Elena walked into the house in Minnesota with Klaus and the new hybrids the next day. The plan had gone off without much of a hitch. It had been a hard sell, but Elena managed to convince all the wolves that they would fare better as hybrids than just werewolves. Some needed a little extra convincing, but most were enticed simply with the fact they wouldn't have to shift every full moon.

"Wait for me here. I'm going to show the others to their rooms," Klaus told her.

"Alright," Elena said before watching him leave the room.

She went and poured herself a drink. It had been a long couple of days, and life wasn't exactly going to get better now that she was back at the house around Stefan.

Elena soon heard footsteps. She thought it was Klaus again, but when she turned around, she found Tyler there. "Hey."

"Hi. How'd it go?" Tyler asked.

"As well as it could. I did as you suggested. You were right. The wolves were receptive to not having to turn anymore. There were a couple who still didn't want to, but I made it clear that if they didn't do it, Klaus would force them to," Elena said before taking a sip of his drink.

"That's great. Um, you should be aware of something that happened while you were gone," Tyler said a bit hesitantly.

Elena was about to ask him what it was when the answer became evident. She watched Stefan walk in with his arm around Rebekah. He had a smirk on his face. He looked nothing like the man she'd grown accustomed to.

"Oh, Elena, you're back. Lovely. You've missed quite a lot," Rebekah said with an evil smirk.

Elena ignored her and glared at Stefan. "You turned it off."

Stefan shrugged. "I was tired of all those pesky emotions. Maybe if you hadn't broken up with me, I wouldn't have needed to shut it off."

"Hey! She's not responsible for your actions," Tyler said.

"It's alright, Tyler. I'm not playing into his games," Elena said before looking at Stefan in disgust. "You're pathetic. You're a coward. You turned your humanity off because you couldn't deal with your own problems. You know, even though I dumped you, I could at least respect you, not anymore," Elena said.

Stefan chuckled. "You think I care what you think?"

"No, I know you don't. You don't care about anything anymore. I'd guess that was the point, but you'll turn it back on eventually. When you do, I hope you realize you're no better than your brother," Elena said before turning to Rebekah. "You do realize he doesn't give a damn about you, right? He doesn't give a damn about anything. I would think you'd have a little more self-respect."

"Oh, you little bitch!" Rebekah snarled before she started to lunge at her.

Klaus arrived at that moment and got between them. "Now, ladies, that's enough at that. I don't need bloodshed in my living room."

"I'm sorry if the truth hurts, Rebekah. Really, I am. As much as I can't stand you, you don't deserve to be used this way," Elena said.

"Stefan, mate, take Rebekah and go feed or something," Klaus said.

Stefan nodded and led Rebekah away, the latter of whom was still glaring daggers at Elena.

"I'm really sorry, Elena," Tyler said.

"I should've expected it. He wanted me to shut it off before we left. I refused," she said.

"Give us the room, Tyler," Klaus said.

Tyler nodded and left the room.

"Is this the part where you gloat?" Elena asked Klaus.

Klaus chuckled. "No, I see no reason to add salt to your wounds."

"I'm not wounded. I'm pissed. He took the coward's way out. If I don't turn my humanity off, he certainly has no reason to," Elena said.

"Can I assume you no longer care about what happens to Stefan?" Klaus asked. That would certainly put a damper in his ability to keep the young hybrid under control. He might have to compel Stefan to turn it back on. There were other ways to keep her under control, of course, but this was the most effective.

"No. If anything, I want him gone even more now. I don't want him around. The thought of having to see him every day when he's like this nauseates me. I need him out of my life," Elena said. She wanted that before he turned his humanity off, and that feeling had only intensified in the last five minutes.

"Very well. Continue to do as I say, and you'll get your wish. In the meantime, your reward for a job well-done yesterday," Klaus said before pulling out his cellphone and handing it to her.

"I can talk to my brother?" Elena asked.

Klaus nodded. "With me in the room. I shouldn't have to tell you this, but should you slip anything to him about your location, I will kill him and anyone who comes here."

"Yeah, I get it. Thank you," Elena said before going over to the couch and sitting down. She then dialed her brother's number and put the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Jeremy," Elena said in a quiet voice. She'd missed his voice so much. She'd never gone this long without hearing from him.

"Elena! Are you okay? Where are you?" Jeremy asked frantically.

"I'm okay, Jer, and you know I can't answer the second question," Elena said.

"Is Klaus there with you?"

Elena looked over at Klaus, who was leaned against the wall. "Yes."

"Has he hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine. He doesn't want to hurt me. He wants to own me," Elena said.

Klaus grinned like a maniac from his place against the wall. He already owned her, and she knew it.

"Listen, I can't talk long. I'm calling because I never got the chance to say goodbye to you," Elena said.

"Elena, no. We'll find you. You just have to give us time," Jeremy said.

"Jeremy, no. I don't want you looking for me. I don't want you getting involved with anyone who is looking. That will get you killed, and I couldn't stand that. I will be okay as long as I know you are. Stay out of any plots Damon or Bonnie try," Elena said.

"We can't just leave you with Klaus," Jeremy said.

"You can. You need to. Promise me," Elena said.

"Even if I don't do anything, the others won't stop. Damon is determined to get you back," he said.

"If Damon wants to go on a suicide mission, that's his problem. I only care about you. Promise me," Elena said again.

"I promise," Jeremy said after a moment.

Elena looked over at Klaus, who was motioning for her to wrap it up. "I love you, Jeremy. Whatever happens, I want you live your life. I want you to finish school and have a good future."

"Elena, no, don't do this," Jeremy begged.

"I have to go. You probably won't hear from me again. I love you," she told him again.

"Elena, please don't…"

"Goodbye, Jeremy," Elena said before hanging up before he could say another word. She couldn't listen to him beg her not to hang up anymore, and Klaus would rip the phone out of her hand soon.

"You gave him good advice," Klaus said as he walked over and held out his hand.

Elena handed him his phone. "He promised not to interfere. If someone else does, I want to make sure that he doesn't get hurt."

"Ah, yes, the elder Salvatore. He does seem to be the reason you and your loved ones get hurt. After all, it was his actions that led to your aunt's death," Klaus said.

Elena glared at him, but didn't say anything.

"Your brother will remain safe as long as you continue to behave. Taking away your only remaining family would do me more harm than good," Klaus said.

"Thank you for letting me talk to him," Elena said.

"Rewarding you has its benefits. Now, down to business. The hybrids will need a bit of training for the next few days. You will handle a lot of that. After that, we will be going out again. I already have another pack in mind," Klaus said.

"Okay. It beats sitting around here," Elena said.

Klaus chuckled. "If I'm not mistaken, you seem to prefer my company to Stefan's."

"I no longer have any respect for Stefan. I never had any for you, so it works out," Elena said.

Klaus grinned in response. "Take an hour to rest. Then we're going to feed. I'm going to teach you to feed without killing. Keep in mind that I'm not a patient teacher, so for both our sakes, be a quick study."

Elena nodded before getting up and heading out of the room.