four

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Protecteur De Meute

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11th Century

The Mikaelson siblings were something of a dream. Even before they were turned something about them made people turn their heads to watch. Perhaps it was the elegant way they moved through the village, their musical laughter filling the air. And even though their father was known for being temperamental, the siblings' ability to draw people in never swayed. Maybe it was the way they moved or their laughter, possibly the way they were all tied together. You rarely ever saw one of them alone. And you most certainly would never see Athena Mikaelson by herself without an escort. It didn't matter where they were going, the Mikaelson siblings were always together.

One day, a few villagers caught sight of Athena running past. At first glance, their eyes widened because could it be that she was alone? Then they saw the other female child, Rebekah, standing and watching her little sister with a soft smile. Her hand outstretched, locking their hands together gently. Onlookers turned away no longer interested in what was happening. They should've known better than to think the young girl would be alone for long.

"Athena," Rebekah hummed softly to her twelve-year-old sister.

The younger girl looked up at her through her dark lashes. "What is it?"

"Niklaus thinks that us girls can't beat him at a race."

She moved to the side so her sister could see their three brothers, Niklaus, Elijah, and Kol standing nearby. Kol chuckled once he saw the indignant look on Athena's face. Niklaus smirked, crossing her arms over his chest. He knew just how much it displeased the only girls of the family when they were told they couldn't do something. Women weren't nearly as strong as men, that is what they were told in their time.

"Fine then. Why don't we race?" Athena challenged him, smirking.

Kol and Elijah chuckled from their brother's side. They knew for certain that Niklaus was destined to lose. After all, if anyone went up against their sisters, the ending was never good. Both were competitive when called for. "Oh this is going to be good," Kol grinned.

Niklaus smirk grew. "A race it is."

The Mikaelson siblings walked gracefully to their meadow they found themselves in nearly every day. Villagers watched them past, in a daze until they were out of sight. Something about the family was just intriguing, perhaps mysterious in some' eyes. But you see, that wouldn't make sense because the Mikaelson siblings were just an ordinary family. Sure, their mother was blessed with the power of nature and they would no doubt inherit her trait, besides that, nothing was different. Yet it was.

Niklaus, Athena, and Rebekah lined up at one side of the meadow while Kol and Elijah went to the other side to determine who won. Athena threw off her shoes and fixed her dress, following Rebekah's motion. The dress was itchy and extremely uncomfortable. What did she expect though? It was made out of a material known for being irritable. Oh how she loathed wearing dresses.

"On three," Rebekah announced, bending her knees slightly. "One! Two! Three!" They went sprinting. The soft blades of grass dug into their feet, the occasional rock and twig but even that didn't stop them. Despite being small and young, Athena was able to run for long distance without getting tired. As was Niklaus. Odd. No one ever voiced how strange it was that such a young girl could complete such task as running for half an hour, never growing tired. Esther always made sure to keep an eye on her youngest child. If anyone found out...

Athena was slightly ahead of Niklaus and he kept up. Rebekah faltered before picking up her pace and earning a spot next to Niklaus. The end was in their reach. Pushing herself, the youngest child managed to get ahead of her brother just as Rebekah did.

"Yes!" Athena cheered as she and Rebekah crossed the line. Rebekah laughed gleefully, picking her sister up and twirling her around. She put her down so Athena could look at Niklaus. Athena smirked at him. "I'm sorry what was that?" she said mockingly.

"Girls can beat guys Nik," Rebekah smirked.

Niklaus rolled his eyes but smiled. "Good game. But I think Kol and Elijah should race you guys next."

The younger brother held his hands up in surrender while Elijah simply smiled. Kol shook his head. "I'm good. I don't want to face the wrath known as Rebekah, Nik." He suddenly grabbed Athena, bringing her to his chest and tickling her. She laughed uncontrollably. "And I certainly don't face to face this little monster." He made a roaring sound.

Athena tried to get out of his grip as Kol continued his torture. He stopped so she could catch her breath. Their siblings laughed, joining in for a hug. Athena smiled, laying her head on Elijah's chest. "I love you guys. Always and Forever."

———

Present

Athena sat up fast as she breathed hard. Tears made their way down her face, causing her to curl up in a ball on the bed. Having a flashback of her family and having to mourn Bonnie's death on top of that was too much. It was too much for her to handle. And to think her own brother - someone she looked up to growing up - would kill one of her friends. Bonnie didn't deserve to die. Klaus didn't need to kill her.

On cue, Klaus - still in Alaric's body - walked into the room. Athena didn't look up as he came and sat next to her. His eyes grew concerned and he wiped her tears away. "There's no need to be sad little one."

"Where are they?" Athena asked quietly, ducking her head so she didn't have to meet his eyes. She hadn't truly seen her brother in a thousand years. Then they reunite for her to find out he's not even in his own body?

Deciding to pretend like he hadn't a clue who she was talking about, he replied, "Who-"

She interrupted him without a care. "You know who I'm talking about."

Braving up, Athena rose her head to look at him. This time, he avoided her eyes. For the split moment, she did see his eyes, there was regret pooling in them. He feared what she'd think of him if the truth were to be revealed. Klaus could already see her running away to find her siblings he had tucked away. He imagined her fighting to find them. "They are safe."

Athena's eyes closed as a tear fell from them. "Why did you have to kill Bonnie?"

"Because. I need to break this curse, Ena."

Without meaning to, she grew angry. "Did you even bother to look for me? Or were you too caught up in breaking your curse?" Her words were harsh but it was the only thing that came to mind. For some reason, she felt angry, betrayed. Though she only knew the Bennett for a short time, the fact that she was now dead struck her hard in the chest.

Klaus struggled for words then settled for, "Of course I looked for you. We all did." He paused for a moment and then crouched down in front of her. "What happened that night Athena? How did you disappear?"

Athena wiped a tear that had fallen. "I don't remember much. All I remember is trying to help you get away from mom so she couldn't cast the curse on you. But I was too late. She cast the curse on you and then all I remember is darkness."

It wasn't a clear answer, it didn't reveal anything. For one, Klaus planned to destroy whoever took her away from him and his siblings. Over the years he'd come up with torture methods for her captor. And he never quite settled on one idea for too long because another one would appear in its place.

Klaus nodded and put his hand on her head, bringing her head to his chest. "We looked for you. For centuries, me, Rebekah, Elijah, and Kol. But we never found you." Tears threatened to escape his eyes.

Even though she was mad at him, Klaus was her brother. This was the same person who helped her through any nightmares. This was the same person who held her when Mikael punched her in the face. Never once did Athena regret the choice to protect her older brother. "I missed you Nik," Athena cried, sobbing into his shirt.

He held her against him as he fought his own tears. "Me too, little one. Me too."

———

"Are you sure that's a good idea, Klaus?" Was the first thing Athena heard once she let her vampire hearing adjust. In the time she'd be reawakened, her vampire abilities had slowly begun to appear. It had taken her a minute to figure out how to tune certain things out when she eavesdropped. So when she heard Maddox leave and Katherine question her brother, she knew she finally succeeded.

"Well, the full moon is almost upon us," Klaus replied. Athena peeked around the corner, making sure they weren't aware she was listening. Klaus put the moonstone on the table. "I've killed the witch, I have the moonstone, and the doppelgänger is waiting in the wings. Ohh, I am ready to break this curse."

Katherine leaned against the counter in the kitchen. She seemed genuinely curious and wanted answers. "And why would you do that here? There are so many people that would try to stop you."

"Because I have to. It's the birthplace of the doppelgänger."

The brunette made a face, sinking in the new information. "I didn't realize that was a requirement."

A cruel smile spread across Klaus's face. Both of them had yet to see Athena watching them. "Well, how could you? You betrayed me and fled England before I could give you the details, Katerina." Klaus got dangerously close to her face. Katherine gulped. "But I did find your birthplace and I slaughtered your family. So I guess we're cool. Let's just hope that Elena isn't as stupid as you were."

Katherine swallowed any fear. Or at least tried. Even Athena could see the way her posture was, the way she spoke. She was afraid of Klaus and the younger vampire didn't blame her in the least. "She won't run. She'll die before she lets anyone that she loves get hurt."

He smirked. "And that's exactly what I'm counting on." Then he compelled her. "You can't leave until I tell you to. And you can not harm the girl in any way, shape, or form. If I find one scratch on her, your sentence will increase." Klaus turned to look at Athena. She winced, realizing that she hadn't been as stealthy as she thought. "Be good. I'll be back soon."

Athena nodded and then waited until he was gone and walked further into the apartment. Katherine stayed a distance away, probably resisting the urge to hurt her. So she just watched as the girl journeyed closer.

"So you're Katherine?" Athena asked.

Katherine nodded cautiously. "Yes."

Athena smiled and sat next at the bar. "I'm Athena. I'm sorry about your family. He didn't have any right to do that to them."

What killed the doppelganger was that the Original was genuine. She was being honest and Katherine couldn't fathom why. Why did Klaus care about a young vampire that didn't seem to hold any potential at all? Then she remembered how Elijah used to talk about a sister, two sisters even. Just maybe Athena was the other sister since she knew for a fact Rebekah was the first.

Katherine nodded and found herself smiling slightly. "Thank you." Despite her meeting this girl the previous day, the brunette felt comfortable and relaxed. It was almost like Athena's very own presence put her at ease.

"Do you know where the blood bags are?"

She didn't reply and instead got up, going over to the fridge. The drawer was filled to the brim with blood bags and different types. Grabbing a random one, Katherine handed it to her. Athena thanked her and opened the top, sipping. What she didn't expect was to witness the teenage girl's eyes glow a violet hue instead of the normal black of vampires.

"Your eyes.." she trailed off.

Athena looked up at her and removed her mouth from the bag. "What about them?" Did she not know? Katherine hadn't ever seen anything like it before. So maybe she wasn't the other sister. Maybe Athena was necessary for the ritual.

"Well, they're violet. Not black."

She laughed slightly. "I wondered the same thing the first time I saw them. I guess I'm just different." Katherine nodded slowly, still confused and sat back down. Athena finished her blood bag and set it aside. "Can you maybe explain to me about vampires and stuff like that?"

Katherine laughed slightly. "Of course."

———

"Did she just hang up on you?" Damon asked Stefan who was staring at his phone in shock, having just talked to Elena who was with Elijah. Come to find out that the doppelganger had freed Elijah from the prison of the dagger and was trying to get information on how to deal with Klaus.

Stefan nodded. "She did."

"She's lost it."

His brother sighed, rubbing his forehead. Ever since they had discovered the truth behind Athena and Klaus, things had gone all downhill. Stefan was worried for her. Just because she was Klaus's sister didn't mean that she was like them. And he was willing to try and get her back. "If anyone can get him to help us kill Klaus, it's her."

"Bonnie's the way to kill Klaus, Stefan," Damon reminded with a grimace. "He thinks she's dead. We have a chance with her. We could even use Athena when we get her back."

Stefan glared. "And put a child in danger? She's only thirteen! She's barely lived and I highly doubt she would want to kill her own brother. Elena is looking for another way." He didn't know why he was so protective of the young girl. He just was. But the point he made was valid. Athena was only a child caught in the crossfire.

"Well her way is going to get her killed."

Damon turned his back on his brother, moving to exit the Boarding House. Stefan stopped him by calling out, "No, you need to back off."

The raven-haired vampire was taken by surprise, spinning to face him. His brain finally processed what was being said and replied with a simple, "What?!" Never in his mind did he think Stefan would be so idiotic. If Elena died that would it for their humanities.

Stefan further explained, "Look, I don't like this any more than you do. But we need to trust her. We gotta just let her do her thing."

Damon wasn't having it. He shook his hand, looking straight at Stefan. "That might be your plan. Mine's better."

Once he turned to leave again, Stefan flashed to him, grabbing his arm in a death grip. He spoke dangerously low. "I said back off," he warned.

———

"So you're a doppelganger?" Athena asked Katherine. Her curiosity never wavered as she kept questioning Katherine. Though Caroline did catch her up on all things relating to the twenty-first century, she never was caught up on the supernatural and what it came to be. Now doppelgangers were a completely different story. She hadn't the slightest clue about them.

Katherine and Athena were currently sitting on the couch talking. The two had been there for a while, waiting for Klaus to come back from whatever he was doing. Prepping for the sacrifice was what they guessed. "Yes," Katherine replied.

Athena leaned back on the couch, gaping. "Wow."

Katherine smiled slightly at the shocked expression on the girl's face. Even though she did kill and torture, she liked to think Athena was the daughter she would've but never got to have. The identical brown hair and doe-shaped eyes. "I know. But you get used to it."

The vampire grinned, tilting her head to the side like a puppy. "I really like you, Katherine. You remind me of my sister Rebekah." She thought for a moment and then began to rock back and forth with the same smile. "Do you think we could be friends?"

She would've said no but the look on Athena's face made her feel guilty for ever thinking of denying the offer. Katherine imagined her daughter as she tucked her into bed, saying how no one would ever tear them apart and that they would be best friends forever rather than just mother and daughter. "Yes, I'd love to be your friend."

Her hand captured Athena's, smiling like a mother congratulating a daughter. Unexpectedly, the little vampire hugged her, wrapping her arms around the brunette's waist. "You're much better than Elena."

Katherine only laughed. But she silently agreed. After all, Elena Gilbert only saw Athena as a monster, a freak. She didn't see her as a girl who just wanted her siblings back. Katherine did.

———

Elena shook her head confused, listening to the information she had received from Elijah. Currently, she and the Original were discussing Klaus at the Lockwood Mansion. Carol was gracious as to let them stay at the place alone after Elijah compelled her of course. "I don't understand. You say that you want Klaus dead, but you still made Katherine pay for betraying him."

He shrugged. "I have my own reasons for wanting Katerina to pay. There was a time...I'd have done anything for Klaus. Because you see, Klaus is my brother." Elena didn't respond so he repeated himself.

"I heard that," she told him, looking awfully dazed. "I'm still processing." It made sense but her mind didn't go as far as to think that the two would be related. The Original vampires were the first vampires. And that opened the possibility of there being more than just the two. Or three in the case.

"Yes, I'm a little behind on the times, but I believe the term you're searching for is 'O.M.G.'" Elijah sipped from his cup. That's when Elena decided to announce something that the noble man never believed he'd ever hear. Not many knew of his beloved sister.

"Wait. So that means you're Athena's brother too?"

Elijah nearly dropped his cup, looking up at her with wide eyes. "I beg your pardon."

The doppelganger explained, making gestures with her hands. "Athena. She's a girl we found in a coffin a few days ago." She was sure he would know. Elijah was going against Klaus. Surely he was aware of the resources he had and the plans he would make. That was what she and her friends were relying on to help them defeat Klaus.

Elijah clenched his jaw, a rather dark and angry tone seeping through his words. "Explain everything to me."

She was surprised at the sudden outburst but started to explain. "Bonnie had a witch dream about this girl." Then she corrected herself. "Athena. Bonnie said she had brown hair and these beautiful green eyes. She said she was wearing a white dress."

"Did Bonnie happen to say how old she looked?"

Again startled by his hostility, Elena tried to answer as fast as she could without making him angry than he already was. This only led her to believe the importance the young vampire held to both Klaus and Elijah. "Bonnie said she couldn't have been more than thirteen."

Elijah let out a sigh, feeling a small smile appear on his face. "Where is she now? Is she ok?"

Elena shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry. Klaus took her as well. But when we last saw her, she was fine. Damon got her on blood bags and we helped her adjust to this time period."

The news, however, did not seem to surprise him. In fact, he expected Klaus to have her. They always told each other that if they ever parted ways and were to find Athena, they'd protect her. Eventually, it became a fight to who would find her first. And whoever did would hide her from the rest unless whoever found her trusted one of the other siblings. That's what got Kol daggered several times.

"Of course he would take her," Elijah breathed. He shook his head slightly. "But Niklaus would never hurt Athena. He would always put her out of harm's way. We searched for her for centuries. As you can see, we never found her."

Elena nodded to show that she understood. "We found her under the ground in the woods. In a coffin with vines surrounding it. There's something that's strange about her."

Now Elijah looked extremely offended. Never in all the years he lived had he ever heard anyone say that his sister was strange. What was strange about her? He imagined that if anyone had said she was odd, they would meet an awfully unpleasant death. The Mikaelson siblings would make Hell look like child's play.

"What could possibly be strange about my sister?" Elijah growled.

This time, Elena looked annoyed that he was sticking up for Athena so much. But she concealed it and answered his question. "Her eyes. When she feels threatened or when she consumes blood, they turn violet. Not the pitch black color all vampires have."

Elijah leaned forward. "Threatened?"

She nodded. "When she first meet us, she was awfully frightened. Probably from not having any interactions for so long. She growled and hissed at me, Damon, and Stefan. But with Caroline, she was perfectly ok." He looked down at his hands with worry. "We'll get her back Elijah. I promise."

What an empty promise that was

———

Dancing in the twenty-first century was unlike anything Athena had ever witnessed. She was used to the tribal dances they had back in her village. The drums, the fire, the vividly patterned dresses. It was a celebration for thanking the witches for blessing them with such a land they could prosper on. Athena enjoyed those dances because it was simple and it was a time to let loose with her siblings without getting in trouble. Katherine had turned on awfully loud music, grabbing Athena and twirling her around in circles which made the girl laugh and smile with joy.

They were carefree at that moment. They were vulnerable. Both knew just how displeased Klaus would be if he walked through that door. Katherine spun in Alaric's swivel chair, watching as the younger vampire danced on the couch like the doppelganger had shown her.

Music blared until they heard a murmur of voices from the staircase. Katherine jumped up, flashing over to the music and turning it down. Steps approached the door. "Investigative journalism....we're investigating," Damon explained to whoever he was with.

Andie knocked on the door. "Alaric, are you home? It's Andie...Star, Jenna's friend."

Katherine tried to grab the doorknob but due to the compulsion, she couldn't. She tried again, gave up, and walked away from the door. Athena raised an eyebrow at her and went over to the door, opening it to reveal Andie and Damon.

"Thank goodness," Katherine sighed in relief.

Within a few seconds, Athena backed up from the door and towards Katherine, her eyes dead on Andie. A protective wave washed over her. She felt the need to protect the brunette. No one noticed and if they did they didn't show it. The news reporter entered the apartment, not at all freaked at the situation. She was clearly a human. "Wow! You were right. She looks exactly like Elena."

"Yep," Damon replied, tapping on the outside of the door with boredom. He couldn't enter the apartment so he was left standing out in the hallway. Andie took another step toward Katherine that was too close for Athena's comfort. Instantly, she crouched down slightly, hissing and growling at Andie as her fangs bared and her eyes glowed a hue of purple.

Andie jumped back in shock. Damon raised an eyebrow suspiciously while Katherine put a hand on Athena's shoulder, speaking softly. "It's ok Athena. I'm fine." The girl was convinced yet still disliked the distance between the human and the doppelganger.

Athena slowly got out of her crouching position and her eyes turned back to its normal color as her fangs went away. She gave Andie a warning look, making the said person back away. Damon tried to enter again but with no further progress. He let out an annoyed groan before looking over at Katherine. "Thought you might be dead."

She made a face. "Unfortunately not." She paused. "What are you doing here?"

"We are here to rescue you," Andie responded with a smile and a nod.

Damon tsked and Athena watched the two of them still. If Klaus were to arrive right then and there, it would be a bloodbath. She would have to watch as her brother tore the two apart. They no longer thought of her as the girl who lost her family, she was a monster now. A monster who was nothing but a threat to Elena Gilbert.

"No, sweetie. We are here to see if she deserves to be rescued. But, we are here to rescue Athena," Damon corrected.

Athena took another step back. There wasn't a single chance that she'd go with those two. Ever. Klaus was back in her life and soon enough the rest of her siblings would be. She had waited too long though the wait she couldn't recall. There wasn't a shred of memory left of her time in that coffin.

"Right," Andie remembered as she stepped farther into the room, careful to avoid Athena who was still standing slightly in front of Katherine protectively.

Damon leaned against the door entrance. "I figured you still might be kicking. Alaric-Klaus was blending way too easily. Figured he probably had some coaching."

He showed her a vial and Katherine stared at it. "Is that...?"

"Vervain? Your salvation," Damon confirmed.

Athena narrowed her eyes at the container for a moment. She could remember the herb lying beneath the white oak tree in her village. Vervain was the herb that prevented their compulsion. So once the villagers learned this, they consumed it or incorporated it into jewelry to wear. None of them ever compelled on purpose. However, Kol had done it once to protect her from some angry boys who were planning on killing her. Little did she know that after her disappearance, Kol went back and slaughtered the boys' family. He killed anyone who ever wronged her.

"It's not going to undo anything," Katherine pointed out with a glare.

He managed to stay serious. "There's always a loophole." She tilted her head, giving him a look. "Did he tell you to stay in this apartment until he said it was okay to leave?" Damon asked. She went to speak but found herself unable to. Athena turned to watch Andie as the human toured the apartment. "You can't say. Did he tell you to do absolutely everything he says until the end of time?"

"No," Katherine responded. As soon as she said that, she figured out what he was saying.

Damon smirked. "There's your loophole." He held up the vial. "Drink this and it'll prevent any further compulsion."

Athena was not happy with how the situation was going. Klaus would no doubt find out what was happening and then punish Katherine for ever thinking she could outsmart him. Surely he knew what the effects of vervain looked like and the difference between being and not being compelled. Couldn't he also just smell it?

Katherine stomped over to the threshold and stopped.  "Give it to me," she demanded, her hand outstretched. Damon held it in the air, looking dead in her eye.

"Answer one question first. You double-crossed us with Isobel, why?" Damon asked.

Athena's face contorted to confusion. It was the first she was ever hearing of this Isobel. Boy was she really out of the loop. She was caught up on the events in the time before her arrival but she couldn't remember ever hearing about Isobel. The only thing she could figure out from common sense was that the two obviously were in league at one point.

"I didn't think you could stand a chance against Klaus, so I was looking out for myself," Katherine explained truthfully.

"And where did that get you?" She shook her head at him with a scowl. "Here." He tossed her the vial. "Be careful with that. If he finds out you have that, you're never getting out of here." Katherine drank some of it and couched repeatedly. "You owe me. And I will collect." He looked at Athena. "Come on."

He was beginning to leave when Athena shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "No."

Damon looked back at her. "Look. You might not want to listen to me. But you need to. Klaus will turn you into a monster so if you come with me, I promise you, my brother and I will protect you."

She still refused to leave. "That's the problem, Damon. You don't know my brother. Or my family. And one thing my family and I always said was that we would stick together always and forever. I'm not turning my back on them now."

He clenched his jaw and looked to be having an inner struggle when he came to a decision. Athena was Klaus's sister. There was no getting her back and he couldn't waste time rescuing her. "Fine. Be stubborn. But don't come running to me when your brother starts going crazy." He looked at Andie. "Come on."

"Nice to meet you both," Andie smiled before they left and closed the door.

Both Katherine and Athena made a disgusted face until she was out of sight. The younger vampire sighed, looking over at the doppelganger. "I'm surprised you didn't go with them," Katherine said.

She smiled at her. "I don't leave family behind. And I don't want to leave you here with my brother. I figured you'd like the company."

Katherine smiled back, holding out her. "Now come on. Let's dance."

Athena laughed as the brunette grabbed her hand, twirling her around as the music began to play again. It was fun letting loose until the sacrifice. Because what would come after the event would not be as happy and joyous.

Only a few hours later someone arrived. There was a jangling on keys and Katherine grabbed Athena, dragging her to the couch where they sat motionlessly though Athena somehow had a book in her hand. Klaus entered, still in Alaric's body.

"You mind turning that down?" he growled, looking completely pissed.

Katherine used the remote on the coffee table to turn down the music. "Why so grumpy?" Her expression was emotionless and Athena looked up from her book, acting like she had been reading the entire time. Klaus did not look happy at all. In fact, she had never seen him so upset before.

"Well, this body has outlived its usefulness."

She grabbed the bottle of alcohol in front of her. "Do you want a drink?"

"No, Katerina, I don't want a drink."

Athena sensed the tension in the room and started to grow nervous. In all the years she grew up alongside her brothers and sister, Klaus was always calm. Come to think of it, none of them were angry people to begin with. They were all quiet and reserved, never getting into fights with people. So seeing him no like this was odd. And quite frankly it began to scare her.

"Come on. It might loosen you up," Katherine attempted to persuade.

She offered him the bottle and he took it, throwing it at the wall, it smashing into pieces. He grabbed Katherine to compel. Athena jumped in shocked and stiffened, her entire body froze in shock. Now she definitely hadn't ever seen him this angry before.

"What I want is for you to sit down and shut up," Alaric compelled.

Of course, the doppelganger had ingested some vervain so the compulsion had no effect on her. However, she listened and sat down on the couch to not draw any attention. Athena frowned at Katherine, scooting closer. The door opened again and Maddox entered.

"Maddox, what took you so long?" Klaus questioned.

Despite the rude tone in his voice, the warlock did not flinch or show any signs of fear. He simply replied, "You've got a lot of luggage."

Several men entered with luggage, their hands full to the brim. A woman followed behind them, entering the room with a warm smile. She had dark skin and from the feeling in the room, Athena concluded that she was indeed a witch, a powerful one at that. For the first time since his arrival, Klaus smiled. "Greta. Finally."

Athena did not like the powerful aura, cringing away from it. Then the same protective feeling came over her and she moved closer to Katherine, sitting so she could get up and attack at any moment. The vampire did not like the witch and even though she wasn't doing anything, Athena felt like they would harm Katherine.

"Hello, love. Nice body. You ready to get out of it?" Greta asked.

Two other men arrived with a giant wooden crate. They rolled it into the room. Greta felt a strong, powerful presence, and turned toward it to see Athena. The girl stiffened again. Klaus saw that Greta was looking at Athena and turned around.

"This is my sister, Athena. Athena this is Greta," he introduced.

Greta saw Athena's position, smiling slightly to not frighten the girl who was clearly afraid of her. She took two steps forward and then Athena had flashed in front of Katherine, baring her fangs and her eyes glowing violet. Athena hissed and growled at her. Klaus's eyes widened in surprise, confused at his sister's reaction.

"Magnificent," Greta whispered.

He gritted his teeth. "Explain."

Without turning to him the witch responded, "Athena is a very special girl." The tone of her voice was gentle like she was dealing with a baby animal and didn't want to scare it away. "She's a hybrid, just like you. But, her werewolf side is different. Instead of being just a regular werewolf, she's a protecteur de meute, which is French for protector of pack. She's the female Nyx of a legend that has been told for centuries."

Klaus's face went pale. He had heard of that type of werewolf before. The werewolf would meet someone and if nature sought it best, that person who the werewolf met would be part of their pack. The werewolf would be very protective of their pack and if they felt someone was threatening pack or a pack member, they would attack.

However, there were only two. A legend foretold that the female Nyx would be the Queen of Werewolves and that the male Nyx would be the King of Werewolves. The two would rule over the werewolf population together. But it was only a legend, it wasn't true. It was merely a story passed around to the werewolves.

That couldn't be possible. Athena wasn't a werewolf, she couldn't be a hybrid. She was just a vampire. "Are you sure she's a werewolf?" Klaus asked.

"Yes. I can feel her power. She holds all the signs: her eyes glowing and the reason she's protecting Katerina. Katherine is part of Athena's pack."

The look on Klaus's face nearly made Katherine smirk. Because now he knew that he could never truly kill her. Athena would fight him to protect her. And that only made things more complicated.

———

Maddox and Greta were on their knees as they cast the spell to return Klaus to his body. Candles surrounded them and Klaus stood next to the box, his head bowed and eyes closed. Katherine watched them with Athena at her side. The girl hadn't moved from her spot since the information of her being a hybrid was revealed. Now that Katherine thought about it, Athena hadn't reacted at all to the news. Maddox and Greta stopped chanting and look at Klaus. He opened his eyes.

"Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Uenes Phasmatos Et Sonos. Ex Tutam Exum Lamia Matus," Maddox and Greta chanted again.

"Elena?" Alaric questioned. He collapsed thereafter. Katherine held her breath as Maddox stood to open the box. Everything went quiet as Klaus appeared, looking down at Alaric's unconscious body.

"Now that's more like it," he grinned.

He looked up and over at Athena who was smiling back at him. Because after years and years of waiting, Klaus Mikaelson was reunited with his little sister. For good this time.

———

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