Chapter Twenty Seven: Pictures of You
"Remembering you standing quiet in the rain
As I ran to your heart to be near
And we kissed as the sky fell in,
You were bigger and brighter and whiter than snow,
There was nothing in the world
That I ever wanted more
Than to feel you deep in my heart..."
-The Cure
Ooo0ooO
A hand traced the curve of a slender hip, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps. That hand then moved onto a trembling thigh, caressing the heat centered there. A soft moan filled the air, and was followed by a whisper of a name.
Klaus watched as his mate writhed beneath him as his clever fingers drove her up and over the peak once more. Her skin was dewed with sweat, gleaming like a pearl in the dull sunlight.
Annabelle then rose over him, positioning herself just so, before guiding him into her slick heat. Her hair, long and loose, tumbled freely over her shoulders, a dark contrast to her flushed skin. Her gray eyes were as hazy as smoke as they held his gaze, blurred with pleasure.
Leaning up, Klaus captured a pink nipple between his lips, which caused Anna to arch into him. Her fingers threaded themselves into his gold curls, quietly beseeching him to continue. He allowed her to set the rhythm, which started slow and steady, with the rise and fall over her body with his.
Klaus' lips then moved up along the curve of her neck, biting down gently. He growled possessively, and both him and his wolf whispered, Mine.
Yours, Annabelle whispered in his mind, even as she gasped his name once more.
Placing his hands on her hips, Klaus began driving deeper inside her, before using one hand to caress the nub above her entrance. Annabelle's head rolled back, exposing the lovely length of her throat again, and her movements became more frantic under his ministrations.
Anna's hands grappled for purchase on Klaus' shoulders, and her nails dug into his skin, making him growl more loudly. Her lips clashed with his, and teeth and tongues battled for dominance and were punctuated by gasps and moans.
Relentlessly, Klaus broke off the kiss, taking her breast again, setting his teeth into that pebbled peak. His mate cried out, and he felt her walls begin to tighten around him as she climaxed. When it became too much, Klaus quickly followed, shouting into the hollow of her throat.
Ooo0ooO
Steam rose lazily off of the fragrant, hot water in the tub. There were no bubbles to distort the naked bodies of the two mates that were lounged inside. Klaus leaned back on one end, smirking at his mate who sat on the other side. His hand grasped her bent knee, tracing circles along the inside.
Annabelle's damp hair was tied up high, exposing a love bitten neck. Her eyes were half closed, her lips curved, and with one hand, she held Klaus' free hand. The other, her left, sat bare on the edge of the tub. She saw Klaus' eyes drop to it, and the sudden displeasure there.
On their last day in Europe, Klaus and Annabelle had indulged in some light hearted activities while the twins were away exploring, which included skinny dipping in what they thought was a remote lake. Unbeknownst to them, a few humans came across their path and had stolen most of their clothes, and Annabelle's wedding band and engagement ring, which she had left on a chain in her pant's pocket.
After giving their children a rather awkward explanation as to why Anna was only dressed in Klaus' shirt, Klaus stayed in his wolf form to spare them further embarrassment. Klaus had wanted to track them down, but by the time they had gotten him and Anna into proper clothes, a rainstorm had rolled in, washing away any trace of scent before the skies cleared just as quickly as they had darkened.
Although Anna was saddened by the loss of the rings, having loved her sapphire ring and designed band very much, she reminded Klaus that she did not need something like a ring to tell the world that she was married and bonded to him. The proof was in the soul marks, as faded as they were, and from their rather extensive, well known story.
Anna squeezed his hand. "Stop thinking about it."
Klaus' blue eyes darkened. "If that blasted rainstorm hadn't blown in-,"
Laughing, Anna leaned forward slightly, capturing his chin with her fingers. "Am I so ugly without them?" she asked teasingly.
Klaus turned, nuzzling his cheek into her palm, kissing the inside of her wrist. "My Anna, that is impossible."
"Then don't think about it anymore," she said. "I am yours, you know that. Isn't that enough?"
The same possessive growl rumbled in his chest. He reached out, curling his hand gently around her neck to pull her closer. "It will always be," he murmured, before kissing her.
Ooo0ooO
A week later, Hope leaned against the balcony, enjoying the cool breeze. Her hair fell down her back, nearly to her waist, in soft brown waves. Her gray eyes tracked the movements in the forest.
Hope and Mason had gone to visit their Uncle Charlie along with Hayley, and had spent most of the day away from the mansion again. They had all enjoyed lunch at the Grill, and had run into a few familiar faces- like Bonnie, and surprisingly, Damon.
Hope's brow furrowed as she thought about the dark haired vampire. His eyes were like chips of ice, and although he seemed charming, she was unimpressed. She had been around Damon a few times, and preferred his brother's company whenever they ran into the other Salvatore.
Bonnie, on the other hand, was a welcomed sight. The witch, along with Bennett, was a great mentor for the twins, guiding them through their experience with magic. Hope invited her to visit the mansion next time Bennett came, and the witch seemed all too eager to accept at the mention of the witch Hybrid's name.
Hope's lips twitched at that.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she caught some odd movement in the trees. Hope stiffened, her eyes narrowing slightly, before they blew wide and she let out an excited cry.
"Mason, they're here!"
In a flash, Mason was standing on the balcony, and he grinned when he saw two figures emerge from the woods. The twins exchanged excited looks, before they both called out for their parents, announcing the arrivals.
Ooo0ooO
Stella and Dante stood in front of the mansion, both with rounded eyes, as they took it all in. Then the front door opened, and they were greeted enthusiastically by Hope and Mason.
Stella and Hope embraced tightly, and when Hope turned to Dante, she felt a blush sting her cheeks. "Uh, hi," she said, inwardly wincing when she heard how weird her voice sounded.
"Hi yourself," Dante laughed, before hugging her as well.
The blush darkened and Hope had to bite her lip to keep from grinning stupidly. She looked up and saw her mom and dad waiting by the doorway. The Italian werewolves went to greet them, and while Hope walked inside, Anna reached out, poking her cheek before giving her a knowing smirk. Hope batted her hand away, giving her mom a half-hearted glare.
"Your home is... incredible," Dante told Klaus, openly gawking.
They were then greeted by Hayley, Elijah, and Rebekah, who were all waiting in the living room. Hayley walked right up to Stella, asking her if she was the one calling herself Anna's cousin. Anna stiffened for a moment, unsure about the look in Hayley's eyes.
But she relaxed when Hayley grinned, announcing that made her and Stella cousins too. Rebekah interjected, saying how technically Annabelle was related to all of the werewolves, but Hayley waved her off, dismissing it as a "technicality".
Off to the side, Elijah and Klaus stood side by side as the others got equated with one another. They each held a glass of whiskey.
"Did you buy it yet?" Elijah asked in a low voice.
"What?" Klaus asked, feigning ignorance.
Elijah slated him a look, making Klaus chuckled. "How did you know?"
"Because I know you," was all Elijah had to say.
"Am I that obvious, brother?"
"When it comes to her?" Elijah gestured to Annabelle, who was whispering with Rebekah as they watched Hope and Dante talk. Elijah shared a knowing look with his wife, before looking at Klaus. "Yes."
Klaus slipped his hand into his pocket, brushing his fingertips against the velvet box. "Shame. I used to be so cunning in my youth."
The brothers both chuckled this time, before Elijah patted his hand on his brother's shoulder. "I remember the first time," he said, a small smile gracing his lips. "You called me for advice on flowers."
"Colors," Klaus nodded, remembering as well. "That was... one of the best days of my life."
"Perhaps we can create another?"
Klaus lifted a brow. "Do you have something in mind?"
Elijah smirked. "Perhaps. Unlike yourself, I still am quite cunning."
Ooo0ooO
While the guests moved to the other room, Hayley shoved Anna into another room despite her protests.
"Hayley, as much as I appreciate your lack of manners-,"
Hayley shushed her, hazel eyes narrowed. "Something's different about you."
Annabelle furrowed her brows. "What do you mean? Nothing is different."
Hayley leaned in close, her nose nearly brushing with Anna's. They locked gazes, both of them refusing to move. But Anna caved first, leaning away and releasing the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.
"How do you know?" she demanded.
"Your scent is slightly off," Hayley said, grinning. "Not far along?"
"No," Anna confessed. "I recognized the signs only a few days ago. It was the same as the first time around."
Hayley's grin melted away, and she gave Anna a concerned look. "Are you all right?"
Anna nodded, smiling. "Bonnie confirmed it last night with a spell," she said in a low voice. "I haven't told anyone yet."
Throwing her arm over her cousin's shoulder, Hayley said, "Your secret is safe with me, then."
Ooo0ooO
A few days later, Annabelle woke up to a surprisingly empty mansion. Getting up, she searched every room and found them all deserted, with no note left behind. Huffing, she placed her hands on her hips.
"Rude," she murmured, perplexed.
Good morning, my Anna.
Anna almost jumped at the sound of her mate's voice in her head. Klaus! Where is everybody?
Come down to the river and see.
Confused as ever, Anna quickly got dressed before heading out the door. The weather was cool and crisp, and she longed to shift to enjoy it, but her curiosity about Klaus won over the urge.
Moving a branch aside, Anna stepped into the clearing by the river and gasped.
Not unlike their wedding, the riverbanks were decorated with floating lights and bouquets of flowers, mostly roses. She saw her whole family standing together, apparently waiting for her, but her eyes fell to her mate, who was smirking rather widely.
"What is all of this?" she asked as he came forward, gathering her hands in his.
Klaus kissed her hands, drawing her down to the water's edge. "Annabelle, it is here you and I were bonded as one. I felt-," a sudden throat clearing had Klaus rolling his eyes before amending his sentence, "we felt that it was only appropriate that I do this here, in front of our families."
With wide eyes, Anna watched her mate sink onto a knee, drawing a velvet box out of his pocket. "Klaus," she gasped.
The lid was opened, and a brilliant ring gleamed in the sunlight. On a braided silver band, a oval shaped moonstone gleamed white and blue. It was a startling difference from her original engagement ring- which had been a sapphire on a thick gold band- but it was just as stunning.
Klaus reached out for her left hand. "So it is to you, my Anna, that I propose we renew our vows here, in front of our ever growing family."
Watching as the ring slid onto her finger, Anna felt tears sting her eyes as she knelt down to kiss Klaus, punctuating them all with a resounding "yes". The others cheered, and Anna laughed, but her gaze was still locked on her mate's.
When they stood, Annabelle grasped his hand. "I have something for you as well, my love." She smiled that well known smile of hers.
"What is it?" Klaus asked, pulling her close again.
Annabelle flashed Hayley a bright smile before leaning up on her toes to whisper it in his ear, but it was loud enough for the rest to hear. Klaus' eyes widened, then dropped to her flat stomach, before he embraced her again.
Hope leaned on Mason's shoulder. "I wonder what it's going to be like to have a younger sibling running around," she mused.
"As long as I'm not on diaper duty, I think it would be great."
Ooo0ooO
Disclaimer: I do not own TVD or the Originals.
Author's Note: Although it pains me to say this, there are three chapters left in our story before the A Wolf's Mate series officially comes to a close. I can't believe it!
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