The Great War || Elijah Mikae...

Av andreal831

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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐥𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟. 𝐈𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞�... Mer

Casting/Introduction
Playlist
i. Astra
ii. The Best Friend
iii. Set Fire
iv. Fragile Line
v. I'm a Mess
vi. Losing My Control
vii. Blind Faith
viii. Illicit Affairs
ix. A Thousand Cuts
x. Aren't You Envious
xi. Halloween
xii. Let it Go
xiii. Look After You
xiv. That's What I'll Do
xv. Side by Side
xvi. Searching in the Dark
xvii. Self-Serving Egomaniacs
xix. Trouble
xx. Mercy
xxi.i Mastermind
xxi.ii Pleading
xxii.i I am the Violence
xxii.ii All My Friends (Are Heathens)
xxiii. Glory and Gore
xxiii.ii I Promise We're Not Mean
xxiv. My Mind and Me
xxiv.ii Behind the Red Door
xxv. This Isn't You
xxv.ii The Monster Inside
xxvi. Want You
xxvi.ii Too Late to Apologize
xxvii. Rule the World
xxvii.ii Ludum Regale
xxviii. My One Was You
xviii.ii The Wrong People
xxix. Lead Me Home
xxx. Long Time Coming
xxx.ii That's My Whole World
xxxi. Something to Prove
xxxii. My Time Comes
xxxiii. Nothing Ever Lasts Forever
xxxiv. It's For the Better
xxxiv.i He Had It Coming
xxxiv.ii Only Had Himself to Blame
xxxv. The One I Reached For
xxxvi. Paper Rings
xxxvii. Built a Dynasty

xviii. Danger

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Av andreal831

1174 - Cairo, Egypt

Elijah was still adapting to the bustling cosmopolitan his family had found themselves in. Although, he supposed family was too generous of a word. His family had dwindled down since they fled Europe. Kol was still off on his own leaving chaos in his wake while Finn remained asleep with the mystical dagger in his chest. They had left the dagger in place as they fled Europe, the brotherhood on their trail and Niklaus plagued with visions.

Rebekah and Elijah spent the next five decades attempting to evade both the brotherhood and their father while keeping Niklaus from causing even more devastation. And then one day the visions stopped. Elijah looked into his brother's eyes and they were clear for the first time in half a century. He did not trust the relief that enveloped him. He and Rebekah had been at a loss for a way to cure their brother and had begun to lose hope.

Not only had Niklaus' predicament consumed Elijah's full attention, it also caused him to send Astra away when she found him decades before. He couldn't risk Niklaus harming her, his brother would never forgive himself and he wasn't sure if he could forgive him either.

So eight years after his brother's curse was gone, the remnants of his family traveled to Egypt to find Astra. Rumors of her work had spread across the Mediterranean. She was once again training witches and Elijah couldn't help but feel proud. And sure enough, they had found her living in the busy city on her own.

When he arrived, Astra had been thrilled to welcome him to her city. Elijah had quickly fallen in with her group of friends. Astra had spent her time surrounding herself with academics, philosophers, and those fascinated by the supernatural. In particular, Elijah had become fascinated with a mortal woman named Aya. Her beauty had been the first thing he noticed about the woman, but it was her intellect that drew him to her.

Even as they were meant to be researching for the witches, Elijah couldn't help but steal a kiss from her as he listened to her explain what she had discovered. And as it often went, he was not satisfied with one kiss.

"Niklaus has lost his mind," Astra stormed into the room, interrupting the passionate embrace Elijah had found himself in with Aya.

"He is recovering from the many decades he spent locked up due to his curse," Elijah reluctantly withdrew himself from Aya who merely gave him a wicked grin.

"Recovery or not, if he continues this way Mikael will surely find us," Astra folded her arms to emphasize her distaste for the death his family had brought with them to her city.

"If that monster comes here," Aya reached for Elijah's hand and gripped it firmly. "We will defeat him."

Elijah beamed at the woman, captivated by the strength in her eyes as she offered her protection for his family. However, he missed the raised eyebrow his friend was giving him, clearly not as satisfied with the declaration as he was.

"Somehow I doubt several one-year-old vampires will be able to defeat the Destroyer," Elijah did however catch her unimpressed tone.

"I will speak with Niklaus," he said resolutely. Astra had welcomed them into her home, he did not wish to cause her distress. "We have no desire to run once again."

"Then control your brother."

Her expression was still cold and Elijah momentarily wished for her gift to be able to read what was going on with his friend. They had passed a relatively happy year in Cairo and yet not even his reassurance settled her.

"Raphael is waiting for me," she turned on her heel, heading out the way she entered.

"Astra, wait," Elijah chased after her, not wanting to leave his friend in such a state. "Are you alright?"

"Of course I am," she gave him a tight smile. "I'm merely worried for you and your siblings. I have friends here Elijah, I do not wish this city to turn into a battlefield for your family."

"It will not come to that," he reassured her. "I promise I will speak with Niklaus. Rebekah will be able to help keep him in line."

"He seems so lost," Astra had always cared for Niklaus. She had seen him grow up and watched the abuse he suffered at the hands of Mikael. It pained her to see him turning into a different person.

"Which is why I have been utilizing your friends to find a way to break his curse."

"Excuse me?" Her eyes widened in shock. "What have you been up to?"

"Aya and Raphael have been helping find a way to unlock his werewolf side," Elijah confided. "I am hoping once it is released, he will feel more at peace with himself."

"Elijah, what is happening with Niklaus now is not your fault," but Elijah was already shaking his head. He should have fought Mikael off and not allowed his brother to undergo their mother's spell. Yet even now, he could only admit to himself that he was terrified of that side of his brother. The werewolves had killed his brother and Astra and then Niklaus had torn through their village, killing indiscriminately the first time he transformed.

"As his older brother, I should be able to keep him in check," the defeat in his voice nearly brought Astra to tears.

"You cannot help someone who does not wish to be helped," she reached out and he took her hand. "Niklaus is not lost to us. We will bring him back to himself. I promise."

January 2014 - Cairo, Egypt

Elijah took off his sunglasses to take in the sight before him. It had been a long time since he beheld the pyramids and they still amazed him. Astra had always said it was imperative they remind themselves to appreciate the wonders of the world, lest they become completely jaded.

"It seems like just yesterday we met right about here," Raphael approached Elijah. He had just arrived in the city and Astra had instructed him to where they were waiting on the outskirts of the city.

"Even after all this time, not much has changed," Elijah smiled at the man. "I was happy to hear you managed to escape the institution without suspicion."

"As I said, after 900 years, Aya trusts me implicitly," Elijah once again saw the guilt in his friend's eyes.

"Aya chose her side," Elijah attempted to reassure him, although he knew his words would do little to dissuade the guilt.

"Aya is looking out for herself and her people," Raphael shot back. "That doesn't make her a bad person. She doesn't deserve to die for it."

"I do not wish for her death," even then Elijah flinched at the thought he may not have a choice. He didn't think he could stand the idea of another one of his past lovers dying by his hand. "However, she is jeopardizing my family and by extension every vampire in existence."

"Which is why I am helping you," Raphael sighed. Elijah knew Raphael did not want to choose sides, however, he was compassionate enough to not want an entire sire line wiped out.

"Speaking of," Ariane joined the conversation, sweeping her long hair over her shoulder. "Az and I have located the witches."

"Az?" Elijah mouthed to Astra with a smirk on his face and she shot him a glare but the smile that spread across her face undercut her annoyance. Elijah chuckled at his friend's joy. With his superior eyesight, he could make out a light blush that covered her face.

Astra reminded Elijah of his sister in the sense that they could throw themselves so fearlessly into love no matter how many times they have been hurt. Every time he developed feelings for an individual, he typically retreated in order to prevent any further pain. Yet Astra and Rebekah allowed themselves to be vulnerable in the hope of finding love once again.

"The coven is set to move soon," Ariane continued, oblivious to the teasing between the friends. "They still do not know how to break the sire lines so we still have time. However, I believe they are seeking outside help to seek out the answers."

"They'll go to New Orleans," Astra mused, meeting Elijah's intense gaze.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it's what I would do," she gave him a knowing look. "Two of the most powerful lines of witches are located there. Freya is a descendant of the original witch who created the vampire curse and the New Orleans coven descends down from one of the oldest lines of witches who created the werewolf curse. If you are looking for a supernatural answer, I would start there."

"The New Orleans witches created the werewolf curse?" Elijah knew that was not where his attention should be focused, but he was stunned nonetheless.

"For someone so smart, you sure don't know a lot about supernatural lore," Ariane grinned at him and he shot her an annoyed look. Between the two women, he could not catch a break.

"We can discuss all of that at a later time," Astra moved on. "We should warn Freya and Vincent, and Davina for that matter. I think it may be time we tell your family."

"You were the one that wanted to keep them out of it," Elijah had no desire to bring his family in on the prophecy. He knew his brother would react in a similar manner as he had, which could only serve to derail their plan. Yet, he did not like to leave his siblings unprepared.

"Let us find this coven first and then we shall discuss speaking with my siblings."

He knew he was only delaying the inevitable conversation, however, he needed to stay focused in this city. The city where it all began nearly 900 years ago.

****

The two witches were left to deal with the Strix's coven. After all, vampires would only put the coven on edge before Astra and Ariane could attempt to speak with them.

Ariane had tracked them down to a temple in the center of the city. Astra was mildly disappointed that they hadn't somehow occupied the tombs in the pyramids, but she supposed that would make the trip far too interesting.

So instead she and Ari grabbed a cab to the center of the city, leaving Raphael and Elijah to plan their next stage. Astra attempted to ease the young witch's fear of facing the very coven she had fled from years before.

"I won't let them harm you," she reassured, kissing the back of her hand gently.

"I know," the blonde smiled but it did not reach her eyes.

The entrance of the temple was left unprotected which worried the two witches. It was as if the coven knew of their arrival and were inviting them in.

"Stay close to me," Astra whispered as she led the way inside, the eerie quiet sending a shiver down her spine.

"I can protect myself," Ari bristled slightly. She was so tired of being scared. She had been scared when she ran away from home as a teenager and scared when Aya had found her and taken her in. The only time she wasn't scared was when Astra had rescued her and given her a choice.

"I know, love," Astra gave a tight smile, they were both anxious. The Strix coven was known for recruiting some of the fiercest witches they could find. Even with both of their magic, if the coven decided to attack, it would turn into a bloodbath. Especially with Elijah and Raphael waiting for any signal that they were needed.

The women moved as quickly as they could while remaining unheard, not bothering with a cloaking spell since she knew the coven would have protections against those types of spells as they moved further into their hideout. What she hadn't been expecting was the trail of light leading them straight back to the witches.

"It's a trap," Ariane grabbed Astra's hand who merely nodded in reply. Even so, they had no choice but to continue onwards.

They moved silently through the hallway and entered a small room that was nearly empty.

"Alexis," Ariane addressed the woman sitting in the center of the room as if she was waiting for them.

"Ariane, I was wondering when you were going to turn back up," the woman did not look at all surprised by their arrival.

"And I take it you knew we were coming," Ariane matched the woman's detached tone.

"Yes, Lucien had wanted me to travel with him to New Orleans yesterday," the woman stood but did not move toward them. "However, I told him I was needed here."

"Lucien is in New Orleans?" Astra raised an eyebrow, although not overly shocked. It was hard to surprise anyone in a room full of witches after all.

"Yes and once I am done with you, I will head there myself."

Astra felt Alexis' intent before the witch even raised her hand. Astra threw up a quick protection spell but the witch had been expecting that and Astra felt herself choking, her hands clawing at her neck struggling for air.

"I knew you were coming and cast an aphasia spell before you even set foot in this temple," Astra glared at the witch's smug expression. "Whatever you have planned, just know I will be one step ahead. Since you and your friends came into this city, I've seen a thousand ends, none of them very favorable for you."

Unable to speak, Astra grabbed the dagger she kept strapped to her side and flung it forward, slicing the witch's arm enough to distract her, weakening the spell slightly. The witch traced her finger of the blood and laughed.

"They call you the Mikaelson's witch," Astra fell to her knees, seeing spots from lack of air. "One way or another the Mikaelsons will fall before the year ends. If I were you, I would get as far away from them as possible."

The witch kneeled in front of Astra, stroking her face gently.

"I may not be able to permanently kill you," she held Astra's face in both her hands. "But I can at least remove you from the playing field."

Astra's eyes narrowed as she felt the magic in her blood fighting against the witch's spell. She would not allow some no-name witch to take her out.

The witch's hands fell from her face and Astra's eyes went round as a blade ran across her throat, leaving blood in its wake.

Alexis fell forward on Astra who quickly pushed her to the side, her wide eyes now trained on Ariane who held the knife in a shaky hand.

"She was going to kill you," she spoke as if she was still processing what had happened.

"I know," Astra stood up quickly, stepping over the fallen witch. Her hand slid down the blonde's arm, taking the knife from her hand. "You saved me."

Ariane was still reeling from her actions so Astra pulled her close, gently kissing her face to calm her.

"You did well, love."

****

Elijah hadn't been happy about Astra and Ariane's plan as it had involved them going off to face a coven of witches on their own. However, he knew better than to question her. Both of the witches were powerful and could handle themselves. At least that is what he was repeatedly telling himself as he waited for either their return or their call of distress.

"You'll be the first to know if something goes wrong," Raphael reminded his friend sagely. He had seen Astra get out of worse scrapes than facing the Strix's coven.

Elijah took a deep, steadying breath. He was so tired of it all. Of constantly fearing for the people he loves. Rebekah had once told him she had been alive for a thousand years but never felt that she ever truly lived. That sentiment had resonated with him more than he allowed his little sister to see. And now his whole family believed he was in France finally living his life for himself, yet here he was once again risking his friend's life for the protection of his family.

Elijah glanced down at his watch and decided he would give them another twenty minutes before raiding the temple. Fortunately, his phone rang, distracting him from the increasing panic he was feeling.

The panic was replaced with surprise as he recognized the number that appeared on his screen.

"I wasn't sure you would call," he admitted, holding the phone to his ear.

"Yes, well I do hate to be indebted to anyone," the feminine voice responded. "I have information to release me from any perceived obligations."

"Aurora, you wound me," Elijah attempted to joke but his curiosity got the better of him. "As I said before, I did not release you in order for you to be indebted to me. It was the least I could do as long as you stay out of the upcoming conflict."

"That's what I like to hear," he sighed, he walked right into her setup. "Let's just say you will owe me one then."

"Why would I agree to that?"

"I guess it depends," Aurora's tone could only be described as coy, "on how much you care for that pack of wolves out in the bayou. What are they called? The Crescents?"

"What do you know?" His tone immediately turned to ice.

"Elijah," she practically cooed. "You should know better than to show your hand that easily. If I was my brother I would raise the price of this information."

"Then I am fortunate I am not dealing with Tristan," Elijah was no longer in the mood for her games. "Tell me."

"You boys are all the same," he could tell she was enjoying this and it only increased his anger. "Constantly distracted by a pretty face."

"Aurora!"

"Fine, fine," his fist clenched at her laugh. "I have it on good authority that Kingmaker Land Development has purchased some property in New Orleans and plans to clear it of its, what is the polite way to say it, less desirable creatures."

Elijah gripped his phone so tightly he heard it crack under the strain as he switched it to the other ear. Raphael was right behind him, listening intently.

"How do you know this?" He demanded.

"Let's just say a little birdy told me. Now remember, you owe me."

He knew he would not get any more information out of her. She had shared her piece and he had a feeling the phone was already in pieces in the nearest dumpster.

But he was no longer concerned about Aurora or her movements, rather his sole focus was on the threat to Hayley and her pack halfway across the world.

****

January 2014 - New Orleans, Louisiana

Hayley was exhausted after her day out in the deep bayou. The schoolhouse was repaired and now she was moving on to helping fix up some of the dilapidated homes that had been left for ruin during both of the curses. But even in her exhaustion, she felt pride. When she first met the pack, they had fought against Elijah's peace because they wanted territory in the city. In reality, they wanted their homes. They wanted the bayou to be the place it once was. And thanks to Hayley, it was heading in that direction.

Yet she still felt hollow, like something was missing. The pack had been more accepting, with the exclusion of Hunter and his crew. They had even begun referring to her as alpha, putting aside their snide comments of her being 'queen.' But even with their respect, it didn't feel like family. She didn't have anyone to sit down and gossip with or complain that her husband was incapable of putting his dirty clothes in the laundry hamper. Those were the normal, human moments she was missing. Not human, she supposed. As a human, she rarely had friends to just hang out with. Her first friend was Tyler and that friendship ended in disaster. And then she met Elijah and he had always been such a good listener.

She stopped herself from going down that train of thought. She would call Rebekah and Cami the next day and force them to have a girls' day with her. She had been spending nearly all of her time out in the bayou since Christmas and she missed the city and her friends.

When Hayley got home, Mary was watching Hope play on the floor, her bracelet wrapped tightly around her wrist. This had been a new development since Hope had nearly set Mary's home on fire after Mary told her no.

"Thanks again, Mary," Hayley swept her daughter in her arms, immediately removing the offending piece of jewelry. Her daughter's bright smile as soon as the bracelet was off her wrist only made Hayley feel worse. "What's all this?"

She hadn't noticed their small table was set with a spread of food and candles when she first walked in as she had been too distracted by her daughter, but now she was taking in all of the work Mary had gone through.

"Don't tell me you forgot your anniversary?" Mary gave her a disapproving look.

"I didn't," Hayley actually had, after all, they were cursed for six months of it so it didn't quite feel like a year since the unification ceremony. "But Jack and I agreed to keep it lowkey. You know, grab some beers on the porch."

"Nonsense," the older woman waved her hand. "That's no way to celebrate a marriage. Especially one so important."

Hayley returned the woman's stern look with a tight smile. She could always rely on Mary to remind her how important her marriage was to everyone. Not exactly the kind of pressure that helped a marriage thrive.

"Ok, I'll run Hope out to Klaus and be back in a bit then," Hayley started gathering some of Hope's things in her overnight bag.

"I'll take her for the night," Mary reached for the little girl, who snuggled into her mother's arms. Hope had grown attached to Hayley in the last couple of months, making Hayley feel even guiltier since it was likely because of her repeatedly disappearing from her daughter's life.

"No, that's fine Mary. Klaus would prefer if he gets an extra night with her if she's not with me."

"Why do you care what that vampire would prefer?" Hayley fought back a sigh. Everyone loved Hope so much, yet it wasn't enough to put aside the hatred they had for her family.

"Klaus is her father and we are finally in a good place. I'm not messing it up."

"You aren't the one who messes it up," Mary snapped. "After everything that family has done to you, you still go right along with them."

"They're my family, Mary," Hayley tried to explain for the hundredth time. Whether anyone liked it or not, the Mikaelsons were her family too and she was tired of pretending they weren't.

"Maybe that's true, but when you married Jackson, he became your family," Mary gave her a stern look. "Your husband needs you too."

"My husband has been doing just fine with his pack," Hayley bristled at the insult. "And I have been here for him. I have betrayed the Mikaelsons for him, for this pack. When is it enough?"

"When you stop treating them like anything but the monsters they are."

"You really want to talk about monsters," Hayley knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't help it. "Let's talk about how my parents died."

Mary's face dropped at her words. Hayley had never spoken to Mary about her late husband before. But Hayley knew from Jackson that he was killed by Marcel just before he killed Hayley herself. She understood Mary's hatred toward the vampires, but she would be dead if it wasn't for Marcel. He had always proven that he fought for those in need. He saved her life when she was a baby and then had saved her daughter's.

Even so, Hayley didn't hold the actions of one man against the pack, against Mary or Jackson. She still considered them family and was trying to be there for everyone. It was Jackson who preferred to spend his days out in the bayou than go into the city with her.

"I fight to protect the people I care about, which include the Mikaelsons. If Jackson loved me, he would be doing the same."

Hayley whirled around at the sound of an awkward cough from the front door. She had been so intent on her argument with Mary, she hadn't heard her husband come in.

"Speaking of fightin'," he didn't meet her eye. "There's been reports of an attack out in the bayou. I'm going to take some wolves out there to investigate."

"I'm coming," Hayley volunteered immediately. "Mary, can you take Hope out to the Mikaelsons? If there is an attack, I don't want her here."

"We can protect her," Mary rebutted and by the look on Jack's face, she didn't have time to argue.

"Fine, but I'm leaving my phone. If there is trouble, call Rebekah."

The old woman huffed but accepted the phone. Jackson had taken off before Hayley had even left the house, sending a look back at her daughter's crying face after having been removed from her mother's arms. She had to protect her pack, she reminded herself. She transformed on the spot, taking off into the woods after her pack.

As soon as she was in her wolf form, she could hear the gunshots ringing through the forest. If she was in human form, she imagined her eyes would have been wide in shock. Out of all of the attacks she had anticipated, she hadn't imagined they would have been gunned down like wild animals. They needed to pull everyone back in, being out there in their wolf form only made them a target.

The hunters were likely told there was a wolf problem and were out there for population control. They had just added a pack of wolves to be hunted. Hayley attempted to signal the others to draw back but they either didn't hear her or ignored her plea.

That's when she saw the first sign of an attack. A red light was aimed at one of her wolves. Hayley took off towards the light, hoping to intervene, but before she got there the wolf shifted back to her human form. Clearly having the same thought as Hayley.

She skidded to a halt, not wanting to surprise the man holding the gun trained at Molly's now naked human form. She watched as the man recognized Molly was not actually a wolf, took in her form, and pulled the trigger anyway.

Hayley wanted to scream as she watched Molly fall forward and heard the blood rushing out of her. She rushed forward to aid the woman but a large figure got there first, tearing the man apart where he stood.

Hunter, Hayley realized. And the gunshots began to ring out. She crouched down in the brush as she tried to gain a sense of where they were coming from. They had surrounded them, she realized. This was not a team of amateurs, rather a team of trained hunters dispatched to take out her pack. Her instincts took over and she lunged for the first man she saw. Ripping him apart before he could even register what was happening.

She could hear her pack doing the same. No matter how trained these men were, they didn't stand a chance against her pack.

Hayley heard the crunch of a boot behind her and realized someone had snuck up on her, but before she could even think, she heard the body hit the ground.

"I couldn't let you have all the fun now could I?" Hayley turned around to see Rebekah in all her glory standing above the discarded body. Hayley nearly sighed in relief at the sight of the original. "Marcel's men told him there was an attack. I've got this lot, go heal your pack."

She gave her friend a quick nod before dashing forward to her fallen pack members. As she entered the clearing, she changed back to her human form and ran toward Molly.

"No, no, no," she pleaded as she bit her wrist and attempted to shove blood down the woman's throat. It was no use, she was already gone. She didn't have time to process, she had to find more people in need. She had to save her pack.

She heard the grunts of someone in pain nearby and took off toward it. Her heart sank at the sight. Hunter was attempting to crawl back to his wife, his chest covered in gushing wounds. Hayley immediately fell to her knees before him.

"Here," she stuck out her still bleeding arm.

"Get away from me," he shoved her back, nearly causing her to lose balance. "I need to get to my wife."

"I'm so sorry, Hunter," Hayley held back the sob that was threatening to break free. It was not her place to grieve. "She's gone."

"No," he shouted or attempted to shout with the blood building in his lungs choking him. "This is all your fault, vamp."

The man fell to his back, his cold eyes steel with hatred.

"Please let me help you," Hayley tried to offer her arm again, she could save him. "Molly is gone but your son doesn't need to lose both of his parents. Just take some blood."

Hunter once again shoved her away. "I'd rather die than let one of your kind help me."

"So let him," Rebekah was standing over her, clearly ready to intervene if the dying man made any moves against her friend. "I say good riddance."

Hayley shot the blonde woman a look, telling her to knock it off. By the time she looked back at Hunter, the light was already fading from his eyes.

"I could have helped him," she cried. Why did the pack have to be so stubborn?

****

January 2014 - Cairo, Egypt

"It's done," Astra and Ariane finally made it back to where Raphael and Elijah were waiting.

"Good, we need to leave now," Elijah had been relentlessly searching for the next flight out.

"What's happened?" Ariane looked between the two men, clearly picking up on the tension.

"Lucien has made his move in New Orleans against the Crescent pack," Elijah attempted to say it as if he was just delivering news, however, the panic in his eyes was apparent to everyone.

"You've called and prepared them as best you can," Raphael reassured. "We'll never make it in time to help."

"It's not just that," Elijah confessed. "Aurora called and provided that information. I could hear music in the background. Jazz music."

The accusation in Elijah's eyes was enough to confirm the truth to Astra.

"Aurora is in New Orleans."

****

January 2014 - New Orleans, Louisiana

It took about two hours to gather the pack and bring their dead back to their homes. They had lost five members, including Molly and Hunter in the attack.

"We shouldn't have gone out there," Jackson hissed, punching a nearby tree. "It was a mistake. They only killed them because they believed they were wolves."

"No, they would have come to our homes," Hayley put a hand on his back, trying to ease some of his anger. "Molly turned back into her human form and they still shot her. This was a hired hit."

"Why would anyone do that?" Jackson's eyes were round in fear. He had begun his time as alpha when their biggest problem was finding food on the one night a year they became human. He was woefully unprepared to deal with paid assassins with assault rifles.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out."

Hayley left her pack to their grieving. She was sure Hunter's friends had no desire to have her present as they prepared their bodies for the funeral.

She found her daughter asleep in Mary's arms and oddly enough, Henry asleep in Rebekah's.

"I wasn't aware you invited anyone in," Mary practically accused as soon as Hayley set foot in her home.

"Rebekah will always be invited into my home," she responded instantly, taking her daughter from Mary's arms. She didn't miss the smug look Rebekah shot the woman. "Why is Henry here?"

"A woman dropped her off and asked for Mary to look after her while they make the arrangements," Rebekah said gently, clearly not wanting to disturb the sleeping child who was blissfully unaware he had just become an orphan.

"Your phone has been ringing nonstop for an hour," Mary pulled her attention back before heading out the front door.

"She's lovely," Rebekah joked as Hayley looked at her phone.

"It's Klaus, he's called a dozen times."

Both women shared a look of horror as Hayley held the phone up to listen to the voicemail. Klaus never called her unless there was a problem. Calling that many times meant something was terribly wrong.

"Answer your bloody phone," Klaus' voice rang out from the recording. "Rebekah is not answering either. Cami is missing. She was supposed to meet me for dinner and didn't show. I went to her apartment and her place had been trashed and she is nowhere to be seen. I need you to get here immediately."

A/N: This chapter is shorter than normal, but I hope you all still enjoyed it.

Please vote and comment! I'm so blown away by the number of people reading, but ya'll are making me anxious. I'm convinced you all are hate reading because of the low interaction I'm having with each chapter. This is not a threat, but I'm starting to get anxious even posting chapters, so the more votes/comments the story gets, the more excited I am to post new chapters.

I know most of you have found this story through tik tok, but if you haven't, I post edits for the story. Please remember that they may contain spoilers. I try to hold back on posting anything with spoilers for the current chapter for at least 12 hours to give you time to read. But just be aware.

Let me know what you think of this chapter and what you think/hope will happen next!

Have a good week!

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