Bonnie and Tyler ignored the rain pelting them as they walked three blocks to a neighborhood park. Leaving the mansion was the only way to get anything resembling privacy. Bonnie could have performed the soundproofing spell on a bedroom but the spell would not have prevented someone from interrupting them. They both recognized that this conversation was much too important to leave anything to chance. Occasionally, Bonnie looked at Tyler but he stubbornly refused to meet her gaze. She tried to ignore the hurt caused by his silence. Bonnie knew that he Tyler was upset and he had a right to be.

Tyler glanced around the park but found it deserted. It wasn't exactly shocking since few people visited the park during the winter months. Its main feature was a large duck pond. However, most of the ducks had already flown further south. He walked over to a bench at the pond's edge and sat down. The bench was wet but he didn't really care. The rain had already drenched his and Bonnie's clothes. Tyler wondered how much longer this storm would continue. He couldn't tell if it was a merely an aftereffect of the ritual performed by the Bennett witches or something more.

Bonnie took a deep breath before sitting beside Tyler. It would be an understatement to say that she was nervous. They hadn't really disagreed about much in their brief relationship. Bonnie knew that arguments were inevitable but Klaus was such a sore subject for Tyler. The Original Hybrid had done dozens of horrible things to all of them. However, murdering Carol out of mere spite had to be at the top of the list. It wasn't so long ago that Bonnie had scolded Caroline for disregarding Tyler's feelings. Today, she had made the same mistake in reaction to the cruel things said about her. She shared blood with those witches but they weren't her family.

"I'm sorry, Ty…"

"What were you thinking, Bon?"

Bonnie's stomach dropped because Tyler didn't sound angry. Somehow his pain and disappointment was far worse than the anger she had been expecting. She confessed, "I wasn't thinking clearly."

"I don't know if I believe that. You aren't known for making stupid decisions...that's more my M.O.," he muttered.

"Truthfully?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"That would be nice…"

Bonnie sighed heavily. "Sometimes when I get angry, I act without thinking. Being around my family this afternoon really pushed my buttons. The saying 'Bennett witches take care of their own' is complete BS. They take care of the ones that are important to them and ignore everyone else."

Tyler was slowly beginning to understand what had gotten under Bonnie's skin. He reached out and took her hand.

She looked down as his thumb caressed her pulse point. Bonnie said, "I have been going through hell from the moment Grams died. I have had to fight well above my weight for years. No one cared that I didn't know what I was doing. Everyone just expected me to figure it out. I have been hurt really bad. I have been used for my magic to the point of being near death. I even died but no one seems to care. My life doesn't matter to any of them. Even Lucy left town without warning me that Klaus would be coming for Elena and the moonstone. I might have been careless with my life before but things are different. I have you and the baby to think about now."

Tyler tensed because in the past he had treated Bonnie the same way. Everything changed for him after Qetsiyah resurrected her. He had moved heaven and Earth to help Damon free Bonnie from her role as anchor. Tyler knew without a doubt that he would give his life to protect her. However, he understood why she was afraid to depend on anyone. Everyone in Bonnie's life had proven to be unreliable. She obviously believed that everyone would eventually revert to type.

He asked, "How does Klaus figure into all of this?"

"Klaus is the only person that has remained constant. I know what to expect from him. I won't drop my guard with someone that has tried to kill me. He also knows more about magic than any of my relatives do. And what he doesn't know I can find in the hundreds of grimoires he has stolen from other witches. But none of that matters because I should have talked to you before making such a big decision...especially when it concerns Klaus. We haven't signed the contract so I can call the whole thing off," she explained.

Tyler asked, "Why didn't you tell me any of this earlier?"

Bonnie shook her head with a deep frown. "I didn't want to admit how much their words hurt me. I also didn't want to admit how scared I am. You would think that dying would remove any fear I have but I am just more acutely aware of my mortality now."

He said, "I died, too. I know it isn't the same thing as what happened to you but…"

She shook her head. "Death is death."

Tyler said, "I think about what would happen if I were to die again."

"Really?" she asked.

"I am a hybrid and under normal circumstances I could probably live a couple thousand years without breaking a sweat. I am really hard to kill but I can be killed. I also have enemies that are stronger, older, and more powerful than I am. If I die that's the end of me but I worry about the people that I would leave behind. I would be leaving you, the baby, and our pack. That is the stuff of nightmares," he explained.

Bonnie rested her head on Tyler's shoulder. She felt foolish for not being honest with him earlier. She interlaced their fingers. "Can you forgive me?"

Tyler kissed the top of her head. "I can forgive you on one condition."

"What?" she asked.

"Next time just talk to me," he said.

Bonnie said, "I promise."

"Good," he said.

She said, "I'll tell Klaus the deal is off."

Tyler shook his head. "I don't think that you should break off the deal yet."

Bonnie lifted her head to look at Tyler. She asked, "What?"

He smiled at the incredulous look on her face. Tyler said, "You do need someone to teach you about magic. I want you to have all the skills you need to protect yourself from all the crazy stuff that happens in this town. As much as I hate Klaus, I can't think of anyone more qualified to teach you. If everything is written into the magic contract then he can't stab you in the back, right?"

Bonnie said, "Not without serious repercussions. Klaus might be invincible by most means, but even he wouldn't survive breaking a magical contract."

"Okay."

"Okay?" she asked with a pensive expression.

Tyler groaned and said, "I hate Klaus but I think it is safe to say that he isn't going anywhere. I haven't figured out a way to kill him and you are connected to him now."

"I wouldn't say that we are connected," Bonnie murmured.

Tyler chuckled softly and squeezed her hand. "You might think that the connection is incidental but it isn't. Klaus sees you and your family as pack. The connection will only grow stronger now that he has embraced his inner wolf. You feel a pull towards him right?"

She shrugged. "I guess that you could say that. I felt happy earlier when he licked my hand as a wolf. I felt safe with Klaus."

He smiled at the conflicted expression on her face. Tyler said, "It is natural to feel that way about a member of your pack. You felt accepted by him. It is probably why your family rejecting you hurt so much."

"We've actively tried to kill each other. Something about this feels incredibly wrong," she complained.

Tyler chuckled quietly. "Biology and old magic have a mind of their own, Bon. I hate Klaus because he ruined my life but he is still my sire. There are parts of me that want his approval. The rest of me wants to rip out his heart and eat it."

Bonnie looked instantly nauseous. She asked, "You want to eat his heart?"

Tyler smirked and said, "It's a wolf thing. The alpha tends to claim the organs of a fresh kill. I haven't tried it as a human but my wolf really seems to like eating the hearts of other animals. I'm assuming the heart of the Original Hybrid would be a delicacy."

She huffed out a shocked a laugh. "Are we sitting on a park bench talking about cannibalism?"

He frowned. "I guess I didn't think of it like that…"

"We lead really strange lives," she muttered.

"Yes, we do."

Bonnie said, "I didn't get to ask earlier...how did everything go at the cemetery."

"Elodie said that everything worked as it should. Damon captured a traveler that is chained up in your basement for now. Everyone is going to rest up for a bit before conducting a second ritual. This one will draw out all the travelers in Mystic Falls. They're expecting you and Lucy to participate," he replied.

She said, "Well, that is good news."

Tyler said, "Something else happened at the cemetery. When the veil was visible, I was able to see my uncle. He warned me that something crossed over into our world during the full moon."

"Something?" she asked with a worried expression.

"Mason said that it was something old and that many of the werewolves on the Other Side felt it. The witches seemed to disagree but I think we should be on guard."

Bonnie nodded. "I'll let you in on a little secret...some witches are a little self-important."

"You don't say," he joked.

"I suppose it happens when your kind predates all the other supernatural beings."

He added, "And helped create the others…"

She rolled her eyes. "They created the things they claim to hate. Talk about irony."

Tyler chuckled. "Unintended consequences?"

"Sounds about right…"

Tyler tensed and sniffed the air. He growled and stood up.

Bonnie looked up at him in shock. However, she knew his reaction meant that there was some threat approaching. Bonnie stood and prepared to fight back. She whispered, "Is it a traveler?"

Tyler shook his head and whispered, "Maybe. This is another werewolf but it doesn't smell right."

Bonnie didn't know what to make of Tyler's response but this didn't seem the right time to ask for more details. She watched as his fingers elongated into claws and his eyes turned gold and black. The veins in his biceps became more prominent, too.

Tyler lifted his head and let out a terrifying howl. Even a human would recognize the sound as a warning. His eyes scanned the treeline where the interloper was hiding. He roared, "Show yourself, coward!"

Slowly a blond man in a plaid shirt stepped out of the trees. The hard lines on his face spoke to his advanced age but he still looked strong. His blue eyes studied the teenagers before he slowly approached them. He said, "I mean you no harm."

Tyler sniffed again but his frown deepened. There was something wrong with this man. Tyler could smell that he was a wolf but it was unlike any wolf he had ever smelled. He asked, "What is your business here? Why were you hiding in the trees?"

The man walked closer but wisely kept his distance. His eyes slid to Bonnie for a few seconds.

Tyler growled and pushed Bonnie behind his back. His face began to appear more like a wolf as he got closer to shifting. "Answer me or die!"

"I took refuge from the rain in the forest. The trees offer good protection," he replied.

Bonnie asked, "Why didn't you just go home?"

His eyes moved back to her face and he smiled. "I don't have a home. I was just passing through on my travels. This storm took me by surprise."

Tyler didn't believe the man's story for a second. He looked around. "Where is your car?"

"I don't have a car either."

Tyler asked, "Then what are you doing in Mystic Falls?"

The man looked lost for words and perhaps somewhat ashamed.

Bonnie asked, "Are you homeless?"

The man nodded. "Yes, I am."

Bonnie took a step forward despite Tyler growling in warning. She reached into her purse and pulled out some cash. "I don't have much money on me but this should be enough for a motel room. There's a place at the edge of town that might look a little seedy but it is cheap."

The man glanced at the money and then shook his head. "I couldn't accept that."

"Please, you shouldn't be out here in this weather. There is no telling how long the storm might last and the temperature is dropping. Looks like we are going to be in for a cold night," Bonnie reasoned.

Tyler took the money from Bonnie's hand and handed it to the werewolf. "Take it and go."

She admonished, "Ty…"

"Trust me, Bon. There is something about this man that isn't right. It is better if he goes about his business. I want to rip out his throat. What do you think Klaus will do if he gets wind of him?" Tyler argued with his mate.

There was a spark of recognition in the older man's eyes. He pocketed the money and said, "Thank you for the money. I'll be on my way."

Bonnie watched him walk away. She frowned at Tyler. "Loan me some money, please? I'll pay you back."

Tyler grumbled but pulled out his wallet. He handed Bonnie four crisp twenty dollar bills. "That's all the cash I have on hand."

She said, "This will do." Bonnie jogged after the older man. "Wait!"

He turned to look at the girl jogging towards him.

Bonnie said, "Take this. This should get you a second night at the motel and a hot meal."

"Oh, I couldn't accept that," he said.

"It's obvious that you are down on your luck. Please, take the money," she implored him.

"Bonnie!" Tyler bellowed from a few feet away. He was getting antsy about Bonnie being so close to the strange wolf. Tyler was struggling against his instinct to protect his mate from the threat. He would have already shifted if it were dark outside.

The man's hand brushed against hers as he slowly took the money. He said, "Thank you. Your kindness is appreciated."

"You are welcome." Bonnie returned to Tyler's side. She lowered her voice. "I do not appreciate being yelled at, Tyler."

Tyler watched until the man left the park. Finally, he turned to face Bonnie. He took her face in both of his hands. "I'm sorry but there is something unsettling about that man. The sooner he leaves Mystic Falls, the better. Trust me, please."

She sighed. Bonnie thought the man seemed harmless. She didn't pick up any bad vibes from him. However, Tyler had spent a great deal of time honing his senses and instincts. If he was wary of the stranger, then it would be wise to listen to him. "You are right, Ty. It is better to be safe than sorry."

Tyler kissed the top of her head. "Thank you."

He planned to have Gabe snoop around the motel that Bonnie suggested. The older wolf was not a hybrid but he had years of experience that Tyler did not have. He might be able to identify the thing that was making the younger man uncomfortable. Perhaps the wolf did not have nefarious intentions but Tyler would not put down his guard.

Bonnie asked, "Are you ready to head back?"

Tyler put an arm around her waist and said, "Yeah. Then we should probably get you home and out of these wet clothes."

She lifted an eyebrow at him. "Really?"

He chuckled, "I didn't mean it like that...but I could mean it like that if you want."

Bonnie rolled her eyes and elbowed him playfully.

Tyler grinned. He swept Bonnie off her feet and held her bridal. He said, "Hold on."

"What?" She asked with wide eyes.

A moment later, Tyler sped them out of the park and back to the Mikaelson Mansion. Once they came to a stop, he set Bonnie on her feet.

Bonnie swayed for a second because she had an extreme case of vertigo. She pointed at Tyler. "You are going to pay for that later!"

Tyler feigned innocence. "I was just trying to be a good boyfriend. I wanted to get you out of the rain as fast as possible."

She snorted. "Uh huh…"

He frowned and asked, "Should I be worried about this pay back?"

Bonnie grinned at him and nodded. "Yep."

"How worried?" he asked.

"I haven't decided yet," she replied.

Tyler chuckled. "It was worth it."

"We'll see…" Bonnie walked up to the front door and found it unlocked. She walked into the living room in search of her cousin.

Lucy looked on in amusement as Klaus and Mari played on the floor with a set of colorful blocks.

Mari showed Klaus a blue block and then promptly put it into her mouth.

Klaus chuckled. He had given up on taking things out Mari's mouth.

Lucy looked between the young couple. "Everything okay?"

Bonnie nodded. "We're great. I am going to accept Klaus' offer to tutor me in magic. We'll include all the details in the magic contract."

Klaus was surprised that Tyler hadn't talked Bonnie out of the arrangement. However, he wouldn't give the pup a chance to change his mind. He said, "I would like to draw up the contract tonight and sign it."

Lucy said, "And I will read it over to make sure that there are no loopholes in his favor."

Klaus feigned offense. He glanced at Lucy and said, "You wound me…"

"You should be used to that by now. Anyway, I'll make sure that there aren't any loopholes before you seal the contract with your blood, Bonnie. It is the least that I can do," she replied guiltily.

Tyler asked, "The contract is sealed with blood?"

Bonnie nodded. "Blood magic is the only way to bind someone as old and powerful as Klaus is to a magic contract."

Klaus flashed a toothy grin.

"That wasn't a compliment," Bonnie said with a scowl.

Mari crawled across the room until she reached Bonnie. She wiggled her little arms and squawked angrily.

Bonnie giggled and picked up her little cousin. She tickled the girl's tummy. "I'm all wet. Your mama is going to kill me."

Lucy shrugged. "Her shirt is already soaked with drool. A little more moisture won't kill her."

Bonnie moved over to the couch to pass Mari to Lucy.

Klaus frowned when a strange scent invaded his nose. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He looked at Tyler. "Where were the two of you?"

Tyler looked shocked by the sudden interrogation. "We were at the park. Why?"

"Alone?" he asked with a sneer.

The younger man lifted an eyebrow in response to Klaus' tone. Then he settled down. "You smell it, too?"

Lucy looked between the two of them. "Smell what? I don't smell anything."

Bonnie shrugged her shoulders. "We ran into a homeless man at the park. He was a werewolf but Tyler went all aggro because he smelled weird."

Klaus looked at his progeny with a modicum of respect. "He was smelling the old world."

"An old werewolf?" Lucy asked.

Klaus shook his head as he slowly got to his feet. He didn't want to emphasize his weakness in front of Tyler and Bonnie. He said, "Something much older than any normal werewolf has the right to be. Did this thing touch you?"

Bonnie looked down at her hand. "It was just a pass when I gave him some money."

His blue eyes zeroed in on Bonnie's hand. He asked, "May I?"

Bonnie shot Tyler an uncertain look.

The young hybrid didn't like the idea of Klaus touching his mate. However, they needed information if this mystery wolf was a threat. He nodded at her.

She said, "Okay."

Klaus took Bonnie's hand and inhaled deeply. He pulled away from her and called out, "Elijah!"

Tyler asked, "What is it?"

Elijah sped into the room because of the urgency in his brother's voice. "What is it, Niklaus?"

Klaus said, "What you told me about something crossing over...it is true. A very old werewolf crossed over into our world."

Elijah tensed. "How do you know?"'

"Miss Bennett encountered it."

Hayley walked into the room. She and Elijah were together when Klaus called for his brother. She rested a hand on her rounded stomach and sat down in a chair. Hayley tensed when she saw Tyler.

The hybrid pointedly refused to look in her direction.

Elijah asked, "What did it look like?"

Bonnie corrected, "He was a man, not an 'it'. He looks like a regular guy. He had on a plaid shirt and jeans. He looked like he could have been in his 50's. He had blond hair and blue eyes. It didn't seem as if he meant any harm."

Klaus glanced at Tyler for his take.

Tyler said, "He was watching us from the woods at the back of the park. Maybe he just sniffed out werewolves and was interested…"

"But?" Klaus asked.

"There was something about him that felt off to me. The way he kept looking at Bonnie. It was like he knew her," Tyler said.

Lucy asked, "Bon?"

"I didn't notice him looking at me in any strange way," she argued.

Tyler took her hand and said, "You are a compassionate person, Bon. You were more concerned about getting him out of the cold rain but he was definitely looking at you. He barely looked my way despite the fact that I was ready to tear him to pieces."

Elijah said, "We should find this person just to figure out his intentions. The travelers might have helped him escape the Other Side."

Bonnie frowned because she had not considered that. The ward protecting Mystic Falls would expose all passengers but it would be useless against someone willingly assisting the travelers. She looked at Klaus. "Are you going to kill him?"

Klaus smirked. "He's already dead, love. Just think of it as returning him to his proper state."

Lucy huffed at Klaus and looked at Bonnie. "Maintaining the balance means returning this person to his rightful place on the Other Side. Who knows what the cosmic chain reaction will be for an ancient werewolf walking amongst us."

Bonnie still looked conflicted. She said, "I sent him to the Lennox Inn. They have cheap rooms and there are a couple fast food places nearby."

Elijah nodded, "I'll have Cary assemble the pack."

Bonnie said, "I want to come with you."

Tyler said, "Bon…"

"No, I won't send an innocent man to his death on Klaus' say so," Bonnie replied petulantly.

Lucy shook her head, "I am going, too."

Klaus said, "Out of the question."

Lucy scowled at him. "Bonnie is right. We don't know who this man is or his reason for being here. It is reckless to kill him without any investigation."

He asked, "What about Mari?"

"She can spend some more time with her father," Lucy said with finality.