Fated Bonds

Chapter 8

Gasping for breath as consciousness returned, Sabrina slowly opened her eyes two days later. The dim light in the room revealed Klaus still in the same blood-stained suit from the chaotic Homecoming night, his usual air of confidence replaced by an evident weariness. She realized she was now clad in an oversized, long-sleeved shirt that hung loosely over her wrists.

"Nik," she whispered hoarsely, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. Klaus looked up from where he had been sitting, his expression instantly softening at the sight of her awake and aware.

Moving swiftly to her side, Klaus offered her a straw connected to a glass of water. Sabrina gratefully took a sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe her parched throat. She glanced away, overwhelmed by the rush of emotions and the gravity of what had transpired.

Klaus nodded silently, understanding the unspoken turmoil she must be feeling. Sabrina tentatively touched her body, her fingers confirming what she couldn't quite believe - she was fully healed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to voice her deepest fear, "Am... am I a vampire?"

Sitting down beside her on the bed, Klaus gently pulled her into his embrace, his arms a comforting anchor. "No, love," he murmured, his voice tender yet firm. "You weren't turned. You're still human, and you're perfect."

Sabrina sighed in relief, allowing herself to lean into his comforting presence. Klaus eased her back onto the pillows, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face with gentle care.

"Where are we?" Sabrina asked softly, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of gratitude and uncertainty. Despite the chaos of recent events, she found solace in the connection they shared - the mate bond that everyone spoke of with reverence.

"We're at the Mikaelson manor," Klaus replied, his tone reassuring as he offered her a comforting smile. "You're safe here, Sabrina. No one will harm you."

A wave of gratitude washed over Sabrina, mingled with a sense of longing for the familiar comforts of home. "I need to call my mom, Nik. She's going to be worried, and my sister..." Sabrina's voice faltered, unsure how to navigate the complexities of her family's concern.

Klaus nodded understandingly, reaching for his cell phone and placing it gently in her hand. "Thank you," Sabrina murmured, feeling a surge of appreciation for his understanding and support.

After a brief but tense phone call where her mother demanded she return home immediately, Sabrina felt torn. "Nik, I have to go. I can't stay here," she explained hesitantly, torn between her responsibilities and her growing attachment to Klaus and the safety of the Mikaelson mansion.

"Why not?" Klaus asked quietly, his gaze searching hers with concern and affection.

"My mom needs me, and my sister is worried sick," Sabrina replied, feeling a pang of guilt for leaving them in the dark about her safety.

"Go then. Just go," Klaus said softly, standing up and turning away to give her space to make her decision.

Sabrina watched him leave the room, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She knew she had to go back to her family, but leaving Klaus and the newfound security of the Mikaelson manor felt like tearing herself away from a lifeline she hadn't known she needed.