LUST~NIKLAUS MIKAELSON(book 1)

Chapter 13 torn

"Bonnie!" The voice rang out again, but this time it was softer, laced with a mixture of disbelief and hurt. You turned sharply, your heart still racing, and saw Rebekah standing at the edge of the clearing.

She looked stunned, her usual vivacious energy dimmed as she took in the scene before her. Her blue eyes flicked from Elijah to you, confusion and betrayal written across her face.

Elijah straightened, his expression shifting to one of concern. "Rebekah," he began, but she held up a hand to stop him.

"Don't," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "What is this? What are you doing, Elijah?"

You felt a pang of guilt deep in your chest. Rebekah had always been one of the few people who had shown you kindness, and now here you were, caught in a moment that could shatter the fragile bond you had with her.

"I..." you started, searching for the right words, but Rebekah shook her head, her blonde hair catching the moonlight.

"Don't," she repeated, her voice stronger this time. "I don't want to hear excuses. I want to know why. Why, Elijah?" She turned her gaze to her brother, the hurt in her eyes unmistakable.

Elijah took a deep breath, stepping closer to his sister. "Rebekah, this isn't what it looks like-"

"Isn't it?" she interrupted, her voice rising. "Because it looks exactly like what I think it is. You always have to be the noble one, the one who does the right thing. But this? How could you?"

Elijah remained calm, though his eyes softened. "Rebekah, this wasn't planned. Bonnie and I... we didn't intend for this to happen."

"But it did," she shot back, tears welling up in her eyes. "And now I don't know what to think. After everything we've been through, Elijah, why would you do this? Why would you betray me like this?"

"Rebekah, please," you interjected, your voice quiet but firm. "This wasn't meant to hurt you. It just... it happened. I know that doesn't make it right, but please, try to understand."

Rebekah looked at you, her expression torn. "I thought we were friends, Bonnie. I thought you were different. But now... now I don't know who to trust."

The pain in her words cut deep, and you realized how much your actions had hurt her. Elijah reached out to touch her shoulder, but she stepped back, shaking her head.

"I need time," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I can't deal with this right now."

Without another word, Rebekah turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the trees. You watched her go, a heavy silence settling over the clearing.

Elijah stood by your side, his presence both comforting and disheartening. You knew you had crossed a line, one that might be difficult to return from. As the night closed in around you, the weight of your choices pressed heavily on your shoulders.

The following day, you find Rebekah alone by the edge of the woods, sitting on a fallen log with her back to the clearing. The sunlight filters through the trees, casting soft patterns on the ground, but the beauty of the scene does little to calm the nerves twisting in your stomach.

Taking a deep breath, you approach her slowly, your footsteps deliberately soft on the grass. "Rebekah," you call gently, not wanting to startle her.

She turns her head slightly, acknowledging your presence, but doesn't speak. Her posture is tense, a stark contrast to her usual confident demeanor.

You sit down beside her, leaving a respectful distance between you. For a moment, neither of you speaks, the silence heavy with unspoken words.

Finally, you break the silence. "I'm sorry, Rebekah," you begin, your voice filled with sincerity. "What happened last night... it wasn't planned. I never wanted to hurt you, or anyone."

Rebekah sighs, her gaze fixed on the ground. "I know," she says quietly. "But that doesn't make it any easier to accept. Elijah... he's always been the one I could count on, the one who would never betray me."

"And he hasn't," you quickly add. "This... it was a mistake, Rebekah. We were caught up in the moment, and I let my emotions get the best of me. But it wasn't a betrayal of you or anyone else."

She finally looks at you, her blue eyes searching yours for any sign of dishonesty. "But what about Nik?" she asks, her voice trembling slightly. "If he finds out... you know how he can be. He won't take this well."

Your heart pounds at the thought of Niklaus finding out. His temper is legendary, and the last thing you want is to be the cause of more strife between the siblings. "That's why I need to ask you something, Rebekah," you say, your voice earnest. "Please, don't tell Nik. Don't tell anyone. If this gets out... it could ruin everything. My honor, my place here... everything could be destroyed."

Rebekah looks at you for a long moment, her expression conflicted. "Bonnie, I care about you," she finally says, her voice softening. "You're like a sister to me now, especially since you're here with us, helping my family. I just want what's best for you. And for my brothers."

You nod, understanding her concern. "I care about them too, Rebekah. That's why I need to fix this, to make sure it doesn't cause any more problems."

Rebekah sighs deeply, running a hand through her hair. "I won't tell Nik, or anyone else. But Bonnie, you need to understand something. My brothers... they're complicated. Elijah is noble, always trying to do what's right, but he's also burdened by his own sense of duty. Nik... well, he's fiercely protective, but he's also unpredictable. You're treading on dangerous ground."

"I know," you say, gratitude flooding your voice. "Thank you, Rebekah. I promise, I'll be careful. I just... I just need some time to figure things out."

She reaches out and gently squeezes your hand, offering a small, understanding smile. "Just... get to know them both. Really get to know them. They're amazing people, despite everything. And who knows? Maybe you'll find that what you're looking for isn't so far out of reach."

Her words offer a glimmer of hope, and you nod, feeling a sense of relief wash over you. "I will, Rebekah. Thank you for understanding."

Rebekah stands up, brushing off her dress, her usual spark returning to her eyes. "Come on," she says with a lighter tone. "Let's go back. We have a lot to do, and I'd rather focus on something productive than dwell on last night."

You stand up as well, the weight on your shoulders easing slightly as you walk back together, side by side. The bond between you and Rebekah, though tested, feels stronger now, and you're determined to navigate the complexities of your situation with care.

As you return to the heart of the village, you can't help but glance back at the woods where last night's events unfolded, feeling both the gravity of what happened and the cautious hope for what lies ahead.