CHAPTER NINETEEN:

KLAUS P.O.V.

Sitting perfectly still, I glared at the canvas that sat half-painted in front of me. I couldn't bring myself to pick up the brush. Every inch of my body was hyper-aware of the situation at hand. The wolf in me needed to get Hayley back, but the 1000 year old vampire in me knew that what Caroline had said yesterday was true. We needed to wait and see what Andre did next before we acted. But it didn't change the fact that I couldn't concentrate on anything other than where Hayley might be, and what Andre would be doing to her and the baby.

I looked back to the canvas and then to the brush that sat on the edge of the table next to my paint palette. I wanted so badly to paint out what I was feeling, but I knew the painting I had been working so painstakingly on would turn into a painting of anger and rage, and not the one of hope that it currently was heading towards.

I made the decision to quickly change course, removing the canvas from the easel and placing it against the side wall of my studio. I then grabbed a new canvas and my dark red and blue acrylic paints.

Half an hour into my angry painting session a small knock sounded at the turn, making my head turn. I breathed in through my nose, instantly recognising the scent. I placed my brush down and called for her to enter.

Caroline opened the door slowly, popping her head around the corner of the door. Smiling when her eyes met mine. "Hey. I was wondering where you ran off to."

I smiled back at her, opening my arms for her to come and nestle into. She didn't hesitate to walk forward and wrap her arms around me. I breathed in her scent some more, loving the feeling that the smell sent through my body. The warm calmness that spread from my every limb.

"I'm just trying to clear my head." I said into her hair, pulling back to look into her blue eyes.

"I'm glad." She stepped back from my arms and looked at the painting I was in the middle of, a grimace making its way onto her face. "This is…nice."

I laughed. "No need to lie, Love. I know it's bad. I was just letting some of my frustration out.

"Well, at least you're doing something." She sighed and crossed her arms as she looked around the room. Eyeing all of the paintings and drawings I had done of her. "Will you ever get sick of painting me?"

Giving her a boyish grin I reached out and pulled her back into my arms. "Nope. You're too beautiful not to immortalise in art."

She hit me gently on the shoulder, pressing a kiss to my lips before walking back towards the still-open door. "Some people are already starting to arrive. When you're ready, please come down and greet them. Show them that you're grateful for their help. Okay?"

I nodded, having heard the cars arrive and the new voices filling the house. "Of course, Sweetheart."

#

I ended up staying in my studio for another five minutes after Caroline had left before I followed her down to the main entrance. When I walked into the front room I was surprised by just how many people had shown up.

Most of them I recognised easily, but a few of them were new to me. I greeted the people I knew, thanking them for arriving so swiftly, then moved onto the other people who Katherine and Nadia introduced me to. I was thankful that everyone turned up so quickly, and that they were all eager to jump into action.

We ended up sitting down and discussing our next course of action. My anger at Caroline's suggestion yesterday had subsided, and I was now firmly on her side. Waiting was really the best option. But not everyone agreed with that.

"I understand that Caroline's mother thinks it's a good idea to wait. But that's using humans as a reference. This is a completely different. We should take action now. We deserve to go and get Hayley and then get our revenge. I'm sick of waiting." Marcel yelled, standing from his chair and looking down at where I sat on the couch next to Caroline. "Why should we take some small town Sheriff's word as gospel."

I bared my teeth at him. The wolf within me coming to life and pushing against my restraint at Marcel's insult towards Caroline's mother. I tried to push it back. Knowing that it was my mating bond with Caroline that was making my anger flare, and not my anger at Marcel.

"My mother isn't some hick." Caroline said, teeth clenched as she looked up at Marcel. "She's dealt with a whole number of vampire related crimes, and she knows how to deal with them. Her suggestion will work."

Marcel turned his eyes to Caroline. Narrowing his eyes down at her. "And why should I take your word. Andre blew up my club and murdered my family. We should take action and not sit around. Why should we take the world of some human toy that Klaus has decided to entertain himself with?"

His words shot rage through every part of my body, and although Caroline tried to comfort me by gripping her arm on mine, I felt my teeth lengthen and my eyes shift. Less than two seconds after the words left Marcel's mouth I lunged from the chair and tackling Marcel, and slamming him against the wall.

His head collided with the plaster, leaving a head-sized dint. His face changed as well, and he tried to fight against me, but I didn't budge. I bared my fangs, glaring into his eyes.

"Caroline. Is. Not. A. Toy." I growled, feeling the increasing urge to bite into his flesh, stopping him from ever getting the chance to hurt my mate.

A hand came to rest on my shoulder, and I turned my face around to bare my fangs at whoever it was. Caroline stood there, her face soft and calm as she squeezed my shoulder. She spoke, but I couldn't hear what she said behind the angry ringing in my ears.

She squeezed my shoulder again, and I inhaled carefully through my nose, taking in the delicate smell. Slowly my hearing returned and eyes shifted back to normal, along with my fangs.

I turned back to Marcel, letting my grip on him go. I stepped back, letting every inch of my mind focus on Caroline's touch. Marcel looked between Caroline and I, his eyes widening.

"I don't like having to wait either. But, I won't risk Hayley's life just for a quick fix of revenge. We wait until Andre contacts us."

"Okay." He choked out, slinking back to the chair he had occupied.

I continued to face the wall, not turning around to face all of the eyes that were on me. Caroline continued to hold my shoulder, stepping forward and whispering that it was okay. If only that were true?

"I need some air." I choked out, pushing off of the wall and pulling away from Caroline, storming straight out the front door.

Anger filled my veins, flooded by Caroline's scent. I needed to get control of myself before I let anyone else be hurt for things that I had done. I walked out into the garden, stopping at the fence and running my hands through my hair.

I could hear Caroline walking up behind me, her gently footsteps crinkling the earth beneath her feet. She came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. "Nik, it'll be okay."

I pulled from her grip again, turning around to face her. "No it won't Caroline. I can handle an attack. I can handle a whole army coming after me. But, I cannot handle you or Hayley getting hurt because of me. Especially you. Every moment since you told me how you felt, my urge to protect and control you has taken over my every thought."

Sadness filled her eyes as he reached up to caress my face. "It'll get easier, Nik. You just have to hold on a while longer."

"No it won't. It's just getting stronger." I growled, nuzzling my face into her hand. I tear that I definitely did not want to cry, threatened to fall from eyes. "How am I supposed to save Hayley and our baby when I can't even handle someone on my side speaking negatively about you?"

"You don't strike me as someone who would give up Klaus. You get what you want, and you do whatever the hell you can to make it happen." She moved her hands and placed them on her hips, smirking up at me. "Yes, you've done some shitty things in your life. But, you won't let anyone you care about get hurt because of this. I know you won't. I trust you with my life, and I think you need to forget worrying about how you're doing, and put on that sexy smirk and kick some ass."

I couldn't help but smile down at her. She was everything I ever wanted and more. She was light and selfless, whereas I was all darkness and rage. We were exact opposites, but that was what made us work so well.

I pulled her towards me and wrapped my arms around her tightly, breathing in her scent for what felt like the thousandth time. A scent that grew sweeter and sweeter every day. But I didn't mind. She was mine, and I would do anything to keep her and my family safe.

"Stay the night tonight, Caroline." I whispered into her hair. "I don't think I could handle you leaving right now."

"Of course." She mumbled in reply.

"Thank you."

#

ELIJAH P.O.V.

I sighed, rolling over and wrapping my arm around Katherine's small waist. She groaned in her sleep, leaning into my embrace. After everything that had happened yesterday, Klaus' outburst and then our further discussion about what our next move would be, Katherine had decided she would stay her as well. It was better that we stick together, she had said.

"Elijah." She said, her voice filled with sleep as she slowly shook herself awake. "What's the time?"

I looked over her shoulder at the clock that sat on the bedside table. "A little after 8am."

She groaned again, completely rolling over and pushing her face into my chest. I smiled down at her, my heart swelling. I made to move so that I would have better access to kiss her lips, but was cut off by the sound of the doorbell ringing.

Growling, I pulled myself from the bed, knowing that none of my siblings would bother to answer it. I threw my pants and shirt on, not bother with my usual suit, and just putting on a plain long-sleeved shirt and jeans.

The doorbell rang again and I stormed out of my bedroom and down the stairs, listening to Katherine protest as I went.

I opened the front door, shocked to see a postman standing there. We had never received mail here. We weren't registered anywhere for mail to come to this address.

The postman looked at me shocked, eyeing me up and down as he clutched a large envelope in his hand. He looked like he couldn't be any older than twenty, and he seemed intimidated by me, which I usually wouldn't like, but I was annoyed at having my morning interrupted.

"Hello." He squeaked, still looking up at me with wide eyes.

"What can I do for you?" I asked, fighting the yawn that threatened to come up.

"Elijah, who's at the door?" Katherine said, coming down the stairs in what looked like nothing but her satin robe. The postman's eyes widened with desire.

I growled at the boy, letting my eyes harden. Katherine placed her hand on my shoulder.

"I have a registered letter for a..." He looked back down at the letter, reading the name. "Klaus Mikaelson. Is that you?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm his elder brother. Can I sign for him?"

"Klaus Mikaelson has to sign for the letter."

I groaned, I didn't really want to be the one to wake Klaus up.

Before I could even think about opening my mouth to call out for him, Katherine smirked at the postman and turned her face to the rest of the house. "Klaus! Get your ass down here, you've got mail."

I rolled my eyes at her, she definitely was not subtle.

When no noise came from the rest of the house, Katherine called out again.

A moment later curses could be heard making their way through the house. When Klaus appeared he looked just as angry as I knew he would be. He hadn't even bothered to properly dress. Only wearing his pyjama pants.

"What?" He growled, taking in Katherine and I in the doorway with the young man standing there with wide eyes.

"Klaus Mikaelson?"

Klaus rolled his eyes. "Yes. What do you want?"

"I have a letter you need to sign for…sir." He held out the small electronic box with the cursor attached.

Klaus let out a disgruntled breath and reached forward and roughly signing his name. As he handed the machine back to the boy, the postman handed him the letter and made his hasty retreat.

At the same moment Caroline came down the stairs, looking just a chipper as she always did. She smiled at me and Katherine as she sidled up to Klaus, who was opening his letter.

Within the next moment several things happened. Klaus opened the large envelope and tipped it upside down, letting the contents drop into his hand. Then both he and Caroline let out surprised cries at the same time, Klaus dropping to his knees.

My eyes widened as I got my first look at what had been inside the envelope. Several small Polaroid photos, each one depicting a half-dressed Hayley with a whole range of different expressions of pain.

Klaus' face was contorting into one of anguish as he looked through the photos, his eyes growing darker as he took in each one.

Caroline was down beside him in the same instant, her arm wrapped around his shoulder, as she stared at the photos open mouthed. She went to wrap Klaus in a hug, but was instantly pushed back, flung across the tile floor. She gasped in shock as Klaus yet again ran from the house.

Katherine quickly made her way over to help Caroline, while I leant down to pick the photos up.

I understood Klaus' reaction immediately. The photos were horrible, and my stomach fell as I looked them over for any clues.

Hayley was wearing a ripped t-shirt, in only her underwear, with her arms tied above her head to some sort of framework in what looked like an old shack. Her face was scrunched up in each photo, contorted into one of pain. Her bare stomach bleeding with what I hoped were shallow cuts.

"Katherine, call everyone. Now." I said, grabbing the envelope from the floor and placing the photos inside. "Andre has made his step, and now we must make ours."