The sun is in his eyes when he emerges from the cabin and he blinks, momentarily blinded as Caroline tugs on his hand and leads him on.

When his vision clears, he immediately notes the Arctos wolves who were all within a hundred metres of the cabin, feigning casualness but their stances tense.

Had Caroline uttered a single scream they would have risked death to protect or save her.

He can appreciate that kind of loyalty.

Elijah is the only sibling left waiting outside the cabin, looking completely out of place in his three piece suit when everyone else is in flannel and plaid but owning his elegance.

"Brother" he greets with feigned casualness of his own, his eyes studying Caroline's possessive grip of his hand,

"Where's Bekah and Kol?" Klaus asks as he falls in line beside him,

"With Elena" he jerks his head to the treeline at the far end of the clearing,

"Demanding to hold the child"

Caroline huffs and the set of her shoulders suggests displeasure bordering on anger. Releasing his hand she stalks ahead, leaving them trailing in her wake as she reaches the crowd under an ancient oak tree.

A suspiciously pale oak tree.

Klaus gives his brother a significant glance and receives a curt nod in reply.

Perhaps the Arctos massacre fifteen years ago had been to their benefit after all.

He'd caught only a glimpse of her before, a flash of pale skin as she was carried from the cabin and his view of her now is obscured by his siblings and Elena all hovering around her.

He has to fight the stab of jealousy that lances through his heart,

Who were these people to see the child before him?

His child; who bore such a similar scent to his own.

Caroline bends down to take her out of her Beta's arms, bouncing slightly as she cradled her and turned to him. She hesitates and kisses the top of her head, closing her eyes briefly before raising her head and squaring her shoulders.

"Support her head" she instructed quietly as she carefully shifted the baby into his terrified but eager hands.

He couldn't breathe.

She was so tiny.

She was light in his arms.

So light that he clutched her tighter to his chest, terrified that she would slip through his grip.

One tiny eye opened and gazed at him curiously before it dropped shut again and she squirmed closer to his chest, turning her face to him and sniffing deeply before falling asleep.

His daughter.

So perfect.

A finger comes out of nowhere and pokes her in the cheek and Nik looks up glaring at Kol who is chortling,

"She's so soft and squishy"

"Don't poke my daughter" he sniped irritably, "She's not a plate of jello"

"When do I get to hold her?" Rebekah demands sulkily,

"Age before beauty sweet sister," Elijah responds airily, "I'm first"

"Second" Elena contradicts from his shoulder, "I'm family so I should go first"

Nik could cheerfully tell every last one of them to go to hell. He walks away from them, bouncing his daughter as smoothly as possible as he puts space between them and everyone else.

With this modicum of peace he takes the opportunity to pull back the blanket covering her and release her tiny hands, one stretches out and he shuffles her in his arms so that he can lay his pinkie finger in her palm. The force with which she squeezes it is unbelievable and he chuckles, his heart overflowing with pride and love as he kisses her cheek.

"My child" he murmurs adoringly, "My blood"

"Nik" Rebekah draws out his name in complaint, "We want to hold her"

He closes his eyes and pretends he can't hear her as he presses their foreheads together and memorises her scent and the sound of her heartbeat.

"We don't have time for this"

Caroline's voice is a shadow over his sunny moment, cold and unfeeling as she calls over Tyler who approaches him with his arms outstretched. Nik wants to growl and snap his teeth but the allegiance he'd sworn to her as Alpha on her territory is a sharp nail being dragged over his spinal column as he holds his daughter over to the Beta.

She's taken away and his family gathers around him cautiously, no longer distracted and so finally sensing the tension underlying him and Caroline.

Worse still, the mating link was healed and the two of them had forgotten how powerful it was, that part of them was overwhelmed and unable to block anything out, as such they were feeding their negative emotions to one another and stoking up the fire.

If they hadn't worked out their tension with sex before they'd like as not be working it out with bloodshed now.

Caroline jerks her head and leads him and his family into the largest cabin in the clearing, Elena following along happily wrapped up in Alaric's arms and peppering him with questions, Bonnie trudging behind with obvious reluctance.

It took a great show of strength on Bonnie's part to come with him to the Arctos lands when she knew she'd likely be facing punishment for her crime.


The cabin obviously doubled as meeting house and sleeping area, and the werewolves took their places against the wall while Caroline stood in the very centre of the room, Nik floundering momentarily about where his place was before settling in beside his vampire siblings.

"I know there's a lot we have to talk about" Caroline begins, holding her hands together in front of her,

"Firstly, we need to figure out whether the Crescent Clan will be launching another attack, especially as tonight is the Full Moon and if they aren't then we need to figure out why"

Klaus can see that several pairs of eyes are looking his way, he can tell that as far as the wolves are concerned, the first point of order was him.

The Alpha who'd taken Caroline as his mate, started a war and then abandoned her only to come back now at the eleventh hour.

The mother of his child can clearly read her wolves as well because she sighs and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Alpha Klaus and I have reconciled" she announces, "He will be running with us tonight and his pack will fight alongside us in any future battles"

That had not been discussed during their tete-a-tete earlier but he lets it go for now, after all any enemies of the Arctos Pack would be enemies of his daughter and he would gladly pick a fight with them.

"How'd you two reconcile?"

It's a woman who asks the question and the blush on Caroline's cheeks help him to realise why she'd hoped to skate over the issue.

"Um…" she cleared her throat, "By law…Klaus entered my lands without invitation which is trespassing and he brought vampires which makes it a failed invasion…"

Elijah's head shoots up, clearly offended at being considered an invader or enemy of any sort. Meanwhile Caroline's stalling for time and her pack is starting to grow antsy, shifting their feet and sizing him up. Superior strength and skill be damned, if they thought he'd harmed her in any way he'd find himself fighting off about twenty-nine pissed off wolves.

Finally, surrendering to the embarrassment Caroline takes a deep breath and she speaks as quickly as possible, the words running together in the hopes of softening their blow,

"And we fought and I was victorious so I was able to lay claim to him and now we're reconciled"

Nik is squirming inside as her emotions heighten his, her embarrassment becoming his mortification, especially when the wolves in the room are showing either disbelief in the situation or pride of their alpha and his siblings are trying to figure out what exactly is going on.

"I don't get it" Rebekah admits, looking to him for clarification,

"Doesn't matter" he lies through his teeth, "Mere technicalities"

Caroline glances over at the sound of his voice and holds out her hand, slowly he approaches and takes it, squeezing it lovingly and standing beside her,

"I have chosen Klaus to be my Alpha Male" she tells them, "Tonight we will have the Full Moon Ceremony and then he will be Alpha consort of the Arctos Pack as I am of the North East Atlantic Pack. We will be allied but maintain separate packs and territories until Elizabeth succeeds us as our heir"

And wouldn't this news be of interest to every last pack on the continent; especially when it became clear that his daughter would have the vampire kingdom of New Orleans onside as well.

"Any objections?" she asks and when there is only silence she nods,

"Second point of order, Bonnie Bennett"

Bonnie visibly flinches as Caroline barks her name, "Come forward"

The young witch looks around and then steels herself, taking steady breaths as she makes her way to the centre of the room. Kol goes to follow her but Nik shakes his head.

Bonnie's crimes were bad enough on their own, if Kol stood beside her in support Caroline would assume his siblings were standing with the witch and choose to be even harsher in her punishment of the girl.

And on Arctos lands Nik could ask for mercy but he couldn't intervene, not now that he was a consort instead of a visiting Alpha.

"I made a mistake" Bonnie begins in a low voice, her eyes on the ground in front of her,

"I was stupid and…"

"Bonnie Bennett accused me of disloyalty and infidelity" Caroline states loudly,

"She discovered that I was pregnant, assumed that Alpha Klaus was not the father made these accusations widespread amongst the North East Atlantic Pack. These wrongful accusations" she adds, spitting the words from her mouth like a bad taste,

"Because of her I didn't have time to process the fact that I was pregnant, I didn't have time to speak to the father of my child before everyone knew so I was forced to act. I was forced to leave the pack which not only endangered my life and the life of my unborn child but caused severe emotional trauma to the Alpha through our mating link. All this after I'd shown mercy to her family for their crime of betraying my parents and threatening my life during the massacre"

Caroline wasn't even trying to embellish the facts for her wolves, she was being straightforward which made everything Bonnie had done seem a great deal worse. Kol is pointedly staring at him, willing him to act or say something but if he did Caroline would be forced to publicly question his suitability as her consort.

She needed to show her strength, especially on her own lands and especially against the Original vampires.

"However" she releases his hand to cross her arms, "I assume you're here because you've realised what a colossal idiotic bitch you were?"

Bonnie exhales and raises her head to meet the Alpha's gaze,

"I'm here because I was wrong, I acted without knowing the entire story and without thinking but I want to make it up to you and I've already started by convincing my family and coven not to side with the Triple Alliance"

As far as making amends went it was a good start. Caroline seems to accept this,

"Can you tell me anything about the Triple Alliance? Selene and her vampires are dead but so far, Malcolm and the witch haven't made an appearance yet"

"The witch is dead" Nik informs her, "She kidnapped me and Lucy Bennett drugged her, Rebekah snapped her neck"

The triumphant smile on Caroline's face is almost chilling, "Good"

She turns back to Bonnie, "You're attempting to fix the damage you've caused, I can see that and I appreciate that. I have the right to execute you under Conjuratio contra lupus but…" she emphasises as Elena gasps and Kol takes a step forward,

"I'd rather not spill anymore blood than necessary today, so I'll settle for Omega exilium pro vita to be enforced once Malcolm is dead with the chance to plead your case in twenty years from now"

She addresses her pack, "Are there any objections to my ruling?"

Nik is frowning as the wolves shake their heads, trying to understand why Caroline's satisfaction is curdling in his stomach.

Omega exilium pro vita.

To condemn a wolf to this sentence was in many ways considered delayed execution. Werewolves rarely lasted once they'd been cast from their packs, depression caused by loneliness and isolation either led to suicide or breakdowns. In truth, execution was often more merciful.

But Bonnie wasn't a werewolf so why would Caroline give her this sentence?

With attention turned from her, Bonnie quickly backpedalled to where Kol was waiting, his hands settling on her shoulders and pulling her back against him…

Oh.

Caroline had known what Kol felt for Bonnie and had quickly seen that Bonnie had fallen in love with him.

Kol Mikaelson. His brother, resident of Mystic Falls and honorary member of his Pack.

Caroline wasn't just exiling Bonnie from the greater part of the eastern seaboard, she was cutting the girl off from everyone she knew and loved.

Elena, Alaric and Jenna were Caroline's family so they wouldn't be able to aid the girl in any way or even speak to her over the phone.

She was forcing a wedge into Bonnie and Kol's relationship. As long as Bonnie was an Omega, Kol couldn't interact with her without forcing Nik to cut him out of his life, she was making Kol choose between Bonnie and his family, knowing that the Original siblings had sworn 'Always and Forever' to one another.

She would hold up Bonnie Bennett as an example of mercy while condemning the girl to a lifetime of agonizing isolation.


The meeting ends shortly after that, Nik and his family having given Caroline all the information they could publicly and with the knowledge that any attack wouldn't come until that evening at the earliest. Nik leaves Bonnie wrapped up around his family, completely oblivious to her real fate, thinking that she had been handed a reprieve.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the Full Moon Ceremony. Elena, Alaric and Atticus heading into town for supplies while the rest go about their daily tasks, although Nik notes that his siblings and Bonnie are still being watched.

"We'll need to figure out what is happening with the Crescent Clan" Caroline says as they stand by the fire pit,

"Malcolm's faction is outnumbered by my wolves, but if Jacques and Lila side with him…" she stops and runs her hands through her hair, "You should tell Cary to be on high alert…will your siblings fight with us?"

He nods, "Gladly my mate, but Kol will be trouble once he realizes the full extent of Bonnie's punishment"

And Bonnie would have to reveal the truth of Caroline's conception to her later, after tonight, after this was all over. She deserved to know that she had been the product of a spell and that their connection had been prophesised.

What this meant in its entirety would have to be figured out. But again, it could wait until the storm had cleared. He'd just got her back after all, her and his child.

Speaking of which…

Caroline breaks away from him suddenly, walking away with enough purpose as to let him know that their conversation was over. Except that he's been without her for months, he can see that she's headed to her cabin and is hoping for another moment of privacy between them.

Another moment of intimacy.

She clearly wasn't expecting him to follow her and is somewhat put out when he comes inside and sits down on the bed. He settles his hands in his lap and tries to look innocent as Caroline picks their fussing daughter up and begins working her top down.

She perches on the edge of the bed and Nik scoots closer, reaching out to stroke the baby's arm as she feeds.

Kol was right, he admits grudgingly, she was remarkably soft and squishy.

"You have a busy day before you" he notes, raising his head to meet her eyes hopefully,

"I can look after our child?"

Caroline purses her lips and shakes her head, determinedly staring at their daughter,

"Tyler will take care of her, but you can walk with her tonight for the ceremony" she smiles, "Lizzie's first full moon"

Nik frowns, "I've handled children before sweetheart I won't harm her"

"I know" she holds her over her shoulder and pats her back, "But Tyler is good with her and knows her wants and needs"

Nik grits his teeth. Tyler Lockwood, Pack Beta, knew his daughter intimately while he- her own father- had not even held her for an entire hour yet.

He struggles hard to keep his jealousy and fear inside himself alone and his expression neutral.

"Tyler is not her father" he reminds her, his voice light as two pairs of blue eyes study him.

"He was there for me" Caroline argues, "When whatever the hell you were doing forced me into early labor, Tyler and my pack were there for me"

"What I was doing was having the bloody mating link severed so I could survive" he snapped,

"Being away from you was as close to death as I could ever come and my entire pack was suffering. My siblings were trying to help me so they had the spell cast. They didn't know it would harm you otherwise…"

"They didn't care!" Caroline argued, "None of them gave a damn when everything went wrong for us and even now God forbid the Bennett witch be upset in any way when her actions endangered their own niece"

"You can't blame me for their actions" Nik points out, but Caroline is having any of it.

"I can't reward you for suddenly changing your mind and accepting Lizzie only because she and I are a package deal either"

He seethes, "That's not why I'm bloody here and you know it"

"Do I?" she challenges, "First thing you did when you arrived was climb into bed with me, do you know how long it takes for women to recover from giving birth Nik? Even prematurely, the only reason I could manage it was werewolf healing"

He clenches his hands into fists and focuses on his breathing as his child is once again carried away from him. He wants to shout and fight and force her to see his point of view, but the tiny part of him that could still be considered good and his wolf just want her to stop hurting.

"Tell me what you want to hear"

"I named her Elizabeth Wilhelmina Forbes" Caroline said, "Because I thought I would have to do this alone, that she would never be anything but my daughter, the endangered Arctos heir and the bastard that nobody knew the paternity of. But Klaus, I was learning to be okay with that. I loved you but I was learning to live without you and now you storm in and think some werewolf law is going to heal everything between us? Worse you expect me to share my baby"

"Our baby" he corrects, standing up and invading her personal space until he has her backed up against the wall, glaring down into her beautiful eyes,

"Our baby, our heir, our Elizabeth Wilhelmina. I wasn't here because I was lying curled up in a ball somewhere praying for death to end my pain but I am here now. I am here and I love you my mate, I love you so much, so much that it killed me to be without you…but my wolf, if you don't think that I won't fight you tooth and nail to call Elizabeth mine you are sadly mistaken"

He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and traces the shell, "From the moment I caught her scent and saw that tiny bundle of blankets I wanted her, more than I've ever wanted anything, yourself included I'm afraid"

She pushes against his chest but he doesn't move, "We can do this one of two ways" he continues, pushing a knee between her thighs and resting a hand on her hip,

"We can either agree here and now that we are Elizabeth's parents, both of us who love her or you can try to continue being a single mother and see how well you can withstand my fury"

"I am the Arctos Alpha and you are on my lands!" she snarls in reminder of the fact that only a few hours ago he had surrendered to her on the very bed behind them now.

"And I will submit to you in all matters but this" he swears, "Tonight I will kneel to you in front of the bonfire, I will let you mount me and fuck me in front of your pack to claim me, I will let you order me about and will do everything you ask with a smile on my face. But Elizabeth will know me as her father"

Caroline is seething and opens her mouth to likely argue further but they're interrupted by shouting and the sound of people running towards them.

He has his mate and daughter shielded but Jesse is the intruder upon their moment,

"Tyler just got off the phone with Jackson" he blurts out excitedly, "Jacques and Lila have been removed from power. Hayley is now Alpha Female of the Crescent Clan"

Nik steps aside so Caroline can be at the forefront, her shoulders are sagged with relief and she acknowledges Jesse with a smile but looks past him for her Beta.

She'll want confirmation before she can celebrate this news.

Tyler appears at the door a moment later, with the entire pack on his heels, "Jackson says Hayley will want to speak to you later" he murmurs as Caroline walks past him, "But Jacques and Lila are out of power"

Wolves are smiling and congratulating each other, thinking that the worst is over that they've made it out of the woods and can finally focus on rebuilding their lives.

Nik notes that Tyler's face is ashen and waits for the other shoe to drop,

"What is it now?" Caroline asks, her voice laden with exhaustion.

Because of course she is exhausted. Because she hasn't stopped fighting since the day she left his territory all those months ago while carrying and birthing his child and reclaiming her lands.

Tyler sighs, "Hayley thinks Malcolm has joined with your grandfather and will try to lead him into war. They'll likely attack after the Full Moon"

James Sommers, Alpha of the South East Atlantic Pack, combined with the wolves of the Triple Alliance they would make a formidable army. He turns to Caroline to find her trembling and he reaches out instinctively to comfort her before he feels the burning in his veins.

She's not scared.

She's infuriated.

"He won't ever reach my lands" she announces, "From tomorrow morning we're going to ready ourselves to invade Sommers lands and wipe his pack from the map. He wants to fight in this war? Then he can die in it"


* Omega exile for life