be only Elena's best friend back then and now was his mate and a part of their family. Caroline knew about them. She willingly turned for Klaus and then Klaus made her his mate. Even though they were bonded for the rest of eternity by vampire law, Caroline still wanted a human wedding. They had a court marriage but now she wanted a "real wedding." Klaus being a love-struck fool accepted her demand.
She wanted to call all her relatives as well who were still very much "humans". So in order to save them from becoming lunchtime snacks of "Rippers" their rival family from across the border, they needed help. That was the agenda of the meeting that was being held today. For "Originals," family meant everything. They would willingly die and kill for each other.
"I don't get what the big deal is honey," Caroline babbled and Klaus had to press his lips to restrain himself from smiling. "I mean okay. Rippers are dangerous but can't we just you know go over to the border and have a civil talk with them and request them not to meal on my family. We could even invite them to the wedding. That would be so cool. The century-old feud could be dissolved by our friendly gesture."
She was so beautifully innocent.
"It's not that simple Care," Elena said as she bent over the railing of the roof. "They are our enemies.
"I know…I know…century old feud..." Caroline sighed.
Elena nodded.
Caroline lent back as she remembered when Elena explained their history to her.
Mystic Falls was divided into two territories. One part belonged to "The Originals" while the other part belonged to "The Rippers". They never crossed borders. The punishment to stepping on the other's territory was immediate death. The feud over blood turned more aggressive when Klaus's mother died in one of their fights about hundred and eight years ago. It started a huge war resulting in the killing of a lot of vampires on both sides. While Originals were older hence making them stronger then Rippers. The Rippers had witches and werewolves on their side making them even in power to Originals. Seeing as the war was leading nowhere, vampire families nearby towns forced the two rival families to form a treaty. Both of the families must stay on their side of the town. Both families must feed on their allotted sides. And under no circumstances were males of the families allowed to perform vampire mating bond with the females of the rival family.
Both the families followed these rules religiously. Female Vampires weren't even allowed to go close to the border lines. Not that any of them complained.
Rebekah was already happily mated to Marcel, one of Klaus's friend. Rebekah's mate Marcel also provided them the alliance of his own family. Elena and Kol were the only single members of the Mikelson family now that Klaus also found the love of his life.
For Klaus Mikelson , family and honor meant everything. He was second in command after their father. The Originals clan were to follow all his orders. No one could ever dare to defy him. The only thing Klaus loved more than power was his family which he was very protective of. His most prized possession was his youngest sister. "Elena Mikelson" also known as Honey in their clan. Elena had a secret ability. An ability that was very rare in vampires. No one knew about it except her family.
Caroline couldn't help but think about all the single vampires in their clan to pair up Elena with. Her inner matchmaker couldn't help but notice Elijah's interest in Elena.
"Did you ever go to see their side though?" Caroline snapped Elena out of her thoughts.
"Are you kidding me? Klaus would stake me if that ever happens."
"You got that one right, Sis," Klaus said as he came behind Caroline wrapping his arms around her.
"Care Love!" Klaus asked strictly. "Listen to me. Now I know that you have gold of a heart and you don't appreciate fighting and rivalry but this is a serious matter. Under no circumstances are you to go even close to the boundary line. Treaty clearly states that if our vampires so much as even steps in their territory they are allowed to go for a straight kill. Not to mention that you're newly turned. You are no match for their strength so don't ever go toward the boundary. Understand?"
Caroline nodded. She was new to their world. Of course, she needed guidance. "God! I love you so much" he said as he bent down to kiss her.
"Eww…this is so not what I wanna see." Elena groaned in disapproval.
"You can leave anytime you want," Klaus growled.
Elena huffed and left the happy couple alone. She smiled as she walked down the stairs. She was glad her brother found his soulmate after such a long wait. Not that she had been around a long time. She was also a fresh vampire. A slightly different vampire. As she jumped down the last step she bumped into someone. Her eyes darted upon the person.
"I am so sorry Mr. Smith," Elena apologized.
"It's okay," he introduced himself. "Please call me Elijah."
"Elena, but my friends can call me Honey" she replied offering him her hand.
"Honey," Elijah smiled.
"That's my nickname," Elena rushed making Elijah laugh at her nervousness. "I am not flirting. That name was given to her by Klaus."
"You're really beautiful," Elijah complimented. "and I am flirting," he added making Elena blush.
"Would you like to go out sometime?" he asked.
"Wow that was fast," Elena thought.
"I ... sure," Elena replied.
He was handsome, decent and powerful. She knew her family wouldn't have a problem with her going out with him. She had to double check with her brother though. Nothing in her family happened without Klaus's approval.
"Tomorrow at ten?" he asked beaming now.
Elena nodded, smiling.
"Would you keep me company until my brother finalizes treaty points with Mr. Mikelson ?" Elijah rushed. He didn't want her to leave just yet.
"Sure."
"So you're running for Miss Mystic Falls this year?" Elijah asked as they walked toward the porch.
"Yeah," Elena continued. "I am not into beauty pageants much but it's more of the family legacy that I am forced to carry on. See! My mum won one. My sister Rebekah won and now it's my turn."
"I am sure you will win," Elijah replied.
Elena sighed.
"Klaus told me you use to study in Whitmore," Elijah started another topic.
"Yeah," Elena replied. "I finished my program now I am planning to go to a grad school after Care's wedding. Although I am not sure Nick will allow that."
"You don't like Mystic Fall much?" Elijah said judging by her attitude.
"Of course not!" Elena explained with a twinkle in her eye. "I like Mystic Falls. But there are so many problems here besides I don't want to spend the rest of my eternal life here in this small town. I wanna travel the world. I wanna meet new people. Experience new culture."
Elijah smiled as she talked explaining her ambitions.
"You'll get to do that after you find your mate," Elijah said. "Someday. That's the beauty of eternity. We have forever."
Elena smiled and said, "Someday. For now, I have duties to my family."They won't even let me out of the town without a bunch of vamps to guard me."
"They are just looking out for you," Elijah said defending his friend's Klaus's intentions. He knew exactly why Klaus wouldn't let her out of his sight. "You know how dangerous "Rippers" are? They would be looking for any chance to harm your brother and family. Besides, you're a young vampire. You aren't much strong yet. You would need older vampires to guard you."
"Yeah but sometimes my family gets on my nerves" Elena replied.
"You know, Honey…Elena," Elijah suggested seeing her sad. "I can ask for Klaus's permission and take you out of the city. I am quite old so I don't think we would need guard vampires to keep you safe."
Elena smiled and said, "I would like that."
"Well then," before Elijah could finish his sentence Isobel rushed through the front door.
"Oh, there you are, Honey," Isobel said as she walked toward Elena.
Her calculating eyes scanned Elijah before she smiled.
"Mum, this is Mr. Elijah Smith," Elena introduced. "They came over here for…for you know…Care's wedding and Elijah this is my mother Isobel Mikelson ."
"So nice to meet you, Mr. Smith," Her mother smiled enthusiastically. "I have heard so much about you from Klaus."
Elena rolled her eyes since she knew what was going through her mother's mind right now. Ever since Klaus got hitched her mother had been trying to set her up with someone.
"Likewise Mrs. Mikelson " Elijah replied.
"Ummm I have cake testing to go to," Elena said as she rushed outside. "Please excuse me."
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He woke up abruptly as soon as the dream ended. Sliding the hand of the woman sleeping beside him off his shoulder he zoomed to his closet and pulled out a sketchpad and pencil. Today, he saw her lips. Her delicious kissable lips. These dreams were becoming more discontinuous now which worried him because he loved to see her. But he never got to see her full face. It was either the lips or her beautiful brown hair or sometimes if he was lucky enough he would see her eyes.
Her brown doe eyes.
He loved her eyes. He had an obsession with her eyes. They were so full of innocence. They had the most different shade of brown. Like one of the rays of warm sun spread throughout the sky during sunrise. Her eyes reflected pure love, care, sincerity and a glint of mischief. Too bad they didn't exist in reality. Mesmerizing eyes like that can't possibly exist.
He sketched the lips he just saw in his dream.
"Who is she?" a shrill voice pierced his ears. Ugh! She is awake again. He really didn't like when they talked. But he wasn't in a bad mood today. He had seen "her" after a whole week.
"I don't know."
He took out another page of his notebook staring at the eyes he drew a month ago. He had sketched it to perfection yet he felt like he couldn't do them justice.
"Damon?" she tried to get his attention.
"Andie! Go back to bed" he ordered. "On second thought. We are done for the night. I have enough blood in my system and I am fully satisfied otherwise as well. You should just leave."
"but it's the middle of the night"
"I said to leave"
She huffed, annoyed before muttering something under breath and picking up her clothes before leaving.
He went through his notepad again. This was getting ridiculous. He had been seeing her since last two years. He had even told Bonnie, his best friend's mate and who was a witch about "her". Even Bonnie couldn't figure out who she was. These dreams started disappearing six months ago and he started panicking. He had grown attached to her. So now whenever he saw her, he would sketch her. Stefan, his brother told him that she was just a fragment of his imagination but somehow he felt like he had some deep connection with "her". He kept the notepad on the side table as he jumped on his bed again.
He hoped he would dream about her again.
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Klaus stood there as Elena and Caroline came back after abusing his credit card to the fullest. Not that he minded. He was filthy rich since he had been practically living for about thousand years.
"And exactly where had you two been?" he asked crossing his arms.
"Shopping," Caroline answered.
"Don't worry Klaus. I was with her the whole time," Elena said.
"She is a newborn, Honey," Klaus scolded her. "She can attack humans out in open."
"Hey!" Caroline shouted. "I told her to take me to shop since you have been so busy taking care of that witches clan from like past week. Besides I am an independent woman. I can go out wherever I want. You might be my freaky vampire mate but you don't order me around" Caroline said as she dropped the bags on a rug.
She noticed a cross brow on the table. "Look, a toy crossbow" Caroline squeaked as she picked it up and playfully point at Klaus.
"Caroline…that's not…" Before Elena could warn her she pressed the automatic button and the metallic bow went straight and plunged into Klaus's stomach.
Klaus groaned. Caroline zoomed to his side.
"I AM SO SORRY," she said as she tried to pull it out.
"It's…It's…okay…" he said as he tried to swat her hands away so he could pull it out.
"No, let me," Caroline insisted but as she moved toward him, her foot got caught in the bag she just dropped moments ago.
Caroline tried to gain her footing but she slipped and pushed Klaus into the glass table behind him. Klaus groaned as he felt the shards of glasses pressed into his palm.
"I am so sorry, Love" Caroline tried to help again not before she accidentally knocked a lamp on his head.
"Stop before you kill him," Elena said when she saw Caroline try to help Klaus again after apologizing for dropping the lamp on him.
"It's…It's a good thing he is a vampire with instant healing," Kol interrupted them, laughing. Elena helped her brother up.
"I am so sorry," Caroline pressed every syllable to show just how sorry she was.
"It's…It's okay love," Klaus said as he groaned when Elena pulled out the arrow plunged inside him.
Caroline's eyes pooled with tears as she saw her mate in pain. She could feel his pain too. That's what vampire bonding did. You could feel your mate's pain too. You could feel their presence when they are around. You would know when they are in danger.
"It's okay love, " Klaus said as he showed his almost healed bruises. "See I am all okay now."
"I am such a terrible wife," Caroline said as she hugged him.
"Hey,hey," Klaus soothed her.
Elena watched as her brother comforted his mate. She smiled at the couple. In a matter of seconds, Klaus managed to make her smile again.
They sat on the dining table as Caroline served them dinner. They discussed the wedding plans as usual.
"I want the best wedding dress…like the one Bella wore in Breaking Dawn," she rambled. "It should be like when I enter everyone drops their jaws" she rambled.
"We can check out Macy's and Loe's," Elena suggested. "They have the best wedding dresses! Oh! We could check out Jasmine's."
"Elena!" Klaus warned.
"Oh," Elena apologized looking down. "I am so sorry. I totally forgot. They shifted to the Ripper's side."
Caroline looked at Klaus who was glaring at Elena. "Yes, they did," Klaus confirmed. "So you two better stay away from that area."
"I will."
Caroline hated it when Klaus used that tone with Elena. True, he loved his sisters to death. Kol and Klaus could die for their sisters if it came down to that but she hated it when they bullied Elena around. And she wouldn't be lying if she said that Elena and Rebekah would do everything their brothers asked them to do. She was completely devoted to her brothers. That's what drew Caroline to their family. They could die for each other.
"Caroline, Klaus clearly said that we aren't allowed to step a foot in their territory," Elena flat out refused when Caroline suggested they check out the wedding dresses in Jasmine Boutique that now was in the Ripper's territory.
"Honey, it's not like Klaus or the Rippers will ever find out we are vampires from Original's side. For all, they know we are some tourist innocent humans on a shopping trip."
"Caroline!" Elena exclaimed. "Crossing boundary means getting killed. That's a risk I will never take. Do you not listen to Klaus's horror stories of the vampires on another side of the boundary? Seriously what's the matter with you?"
"Okay," Caroline said as she sighed. "Fine. It's just... I want to look the prettiest bride of Mystic Falls."
"You will."
Elena hooked her arm with Elijah as they walked slowly toward her apartment. She moved out a year ago from her parent's house even after their strong protest against her decision. But she had Klaus on her side who believed she was old enough to make her own decisions. She was the after all the baby of the family and everyone treated her that way. Isobel had come like a ray of sunshine in Mikael's life after 70 years of being alone. Even though Klaus, Kol, and Rebekah despised her mother, they never hated Elena. Elena being born itself was a miracle. That's why she was heavily pampered by her siblings.
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"Freya really wants to see you," Elijah said as they reached her apartment. "It's been awhile I took interest in certain lady and she really wants to see who the beautiful young lady is that I have been talking so much about."
Elena smiled.
"Freya is your younger sister?" Elena asked.
"Yes."
"She is a newly turned vampire too?"
"Well…yeah," Elijah said and proudly added. "Only 237 years old."
Elena cracked.
"What's so funny?"
"How old are you again?" Elena asked between her giggles.
"Okay, I get it," Elijah said as he narrowed his eyes. "Making fun of my age. I am still 230 years younger than your brother."
Elena laughed. Elijah narrowed his eyes but then smiled.
"You know, Klaus is very protective of you," Elijah said.
"Isn't every elder brother?" she replied.
"However he allowed me to take you out to New York next Saturday that too without guards" Elijah completed and Elena nearly squeaked.
"He did!" she squealed in happiness as she hugged him. "Oh! Thank you…Thank you."
She felt his arms circle around her. She stiffened. She pulled back almost immediately. Female vampires weren't allowed to be so friendly with male vampires who weren't their mate or either related to them. Especially female vampires from her clan. It created problems.
"Umm…I will call you" Elijah said.
She nodded as she turned around.
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Caroline watched him from a distance as her mate briefed other vampires. Her mate was a warrior in the true sense. Always alert. Always confident. But that's not what drew her to him. It was his shy smile and his strong love for his family that had attracted her to him. Most girls would scream and run in the other direction if they knew what he really was. A vampire. And not just a vampire. An "Original" Vampire. He was not only one of the strongest vampires in the world but also one of the most dangerous.
But whenever he was around her, he was different. He was more relaxed. As his mate, she could sense his mood. She could even reach his thoughts sometimes if she concentrated hard enough. That only happened, once in awhile. Their bonding was still new and it would take time before it grew strong. Right now, he was concentrating on something really hard.
His phone chimed. Klaus picked up. With her new super hearing, she discovered the person on the other line was Elijah Smith.
"I dropped her home safely. Thank you for trusting me with this."
"You're the only one I think is good enough," Klaus said in a tense tone. "But make sure she doesn't find out. She might not appreciate this."
"You have my word she won't," Elijah said before he hung up.
Klaus stuffed his phone back in the pocket of his jeans.
"What was all that about?" Caroline asked.
"Nothing. Just some…stuff,"
"What stuff?" Caroline asked. Klaus pressed his lips. Caroline had a bad habit of interfering with things that didn't concern her.
"Elijah is interested in Elena." he replied, not that he could hide anything from her.
"And you're okay with that?" Caroline asked. "Last time you found out about a guy's interest in Honey you nearly killed him. If it weren't for Honey you would have ripped his head off."
"Don't remind me of that worthless piece of shit," Klaus said as he poured himself a drink from the blood bag. "He was no match for her. Elena needs someone with a strong background. Elijah is perfect for her. He belongs from a very old and noble vampire family. Think of our power if we get Smith family's alliance permanently,"
"Power," Caroline said. "Power. Power. Is that all you think about? Nick! You're not gonna force Elena into this."
"Of course not, Love," Klaus replied immediately. "She is my sister. I only want the best for her. Elijah is the best. But if she doesn't like him I won't force her to be with him."
He didn't like to upset her. She was newborn. She didn't know the trouble their family will be if anyone found out about Elena's ability. Elijah was about 800 years old. He was one of the strongest vampires Klaus had the opportunity to meet. He was perfect for his plan.
"I don't like the look on your face Klaus," Caroline broke his thoughts.
"What look?" he asked.
"I-have-a-hidden-agenda-look…I don't like that" Caroline said.
"I don't have any hidden agenda, Love," he said as he tied his hands behind her waist. "I only do what's best for my family."
"Anyway, did you find your dress?" he asked, clearly a way to distract her.
"I can't wait to see you dressed up in all white coming down the aisle to me," he added, as he kissed her jawline. "I can't wait to have you for the rest of my life."
She smiled, blushing and said, "Technically, you already have me. Vampire bonding and all…you made sure I can never escape."
"Yes, you're my prisoner…you're mine. Forever and ever,"
She laughed her magical laugh. He couldn't take his eyes off her face. She would never fail to dumbfound him with her beauty and her careless laugh. She was caring, beautiful and amazing. He picked her and threw her on his shoulder without so much as effort.
"Eee…where are you taking me?"
"Where you belong," he replied as he zoomed them inside their bedroom.
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Elena received a text from Elijah again. He was asking about her day. Elena smiled and replied to his texts. Her family, her brother specifically never allowed any male vampires to come close to her, not that anyone would dare somehow even Klaus encouraged her to see him. In fact, he suggested the idea of Elijah being her Miss Mystic Fall's final event escort.
If being Niklaus Mikelson's sister had perks. It had its drawbacks too. Male vampires in the clan kept their eyes down whenever they were in a house in her presence. One wrong look could set off Klaus. And the vampires that tried were nearly killed if she didn't stop her brother on time.
She was treated like a princess and only someone very strong and Klaus approved could become her mate. And it seemed like Elijah covered all requirements to become her mate. Not that she was thinking about it. Something was still missing. Sure, he was the decent guy and they had a spark. But something still seemed off.
"Honey!" Caroline snapped her out of her thoughts.
"How do I look in this one?" she asked, twirling in another wedding dress.
Elena shook her head.
"I don't like it but let's ask Becky," she said as she snapped Caroline's picture and send it to Rebekah.
"She looks so fat in it-Becky" Rebekah replied instantly.
"Why does he even like her?" Rebekah sent another text.
"She is hot and sassy and he is snarky and scheming," Elena replied to Rebekah. "Match made in heaven-Elena."
"That blonde bimbo bitch," Caroline snarled as she saw Rebekah's text on her phone.
"I will show her." Caroline muttered as she made a grab for Elena's phone.
"Don't even think about it. Remember the last time you tried to tackle her" Elena reminded.
Caroline's nose flared in anger at the memory.
"She had you hung up from the terrace railing before you could shout Klaus." Elena added.
"Well! I will shout faster this time" Caroline said. "Did you like the dress?" the salesgirl asked.
"No," Caroline replied with a sigh.
"Oh! Come on! Don't give up. We will find the perfect dress soon" Elena comforted her. Elena's phone chimed again. Elena smiled as she read another text from Elijah. He texted her how he couldn't wait to see her again.
"Ohhh!" Caroline said as she peeked in to see her phone. "Nic was right. He does really like you."
Elena blushed furiously. "Nick knows about this?"
"Nick knows everything that goes on here, Honey," Caroline said as she rolled her eyes. "But he is very happy about this,"
"Oh No," Elena said alarmed. "No. No. I mean yeah Elijah is an amazing guy and I am glad Nick approves but there is nothing like that between us. For now, I am taking it slow. Please don't expect any sudden declaration of undying love from me."
Caroline rolled her eyes. "Elena! If Elijah falls in love with you. You do know that there is no escape right? You know how these male vampires get all crazy to get their object of affection and make her their mate. They can kill for their mate."
"I have three "Original" vampire siblings who will erase his memories if he ever went all vamp love on me. I am not afraid." Elena shrugged. "Besides it's not easy for a vampire to fall in love. Look at Nick. He fell in love after almost thousand years of his life."
That was one of the reasons male vampires weren't allowed near her much. Vampires don't fall in love. But when they do there is no going back. They don't rest until they get their object of affection. A year back, a vampire from their clan had claimed to be in love with Elena. She didn't return his feelings and he went all crazy until her brother found out. Kol and Klaus were out for blood but Elena stopped them from killing him. She didn't want someone to be punished for being in love. So, she made her brother remove his memories and had him banished from Mystic Falls.
"Oh yeah! I remember you have a cheat code," Caroline rolled her eyes.
"Being Klaus Mikelson sister has its perks," she replied smirking.
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Damon smirked as he entered the grill. The strong scent of blood nearly blinded him. He walked over to the attractive redhead girl sitting on the bar stool.
"Excuse me!" he complimented and the girl blushed. "I don't mean to sound like a creep but God! You're so beautiful."
In a few minutes and after a few drinks, she was begging him to take her to his house. He feasted on her blood. Her blood dripped from his fangs to his neck as he exhaled. After his thirst quenched he compelled her to leave. He could hear the moaning coming from his brother's room.
"I told that fuckhead not to bring his sluts in my house." he seethed.
He was in a pretty bad mood. He didn't see "her" again in his dreams. It's been a week now. He was desperate for just one look. He stormed into his room and pulled out his sketch pad from his closet.
This was unhealthy. She didn't even exist but he wanted to see her. He had never seen her full face. He heard his best friend enter the main door of the house. He could hear things miles away. He was no ordinary person. He was a vampire. He belonged to the Ripper clan ruled by none other than him. He was ruthless and dangerous. Vampires around the globe were afraid of his power. He might be young then a lot of vampires but he had one of the most powerful clan. He had werewolves, witches, and hunters. He was their uncrowned king.
"I just heard that "The Originals" made a treaty with Smiths," Enzo informed. "Something is up, Damon. I can smell it."
He stuffed the sketchbook back in his closet. "They won't dare attack," he shrugged Enzo off. "Especially now that they know "Bennett Witches" are with us."
"I'm not risking my mate if it comes down to war" Enzo replied.
Damon almost growled. He loved being a vampire but if something annoyed him the most it was protective instincts of male vampires regarding their mates. "Enzo! I am perfectly fine with fighting for our clan if it comes down to that" Bonnie said as she came behind her mate. She touched Enzo's arm and he instantly relaxed at her touch.
Sometimes, Damon envied them. In his 175 years of vampire life, he never felt that for someone like they felt for each other. "What's that?" Bonnie said as she moved toward him. "What?"
She took out the sketch pad that he didn't hide well enough. "No sketch after last week. So that's why you have been so snappy lately" Bonnie mused.
"Yeah! Yeah! No dreams." He snapped as he almost snatched his sketchpad from her. "You two kept telling me it's unhealthy and now I don't see her anymore" he added as if it was their fault he couldn't see the unnamed beauty in his dreams anymore.
"You know I have a theory," she trailed off when he hissed. "Maybe, you're seeing visions of your mate."
"Shush…hush. I am gonna stop you right there. She is not my mate. I don't believe in that "mate concept "or whatever. This girl is just a figment of my imagination. A beautiful figment of my imagination but it's still imagination. Vampires don't love"
"I fell in love," Enzo corrected.
"Because," he begun. "You're stupid and now, No more time wasting. Tonight is your turn to guard the borders. Scram!"
Once, they were both out of his room, he dropped on his bed. The sketchpad fell but he caught it before it touched the ground. He flipped open the pad and took out his favorite sketch of her eyes. He lay back and stared at the sketch he made of her angelic eyes weeks ago. A sad smile crept on his face. Innocent eyes like that couldn't be real. Not in the world, he lived in. Even if it did, he wasn't worthy enough to see her. Yet, he wished he could get a glimpse of her tonight in his dreams.
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..
Elena filled the cup with the blood from the blood bag. Out of all her family, she couldn't drink from the vein. The one reason she was her family's favorite child was that she never killed. They were vampires. The killing was in their nature. But in her lifetime, she hasn't killed a single person. She was innocent. As soon as she finished her cup, she disposed the plastic cup and placed the blood bag back in the fridge.
"Honey!" Her mother called her from across the house. She zoomed where her mother was. Her father was sitting in an armchair reading a newspaper while her mother was standing near dress designers she must have compelled.
"This is my daughter," her mother explained. "Take her measurements. I want a royal blue sweetheart neckline lace beading dress with a flowing skirt for the final event of Miss Mystic Falls Competition. It should be breathtaking. It should be perfect."
"Yes Ma'am" the compelled dress designer nodded signaling her assistant to write down instruction.
"Becky has few good ideas as well," Isobel added. "You should visit her before the final event to take some pointers from her."
Elena's phone chimed interrupting her mother's instruction.
"It's Care. I gotta take this" she said as she zoomed out of the house.
Isobel wasn't very fond of Caroline. But she was Klaus's mate so Isobel had to respect that.
"Hey Care!" she said as she picked up.
"Honey," Caroline said in a hushed tone. "Are you alone?"
"Yeah!" she said as she put a strand of hair behind her ear.
"What's up?"
"Honey…You…you gotta save me"
"Care! What's wrong?" Elena said, alarmed.
"I-I'm at the Ripper's side" Caroline uttered.
Elena let out a laugh. "Good one, Care," she said in between giggles.
"I'm not kidding, Honey," Caroline rambled. "I took the Richmond route. I found the perfect dress…it's really beautiful with a mermaid tail and…anyway my car isn't working. I can't take a cab because I am scared they will recognize me. Please, Hon, you have to help me. Nick will kill me if he finds out."
"Care! Elena pleaded. "Please tell me you're playing a trick on me. Tell me! This is just a joke."
"I am really sorry," Caroline begged. "I should have listened to Nick. I am stuck, Hon. Please! Please! Help me."
"You…Oh! God! I gotta inform Nick. Care! We will be there. Stay wherever you are"
"No…You can't. Nick will have to launch an attack. People will get hurt because of me. I can't have that. There had to be another way."
"Can't you just come and pick me up?" Caroline rambled, scared.
"The boundaries are heavily guarded," Elena said. "Female vampires aren't even allowed to go close to the boundaries."
"Please," she begged. "Elena, Just save me this one time. I promise I will always follow the rules. I will always listen to Nick. Please! Please!"
"Which route did you use?"
"The highway one," Caroline answered.
"I am on my way" Elena muttered as she raced to her car.
She quickly took out her phone and texted to Rebekah.
"Something really important came up. Cover up for me please if Nick calls-Elena."
She heard her phone chime instantly. She jumped in her Hyundai Tucson that her brother gifted her on her third vampire transition birthday. She connected her phone to the Bluetooth of the car stereo as she raced toward the route Caroline took to enter "The Ripper" side of Mystic Falls.
"Where are you going?" She heard Rebekah as soon as she accepted the incoming call.
"Richmond with Caroline to meet some old friends from college to invite them to Nick's wedding." she lied through her teeth.
"Nick allowed you to go to Richmond, alone?" Rebekah asked, shocked.
"Becky!" Elena answered clearly annoyed. "Why would I ask you to cover for me if he allowed us to go?"
She didn't snap back at her older sister usually. She respected her immensely. But right now her mind was somewhere else. She was worried about her best friend. Besides, taking care of Caroline was her duty. Klaus would have her skinned if something ever happens to Caroline.
"Turn back your car now. I am not covering up for you," Rebekah ordered immediately. "I am not gonna lie to Nick." They were all very loyal to her older brother.
"It's too late for that," she lied again. "I am already in Richmond."
"Elena!" Rebekah said, strictly. "What the hell is wrong with you? You know ever since Caroline came into our lives you have become rebellious. This is the last time I am covering up for you but your behavior really concerns me. We will be having the serious talk about your attitude once you return."
"Thank you, sis," Elena said as she took a sharp turn. "You're the best."
Only five more miles. In fifteen minutes she will be in enemy territory. Her mind was screaming at her to go back. This was wrong. Her family would skin her if they ever find out about this. She gulped, audibly as she raced to the barrier. This was it. She could still go back. She could call her brothers and let her family deal with the situation. She was young. Only five years in vampire age. She couldn't fight them. but then Caroline would get in trouble. Caroline's worried face swam before her eyes. She pressed the accelerator and raced inside to the enemy territory.
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..
Caroline roamed around the empty street trying to be discrete. She didn't want anyone to notice was dark now. Too dark. She concentrated on keeping herself calm. She must not feel threatened or Klaus would know. He could sense the emotions she was feeling. He was after all her mate. She kept on thinking about the wedding to keep herself calm and happy. Her eyes roamed the streets of Ripper's Mystic Falls. Yes, it was quite different from Klaus's side. Everyone in Klaus's side knew her. She was treated like royalty. Even the humans who weren't aware of her status as "Original" queen respected her immensely since Klaus basically owned Mystic Fall. She had been so used to the safety provided by her mate that she had been overconfident when she came here on Ripper's side. How can she be so stupid?
"Excuse me?"
Caroline span around. She was facing a dark skinned beautiful girl.
"Do you need any help?" the girl asked.
"Umm…I," Caroline answered uncomfortably. "My car broke. But I called my friend. She will pick me up."
Just then Caroline spotted Elena's car racing toward her. She stopped the car right in front of her. Elena panicked when she saw Caroline talking to someone. One thing. She asked Caroline to do one thing and that was to stay discrete.
"God!" she nearly growled. "Becky is so right. She is a bimbo." She jumped out of the car swishing her long locks to her back.
"Caroline!" Elena said as she gave her friend a curt nod. "I…I am here. Let's go."
"Yeah, okay," Caroline nodded. "What about your car?" the dark-skinned girl asked.
"I will just pick it up tomorrow," Caroline said. Her car was the last thing she needed to worry about. She made a move to leave but then she remembered the reason she came here.
"Oh!" Caroline said as she turned back. "Wait. Elena. Let me take my dress."
Elena groaned in frustration. She didn't want to stay here another second. Caroline picked up the huge box from the backseat.
"Just a minute," she said as she walked toward Elena's car. "You are gonna love it. It's the most beautiful dress ever." Caroline prattled.
She could feel the other girl's eyes on her as she walked. As usual, Caroline didn't focus on anything other than the topic she was discussing with her best friend. As she sprinted, her foot trip over something. The girl reached out to hold her.
"Vampires," the girl whispered. Elena knew their game was up. She zoomed toward the girl, holding the girl by her neck.
10 minutes earlier
Bonnie had been watching the worried blonde girl pacing around the street for a while now. She kept looking at her watch or kept playing with her phone. She closed the door of her bookshop. She walked toward the girl.
"Excuse me"
The blonde girl span around. A look of worry covered her face. She looked very scared. Bonnie was sure she wasn't from Mystic Falls.
"Do you need any help?" she asked. She was after one of the guardians of Mystic Falls. It was her duty to help people in need.
"Umm…I…My car broke," the girl answered in a very frightened tone as if she had committed some sort of crime. "But I called my friend. She will pick me up
Just then a car raced toward where they were standing and stopped in front of them. A beautiful girl jumped out of the car, pushing her long brown silky hair back. And Bonnie couldn't help but notice she seemed familiar. Apparently, she was the friend that blonde girl had just told her about. Bonnie couldn't help but notice she looked very stressed and afraid. Her cheeks were flushed.
Bonnie was about to leave when the blonde girl turned back to her car. She picked up a big box telling her friend how amazing her dress was. She was so lost in her conversation with her friend that she didn't notice when one of the heels of her pumps broke. Bonnie reached out for her to catch the girl before she hits the ground.
Instant darkness covered Bonnie's vision for a second. Her magic allowed her to see who this girl really was. She was the vampire. But, she wasn't one of their vampires. Bonnie knew all the vampires that were residing under Ripper's rule.
"Vampires" she murmured. In an instant, the brunette girl zoomed toward her and held her by her neck.
Elena had never killed anyone and she wasn't going to start now even if this girl was her enemy. However, Caroline was her family and she has been taught all her life that family comes first. She was about to throw the girl across the road hard enough to knock her out when she felt someone grip her from her wrist.
"Honey, watch out!" Caroline warned but it was too late.
The person had thrown her on Caroline's car with full force. She felt shards of glass from the windshield pressed into her palms. True, she was the vampire but she could still feel pain.
"Bonnie?" the man asked in the worried tone as he cupped his mate's cheeks. "Are you okay?
"Yeah…Enzo. I am okay."
"I will deal with them, you call for help" he ordered her as he stood in front of her, protectively.
Elena vamped out, growling at him. Enzo launched at her but she dodged him. Caroline vamped out and ran to Elena's defense at vampire speed. But before she could attack the male vampire known as Enzo, she felt a strange pain in her head. She felt as if someone had set her head on fire. She shouted in agony.
Elena stared in horror at her sister-in-law who was shouting in pain. She looked at the girl known as Bonnie. The girl was glaring at Caroline without blinking as if casting a spell. That's it. She was the witch. Elena broke the glass of the store behind her and threw it at the girl, breaking her eye contact with Caroline. The vampire, Enzo growled at her and launched at her again. Caroline attacked him from the back. Elena pushed the vampire off her while Caroline kneed him in the groin. Elena's ear picked up footsteps from further away. Elena stiffened.
"More vampires!" Elena yelled. "Care! We can't take them all. Run!"
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..
Enzo tried to make a grab for them but both the women vampires zoomed in opposite directions. Enzo panted heavily. Although, both of the female vampires were young they were well trained.
"Where are they?" he was started by his chief's voice.
"I can smell her scent," Stefan, chief's brother said and added, "one of the girl went toward the forest," before he zoomed toward the scent with Lexi, Troy, and Slater following him.
"The other one went toward the clock tower," Bonnie informed him. Damon nodded as he signaled Enzo to follow him.
He could smell that girl's scent. She was close by. Vampires other than his clan weren't allowed in their territory without his permission. And any vampires who would dare to enter their territory without some valid reason and his permission would be subjected to immediate death by their clan. And these girls were going to die for sure since they dared to attack his best friend's mate.
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Elena panted hard as she raced behind the clock tower. She stopped breathing as she heard the two male vampire's faint footsteps.
"Listen!" she heard a velvety yet dangerous voice. "Girl! It's no use to hide. Come out now and I might consider giving you a chance to explain yourself before I kill you."
She pressed her lips as she hid behind the wooden body of the clock tower. She bit her lip. There was no escape. The boundary to her brother's part of town was in completely opposite direction. She cursed herself for listening to Caroline again. She should have called Klaus. Now she had done it.
"It would be smart of you if you voluntarily brought your ass back up here and don't make me come get you," the same velvety voice warned in a very dangerous tone.
Screw you, she thought as lowered on her feet.
It was too dark here. She couldn't even make out her way using her vampire vision. She nearly whimpered in fear. She could now hear silent footsteps approaching her side of the clock tower.
"Listen to me you bitch," the voice threatened and she felt chills run down her spine. "You're testing my patience now. You come to my territory and attacked my clan member. Now you have two options. Option one, come out and explain your agenda for your presence in my territory without my permission and I will kill you in the most painless way possible or option two, you could try to run or stay in your hiding place and hope to God that I get struck by lightning or something because when I get my hands on you…you're gonna wish you were never born in the first place"
She looked up and prayed to God that he never finds her. She remembered all the stories her family had told her about Rippers. They were ruthless. She was scared now.
"Boo," the vampire, Enzo said as he suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
She screamed on top of her lungs and dashed to the other side to run for her life. She collided into someone's chest. She nearly fell from the force. She knew there was no chance for her escape but she was never the one who gave up easily. She wasn't going down without a fight. Her long hair curtained her face as she launched a punch that was successfully blocked by the vampire she didn't know. He was very strong. She had no chance against him. She knew it was the cowardly thing to do but she tried to dash only to be blocked by the other vampire, Enzo. She searched for something in her jeans pocket. Anything. Her hand found her cell phone. She took it out and smashed it against his face as hard as she could. Enzo cried in pain.
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..
The girl knew how to fight. Damon would give her that. But she was no match for him. She was a fresh vampire. She zoomed again, trying to run. He was older thus making him stronger and faster. He dashed in front of her blocking her path. She gasped and tried to run again in opposite direction but he blocked her again, standing in front her. He nearly chuckled at her desperateness to get away from him. She was shivering in fear. He couldn't help but notice her mouthwatering petite sculptured figure with curves at just the right places. She looked as delicate as glass. Too bad she was going to die.
She tried to run again but he zoomed in front of her. The darkness of the night was making it hard for him to see her face that was already curtained by her long silky hair. Elena has had enough, clearly, this vampire was in the mood to play games.
To hell with it, she thought. "I am a Mikelson. We fight till our last breath."
With that on her mind, she growled at him and attacked. Damon was surprised and astonished at this newborn vampire's move. She clearly had a death wish if she dared to attack the leader of "Rippers."
He growled back and held her by a neck. He pushed her against the wooden wall of the clock tower. She tried to push him off him. He pinned her hand on either side of her head as his fangs spurt out. This was it. He would kill her now. This was the end. Elena yelped and squeezed her eyes shut.
Before he could bite her and kill her, the light of the clock tower fell on her face. His eyes darted up from her neck to her lips as she thrashed to get free. He stiffened. He had seen them before. He could recognize them anywhere. He had sketched them numerous times. Yearned to taste them for two years now. His eyes roamed her face to her eyes which were tightly shut.
"Please!" Elena begged. "Please! Let me go." That's when she noticed his growling had stopped. "Open your eyes." He ordered in the shaky voice. This couldn't be her.
Her eyes flickered open. A sculptor could not have fashioned her doe eyes any better filed to perfection. He was right. He never could do justice to her beautiful doe eyes whenever he sketched them. Her crescent-shaped eyebrows inclined slightly as she saw him staring at her. Her jewel of eyes blinked slowly, surprised by his sudden behavior change. A sudden smile crept on his face. This was her. The girl of his dreams. Literally.
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Do take a minute to review, please. Your words would make my day. I'll post more re-edited chapters soon.