Chapter 9
It took Elijah another three weeks after the wedding before announcing he was going to court Laura. Rebekah and Edmund had come over for a family dinner, Bekah seem illuminated with love for her new husband, the marriage life suited her well. Kol looked more hopeless then she had ever seen him, Rebekah having left the house, Elijah planing his future, Klaus's life ahead of him. Though Kol refused to speak about that, he joked and enjoyed his family when they came around for a family dinner, which they decided would take place Friday nights.
Klaus was hesitant, but he showed his affection for her around the village. Placing a kiss to her forehead or the corner of her mouth while in public. He made it a point to scowl and sneer whenever another man looked her way, Caroline found it adorable, telling him such turned his scowl on her as his face colored.
Over the weeks Caroline found time between dress making and spending time with Klaus, to stay and talk with Kol. She could see him pulling away, protecting himself from the changes happening that he didn't like. She had done the same thing after her father left her family. So she made it a point to ta Kol round the village, talk about his day and introduce him to some of her younger clients, hoping for him to just feel that spark with someone, which didn't happen until Ayana's niece came to live in the village.
To Carolines utter surprise and fascination, the girl looked almost identical to one of her old friends. She had even made the mistake of calling to her by name. "Bonnie!" she had yelled, though when the black haired, dark skinned beauty didn't react she had grabbed her shoulder, Kol following further behind her. Caroline had paled and looked horrified when she saw it was not her future friend, though their resemblance was uncanny, much like Elena and Tatia. "I am so sorry, I though you were a friend of mine, you share a remarkable resemblance."
She smiled gently, responding with. "All is well." she flashed Kol a small smile before continuing through the village to reach Ayana's house, her hair swishing, her green dress swaying in the breeze, her arms full of books. Kol watching her every step.
Caroline had looked between the two before smiling at him, which he noticed right away. He looked to the ground and attempted to change the subject he knew was coming, though Caroline just spoke over him. "Well? What are you waiting for?" he looked confused. "Go after her." Kol looked between her and the retreating form of the Bonnie lookalike, before winking at Caroline and jogging to catch up to the witch. Caroline had laughed and shaken her head before continuing and finding Klaus.
Kol had spent most of his time away from his family with Ayana's niece, Eydis was her name, and she reminded Caroline strongly of her old friend. Caroline wondered, if things had been different, would Kol -in the future- have taken a liking to Bonnie?
Caroline smiled at her thoughts as she walked back towards Klaus's stall, from dropping off a finished dress to one of her customers, which seemed to have doubled after Rebekah's wedding. "Did she like the dress?" Klaus asked without looking up from his current 3D carving of rolling hills and the rising sun, which he was going to stain with watered down paints and let sit overnight.
Caroline smiled, placing a kiss to his temple. "It was a gift for her seventh birthday. Yes, of course she loved it." her smile was cheeky as she straightened up his work station. She was pleased he trusted her to do such a thing without looking away from his project.
A burning itch spread over her body, a sensation she had known belonged to the feeling of being watched, intently. Looking up from her task, she was surprised to find it was the stare of another village man she had seen around a handful of times. He was tall by normal standers, maybe 6'5. Black, oily hair slightly covers a craggy, wild face. Hollow hazel eyes, set buried within their sockets. A large tribal tattoo displayed on the whole of his right forearm leaves an unpleasant memory of a old life as a mercenary. He stands awkwardly among others, despite his strong frame. There's something obscure about him, perhaps it's his reputation. But nonetheless, people tend to keep him at arms length, while pretending to embrace his strangeness.
She looked away quickly, feeling uneasy with the intensity of his dark gaze. "What is it?" she heard Klaus's voice form her left, she met his eyes and he must have seen her unease, as he started looking for what could have caused it. His reaction was what she had anticipated once he caught sight of the strange man. His arm was thrown over her shoulders and she was pulled back into his chest, which he puffed up, all while staring the dark man down. Despite the fact he was almost a foot shorter.
He tall man looked between the two of them, a sneer curled the corner of his thin lips. His stare was hard as he walked away from the square, his shoulders tense and his face stony. "Who is that man?"
Klaus's gaze didn't waiver from the man retreating form as he answered. "Trouble. He's trouble and you should stay away from him."
Caroline nodded, her eyebrows furrowing when he didn't release her. He pulled her away and they didn't leave the house the rest of the day.
It wasn't until the next two days that she saw the man again. Caroline was shopping for more fabrics, her hands sunk into a light lavender color cotton when she felt it, the burning itch, followed by her hair being moved from her shoulder.
Her blond locks fell away from her front and cascaded down her back in waves. "You have such lovely hair."
Caroline froze, the voice that sounded from behind her was not one she was familiar with. She chanced a glance over her shoulder, finding the dark gaze of the man that had been watching her a few days past. "Thank you." her words were cold as they slivered between unmoving lips. "But, don't ever touch me, again."
She didn't like the smirk that tugged at the corner of his mouth, or the deep sigh he let out. His eyes closing and his head falling to the side as he watched her walk away from him, the lavender fabric in hand, paying for it she continued away from him. "Your spirit is fiery. Much like your attitude and fighting style."
She didn't stop, if anything she walked faster. "What do you know of my fighting style? And stop following me, you creep!" she was practically speed walking back to the Mikaelson manor.
The man reached for her, his long fingers wrapped around her arm, his grip was bruising. "I love your fight, it's apart of your appeal, but there is only so much I can take before it gets old." he pulled her closer, holding her to his chest, looking down at her with an intensity that frightened her, for she had seen the same look in Damon's eyes when they were "dating".
"Release my arm, now." her voice turned hard and colder then she had sounded before, her glaring blue eyes flickered between his gaze and his hand on her.
He smirked a little. "I'm just here to tell you to warn Niklaus. He has competition."
Caroline scoffed, ripping her arm from his grasp. "Niklaus has nothing to worry about."
Caroline didn't like the look on his face and felt a sense of accomplishment when his face fell, though the look that replaced it frightened her. "Do you believe it is your choice?" his eyes narrowed. "I know Mikael, and you live under his roof. You nothing but a bargaining chip to him, and I'm the one striking the deal. You, for cheaper prices on lumber, which he needs to make the houses for the properties he sells."
Caroline glared at him. "Mikael is not who you think him to be, he is an amazing father and a good man. Now, let go of me."
His hands raised, appearing to surrender. "You will make a fine bride, Caroline. After I break you of your spirit."
She didn't look back at his quiet threat, she was afraid he would see the fear her eyes and she refused to give him that pleasure. Once she was inside the Mikaelson's house, tears rushed to her eyes, though she blinked them away. "Caroline?"
She sniffed sharply, looking up at the man of the house. "I'm sorry, Mikael. Am I blocking the door from you?"
He shook his head, his brow furrowed. "What is the matter, my dear girl? You look frightened." he took her arm gently and pulled her to sit in the soft leather chair by the fireplace. "Tell me, what is wrong."
She shrugged, wiping the tears away with the back of her hand. "It's nothing." Mikael tilted his head to the side, eyebrow raised, his eyes unconvinced. "There was a man in the village. He grabbed me, he said you would give me to him for lumber."
Mikael tensed, jaw clenched as his eyes narrowed. "Viktor." he growled. His eyes snapped up at the sound of the boards of the stairs. "Niklaus, stay with Caroline. I'm going to have a long discussion with that good for nothing sell sword." in that moment, her compulsion activated, his old self came out when his family was in danger. Caroline was family, Viktor was the danger.
Klaus was at her side before Mikael slammed the door shut behind him. "I heard him say Viktor, what did he do? Are you alright?"
Caroline nodded, leaning into his hands as they cupped her face, her eyes falling closed. "Yes, I am fine, he just grabbed my arm."
Klaus growled low in his throat, sounding more like a wild animal then a man in that moment. "I'll kill him."
Caroline shook her head. "No, you will stay here with me and let your scary father handle this."
Klaus looked annoyed, though he let it go. His shoulders sagging as he lowered himself to her size, pulling her to his chest and resting most of his weight against her frame. She sank into the chair, Klaus kneeling on the floor in front of her with his face resting against her stomach. "I'm glad you are well."
Caroline smiled down at his head of dirt blond hair, her fingers running through his curls, finding peace in the action, and as he relaxed, she knew he also took comfort in it. It was a few moments later that she felt Klaus shift, one of his hands moving away from her. She watched him with a raised brow. "What's the matter?"
He didn't answer as he moved away from her, though just enough to pull something between them, which his long, elegant fingers were wrapped around. "I had planned this all so differently."
"Klaus? What are you talking about?" she watched him, her eyebrows angled down, the skin between them pinched. "Planned what?"
His fingers unraveled, the firelight reflecting off the silver object within his grasp. It took another few minutes for her brain to comprehend what he was holding, and once she did, her hands clasped over her mouth to prevent a squeal from escaping. "Caroline?"
She looked away from the simple, silver band into Klaus's shining eyes, though she could see the worry around the edges. "Are you really doing, what I think you're doing?"
Klaus smiled at her, pleased that she had not outright refused. "Caroline, I know we have talked about this a few times, and it was never meant to be so sudden, but I need you in my life, for the rest of days. I need you now and I shall need you for years to come. In the months we have been together, I have fallen so deeply in love with you that if you were to leave me, I would never be the same."
Tears came to her eyes, though for a much different reason then they had before. "Klaus."
"You can say yes, it doesn't mean we have to wed as quickly as Rebekah did. If you were to say yes, we can wait a whole year before actually having a ceremony. But, I just want to confirm that you are mine and mine alone. Viktor wouldn't touch an intended, no dignified man would."
Caroline shook her head, a watery smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Oh, Klaus." his eager expression slowly fell, his hands in her lap, his face turning down. Caroline was quick to pull his face back to hers, planting a passionate kiss to his lips, though pulled away before he could respond. "Yes. Yes, I will be yours, always and forever." she kissed him again, almost missing the action of the ring sliding into place on her left ring finger.
Klaus's arms wrapped around her, pulling her close. Breaking away from the kiss, he smiled brightly, dimples and all. "Always and forever." it was a promise.
"Niklaus," he paused to look her in the eye, she smiled at him, and what a tender thing it was to behold. "I am deeply, in love with you too." his smile matched hers as he leaned in and kissed her once more.
OoOoOoO
She found herself looking to the small, silver band more often then not. It took Rebekah three days before she took notice of it, it took Esther all of ten minutes before she smiled and pulled Caroline into a bone crushing hug. Everyone was smiling and happy, Viktor had disappeared for the next week, and it appeared nothing could destroy the joy within the Mikaelson clan.
Caroline helped Esther pack their over night bags for the caves, the full moon being the next night. Caroline could feel the tension in Klaus's frame whenever she brushed past him. His wolf side could feel the moon cycle, it wanted nothing more then to run free and not being able to caused him pain, though not physically, it was more of a spiritual ache.
Caroline and the other women of the village carried supplies to the caves. Chatting with each other as they walked. A few times, the children in the group would race with her, letting them win every time, Caroline loved the sense of community within the group.
"Caroline." she looked over her shoulder to Rebekah, whom was a few paces behind her. She caught up easily enough. "There you are, I've been looking for you."
Caroline shrugged, waving bye to the children she was playing with, her arms still ladled with baskets and knapsacks. Henrik ran off with the other boys his age. "Good afternoon, Rebekah." she smiled at the younger blond. "How have you been?"
Rebekah smiled back at her sister. "I have been great. Edmund and I have never been closer." she though for a moment before speaking. "I have actually been missing the noise of home. When Edmund is in the forge, everything is so quiet. I even miss my annoying brothers always getting underfoot."
Caroline nodded with her. "I know what you mean, and they miss you too. I have had to restrain Klaus from barging into your house with Edmund and dragging you home. Though I think it is easier for him to accept now then it had been in the beginning." Caroline stopped smiling as she watched the color leave Rebekah's face. "Bekah, are you okay?"
Bekah shook her head and darted away from the small group of women and to the closest tree's, the sounds that followed were ones of a sick woman. And at first Caroline was concerned, Why was Rebekah sick? Is she okay? Then the thoughts of what could cause such a reaction surfaced, the answer hit her in the face, especially when she caught the knowing, pity looks the women were sending Bekah's way, all of whom had a child with them. Oh. My. God. Rebekah coughed, spitting on to the ground to get rid of the bitter taste from her mouth with a groan.
Caroline was at her side in a flash, pulling her long blond hair from puking range, rubbing her back as Rebekah dry heaved for a moment longer. "Are you okay now? Are you finished?"
Rebekah nodded, backing away from the mess. "I okay, I'm fine." she walked a few trees away before she rested back against one, sitting at its base. "I don't know what happened, one minute I was fine, the next I wasn't."
Caroline smiled at her, eyes shining as she pulled Rebekah's hair over one shoulder to braid it quickly, securing it with a leather tie. "I think I know what's going on."
Rebekah looked at her, brows furrowed as she leaned against the tree with her hands resting on her stomach. "What is wrong with me, Caroline? Will I be okay?"
Caroline nodded immediately after her question, not wanting the tears to spill over Rebekah's cheeks from where they gathered in her eyes. "You are perfectly fine, Bekah." Caroline reached out and placed a hand on her lower abdomen. "Your body is just creating something new. Morning sickness is one of the side effects."
Rebekah looked more confused then she had before. Looking from Carolines eyes to her hand, which was gently rubbing circles into gut. It took Rebekah another few moments before her eyes widened into perfect circles. "What?"
Caroline smiled at her little sister. "That's right."
Rebekah's breathing turned heavy as she too placed a hand over her abdomen. "I-I...Edmund and I...we are...?"
"Yes, you are now expecting a child."
Rebekah's eyes filled further, a watery smile stretched over her face as her tears fell. She placed her hands on her stomach, a disbelieving laugh escaped her throat, mixing with a sob. "I'm pregnant." she repeated herself a few more moments before her smile turned brighter then the sun, which she aimed at Caroline. "I'm having a child. A child is growing, inside of me." she lunged, pulling Caroline into a tight embrace. "I can't believe it." she laughed again, though calmed a moment later, she looked around them. "Come, Caroline. We must hurry to the caves before we can returned home. I must tell Edmund."
Caroline scooped up her items while Rebekah grabbed hers, jogging to reach the caves before the others as to hurry back. The sword training Caroline had been teaching Bekah had helped with her speed and stamina. They reached the caves first, placing their things to make their spot and had started to head back by the time the other women arrive, all of whom looked happy for Rebekah.
Caroline led them back to the village, easily reaching it in half and hour, compared to the hour it took to get to the caves at a walking pace. Along the way Caroline asked if she had experienced any other strange things happening with her body and once Caroline pointed it out, Rebekah recalled all the things she had brushed off as a 'one-time-thing', there was no doubt in her mind. Once they reached home, Caroline helped Rebekah find Edmund when they discovered he wasn't at the forge. Caroline spotted him first, standing at Klaus's stall, speaking with him, Elijah and Kol not to far way. They looked to be in a good mood as they traded tails from their past. Tugging on Rebekah's hand, she pointed them out.
"Edmund!" Rebekah called before she started running. Edmund spun around, his eyes wide and searching for who had called him.
Though once he caught sight of her, there was a pause before he became worried and tense. "What, what is it? Are you alright? Is everything okay?"
Caroline could see the Mikaelson brothers reacting in a similar manner. Rebekah smiled as she ran to him, jumping at the right moment to land in the smiths firm arms, her feet leaving the ground. Her lips found his in a moment. Amusement coursed through Caroline when she caught the disgusted looks they received from the brothers. "I'm fine, everything is fine." she smiled down at him with a wistful sigh. "Everything is perfect." poor Edmund looked confused. "I am with child." she breathed.
Edmund's eyes went wide. Caroline saw Klaus tense, fists clenched at his sides. Edmund placed her on the ground as if she were on fire, his hands gently gilded from her waist to her abdomen. A wondrous look in his eyes. "How do we know for sure?"
Rebekah laughed, her hands gripping his elbows. "I wasn't, not until Caroline pointed out all the issues I have been having are perfectly normal. And I had missed my cycle." all the men looked uncomfortable with her even daring to utter the very words. "I never thought anything of it, until now." she smiled up at her husband. "We are going to have a baby."
Edmund smiled back at her, they stared at each other for a while longer, the intensity of their locked gaze made Caroline look away. Giving them their moment. She crept around the couple and towards the very still siblings. "Are you not happy for your sister?"
Kol's upper lips curled into a grimace. "I think I shall leave them be. I'd rather not see my baby sister and her husband making those faces at each other."
Elijah simply smiled and joined Kol in walking away. Caroline looked back once, finding Edmund and Rebekah still engaged in a heated stare off, she looped her arm through her fiance's and pulled him away, all the while grinning like mad. "And you? Are you not happy for them?"
Klaus groaned and and took the lead, moving them to head to their spot by the falls. "I'd rather not talk about my baby sister having a child, please? I still do not like seeing them together, let alone knowing they are expecting a child together."
Caroline rolled her eyes, staying quiet until she sat, shoeless on the shore. Klaus's head in her lap. She worked her fingers through his thick, curly hair, which fell mid-arm. "I think we should cut your hair, it is getting to long."
Klaus glanced up at her. "Do you not like it?" she could hear both his teasing and the serious question within his voice.
She smiled down at him. "It was just a suggestion. If you want to keep it long, I will love it the same as when it was short."
Klaus smiled at her. "You can cut it, if it would please you. Though only a little off the bottom."
Caroline retrieved one of her hidden daggers from her boot, smiling lightly as he sat up straight and allowed her to cut away an inch off the ends of his mane. He didn't move as her fingers ran through his hair repeatedly. The knife sliced through the strands easily and she found grooming Klaus was a joy to her, it calmed her. And as she finished, putting her knife back into her boot sheath, she stroked the scruff on his high cheekbones.
Klaus relaxed every bone in his body, feeling more at peace in her presents then he had in his whole life without her. It feels good to have someone take care of you, once and awhile, was a thought which ran through both their minds.
"I am happy." Caroline looked down at him, where he resumed his place on her lap. "For Rebekah, I mean. I am so pleased for her. But, I also feel as if I am losing her, now more then ever."
"Oh, Klaus." she sighed, her nails scraping against his scalp lightly. "You are not losing her, you can never lose her. She will always be your sister. She just has to think of her family first now. You will grow used to it, and when her child runs to you, smiling and crying out 'uncle', you will see that I was right."
He smiled, laughing nervously. "Would I make a good uncle?"
"You would make the best uncle." his nerves were appeased for the moment, for he relaxed once more. Caroline smiled down at him, loving their place more and more.
OoOoOoO
The morning of the full moon came early. Women bustled about to get the last remaining supplies together before the night. Caroline was at the stall, moving around Klaus as she took down measurements and dress preference and color. The woman smiled and left the stall after she was assured she would have the dress within the week and in time for her and her husbands fifth union year. Caroline smirked as the woman walked away, leaving Klaus and Caroline alone, she looked over to him, brushing his hair back from were it fell in front of his shoulder as he hunched over his work.
He didn't look up from his newest painting, while the 3D colored carving was drying on the counter in front of them, she hummed a viking lullaby under her breath watched him work with graceful stokes of his horse hair brush. Still humming, Caroline looked around the bustling village, her eyes skimmed over all the people, yet as she past over one, they snapped back. Viktor.
His face was set in stone, his brow furrowed and his eyes hard. He looked pissed. His frame was tense, his hand rested on the hilt of his sword, which was at his hip. His gaze fixed on Caroline and her hand in Klaus's hair. She hadn't realized she stopped humming until Klaus looked up, following her gaze to find the dark eyes of the former mercenary.
Klaus glared darkly, wrapping his arm around Carolines hips, which rested against him. He was staking his claim, and from the murderous look on Viktor's face, he knew it. Caroline watched his breathing increase, his chest heaving, before he turned and stalked off, out of her line of sight.
Klaus sighed, his chest deflating as he slumped onto his stool a little more. He turned his face to brush his nose against her stomach. "I really hate that man." his voice muffled by the fabric of her dark red dress.
Caroline smiled down at him. "You are not the only one." she tilted his head back, kissing him on the lips.
A whine broke them apart, simultaneously they both looked to what had made the noise. Kol looked horrified at them, his face twisted into a grimace, his eye screwed shut. "Could you please refrain from showing affection in front of me? Please? It gives me nightmares."
Caroline smiled at the young man, whose curls were being tousled in the breeze. "What can we do for you, Kol?"
He glanced over his shoulder, as if waiting for someone to jump out of nowhere, sparing one last distrustful glare to his older brother, he looked back at her. "I am in need of your services, Caroline."
"What?" she asked with a worried edge to her tone. "Why? What has happened?" she then looked around for a threat.
Kol's face colored. "On a dress."
Klaus threw his head back as he laughed at Kol. "Well, you learn something new about your family everyday." he chuckled again, not stopping even as Caroline tugged at his hair until his face was once again pressed against her stomach.
"What can I help you with, Kol?" she asked kindly, smiling at the flustered boy.
He sighed, his eyes relaying his gratitude for her help. "It is for Eydis. Her birthday is not two weeks away, and I wanted to get her something nice." Caroline expression was soft, even Klaus turned -his head still within her grasp- and looked to his baby brother.
She nodded. "I would be delighted to help. But, to make such a gift, I would need her measurements, and I highly doubt you can get them."
Kol smiled at her. "Oh, Ayana gave them to me, to give to you." he handed her the parchment with the information on it. "I think pail yellow would look good on her, or maybe a pail pink. I haven't decided yet." he smiled once more. "Thank you for doing this, Caroline. I really means a lot to me."
"Anything you need, Kol. It's what sisters are here for." he smiled one last time before bouncing on his toes as he disappeared into the village, most likely to find the young woman that had caught his fancy. She turned back to sent a dirty look to Klaus, to which he smiled innocently at her. Rolling her eyes, she gently slapped at the back of his head. "Don't make fun of your brother, it's mean."
Klaus shrugged, stretching up to place a kiss to the under side of her jaw before turning back to his work. Following his example, Caroline went in search for the fabrics for her newest dresses to create. A new and exciting idea for the gift for Eydis, the dress forming an image in her head. She would be needing dye for this project. Her shopping was finished by late noon, when everyone started finding their families and heading for the caves to hide form the wolves.
Caroline dropped off her latest supplies at the house before going to find Klaus. She had just reached the village square in moments, a storm rolling in from the North. The gusting wind was almost a bitter cold, the sky darkened with the setting of the sun and the clouds that rolled in with the wind.
Looking away from the sky, her eyes met with the wide gaze of Klaus, who was directly across from her on the other side of the square. Though he didn't return the smile she sent his way, in fact, his eyes widened and his face had gone pail, his mouth opened to shout, though it was to late. Pain bloomed along the back of her head and down her neck. The last thing she saw before everything went black, was the look of utmost rage spread across her fiances face.
OoOoOoO
She became aware of her surroundings. Something was digging into her stomach, making it hard to breath. The thing digging into her moved up and down, causing her to lose her breath, a bruise already forming on her stomach, she was sure of it. Then the ache in the back of her head and neck throbbed horribly. Caroline ignored the pain as best she could and forced her heavy lids open.
Darkness, all around her, was darkness.
Panic set in once she realized she was thrown over a shoulder. A very wide and strong shoulder, the edge of a tattoo visible to her. Viktor's shoulder. Once the identity of her kidnapper registered in her mind, she started thrashing, just then noticing her hands were bound in front of her. Another thing she noticed, her name being shouted from behind them. Not thinking of consequences before she opened her mouth, she screamed as loud as she could.
The very air seemed to have stilled as her screech pierced the air. Her name was called, though it was much closer then it had been before. Before she could yell again, she was dropped from Viktor's shoulder and onto the hard ground, landing on a tree root. As she regained her breathing, she looked around the familiar surroundings of the path to the falls, she could see the falls from where she lay, regaining her breath.
She rolled to lay on her back, scooting away from the towering frame of Viktor, who was glaring down at her. "Why could you not just see me. See how hard I tried to win your affections? You never even looked my way." he took a step closer to her, pulling a dagger from its sheath at his hip. "Well, fine. If he wants you as bad as you want him, he can have you." he rose his arm over his head, preparing to bring the dagger down on Caroline.
Watching in horror with her eyes wide, she called one last time into the night. "Klaus!" if not leading Klaus to them, then bringing the wolves to Viktor in the very least.
Caroline watched with wide eyes as Viktor lunged, her breath caught in her throat as time slowed, Viktor moving closer to her, the light of the full moon reflected off the blade. The bark of the tree dug into her back, the rope rubbed at her raw wrists, the bruises ached ferociously. Her heart worked three times as hard to pump blood throughout her body, tears filled her eyes. Viktor was a foot from her, moving closer.
Until he wasn't. Caroline blinked and he was no longer towering over her. He was on the ground, feet from her, Klaus sitting on top of him, struggling to get the dagger way from him. Viktor lunged up, hitting Klaus in the jaw, throwing him from his person. Viktor stood, not giving Klaus a chance to recover and kicked him in the side, once, twice, thee times, before Caroline found her legs. She pushed herself off the ground and tackled the former mercenary -much like a football player- away from Klaus, who was fighting to the air to his lungs. They tumbled away from Klaus and closer to the water of the falls, Caroline could hear the slashing of the water.
Standing in a swift motion, she pulled the dagger from her boot, swinging it at the large man, which he nimbly avoided. He swung his fist at her, and she ducked under, striking him twice in the ribs before standing tall behind him. They dances as such for a moment longer. Swing. Dodge. Strike. Avoid. Attack. Retreat.
Viktor swung his right, though hit her with a surprising left swing. Caroline landed on her back, looking up as Viktor advanced, catching sight of Klaus, who shoved at his opponent to gain his attention away from her. Caroline waited until his attention was focused fully on her fiance before she jumped up and threw her dagger. Viktor arched his back, a gasp escaped his lips when her weapon imbedded itself into the meat of his lower back, he half turned to look at Caroline from the corner of his dark gaze.
Her feeling of victory was short lived once she caught sight of Klaus, ripping Viktor's dagger from his hand and plunge it into his chest. "Klaus! No!" Caroline watched in horror as Viktor stilled, falling to his knees as if in slow motion, before dropping to the ground, unmoving.
Klaus breathed deeply before catching her gaze. He watched her for a moment before his face crumbled into an expression of agony. Falling to his knees beside the dead mercenary. His fingers dug into the dirt on the ground, a cry erupted from his lips. Caroline was at his side in an instant. "Klaus, it's okay. It's okay. Breath, just breath." she held back a sob as he trembled under her hand.
"Caroline, what is happening to me?" he could barely work out the question through his clenched teeth, another cry escaped after his words, followed by the sound a bone breaking.
"Oh, baby." she sighed, placing a kiss to his head before backing away. "You're changing. You activated your werewolf gene when you killed Viktor. You'll change every full moon, now."
He screamed again, snapping bone echoed around them. "Run, Caroline, run."
She shook her head, eyes filling with tears. "No, I'm not leaving you. Not now, not ever. Always and forever. Like I promised."
Klaus shook his head, a sob forcing its way out his throat. "Please, Caroline. I am begging you, run. I don't want to hurt you. Please, just go."
"No." she whispered, watching a werewolf shift for the first time. Bones snapped, skin stretched and in the middle of it all, Klaus managed to stumble away from her and into the darkened trees around them. Caroline had lost sight of him, with no indication of where he was, just the sound of his screaming, which turned into howls. "Klaus?" she called after him, into the darkness.
The sound of twigs snapping from behind her, had Caroline spinning in circles to find where the noise originated from. All around her the sounds of the forest were deafening in the quiet of the night. Growls could be heard from within the dark, she counted at least twelve. Caroline backed away from the wolves as they emerged from the trees, circling around in front of her, giving her no choice but to back towards the falls.
The water lapped at her heels, the cool water seeping through her home-made leather flats, the bottom of her dress became soaked as she backed further into the pool. She watched the wolves draw closer, her stomach flipped and her heart pounded in her ears. It was almost like a horror movie, watching her impending doom stalk towards her, their eyes full of nothing but the lust of the hunt, their want to sink their teeth into their prey. The leader of the small group took a step closer then the others, his shoulder blades jutted from his back as his muscles tensed, he was preparing to jump.
And once his paws left the ground, Caroline held her breath, her own muscles preparing to launch her to the side and avoid the big werewolf. Though it was unneeded, for the moment the alphas paws left the ground, it was tackled to the side by alone wolf.
Its back towards Caroline, she estimated he was about as tall as her waist, reaching the bottom of her ribs. His fur shined white with the moon, his lips curled back to reveal long, white fangs, bared and waiting for a challenge.
A very Klaus expression if Caroline had ever seen one. And to her surprise, they backed down. The wolves took one look at Klaus, and backed away from them, clearly not wanting to fight against him, an alpha male.
Caroline didn't breath until the wolves retreated back into the darkened forest, leaving the large white wolf and her alone. She took a deep breath before she stepped onto the beach. Her hand slowly reached for him. "Klaus?"
The white wolf looked over his shoulder to her, his deep blue eyes were so familiar and yet held a wild edge to them. The wolf and Klaus were combined, and she knew he was still her Klaus. Then she was impressed. She had never seen him in his wolf form, and she was disappointed he had never shown her something so beautiful before. The wolf turned slowly, as if afraid to frighten her with any sudden movements. His eyes never left her face, while hers couldn't stay in one place for longer then a moment. She took in the size of his paws and tail. The shade of his fur and the great mass of power etched into every muscle.
"Klaus?" she spoke quietly, her voice a simple, hushed whisper. The wolf didn't attack, nor did he move other then plant his rear on the ground and watch where the wolves ran off to. Guarding her. She smiled slightly. "It is you. I know you to well not to recognize that attitude, even in wolf form."
He huffed, making a whining noise in the back of his throat. His head lowered as he flopped to the ground, on his side. He whined and made funny groaning noises while scratching at his ears with his paw.
Caroline smiled and knelt beside him, her fingers tangling into his light colored fur, which she found just as soft as his blond locks. She relaxed against him, burrowing her face into his scruff. "Thank you, for protecting me." she kissed the top of his head when he answered with a soft whimper. "I love you, Klaus." she whispered as she stood. "Now, come. We need to get back to the village. We need to get home before the sunrises." she caught his questioning gaze. "Just, trust me on this." Klaus didn't complain, though Caroline knew he would if he could. He would probably say something about it not being safe, but he kept quiet as he led them through the woods and back home, waiting for the morning.
OoOoOoO
Hey people! I finally updated. I'm sorry it took SO long, but like I said in the last chapter, remodeling. The first few days after posting the last chapter, I help my dad build three bunk beds. My desk being under mine.
Then I fell out of my writing grove, to which I received comments from two, AMAZING reviewers, the idea's from JessieJJKim and ZodiacsKlaroline, which I combined! Thank you for your comments, which inspired this chapter into existence.
Then, right when I'm getting into my groove, my older sister decided to go into labor...I know it wasn't her choice, my joking. Anyway! 1 hour of labor welcomes Donavyn into the world! My baby nephew is the CUTEST BABY EVER!
Oh, yeah, FEEL JELOUS!
Anyway, thank you for your support with the COMMENTS, FOLLOWS and FAVORITES!
Let me know what you think! And I think there will only be one more chapter after this. I'm not sure, we'll see how it goes...
Talk later, bye.
P.s. I might update slower, I'm going to be helping take care of my baby nephew. Lots of love!