To Be King by VisciousRose

Chapter 17

Stefan didn't look like he knew what to say to the condemnation he was receiving from every single one of the family I had built for myself in Damon and his absence. But in truth they weren't a replacement for my brothers, no not even close, they were everything to me and the type of family and adoration and love along with support I had so craved and wanted to give in equal measures.

We were family in every way that mattered. But I also knew that I would have to face Damon and Stefan if I ever wanted to clean and close the festering wound, one they had left me with all those decades ago.

"Why are you really here Stefan?" I asked seriously head tilted as I took him in as he shifted on his feet eyes not meeting mine.

"To reconcile our broken family bond or for the girl who is the complete copy of Katherine Pierce?"

"She's different," refuted Stefan damning himself in the eyes of my children and family as Jesse scoffed while James shook his head. "Why can't I be here for both?"

"Because even now decades later you still will place a woman before our brotherhood," I mused softly with a shake of my head. "Not even time has seemed to help you in growing up Stefan and this time I will not be there when you crumble."

"You never were there," scoffed Stefan temper rising as he sent me a powerful glare as if he had been personally wronged. "Not once. Instead when we came back after being turned you kicked us out and we had to flee our home."

"Because you had been seen," I shouted voice rising for the first time since that night when we had been turned making him flinch back as a bitter laugh left me. "I kept you from being hunted down and killed by the Council and the very people we grew up around."

"You need to leave," ordered Joseph moving to stand beside me as his hand landed upon my shoulder. "Find somewhere else to stay and go bow at the feet of Elena Gilbert as you had Katherine Pierce. But know this time, Leviathan will not be there to pick up the pieces or help you fix things."

"Consider this our revoking you from this home," agreed Ryder with a sneer even as he kept Orion back while Hadrian did the same for Lily. "And when you fail and get over your head, which you will, do not think to come here seeking Leviathan's help."

Stefan looked toward me, but this time I wouldn't fall for it, would not give in, as I calmly met his eyes with my own solemn ones. Because I was tired. Tired of being the one to clean up after Stefan and Damon, helping them continue forward without gaining enemies in the Witch community, and even keeping Augustine off of Damon's back after he had been captured and tortured.

It was me who saved Enzo from that burning house with the help of my Bennett family, not Damon.

"Goodbye brother," I offered in farewell making his face shutter before he flashed from the room leaving silence in his wake. "I think I'm going to retire for the night."

"Uncle Levi," called Jesse as she moved forward to wrap her arms around my waist and hold me close making a fond smile appear on my face as I ran a hand through her hair. "We love you and will be right here when you need us and even when you don't."

"We love you," agreed James as he moved to join his sister in hugging me tightly in comfort. "And I know it hurts that Damon and Stefan are so blind, but we are not, and we will stand with you."

"Thank you," I said voice choking up as emotions welled inside me as I looked at each and every one of them who stood before me. "You have truly left me blessed."

"I still can't get over the fact he believes Elena Gilbert is different from Katherine," grumbled Jesse as she pulled away and curled up near her father. "I mean talk about blinded by a pretty face."

It caused a small laugh to leave me even as I made the rounds in hugging each one before me and placing a kiss upon their foreheads before heading off to bed knowing they would easily either stay the night or head home on their own time.

Narrative P.O.V.

"I seriously want to murder them," snarled Orion as a growl rumbled through his chest making Lily nod in agreement. "For too long they have brought Father nothing but pain."

"They will get theirs," agreed Hadrian calmly hand staying placed upon Lily's shoulder even as Joseph kept his twins calmed as well. "Derek and Zach are both already looking into the Council and keeping them off our backs."

"Which takes care of that small problem," said Ryder with a light roll of his eyes as he leaned against the side of the couch Joseph and the twins had claimed.

"But we still have to worry about John Gilbert and everything else headed our way now that Miranda and Grayson Gilbert are dead."

"Father is fond of the Originals," said Lily with a knowing smile. "Which is why we have worked as best we can to help them. They cannot be allowed to perish."

"Esther will be dealt with," agreed Joseph with disgust and loathing. "I have had dreams concerning the vile woman and what she has done to her son because of her own failings is horrid."

"Mikael isn't much better," said Ryder with a shake of his head. "Trust me on the fact he needs to burn as well."

"We also know that Elena and her groupies can become a problem," warned Jesse as she looked at the others. "Bonnie has a connection to the Bennett Line since she has not been cut off from it like the others that could come back to bite us."

"She will be if she sides against Father," stated Lily with a sneer as she thought upon it all. "We had not been bluffing in that we will kill anyone who becomes a threat to him."

"We stand with you," agreed Joseph as James and Jesse nodded. "Leviathan will not perish nor be allowed to be harmed."