-Jeremy's POV-

Kol's hand rested on his thigh. It was more comforting than sexual, it also kept Jeremy from bouncing his leg because of nerves and annoying the shit out of everyone. He tried to eat but ended up pushing the food around more than anything else. He could feel the disapproving looks from Ric and Matt but neither man said anything.

Shoving his plate away he leaned back in his chair and pulled his phone out of his pocket. He knew it was pointless to text Klaus as his phone was sitting a few inches away from Jeremy. But he could still text Elijah, for the hundredth time. He was about to send a 'Call me' message when he heard the front door open.

He was out of his seat and rushing out of the kitchen before the door closed. When he rounded the corner and saw his boyfriend, blood free and in one piece, he slammed into him, wrapping his arms around the surprised vampire.

"Jeremy," Elijah sounded surprised though the vampire wrapped his arms around him and pulled him tight against his chest.

"Where the hell have you been?" Kol demanded from behind Jeremy.

Elijah groaned and let Jeremy go. Not that Jeremy went far. Elijah may not have been holding him anyone but that didn't mean he was ready to let the vampire go just yet. He had been so worried it felt nice to just rest his head against Elijah's chest.

"Dealing with a problem." Elijah told his brother.

"What kind of a problem?" Ric asked.

A hand found Jeremy's hair and pulled his head back, arching it so he was looking at Elijah, "Did you bring all your friends?" The vampire asked, though Jeremy could tell he was amused and not angry.

"Yes." He said, "Because you and Klaus stopped responding and we got worried." The vampire frowned. With the hand not holding Jeremy's Elijah reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Jeremy watched as Elijah clicked it on and then noticed all the missed calls and messages. Elijah looked away from the phone and then at Kol and then at Jeremy.

Jeremy could see a troubled look on Elijah's face so he stepped back, giving the man some space. Elijah just stared at him for a second before he placed his phone back into his pocket.

"Come." He said before walking out of the room. Jeremy looked at Kol who just shrugged, hoping everything was okay. He linked his arm around Kol's and they both followed Elijah into the kitchen the others right behind them.

"What happened?" Ric asked as they all sat back down at the table. Elijah taking the sit on the other side of Jeremy. Something about having two of his boyfriends sitting next to him helped soothe the worry about the still missing third.

"Witches." Elijah said, then he gave Kol a sad look which had the younger Original tilting his head to the side, clearly confused, "And Marcellus."

"What?" Kol asked confused. "Marcel is dead."

Caroline and Tyler snorted in sync, which got them a dark glare from both Originals.

Caroline sighed, "It's not like we haven't seen the dead come back." she said with a shrug.

"Only Marcellus was never dead." Elijah said quietly. Kol's head snapped to his brother and Jeremy could feel the hurt and anger bleeding through their bond. He winced and took Kol's hand in his own, trying to calm him down.

"Who is Marcel?" Matt asked.

"Klaus' prodigal son." Sneered Kol before he leaned back against his chair. His mask back on, pretending he didn't care. If it wasn't for the strong almost bone crushing hold on his hand Jeremy might have believed it.

"Klaus met Marcel, here in New Orleans. We hadn't been here long and in true Klaus fashion he had already caused the death of the governor's son. It was on the way to the funeral that Rebekah, Klaus and I saw a young black boy being whipped. The child reacted in anger instead of fear, throwing apples at the man hurting him. Klaus saw something in the boy, and took him. He was the one to name him Marcellus and we raised him. We were not the best family, never had been, but Marcel caused a tension we had never experienced before. He gave me hope for Klaus as I had never seen my brother truly care for another outside of us. But," Elijah stopped and looked at Kol. who lowered his head. Jeremy squeezed his hand. "There was jealousy as well, Kol for one hated the love and attention Klaus and myself gave the young Marcel," Jeremy could see regret in Elijah's eyes and he reached and took Elijah's hand in his free and gave him a soft smile. "The biggest issue was Rebekah."

There was a sigh from both Originals though Kol didn't lift his head, "As Marcel grew from a boy into a man, he and Rebekah grew closer. It angered Klaus. Their closeness. He eventually daggered Rebekah to put a stop to it. But the damage was done. For even when she was free the draw between her and Marcel was there. Our father arrived soon after. It was supposed to be an entertaining night at the Opera for our family, instead my father compelled the audience to enjoy it while he had Marcel tied and bleeding on the stage. Klaus tried to save him as did Rebekah but our father, or we had believed our father killed him. I saw his hand in Marcel's chest and his teeth in his neck. I had believed it over, there was nothing for us to do. So, I grabbed my siblings and told them to run."

The kitchen fell silent.

"But he wasn't." Tyler said after a few moments. Elijah nodded.

"He never reached out." Jeremy said, "That's why Klaus feels so angry." Everyone looked at him, "I checked the bond," he said with a shrug, "It's why me and Kol were so worried, something felt off Klaus and Elijah both seemed hurt and pissed."

"Where is Nik?" Kol asked, finally looking up at Elijah.

"He was supposed to meet and talk to Marcel this morning. Though I believed he would be back by now."

Jeremy started to worry. Though this time it wasn't about what could have happened to Klaus it was what Klaus could have done. The hybrid didn't handle his emotions well, though he was getting better. The idea that someone he saw as a son and had thought was dead, being alive and he hadn't known, had to have been painful. Add in the betrayal of Marcel not seeking him out afterwards. Jeremy had no doubt Klaus was furious which meant trouble.

"Excuse me." He said, dropping both boyfriends' hands. They both gave him a questioning look, he just waved them off, "Finishing telling them about the witches," He told both Elijah and Kol, "I need some air." They let him go.

He was pretty sure they didn't see him grab Kol's keys or his jacket. He knew they would hear the car the second he started it up, but he also knew he could outrun them if he had too. So, he started the car and pulled out of the long dirt driveway. As he drove he tried to feel for the bond inside him. It was strange doing it with his eyes open and trying to focus on the road at the same time. But eventually he found Klaus' strand and started following it.

He found Klaus walking down the side of the road. The sight was an odd one. He wasn't sure he had ever seen Klaus just walk somewhere. Not unless it was to make an entrance or because Jeremy was with him.

He pulled up next to his boyfriend and rolled down the window, "Need a ride?" he asked. He almost laughed at the way Klaus' head shot up at the sound of his voice.

"Jeremy, Love, what are you doing here?" Klaus asked as he got into the car.

Jeremy could see a couple drops of blood on the other man's shirt and looked at it with a raised eyebrow. Klaus followed his gaze and sighed, "No one is dead." He said in a dry tone.

Jeremy reached across and grabbed the vampire's chin forcing the man to look at him, he could see the surprise in Klaus' eyes as he did. This wasn't something Jeremy had ever done before, although Elijah had done it enough to him for him to know it worked at getting someone's attention and holding it.

"Are you okay?" Jeremy asked.

Klaus looked at him, his eyes searching Jeremy's. "Elijah told you." He muttered after a second.

Jeremy nodded. "He's worried." Jeremy said. He leaned over the middle of the car and wrapped Klaus in a hug. The stubborn hybrid hesitated for a second before returning it. But once he did Jeremy felt the man press his nose against his neck and breath in deep. He wasn't sure the reason for Klaus' actions, but he did feel his body relax.

They stayed like this until the position got uncomfortable, then Jeremy pulled back, "Ready to head back?" He asked and Klaus nodded.

"Who all followed you here?" The man asked as they started to drive, it was light and playful and from the grin on his face, Jeremy knew Klaus was teasing him.

"Kol." He said, Klaus looked at him and Jeremy could read the, 'no shit,' in the look, he chuckled.

"Matt, Care, Tyler, and Ric." He answered.

"I do believe Elijah ordered them to keep you and Kol in Mystic Falls." Klaus said, raising a brow at him.

Jeremy rolled his eyes and responded, "We were worried." He said with a shrug.

"You could have been walking into a dangerous situation." There was a growl in his tone.

"But we didn't." Jeremy replied.

The growl deepened, "You do not know that. This city is on the verge of war." Klaus said looking up at him, the yellow in the hybrid's eyes should have warned him not to push. But Jeremy wasn't about to let his overprotective boyfriends try to shield him from any potential threats. They were his just as much as he was theirs and he had just as much of a right to fight for them as they did him.

"Then we will fight it together." He said.

Klaus's growl deepened, "Pull over." The vampire ordered. Jeremy knew that disobeying was a bad idea, Klaus seemed to be struggling to control himself and Jeremy didn't want to cause an accident. So he pulled over and turned off the car. He was not expecting that once the car was off, Klaus would reach across, unbuckle his seatbelt, and pull him from his seat and into the vampire's lap. He yelped at the sudden manhandling but didn't resist.

He straddled Klaus' lap, looking him in the eye. He had a second to consider that all he could see was the wolf, no vampire, before Klaus was kissing him. It was deep and desperate, which stole Jeremy's breath. After a second Klaus pulled back and sought Jeremy's neck. Tilting his head to make it easier Jeremy let his eyes close as he struggled to hold back a moan. Klaus nipped at the same spot Kol had bitten only hours before and Jeremy's whole body surged with lust at the reminder.

"You are stubborn." Klaus scolded against his skin. Another nip and then a tongue warm and wet brush against his skin. Jeremy moaned, "And reckless," the tongue disappeared and teeth were back, this time biting hard enough for Jeremy to cry out. "I don't know what I would do if you got hurt."

Jeremy's brain told him he should say something, insist he could handle himself, but was distracted when Klaus bit him again. This time deep enough Jeremy knew there would be blood, and all he managed was a moan at the mix of pleasure and pain.

"I want to protect you." Klaus whispered, licking at his throat again where Jeremy could feel warm blood rolling downwards. The feel of Klaus' tongue chasing his blood had him panting. He knew he was hard and needed to feel more of Klaus. He pressed closer, his vampire made a pleased sound and an arm wrapped around his back pulling him flat against Klaus' body. Jeremy could feel that Klaus was just as hard, and the way the vampire had shifted them had them rubbing against each other, "I need to protect you." Klaus growled out rocking against him, Jeremy groaned, rolling his own hips.

"Fuck." Jeremy moaned, feeling himself getting closer to an orgasm.

"Mine." Klaus whispered before his grip tightened and Jeremy tried not to cry out as the hybrid bit his neck again. His vision went white as he came. He could still feel Klaus rocking against him and shivered from the pleasant jolts it sent through him. It didn't take long before the hybrid finished and pulled Jeremy into another kiss.

"Klaus." he said as he tried to remember how to breathe. Klaus chuckled and shifted him so that Jeremy's head was resting against his shoulder. Jeremy let himself relax for a few minutes before he spoke, "That was different." He whispered, because it had been. He may not have gone all the way with any of his vampires but he had fooled around with them enough to know them, or at least he thought he had.

"The wolf." Klaus said, sounding surprised. Jeremy lifted his head to look at him. "I normally only feel it when I use it or full moons. Just now it was so close to the surface that I could barely hold it back. It wanted to care for you, protect you," Klaus reached down and turned Jeremy's head by pressing a knuckle against his cheek and pushing, "To mark you."

Jeremy shivered as a finger ran along the bite on his neck. He swallowed as the need to have Klaus' lips pressed against it hit him. He pulled away surprised and stumbled around until he was back in the driver's seat. Did the mark just affect him?

"Jeremy?" Klaus said, looking at him concerned.

"I'm okay." He said, sending his boyfriend a smile. The hybrid looked doubtful but it didn't stop him from starting up the car again and driving off.

Jeremy tried not to think about the bite on his neck, but he could have swore it was tingling. Would it change things?, he wondered, would it change him? He had read enough lore in Ric's books to have an idea what just happened and he was freaking out. Not because he didn't like the idea, not entirely. His whole body hummed still from the pleasure of the bite, and truthfully his heart did too. But if he was right, it could change everything. And not for the better. The brothers and him had somehow balanced their relationship.

They all cared for each other and took care of each other, there was a harmony to what they built. Jeremy's relationship with each Original was equal. In the way that he loved each of them, they loved him and none tried to take or steal him away from the others. But if Klaus' wolf had just done what Jeremy thought it had, it could screw up that whole balance. And he was scared.

He felt Klaus' eyes on him as they drove. He knew the man could hear his heart pounding and probably could smell his mixed emotions. But thankfully he didn't say anything. When they arrived at the house, Jeremy groaned as his two other boyfriends and friends walked outside. Kol and Elijah were frowning at them. He gave a second to wonder if they had felt anything or if they were pissed he took off. He prayed it was because he took off.

He parked and hopped out of the car.

The group welcomed them both back. Jeremy blushed when more than one set of eyes landed on his neck. He shifted and had to resist the urge to cover the tender skin.

"What the hell happened to your neck?" Of course Matt would be the one to just shout it out. Jeremy sighed, and sent a pointed look at Klaus. He heard Caroline snicker and sent her a glare. She just smiled at him.

"Jer–" Ric started.

"I need a shower." He said cutting the man off. Sure, he had already showered with Kol, but he was covered in blood, sweat and cum; so it wasn't a lie. He watched as Ric's eyes narrowed at him. Fuck, he thought, Ric was thinking the same thing he was about the bite.

"Okay everyone inside," Ric said, shoving at Tyler who was staring wide eyed at Jeremy. He gulped, Could Tyler tell?

Jeremy could feel the awkwardness as everyone moved into the house. He knew everyone had questions but he wasn't sure he had the answers. So, when everyone was mumbling and moving towards the living room, he snagged Ric's arm and dragged him up the stairs.

"Je–" He covered the man's mouth and pointed to his ears. Ric nodded. He shoved Ric into Elijah's room and then into the bathroom, he tried not to blush at the raised brow Ric shot him. He closed the door and then turned on every faucet in the bathroom.

"We should be okay now." He whispered. Ric nodded in understanding and moved forward, he tilted Jeremy's head to the side and inspected the bite on his neck.

"Hell," The man muttered before letting go and stepping back. "Jeremy that's a Mating Mark."

Jeremy took a breath, or he tried too, everything around him spun and he felt Ric catch him as his knees buckled. All he could think was 'they're going to fight,' over and over again. The three men he loved were going to fight, because Klaus' wolf had marked him, claimed him as his own and Jeremy didn't think Kol or Elijah would take that well.

"I can't lose them," he mumbled against Ric's chest. When that man had wrapped him in a hug he didn't know. But he took comfort, as he started to cry.

"Breathe, Jeremy." Ric said rubbing his hand on his back. "You aren't going to lose them, okay. You managed to get three people who have fought, lied and betrayed each other so many times they forgot they loved and cared for each other. You got three brothers to not only admit they loved the same man, but to agree to share a relationship with him. You can get them through this."

He let his mentor and friend hold him, until he was through crying. Still a little shaky he pulled away and sat on the floor.

"Okay." he muttered, "Okay." He took a breath, "Can you get Elijah?" He asked. Because Elijah would be the calmest, he hoped. If he could get Elijah to understand and not attack his brother then he had someone to help him with Kol. Who, he was almost positive would attack Klaus.

Ric nodded and left.

He moved to sit with his back against the bathroom sink cabinet. With his eyes closed, he listened to the sound of the water running. It helped him stay calm, as he hoped that Ric was right and that he could keep his boyfriends from trying to kill each other.

A gentle knock at the door had him opening his eyes, "Jeremy?" Elijah asked through the door.

"Come in." He said not getting off the ground. The vampire gave him a puzzled look and then sat next to him on the floor.

"What happened?" Elijah asked, looking at him.

Jeremy looked at the shower instead of Elijah. "I followed the bond to find him. He was just walking along the side of the road. It was weird, but I figured he wanted time to clear his head. We talked, or he questioned and I answered. But I think he was still worked up about Marcel and having me argue about fighting with you guys instead of hiding away, safe and protected, pushed his wolf too hard." He stopped, not really sure how to describe it. None of them really talked about Klaus' wolf side much. It was like it had gotten overlooked, a mistake they were all about to regret.

"Wolf?" Elijah asked.

He nodded, "I could see it in his eyes." He said, "They were yellow, no traces of the black veins of his vampire, I thought it was weird but shrugged it off. I shouldn't have kept pushing but I did. He ended up telling me to pull over which I did." He blushed, " And things escalated. It wasn't until after that I realized he hadn't bitten me like a vampire–" He stopped. And looked over at Elijah.

At first, it seemed the older man didn't understand but then he tilted his head and his eyes zeroed in on Jeremy's neck. Jeremy's palms were sweating when Elijah pushed to his knees and moved to kneel in front of him. He closed his eyes, when Elijah took his face and gently turned it so he could see his neck. He jerked when Elijah's finger touched the mark and it sent a jolt through him. It wasn't painful but it wasn't pleasant like Klaus' had been. He swallowed and tried not to think about it. Elijah examined it for a few seconds before letting him go.

"You have a theory." Elijah said calmly, too fucking calm.

Jeremy opened his eyes and pushed to his knees when he saw thin black lines spreading under the vampire's eyes. "Please." He whispered, taking Elijah's face in both his hands, "Please don't." He pleaded. He needed Elijah. If Elijah couldn't handle this. Kol wouldn't be able too and he didn't want to think about what would happen.

Elijah's hands came up and wrapped around his wrists. The firm but gentle touch didn't worry Jeremy nearly as much as the vampire closing his eyes and leaning forward to press his lips against his right wrist. He shivered from the delicate kiss.

"Your theory." Elijah whispered lips still pressed against his skin.

"I think we have all forgotten," He whispered, "that Klaus is also a werewolf. Even Klaus. He brags about being a hybrid, but I don't think he ever gave it much thought. Not more than the strength and power it granted him. But, Elijah, it is a creature. A living, breathing creature; it comes with it's own wants, needs and desires. It's own instincts.

"And I think finding out someone he viewed as a son was alive but never sought him out, hurt him more than he wanted to admit. I think he tried to bury it. Probably by hunting and feeding, letting his vampire side out. But I think he didn't just let his vampire out. I think he woke up the wolf he has long ignored. And I think when I showed up here, in a potential war zone, that wolf surged forward and took control."

Elijah lifted his head pulling his mouth away from Jeremy's wrist as he continued speaking. "He said something after, it's how I knew. He said he had felt the wolf. He said he could feel how badly it wanted to protect me, care for me and that it wanted to mark me." He leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Elijah's, "I don't think he understands, Elijah. He doesn't realize what he has done." It felt important that Elijah knew that. Knew that Klaus hadn't done this intentionally. That he wasn't betraying them or trying to take Jeremy away from them. His heart raced as he waited for his boyfriend's reaction.

It felt like a lifetime before Elijah pulled back far enough to place a kiss on his forehead. Then Elijah was standing and pulling Jeremy to his feet with him.

"We need to tell him," Elijah said, turning towards the door.

Panic flooded him, Jeremy rushed forwards and grabbed Elijah's wrist, "We can't," he said, "we don't know how he will react or Kol. Hell, we don't even know what it really means." He was breathing fast, he knew it, but this whole thing had him on edge and freaked out.

Elijah took his free hand and put it on Jeremy's chest, "Breathe." The vampire whispered, leaning close, "It will be okay, Jeremy." Elijah pulled his other hand free of Jeremy's hold and wrapped it around him pulling them into an awkward hug, "You're scared." Elijah said in a tender voice, "Not just about our reactions. But about how the mark might affect you."

He tried to shake his head because while the thoughts had crossed his mind, and it worried him, he was definitely more concerned about his boyfriends.

"Yes you are." Elijah said, "You'll ignore it because you have a habit of putting us first. And right now you believe we are going to tear each other apart over this. But you are smart enough to know that a wolf bite, a marking, is magical; and you and magic have a difficult past. So," Elijah pulled back and they looked at each other, "While I can't promise no fighting. I can promise I will not allow any of us to truly harm each other. And I promise we will learn about the Mate's mark and everything we can to make sure it has no ill side effects."

Jeremy lunged forward and kissed Elijah. The relief of the vampire's promises hadn't killed all of Jeremy's fears but it had helped relieve a good number of them.

"Now," Elijah said, pulling them apart. "Help me turn everything off here and let's go discuss this with the others."