Author's Note: I have no words for that episode except BAD Klaus. Tsk tsk, having sex with Hayley. I'm obviously going to adjust what happened in the show a lot for this chapter… But oh well, if you want a visual of Klaus having sex, that episode pretty much sums up what I was driving at! (My poor ovaries.) Also, this chapter is going to be entirely from Annabelle's POV. Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty Two: In Pieces

"There's truth in your lies

Doubt in your faith…

So I won't be the one,

Be the one to leave this in pieces

And you, you will be alone

With all your secrets and regrets

Don't lie…"

Ooo0ooO

A few days later, reality came screaming back into our lives, bursting our bubble. I first noticed it when I saw Klaus slinking off to make or receive a few phone calls, ones were his voice was low and serious.

I tried to ignore it, dismiss it, but by the look in Klaus's eyes I knew- something was up and whatever it was wasn't good.

When I finally confronted Klaus about it, he explained everything to me calmly. I, on the other hand, was trying to control my raging emotions.

"You're going to protect who?" I demanded, placing my hands on my hips. I glared angrily at Klaus.

"Hayley, Tyler's-,"

"Werewolf girlfriend/friend whatever, I get it. Why?" I didn't like the feeling of jealousy and anger snarling in my stomach.

"I have my reasons."

"God damn it, Klaus! Don't you dare do that to me!" I snapped, glowering furiously. His jaw clenched as his phone rang.

"What is it?" he snapped when he answered. His eyes locked with mine and I felt my rage meet his, resulting in a steel wall.

"By all means," I hissed, throwing my hands up and storming out of the room.

Klaus found me a few minutes later, standing by the front window. I saw him reach for me out of the corner of my eye and I jerked my shoulder away from him. Klaus huffed with annoyance.

"Sweetheart, please try to understand," he said. I bared my teeth.

"I understand perfectly. You're choosing to protect some werewolf slut because you want to find some vampire slut all for this cure."

"It's not that simple," Klaus sighed with exasperation. I whirled on him, eyes flashing.

"Then, please do explain," I growled. Klaus crossed his arms over his chest.

"I have to go get Hayley to find out where Katarina is so I can destroy the cure before anyone tries to use it against me." I growled lowly.

"So you're choosing to trust Hayley? The girl who helped Tyler and your Hybrids turn against you? I thought I'd have to convince you not to kill her but now…" I gritted my teeth.

"Annabelle," Klaus said simply. I shot him a dirty look.

"I'm going with you," I declared. "I don't trust her, especially alone with you." Klaus's eyes filled with brief amusement.

"Are you going to protect me then?" he asked. I curled my lip, revealing my sharpening teeth.

"Damn straight."

A few hours later, Klaus and I drove out to a dingy truck stop out in the middle of nowhere. I sat stiffly in the passenger seat, trying not to claw at my black jeans.

When Klaus opened the door, there was an onslaught of scents, beer, sweat, gas, sex and bodily odor. I wrinkled my nose and winced.

"There's someone else here," Klaus murmured to me. "Go find Hayley and I'll circle around." Then he was gone. I growled but got out of the car.

I spotted the younger werewolf exiting the convenience store, looking around cautiously. She walked between two semis and I flashed in front of her. To her credit, she didn't start or even blink. Her green eyes narrowed at me suspiciously.

"You're Klaus's girlfriend, aren't you?" she asked. I straightened, trying to appear taller even though I was still a good four inches shorter than she was.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down on my shoulder and spinned me around. A vampire lunged for my throat and I shoved him off me, his fangs snapping into empty air.

I snarled viciously, letting my old wolf instincts take over, glaring venomously at my immortal enemy. The vampire tried to flash around me, knocking me into one of the trucks, before throwing Hayley to the ground.

Klaus appeared out of nowhere, dragging the vampire away. His eyes were glowing gold and both sets of fangs were in place.

"Have a care, mate. That's no way to treat ladies," he said. He bit into the vampire's neck furiously. I thought he was going to kill him, until Klaus threw the vampire to the side. His eyes flashed to Hayley briefly before settling on me. He walked over and scanned me over.

"Are you all right?" he asked. I nodded, taking a deep breath. My head hurt a little from slamming into the truck but the pain was rapidly fading away.

"You came," Hayley said out of the blue. I looked at her then back at Klaus, gripping his arm in confusion. He reached over and squeezed it reassuringly.

"Well you did say it was urgent," he replied. Hayley got up and dusted off her backside. I turned my head when I heard the vampire groan, before he flashed away quickly. Hayley's eyes followed him apprehensively.

"Oh don't worry about him," Klaus said easily. "He'll never make it through tomorrow night." I gaped at Klaus.

"What if there are more?" Hayley asked, shifting. I resisted the urge to stomp my foot.

"Is anyone going to tell me what the hell is going on here?" I demanded. Klaus looked over at me and I felt his guilt in his gaze.

"I'm helping out Hayley here because she's tangled herself in matters that she can't deal with alone," he explained. He turned to face her.

"You were foolish enough to make the deal with Katarina Petrova. She used you to find the cure and now you're nothing but a loose end, you'll be lucky if she lets you live," he said, almost coldly.

"Klaus!" I snapped. "Stop being like that." I turned to face Hayley as well and I saw her green eyes were gleaming with laughter.

"Sorry about him," I said, glaring at my mate. Hayley laughed lowly.

"He doesn't beat around the bush," she commented. Then her gaze sombered. "You said you would protect me." Klaus took one meaningful step forward.

"And I will. Just as soon as you tell me everything you know about Katarina."

Ooo0ooO

Once we returned to the mansion, Hayley sauntered off into the downstairs guest room, saying she wanted to shower and rest for a little bit.

Klaus and I settled in the back room, I imagine to keep our ears open for any private conversations that Hayley might want to have. I settled into the leather couch, curling into myself as I watched the flames leap in the fireplace.

"What's in your mind, love?" Klaus asked. I shrugged, keeping my gaze passive. I felt Klaus sit beside me on the couch, his hand reaching for my chin so I was forced to meet his eyes. They were clouded with troubling thoughts, which I felt zipping along the soul bond. His anxiety, his guilt, his worry.

"Are you sure this is necessary? That this is a good idea? This is Hayley we're talking about. She's not exactly trustworthy," I said, raising a brow.

"I need to get that cure and Hayley is the only one who can tell me where to find Katarina." Impatiently, I moved closer to Klaus and grasped his hands.

"I know, believe me, I know. I understand why you want to do this. I just don't think you realize what kind of consequences may happen," I explained. Klaus furrowed his brow but before he could open his mouth, a knock sounded from the side door. I frowned as Klaus got up to answer it.

When the door opened, Damon smirked at Klaus. Klaus frowned and I rolled my eyes and huffed with displeasure.

"Huh. What an unpleasant surprise," Klaus said. Damon swaggered into the room, giving me a knowing smirk before turning to face Klaus again.

"So I just came up with a list. It's called 'Things You Suck At'. Number one: Finding Katherine. Ever." I growled lowly and Damon turned a little to lift a finger to his lips then giving me a quick thumbs up sign. I gaped at his audacity.

"Number two: Covering up your secret phone conversations with that little backstabber Hayley. Yeah, so… Where is she? What does she know about Katherine?"

"I should help you?" I wince slightly at Klaus's calm voice, the voice that was too calm.

"Mmm," Damon hummed. Klaus moved forward a little, like a predator stalking its prey.

"After you lot killed my brother and imprisoned me in the Gilbert living room?" I narrowed my eyes at Damon's back, remembering how awful it must have been for Klaus to be stuck there with his brother's corpse just a few feet away.

"You might wanna prioritize, Klaus, you have much bigger problems. Katherine has the cure. My guess is she's gonna want to cram it down your throat. You help me find Katherine, I'll get the cure, I'll give it to Elena- everybody wins. Just let me question Hayley about Katherine." I shifted on the couch and cleared my throat. Damon shot me an annoyed glance which I answered with a quick glare before looking at Klaus.

"You might want to consider this, you know," I said. "Even though I don't trust Damon anymore than I trust Hayley, it does seem like the better option," I said.

Klaus smirked at Damon before walking over to me to settle on the couch. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder and gave Damon a baleful stare.

"Can't help you, mate. Hayley's off limits. All though I did have a run in with a vampire who may know where Katarina is… too bad for you I bit halfway through his neck so he probably won't have time for chit chat." I sighed sharply and shoved Klaus away, standing up to pace in front of the fire.

"Stubborn," I hissed under my breath. Damon chuckled.

"You think you would have figured that out by now," he commented. I shot him the finger as I paced, feeling waves of frustration and unease roll through me. I didn't like this situation at all and the pit in my stomach that was telling me something was going to go wrong kept growing with every minute that passed.

"Well since I'm not interested in making a deal with you, Damon, feel free to leave," Klaus ordered, leaning back against the cushions. Damon narrowed his eyes at Klaus then me. I curled my lip at him.

Without another word, Damon turned his back to us and left. I flexed my hands into fists, grinding my teeth together. I felt the tension crackle throughout my body.

Just then, Hayley walked in through the doorway. Her hair was rumpled slightly and her eyes immediately latched on Klaus. I felt my wolf snarl on the inside, feeling a vicious sense of distrust towards the brunette.

I stopped and glared suspiciously at her. I didn't understand why I felt the urge to shift and tear her throat out and I trembled as I rooted myself to the ground. My nostrils flared as I scented her offending scent, making me bristle.

Hayley met my eyes and immediately her eyes were green-gold fire. Her lips curved as she moved her body with a sensual sway as she stood in the doorway. I clenched my fists and my claws dug into my palms, drawing some blood.

Klaus's eyes snapped over to me, inhaling sharply. I saw his hunger gleam in his eyes for a moment before it disappeared. In a flash, he was in front of me, holding out my hands. My palms were smeared with blood but the wounds were already healed.

"Annabelle?" he asked with concern coloring his tone. I yanked my hands out of his grasp.

"I'm fine," I snapped. I moved past Klaus, shoving him with my shoulder and I glared at Hayley as I passed, feeling the skin on my back tense when I was close to her.

Walking to the bathroom, I washed off my hands under the cool water. I looked up and was surprised to see my eyes were a swirling mixture of gray and gold. I sighed and closed my eyes, splashing water on my face. I didn't understand why my wolf was so near the surface around this girl.

Ooo0ooO

I managed to slip out of the house before Klaus noticed I was gone. Feeling a twinge of guilt, I sent him a soft nudge of reassurance through the bond. Immediately my wrist burned with concern and confusion. I didn't need to think hard about what Klaus was thinking.

Where are you? screamed pretty loudly in my head. Not that I actually heard his voice- the bond didn't work that way (or maybe not yet?)- I just had a strong impression from his emotions searing through my veins.

Again, I sent him a wave of reassurance, hoping he would understand it meant I needed some time to collect my thoughts. There was a long pause before I feel the smallest prick of love, which efficiently tore at my heart.

I took to the trees, shifting, running towards the river. When I reached it, I shifted back. Gathering myself, I leaped into the tallest tree, climbing up its branches steadily.

I gazed out towards the slowly setting sun, admiring the sunburst of colors. Sighing, I dropped my gaze to the blue lines that tattooed my wrist. The mark started at the base of my hand and thick lines twisted and wove their way up my forearm before connecting an inch or two away from my elbow. I traced it with a nail absently.

As if he sensed it, I felt a ripple of unease through my body stemming from Klaus. I could feel his presence was still away at the mansion but he was desperately searching for me through the bond. I ignored him for a few moments, training my eyes back on the glowing sun.

Finally giving in, I jumped to the ground, landing on the balls of my feet. I couldn't hide out in the woods forever because I was apprehensive about confronting the other female werewolf who was currently eyeing my mate like he was a slab of meat she wanted to gobble up.

A snarl rumbled through my chest as I shifted, running back towards the house. I felt determined to protect Klaus and no she bitch was going to stand in my way.

Ooo0ooO

I slunk into the house, with my wolf barely contained. I had a feeling my eyes were more gold than gray still as I walked into the large dining room to find Klaus and Hayley eating like they were old friends.

Klaus glanced over at me, his eyes cool but from the flurry of emotions that were slamming against my chest; he was anything but cool on the inside. I held his gaze for a moment before focusing on Hayley. She was leaning forward, swirling a glass of wine nonchalantly.

"Well look who finally decided to join us," she drawled. I clenched my jaw and with purpose in my step, I strode over to Klaus before sitting down on his lap. He seemed a little surprised for a brief moment but then put his arms around me. I shot Hayley a pointed look and got a raised brow in return.

"As I was saying," Klaus began. "I'm the only one who can protect you. I'm happy to do so, provided you cooperate." I watched Hayley with sharp, suspicious eyes, keeping track of her every move. She leaned back and gave Klaus a dismissive shrug. I rested my hands on top of Klaus's arm that was draped over my lap, fiddling with his shirtsleeve. I felt him nuzzle my shoulder before resting his chin there, watching me with his deep blue eyes.

"You two are awfully cozy," Hayley said, pursing her lips. "To be honest, it's kind of sickening."

"Jealous?" I retorted sharply. Hayley arched her brows and stood up slowly, stretching while her eyes latched onto Klaus.

"As if," she scoffed, before strolling out of the room. Before she disappeared, her eyes again searched for Klaus's, but when she saw he was still staring at me, I saw a flicker of resentment shadow her face briefly. I watched to smile smugly but instead stared her down until she was completely out of sight.

"Where were you, sweetheart?" Klaus asked in a very quiet voice. I glanced down at him.

"The river," I replied shortly. Klaus's hand moved, trying to take mine but I slapped it away. He pouted but I ignored him.

"What's wrong?" I closed my eyes and willed myself to not lose my temper. Impatience boiled under my skin.

"You know what's wrong," I said in a harsh tone. Klaus leaned forward a little to rest his forehead against my right shoulder blade.

"Annabelle-,"

"Klaus, please, not now," I urged. I stood, breaking myself from his grasp. I looked down at him and saw the blank, hurt look in his eyes before it froze away under a layer of blue ice.

"Very well," he said stiffly, standing and striding out of the room. I rubbed my forehead and lolled my head back, taking a deep breath.

Then I walked out of the room to find Klaus and Hayley.

Ooo0ooO

When I entered the drawing room, I saw Hayley shifting through Klaus's paintings with an air of distaste. I felt every muscle in my body tense as she carelessly moved and shoved aside the canvases as if they were nothing but trash.

Klaus was equally as tense, his hand movements depicting his lack of words as Hayley continued to go through his paintings in her indelicate manner.

"Hate that. Too much. I don't get that. Mmm. I don't care…" Hayley said out loud. Then she approached a smaller painting set on the table.

"Hmm. This one… doesn't make me want to puke," she commented, flashing it to us. I immediately stepped forward and snagged it from her, growling sharply.

The smaller canvas depicted a colorful, blended background, like the sky at sunset. The foreground was black and shadowy, with a twisted tree and a lone man in its shadow. I had found it a few days before and loved it almost as much as the paintings Klaus had given me for Christmas.

"Why did you paint it?" Hayley asked, leaning against the table. I stepped away from her, instinct aligning me in front of Klaus.

"Painting is a metaphor for control. Every choice is mine. The canvas, the color. As a child I had neither a sense for the world nor my place in it but art taught me that if one vision could be achieved by sheer force of will… the same is true of life. Provides one refuses to let anything stand in one's way," Klaus explained calmly. He stepped forward and plucked the painting out of my hands and set it aside. Hayley raised an impassive brow and gave him an unimpressed look.

"So this is your thing? Show a girl a few mediocre paintings, whine about your childhood and I swoon and spill all my dirty secrets?" Hayley's green gaze focused in on me. "Is that what he did with you to get you to sleep with him?"

All the rage that had been bubbling under my skin all day snapped. With a vicious snarl, I lunged for the girl. My claws were unsheathed as I slashed her cheek, cutting it open to the bone. She cried out, in pain and in anger. Her now gold eyes swung back at me and she growled. I moved my mouth and bared my long, sharp fangs before snarling furiously.

Hayley lunged and knocked me to the ground. In a flash, I had her off me and my claws tore at her back, shredding her shirt and back. She cried out and swiped at me, tearing across my chest.

A loud, chilling snarl echoed through the room, and Hayley and I froze. Klaus suddenly threw Hayley aside, snarling again. His eyes were a bright, angry gold and his fangs were exposed. He crouched in front of me and gave Hayley a low warning growl.

Hayley panted, eyeing Klaus warily. Her eyes cooled off and she straightened, wiping at the blood on her cheek.

"If you think hurting my mate will convince me to let Tyler live, you are sorely mistaken," Klaus said in a cold, cold voice. "Then you'll never have a chance for your little happily ever after with him…Not that you have one with Caroline in the way." I watched Hayley before looking down at the claw marks on my chest. They were healing but the shirt was ripped and bloody. Hayley's, however, was completely torn and ruined.

"I don't know, he might have left Caroline for me if I used the cure to kill you." "You know if Tyler has even half your resolve he may actually make it through the year."

Hayley shook her head, wiping her cheek again. "Doesn't take resolve. It takes allies. A network of people willing to do anything for you, including chasing down loose ends to their death. That's how Katherine escaped you all this time."

"Perhaps you know the names of Katarina's special little helpers," Klaus said, as he reached back to draw me to his side.

"Maybe I know one or two. Maybe I'll even tell you." Klaus and I glanced up sharply at Hayley. She shrugged impassively. Then she looked down at her ruined shirt.

"So can I borrow a shirt from someone or what?"

Ooo0ooO

Klaus sent Hayley back into the other guest room with a change of clothes and orders to clean herself up. She obeyed with a roll of her eyes before giving me a dirty, hateful look. I snarled at her again, which had her skittering out of the room.

"Are you all right?" Klaus asked, turning to face me. He lifted a hand to the torn shirt and the healed skin underneath. I sighed at his soothing touch. With his other hand, he traced my cheek and I gave in, dropping my face into his palm. I looked at him and his eyes were blazing with fierce protectiveness. I found it even more soothing than his touch.

Then his cell phone went off, breaking the moment. Klaus answered and watched me as he listened. I heard Rebekah's voice on the other line, explaining something to Klaus.

"Thank you, Rebekah. Call me if anything else comes up," he said finally before hanging up. I looked at him with confusion.

"What was that about?" I asked. But Hayley entered the room before Klaus could answer me. He turned to face her, his eyes flat.

"My sister informs me that your vampire assailant is dead. So you're safe and free to go." Hayley shifted and pursued her lips.

"I could be persuaded to stay… Maybe I could drum up a few more of Katherine's secrets and you could do something for me," she proposed, lifting a brow suggestively. I narrowed my eyes at her as she turned to the small wet bar to pour herself a drink. She was now wearing a skimpy tank top of Rebekah's- since I had refused to give her any of my clothes.

"Well I'm sorry Hayley, but you'll never convince me to let Tyler go free," Klaus replied coolly. Hayley turned and pouted.

"Well then I guess I'll never get my chance with Tyler…"

"Boo-fucking-hoo," I muttered under my breath. Klaus reached over and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze while Hayley glared. I felt searing rage pierce through me again as I stared down the younger werewolf. Tension crackled through the air, which was unsurprising. Hayley and I were both Alpha females and putting them in the same room usually ended very, very badly.

Hayley decided to ignore me and turned back to pour another drink. I saw Klaus suddenly cock his head to the side. Then he was right behind her, inspecting something on her shoulder.

"What?" she demanded, moving to look at him.

"That mark. I've seen it before," Klaus murmured.

"Yeah, It's a birthmark people have those." Klaus shook his head and looked back at me.

"Annabelle, come here for a moment." I obeyed, suspicious. Klaus motioned for me to look at the smallish birthmark on Hayley's right shoulder blade. My eyes immediately narrowed. It seemed too familiar. I looked up at Klaus for an explanation.

"Why do I recognize it?" I asked.

"In my considerable lifetime, I've only seen that mark on a handful of others. All from the same bloodline. A werewolf clan that once thrived throughout much of what we now call Louisiana." Hayley jerked out of his grasp and walked away from us. She whirled back, her eyes glowing with warning.

"Don't lie to me. Not about this," she hissed.

"I wouldn't dare. Matters of family are sacred," Klaus said, his voice hinting at something more.

"Tell me," Hayley demanded. Ignoring her, Klaus looked at me expectantly. Whatever the mark meant, it was obviously suppose to be significant to me in some way.

"Let me see it again," I ordered Hayley. The girl hesitated and then walked over to me, baring her shoulder. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I snapped a picture of it. Narrowing my eyes, I went with my gut and sent it to Charlie, then called him.

"Hello?"

"Charlie, I just sent you a picture. Do you recognize the mark?" I heard Charlie fumbling with his phone and there was a few seconds of silence. Then I heard him suck in a breath.

"Anna," he said urgently. "I recognize it too."

"From what?" I asked.

"Grandpa's journal." My eyes widened. I turned my back to Klaus and Hayley to look into the fireplace blindly.

"The same journal that told us about our bloodline? Why would it be in there?" I asked, confused.

"Anna, that's the mark that was passed down through a clan of werewolves from the South… which were a rival pack to us, all the way back to the Original Pack." My eyes widened further and I stiffened.

"What are you saying Charlie?"

"I'm saying the story says that the guy who became the Original Werewolf had a brother, who betrayed his family and ran off and started a pack of his own. This bloodline split from ours and all the wolves that descended from it all carry this exact mark on their shoulder." I blinked in disbelief.

"Thanks Charlie," I said weakly.

"What is this all about, Anna?" he asked, worry clouding his tone.

"I'll explain later. I have to go." I hung up and turned slowly back to Klaus and Hayley.

Hayley was eyeing me with suspicious, yet wide, eyes, with a shocked expression. Klaus met my gaze and I knew. I knew he knew the whole story about the bloodline that Hayley came from, as well as my own.

"Well," Hayley said, breaking the silence. "This is awkward."

Ooo0ooO

Author's Note: Dun dun dun! More to come later… Let me know what you guys thought of this chapter!