Hello loves!
I know, I know. I say this every time. Long time, no chapter. I am so so sorry. The time I've had since the last update has been honestly horrible. Between new diagnosis' and my father's death, which was a surprise to my family, it's been very hard for me to write or even want to... and then to edit this chapter once it was done. I finally bit the bullet and did it, plus the next chapter is already started and I'm really feeling it.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank the lovely people in my Facebook group, ncbexie25 Fanfics. The support there through these tough times has been unreal and such a comfort. I really, really hope that I do your sweet words justice with this chapter. Reading back over it, I was actually quite happy with it, to be honest and I've not felt that way in a while.
If you are not a member of that group and would like to be, just look us up on Facebook under the above name-or go to my profile for links!
Just one important note before I let you go ahead and read:
There was something that I realised I had forgotten to add into chapter 11 when Bella first transitioned into a hybrid. I since have gone back and fixed the scene, adding a little something about her unhealed scars. If you are unsure which scars those are, they are mentioned in this chapter, and also in chapter 4, where their appearance and placement is described. As it is winter and thus she needs to rug up, I really don't feel as though they are that much of a big deal. In intimate moments, Bella and Klaus's healing touch—the light that outshines the darkness they are both plagued by from their pasts—takes care of her fear and insecurity of it. However, I do see them being a bigger issue as we roll into summer months down the track of the story and they are more likely to be exposed in more public situations. Hope that clears things up!
With that said, enjoy and I'll see you below...
Chapter 16—Come What May
"I want to speak to them."
"Who? The ancestors?" Bella giggled sleepily, turning over in the bed and splaying her fingers on his chest as she raised an eyebrow at her mate. "You may be the King of New Orleans, Nik, but I don't think even you can demand such a thing…"
"And why not?" he asked, indignant as his eyes narrowed, his jaw locked, arms tightening around her. "You are my mate; this is my child…" Her heart fluttered at that, and at the hand that moved to her abdomen, which now had the barest hint of a curve to it. "I think I should be allowed to demand to know the reasons behind their actions. I need to know so that I can keep the two of you safe. You are both most important."
A strange reaction though it may be, her mood shifted in an instant following those words. A need overwhelmed her, far more important than mere fatigue. In that moment, she was not sure there was anything sexier than a demanding, protective Klaus Mikaelson. She had to have him. Her breathing now heavy, her eyes dark and amber as a purr trembled in her throat, she bit her lip. "Okay…" she breathed, her fingers knotting in his hair as a grin spread across her lips. She shifted, watching him breathe in deep and slow then growl as her scent permeated the air. She licked her lips at the sound. "We can do that, but… later…"
A small smirk curled his lips, a purr in his chest and his eyes flashed as he leaned down, her hand tightening in his hair and a cry leaving her mouth as he began to give her just what she wanted.
~TPoL~
In another state, the morning was not beginning quite so pleasantly…
As the front door of the Boarding House closed, serious ice blue eyes looked around. Damon expanded his hearing and his lips twitched with a sneer at the fact that, for once, the people he'd called had listened and weren't speculating what he might have done to be cause for a meeting.
At least they weren't, because the people he hadn't called were taking up space in his living room doing just that.
"...for the best, Carlisle," he heard Edward say at the end of a long speech that must have been placating given the tone he'd used. It hadn't worked, from what Damon could hear.
"I understand that, Edward, and of course it is smart. But I do not understand why he couldn't have simply told us over the phone—"
"Because this is more serious than that, Doctor from Hell," he drawled as he strolled into the room. His lips quirked into a half smirk as he looked at Elena, who seemed relieved that he had returned. He sat down beside her and almost let himself become sidetracked as she burrowed into his side. Almost… except for the fact that she and everyone else in the room was now in danger from the Originals just as his brother was in danger from the ice unit opposite him. "What are you even doing here? I don't remember sending any of your 'family' a message."
"You did not," Carlisle agreed, his tone dripping with suspicion. "But we were with the witch—"
"My name is Bonnie…"
"—and her friend when they received your call, and thus we thought it in our best interests to come. Especially since we were kept out of the loop on what sounded like a very dire rendezvous."
Damon's nose and lip twitched in another sneer that was begging to form. He had a witty response on the tip of his tongue when the 'friend' they'd mentioned spoke.
"Who cares about that? Why didn't you call Stefan?" Caroline insisted, her arms crossed as she stared at the elder Salvatore with a disapproving pucker of her brow and downturn of her lips.
"I'll get to that in a minute." He glanced to the others in the room, then tightened his hold on his mate. "Brady Bunch, out. Now." He flashed his visage, not caring about their anger and rebuttal, pleased when they decided to listen as he stood threateningly. At least they had enough sense not to be idiots when it came to their unmatched strength against him.
To the ire of everyone else in the room, he was quiet for the next five minutes as he stood and just listened, making sure they were alone. Over one hundred and fifty years had done wonders for his already far-reaching auditory perception, and thus he was able to make sure they were out of the three mile radius that he'd overheard Edward mentioning in regards to his telepathy.
"Well?"
"Calm down, blondie," he snarked, though it was with less bite as he relaxed his thoughts and flashed to pour himself a drink, knocking it back. Only Elena could see and of course feel the concern in his actions and she flashed to his side, gripping his wrist as he went to pour himself a second drink, her brow furrowed.
"Damon…"
She gasped as he looked up just as she was hit with a staggering amount of fear.
"What—?"
"Stefan's gone, Elena. He went to New Orleans last night and with the rate he was going, he's probably already there by now."
"New Orleans?" Bonnie interjected as she stood up and walked to Elena's side as the brunette sat down, wrapping an arm around her body as if to hold herself together. "Why would he go there?"
Damon's jaw spasmed as he locked it and swallowed, looking away.
"Why would you call this meeting if you're not even going to tell us?" Caroline asked, her voice trembling with the multitude of emotions running through her.
"Care…"
The raspy, almost warning tone that Elena spoke with, that screamed something to the beat of "you don't want to know," was what caused the blonde's blue-green eyes to stand out as they mixed with the red and black of her visage. She shook her head, voice louder as she insisted that someone answer her. At least, when she looked at Bonnie, she could see the look in her eyes, the furrow of her brow; it made her feel better that it seemed, on this topic, she wasn't the last to know.
Only…
"Is this about Rebekah?"
Three heads swivelled in the dark skinned Bennett witch's direction and her lips pursed.
"Stefan helped Rebekah kidnapped me the night that you and Jeremy killed Kol," she admitted in a low tone, gaze averted the others identified as guilt.
"And this wasn't considered crucial information before now why?" Damon asked as he and Elena exchanged a glance.
"Why would it be considered 'crucial'?" Caroline asked, her tone hard, as she caught that glance and looked between them herself. She saw Bonnie doing the same out of the corner of her eye, the same suspicion on her face as well. "What does it matter whether it was Klaus, Elijah, or Rebekah who did it? If anything, it makes sense; we all know about Rebekah and Stefan's history," she commented with bitterness, arms crossing under her chest.
"Yeah, we do," Elena said, somewhat defensively, "and we know that Stefan hates Rebekah. So why would he help her?"
Caroline rolled her eyes. "The only one that Stefan is capable of hating is Damon."
"None of this matters!" Damon snapped, that comment hitting a little too close to home. The fury in his voice and the power caused the other three to swallow. "What does matter is that he's gone, and he's in danger if they find out. You don't need to know why, you just need to know that if the Sparkles family finds out he's gone and where he's gone it spells trouble—for him."
That was good enough for Bonnie, she supposed, as she sent Elena a hard look, seeing her swallow and nod after a moment's hesitation. But the interaction was missed by Caroline, who growled, speeding to Damon and forcing him against the wall.
"Why is he in danger?" she asked only for their positions to be flipped as Damon forced her against the window instead, reaching for her ring, which caused her to start to thrash in his grasp with fright.
"Damon!"
A cry left the vampire as a searing pain rose in his skull, and he dropped the blonde, who flashed to Bonnie's side and stood just a little behind her, shaken. She watched as Elena went to stand between her mate and her best friend, causing Bonnie to cut the spell off at the last second.
"Let's go, Care…"
"Bon—"
"No, Elena! We are your best friends. Caroline cares about Stefan, too, and you're just going to stand back and let him," she pointed at Damon, spitting venom, "dictate who gets to know what? If he's in danger and you want us to help in any way, we deserve to know why."
Bonnie didn't care about the flicker of guilt she saw in Elena's eyes. Her jaw was set as she grabbed Caroline's hand and tugged. The blonde looking between her two best friends, torn for a moment before her face blanked and she followed the young witch out of the Boarding House.
"What's going on, Bonnie?" Care asked as they exited the driveway and she watched as the witch's lips thinned before she swallowed and then finally looked at her.
"I don't know," she said but the tone of her voice was carefully guarded and the look in her dark eyes as they met Caroline's told her she knew more than she was letting on. With a start, Caroline realized she wouldn't voice her thoughts until they were further away, away from the risk of being overheard.
Reeling, she followed her friend to her car, got in and watched the Bennett witch as she pulled out of the drive and made her way to Caroline's house, grim-faced.
~TPoL~
Rebekah Mikaelson sighed as she looked out the window of her bedroom over the city below, her arms crossed over her chest. She was tense, her fingers twitching and she gripped her elbow hard as she neglected the desire to rub at her chest. Turning toward her bed, she eyed the phone on her nightstand before thinking better of it. Perhaps it was better not to know what he was up to, what the cause for these emotions were…
She'd given Stefan Salvatore enough of herself already.
A knock on the door saved her from going down that line of thought and she sat up straight.
"Come in…"
A smile appeared on the blonde's lips seconds later at the sight of Bella. The happiness that was radiating from her friend, her sister, had her feeling mixed. She was jealous of the fact that the brunette had her mate and now was going to have a child—one of Rebekah's dreams since she was a little girl. And yet, she didn't want to feel that way where Bella was concerned. Instead, she chose to be happy for her, and content with the fact that she would have an adorable niece or nephew to spoil.
However happy the hybrid was, she looked worse for wear, and Rebekah's brow furrowed.
"Are you all right?"
"Oh, yes. Just, um… morning sickness as usual."
Despite her queasiness, the girl was grinning from ear to ear, and the Original's huffed with amusement.
"I've noticed. We've heard you for two weeks now…" She frowned a little in concern before the look was replaced with a small smile as she tilted her head, surveying the girl's appearance. "Well, you have put on a little weight despite all the vomiting…" she murmured thoughtfully, and Bella giggled. "I suppose that has something to do with how randy my brother is feeling lately…"
"Oh, yes. He's quite, mm… proud," was the blissful response given and Rebekah rolled her eyes. "Though I do wish he'd calm down a little. Whilst I am very happy, obviously, I'm tired and I feel sick all the time. I hardly want to be doing… that…"
"That wasn't the case this morning…"
"Well, it's the case now," she snapped, then sighed, the anger draining from her body. A small smile played on her lips. "I suppose I can't be too upset; he's more excited about the little bump than anything else…"
Rebekah's eyes widened and snapped to the girl's waist. She'd seen the weight gain, but hadn't seen a bump of any kind. She'd thought it too early. "Already?"
Her chin set defensively, anger rising just as fast as it had left moments ago. "It's just a little one… you can't really see it unless I'm… well…"
"Indecent?" the blonde intoned with a smirk that was far too similar to her brother's.
Her cheeks flushed, she carried on. "Anyway, I didn't come to talk about that—"
"I should hope not…"
"—I actually came because Nik is demanding to talk to the witches and I thought perhaps you might want to come along?" Bella asked, biting her lip as sudden nerves hit her. "It's not that I'm using you for your connection to—"
"I know," Bekah cut her off, giving her a soft smile even as her eyes warned her against mentioning such a thing again. The brothers did not know she was quite so well acquainted with the Regent, and she wanted to keep it that way. She waved off the apologetic look on her friend's face. "Of course I'll come."
An arm full of excited hybrid was not expected but Rebekah laughed and hugged her back, trying not to show just how much that embrace and exuberance meant to her. But Bella caught it and frowned, concern in her eyes as she regarded her the blonde.
"Are you—?"
"I'm fine," she answered quickly, though her sadness was easily seen in her eyes. "I just..." She shook her head and sighed. "I think I might go for a walk with Elijah… when are you planning on leaving?"
That was all Bella needed to know that Rebekah was having a bad day as far as Stefan was concerned. Of all her brothers, Elijah was the one who the female Original spoke to at length about their hidden connection, seeking comfort from her oldest brother. After another look, Bella replied that they would be leaving in an hour or so, wondering how she'd stall her mate whom she could hear pacing in their room… a telling sign of how agitated and impatient he was. She smiled as she heard the knock on the their door and then Ansel's voice as he spoke to his son, having noticed the same and wanting to calm him. Yes… even three weeks had helped their bond begin to form, slow as it was.
She could not wait to see it grow and strengthen into what it always should have been.
"I might go have some tea," Bella mused to herself and the blonde who'd flashed into her wardrobe to dress for the day's outings. Rugged up in untied sweats, uggs, and a thick, loose jumper, the hybrid left the bedroom and wandered downstairs to prepare breakfast for herself. She was quick to regret it as her stomach rolled and she flashed back upstairs, bypassing Klaus and Ansel on her way to the en suite.
A knock on the door and she flushed the toilet, going to the sink to brush her teeth, mumbling for whoever it was to come in, not bothering to check. It was Ansel, who stopped in the doorway with a look of slight amusement on his face.
"I would not be so brave as to do that… you'll most likely only repeat yourself in less than half an hour."
A mock glare was her first response, followed by the sardonically grumbled words, "thank you ever so much for your concern."
He chuckled, crossing his arms over his chest, the dimples in his cheeks showing and Bella's eyes widened some at the way he resembled Nik in that moment. Just as it filled her with warmth, the image of a little boy looking just the same filling her mind. Slight modifications appeared as she ruminated on the thought, the boy's blond locks becoming brunet then going back to the dirty blond as his eyes changed from blue to brown…
Shaking her head and blinking, the image faded and she spit the paste out before wiping her mouth and turning to him, leaning back against the counter. "Will you be coming with us, then? I dare say Nik might need you there."
Her words had the positive affect that she'd hoped they would, and he nodded after a moment.
"I would be most honored, thank you."
She giggled a little. "Just when I thought you were starting to sound a little more modern… It seems we have another Elijah on our hands."
He smirked, again looking like a carbon copy of his son despite the brown hair. "I believe my son said much the same thing just moments ago… before he stormed out in the direction of his studio." There was a slight tightening of his eyes and Bella knew the cause.
"I'm sure he'll show you eventually," she murmured kindly. "He's just…"
Jaw locking, his eyes grew cold. "I am aware, yes…"
The fury she heard made her shiver and she almost felt sorry for the people it was aimed at, just as much as she regretted the fact that they were dead. But the fear was obvious to Ansel and he quickly controlled himself, no matter how difficult such a thing was. He did not like the marks that had been left on his son from the two who'd raised him, one of them in his place…
"You have no reason to fear me," he murmured to the younger wolf in front of him. "In fact, I have great reason to be thankful to you… if it were not for you and indeed my grandchild…" he trailed off, but both of them knew what he was alluding to and she grinned at him, the tiredness she'd been fighting through the morning coming to the forefront. "I heard what you said that night and I would love nothing more than to be there for my grandchild as I should have been for my son… I would like to get to know you as well… If we were closer, perhaps you might have come to me when you were in doubt… I would have been able to tell you instantly that you were with child, just as I can teach you so much more about our kind…" his eyebrow rose, "perhaps to help you gain some understanding of, and thus endure, my son's protectiveness, which I know at the moment is bothering you despite your wolf's joy."
His words, which had been chosen with careful consideration, were delivered in a gentle tone, and Bella was thankful for that. She could tell that he did not wish to offend her, a way she might have felt given her sensitivity these days. It was, after all, a parent's job to inform their child of what he was offering. It made her mourn her father's absence even more than her wolf already did every day but she pushed that back, a weak smile flickering on her lips.
"Thank you…"
He nodded, taking that as a sign to leave her be and Bella sighed as the door closed, her eyes drawn down to her abdomen. Rebekah was right. She had gained just a little weight, a sign of what was to come. And she was immensely happy. She was glowing in her pregnancy…
But she missed her father, and her wolf did, too. At this time, even more so.
There was another knock on the door, and Bella would have told the person to leave her alone if it wasn't her mate. Needing him in that moment, she wrenched the door open and wrapped her arms tight around him, sighing as her body relaxed under his touch and the power of their connection. The light that won out against the dark. She could feel his own body respond likewise to her touch and a grin curled her lips as she peeked up at him.
"Hi."
He chuckled. "Hello…"
"Bekah wants to come, too. She's out with Elijah right now though… should be back soon…"
Klaus smirked down at his mate, relieved she was no longer as furious as she had been when he'd woken her when she fell asleep after their first round. He was proud of the serene tone of her voice as she spoke, curled up against his chest, and his arms wrapped tighter around her waist for a moment before moving as he lifted her, taking her back to their bed. He left her to lay down and rest, not surprised when she fell into a sort of state where she was not quite sleeping but not altogether cognizant either. But his brow furrowed anyway, not worried about her physically, but rather emotionally. He knew his mate was missing her father and his wolf hated that their separation was forced and best for Charlie's livelihood. He could see the deep unrest that it was causing her wolf as she, in her sleep, whined, brow furrowed as she turned over. She did not sleep easy and with the morning sickness she now experienced due to their child, her sleep was only further interrupted. She was now tired most of the time, even if her happiness made her seem not so at times, her moods changing rapidly.
It was these thoughts that almost made him hesitate in his plans for the meeting they were about to have, but he did not think that wise. They needed answers, answers that Davina and Kol had informed him would be possible should he demand a very specific spell. But he didn't want his mate becoming anemic and thus he stood and flashed out, listening to his wolfish instincts as he begun preparing a hearty meal that would not incite sickness. He would persuade her to eat one way or another whilst, he hoped, remaining… whole.
Half an hour later, Isabella was feeling better and a little less tired and his sister and elder brother were returning from their outing, rugged up appropriately for the human populace of the Quarter. Normally, Klaus would not be concerned about that, as his mate was a hybrid, but given their child…
"Bella, love, wear that coat I bought you last week," he called from the balcony where his narrowed eyes took in the red rimmed eyes of his sister. Feeling his gaze, she met his gaze and gave a shaky smile that did nothing to calm his concerns before flashing up to her room, and he went to follow but Elijah stopped him, shaking his head.
"Leave her, brother; she will be fine…"
He didn't appreciate that answer very much at all but his mate's huff as she opened the door, expression irate and arms outstretched distracted him. It seemed the extra energy she'd acquired from her nap had only aided her in becoming angry with him again, for what this time he had no clue…
But he knew better than to ask or otherwise comment.
"Happy?" she asked, feeling a little ridiculous in so many layers given that she no longer felt the effect of the cold weather on her skin either way. How convenient that her mate seemed to have forgotten that in the past three weeks since she'd told him of their pregnancy, as he had made sure to stock her wardrobe with copious amounts of winter clothing, cajoling her out of her autumn styles and into more appropriate attire for the season. She wouldn't normally be so upset as he would never venture so far as the Cullens had… but her moods these days were not rational and she felt babied, which did not sit well with her.
Seeing all that in her petulant, sour expression, Klaus sent a close-lipped grin that showed off his dimples her way, knowing how that would make her react. "Immensely."
He was not disappointed by the blink or the blush, though he could not contain his chuckle as she sighed harshly, muttering about his bewitching powers and annoying, albeit very lovely, dimples. She shot a glare at both him and his father—whom she personally felt was more to blame for this problem as he was the one who'd given her mate said dimples and bewitching powers in the first place. Ansel was confused for but a moment as he stopped at his son's side, joining them as they now waited for Rebekah. But then he smirked as he caught the reason. He was afforded another glare for his troubles before Bella turned on her heel and walked down the hall to collect the blonde. She shook her head to free it of the images clouding her mind as she stood at the door, raising her hand. But the hybrid had barely knocked on the door before she heard a sniffle.
"Bekah?"
"I'm not coming, I'm sorry…"
A deep frown set on Bella's face and her eyes narrowed as she opened the door.
"What—"
She stopped short, her eyes widening as she saw the clothes strewn on the bed in what she assumed had once been two piles. Eyes shooting up as the youngest Mikaelson re-entered the room from her wardrobe with another three coat hangers that she dumped toward the top of her bed, Bella's concern caused her chest tightened.
"What is this? What's wrong?"
With a huff, Rebekah delayed her response as she sifted through the clothes she'd just brought in before growling as she deemed none of them good enough—at least that was what Bella assumed from the narrowed gaze—then made her way back to the wardrobe. She almost got to enter the smaller room, too, but she was stopped by a raised eyebrow, the serious expression her undoing.
"I-I can't tell you… but there's nothing wrong," she whispered quietly, eyes wet and a shaky smile on her lips, growing wider before her expression changed to one of potent anxiety. "I just need some time alone, to… to myself…" she said, seeming to have changed her mind about what she wanted to say.
Her lips parted, Bella prepared to ask if she was sure. But the words never came out as they were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Elijah, a soft smile on his lips that mirrored the happiness on his little sister's face as he watched her. "She will be all right," he assured the pregnant hybrid, drawing her gaze back to him and he was not resentful as instead of trusting his word she searched his face before nodding.
"Call Nik if you need me, okay? Dav is staying behind, too…" Bella murmured.
Rebekah nodded, glancing down at her friend's abdomen. "I'm sorry…"
The brunette shook her head, waving away her concerns. "Whatever this is… I can tell it's more important."
Flashing a bright though emotional smile, Rebekah nodded, and Bella got a rush from seeing her troubled sister so happy. It made her feel so as well and she left the room after a nod to Elijah with a grin, looping her arm with her mate's and almost dragging him downstairs and out the gate, barely pausing for him to wrap a scarf around her neck and place a beanie on her head. If anything, her mate's wolfish need to protect her and their babe just made her happier though that may have been because of where they were headed given her prior reactions to his attentiveness in this area. Now that they were on their way to the witches to learn about their baby, nothing could touch her mood.
Arriving at the house, Klaus stepped in front of his mate and knocked on the door, Bella sharing a grin with Ansel as he watched his son with both pride and amusement. The door opened and the older dark-haired woman with those brilliant ice blue eyes stood in the doorway, regal.
"I've been expecting you…" she said, her voice just as memorable as Bella had thought. "Come in."
She turned her back on them, and Bella glanced up in time to see the look of surprise and then suspicion that flickered upon her mate's face. That simple action had spoken volumes of confidence and she entwined her fingers with his, tightening her grip and making him look at her, the look on his face making her eyes widen.
"She won't hurt me," she tried to calm him by saying just as Josephine La Rue re-entered the room.
"She is quite right, Niklaus. Your mate, your father, and you are safe here."
"Why?" he asked, his voice just shy of a snarl as amber swirled within the blue depths. His jaw locked as he felt his father's gaze before the older Alpha stepped forward, closer to him.
"I would not hurt a babe, or her mother. Even if she is a part of your family. In this city, we had a strong alliance until Papa Tunde… I, and the ancestors, mourn the loss of that alliance. Troubling times are ahead of us, which you are well aware of, I am sure… petty disputes between kinds do not hold importance when we are faced with what is coming…"
"And what would that be? What is coming?" Klaus demanded, pulling his mate closer as his eyes narrowed, a growl vibrating in his chest.
His questions were met with silence, and he took a step forward only to be forced onto his knees, hearing his mate shout his name in fear as snarls of pain erupted from his throat. His palms rose to his head, pressing against his temples at the searing pain caused by a witch's aneurysm, the Regent's magic potent enough to affect him in a way he could not ignore.
Finally, the pain was gone and he panted, falling forward to his hands and knees, his teeth gritted. He glanced up, meeting the witch's gaze.
"Are we done?" she asked, her tone hard and his lips twitched with words that he thought better of, hearing his mate's fear. He nodded, standing in a flash and soothing Bella as he pulled her close.
"I don't think it an unreasonable request," Ansel said, breaking the silence in low, furious tones, "to know what it is that we will be facing in due course. Especially if you are seeking an alliance with us. That would mean we have some part to play. Surely you can see why, in their condition, they would want to know."
Gaze shifting to the wolf as he spoke, Josephine's lips pursed.
"It is reasonable, yes… however, just like your request to commune with the ancestors, it is not a request that I can grant… for now. The time will come. Until then, know you are safe," she said, her eyes softening as she met the gaze of the expectant mother who was looking back anxiously. Seeing the calm that began to puncture that fear, Josephine moved her gaze to Klaus, her eyebrow rising. In response, his teeth gritted, eyes flashing, but he nodded, the action stiff.
An almost pleasant smile appeared on the old witch's lips then and she nodded. "Good. Now, I understand you are here for information on the child…"
"We want to know how this pregnancy is possible, yes…" Bella said, taking a breath to refocus her mind to this conversation. She swallowed nervously, giving her mate a thin smile as he pulled her closer, settling her in against his body so their bond's power could affect her more strongly.
"Half of the answer to that question lies in the night you were turned, Niklaus, and more so in the order in which your vampire and wolf were released, for lack of a better term," she said, speaking matter-of-factly. "You became a vampire first, correct?"
Klaus nodded stiffly.
"Yes. So, again for lack of a better term, you died—you became infertile, a member of the undead. However, upon completing that transition, you unlocked your wolf as your first prey died by your hand—"
"We came here to learn what it was we did not already know," Klaus interrupted with a growl only to grit his teeth as her eyes narrowed and he felt a flash of pain.
"Quiet," was the flatly-spoken response. "You unlocked your wolf after you died. The combination of both kinds brought you back to life, in a way; you are more alive than your siblings, that is. You are a true hybrid—a vampire who is not affected by the sunlight, and a wolf free from the bounds of the moon. But there are more than just those benefits, and one of them is fertility."
Silence reigned for several moments before it was broken by Ansel.
"That is half of the answer… what is the other half?"
In response to that question, Josephine focused upon Bella. The ferocity of her gaze was so intense that the brunette could not help but shift, her wolf growing uncomfortable, making Klaus's chest vibrate with a threatening growl once more.
"There is magic in you," the Regent said, her brow furrowing as she redirected her gaze to the table in front of her, leaning over it. "And not from the vampire half of you," she amended as she glanced up to see the looks in their eyes. "Foreign magic. Someone must have spelled you…"
Bella's eyes flew wide.
"What do you mean someone spelled my mate? I think I'd have noticed," Klaus snarled, infuriated further by the fact that Josephine remained unaffected by his anger and threats.
"This is strong, this magic; whoever it was, they were quite powerful…" Josephine murmured as though she had not heard him. Several things flickered in her light eyes before her gaze lowered, dropping to the table, and her jaw locked, muscles tensed. Her voice was low as she continued after a long moment. "A female hybrid would follow the laws of the male, one would assume. But only if they followed the same pattern. You did not, Isabella. You were wolf before you were vampire… that made a pregnancy impossible."
"What does that mean?"
Her gaze snapped to Klaus's and promptly narrowed. "It means that the only way your mate could have conceived your child is if someone cast a very powerful spell that gave her the ability…"
There was a dangerous glint in the dark amber-flecked blue orbs and he stepped forward, leaving his mate behind him as he searched her gaze. "Who?" he growled.
"It is a gift from the ancestors," Josephine lied cooly, unaffected by the Original Hybrid's agitation.
Klaus's eyes narrowed, suspicious immediately. "They seem to be giving us a lot of gifts recently."
There was no response save a flicker in the Regent's eyes as she looked to Ansel, and the uncomfortable silence stretched. Bella came forward after a long moment and reached for her mate's hand, clutching it as she tried to keep him calm. It would not do for his protective urges to take over and ensure the death of an ally they apparently very much needed.
"Does it really matter why, Nik?" Bella whispered, seeing that the Regent could give them no further answers, at least at this time. "I'm going to have your child…" She could almost feel the suspicion rolling off of her Original before their bond's power began to affect him as she pressed her body against his. He glanced back and, once meeting her watery gaze, could not look away again. The grin on her lips, the happiness… his head tilted and eyes twitched and narrowed for a moment as he saw a vulnerability there that he did not understand… Realization hit him and his shoulders fell and the storm in his eyes cleared. A small smile curled his lips as he straightened and pulled her closer.
"No… I suppose it doesn't," he reassured her, the love and happiness he allowed into his tone something she alone could hear and see as she leaned back and looked into his eyes. The tears spilled, more following as she saw what she had needed and she sniffled, her breath beginning to hitch in odd places as she tried to breathe through the sobs trying to break from her throat. "Everything will be all right," he whispered, kissing her temple, a light purr in his chest that caused Bella's eyes to squeeze shut, her body shuddering under the emotion that was wracking her frame.
His father following, Klaus pulled her away, out of the room and out of the house, barely giving the emotional hybrid time to thank the Regent who nodded with considerable warmth and bid them farewell, none of them missing the "for now," that was tacked on at the end. They also didn't see her eyes tighten with the fight she was waging against her forced silence, the secrets she'd had to withhold from them wanting to break through. She felt they deserved to know the true origin of their child's conception, and the dangers that lay ahead…
"Not yet, Josephine…"
The voice that had become familiar to her in the past weeks since the last time she had seen Bella to confirm her pregnancy made her sigh, the elder woman now growing weary.
She could only hope her life would not be forfeit to the Original Hybrid she had defied and deceived as she spoke of peace and alliances.
But they were unaware to her struggles or what was to come. Instead, as Ansel trailed behind the expectant couple, they left the witch behind and journeyed home, Bella at least content enough with the knowledge they had gained and Niklaus simply happy to bask in his mate's joy as they prepared to spend the rest of the day together in their rooms.
However, waiting at the gate were Camille and Marcel, the latter of the two's expression grim, determined and prepared. That look alone sucked the carefree happiness from the expecting couple's faces as they realized that something was wrong.
"What is it?" Bella asked, looking at her friend and then at Marcellus.
"We have some bad news," he murmured, "news we should share somewhere else… Rousseau's?" he asked, eyes moving to Klaus, whose jaw locked before he nodded. The group of five left the Abattoir once more with no questions asked, the atmosphere tense and growing more so as they sat at a round table. The dark skinned vampire waited until the group nearing their table had walked past them, leaving them alone together before he spoke, voice low.
"I stationed a couple guys around Forks and the reservation after our last conversation," he began, but Klaus cut him off, the protectiveness he'd felt before returning with ease.
"Why wasn't I informed?"
"They've only been there a few days and I was thinking—or hoping—they wouldn't see anything, that there was no need… plus, with the…" he trailed off, eyes flickering to Bella's hidden abdomen before returning to lock with his sire's once more.
"But you were wrong? There was something?" Bella prompted.
Camille nodded, looking between her mate and Bella's as their staredown continued. "Those girls who were there, including the one you said was Rachel Black, have been leaving the reservation almost nightly. They were traced only to the neighbouring towns but," she paused, lips pursing, "they seem to be… searching for something…"
Ignoring the way the intense stare off broke abruptly at those words, Bella sighed. "Vampires?"
"Cold ones," Marcel amended, meeting her gaze for a brief moment before looking back at Klaus. Instead of challenging, his eyes held some other meaning. "Apparently they think they'll be able to find them there, though I don't know why. Unless they're looking for nomads…"
"I think they're searching for any. They're more desperate than I thought they would be… for revenge…" Bella whispered. "It'll only be a matter of time before they venture further out."
Klaus growled, and Bella's eyes closed as she felt a finger under her chin lifting her head. Her eyes opened and she met her mate's furious gaze. It would have terrified anyone else, but for her it inspired nothing but comfort before he even spoke the words to back up the ferocious protectiveness she saw in his eyes.
"Nothing and no one will touch you. You are safe, sweetheart."
She swallowed, her eyes flashing with her wolf. She was far surer of the truth of that statement, given that her mate was close. He could protect them, and their child. She'd always known that and feeling his touch, all her worries and fears faded away in lieu of the light that called to her from him. Their bond's power, unique to the pair of them.
Safe.
"My son is right, Bella… shifters are no match for us… even without the full moon, our kind is significantly stronger, and we do have the stronger vampire species on our side… even if they succeed in their endeavour, we will be prepared. It will be easy." A flash of his amber eyes gave the impression of his wolf's awakening anticipation. It had been a while since he'd fought.
Evidently, Klaus remembered that as well as his jaw locked and she saw a flash of something that softened her gaze, knowing her mate was remembering the last fight his father had fought… and lost.
"Come what may, nothing and no one will harm my child," Klaus whispered before adding, or my family.
"We are the Originals. If we want the world to be peaceful, we will make it so."
~TPoL~
She was nervous. It was clear as day on her gorgeous face, the way her pretty eyes were shimmering and wavering. The way she trembled slightly as her jaw locked whilst she tried to hold herself together, feeling as though she'd fall apart any moment. Rebekah's blue eyes remained riveted to the gate at the end of the wide hall as she felt the pull to her mate lessen rapidly, his approach growing near…
Coming out of her thoughts and glancing to her side as she felt Elijah's tailored suit brush her shoulder, she gave a shaky smile that he saw right through.
"He is coming to you, sister; at last… everything will be all right…" he said, trying to soothe her.
"I wish I was so confident about that…" she whispered, wetting her dry lips as she sucked in a breath. "I wish I knew why he was coming here instead of remaining completely in the dark, vulnerable; for all I know, this could be some sort of set up. Elena chose him often enough for those when we lived in Mystic Falls…"
Elijah said nothing. His sister's words were valid; there was a possibility that this was not what she hoped it to be, but that was why he was here and why they had not asked Kol and Davina, who remained upstairs in their room, aware of the goings on, to leave. Rebekah had told him that Stefan did not even know of their bond so it would not take long for them to ascertain the reason for his visit.
The older Mikaelson went to speak when Rebekah's breath hitched and her hand reached for his, grasping and gripping tightly. An imperceptible smile curled the brunet's lips.
Stefan Salvatore was here.
The wait was not a long one. Both the outer and inner gates had been opened and kept so in preparation for this meeting; if Stefan was not here for Rebekah, it would serve as a warning… but if he was, it would be a welcome.
The female Original waited on tenterhooks for her mate to come into view. When he did, she drank him in. His staple James Dean attire, his confident walk as he squared his shoulders at the sight of Elijah, not hesitating for a second. His intense green eyes fixed upon her…
Was he drinking her in as she was him? Was she as much of a sight for sore eyes to him as he was to her?
She could not help but react, the months that it had been since she had seen him last fading, a spark of hope deep within her chest catching light and growing…
Rebekah was rooted to the spot as he kept walking toward her. She was not able to look away, not able to take a step back—not even able to breathe as he came to stand in front of her, eyes flickering over every feature of her face before he spoke, his voice thick.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he breathed, his voice so full of pain and love.
Her breath hitched, her eyes stinging with tears. Her face crumpled from the pain and happiness as they fought for dominance. And then he leaned his forehead against hers.
She was shocked into silence, knowing—knowing—what that simple, seemingly inconsequential action meant.
He knew.
Stefan said nothing, mouth open as he breathed in her scent. God, just the thought that he'd never have known if it hadn't been for his vervain hell made the entire ordeal worth it.
He loved her; some part of him always had. He'd almost flipped that humanity switch back on again so many times in the '20s from the sheer depth of what she was able to make him feel, the bond lying in wait making him fight through his determination to feel nothing. And then Klaus had removed all trace of her. For ninety years, he'd walked through life, bereft, feeling—knowing—that he was missing something, but not knowing for the life of him what it was. He tried to find it, thinking he had when he met Elena…
When he got his memories back, it was like waking up again—she was there... but then so was Elena, who took it all away again.
Rebekah swallowed, recovering at last. She stepped back, away from him, both of them feeling the loss but she neglected it as she spoke, voice faint. "If there was no hope of you feeling the bond, why would I torture myself? You were with Elena; you loved her. And it hurt so much… it would have only hurt more for me to tell you and then watch you laugh in my face before returning to her."
The shaky hatred in her voice as she spat the word, her eyes swimming with tears struck him and he looked away. He didn't know how to apologize, how to… how to make it better. Rebekah may have been daggered for the ninety years of their separation, but she had been hurt more by that fact… to have him and then wake up, close to a century later, to see he had apparently moved on and forgotten all about her, not caring enough once his memories had been returned to him to even try…
"She already had my necklace," she whispered, the words adding a new layer of pain, as though he'd been flayed, shame burning him from the inside out.
"I didn't remember you," he admitted, "you're right about that. But it wasn't a choice I made… for a hundred years, I felt the loss of you and I didn't know what it was I was missing… I tried to find something that would stop it… it was maddening… and then I found Elena. I thought I'd found what it was I was missing, but I hadn't. When Nik woke you and gave me back my memories—"
"If you remembered, why did you stay away?" she asked, her eyes filled with anger and pain, grief.
"Elena wasn't happy… when you saw her, and you said…"
He trailed off, but that was all she needed to know. Her eyes, filled with shame, fell from his face, glazing over as she remembered. She'd felt nothing but triumph when her mate looked at her with love, even if it was clouded with hesitance. There was a moment when he was almost hers again… and she had to rub that in little Elena's face. Petty, and it cost her everything.
"We'll see about that…"
Eyes snapping up to his face again, Rebekah glowered at him. "What did she do?"
There was a flash of something she hadn't seen in a hundred years within his eyes before he locked it away, and with a jolt she realized what it was. Lust. Of course. He'd loved her temper back then…
A wry smile appeared on his lips, twisted with cool anger. "There's a reason why they call it the Petrova fire," he said, his jaw locking as the encounters he now so clearly remembered came back to him. "She invited Bonnie over to the Boarding House. They spoke for a little while and then… all I remember is chanting." He swallowed. "A hundred years ago, our connection didn't work because of my humanity switch. You felt it, but I didn't. The mating bond is as much about giving as it is receiving. I could not receive, so I didn't know to give…"
Swallowing, Rebekah nodded slowly. She had felt it, felt the draw to him, her side of the bond reaching out. But his switched-off humanity was not the sole problem they'd have had to overcome, though most serious of all, certainly. Rebekah's insecurities as well as her fear of Nik's reaction to her strong feelings; that was what she had thought they were initially: mere feelings.
Even if they were admittedly stronger for a humanityless Stefan than they had been for another she had met before in her one thousand years.
Their relationship of sorts, in the 20s, had not been a relationship at all, if they were to be honest. They weren't together that long before her father's appearance forced them apart—her in a daggered state, and Stefan out of Chicago and wandering for the next ninety years before they were reunited. It was once she'd woken that she realized what the connection was. It was so very rare, and she'd not felt it as she'd heard she would—there was no desire to mark him—during sex or otherwise—just an intense attraction, like a thrall… she could not stay away… and even in his spelled state, neither, really, could he, she realized as she remembered that night spent searching for Bonnie… he'd seemed to break free of it from the sheer weight of her grief for Kol's loss, even if it lasted mere moments. So he could comfort and then help her…
He was the reason why her brother was alive today, his betrayal of his friends…
"You seem to know a lot…" she said, voice faint as she came back to the present from her thoughts and looked up at him, careful to guard the emotions she was feeling. But if the look in his eyes meant anything, it was that he saw right through it.
"A hundred years without you… I did some reading," he explained gently, fingers twitching to touch her. Now that he was here, somehow, it was harder to ignore the ache. Rebekah seemed to feel the same way as she took a breath before shifting closer to him.
"And after Elena mated with your brother?" she asked, keeping her gaze firmly on his face. Even a flicker in his expression and none of this would matter.
But the jealousy, the hurt—there was none of that. Instead, his anger rose, a growl rose in his chest that caused her eyes to darken and her tongue to wet her dry lips.
"She didn't want to have to choose, at least in the beginning. She couldn't let go of me and despite reassuring my brother," he spat the word like a curse, "that she would put an end to the spells, she never did." His voice was dark as he spoke, eyes glazed as he remembered. "I suspect at least part of it was so she could rub it in your face. That she had both brothers and you…"
"Had nothing," she whispered, her voice a cocktail of emotions, not the least of which being anger and hate. "She really is quite the spiteful little bitch..."
"She is," Stefan echoed, taking his mate's hand and rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.
"I feel sorry for your brother…"
"Don't," he snarled, and she stared at him for a long moment before filing that away for later. There were still questions that needed answering.
"You were in danger," Rebekah whispered, looking up at him, the pain and fear she'd felt weeks ago returning effortlessly, making her blue eyes shine with tears. "What happened to you? You were dying…"
A low purr rose in his chest, but it did little to make Rebekah feel better, her mind taking her back to those days, her experience… A sorry whimper left her at the thought that she had been so close to never having this and he pulled her closer, crushing her against his chest, the silence stretched out. He sighed as she calmed, pulling back and looking down at her.
"My brother has a lot of enemies," he intoned, jaw locking. "There's one vampire in particular that he really fucked over. He lost everything at his hands… and he decided to pay him back for that. A British jerk named Enzo kidnapped me, locked me up in a metal safe, and then dumped me at the bottom of a closed off waterfall filled with vervain laced water.
"The stake in my stomach allowed the vervain to rush through my bloodstream," he continued without feeling, "I burned and drowned over and over again… too weak to break out of the prison… it was very clever, really. It had another consequence he never knew about… as I died, I could finally feel you," he said, finally looking at her again and he gave a crooked smile at the look of anger and pain on her face. His hand rose, his thumb rubbing back and forth over her cheekbone as he cupped her jaw. "I don't know how, but—"
"I do," she whispered hoarsely. "I gave you some of my strength so that you could break free. I didn't know what was happening, but I hoped that would be enough…"
He smiled down at her. "It was. More than enough… the strength you gave me was enough to get out, but also enough to give me the restraint every other vampire seems to have when they feed. I can feed from humans without killing them now," he said, looking down at her with such gratitude, "so there's no reason for me to feel guilty anymore. I can finally control myself."
A beautiful smile appeared on her lips then and he couldn't help but return it with a grin of his own. He wanted so many things in that moment, but decided instead to ask something he'd also been thinking of since awakening to a mating pull.
He wanted to see his brother.
"Where's Nik?"
"Niklaus is not here at the moment… and I can't say I believe he'd be happy to see you."
The couple blinked, Rebekah's eyes widening at the sound of her brother's voice. The pair had forgotten he was there, and as she looked at the brunet, she gave an apologetic smile but the one he sent back waved away her concerns. Elijah was happy for her, and he did not mind in the least.
But then of course he didn't. He understood…
Once recovered, the spell of their bond calming for the most part, Stefan spoke, a small smile on his lips. "He will be."
The older Original's eyes narrowed, but it was Rebekah who asked the question: "How can you be so sure?"
The smile on Stefan's lips widened. "He knows, Bekah. He knows about the bond; he has since Chicago. He hated that we didn't have more time for me to flip the switch and give into the bond, even if it was probably for the best since you were on the run. He compelled me away for my safety… knowing what we are to one another."
Eyes wide, Rebekah stared at her mate in disbelief. Nik knew? Her fear had been unfounded? He had sent him away not as a punishment, but to save his life? Tears blinded her vision.
"How do you know that?" she whispered when she could speak again.
"Because I told him so before I compelled him away for you, sister," they heard, Rebekah's eyes widening at the sound of her hybrid brother's voice. The three turned toward the newly arrived entourage with varying degrees of surprise.
Stefan, however, was the most flummoxed—though not because of Nik.
"Bella…" he blurted out. The brunette hair, the pale skin, brown eyes… those same features changed and fixed in a face that was twelve years younger flashed in his mind, and surprise was paramount upon his features. For all of his distractions, he'd not put two and two together when he heard Bella Swan come from the Cullens lips until he stared at the very same woman. A warm smile appeared on his face and delight took over. "Bella Swan…"
Frowning, not liking that a vampire she did not recognize knew of her name by her appearance, Bella said nothing as she nodded.
He didn't take her guardedness to heart, instead his smile widened as he rushed to clarify, "I was the one who gave your father my blood to heal you."
Her eyes widened with surprise and recognition before they were clouded by confusion. "But I never saw you there…" she said, her eyes narrowing as her suspicion rose; this did not fit… "And Dad didn't know about Edward's… abuse… until recently."
"Edward?" he asked, frowning.
"Yeah… that's what I used the blood my dad had hidden for. I needed it after Edward would… punish me," she explained uneasily, leaning into her mate as he growled, her body relaxing at the light that wrapped around her.
Stefan, not paying attention to their obvious bond for the moment, shook his head. "This wasn't recent; it was years ago, when you were young…" he murmured only for his eyes to widen as realization lightened the emerald green. "Your father must have kept some of my blood then… I'm glad it could be of use to you…"
"You about saved my life once or twice…"
More than that, Stefan thought, even as he gave the girl a small smile.
"I must admit, I'm looking forward to seeing him now… it's been too long. Where is he?"
Her smile fractured, the light in her eyes dimming, though it cleared as Klaus pulled her closer, molding her into his body's side. "He's not here; he's… he's in hiding at the moment. For his safety. So are my mother and her husband," she said.
"Because of Edward?"
"Yes."
He sighed. "That's probably for the best, given what he and his family are planning and how blood thirsty they seem…"
The words and a door from the second landing opened, Kol and his mate emerging from their sound proofed magic room which had been installed three weeks ago—giving the pair the chance to delve into the dark objects and magic as promised, free from distraction.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, looks were cast around, Bella's panic rising. With a low purr as he pulled her close once more, Klaus spoke, guarded and suspicious. "What do you know of them?"
"I wasn't around them much… they seemed to want to keep me away… and then I was captured, but… I know that they're planning something dangerous." His eyes fell upon the latest to join them. "They're searching for The Cure, and they roped my br—Damon," he spat through gritted teeth, missing the looks that were sent around at that, "in by saying they'd find some for Elena as well."
"That's nothing to worry about. There's only one cure, enough for one person," Kol said, "and I know for a fact that they were looking to raise Silas to find it for Elena."
"That may have been the plan at one point, but it's not anymore," Stefan warned. "They do still want it for Elena, but they plan on getting more."
"Impossible," Kol replied emphatically, repeating himself, "there is only one."
"Not if you go back into the past and find it again," the Salvatore brother replied just as seriously.
"Why would they be doing that?" Marcel asked, surveying the man in front of him just as Ansel was doing as well.
His eyes darkened. "The second vial is intended for Bella…" he intoned with a nod toward the girl. His eyes caught the way that her hands fell to her abdomen instinctively just before she was blocked from his view by Klaus, who was enraged, his wolf in his eyes.
"So we not only have female shifters on the horizon, but this to worry about as well… great…" Bella whispered, a tired, bitter laugh leaving her, anxiety bubbling in her stomach, making her feel sick.
"Shifters?" Rebekah asked as Elijah stepped forward to stand at her side, drowning out the sound of Camille as she tried to calm Bella.
Marcel nodded.
"There's time for a repeat of that discussion later," Klaus insisted. "For now… Stefan…"
Rebekah stopped her mate from stepping forward as he went to do so, a glare on her face as she growled at her brother. "You will not hurt him, Nik."
The cool look in his eyes remained unaffected by her protectiveness as he looked between the two of them before deciding to focus his attention on his sister's green-eyed mate. He may have helped Stefan stay safe by compelling him away, but Stefan had stayed away and become an enemy long after he'd lifted the compulsion. He no longer trusted him as he might have. Thus, he answered, his tone elusive as his expression, betraying nothing.
"We'll see about that."
It was Stefan's turn to stop his mate, his arm wrapping around her and pulling her back as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "he won't because he won't have reason to and he'll see that. I promise. I'll be back soon…" He hesitated for a moment before taking the chance, pressing a kiss just behind her ear then pulling back and letting her go. He did not linger to see her response to that as he walked to his brother's side and then matched his pace step for step as Klaus walked into the war room.
"How do I know that we can trust you?" the Original Hybrid asked, not about to beat around the bush as far as his pregnant mate and his family were concerned. He turned back to face the vampire, who had finished looking around the room and sat down at the long table, but neglected joining him. "You've betrayed us countless times since the compulsion lifted. Now, my sister… she may be easy to sway, but I on the other hand… I refuse to allow her to be hurt again. And the same can be said for my mate."
Stefan smiled, wanting to congratulate him on the pregnancy, having heard the beating of the baby's heart from across the room the second that he saw her hand drop to her abdomen in her fear. But he decided rather wisely not to say anything about that, sighing instead as he began to explain himself, choosing his words carefully and refusing to be intimidated.
"I want to be the brother to you that I was a hundred years ago," he said after a long moment's silence. "In our time together in Chicago, however brief it was, you treated me as a brother… you never lied to me the way my own flesh and blood has. Klaus, as soon as I remembered, I could have come here. But I didn't… I spent time in Mystic Falls trying to gather what information I could to prove myself and my loyalty to this family… to my mate, and the truest brother I've ever had. Because you both meant so much to me that even without the memories, I kept Rebekah's locket all these years… I tried to rekindle my bond with Damon, because I wanted the bond I had with you in Chicago. I wanted it even more when I finally remembered it…"
There he paused, even quirking an eyebrow in good measure.
For his part, Klaus merely smirked and shrugged, but Stefan understood. The blond would do anything to protect his family, even rip them to pieces.
He wished that he could say the same about Damon.
"You never betrayed me like he did, either…"
The words were spoken quietly, but held a weight. A weight that he saw reflected in Klaus's eyes as he glanced up, seeing the understanding there that he'd expected to see.
Klaus looked away, and Stefan could see he was still thinking.
"You never kept me away from Rebekah for selfish reasons, like they did," Stefan continued with devastated anger. "They kept me away from her, Klaus… and because of that, I hurt her… badly. I won't let it happen again. I'm not leaving her."
He met his gaze with strength, a fight that Klaus had not seen since Chicago. It was then that Stefan saw the flicker he'd been hoping for as Klaus nodded and at last gripped the younger vampire's shoulder.
"Welcome home…" he said, but the missing word stood out even as Stefan knew it would take time for Nik, at least, to trust him that much again. Too much had happened.
But they had the time now, and Stefan would make things right.
In the courtyard, Ansel stood off to the side, away from the others as he watched his son go with the man he considered his brother despite no such blood ties. The corners of his lips ever so slightly curled, he blocked the conversation that was just beginning to turn his attention back on the others.
"I want you to teach me."
Looking down, Ansel was faced with the sight of a determined mother to be, her wolf in her eyes as they bore into his, her hand rested over her abdomen, gentle but no less guarded and protective.
"Whatever it is that's coming, that Josephine mentioned… I want to be ready. I want to be as prepared as I can be for it." Her head tilted. "You can help me with that, right?"
The wolfish smirk that often graced his son's lips appeared on his as he dipped his head.
Yes. He could help.
"Good."
~TPoL~
It had taken days to lead up to this point.
An entire week had passed with Caroline persistently trying to get her remaining best friend to answer her questions. Each day, she could see Bonnie's confusion leave her as Stefan did not return, and Damon and Elena grew more secretive. All they knew was that Stefan was in very real danger from the Cullens should they know where he'd disappeared to.
What they did not know was why.
And Caroline could not bear the not knowing, the deception, the lies, and being left out of the loop—yet again.
"Bonnie, can you please just tell me what you know?" she asked the witch, whose eyes snapped open as she came out of a spell. Drawing the curtains, she turned back to Caroline.
"I need you to see if anyone is listening."
"What? Who would be—"
"Just do it, Care; please," she interrupted, and her expression was so serious that the blonde had no choice but to nod. She closed her eyes for concentration and suddenly everything within the room was louder. She flinched away from the sound of Bonnie's beating heart, feeling her gums prick, but she ignored that. Bonnie was her friend, possibly the only friend she had left at this point. Widening her range of hearing out, she first concentrated on the rest of the house, then the street and the other houses until she'd stretched her hearing as far as it could go. Several moments later, she sighed, opening her eyes and, snapping her hearing back, now only focused on what her normal comfort range was. "There's nobody… Bonnie, what is all of this? Please, would you just tell me what the hell has been going on in the last week?"
Bonnie stared at her best friend, the mere thought making her swallow thickly. Bonnie did not have just one best friend, she had two… but did she anymore? The thoughts that had circled her brain the past week hurt considerably, but the more she thought on it, on how Elena had changed the past few years… the more she came to realize that it was not just from what she had been through. It was because of her being a damned doppelganger. Her likeness to Katherine was growing more and more.
But there was one way alone in which it appeared she was exactly the same as her.
The Salvatore brothers.
She wished she'd seen it sooner, before…
"Bonnie!"
"Okay!" she shouted back, guilt blooming at the hurt that she saw in Caroline's eyes as she jerked back. She sighed, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry. I just… I'm not innocent in this, Care. I don't even know what this is, not really, but I do know I'm not innocent." The sting in her eyes and the sudden blurriness of her vision told her she was crying. Angrily, she wiped away the tears and squeezed her eyes shut to dispel the rest of them. She didn't deserve to do that.
"Bonnie, what…" Caroline started as she took a step closer, her tone soft, compassionate.
"Elena… Elena asked me to spell Stefan," she admitted painfully. The fact that she almost said 'made me' just served to make her feel worse. Elena hadn't made her do anything… had she? Shaking her head, she sighed harshly. "Care, I didn't know… I swear I didn't. If I had, I… told me that they'd bewitched him and that all I needed to do was reaffirm his link to Elena… and I believed her. I found the relevant spell to block out other bonds and any time that Elena came to me, worried that it wasn't working… I did the spell again."
"Okay…" Caroline said, her brow furrowed. "I don't see…"
"I blocked out other bonds, Caroline… I…" She shook her head. "I don't really know what this is. But if it's what I think it is then I… I messed with something sacred for vampires."
"What?"
"Mates, Caroline. I think that Elena might have gotten me to block out a mating bond…"
Her eyes widened, lips parted, and the blonde swallowed. Her heart thudded in her chest and she cleared her throat, shaking her head. "What—Who?"
"Rebekah…"
This time the expression was one of fear. "Rebekah… oh god…" Her hands rose to her head, the weight of this not lost on her. If that was the case, then Rebekah could kill her with ease, and probably be within her right. "What—What makes you think it is her?"
A wry smirk appeared on her lips. "Well, one, she is the only female Mikaelson and he's definitely straight, but…" the look disappeared, becoming serious as her tone dipped to sympathetic and gentle, "as I said a week ago, he helped her take me that night. He betrayed us for her…"
"They have a history," Caroline argued.
"Caroline…"
The pity made her eyes darken and tinge red but she looked away, saying nothing, trying to control herself.
"If there is anything in it, Care, then Elena is not who we thought she was. Which means we can't trust her."
Her head snapped around, her mind slow to accept the truth. "You think she knew?"
"Yes… her and Damon's certain fear that Stefan would be in danger going to New Orleans from the Cullens instead of the Mikaelsons only convinces me, Care. She knew. She knew and she was too selfish to give him up even with her bond to Damon…"
"He wouldn't have liked that…" Caroline protested, voice soft and uncharacteristic in her pity for the dark haired Salvatore. She was shocked as she saw the emotion reflected in Bonnie's eyes as well.
"He'd do anything for her. You know he would as well as I do…"
She could not argue with that.
But neither of them knew just how true that statement was, just as they did not know that just outside Caroline's range stood Damon Salvatore. A grim look on his face, he took out his phone and called his mate.
"They know," were the two words he spoke, and they were all she needed to hear. His eyes closed at the pain he heard in her voice as she hit the first stage: denial… "Baby, they do… I'm standing outside Bonnie's house. They know… right down to who his mate is."
"No… No… Damon, I…"
Elena was a relatively new vampire. New vampires could not handle heightened emotion. So as the first pangs of loss hit, she hit the second stage: bargaining.
"Please… please, Damon, I can't lose them; they're my best friends…" she sobbed, "make it stop… I can't… not after Jeremy… make it s-stop…"
He swallowed. "I will, Elena… you won't lose them. I won't let you. I promise."
Hanging up the phone, he called the witch he knew. She was close by, thankfully, as he'd had a feeling this would be needed. Moving silently toward the witch's home, he waited impatiently then glowered at the car she appeared in and the jovial, knowing smirk on her face as she got out, hips swaying.
"You called?"
"I have a job for you…" he said, returning the smirk as his expression wiped clean.
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"In there," he pointed to the house, keeping his voice low as he remained mindful of Caroline, "is a witch and a vampire. I need you to compel them for me since I can't do it myself."
"Compel them to what?"
"Forget what they've found out, follow my mate blindly; the usual…" he snarked.
"Damon…"
"Will you do it?" he cut her off, his no-nonsense expression telling her not to talk about it. The concern wiped clean, she nodded, twisting her lips. "Good. One of them is a Bennett witch and the vampire is pretty strong for her age. So you'll need to weaken them beforehand."
"Consider it done."
He did not reply, merely entering the house after her. He listened as she weakened the two, taking them by surprise and throwing them around a little bit, staking Caroline in the stomach. It was then that he came upstairs, and he could see in their eyes they knew what was about to happen.
"Damon, please…" Bonnie whispered.
He gritted his teeth, looking at Caroline, knowing where her thoughts had gone as her glassy eyes wide with terror. He knew the nightmares he'd caused in her even now from what he had done. He felt guilty, of course he did, but… Elena was more important.
She had to be happy and he had to be the one to make her so.
"I'm sorry." He looked to the witch. "Do it."
It did not take long. Weakened as the two were, they were no match for the woman at his side and he watched, controlling his emotions, as she made quick work of them. Mere minutes of yelling passed by before they grew quiet, panting on the floor before they sagged, falling unconscious.
"You sure this was a good idea? The Bennett witch is powerful. You've already lost your brother…"
Turning his head slowly, he smirked. "Eh, it's the power of love, right?" he asked, his expression slightly bitter for the merest of seconds before he pushed that back, too and walked out.
There's a certain person reading this story who is most likely delighted by that last line, haha. Anyways. You guys know the drill and hopefully don't mind indulging my request for your thoughts and opinions on this chapter.
Just how exactly does Stefan know Bella?
And what will happen to Bonnie and Caroline now that they're trapped the way that Stefan was? Does Bonnie deserve it?
What do you think is to come and what would you like to see happen?
Please give me your answers and more in a review and I'll see you next time, hopefully sooner than it has been...
ncbexie25