Perzys Āeterña | Hope Mikaelson

Chapter 10

It was the best summer ever.

Spending time with Hope's family was as healing as the tribrid thought it would be. Her aunts spoiled her rotten, practically adopting her and considering her to be one of them. Kol had found the swords, and had even built a stand for her to place them on the wall of her room (another room all to herself! It was unbelievable) to display to anyone who walked in.

Marcel had taught her everything she needed to know about US history, and had helped her ace her test to get out of the class. Vincent had given her the tools she needed to pass psychology, and with a little help from him, Freya, and Keelin (who was an ER doctor), she'd learned enough science to end up at a high school level for the following school year.

Her friends were doing well, too. MG had been living with Kaleb over the summer, something he greatly enjoyed. Lizzie was spending most of her time shadowing Caroline as she prepared the school for the next year, while Josie, apparently, had comforted Landon after the breakup and seemed to be getting close with him. Hope didn't mind it, having found the same solace in Raf, who just wanted both her and Landon to be happy.

"You're tense," said Rhysaenya, striking hard as Hope tried to whirl her staff at her abdomen. She blocked and twisted, kicking her leg up and knocking her down. "I shouldn't be able to overpower you. What's going on?"

"It just feels wrong," said Hope, springing back up and attacking again, slow enough that Rhysaenya was able to shield herself until she found an opening, swinging the staff at Hope's thighs and ducking under to avoid a hit, once more throwing her to the floor. "Talking to Raf, now knowing he's liked me since Landon and I were together. Landon is mad enough, what if he feels... betrayed? I don't want to ruin their bond."

Rhysaenya helped her to her feet. "Trust me, if they're still talking, everything is fine. You wouldn't be the first person caught between two brothers. And that, my dear, I learned from you." She made a hit that Hope barely blocked. "You can't let it get your guard down, though. What if I was an enemy and I just–" she caught Hope's staff, pulling her forward to headbutt her. "Disarmed you?"

"If you were an enemy, we wouldn't be sparring," said Hope pointedly. "I'm a tribrid, I'd just wave my hand and I could make your own throat jump out so you'd be dead."

"Yeah, well, not that long ago, we were not able to use our magical abilities. You agreed we both needed this and let's not forget you bet Marcel you could beat him in a fistfight, which means no tribrid powers."

"I'm going to win anyway! I'm the strongest vampire alive. I already beat him and my Uncle Kol in arm wrestling. It's enough proof that even newly turned I'm stronger than them. Aunt Rebekah taught me to control my strength and my other abilities are better than ever."

Rhysaenya narrowed her eyes, tossing the staff back. "You went to see the Crescents this morning. I think your frustration is about more than just Raf. Spill."

Hope's lip twitched, and before Rhysaenya knew it, she'd been flung to the floor, unable to defend herself. The tribrid moved too fast for her to perceive. "Fine," said Hope, panting and holding the staff against Rhysaenya's throat, keeping her pinned down. "They want me to be Alpha."

"It's your birthright," said Rhysaenya. "But... you don't want it?"

"It's not that I don't want it, I'm not ready for it! There has to be more to this than just... settling down to lead a pack of wolves. Nick Lang has been Alpha since my mom died. His brother, Aiden, was one of Jackson's Betas. He's done a good job and he's happy there. He can hold down the fort until I figure it all out. If I just become Alpha, I neglect the witches and vampires. There was a time when everyone thought I'd destroy them, but I think there's more that I can do. I'm just... not sure. And not ready for it. So I don't want to stay here pretending that's the only thing that I can do with my life. I have a lot to learn, still, and I don't want it to be over. I'd be bored as Alpha. I want to fix things everywhere."