Hurricane / The Originals

Chapter 24

Lies come in many forms—white lies, subtle deceptions crafted to shield us from harsh truths. Yet my entire existence was a tapestry of falsehoods, intricately woven through every conversation and interaction. I lived oblivious to the hidden currents shaping my life, as though between each spoken word lay a void where truth should have been.

Consider the echoes of childhood: "Darling, you're a werewolf," or "The things that go bump in the night will one day protect you." Or, more unsettlingly, "You are the thing that goes bump in the night." That all would have been great to hear. They say midlife crises strike in your 50s, but mine seemed to descend upon me in my early 20s. How fractured must one be to turn to the very force they were taught to fear, only to find it's the one thing that keeps them alive?

Now, as I sit on this couch, tears streaming, surrounded by those who claim to care, I'm shattered by the weight of the deception.

But the thing is this is a turning point for Cleo. Her perception has shifted. She notices the details now—the way Nik's gaze lingers on her, hawk-like and intense. She feels his scrutiny, his silent examination of her body for bruises and marks. There's something primal in his watchfulness, something that has changed within him. Almost like with her turning more beast-like has caused his beast to stir.

"I'm a dog," I said, pacing back and forth.

"Love, if you say that one more time, I might take offense," Klaus remarked, his voice carrying a hint of irritation.

On the couch sat a pregnant Hayley, alongside Elijah, Rebekah, and Klaus, all of them observing me with a mix of curiosity and concern.

Elijah stood up and positioned himself in front of me, placing his hands firmly on my shoulders. "You need to sit down," he instructed. I complied, not willing to argue with him.

Klaus, leaning against the wall, continued, "You have a birthmark on your shoulder, one that matches Hayley's. Such birthmarks are only found in those born into the Crescent Moon clan."

I looked at him, my confusion evident. "My parents?"

Hayley took a deep breath before speaking. "You were adopted, just like me."

I stared at Hayley, struggling to process her words. "Adopted? Really? That's a lot to take in."

Elijah, keeping his hands on my shoulders, gave me a reassuring look. "I know this is a shock, Cleo. But there's more to it than just the adoption."

Klaus, leaning against the wall with a thoughtful expression, added, "Your birthmark is a sign of a connection to the Crescent Moon clan, which means there's a significant part of your past we need to uncover."

Hayley, looking serious yet sympathetic, continued, "Your parents—well, they put you up for adoption to protect you. The Crescent Moon clan has its own dangers, and they wanted you to be safe."

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to stay calm. "So, what does this mean for me now?"

Rebekah, who had been quiet the entire time, finally spoke up with a comforting smile. "Cleo, you found the right place. With a werewolf and a hybrid around, I'm sure they can help you with this transition. You're not alone in this."

I looked down, feeling the weight of my actions pressing heavily on my chest. "I can't believe I killed him," I said, the realization hitting me again with full force.

Elijah, trying to lighten the mood, gave a small, reassuring laugh. "Well, if you hadn't, Klaus and I would have probably tortured him ourselves. So think of it as doing us a favor."

I couldn't help but let out a shaky laugh despite the gravity of the situation. "Great, just what I needed to hear. I'm a hero for saving you from a torturous fate."

Klaus, stepping forward with a grin, added, "Exactly".

With a heavy sigh, I finally stand up, feeling the exhaustion of the day catch up with me. "I think I'm going to head home and get some rest. There's just too much to process, and not enough time in the day."

Authors note-----

Hi guys I want to thank everyone for there support and deciding to pick and read this book. I know this is a short chapter but its the set up for a much larger plot. Im looking forward to countinue the writing process for this book. Thank you all for your love and support it means so much. If there is anything you want to see in the story or have any advice all is welcome and what are your thoughts..........

Elijah 

or

Klaus