Longing ~ Klaus Mikaelson(book 2)

walk away

Rebekah was practically buzzing with excitement as she pulled me out of the house and into the bright afternoon sun. “Bonnie, you need this,” she insisted, practically dragging me toward her car. “We’re going shopping! You’ve been cooped up with Klaus for days. A little retail therapy will do you wonders.”

I smiled, though a part of me was reluctant. I loved spending time with Rebekah, but the weight of everything—especially the baby—had been catching up to me. Still, her enthusiasm was infectious, and before I knew it, we were in the middle of the town’s shopping district, bouncing from one boutique to another. The lively chatter of the streets and the smell of fresh coffee in the air helped lift my spirits as I tried on clothes and laughed at the ridiculous outfits she picked out for me.

As we sat down at a small café for a much-needed break, Rebekah’s usual lighthearted energy shifted. She fidgeted with her iced latte, her gaze darting away from mine, clearly wrestling with something.

“Bonnie, there’s something I need to tell you,” she finally said, her voice a little softer than usual.

“Okay…” I said, feeling the shift in mood and leaning in closer.

She let out a sigh and then looked at me, almost hesitant. “I think… I think I’m starting to like Damon.”

I blinked, caught completely off guard. Damon? The man with a notorious track record of using people? The guy who had turned my own mother into a vampire, leaving her in a state of utter despair?

I wanted to say something, but I had to take a moment to collect my thoughts. I looked at Rebekah, really looked at her—the vulnerability in her eyes, the hope. She wasn’t just talking about some crush; this meant something to her. She had been through centuries of betrayal and pain, always looking for love but never quite finding it. She deserved happiness, and if Damon somehow made her feel that way, who was I to immediately shoot it down?

“Rebekah,” I said gently, reaching for her hand. “You… you deserve to find love. You deserve someone who makes you feel cherished.”

Her eyes lit up a little, and she squeezed my hand. “Thank you, Bonnie. I wasn’t sure how you’d take it, especially considering, well… everything, But youre my sister and i dont want us to ever keep anything from eachother.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, everything with Damon and me is… complicated, but that doesn’t mean he can’t change. Just promise me one thing?”

“Of course,” she said, her smile more genuine now.

“If there’s any sign, even a hint that he’s using you or not being genuine, don’t wait around. Walk away, Rebekah. You deserve more than being someone’s fallback or pawn.”

She sighed and nodded, though I could see a trace of doubt in her eyes. “I know. I will. I promise.”

We finished our coffee and went back to shopping, but a part of me couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Rebekah was so hopeful, so full of belief in the idea that someone could care about her after all the pain she’d endured. I just didn’t want to see her heart shattered again. As the evening grew darker, we decided to split up briefly—I had a craving for something from the Mystic Grill, and Rebekah had spotted another boutique she wanted to browse.

As I walked into the Mystic Grill, the familiar buzz of chatter filled the air. It was meant to be a quick stop—a bite to eat before I headed home after an afternoon of shopping with Rebekah. But, of course, nothing was ever that simple in Mystic Falls.

Sitting at the bar, leaning back with his usual smug confidence, was Damon Salvatore.

Just perfect.

I was about to ignore him and slip past when he turned, catching sight of me. That irritating smirk spread across his face. “Bonnie Bennett. What brings you here? Decided to slum it with us mortals?”