Chapter Thirty seven

Damon

"We've managed to repair the floorboards and cleared up the mess...yeah we started yesterday."

"How bad was it?" She breathed down the phone.

I glanced around the cleared and empty space. "It was terrible. They spared nothing."

"Was it werewolves? I can come over and see if they've left any traces and maybe we can track them down?" She proposed.

"No BonBon, it's fine, we'll handle it. Just stay home I'll be with you shortly." I smiled knowing she couldn't see the smile.

She let out an exasperated sigh. "Okay...they're on their way to help. I love you."

"Sure. I love you. Bye." Hanging up the call I turned my body back to Stefan. His lips were drawn in tightly. He didn't have many memories but the little he did create with her meant the world to him. Spending the whole night rebuilding the floorboards and cleaning every inch of the house was not an easy task. Several times we stopped midway. It was just a house but the meaning behind it was deeper. It would never be the same, the cracks would remain visible to us.

"Marcel and Elijah should be here soon." I finally managed.

"The sooner they come the quicker we can finish."

I nodded in agreement. A good fifteen minutes later they arrived unloading a few more tools and wooden planks. Caroline joined. She walked through the house carrying tubs of paints and varnish. There was little to no speaking. The only occasion we spoke was to delegate tasks and confirm what was to be done next and what had been done. Hours flashed by yet it seemed like we were nowhere close to finished. There were items left to replace, surfaces to wipe clean and a countless other mundane task. The foul stench of wolf was left to eradicate. Caroline did a quick sweep of the house. The werewolves left no DNA traces. Tracking them was now impossible. The phone buzzed in my pocket. Placing the brush down I picked out the phone and answered.

"Damon! Why didn't you tell me our house was broken into?" She yammered.

"Well, hello little sister, nice to speak to you too."

"Seriously Damon! Why didn't you?"

I sighed. "I didn't want you to worry and besides it was nothing."

"Why do I find that hard to believe? Anyways, no matter what you do, keep the daggers safe. We're going to return soon so I'll know what to do with them but if there are any more wolf sightings then let me know!"

I laughed. "Yes, I will, bossy pants."

"I love you big brother-send Stefan my love."

"He knows." I relayed softly. We exchanged our goodbyes, and I disconnected the call. A great heaviness weighed me down. Leaving the phone on the windowsill I continued with my assigned task. While I remained silent those around me engaged in conversations. Guilt gnawed at me when Stefan expressed how he missed out on years of her life and how he wished more than anything he could get that time back. In ways he envied me for I had the privilege of standing by her side. I wronged them both along the way. Trying to protect them both was more difficult than I bargained. I was the older brother, and it was my responsibility to do right by them.

~

She raced up the stairs laughing at the top of her lungs. Reaching the top, she looked back down and teased him. "Sucks to be you Theo."

"Oh shut it, Laura! You're a vampire obviously you'd win!" He heaved as he reached the top step. Rolling his eyes, he pushed her to the side and lumbered into his room.

"Okay fine, next time I won't cheat." She didn't mean it. She was thrilled with her vampiric abilities and the several advantages she had. To her it was a gift. It made her better in ways she couldn't explain. She was stronger and in more control of her life. The bloodlust was something she never struggled with. Her abilities still amazed her. She followed him into the room and jumped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling with her hands resting on her stomach.

"I can't remember the last time we were all here...you, me, Amelia, Soph and-"

"Ethan." He finished. "Yeah, it's been a while since Sophia left." He glanced around his room with a million memories floating around him.

"We owe her our lives... She brought us together and in ways she saved us."

Laura was right. They did owe Sophia their lives. She was that friend that always stood by their side who helped them find the beauty within their hearts. Had he not met her their lives would have been on two different paths. Wherever she was, she was always there even when he didn't know it.

"Do you think Ethan would go back to how he used to be?" He asked joining her on the bed with a thick album in his hands.

She let out a sad sigh. "I don't know. He's not the same anymore and we need to move on from that." She rolled herself up. "Is that the photo album?" She crossed her legs, bopping her head.

Theo chuckled. "Yes, it is." Shuffling closer to her side he set the album in the middle before them. She ran her hands over the soft mint cover. They flicked through page after page stopping and laughing over each one, reminiscing the day it was captured. They babbled on for hours. The photos were endless. That's what they enjoyed the most. They kept on coming and it unlocked many memories they weren't aware they kept hidden.

"Do you ever wonder what our lives would have been like without her?" Theo questioned, eyes glued to the Polaroid of him and Sophia. He had one arm draped around her neck. Their smiles vibrant. He recalled that day clearly. She encouraged him into applying for the engineering job he was offered after graduation. Three intense years of university had paid off and he was working with a top engineering company.

"I don't know what I would do without her Theo. The fact that she saved me, and we created all these memories, I don't think I could have gotten through everything." She responded, running her fingers over her Polaroid. They were at the Alton Towers, beaming in front of the smiler. Sophia had her arms wrapped around her and they were laughing in that photo. She huffed out a gentle laugh. It was bizarre how she remembered the tinniest details. Theo and Amelia were goofing around behind the camera, and they couldn't contain their laughter. In that moment, it was captured before they could pose for it.

"She's one of a kind-correction she's badass! Can you imagine all the discussions we've had about vampires and supernaturals and not once did she say anything? She sat back listening to us make a fool out of ourselves debating supernaturals and what they should be like." He shook his head with laughter.

Laura spluttered out. "Do you remember when we watched twilight for the first time.... oh my days I can't even imagine what was going through her mind when they started sparkling."

"But they do burn unless they have daylight rings, but she doesn't."

"That's cause she's a heretic. The literal magic in her-wait she's human now, well a siphon...our lives are insane! I'm frozen forever at 24-" she stopped abruptly. The air around her sliced and a tiny whooshing sound pricked her ears. She jumped to her feet. "Theo get out! Someone's here!" She nudged him off the bed and he leapt towards the doorway. A sudden force hurled him back, sending him flailing across the room. He crashed into the glass wardrobe, shattering the mirror on impact.

"What the actual fuck!" He grunted climbing back on his feet, rubbing his neck. He focused on his surroundings. The attack came from the left, she ducked. Using her feet, she flipped and kicked him to the floor. He snarled, bouncing back, and charged at her with full force. Grabbing her by the throat he slammed her down and squeezed hard. Using her strength, she pushed her upper body off the ground and head butted him. He fell back. Taking that as an opportunity she rolled out and rebounded on her feet. She looked frantically around the room, searching for a weapon. Her eyes landed on the broken frame. Using her vampiric speed she launched forward, scooped up the large part and brought it down hard on her knees. It snapped in two. Taking the one with the jagged edge she whipped around and rammed it into his abdomen, pushing it in deep. He crumpled to the floor, clawing at the stake. Burning with rage, using her foot she hammered the stake all the way through him. Finally grabbing a disorientated Theo, she fled.

•

The front door slammed shut. They were safe now in his house. Ethan couldn't enter without an invite. Rubbing his face, he slumped down onto the bottom step in a panting mess.

"Laura!" He barked. "Stop your pacing! It's making me more agitated...I'm sorry I-"

She plopped herself down next to him. "No, it's fine. I'm sorry it's just... I'm worried that's all."

He removed his hands from his head. "He's not been invited in so we're safe for now."

"He's lost it!" She exclaimed throwing her arms in the air. "I still can't wrap my head around it." Her tone softened.

"What do we do?" He asked, scratching his head.

"I-" before she got her words through, the front door shook violently.

"LET ME IN!" The voice bellowed. The discarnate voice pounded on the door throwing his body at it. They stared at each other, eyes wide and bulging. One more kick and they knew the door would come tearing down. Safe yet visible is what they would be. Grabbing her phone, Laura sent a quick text knowing this was their only chance to capture him. She revealed the phone screen to Theo, and he silently read the text message. A great breath of air was released from him, and his shoulders slumped.

Stefan

Damon slammed his fist down. It was clear this new threat, new pack of wolves were responsible for trashing Sophia's house. No one thought it possible for the wolf pack to rise again. Yet they did and they were coming for her.

"Bonnie, can you do a tracking spell? A stronger one?" I urged, sounding desperate. We were desperate. They wanted the daggers and Sophia. The thought of why, was unnerving. Freya and Bonnie spent the entire day trying to locate the whereabouts of the pack or for anything that could lead us to them.

Bonnie puffed out running her hands through her curly hair. "I've tried Stefan, but I can't find anything that can pinpoint them. Freya's right-" she turned to Freya. "They have a witch or maybe more on their side."

"She-" I began but the buzzing of my phone interrupted me. Fishing out my phone I looked at the message that popped up. My brows knit closely together, and I glanced up. "It's Laura and Theo... they've got Ethan at their door."

Klaus turned his attention back to the rest of us. "Ah fantastic." He gleamed.

"At least we won't have to look for him. He's offered himself up on a silver platter." Damon slapped his thigh and jumped to his feet, adjusted the collar of his leather jacket.

"No wait!" I sped towards him and held his shoulder firmly. "We have to be tactical about this. If he gets wind of us or even senses us, we'll lose him! We need to think this through."

Caroline unfolded her arms taking on a defensive stance. "Stefan's right...we can't go charging."

"What's the plan?" Rebekah asked taking her place beside klaus.

"Follow me." I flashed them a grin.

•

I took my place behind the house. Damon posted to the left side while Elijah stood on the right and klaus posted in line with the house, with a clear view of Ethan. We waited patiently for our moment to pounce. We got this far unnoticed and willed we continued to do so. He alluded us for a month and finally we had him. Rebekah and Marcel waited down the street as backup, if he managed to escape us, then they would intercede.

His voice travelled to the back of the house. I paid close attention.

"What do you want?" Theo spat.

He chuckled. "Theo, my good man. Invite me in and we can talk like the buds we are. Let's talk. I want to know where Sophia is. Just tell me and I-"

"Oh get over yourself!" Laura snarled slamming her palms on the door. We'll never help you! Not after everything you did! You're a sick bastard!"

He scoffed. "Yeah, sure I am. NOW LET ME IN! Don't make me do something I'll regret!" He grew impatient and unhinged, tone of his voice rising and falling.

Just a second longer.

"Well, what do we have here." Klaus clicked his tongue, his tone acerbic. I smirked. Sounds of struggle reached my ears and like the wind I abandoned my post. He attempted to fight off klaus. Vamping behind him, i pushed him forward. He spun around baring his fangs, a snarl escaping him. He fled to the streets only to stumble back realising he was boxed in.

"Yoo-hoo..." Damon whistled and waved at him with his fingers.

Elijah tutted, sizing Ethan up. "Pity."

I prowled closer, closing the space between me and him. Shifting his gaze on me, he scowled. He was closed in and there was nothing he could do to escape. As I inched closer and my eyes fixed on him, all I felt was a blinding rage. He hurt my sister and he sought her out. I raised my tight clenched fist and struck him square in the face. The blow sent him flailing across until he landed before Klaus' feet.

"That must have hurt." He smirked.

Ethan groaned and climbed back on his feet, meeting Klaus face to face. The hybrid didn't seem too pleased to greet him. Effortlessly he snapped his neck and his body twisted, falling to the ground with a slight thump. Trailing over his body, my gaze landed on klaus and his vicious grin. "Fantastic isn't? One problem down and a billion others to go." Extending his arms out.

I shrugged. "Let's keep it moving before we're ambushed."

Damon clicked his tongue pointing his finger out. "With you on that." Grabbing Ethan's foot, he dragged him to the car and flung him into the back. Theo and Laura pattered out the house to join us as we slid into the rover. We captured Ethan and it was time for my sister to return back home. We stalled him long enough, allowing them time and space. Ensuring her safety became our first priority. Now that he was in our hold there was no need to keep her away.

The drive back to the Mikaelson mansion was spent in silence with little chatter. Damon rang up Kol and updated them. They were now planning for their return to London. The car rolled to a stop in the driveway. Climbing out the car I vamped to the boot and popped it open. Few seconds later, Damon joined my side, poking at the stiff body of Ethan. "Out cold." He jabbed again.

Rolling my eyes, I slapped his hand away. "Leave it alone Damon."

He turned his head to face me, raising his brow and winking simultaneously. "Just having a laugh."

Ethan was a sack of rice and with ease he threw him over his shoulder and swaggered into the open doorway.

~

Noah spent the last hour speaking to Harlow and Ben over the phone. They updated one another on all the events and the new threats that rose up to stand against them. He knew the Mikaelsons couldn't keep him long, not without Sophia making a fuss. He opened up to them about how he truly felt and after a long time, he truly felt like he was cared for. Bonnie and Freya saw his potential and how much strength he carried. They gave him courage and support. He spent so much time working together and now he had more control and knowledge over his own magic. The Salvatores and Mikaelsons returned. Catching sight of an unconscious Ethan earned a grim expression. He caught the attention of Marcel and waved at him urgently since everyone else was preoccupied.

"Everything okay bud?"

He shook his head. "Ben just told me about the wolf pack and how there's a human council that knows of the supernatural. They're planning on sending someone as undercover."

"Council?" Marcel arched a brow.

"We found out about them some time ago. I think they're up to something because apparently Jameela has joined them. I don't know for what but it's not good for you guys is it?"

Marcel paced up and down the length of the living room, tapping his chin with a finger. "I'll see what we can do."

"I think Ben saw them load dead supernaturals into a car and little jars of blood..."

"That's not good." Elijah expressed, marching into the room. "What could they need?"

Noah shrugged. "There's one other thing..." they turned to face him directly. "Jameela is sending wolves to break me out once I've handed her the stake. I sent a message to her saying it's been destroyed but they're still going to attack."

"Don't worry about it bud, we've got this. You go back to Freya and learn what you can, can't have you getting caught up in the mess."

"Indeed. Sophia will not appreciate it." Elijah added.

Stefan

Vervain ropes and chains weren't enough to hold him. They weren't enough to inflict pain on him. Ethan was unphased. Damon and I shoved stakes through both thighs and the back of his hands. Bonnie through magic inflicted as much pain as she could. Slowly we were breaking through and tearing down his wall of arrogance. As the days soared by, Bonnie grew stronger with her magic and more in control.

"Who sent you?" She asked, amplifying the pain spell. He howled unnaturally, the chains and hooks stopped him from thrashing around. Blood oozed out his ears and eyes.

"I'm not stupid." He choked out, spitting a mixture of saliva and blood onto the stone floor.

Damon scoffed. "Stupid enough to get caught...now who turned you and why?"

Through the torture Ethan managed a laugh. "You lot are pathetic..." he coughed up thick chunky blood. "You can't save her. You can't win."

Damon loomed over him. "You see the big bad wolf waiting outside the gates...he's going to kill you without batting an eyelid, so I suggest you fess up."

He remained silent with only a stony smile plastered on his face. Bonnie brushed past me and took her place behind Ethan. Rubbing her palms with various herbs her fingers latched onto his temples. She was gathering information by connecting herself with his essence. He yowled in pain, yet he couldn't move his body to fight.

"It's not clear...Jameela-she's done something to his head..." her eyes reopened, and she focused her gaze on Damon and me. "It's Jameela, she's behind it."

I changed my stance and inched closer sticking out two fingers mid-air. "Can you see anything else?"

She looked down on him. "He was turned by a man...I don't know who but he's working with Jameela by the looks of it." Her expression grew grave.

"What are they planning?" Klaus asked from behind the iron gates.

"Whatever it is, it's been blocked in his mind."

Damon scoffed. "Then we'll get it out of him the old-fashioned way." He flashed a nefarious grin.

~

The door to the bar swung open and Aryton, their Alpha rocked through. He was smug than ever. "Jayden, what have you for me?" Taking a seat beside him, he put an arm around his shoulder. Jayden took several sips of his drink and replaced the glass back down. He was pleased with himself and the task he was assigned. All he ever looked for was approval and acceptance from Aryton. Their alpha favoured him over his own son and that was enough to boost his ego.

"They accepted me into the council. They don't suspect my true nature at all, but it turns out they have extensive knowledge on the supernaturals and a wide range of weapons. They want me at the next meeting which is in a few days, and I shall have an update for you soon," he picked up his glass and chugged down the rest. "I don't think they'll let me in on every deep secret but so far I've proven myself to them."

He gave him a pat on the shoulder. "What did you tell them?"

Jayden grinned. "I told them my whole life I've hated vampires for what they did to my family...I sold them the whole sob story. Oh and, they have a very strong witch on their side, I've not seen her, so I don't know who she is but by the looks of it, they're seriously afraid of her."

The alpha contemplated this. Being in favour of the council was important for him. If they knew everything about the supernatural world then they were a necessary means to get to his daggers. Once he had no use of them, he would burn them to the ground.