In the beginning, Klaus had been unwilling to believe Elijah's fantastical tale. Lucy corroborating his brother's account of events made it only marginally more believable. He would have rather believed that this was some ploy by the travelers to distract him, but he was merely grasping at straws. No matter how hard he tried, Niklaus just could not wrap his mind around Ansel being alive. He could still vividly remember discovering his biological father's dead body. The gruesome sight had made him sick to his stomach. Even now Niklaus could perfectly describe the coopery tang of Ansel's blood and the early stages of decay.

The only way he came to accept their tale as fact was by surveying Cary's memories. The werewolf had only agreed to allow him into his mind after he extracted a promise. Klaus would not kill Ansel before the rest of the pack had an opportunity to meet him. He could hardly deny the request when it was the only thing Cary had ever asked of him. The pack had been doing Klaus' bidding while receiving little more than room and board for their trouble. Something Marcel said to him about loyalty had been stuck in his craw for quite some time. Klaus was immeasurably powerful and he struck fear into the hearts of those around him but it wasn't the same thing as having their loyalty. He saw the pack...his pack as a fresh start. Klaus would never say so aloud but he did not want to alienate them the way he had alienated Marcel and his siblings.

A fresh wave of rage washed over the Original Hybrid after he confirmed that Ansel was among the living. He could not believe the insolent little witch had absconded with his prisoner. He became even more livid after learning that she had not returned to her home as promised. Klaus began to wonder if Bonnie was plotting against him. It wouldn't have been the first time that she tried to end him. He had been suspicious of her earlier when she asked for his assistance with her magic. Klaus couldn't believe that he had allowed himself to be duped by the girl. He blamed this misstep on their damnable interaction while he was a wolf. His wolf saw Bonnie as family and he had accidentally let his guard down.

Klaus was trying to calm his inner rage by focusing on the painting of Drue. He had to sit down on a stool to work but it was better than the alternative. He was also planning how he would pay the girl back for her deception. The hybrid's options were limited because of Lucy and Mari. Surely, his mate would run for the hills if he murdered her cousin. However, he had to ensure that Bonnie understood that actions had consequences. He tore his eyes away from the canvas when the studio's door opened. He scowled before realizing that Lucy was the uninvited guest. He had been so busy brooding that he had not sensed her approach.

Lucy slowly pushed the door closed and walked over to Klaus. For a moment, her eyes were drawn to the painting of her ancestor. The beautiful girl's mismatched eyes reminded her of the kitten from motel. Lucy regained her composure and said, "Bonnie just called me. She's on her way here with Ansel. You are going to want to hear what he has to say."

Klaus was surprised that Bonnie was actually keeping her word by delivering Ansel to him. Perhaps the little witch hadn't been toying with him. She was just stubborn and petulant. Those were two traits that Klaus knew intimately. He snorted, "I doubt that very seriously."

She placed a hand on her hip and glared at the brooding hybrid. She snapped, "Now is not the time for you to behave like a stubborn jackass, Nik. Our daughter is in danger. I wish that you had more time to adjust to our new reality but we don't have that sort of luxury."

Klaus put down his brush and frowned at her. He could tell that Lucy's concern was genuine. He asked, "What do you mean Mari is in danger?"

"It is not only Mari that is in danger...your child with Hayley will be in the crosshairs, too. Esther and Mikael are helping the travelers in order to secure passage into our world."

He tensed and replied, "And I am at the top of their list as usual. I would have expected nothing less from my parents. It's the sole reason that my siblings and I returned to Mystic Falls. We thought they might use the travelers' plans to their advantage."

She pulled another stool over to Klaus and sat down. She took his hand and elaborated, "You are not their only target, Nik. Esther has a vendetta against Ayana and Ansel. She plans to wipe out all their descendents. Ayana and Drue sent Ansel here to help us."

Klaus scoffed but something about Lucy's explanation rang true. He asked, "Do you believe this? Bonnie is young and she could easily be manipulated."

"Perhaps but we both agreed to a seance. If we can make contact with our relatives on the Other Side they can confirm what Ansel told Bonnie," she replied.

He frowned but didn't immediately say anything. His mind was on Mari and his unborn daughter. When they were in New Orleans, Elijah swore that a child would only strengthen him. However, right now his children felt like a curse. Klaus had only known Mari for a few hours and he had never met the child growing in Hayley's belly but he loved them both. He felt connected to them in a way that he could not put into words. Klaus would never recover if Esther succeeded.

"Klaus?" Lucy said in an attempt to get his attention.

He said, "We have everything you will need here to conduct a proper seance."

She looked pensive. "I don't know if this is the proper place to call on our ancestors. Other members of my family will want to participate in the seance…"

Klaus didn't need Lucy to elaborate on how the rest of her family felt about him. In general, witches found him to be loathsome. He was certain that feeling of disdain was tenfold within the Bennett bloodline. Even Lucy had turned on Niklaus and placed a hex on him. His stormy blue eyes stared into Lucy's dark orbs. He said, "They are welcome to participate in the seance here or they may have their own. If I am to allow this creature masquerading as Ansel to live, then I want to hear from Ayana herself."

Lucy lifted an eyebrow because she did not like the tone he took with her. She said, "Then you are taking your life in your own hands, Nik. I cannot control my relatives and you know this to be true."

"I cannot be killed," he replied smugly.

She traced a finger over a part of his body that had decayed because of the hex. She said, "Until a few days ago, you did not believe this was possible. And yet here we are…"

Niklaus growled at Lucy and grabbed her roughly. "Our daughter might die because you did this to me. She needs me at full strength!"

Lucy's eyes went amber as she growled in response. She slapped away his hand and snapped,"I did this to protect our daughter from you and the enemies that you amass by the thousands. Lo and behold, I have to protect her from your psychotic parents now. I said that danger followed you and I was right!"

Niklaus growled louder.

Elijah knocked on the door and then entered. Niklaus and Lucy's conversation carried quite far.

They both turned to look at him and yelled, "What?!"

He cleared his throat. "Ah, young Miss Bennett has returned...with Ansel."

Klaus scowled at his brother and stood up. He muttered, "Have them meet me in my study."

"Niklaus, perhaps it would be better if…"

The hybrid glared at his brother and roared, "I will not be questioned by anyone else!"

Lucy scoffed in response. "As soon as this situation with Ansel is settled, Mari and I are leaving. We'll be at Bonnie's house."

Klaus whirled around so fast that he nearly lost his balance. The hex made finding his equilibrium more difficult. It felt as if the decaying half of his body was made of stone. He said, "You will not take my daughter from this house. She is safe here!"

"There are wards on Bonnie's house that prevent anyone with ill-intentions from crossing the threshold. Besides, several members of my family will be staying there, too. I cannot think of a safer place for Mari to be than with Bennett witches to protect her."

Klaus overturned a table and his fingers turned into claws. He was worried that the witches would refuse to protect Mari because she was his child.

Elijah moved to protect Lucy from his brother's rage. "Niklaus, calm yourself. I am sure that we can all come to some understanding if we speak civilly."

"Get out of the way Elijah! Klaus can leap if he feels froggy but he will regret it. Do you really think I could bring my child into this pit of vipers without making precautions?" Lucy asked with a sneer.

Bonnie and Ansel stood in the doorway in shock. The young witch was practically buzzing with energy as she prepared to throw Klaus across the room.

Ansel thundered, "Niklaus."

Klaus and Lucy both turned to look at the newcomers.

The hybrid swallowed thickly as he stared at Ansel. He had seen his biological father via Cary's memories but seeing him in person was very different. The man that helped bring him into this world was standing before him after over a thousand years of being dead.

Lucy looked to Bonnie. "Go get Mari, please. She's with Rebekah. I want you to keep her with you until we get ready to leave."

Bonnie asked, "Should I call Aunt Elodie? Damon and Tyler have both told me how effective her powers are against Originals."

Ansel shook his head in disapproval. "I will not stand by and watch my flesh and blood fight one another."

Bonnie lifted an eyebrow at Ansel. She felt a little guilty after being scolded. She said, "I don't want to fight Klaus. He is pack as much as I hate to admit it. But I won't allow him to hold Lucy and Mari hostage."

"I am trying to protect them!" Klaus spat.

Lucy countered, "You are trying to control me!"

Ansel walked into the room. He placed himself between the warring mates. He said, "It is natural to fight when the bond is so new."

"Really? Me and Tyler didn't have that problem," Bonnie replied.

Klaus glared at Bonnie. He thought that she was being smug but her face showed no trace of that. The girl just seemed curious.

She shrugged, "What? We didn't fight. He bit me and then...you know how the birds and the bees work."

Ansel patiently explained, "The mating mark does not erase negative feelings that were already present. I know there was much conflict between Niklaus and Lucy before the mark."

Bonnie admitted, "I guess that makes sense. Ty and I don't have much conflict."

"Why would you have baggage? You are practically infants," Lucy grumbled.

The younger woman raised an eyebrow at her agitated cousin. "I was going to say something really rude to you but I have realized that I don't actually need to be here for this. I am going to go steal Mari from Rebekah. Then I am going to go outside while Gramps does hybrid couples' counseling or whatever this is."

Klaus glared at Bonnie as she walked out of the room with a spring in her step.

"She's annoying when she is happy," Lucy muttered.

Klaus agreed wholeheartedly but he wasn't ready to speak to Lucy yet. He knew they would begin arguing again. Instead he looked at Ansel. He declared, "You are supposed to be dead."

Ansel smiled at his son. "You of all people know that nature's rules can be bent and broken."

Lucy eyed Ansel and was surprised to see so many similarities between him and Klaus. She had seen him at the hotel but it was a quick interaction. She said, "You being here certainly falls into the broken category. I can only imagine how the balance has shifted. There will be consequences for this...mark my words."

"Perhaps but Ayana and I decided it was well worth the risk. We could not stand idly while Esther plots to slaughter our descendants. She has gone mad."

Niklaus huffed and sat down heavily on the couch. He said, "You will find that Mother has always been insane. Or didn't you notice?"

Ansel shook his head and looked at his son with a sad expression. "When I first met Esther she was wounded but sweet. It is her time with Mikael that twisted her into the wretch she has become."

He waved his hand dismissively. "Yes, our mother the poor victimized woman. She is not the only one that tasted the back of Mikael's hand."

Elijah looked vaguely horrified by his brother's heartless remarks. "Niklaus…"

"She was a witch and Mikael was but a mortal man. Mother could have freed us all from his tyranny." Klaus gazed at his father with a hardened expression.

Ansel swallowed thickly because he understood his son's accusation without the aid of words. He had left Klaus in the hands of a man that routinely mistreated him. Ansel could have easily bested Mikael before Esther turned him into a creature of the night. "There is much that you do not understand but if you will only allow me to explain."

Klaus snorted. "I am not interested in your paltry excuses. I only care to hear why I should not snap your neck and send you back to the Other Side. You have already delivered your most dire warning about Mother's revenge plot."

"Esther and Mikael are determined. I have learned not to underestimate what they can accomplish when motivated. They will cross into this world and I will be waiting when they do. You can slay me and return me from whence I came. It will not stop me."

Lucy eyed him suspiciously. "The damage to the veil has been repaired and it is being guarded. The travelers will not be able to weaken it again."

Ansel smiled at her. "Ayana is a very accomplished witch. She was prepared for the possibility of my death. You may kill me but my spirit will only move onto another body."

Klaus gritted his teeth in response. Ayana had always been clever. It seemed her time on the Other Side had not dulled her senses in the slightest.

"That sort of possession would only be possible if the host invited you. You are not a traveler. You cannot just steal bodies the way that they can."

He said, "I only needed to get permission from someone within my bloodline. I passed through the veil last night. I did not spend all my time hiding in the woods."

Klaus immediately wondered if it could have been a member of Cary's pack. However, he dismissed the idea. Cary had been genuinely surprised by Ansel's arrival. Moreover, Klaus would have smelled the ancient werewolf on anyone that had interacted with him.

He said, "It was not easy finding a male Bennett witch that had already taken a human life but Ayana was relentless in her search. My grandson will arrive very soon. I do not wish to possess him. I am much stronger in my own body. My blood is purer but I will do what is necessary."

Lucy's jaw dropped because she could only think of a handful of male Bennett witches. Boys were a rarity in their family. It was one of the reasons that the Bennett witches retained their last names even after marriage. They were too stubborn to allow their family name to fade into the past. She looked at Klaus with apprehension.

He glared at Lucy because he knew what she was thinking. He muttered, "Calm yourself...I have no interest in slaughtering your kin."

"They are your kin too, Niklaus," Ansel retorted.

Klaus snorted. "The only family I know are my siblings."

He asked, "What of the wolves in this house? I can sense my own blood."

Klaus gritted his teeth and scowled.

Ansel asked, "What benefit do you get from shunning your family, Niklaus? There are wolves all over the world that share your blood. You wanted to create hybrids to have a family but you already have one larger than you can imagine."

His eyes darkened. "You know nothing of my motives!"

There was a sadness in Ansel's eyes as he shook his head. He said, "There is not much to do after death...other than to watch the living. I have watched you tear across this world just as I watched all my descendents, son. I know that you crave family and you can have it now."

Klaus looked at Lucy and then back to Ansel. He muttered, "It is not as easy as that."

Ansel said, "The witches have foreseen a great threat on the horizon."

"The travelers…" Klaus interjected.

"They are not great foes, Niklaus. There is something more dangerous waiting for our kind," the man replied sorrowfully.

"Well, spit it out! What is this threat that is causing you to wring your hands?" he demanded.

Ansel said, "Our kind will not be able to remain in the shadows forever if we continue on our current path, Niklaus. Werewolves, vampires, and witches have all become to noisy. The witches on the Other Side have seen the future and they know what is to come. The wolves need leaders like the olden days if they are to survive. They will need a man like you that has lived to see empires rise and fall."

Klaus stared at Ansel as if he had grown a second head.

He said, "But first you must reconcile with your mate. You cannot be a true alpha without your mate at your side. She will help balance you."

Lucy scoffed. "I know wolves believe this process is infallible but in this case you might be wrong. Nik and I are much too volatile to be mates. It is worse now that I have Mari to consider."

"You only feel this way because the prior conflict in your relationship poisons your bond. It is made worse because the mating cycle ended prematurely and by unnatural means," Ansel replied.

Klaus shot a smug look in Lucy's direction. He had been against using the potion that Elodie brewed. However, Lucy was stubborn and refused to listen to him.

Ansel said, "And you must stop trying to control Lucy, Niklaus. It is the reason that she rebels against you so fiercely...even in matters that she should not."