Chapter Ten: The Hunter and the Hunted

Hayley eyed the witch with a frown. "I'm guessing you're referencing the King."

The witch snorted. "Maybe he's your King, but he's not mine." Then she stood and walked over to Hayley. "I'm Sophie Devereux, by the way."

Hayley shook her hand, noting the way the hair on her arms stood on end at the feeling of the witch's power. "Hayley Marshall."

Sophie smirked. "I know. The Alpha of Alphas. You're already gaining quite a reputation here in the Quarter."

Hayley rolled her eyes, walking around the shop. "Apparently anyone can get a reputation for standing up to Klaus and not dying."

"That's fair," Sophie agreed. "What brings you to my shop?"

"Curiosity," Hayley said, eyeing the collection of rose quartz crystals.

"I'm pretty sure the Werewolf Queen has more of a reason to visit a witch's shop than simple curiosity."

Hayley shot the other woman a look. "I don't answer to that title."

"And yet it's a title you bear," Sophie pointed out, leaning against the counter.

"I think you and I both can agree that there's only so much room for royalty in this town."

Sophie nodded with a shrug. "True. But there's only one person here who actually has a claim to the title."

Hayley threw up her hands, making a face. "Can we please stop with the whole royalty talk? You're right, I'm not just here because I'm curious. I'm here to see what I'm up against."

"Meaning?"

"Klaus has many allies in the witch community. I'm guessing since he isn't your King-," Hayley air quoted, "You're not a part of said community."

"You're as smart as they say you are," Sophie remarked. "No, I'm not a loyalist. Call me… a traditionalist."

"So you're a part of the old coven, which gains their power through consecrated ground and ancestral power," Hayley surmised.

"Right again, wolf girl," the witch said. When she caught Hayley's glare, she rolled her eyes. "Okay, fine. Hayley."

Sophie turned, rifling through some pendants that dangled from an elaborate wood carving of a white oak tree. She murmured a soft "ah" when she found what she was looking for.

Turning, she walked over to Hayley and held out a necklace. The chain was made from silver, which intertwined with any material that looked like softened leather. The pendant was a smooth, silver disk with another carving of a white oak.

"Not sure if anyone told you, but silver and werewolves don't mix," Hayley pointed out.

The witch sighed, rolling her eyes. "Gods help me. I'm a witch. I can charm it so it won't burn you. Put it on."

Hayley took the necklace, relaxing slightly when the metal did not burn her. When she looped it over her neck, she recognized the scent coming from the crushed herb locked within the tree carving.

"Vervain?" she asked, eyeing the witch again.

"Yup," Sophie said. "No more unwarranted compulsion from everyone's favorite tyrant."

"And the carving?" Hayley rubbed her thumb over it.

Sophie smiled slowly. "A reminder that nothing- and no one- can truly escape death."

Hayley left the shop feeling a mix of emotions. She felt reassured that not all the witches in this town were under Klaus' thumb, and that she had struck up an alliance of sorts with the witch Sophie Devereux. And yet, her mind whirled over the way Sophie described the necklace and the carving. It felt ominous, but also like a promise.

Setting that thought aside for later, Hayley tucked the necklace under her shirt, where it laid next to Eve's charm.

Ooo0ooO

Bored and restless, Klaus began trailing Hayley the moment she left the witch's shop. He watched as she strolled down the street, pausing to look at whatever the vendors had out today.

She would smile or murmur to someone, and for a moment her eyes would brighten before they were once more replaced by a rather pensive look. She purchased a few oddities; a painted rock that she tucked in the pocket of her jeans, a moon shaped mood ring she slipped on her right pointer finger, and other things that Klaus didn't see any real use for.

His eyes trailed over as he kept his distance. She was wearing a sleeveless blouse to fend off the humidity, and the deep burgundy color contrasted her skin tone nicely. Complemented with loose fitted jeans rolled up at the ankles and worn boots, she carried herself with an air of poise, without the snobbery Klaus was accustomed to. Of course, his reference point was his sister, the peach, and the many lovers he had over the centuries.

His thoughts did not stay with that long, since his gaze was captured by a small birthmark that was nearly hidden by her shirt. But there it was, wine colored, crescent shaped, and all too familiar.

So this little wolf was not only the Alpha of the largest werewolf pack in the states, but she was also royalty. That birthmark was well known, within the werewolf community and elsewhere. After all, Klaus knew the wolves who had first bore the mark on their shoulders, much like Hayley did now.

In his musings, Klaus did not notice how Hayley rounded a corner suddenly, her attention turned elsewhere. When he did, he was quick to follow her.

Rounding the same corner, Klaus came to a stop when he saw that the alleyway was empty.

"Don't you have something better to do than to follow me around?"

Klaus turned and saw that Hayley stood at the entrance to the alleyway, effectively blocking him off. Undeterred, Klaus pursed his lips. "But I'm having so much fun, little wolf."

"You have an odd taste in fun," Hayley commented, folding her arms in front of her. "Don't you have a kingdom to run?"

"It won't miss me for a few hours," Klaus said, lips turning upwards.

"But those vampires who follow you around like lost puppies might."

Klaus' eyes flashed. "Your humor is very quick, little wolf, since the only lost puppy see here is you."

Hayley rolled her eyes. "I'm sure that's not the best you can do. You might disappoint someone when they learn your humor isn't quick."

Klaus stepped forward, teeth flashing in a smile. "No, that's not the best I can do. Shall I show you what other talents I possess?"

Hayley's eyes grew cold. "Such flattery for someone whose life you've threatened."

"Perhaps my flattery would be more worthwhile if I wasn't the only one posing threats, hmm?"

Hayley lifted her chin slightly. "I think you save your flattery for yourself. I didn't come here just because of you."

Klaus laughed. "Right, I nearly forgot. You came because you and your packs are investigating into the notions of ghost stories."

"You and I both know the Hunters aren't just mere stories," Hayley snapped.

"But one must wonder why you feel so strongly to lead this, mind the phrase, proverbial witch hunt."

"I don't think that's any of your business," Hayley said through gritted teeth.

Klaus hummed to himself. "Very well, little wolf. And what you propose we do about this threat?"

"I don't need anything from you-,"

"But without your freedom, you can't do much of anything, can you?" Klaus challenged, stepping closer.

"You can't keep me here forever," Hayley snapped.

"No," Klaus agreed. "You won't live that long."

Hayley's eyes flashed, before she turned and disappeared down the streets.

Klaus pursed his lips. "Perhaps that's something to consider."

Ooo0ooO

Hayley stormed down the streets even as the sun began to set, casting long shadows.

When she came back to the Abattoir, she looked up at the ivy and moss covered walls, the delicate iron railings and the smell of dirt and plants, and frowned.

Her prison was in fact gorgeous, but a prison nonetheless.

Inhaling deeply again, she waited for the smell of blood, but her head turned when she picked up a faint, unfamiliar scent.

Down the streets, the shadows seemed to move, blending and disappearing into one another. A chill went down Hayley's spine.

In the next instant, she was a wolf, using her darker fur to blend in as she crept slowly down the alleyways. Every muscle was tense and ready to strike.

Her ears moved forward when she heard rustling ahead, then the soft murmurs of men's voices.

"The King is in place. He will come out once the games begin tonight."

"Good. And the wolves?"

"Still hidden deep in the forest. They know how to hide, and since they're suspicious of our movements…"

"They won't leave without their leader. Find her and bring her to me."

Hayley peered around a corner and froze, lips wrinkled back in a silent snarl.

A small group of men and women, all draped in black and the crest of the Hunters, gathered in the shadows. Their leader, the tallest man, ordered three of his men away.

Hayley pulled back before she could be seen, then took off back the way she came. She came to a stop at the tall archways of the Abattoir, then looked over her shoulder, out in the direction where she knew her pack was.

Then she looked up again, towards the staircase she knew lead towards the rooms. Pulling herself in her human form, she straightened her spine before running up then as silently as possible.

Following her sense of smell, Hayley strode quickly down the halls. The she flung up the double doors, stepping directly into Klaus' private rooms.

Klaus sat up straight, having been lounging in his chair by the fireplace. He set aside the whiskey he had been drinking. "My, my, little wolf, this is a pleasant-,"

"Shut up," Hayley interrupted as she shut the doors. "And keep your voice down."

Klaus tilted his head, scrutinizing her. "You seem on edge."

"The Hunters, they're here. They're ready to attack you, then me."

Klaus lifted a brow. "And you came to me instead of fleeing to your pack."

"I came to you because there are innocent vampires, wolves, witches, even humans here that will be killed if they get in the way. Don't forget, Klaus, I might be afraid of them, but that sure as hell does not mean I'm going to run away. Not anymore."

Klaus stood, approaching her. "So when backed into a corner, you choose to fight. Perhaps you and I are more alike than we believe."

Hayley's eyes changed into gold fire. "We can figure out how similar we are later. Right now we have bigger issues."

"Indeed." Klaus strode forward, towards a portrait that nearly covered half the wall on the other side of the room. When he pressed on it, the frame clicked then swung forward, revealing a passageway.

Hayley exhaled, rolling her eyes briefly. "I should have known you would have secret passageways."

Klaus stepped aside so she could go in first. He smirked at her, even as his own eyes changed to gold as they stepped into the darkness. "I am full of surprises, little wolf."

"If you want to surprise me, save the others before you save yourself," she growled softly, walking through the passage quickly by his side.

Klaus remained silent at that, even as they reemerged out of the passage into a familiar underground cave.

"You have a path leading directly to the Garden?" Hayley asked, looking around with a frown.

"Are you familiar with the Garden now, little wolf?"

Hayley realized her mistake, and looked away from him. "I hear the rumors. They seem to be surprisingly accurate."

Klaus hummed, before pulling out his phone. "Marcel, alert your men that we have some unwelcome guests. It seems the Hunters are paying us a visit after all." He paused. "No. Kill them all."

When he pulled the phone away from his ear, he caught the look in Hayley's eyes. He smiled slowly. "My, little wolf, I can't say for certain, but I'd say that's jealousy in your eyes? Tell me, did you want to kill the people who murdered your family yourself?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come now. My strength might lie in New Orleans, but my reach is… extensive. I know all about you, Hayley Marshall. The Alpha of Alphas, the Werewolf Queen. It's only suitable that royalty recognizes royalty, don't you think?"

Hayley turned on Klaus quickly, rage blazing in her eyes. "You are not royal, not by blood. The power you have is the power you took. So don't think, for even a moment, you and I are equals. We both know who has the real power here."

"That's a dangerous game you play, little wolf," Klaus snarled softly. "Take care, you don't want me as your enemy."

Hayley turned to keep walking towards the exit. "You became my enemy the moment you took me prisoner."

Ooo0ooO

Marcel had the vampires rendezvous with Klaus and Hayley outside the cemetery. The others were waiting for Klaus' instructions on what to do next.

Hayley watched as Klaus and Marcel spoke. Her fingers drummed impatiently against her arms, which were crossed.

"So you're the wolf that everyone has been talking about."

Hayley turned. She arched her brow at the tall, slender vampire standing by her. "And you must be Katherine, the King's new plaything."

Katherine chuckled. "From what I understand, you're the new plaything. I'm just the girl fucking him for the time being."

"How romantic," Hayley muttered. "Why are you talking to me?"

"Curiosity," Katherine said, moving to Hayley's side. When she saw the wolf's doubtful look, she smiled. "Okay, you caught me. I just wanted to see who you were."

"And it has nothing to do with who I am," Hayley said flatly.

"Why, are you someone important?" Katherine asked, feigning disinterest.

Hayley exhaled sharply, moving away from the vampire.

Suddenly, there was a faint whistle of sound and a sharp crack. Hayley looked to the side, where a silver arrow was embedded in the tree she had been standing in front of seconds ago.

"Shit," she growled, turning in the direction it had been fired.

"Shit is right," Katherine hissed before flashing away.

Hayley shifted instantly, then threw back her head. She howled long and loud, calling out to her pack, warning them of the danger.

Then she lunged forward at the cloaked male who stepped forward, drawing a sword. She met him with bared fangs and sharp claws, a snarl building in her throat.

Ooo0ooO

Disclaimer: I do not own the Originals.

Author's Note: Please review!