Fight With Me

Chapter 20

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JOSIE'S POV

I walked to my room, my heart pounding as I started to pack. I barely had my suitcase open when the door flew open and Lizzie stormed in, eyes blazing.

"Where are you going?" she snapped.

I swallowed, already bracing myself. "I'm going to stay with Hope and her family for a while."

Her face twisted instantly.

"What the fuck?" she shouted. "It's bad enough you're with her, but now you're going to go live with the Mikaelsons? Absolutely not. I forbid you from going."

"Lizzie—"

"No," she cut in, voice rising. "Do you even hear yourself? They're dangerous, Jo. People die around them. This isn't normal."

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LIZZIE'S POV

I didn't mean to explode. I really didn't. But the words just kept coming, spilling out faster than I could stop them.

"You're just running straight into it," I yelled. "You don't even care what happens to you anymore, do you?"

The room trembled slightly, magic reacting to my emotions and then the door opened wider.

Hope was there in an instant, stepping in front of Josie like a shield, eyes sharp and glowing faintly.

That's when Dad rushed in.

"What is going on?" he demanded.

Before I could answer, two unfamiliar women appeared behind Hope , older, powerful, clearly family. That set something off in me completely.

"Oh, great," I snapped. "More Mikaelsons."

"Lizzie," Dad warned sharply.

"No, Dad, I'm serious," I said, turning back to him. "You know what follows them. You've said it yourself , chaos, enemies, danger. And now Josie's just... walking into it?"

Dad's jaw tightened. "That's enough."

Josie had gone quiet. Too quiet.

Then she spoke.

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JOSIE'S POV

I didn't yell. I didn't cry.

I whispered a spell instead, one I didn't even realize I knew, and suddenly Lizzie and Dad both winced, like pressure had settled around them.

"Get out," I said.

"What?" Lizzie scoffed.

"I said get out."

Dad stared at me like he didn't recognize me. "Josie, we're trying to talk to you."

"No," I said, voice shaking but firm. "You're talking about me. And I'm done."

I looked straight at him.

"I can't believe you think the Mikaelsons are dangerous. I know you're scared. But Hope has never hurt me. She's protected me , over and over, even when my own family didn't."

Lizzie scoffed, but I turned on her next.

"And you," I said quietly, "don't get to insult the person I love just because you're angry."

The room was dead silent.

"So please," I finished, tears burning in my eyes, "get out."

After a long moment, Dad nodded stiffly and ushered Lizzie out. The door shut behind them with a soft click.

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HOPE'S POV

I'd never been more proud of anyone in my life.

I gave my aunts a look, silently telling them we were okay. Freya nodded, understanding immediately.

Once we finished packing, I sent Freya a quick text and took Josie's hand.

"Come on," I murmured.

We vanished into the woods.

I shifted mid-run, and Josie climbed onto my back without hesitation, arms tight around me. I ran until the noise in her head, and mine, finally quieted.

When I shifted back, I didn't bother dressing right away. I stepped close instead.

"You standing up to them like that?" I said softly. "That was... really fucking hot."

She laughed nervously, cheeks flushed. "Prove it."

I kissed her hard, backing her against a tree —until my phone buzzed.

I groaned. "Worst timing in the world."

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JOSIE'S POV

I was nervous, not terrified — just nervous. I wanted Hope's family to like me.

As we pulled up to the plane, I heard Hope's voice in my head.

If my aunts weren't here, I'd fuck you until you couldn't walk.

I blinked, then smirked.

Later, I shot back.

Her hand squeezed my thigh.

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FLASH FORWARD — ON THE JET

I lay with my head in her lap as she ran her fingers through my hair. The engines hummed beneath us, steady and calm.

For the first time in a long time, I felt safe.

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ALARIC'S POV

I replayed the moment over and over , Josie telling us to leave.

I wasn't angry because she chose Hope.

I was angry because I was scared.

The Mikaelsons are dangerous. Not because they're evil, but because the world never leaves them alone.

Lizzie paced beside me. "You're really just going to let her go?"

I hesitated.

"No," I admitted quietly. "I let her make her own choice."

When we rushed back to her room, it was already empty.

My chest sank.

I hadn't lost her.

But I'd pushed her farther away.

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