-11-

The sand, still warm from a setting sun, spilled onto his bare abdomen. Hayley absently scooped another handful to trickle through a loose grasp, the scratch and tickle causing him to twitch. Klaus swatted her hand away, peeking through heavy lids to watch her smile. Her eyes were droopy and sweat beaded and dripped between her bikini top. She was too out of it to notice his eyes trace the swell of her breasts like a caress.

Klaus worried about the potion lash-back, but somehow Hayley's nonchalance and let's take it as it comes attitude put him at ease. He knew better – and so did she. It was likely to be an incredibly trying night.

Hope strummed a scratchy tune on the new guitar, humming in between conversation with Benny. She sat cross legged on the large blanket Klaus and Hayley were sprawled at the corner of. Benny's head lay in Hope's lap; it was good to see the smiles reach her eyes.

"Play that one again," Benny urged, his grin stained with wine.

Klaus's focus drifted beyond them towards the gentle gulf. Rebekah's hair caught the sun in glints of gold as she stooped to collect another shell in the distance, dropping it into Elijah's ready hand.

"Come to the water with me," Hayley requested through a lazy yawn.

"I think..." Klaus began, grabbing her hand and tugging her up with him, "that I'll go get us more Merlot." She nodded, biting her lip when he plucked the empty wine bottle from Benny's clutch.

Benny commanded over the beginning chords of a Fleetwood Mac song, "bring the Gamay, it's better."

Klaus narrowed his eyes, but Hayley's gentle grasp reminded him to pretend as if he adored the boy enough not to dismember him. Instead, Klaus thumbed a patch of sand from Hayley's cheek before trudging up the seaweed riddled path. The windows and doors were open; Keelin's voice carried long before he entered through the back deck.

"Klaus won't like that..."

"No...", came Freya's soft tones, "he really won't. But I see Elijah's point. Hayley can't carry on like this much longer."

Klaus paused near the door, listening in and waiting to be seen. His heart thumped heavily and blood roared in his ears. What exactly would he not like? Elijah was up to something, he had sensed it and now this confirmed his suspicions. And Kol popping in and out...Klaus grit his teeth, something was transpiring within the family and it would require immediate action.

A clatter from the sink sounded out before Keelin asked, "what do you think Hayley is going to decide?"

"Honestly, I think she won't do a thing without Klaus's approval, no matter how great the idea."

"Because of the hybrid bond..." Keelin hummed.

"It could be. But I think it's more of a Hayley thing. She respects him too much to see big picture and that some betrayals are necessary."

Klaus narrowed his eyes and took a step inside, only to have his cell phone buzz and give him away. Keelin dropped a plate into the sink and let out a squeak of surprise. Freya swallowed hard, eyes closing briefly. They quieted and their faces said it all; fear and regret. He glanced down at his phone. Jonah. His sister and her lover would have to wait.

"Do you have her?", he barked into the phone.

Jonah spoke softly, as if not alone. "Yes, Marcel's got her in the dungeon."

Klaus pursed his lips and settled a narrowed gaze on his sister. "Well done. I'll be sure to have your bonus wired within the hour."

He hung up and took to staring down the women frozen in the kitchen, rolling around the meaning of their secret conversation. The word betrayal left his gut sour and throat tight. Jackson's last remaining kin was now sitting in a dark and damp cage, quivering in fear. Hayley wouldn't like it, but he would do what was needed to find the witch who cast the curse. It was the only way. And it seemed, if the overheard conversation in the kitchen was any indication, that he was not the only one carrying such a mentality.

"Tell me," Klaus began, entering the kitchen, "what sort of betrayal does my wife find herself conflicted over?"

Elijah smiled, amusement all over his sea sprayed face. Hope and Rebekah thought it funny to pack a bathing suit for Hayley thats bottoms were made to look like a wolf face complete with small ears. The bikini top mimicked two full moons hanging at her breasts. It was ridiculous but Klaus had laughed so hard and kissed her even harder.

"Yeah, yeah. Hope said she packed me a surprise so I suppose it could have been worse," Hayley sighed, the water lapping at her toes.

"Wicked girl, your daughter." He held out a hand. "Care to join me for a swim?"

Hayley shrugged and tentatively edged into the swell of foamy waves, only grabbing onto his hand when the dizziness proved too strong under the escaping sand beneath her footing. Rebekah had joined Hope and Benny on the blanket and her laughter could be heard over the swirling rush of water.

"How are you feeling?" he asked once they were chin deep in water.

"Alright I think. Out of it. Klaus thinks I should take a break in wolf form tonight but I don't like to risk it. I bit you before. What if I get angry and bite someone else?"

"Do you feel the curse is affecting your wolf now?" He looked rigid with concern. There was something else written on his face too. Something between anger and fear in his taut jaw and tense shoulders.

Hayley pressed her lips together before offering a short nod, avoiding his eyes. She'd thought about her options the entire time she'd been latched onto Klaus's neck, gulping him until the warmness spread from belly to toes.

Elijah kept his gaze on her, staring intently. Hayley stared back, or tried to at least. Her eyes were so heavy like weights hung from each lash. She understood where she stood. He and Hope were going to perform the memory walk whether she agreed or not. They'd find the ingredient and she'd be cured. It was the things Hope would see that held Hayley back the most. It was that night Hayley had become so pathetically weak and committed such horrifying acts. The curse had nearly taken her life; soul and body. If Elijah hadn't been there...

Hayley shuddered at the memory. His finger swept a tear from her face, she hadn't realized she'd started crying.

"If I don't tell him it will destroy the trust we've built. It's hard to explain...It...I..."

"It's okay to love him."

Hayley slumped in defeat, the water lifting her towards Elijah. He tilted her chin with a single finger and rested his forehead to hers.

"Hayley," he whispered, "he loves you too. You will be forgiven."

"It's more than that...it's our wolves. They won't betray one another. Not after..."

"I understand. I have thought extensively about your concerns and will not stand in your way if you decide to bring this to him before we complete the memory walk. It is your choice, I only ask you give Hope and I a head start. Davina will be waiting for us when we return."

"Okay..."

"Yes?"

"Yes. I can't fight much longer." The admission of defeat hit her hard and she could do little more than let it wash over her like the warm swell of sea.

"Come, let us gather together by the pool. It appears the others are venturing that way."

"Sorry I hit you earlier."

"Liar," he smiled. "But it is quite alright. Impressive hook."

Hayley let him wrap an arm around her waist as they trudged slowly up the gritty sand.

Music was playing from Benny's portable speaker, drowning out the sounds of Hope's parents inside. Her mom had been draped over her dad on a pool float, everything seemed fine...maybe a little oddly tense...but fine. Until it wasn't. It was hard seeing her like that; shuddering against waves of despair and hiding her face in the crook of Klaus's neck as he gently scooped her out of the water.

Hope expected the potion crash, even though a part of her hoped it would be the one time there wasn't one. She was grateful for the time she got on her birthday with a mostly normal Hayley. The potion had done its job and now...

Hope situated on the float, using her arms to drift closer to her drink. A loud crash from inside caused her to cringe and jerked their attention towards the lit up beach cottage.

"Uh...should someone go in there or something?" Benny asked loudly, chasing a straw around his drink with parted lips.

Elijah lifted out of the water, muttering, "remain here." He wetly padded towards the pile of towels, the relaxed expression from just moments before disappeared. Hope bit her lip as she watched him wrap the tropical print towel around his pelvis and wearily sweep his dripping hair back with both hands. They locked eyes momentarily but he blinked away, jaw clenched.

A splash of water dotted her cheek and stole Hope's attention. "I love this song, remember when we heard it?" Benny asked, bobbing his head while slurping down the strawberry daiquiri. "This girl right here," he gestured towards Hope while smiling towards Rebekah and Kol, "got down to this one night on top of the bar at that one place...what's it called?" When Hope didn't answer he waved his hand and continued, "some place where they don't take kindly to girls dancing on their tables."

Drunken shenanigans rarely happened in public, Hope tried to keep that part of her private and away from the social circles that had an affect on her parents and the pack. But, she liked to have fun sometimes...just like any other teenage girl she guessed. It was safe with Benny, they looked out for each other, always had.

Aunt Rebekah smiled and cocked her head, asking Kol in that melodic hum Hope loved, "I wonder where she got that from..."

Hope finally reached her drink, the squeaky float nudging against the cement as she took a large gulp. She was trashed but in a good way. Like she could melt into her float and smile through the tears. Was she crying? She touched her face. No, it was from Benny's splash. Hope dropped the glass into the water accidentally. She watched as it capsized before sinking to the bottom, amber bourbon inking in a cloud near her float.

She replied with a smile, "I am merely a product of my environment." That's what Uncle Elijah always said when she behaved in certain ways.

The song changed to something slower and a silence settled between the gentle lapping of pool water and murmured conversation. The ocean was calm and a storm drifted in pulses of lightning far across the gulf's night sky. Hope felt a hand at her cheek.

"You okay?" Benny asked. His breath smelled like red skittles. She hated those fruity drinks.

Nodding she lifted her arms up and wiggled her fingers. He grinned as she wrapped her damp arms around his neck, squealing loudly as he pulled her off the float. It had been a good birthday. After enjoying the amazing music equipment Uncle Elijah gifted, Hope took a moment by the sea with her parents before they decided to take a swim. Her parents were just about to reveal their gift when the curse butted in once again. Not at all surprising.

"Oh look!" Rebekah's voice carried excitedly. She was holding up an inflatable beach ball. Benny spun Hope around in the water until she pinched his side and pushed away. She was dizzy enough without the synchronized swimming. The ball landed with a soft splat between them.

"Is she trying to engage us in a game of fetch?" Benny asked in his horrible attempt at a British accent.

"Dodgeball maybe?" Hope shrugged, tossing it towards Kol's dozing face. He caught it with his eyes closed and promptly popped it with an effortless clench of his hand.

"Hey," Rebekah protested sharply, "I was trying to initiate a friendly game of pool volley."

Howling with laughter, Benny tried to mimic her accent again, "pool volley?" Turning to Hope he stated gleefully, "god, I love your family."

Hope smiled and nodded in agreement. They were the best and hardly anyone ever saw these sides to the Mikaelsons. Benny had always gotten along best with Auntie Beks. Hope remembered sitting with him on the end of Rebekah's bed when they were kids, her aunt modeling outfits that Benny judged with brutal honesty as Hope played in her jewelry. The string of black pearls her father had gifted were Hope's favorite and had hung to her knees back them.

Uncle Kol shoved the nearly emptied bottle of bourbon into Rebekah's hand. She finished it off in several gulps, swiping at her lips with the back of her hand. Even that was made to look elegant.

"Come on out sweetie darlings, the storm is closer," Rebekah called out in a hint of a slur; heavy lids and glistening lips.

They ended up playing cards at the small poolside table, wrapped in towels and drinking water at Uncle Kol's request.

"Thank you Auntie for making me look and feel beautiful tonight," Hope murmured, squeezing Rebekah's hand. Then to Kol she bit her lip and said, "and thank you Uncle for bringing me someone special to keep my mind off of what's going on inside. It means a lot."

Hope watched her uncle play another round with Benny as she and Rebekah leaned against each other as observers. Hope was way too drunk to think. She'd have to be carried back in. The glow of the upstairs bathroom grabbed her gaze from their table by the pool. Hayley's cries were so familiar and constant that Hope barely noticed them infiltrate the music and laughter lulling her towards peace. One day things would be peaceful.

She knew exactly what to take Aunt Freya's helpful birthday potion for.

Elijah followed the sounds of a struggle up the narrow stairs, fingers trailing along a blood smeared wall. His shoes crunched on broken glass every other step and... anger burned in the air, singeing the back of his throat.

The curse usually evoked a sense of despair for Hayley, as it was intended to mimic the Kenner family's pain of losing Jackson. Though, at times, the use of potions and herbs suppressed the curse so long that it inevitably snapped back with force. If his altercation with Hayley earlier was of any indication, the curse was now choosing to present itself through aggression and anger.

Elijah stepped over the splintered remains of an armchair before nudging the door open with both readied hands. Niklaus looked relieved even if Hayley seemed livid at Elijah's sudden appearance inside the blood spattered bathroom. His brother's nose was healing but blood coated in sticky clots from nostril to neck. She must have hooked him much harder than she had Elijah.

"Get him out of here," Hayley muttered, as if forgetting she was no longer angry with his efforts and involvement. She stood clutching her stomach and quaking under a sheen of sweat. Her bathing suit clung wetly and dripped pink droplets around her rigid toes. Every bit of her looked clenched like strained steel. He wanted to run, his vampire senses pricked and inwardly screaming for him to put distance between himself and the alarming stench of wolf in the air. She would tear through him; reduce him to a pulp. It was all over her face and a warning flashed amber in her glare.

Freya rushed in past Elijah, thrusting a mug into Klaus's hands. She stated breathlessly, "it will help with the pain..." Hayley knocked it out of her hand, stepping forward.

"DAMMIT Hayley," Niklaus seethed, grabbing her by both arms and pinning her to the crimson painted tile.

Freya stooped down to retrieve a piece of the mug, sighing heavily and muttering an incantation. The liquid lifted like a blob and hovered in the air before his sister directed it with steady fingers towards Hayley; Niklaus had his arm positioned over her neck and sweat dripped down his brow as he struggled to hold her in place. She was really putting up a hell of a fight and Elijah wondered where her strength came from. It seemed as if the curse had blinded her to the fact that they were trying to help.

Before the cerulean liquid reached her mouth, the slow crinkling wet descend of fangs caused the hairs on Elijah's arms to rise. He froze as she bit so hard into Niklaus's arm that the sound of bone cracking sent an icy jolt down Elijah's spine. Elijah dove to put himself between Hayley and Freya as Niklaus fell to his knees growling in pain, blood spraying from the wound.

Elijah held up his hands, "look at me, hey...hey..." He wouldn't snap her neck if he didn't have to. Several years ago they learned the hard way that the healing process was like an inner circle of hell for her under the curse.

Hayley stepped forward, eyes glowing large and unblinking. Getting bit was likely unavoidable, but he was far more worried for his sister and the other humans inhabiting the property than for himself. He worried for Hope.

"Love, come here," Niklaus rasped from where he stood unsteadily, hand wrapped around the meaty wound. "You don't want to hurt them, Hope is downstairs."

Hayley paused at this and Elijah could feel Freya relax behind him. The moment was short lived when Keelin creaked to a halt on the hardwoods outside the bathroom. Hayley's attention turned towards the sound, her fingers extending into razor-like claws.

Freya sprung towards the open door, exclaiming,"NO." The word echoed harshly against the tiled room, rattling his skull.

Everyone moved at once. Elijah was knocked back so hard that he went through the wall with a crushing crash of plaster, wood, and glass – landing him outside onto the deck. The pain was excruciating and it took him several seconds to figure out a wooden post was poking through his gut. His spine was definitely broken, he couldn't move no matter his best efforts.

The scene around him turned to chaos when a wolf – Hayley's wolf – tore past him, followed quickly by a vamp speeding Niklaus. Even from his Elijah's position, where he could do nothing but wait to heal, the look of panic on Niklaus's face was evident. The blood pouring from Elijah's abdomen -a reminder that healing wouldn't come quickly in this particular predicament.

Elijah felt a trickle of relief between the sputtering fight for air when he saw Freya and Keelin look on from the splintered doorway. At least they remained unharmed. It was likely because Hayley returned to wolf form in an effort to avoid harming anyone, choosing to put distance and give her emotional state a break. But with the curse affecting her wolf now...

Kol's face appeared, worry all over his familiar features. "Need a hand, mate?"

"Go...h-h-elp Hope..." Elijah struggled out, tasting blood. He could not bleed out, not now.

His younger brother ignored the request, clenching his jaw as he grasped the broken piece of deck, pulling it through Elijah's gut. The suctioning sound echoed nauseatingly in the air.

"ARGH!" Elijah yelled against the pain. Something alerted Kol because his attention jerked away and he flashed out of view as soon as the post was tossed with a clatter to the side... and then the screams erupted. Elijah was able to turn his head and watch the scene play out as his spine crunched back into place, disc by excruciating disc.

Hayley's wolf stood feet from Hope, heaving growling snarls towards her frozen daughter. Niklaus approached slowly, his voice coated in panic, "Hayley, I swear to God..."

"Don't hurt her," Hope whimpered towards her father as Hayley edged closer. It was as if Hayley was gone and this cursed wolf had taken over. Usually the curse only lightly affected her in wolf form. This was now the worst lash back after a dose they've ever had. After this, Hayley would refuse to take it ever again. Of that, he was sure. It would force his hand even more.

"She would want me to," Niklaus replied dully, slowly shedding his ring...then his talon necklace he'd worn since they were boys. The jewelry fell to the sand from his brother's limp hand. Elijah knew what was to happen. Something he hadn't seen in quite some time. Something he knew his brother didn't want to do, not in the least.

Before Hayley's snarling wolf could charge towards Hope, Niklaus wolfed out in a cacophony of popping bones and grunts-turned-growls, meeting her mid air. Hope's scream was drowned out by the thunderous guttural sounds of the two wolves as they thudded heavily to the grassy sand. The only way to tell between them as their teeth gnashed wildly between struggles to get to their feet, was size. Their coloring and markings were identical as if born from the same litter. Elijah never knew. Never remembered. Tried to forget. Beneath it all they were wolves and he was not – he knew it now in that way things tend to shift into focus, realizing perception was wrong all along.

"STOP THEM!" Hope shrieked, moving forward. It took both Kol and Rebekah to drag her back a safe distance from the fight. Elijah could move now, but not enough to do anything of service. He merely struggled to crawl closer, sand scraping layers of skin from his bare forearms.

"DAD NO!" Elijah had never heard Hope scream with such despair. It pierced the night and rang in his ears.

Niklaus's wolf, bloodied and ripped to ribbons of fleshy fur, pinned Hayley's wolf to the ground with his jaws clamped around her throat. His breaths heaved through flared nostrils and their growls ripped into the night, low like shuddering like the beginnings of an earthquake. Hayley's wolf struggled against his hold as he used all his strength to keep her down. She yelped sharply, causing Hope to let out a sob of protest.

"Don't look," he heard Rebekah say, burying Hope's face in an embrace.

When Hayley's struggles finally ceased and only small whimpers escaped like sharp whistles from her bleeding throat, Niklaus released her. He stepped heavily back, eyes glowing and peering with a command into hers. She slowly struggled to her crimson stained paws and bowed her head, laying right back down to signal her utter submission to Klaus's wolf.

This was a victory in a sense. Hope and the others were now safe, and Hayley calmed into submission. They both, in a strange flurry of moving bones and skin, transformed back to their human forms, Hayley bleeding profusely from the bite around her throat. As Hope broke free and raced towards her mother, Elijah realized with a heaviness that something more had occurred here.

Hayley was no longer a co-alpha in their union. Niklaus had just taken it from her in that single act of attack and her submission; Elijah was no wolf but he understood that much. All they bargained and worked for to ensure peace and protection five years ago was now threatened. Neither pack trusted Klaus Mikaelson with the title. Neither pack would accept this. Vampires would abandon their posts in fear of a wolf take over...

Elijah looked towards Kol in defeat. It would be nearly impossible to make a play for the witches in the political upheaval that would soon reveal itself if the pack and witches realized Niklaus was solely in charge. It was Hayley the factions trusted, that was no secret. If they lost Davina's help then Hope would have to attempt the memory walk on her own. Something Elijah was certain she could achieve, but not without repercussions.

The curse proved too strong, it's dark magic tethered to every last thread of her –Hayley's wolf could no longer be trusted.

"Please, Hope."

She blocked him from the car, tears streaming down her cheeks. No way was this it. It was supposed to be her mom's turn to sleep outside with her. It was supposed to be special.

"Don't leave, please. I'd rather be with you than not, I don't care if she's not able to do anything. I just want her here." She felt like she was going to puke. The taste of alcohol and bile tickled her senses.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. We do need to be going before she wakes up."

"Daddy, please..." Hope whimpered, clutching his forearm. He gently pulled away and slid into the front seat. She wished he'd at least look at her. This wasn't fair, everything was fine. Her mom could sleep this off and be fine with another dose, they were giving in to the curse and it was...Hope couldn't accept that.

She reached her hand out and halted the car with her magic just as it started backing up. Hope's eyes met her father's through the windshield. In the end...after a several minute showdown of furrowed brows and rheumy eyes, she lowered her hand and turned quickly to flee towards the home.

The bathroom was too far, her vomit ended up in the kitchen sink instead.

"Come on, lovey, why don't you come lay down in our bed," Rebekah suggested once Hope's heaving subsided. Her hands were gentle as she guided Hope down the hall, continuing softly, "you and Benny can take our room for tonight, it's quite comfortable."

"No, i'm not tired. I wa-wan-..." Hope couldn't form the words through her sniffling cries. This was horrible. All she could remember was the smell of the battling wolves; sour and musky.

"Come, I'll make you some tea," Uncle Elijah suggested, gesturing for her to sit at the dining table. Hope nodded and shakily lowered herself to the cool wooden seat, letting Benny sit close with clammy hands wrapped around her own.

She wasn't sure how much time passed or how long she grasped the warm teacup, but eventually she looked up and remembered something.

"What were my parents going to give me as their gift?"

Her family, each of them standing around the destroyed room, remained silent. Hope arched an eyebrow, a picture swinging on it's hinges before falling to the ground in a clatter. It looked like the home had survived a tornado with all the blood, glass, and missing chunks of wall and frame.

"Well...erm…" Rebekah began tentatively.

Elijah looked to his feet.

Finally, Freya stepped in and stated plainly, "they purchased this beach house. It's yours now…"

Hope's eyes trailed over the debris and wreckage, another long silence stretching amongst the Mikaelsons. She couldn't stop it if she tried, a giggle erupted from her mouth. They looked at her as if she'd gone mad, but when her chuckles turned to full-bellied laughs she was no longer the only one smiling.

A/N: Hayley and Klaus: husband and wife. Backstory on how this came to be and what it means now coming up soon!

Thanks for your continued support, I'd love to hear from more of you, it means a lot!

Shout out to Senisra for helping me out so much lately with both fics. I really probably would have given up with sharing any of it by now if not for our many talks and all the help and insight. Much love, thank you!