A/N Thank you all for reviewing!
"You put a rather large kink in my plans, sweetheart. The whole point of breaking the curse and becoming a hybrid was to make more hybrids. I haven't been able to do that."
Klaus grew more upset as he quickly explained his irritating predicament, sharply turning a corner without a care for Elena's well-being, squeezing her arm roughly."Now my bet is, it has something to do with the fact that you're still breathing."
Elena struggled to keep up with his strides, almost tripping over her own feet. She tried to free her arm from Klaus' grasp only to gasp in pain when he held on tighter. Maria could sense the exasperation Klaus felt the more he spoke, clearly annoyed with the fact that his 'old friend' had kept the doppelganger's continued existence under wraps.
If Klaus Mikaelson hated one thing, it was not having complete control over everything and everyone around him.
Elena fought to keep the fear from her face and tried to seem as straight-faced as possible.
She glared hatefully at the Original."If you're going to kill me, just do it!"
"Not until I know I'm right."Klaus shook his head before he gave a predatory smile."But I do have ways of making you suffer."
The Original shoved Elena into Maria's arms as he stormed off ahead, almost pushing the swinging doors off of the hinges with the force he opened them with. Maria rolled her eyes as she followed, shaking her head at his antics. She kept a firm hold on Maria as she trailed behind Klaus, ignoring the brunette's pleas.
"What are you gonna do? Talk her to death? My, my, what a way to go."Maria said as she dragged Elena along behind her, yanking the other woman close, lowering her voice."Between plucking your limbs off and him ranting, I don't know which one would be worse, do you?"
Klaus glanced back at them with a shake of his head."Not helping, love."
Maria frowned at Klaus' back, sharply turning a corner, almost knocking Elena off her feet."I didn't say i'd be vocal support."
Elena watched the two with a wary look, peering over at the woman with a frown. She studied Maria briefly, clearly noticing the wolf's involuntariness to take part. Despite that Maria seemed determined and the blankness in her eyes proved that she had distanced herself from any emotional feelings for the victims-to-be.
"Who are you?"Elena whispered, wincing as Maria held on tighter, trying to keep her voice as quiet as possible."A-Are you a hybrid?"
"Please, i'd rather bathe in Wolfsbane than be one of his little bitches."Maria scoffed with a disgusted look, shaking her head, ignoring Klaus' growl."As i've already said, i'm Maria, and i'm a...reluctant companion."
"Don't be so modest, sweetheart, you were much more than that once upon a time."Klaus called back as he sauntered ahead."Still can be if you play your cards right."
Maria looked tempted to lunge for the hybrid but, instead, she simply inhaled and exhaled. She glared at Klaus once last time before looking to Elena.
"People do foolish things when they're young and naive."Maria said with a nod as Elena stared at her in disbelief before she gestured to Klaus."He was one of those foolish things."
"Are you a vampire?"
Maria didn't get a chance to reply because Elena turned just as Klaus gave a loud chuckle. The Original turned to them as he nudged open the gym doors. Klaus shook his head as he looked over to Maria before back to Elena.
"Love, my Maria is pure wolf. Loyal, temperamental and stubborn."Klaus drawled with an almost proud smile before his foot collided the door so hard that Elena heard a crack."It is both a blessing and a curse."
The wolf offered Elena a clearly fake smile when the brunette looked over at her. The wolf looked tempted to retort but, as if it took all her willpower to stop, she kept quiet and waited for Klaus to hold open the gym doors before she entered, dragging the brunette behind her. Maria led Elena into the gym, giving a genuine smile as she noticed that students were setting up pranks.
"Attention, seniors."Klaus raised his voice, putting on the worst American accent Maria had ever heard as he opened his arms with a flourish."You have officially been busted. Prank night is over. Head on home."
Teenagers gave sounds of annoyance but obeyed, groups of them quickly leaving the gym. Klaus cocked his head as he noticed a young woman and a man clearing up. He shook his head as he rounded Maria and Elena, calling for them.
"You two. I remember you."Klaus said, pointing to the pair as he walked towards them."Dana and Chad."
Klaus looked to Elena as he walked backwards over to the teenagers.
"You know these two?"When Elena nodded with a confused look, Klaus gave a smile, clearly up to something."How, love?"
Elena looked reluctant to respond, but when Maria squeezed her arm, she quickly answered."We went to kindergarten together."
Klaus gave an impressed nod."That's what I wanted to hear."
Maria gave a long breath, shaking her head when she noticed Klaus' expression darken."Here we go."
"I'm sorry."Dana looked puzzled as she peered up at Klaus, a frown on her face."Who are you?"
Klaus placed a hand on Dana's shoulder, feigning a friendly smile."Oh, don't worry, I wasn't in my right head last time we met."
He guided Dana closer to Elena, standing behind the young woman with his hands on her shoulders.
"I'm in need of a bit of leverage. See, Elena here has a tendency of causing trouble. I need you both to act as a living consequence if she does try to cross me again."Klaus gave his most charming smile as he met Dana's gaze, compelling her."Lift your foot up, please, Dana."
The young woman did just that, glancing down at her foot then at Klaus with a confused look. Klaus smiled once more, turning to the young man with a ferocious look.
Maria watched with an impassive expression, her sense of right and wrong dimming the more her predatory instincts took over. Her brother, despite not being a wolf, was her pack and wolves took care of their family.
It was survival.
"If she drops her foot, Chad, I want you to beat her to death."Klaus compelled Chad, voice dark but with a hint of amusement that made Elena swallow nervously."Understood?"
"Don't, Klaus."Elena begged when Chad nodded, shaking her head at the Original."You don't have to hurt anybody."
The Original looked almost offended at Elena's words, and he stared at her, eyebrows raised. Maria gave a scoff earning Klaus' attention to which she rolled her eyes at.
"Oh, come on. Of course he has to hurt someone."Maria wryly said, leering at the hybrid in an irritated manner before looking at Elena."He's Klaus."
"While your tone is bitter, love, i'll take that as a compliment."Klaus shook his head, letting out a loud laugh, his mouth curling up into a sly smile."You flatter me."
With once last smile to Maria, the Original spun around on his heels and sauntered off to probably intimidate the people he was using as leverage.
"This is all a game to him."Maria muttered to Elena, tone empty of emotion as she watched the Original out of the corner of her eye."We're all around just to amuse him. He's the puppet master. You can either hope to dodge him or for him to grow bored of you. He decides your fate."
Maria turned just in time to see Klaus circling Dana and Chad like a shark in the water. They were the little fish trying to hide, but everyone knew he would find them.
"Honestly, i don't know which is worse."
The wolf shook her head, giving a long sigh as she returned her attention back to Elena.
"It all ends in bloodshed."
"I just want this school year to be great, you know?"
Tyler gave a small smile as his girlfriend gave a cheerful smile, eyes bright with hope. She knew it was a long shot with Stefan on a rocky path with the hybrid, Elena heartbroken and everyone else being in a funk but if Caroline Forbes was anything it was determined and that was what Tyler loved most about her.
Caroline clapped her hands together as she spoke with vigour and resoluteness.
"I just want everyone to be happy."The blonde gave a vibrant smile despite the twinge of doubt in her blue eyes."Even in the midst of all the crazy unhappy bits."
Tyler smiled softly at his girlfriend, hands coming up to frame her face.
"I'm happy."
The couple smiled at one another, and both leant forward to kiss. But, just as their lips brushed, they heard a disgusted sound coming from the end of the hallway. A beautiful, blond, young woman gracefully sauntered down the hallway, eyes focused on the couple.
"You two are adorable."Rebekah drawled, coming to a stop just beside them, giving them both a once over before she rolled her eyes, looking disgusted once more."Or sickening. I guess it's all relative."
Caroline frowned, clearly taking an instant dislike to the girl.
"Uh, do we know you?"
Rebekah looked almost offended that the vampire, however young, had no clue of the vampire royalty that stood before her.
"You're Caroline, Elena's friend, which makes you Tyler."Rebekah's gaze shifted to the young man, pointing at him with a devious smile."The werewolf."
Caroline raised both eyebrows in alarm, stepping in front of her boyfriend to block the blonde's view of him. Rebekah quirked an eyebrow in amusement, shaking her head when Caroline gave a far too hubris smile for her liking.
Giving a rude sniff, Caroline gave Rebekah a once over, crossing her arms over her chest, anything but kindness on her face.
"And who are you?"
The Original clicked her tongue with a shake of her head.
If Rebekah Mikaelson hated one thing, it was insolence, even if others didn't realize that was what they were doing.
She was going to enjoy this.
Rebekah gave a sly smile, turning her head from Caroline, tongue running along her teeth.
"I'm the new girl."
When she turned back, her vampire features were visible. Rebekah bared her fangs and rushed toward Caroline, a vicious snarl ripping from her throat when she heard Caroline gasp in surprise.
"Caroline!"
"I assume you're the reason Elena's still walking around alive?"
"That's right."Bonnie nodded, raising her chin defiantly as she pointed to herself, standing in front of her friends protectively."If you want to blame someone, blame me."
"Oh, there's no need for blame, love."Klaus replied in a friendly tone, as if letting Bonnie live for crossing him was a gracious gift."Just your witchy interference seems to have caused some undesirable side effects. And since you caused the problem, I'm going to have you watch what happens next."
Klaus then turned his head toward the door, a small smile gracing his face as Rebekah entered the gym.
"There she is."
The female Original had Tyler in her arms, keeping him restrained with little effort. The wolf fought against the Original, growing angrily and looking somewhat petulant. It was impressive considering how petite Rebekah was and, given how Tyler's face was flushed, he was utterly embarrassed.
"Get off of me!"
Rebekah tightened her grip on Tyler, patting his head.
"Hush now."Maria smiled to herself as Rebekah tugged at Tyler's hair, yanking his head back and tutted."Be a good little lamb."
"I'd like you all to meet my sister Rebekah."Klaus gestured to his sister with a proud smirk, glancing at his sister with a warm glimmer in his eyes before he fondly added."Word of warning. She can be quite mean."
"Don't be an arse."
The siblings playfully glowered at one another before Rebekah shoved Tyler into Klaus' arms. The hybrid chuckled as he grabbed Tyler roughly by the back of his neck and dragged him along behind him as he stepped in front of the group.
"Leave him alone!"
"Now, now, let's not act rash."Klaus gave a vindictive grin as he watched Elena struggle before his gaze shifted to Maria, eyes softening and smile warming."Keep hold of her, love; i'll be needing our last ingredient in a moment."
Eyes widening in realization, Elena's struggles grew more powerful as she attempted to free herself, only to be pulled back by Maria who tightened her grip on the brunette.
"No, no!"
"I can't draw your blood, but that doesn't mean I won't bruise the merchandise."Maria lost her temper for a moment, a rare glimpse of anger coming forward as she gripped Elena's arm, causing a squeak of pain to come from Elena."The more you act stupid, the longer this carries on which means me seeing my brother again is further away."
"You're hurting me! Let me go! He needs my blood."Elena gasped, eyes glassing over as she fought against the other woman."He's going to kill Tyler and me!"
"Actually, he'll be turned into a hybrid if this goes to plan."Maria corrected, glancing at Tyler before she sighed."He'll be worse off, but he won't be dead."
"A-And me?"Elena's lower lip quivered as her eyes filled with tears, her voice cracking."I'm supposed to willingly let myself be used as a blood tap for the wolves Klaus wants to turn into hybrids?"
"One death is nothing compared to what i'm going to do if I don't see my brother again."Maria hissed into Elena's ear, her eyes flashing amber as she lost her temper."I'm being nice but please don't test a wolf's temper."
Elena swallowed the lump in her throat when Maria flashed her eyes amber again.
"Just let me-"
Maria cut Elena off by cupping a hand over her mouth, pulling the brunette against her, restraining her arms with one hand. She ignored the muffled pleas that came from Elena, shutting her eyes for a moment, let out a long breath before she opened her eyes once more.
When she opened her eyes, she found Klaus' gaze and what she saw in his eyes could only be described as predatory and a dark sense of longing. Having watched the scene between Maria and Elena, the hybrid's grin broadened, and he gave a short nod, tongue skimming across his bottom lip as he stared at Maria.
Maria could read his expression well; she knew what he was thinking.
That's my girl.
Maria tore her gaze from his, eyes looking anywhere but the Original. Klaus blinked, snapping out of his thoughts and suddenly remembered where he was.
"Right!"
The Original cleared his throat, his poker-face returning as he turned back to the group. He dug his fingers into Tyler's neck, looking smug as he felt the racing pulse. Tyler was scared. The Original laughed, patting Tyler's shoulder before he carried on.
"I'm going to make this very simple!"Klaus raised his voice as he presented Tyler to the group, still holding him still with his hand on the wolf's neck."Every time I attempt to turn a werewolf into a vampire hybrid, they die during the transition."
"It's quite horrible, actually."Klaus shook his head, feigning a sorrowful look as he looked to Bonnie."An entire pack killed because of your selfish need to keep one person alive."
Bonnie and Klaus glared at one another, the witch refusing to show her fear. Klaus ground his teeth together, his anger showing as he thought of Stefan's betrayal. He gripped Tyler harsher and smiled a wolfish smile when the wolf hissed in pain.
"You can imagine how upset I was when I found out the reason why and you all know what i'm like when I get a little moody."
Without looking up from her nails, Rebekah offered."A complete pain in the arse?"
Rebekah studied her nails with a bored look, only looking up when she heard a titter come from Maria and the Original's lips curved up, a giggle leaving her. The women shared a small, almost friendly smile, Rebekah's widening when Klaus gave an unimpressed look.
The Original's jaw clenched, torn between upset because Maria no longer smiled at him but pleased because his sister had found a friend, especially since that friend was his girl.
Klaus rolled his eyes, muttering."Very good."
Bonnie, Elena, Matt and Tyler all looked to Maria and Rebekah, completely puzzled and disgusted at how they were able to laugh in such a dire situation.
Rebekah's smile only faded when she noticed Matt's head shake.
"What?"
Matt looked startled for a moment before he, refusing to let his fear show, angrily replied."You're insane."
"Thank you, but I prefer spontaneous."Rebekah gave a sickly sweet smile before looking to Klaus, lower lip jutting out."Nik, can we get this bloody nonsense over with now?"
Maria nodded in agreement, pressing her hand firmer against Elena's mouth when the doppelgänger attempted to protest.
"Funny that."
The hybrid growled in agreement, looking at Tyler and giving a small smile when the wolf sneered at him. The Original blinked before he turned slightly, looking over to Maria who was watching him silently. The female wolf didn't glare at him, but she tilted her head, silently reminding them of their deal.
Seemingly not noticing this, Klaus' eyes flashed amber, an impish grin gracing his handsome face as he turned his attention to Elena who gave a muffled cry against Maria's hand.
"I was thinking the same thing."
As Klaus raised his hand to beckon Maria over, the sound of the gym doors being kicked open made everyone turned and look. Elena gave a hopeful look, only for it to fade when she saw nothing but a crying Dana and fearful Chad.
"I don't think so."
Surges of wind could be heard, followed by sounds of laughter echoing throughout the gym. Maria narrowed her eyes, glancing to Klaus for an explanation. The Original shoved Tyler away, knocking over Matt in the process when he moved to help his friends.
"Big bad wolf..."
Klaus gave an angry snarl as Rebekah was knocked over and he caught her, setting his sister back on his feet before he froze in his spot. Maria slowly turned around in a small circle, eyes wide as she followed the sounds, backing up towards Rebekah.
Klaus gave a wild look as he searched the gym, listening out."Come out, come out-"
He cut himself off, hand shooting out and he heard a choked cough. Klaus smiled to himself as he squeezed the throat of who dared to stop him.
"Damon."Klaus snarled at the Salvatore brother, fingers digging into his throat."Long time, mate."
Damon wiggled his fingers at Klaus, choking out."Too long."
Klaus gave an angry growl, letting his fangs come forward as he pulled Damon to him. He forced Damon's head to the side and leant forward, ready to bite him.
"Let him go!"
Klaus's head snapped to the side, his fangs retracting and he turned just in time to catch sight of Stefan entering the gym.
"Oh, look who's finally turned up to the party..."
Thank you for reading!
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