Chapter 44: Mind Games

Hayley murmured as the hot water cascaded down her face as wispy steam rose up sang against her lips. She'd recently grown an attachment to Elijah's shower and it's scent was often enough to drive her mad. The intriguing musk, the smell of the outdoors and fresh mint and some sort of ancient seductive zest she couldn't quite ever put her finger on. She took the heavy glass top of the refreshing body wash and began to wash away. The frustrations that were buried inside of her often hurtled to sky rise at points in their relationship and Hayley couldn't help but whine softly. Since, with every kiss Elijah planted and with every touch he provided, Hayley wanted...needed and craved more but alas she knew why he couldn't touch her. Her noble lover always bowing down for the good. Hayley gulped. Suddenly her hands slowed and her million thoughts began seeping through into her clustered mind just as the water and wash seeped into her pores. Hayley wondered if these quick changes of mood were because of the pregnancy hormones or if she was just so messed up from all the supernatural drama.

How long till my duty to the wolves clash with the Mikaelson's she thought suddenly feeling very torn between two roles and then the rush of other thoughts swam over her too. Is it right to despise Klaus but want him to be a part of our daughter's life all at the same time? To sleep beside his brother...to want to save my pack more than my daughters own flesh and blood.

The last thought made Hayley gasp because she was sure it wasn't true. She was loyal to both her wolves and The Mikaelsons but her mind ticked. Am I just fooling myself she dared to wonder. Hayley thought of Rebekah and her muscles tightened against the hot jet of jumping water which splattered down her body's strains. She squeezed some more of Elijah's body wash onto the sponge and began mechanically washing once again as her mind fell deeper and deeper into thought. Hayley inhaled Elijah's scent enveloping her and felt the sudden urge to melt at the bottom of the shower and give in to it's enchanting allure.

But no.

Hayley willed her mind to be controlled. Her emotions were all over the places and she was struggling to make sense of them. Part of her hoped that this was all some strange magical influence and not just her own mind because these thoughts were really starting to get to her now.

She knew she had to help save Rebekah and in turn Klaus who she also genuinely wanted to save despite his evil ways. She was definitely sure of this and so she stuck to this thought in order to motivate herself. Whatever thoughts that were swimming around in her mind were just toying with her. Hayley almost felt like they'd been planted there against her will. I may not like Klaus but that doesn't mean I wish him harm. Hayley spoke to herself internally in a firm manner. Yes, she worried greatly about the effect that Klaus would have on the upbringing of their daughter but the thought of Elijah and Rebekah by her side had always soothed her. We all need to stick together. She tried telling herself that but the fear of the future made her shiver, even now, amongst the raining heat.

And then there was Jackson. Hayley then thought. She wondered whether she was obliged to tell him of Celeste's involvement with the curse. Packs Share. She thought and if what Jackson had said is true and why would it not be true, that meant that and she and Jackson were truly the last of their bloodlines. Wolf royalty. Hayley felt as strong shot of fear in hearing that. She was no queen; yes she'd helped backs before, led even with Tyler to assist with the changing of their forms but a queen, marriage? Hayley blinked the thoughts away. She decided to face the first issues first and that was finding Celeste and freeing Rebekah and Klaus.

She pulled off the towel and wrapped it around her tightly before striding off to her room and pulling on the first things she could find but even that seemed difficult. Hayley cursed as she rummaged through draw full of useless bras and then yanked out the only one that seemed to fit pulling it on with her unflattering maternity underwear. She huffed and then shrugged on a navy blouse and some dark jeans. Her eyes then caught a label as she stood up and she recalled the pair in Elijah's hands on the day they had shopped. God that seems like a lifetime away. Hayley breathed, it really had been a while, and most the clothes they had bought that day just about fit her in present. Hayley played the memory in her head and sighed softly, she desperately wanted more days like that but not today. Today was a mission day. She tugged off the label and pulled on her black leather jacket and pregnant or not pregnant she wore the article with flare. Hayley stared at herself sternly in the mirror and her lips pursed as she thought of Celeste. Elijah's long lost lover, the probable captor of The Mikaelson siblings and therefore the witch who cursed The Crescent Wolves. Hayley's blood boiled. That bitch has it coming for her. Hayley thought before turning back.

As she then skilfully hobbled to yank on a boot she caught eye of her phone and impulsively grabbed it. Without thinking too much about it she left a message for Eve about her lead with Celeste. They need hope too. She thought and then made her way to the study where she flexed her fingers and began to research.

Elsewhere Elijah found himself alongside Marcel sifting through boxed of old records to find out whatever they could about the lives of the women Celeste had previously inhabited. Marcel watched Elijah with narrowed eyes as he dropped another heavy box onto a dusty desk created a loud thud. Elijah looked up with a stern glare. "Is something the matter Marcellus?" he asked dropping the file in his hands and turning towards Marcel whose eyebrows rose slightly.

"Nothing at all." He replied briefly brushing his chin with a thumb before grabbing a file but Elijah continued to speak.

"Good for I should think we should be dedicating all our time into finding Niklaus and Rebecca, wouldn't you agree? Marcellus." He asked with an inclined look. Marcel tensed, his eyes narrowing.

"Why of course, I just had hope you would honour your word in that." He spoke slowly and Elijah finally snapped, letting his file fall with a slap before standing back to confront Marcel.

"By all means Marcel please do explain your sudden contempt." He almost hissed.

"Well what do you think Klaus is gonna do when he finds out you that you left him to suffer while you saved Hayley and her wolf friends?" Marcel asked. Elijah pursed his lips and met Marcel's amused look. "Quite frankly that is my concern and not a topic to be discussed with you." Elijah replied coolly.

"Oh come on Elijah, did you really think I wouldn't get ear of a crescent werewolf meet up?" Marcel spoke confidently.

"I know all about the wolves little get together." He added smoothly.

"What beats me however it what's Hayley doing with that much?" He then asked nearing Elijah a tad bit. Elijah's felt his jaw tighten and his head tilt slightly. Suddenly a rush of anger flared up inside him and he hissed involuntarily.

"If you so lay one finger upon Hayley, Marcellus, I can assure you it will be the last thing you do." He spoke slowly and sternly with a sinister look in his eye and Marcel studied The Original with a cool glare before his lips curved into a smile.

He took hold of the file nearest to Elijah and spoke with an amused tone

"I see I've hit a nerve"

Elijah however was too busy browsing the list of names Hayley had made.

"We were right he." He then said suddenly and Marcel looked up.

"All the women upon this list died by their own hands." Elijah explained.

"All except one." He then added pointing to one particular name upon the list.

Claire Ward Summerlin it read.

Elijah sighed.

"I don't suppose that rings a bell?" Marcel asked to which Elijah shook his head.

"And to you?" he enquired.

"Nope none." Marcel replied curtly.

"So then if she didn't off herself, how'd she die?" Marcel then asked with curiosity.

"Influenza, Epidemic of 1919." Elijah replied and unknown to him Marcel's eyes flickered almost guiltily.

Suddenly Elijah pulled back the sleeve of his shirt.

The riddle had been solved.