Stefan bounced back on the balls of his feet to dodge the heavy punch bag that swung his way and then stepped back in for a three fist combination.

'You started without me,' Damon said as he caught the bag.

'You're slow,' Stefan complained. He carried on punching, staying in one place now that Damon was supporting him.

'My son needed a diaper change,' Damon defended.

'Slow,' Stefan repeated as he rained blows into the bag.

His arms were burning and his shoulders were tight but he pushed through it. 'Hey take it easy.'

'Why, am I hurting you?' Stefan asked as he slammed his left fist into the gut of the bag.

Damon mocked laughed. 'Seriously, Stefan,' he said. 'You're going to hurt yourself.'

With a grunt Stefan stopped and moved to his cool down stretching.

'Do you want to talk about it?' Damon asked after a few minutes.

Stefan grabbed his towel and wiped his face. 'You went to Alpha finishing school with Klaus and Marcel right?'

'We trained in Chicago together yes,' Damon said.

Stefan shrugged. 'What's their deal?'

'Klaus is your betrothed, ask him,' Damon said.

'We're in a weird place,' Stefan admitted. 'We sort of had a heart to heart.'

'Isn't that a good thing?' Damon asked.

Stefan swung his leg over a stool and down, taking a long drink. 'I don't know. He claims he's been faithful since our betrothal.'

'Do you believe him?' Damon wondered as he took Stefan's hand and unwrapped the bandages he wore around his knuckles.

'I do, but I want to know what Marcel has been up to and why he has been-'

'He wants you,' Damon said with a small sigh. 'He approached me the morning of fathers funeral.'

'But the law says-'

'I don't care about the law, if you wanted out of this betrothal to Klaus then it's your decision,' Damon said.

'You'd do that for me?' Stefan asked with a tilt of his head.

'I'd do anything for you brother,' Damon said.

Stefan believed it.

The Last Will and Testament of Giuseppe Salvatore was read on a Tuesday morning. It was a glorious day, the kind of day that Stefan liked to take his books outside and work in the sun.

Stefan sat next to Elena, and away from his mother, and he listened with half an ear as Lily received the customary sum of a widow. She was a Beta, and therefore now free of her Alphas obligation. She could, if she chose to, swear loyalty to Damon, but Stefan couldn't see that happening.

Damon received all Giuseppe's assets, the family home that none of them wanted with a stipulation that he was responsible for Stefan's care until he was claimed by an Alpha. The bastard had even put in his Will that Stefan was to mate an Alpha and not a Beta and equal like he desired. Stefan supposed this was Giuseppe's way of punishing Stefan for not presenting as an Alpha at fifteen. He'd always wanted two Alpha sons, always wanted to be different.

And then the last announcement cemented it. To Stefan he left the ten square miles of forest that should have been Damon's. He left it as some sort of twisted dowry. That land bordered the Salvatore pack with the Lockwood pack, the Gerard pack and both branches of the Mikaelson pack.

'It states here that your betrothal to Niklaus Mikaelson is null and void as it was made under false pretenses and he expected the union to be cemented by now. It's not and therefore your father states to the local Alphas that you're available, Stefan you've just become one of the most sought after Betas in Virginia.'

Damon was livid. Lily had long since left and Stefan didn't expect to see her anytime soon. Elena had went to collect Jacob from her mother and Stefan was left to deal with yet another fallout from Giuseppe.

Stefan didn't know what to say, or where to even begin to sort out what was happening. Their lawyer was already preparing the necessary paperwork to inform Klaus of the dissolution of their engagement and Stefan knew there would be a formal notice in the paper over the next few days to announce that Stefan was a land owning Beta.

'It's crap land, Damon,' Stefan said.

'It's our protection Stefan, not only has he insulted my Alpha status by taking it from me, but he's left my family, my pack, vulnerable!' Damon poured himself another drink. 'Not to mention he's insulted one of the most powerful families, the only werewolf family to have two formidable Alphas who happen to be our neighbors. He must have updated his will recently.'

Stefan dropped his head into his hands and pulled his hair.

'And he's made you Alpha bait,' Damon said.

'It's mine to do with what I want, so I give it to you,' Stefan shrugged. Damon stared blankly. 'The land.'

'You can't give it to me, it's your dowry,' Damon said with an irritated sigh.

Stefan's mind raced. 'I can give it to Jacob.'

Damon turned and stared. 'What?'

'I remember reading that in 1937 in Seattle a werewolf donated her land to her nephew when it was causing too much friction between her suitors,' Stefan shrugged.

'And if Jacob is a Beta he becomes Alpha bait and were right back here in 17 years,' Damon said.

Stefan wanted to run and scream. He wanted to shift and gallop until his muscles ached. He wanted to howl until his throat bled.

'I wonder if Klaus knows yet?' Stefan said.

Damon's features softened and he sat down next to Stefan. 'I'm going to protect you.'

Stefan snorted. 'Giuseppe planned this. He knew this would be something a mature and seasoned Alpha would have trouble dealing with never mind a new Alpha with a young family and a pack to lead.'

'Even in the afterlife our father is a bastard.' Damon agreed.

Elena came through the door with Jacob on her hip. 'Klaus has just pulled into the drive,' she said as Damon took his son.

Stefan met Klaus on the porch. He looked furious, his eyes blazed with anger. Stefan could feel his wolf thrumming under his skin and he shocked both of them by reaching for Klaus.

Klaus was warm and safe as he wrapped his arms around Stefan's back and tucked his face into Stefan's shoulder. Stefan breathed in Klaus' scent.

'What's going to happen now?' Stefan asked.

'Well you're no longer mine to hug,' Klaus whispered. 'Marcel will want you more than ever. Elijah was with me when I received the papers. He's as livid as I am but I can assure you that he has no interest in courting you and the Lockwood pack have no Alphas free to court you.'

'So I just choose you right?' Stefan said.

Klaus' eyes widened and his cheeks pinked up. 'You want me?'

'I told you I'm tired of fighting it, my wolf wants you, we're mates and it's easier to just give in,' Stefan said.

'You told me you didn't want to be in an Alpha Beta relationship,' Klaus said.

'I don't but Giuseppe left me no choice, and besides, you're not so bad,' Stefan said.

Klaus chuckled. 'I'm not so bad eh?'

Stefan kissed him, a chaste brush of lips. His heart leap as Klaus' hands slipped up the planes of his back.

'What is this?' Marcel's voice rang out.

Stefan turned, he didn't realize he'd put himself between the two Alphas until Klaus touched his back. Stefan knew this wasn't his place, this was rude and deserving of punishment. He stepped aside away from them both.

'I'm here to formally announce my intention,' Marcel said.

Klaus glowered at him. 'As am I.'

'We take it to Damon,' Marcel shrugged.

Klaus nodded his agreement. Stefan led the way inside to where his brother was waiting at the door of his study.

'Giuseppe and I had an understanding,' Marcel said. He was looming over Damon, his fists resting on Damon's desk.

'I've only got your word for that,' Damon said with a shrug.

'Doesn't his will say it all, he nulled the betrothal and left that land to Stefan,' Marcel said.

'That's more of an insult to Damon than a message to me,' Klaus said. 'Sorry Damon.'

'No, no you're right Klaus,' Damon sighed.

'Give me Stefan, and your pack Damon will be under my protection. I guarantee it. We all know my pack is larger,' Marcel shrugged.

Klaus scoffed and glanced at Stefan. 'Stefan isn't anyone's to give.'

'I'm with Klaus on this one,' Damon said. 'I'm not the kind of Alpha who controls his pack. I believe in free will, and Stefan is his own wolf.'

Marcel smiled at Stefan. 'Then I'll court him.'

'No, you won't Marcel. I gave Klaus my word,' Stefan said.

'That's not fair to me,' Marcel said.

'It's completely fair. No amount of dating will make me fall for you, I'm sorry, Marcel, my minds made up. I choose Nik.' Stefan shoved his hands into his pockets.

'A month ago you hated him, you told me you didn't want to marry him!' Marcel said. 'I'm guaranteeing your safety.'

'I'm safe with Nik,' Stefan said.

'I can give you wealth, I can offer you companionship, you have a future with me,' Marcel explained.

'I'll be your equal? You'll let me father a child?' Stefan bit his lip.

Marcel faltered. 'No, Stefan you know that's not how it's done. You can be a co parent to my children I'll have with an omega, but I won't allow your children to threaten mine,' Marcel shrugged.

'I will,' Klaus said. Everyone in the room turned to look at him. 'We'll choose an omega together, we'll take care of her, and we'll never find out who fathered the children. You'll be as my equal. Our children will be a part of our pack.'

'And the land?' Stefan asked.

'I don't need it, I'm not chasing you for land Stefan, I never have before. It's your land, you can give it to your brother for all I care. I just want you.' Klaus said.

'All for love, you're softer than I thought,' Marcel mocked.

'You would do well to remember Marcel that I'm the strongest Alpha in this room,' Klaus snarled.

'You're a psychopath,' Marcel said.

'I was projecting my family,' Klaus said.

'They were your family!' Marcel shouted. 'You killed your own parents.'

'They killed my brother! They almost killed me, I had no choice,' Klaus could feel his rage build. His wolf yearned to sink it's fangs into Marcel but then there were hands on his arms, and a strong voice in his ear.

Stefan couldn't help it, he stroked Klaus' arms and pressed his chest to Klaus's back. The words were nonsense, whispered so that Klaus could hear his voice.

'You should go,' Damon said.

Marcel stepped back. 'This isn't over,' he warned as he left the room.

'You two better not screw this up,' Damon warned.

'I propose an alliance,' Klaus said.

Damon sat back and tossed the pen he'd been fidgeting with onto the desk.

'The Salvatores and half the Mikaelsons?' Damon asked.

Klaus shook his head. 'Elijah will agree.'

'We need to move quickly,' Damon said as he reached for his phone.

'Stefan, come with me,' Klaus said.

Stefan hesitated, he glanced at Damon and his brother merely shrugged. 'Yeah, sure.'

Lexi Branson was considered the best legal mind in Virginia, and Klaus was lucky enough to have secured her loyalty and services for the Mikaelson family several years prior. She was also Stefan's best friend, had been for years.

'Mr Mikaelson, you're well I expect. Ms Branson has had to step out momentarily. Please take a seat in her office and she'll be right with you,' her secretary said.

The office was a spectacular corner office, and Klaus made himself at home on one of the leather sofas. After examining the familiar view Stefan sat next to him.

'I'll cook for you tonight.' Stefan offered.

'You don't have to,' Klaus said. He reached for Stefan's hand and rubbed his thumb over Stefan's knuckle. Stefan wanted to slide closer so they were touching but he kept an appropriate distance. His wolf my be mated to Klaus' wolf but they had yet to make a formal agreement. Their betrothal was over, and until it was reinstated Stefan had to hold back. He cursed his father, just when he was ready, when he and Klaus had started to sort out their issues he threw this at them.

'I want to,' Stefan said softly. Klaus lifted Stefan's hand and kissed the joint of Stefan's thumb.

'Then I'll help,' Klaus offered.

'You can bring the wine,' Stefan said.

The door opened and Lexi waltzed in. She didn't miss a beat when she noticed Stefan sitting or their joined hands. With a flourish she took an armchair opposite them and crossed her legs. She smirked at Stefan and he knew he'd be getting a few messages from her later.

'Klaus,' she smirked but her eyes lingered on Stefan and she lifted her chin slightly.

'Lexi,' Klaus said. His grip on Stefan tightened.

'We have a lot to discuss, I'm sure Stefan can be better served elsewhere,' Lexi said.

'I've made my intention to Stefan clear and he's decided to return the gesture. I want to formally lodge intention, and reinstate our betrothal. I also want to discuss Marcel and his intention and lastly, I want it made clear that Stefan is to receive the same respect I do. He's my mate, and as such should be treated as an Alpha of the Mikaelson pack,' Klaus said.

Lexi's eyes flicked between them and she sighed and rolled her eyes. 'You bring me nothing but problems Stefan.'

'Problems that I pay you very well to sort out,' Klaus pointed out to her.

'And have you engaged Andie yet Stefan?' Lexi said. Normally she represented him, which meant he badgered her until she helped him with anything.

'Damon will be on with Andie,' Stefan explained.

Lexi nodded. 'Then lets get started, we have a lot to get through.'

As they stood to leave Stefan turned to Lexi. 'Say Klaus gave me the mating bite, tonight. Say we mated...'

Lexi glared. 'If you do that then it could be seen as Marcel not receiving a fair chance to court you should he take it to a judge.'

'But I don't want to court him, and I know that I want Klaus as my Alpha, no other. So if he gives me the mating bite consensually then Marcel can't attempt to court me?' Stefan asked. He didn't miss the little upturn of her lips.

'He could petition for the land,' Lexi explained. 'If he feels you've been unjustly taken from him.'

'We don't care about the land,' Klaus said.

'Then bite each other all night for all I care, as long as you pay me I'll fight whatever hell battles you want me to,' Lexi smirked. 'As long as I get details of course.'

'Dream on,' Stefan pulled her into a hug.

Klaus smiled and pulled Stefan out the door behind him.

'What are you making for me?' Klaus asked as he rested his elbows on the counter.

'Steak, can you get the wine,' Stefan said as he drained the potatoes.

'I think the meat is supposed to be ready at the same time as the potatoes Stefan,' Klaus frowned.

'I thought you liked your meat raw?' Stefan asked over his shoulder.

'You're hilarious,' Klaus said. He disappeared and a moment later he was uncorking a bottle of red.

'You have a wine cellar in your home?' Stefan asked.

'No I have a basement where I happen to keep wine,' Klaus wrapped an arm around Stefan's back as he mashed the potatoes. 'Seriously, you haven't even started to cook the steak and you're mashing potatoes!'

Stefan sighed and turned around. 'Why don't you leave dinner to me, and you go and amuse yourself somehow.'

'I'd rather amuse myself with you,' Klaus said. He placed a kiss on Stefan's neck and Stefan groaned and lifted his chin to give Klaus more access. He knew they shouldn't but he couldn't resist.

'Nik,' Stefan breathed. It was all Stefan could do to keep from falling to his knees and begging Klaus to join him.

'What?' Klaus asked as he bit Stefan's chin and pulled his mouth lower for a kiss. Stefan opened up to Klaus instantly and licked against Klaus' tongue.

'I'm hungry,' Stefan said when they pulled apart.

Klaus' stomach growled in response and Stefan smiled. 'And we need to talk.'

'I'm tired of talking, I'm in an action mood,' Klaus said.

'Waiting, that's an action, eating, there's another action, watching, that's an action too,' Stefan offered.

'If you want me to watch you cook then do it naked,' Klaus teased.

'Maybe someday,' Stefan kissed Klaus then pushed him away. The Alpha wolf went easily enough, rounding the kitchen island and sliding onto one of the stools. Stefan handed him a bottle of beer and pecked his lips before he turned back to his potatoes. 'I'm making gnocchi to go with our steak.'

'Oh,' Klaus said. 'I like gnocchi.'

'I know,' Stefan said as he tossed flour onto the counter.

'So say we mate tonight, it won't be in the traditional sense,' Klaus said. He picked at the label on his bottle.

'If we mate tonight, then I'm yours and he can't make a play for me,' Stefan said. 'Marcel could attack the pack though, he could take his anger out on our families.'

'We could unite,' Klaus said. He pulled a notepad towards him and found a pen. 'We could make one big pack, the Mikaelson-Salvatore pack.'

'It's been done, in 1899 the Burns pack untiled with the Fells right here and became the Burns-Fell pack. Eventually they dropped Burns from the title. Or in Wyoming in 1957 five packs united against one of their enemies, they had an Alpha council. They still have one, I think there's seven packs and every so often they elect a representative Alpha as leader,' Stefan shrugged.

'You're quite the little historian aren't you,' Klaus smirked.

Stefan smiled over his shoulder. 'It's why I go to college. What are you drawing?'

'Your butt,' Klaus admitted as he followed the curve on the page with the blue biro.

Stefan chuckled but he didn't turn around. He liked this, this companionship. It was how it used to be when they were boys running together in the forest, playing and learning. When Elijah presented as Alpha at fifteen Klaus had expected to be a Beta, and he and Stefan had planned their future out. They'd be together, they'd travel the world. The night before Klaus' fifteenth birthday they shared their first kiss under Stefan's favorite oak. The next day everything had changed, and although Stefan had eventually been pursued by Klaus to be his partner, they'd drifted apart by that stage.

At first Stefan had been happy to be courted by Klaus, Klaus had always known Stefan's mind, but Klaus was an Alpha, and he displayed himself as such. Even so their first months together were pleasant and fun, even if Stefan was forced to slow down because of school commitments.

Klaus was patient with Stefan and his studies but Giuseppe did remind Stefan of his place in a pack, of Klaus' rights. Stefan's heart had been broken when he'd been told that, while betrothed, Klaus had still maintained his intimate relationships with previous lovers. Looking back gr should have known but Marcel had been so convincing when he explained how Stefan had been neglecting Klaus as Alpha and his needs and that was the reason Klaus showed no respect for their relationship.

'You told me after Giuseppe's funeral that you've been faithful to our betrothal,' Stefan said.

'I have been. After I became Alpha I wanted nothing more than to find you and continue with our plans, but I couldn't. You were thirteen, I was fifteen and I needed to keep you safe. I needed to learn how to be an Alpha. I had so much power, more than any fifteen year old had ever had, and I needed to understand it,' Klaus tore the page out of the pad with the picture of Stefan's butt. He crumpled it up and tossed it at Stefan's back.

'Mature,' Stefan said as he bent to retrieve it. He examined the picture then pushed it into his pocket. 'Do another one. And tell me about becoming an Alpha.'

'You know what happened,' Klaus said.

'I know what others have told me. If we're to be a couple I want to hear your words telling me the story,' Stefan said as he lifted the steaks from the dish where he had them marinading.

'Mikael was furious. When I presented the morning after our kiss I was shocked, I couldn't believe it. Mikael though, his first instinct was to kill me. I remember standing in the garden staring as he tore at me, and Henrik just threw himself between us. Mikael didn't even see him, he tossed him life a lion would toss a newborn lamb. Henrik died as soon as his little body hit that tree, but it didn't stop Mikael. I had to fight, I had to defend myself, Mikael aimed to kill me, but I killed him.' Klaus swallowed. 'I have no idea how, I still can't remember my actions, only the feeling of my hand ripping out his heart.'

'I'm sorry, if this is too much you don't have to,' Stefan said.

'No, no I want to,' Klaus said. 'I want you to know this because I've never spoken of their deaths with anyone, not even Elijah.'

Stefan nodded. 'Anytime you want to stop I won't question it.'

'Mikael's power overwhelmed me immediately His blood was on my skin and his body...mother was furious with me. She came next. She was a formidable Alpha herself, although she submitted to my father. I thought she would kill me then, and I had no choice. When I killed her Finn rose up but thanks to the gods for Elijah. He stopped Finn. I thought that Elijah might...he didn't he just wrapped me in a hug and told me it would be okay.' Klaus was folding and unfolding a page from the notebook, his eyes focused downwards.

'You went away after that,' Stefan said.

'I did, I wanted to see you one last time before I went but Giuseppe was having none of it,' Klaus smiled. 'Being born an Alpha is one thing, but to kill another Alpha and take their power is another thing altogether. Not only had I become an Alpha but I'd killed two Alpha's that very morning,' Klaus said.

'You wouldn't have hurt me,' Stefan said.

'No, I wouldn't have, but he was right to keep me away from you all the same. I might have kidnapped you,' Klaus said.

'I would have went willingly,' Stefan said remembering his own childhood.

'By the time I got back I was in search of power. You were a Beta and I knew what you wanted from life, that you wanted an equal so I avoided you and found others to court. I was miserable though, until your father presented you as a candidate for betrothal. It was selfish of me to accept without speaking to you, I regret that decision, but you seemed happy enough at the time, and then you began to treat me like I was some monster,' Klaus said.

'Well my human side believed Marcel when he told me that you'd been unfaithful to me, and I suppose I was looking for an excuse to get out of the Alpha Beta relationship I knew was about to happen,' Stefan admitted.

'I don't want you to be inferior to me,' Klaus said. Stefan felt the other werewolf at his back. Klaus slid his arms around Stefan and squeezed. 'I meant it when I said I'm prepared to find a female omega for us both.'

'You did,' Stefan said.

Klaus kissed Stefan's neck. 'And I want you to know I consider you my equal, Stefan. I want you to challenge me, I don't just want you on your knees for me, I want to be pushed to my knees for you too, I want to mount you and I want you to mount me,' Klaus nipped at the skin on Stefan's shoulder. 'I want the mating bite as I'll give it to you.'

Stefan turned and caught Klaus in a kiss. 'Well then, go set the table,' Stefan said and laid a firm slap on Klaus' ass.

Klaus bit Stefan's bottom lip then did as Stefan asked.

Stefan felt warmth as he set the meal down to Klaus half an hour later. There was music on in the background, and Klaus was pouring the wine. He wanted this for the rest of his life. Relationships were about compromise, and Stefan was willing to if Klaus was.

'I'll not bite you tonight,' Klaus said as he took a seat. 'We'll do it right.'

Stefan nodded and tried not to smirk when Klaus moaned around a mouthful of food.

Sunlight on Stefan's face woke him early. Klaus was still snoring beside him, and he had an arm thrown across Stefan's abdomen but other than that they weren't touching.

Stefan couldn't believe how far he'd come in the past week, his father was dead and buried and he'd not only reconciled to with Klaus, he was invested in the idea of making a future with Klaus. It had been a decade since they were this close, but it felt right, like everything was starting to slot into place for them.

Klaus muttered something and moved to flip his pillow to the cold side. 'I can hear you thinking.'

'I'm thinking about you,' Stefan said.

'Am I naked and in the shower waiting for you?' Klaus blinked sleepily.

'No, we're teenagers sitting under my oak sharing our first kiss,' Stefan said.

Klaus' eyes snapped open and he started for a second. 'That's acceptable.' He closed his eyes and Stefan smiled.

'What are your plans for the day?' Stefan rolled to his side and tucked his hand under the pillow.

'Ugh, I forgot you were such a morning person,' Klaus pulled the blanket up over his face.

Stefan waited patiently. He amused himself by watching the sheet move as Klaus tried to breathe. Eventually he shoved it away.

'We have a meeting with pack elders this morning and then after lunch we have a new pup to meet, and we need to schedule a meeting with Lexi and Ms Starr,' Klaus rubbed his face.

'Hold on a second, we?' Stefan said.

'You're my mate, and this is going to be your pack too,' Klaus said.

'Giuseppe didn't do any of that kind of stuff,' Stefan admitted.

'When I went away I learned from a very formidable Alpha that she was only as good as her pack, and the respect she showed them, luckily your brother spent time there too,' Klaus said.

'Was that with Marcel too?' Stefan wondered. He reached a hand out to touch Klaus' shoulder.

'Yes, he was there for a time but he avoided the lessons in leadership because he said he already had the skills required,' Klaus said.

Stefan slid his hand across Klaus' chest and Klaus swallowed. Tension thickened, and Klaus' scent changed, growing, filling the room. Stefan snatched his hand back and sat up.

'I'll make you breakfast,' Stefan swung his legs from the bed and tried not to look back as he left the bedroom.

Stefan spent the morning observing Klaus as Alpha. Klaus and Elijah spent a lot of time together, discussing papers and projects. They were building three new houses on the edge of their pack plot, one of the Beta in their pack had requested a loan in order to start his own car mechanic business and the fishing rights belonging to the lake that their land bordered was up for negotiation.

After that pack Elders met with them to discuss the situation left behind by Giuseppe. Stefan paid attention but didn't speak out, he was observing and getting the lay of the personalities in the pack.

'I'm starving,' Klaus complained as they left the community hall.

'We have had a busy morning,' Elijah agreed as he unbuttoned the cuffs of his sleeves and rolled them up. 'I'll make us omelets.'

'So Stefan how was your morning, do you think you'd like to be a part of our pack?' Klaus asked.

'I think it's too late to back out now even if I did change my mind,' Stefan said.

'I think you should spend a few days with Marcel,' Elijah said.

'What!' Klaus stopped. Stefan had to catch Klaus' waist in order to stay on his feet.

'I'm with Nik on this Elijah,' Stefan said.

'Listen to me, it's obvious that you're choosing each other here, but I suspect that if given a fair chance, Marcel will concede once he realizes that you have no interest in his offer,' Elijah said. He walked to the door and Klaus turned to Stefan.

'I don't like it,' Stefan said. 'But let's hear him out.'

Klaus took Stefan's hand and led him inside. Elijah was already preparing their lunch.

'We don't know what Marcel will do, so why not try and stop a war with some diplomacy,' Elijah said.

'By pimping out my mate,' Klaus snarled.

'It's not pimping out, Niklaus, for once engage your brain before you think with your fists or your cock,' Elijah said.

Klaus glared and leaned back in his chair.

'Go easy Elijah,' the words were out of Stefan's mouth before his own brain engaged.

Klaus gave Stefan a curious smile and Elijah turned to look at him.

'I'm sorry I-'

'No, no you were defending your mate,' Elijah smiled and nodded. 'Perhaps we should do it your way, and face the consequences.'

'We'll discuss it this afternoon,' Stefan said. Klaus rested a palm on Stefan's leg and Stefan gave in and laced their fingers together.

The sight of Klaus in a baby store picking out a gift amused Stefan to no end.

'You're in a good mood,' Klaus said as he pulled his wallet from his hip pocket and selected a card.

'I just never thought I'd see you buying baby gifts,' Stefan said. The assistant was busy building the gift basket Klaus had requested and promised only a few minutes wait.

'When we have our own I expect I'll spend quite a lot of money in here,' Klaus said.

'You're getting a bit ahead of yourself aren't you?' Stefan said.

'I want a family, I want a family with you and I'm not afraid or ashamed to say it. Now isn't the right time for us, but someday we'll be in here selecting blankets and outfits and toys for our child,' Klaus shrugged. 'That's why I'm in a good mood.'

'All done Mr Mikaelson,' the assistant said.

Klaus paid and they left. He picked up a bouquet of flowers and an expensive bottle of rum then showed Stefan to the car. It was a short drive to the house, and Klaus insisted Stefan carry the baby basket. Stefan understood why, the newest infant in the pack was to be greeted by the Alpha's mate too. Klaus was all about his gestures, he was smarter about leadership than he allowed most to see.

The family lived in a busy cul de-sac. Families were outside enjoying the beautiful day but the kids hurried home when they noticed Klaus get out of the car. Klaus gave them a wave, this was all Mikaelson pack members, a mixture of his own and Elijah's, and most waved back.

'Beatrice,' Klaus greeted the woman opening the door.

'Come in, Alpha,' Beatrice said. She was a woman in her fifties with messy hair but bright happy eyes. 'My daughter and grandson are through there.'

Klaus entered with Stefan behind him. He greeted the parents, Sarah with flowers and a bottle of rum for Theodore.

'Would you like to hold him?' Sarah asked Klaus.

'You wouldn't mind?' Klaus asked. Stefan was slightly taken aback. It was customary for the parents of a new wolf to offer the Alpha a chance to hold and scent the child. For Klaus to ask if she was sure seemed like he was giving the mother a choice.

'Of course, go ahead,' Theodore said.

Klaus took the child and cooed at him, whispering nonsense Eventually he touched his nose to the baby's head, and then let the child nose his wrist. Stefan was mesmerized not by the sight of Klaus with a child, but by how non traditional Klaus actually was. If anything Stefan was expecting the opposite, he was expecting the usual dominant behavior over the family, words of warning and reminders that the child was part of his pack, not theirs. Stefan had watched Giuseppe do it that way often enough.

'Would you mind if Stefan met the child?' Klaus asked.

'Not at all,' Sarah said. Stefan stepped forward and touched the chubby cheek.

'He's beautiful,' Stefan told Sarah. 'Congratulations.'

'Thank you,' Sarah said.

'Would you like refreshments?' Beatrice asked.

'No, no you need time to bond as a family, I'm in your way. I just wanted to meet him and we have a meeting to get to,' Klaus said. He handed the baby back to Sarah with a smile. 'Let us know when you pick a name.'

'Of course we will Alpha,' Sarah smiled.

They said their goodbyes and stepped outside the door. A ball landed a few feet away from them and Klaus tossed it to the kids before he got into the car.

'You know if we'd have done this months ago we'd be married and mated properly by now,' Stefan said as Klaus pulled out of the driveway. He paused the car and looked at Stefan.

'What makes you say that?' He asked.

'You're the opposite of my father, of what I expected,' Stefan explained.

Klaus was quiet for the rest of the journey. It wasn't until they parked at the lawyers office that he spoke.

'When I found out I was an Alpha I knew who my mate was, even back then. I knew you didn't want an Alpha for a mate, not unless you presented as one yourself. I was miserable and lonely for years, and I admit I made some bad choices, but one night a very wise wolf told me that if I wanted you I had to be the Alpha I thought you would want me to be, and perhaps if I was I would have stood a chance,' Klaus looked down at his hands.

Stefan didn't know what to say, how to respond.

'Every day for the past seven years, before I've made a major decision I've asked myself, "is this what Stefan would want me to do, is this something he would approve of" and if the answer, to the best of my knowledge has been yes, then I do it.' Klaus swallowed.

Stefan bit his lip and then gave in. He launched himself across the car and caught Klaus' lips with his own, kissing him, holding him close. When they pulled apart Klaus rested his forehead on Stefan's.

'I don't tell lies to you when I say I love you. I always have,' Klaus whispered.

Stefan closed his eyes and sucked in a breath. He was interrupted when someone rapped the window. He turned to shoot a glare at Damon but it was probably for the best. The whole town didn't need to see a public mating.

'We'll talk later,' Stefan promised. Klaus nodded but he caught Stefan's hand and held it as they walked into the offices where Elijah, Lexi and Andie were waiting.

'Marcel has petitioned for 72 hours with you, uninterrupted, with no contact with Klaus,' Andie said.

Stefan nodded. He expected something like this.

'I think we should seriously consider it, he has yet to take it to a judge and taking things to judges gets messy situations,' Lexi said.

Klaus growled and Stefan squeezed his knee. 'I think its best if I go,' Stefan said.

Klaus didn't say anything, and Stefan didn't look his way. He knew Klaus would be furious, and more importantly hurt. The last thing Stefan wanted to do was hurt Klaus but he also wanted to avoid a feud and that's how it looked like things were going.

'Stefan, you need to know that Marcel is a traditionalist. You need to walk behind him, not beside him, and try to show him submission. If Marcel can find any reason at all to lash out at you or deem you disrespecting his place he could attack you and force you into a situation that you won't be able to get out of. He could claim you if he feels he's powerful enough,' Lexi said.

'Don't make the Alpha werewolf angry, should be easy to remember,' Stefan snapped. Lexi glared and Stefan dipped his head in apology.

'Enough,' Klaus said. He got up and stormed from the room, leaving everyone looking after him.

'You need to be there tomorrow at four,' Andie said.

Stefan nodded and followed Klaus but by the time he got downstairs Klaus was away.

Damon joined him a few minutes later. 'Any chance of a ride home?' Stefan asked.

Damon squeezed his shoulder and Stefan fought away the disappointment of Klaus leaving.