For Good | Hale- TO/TW [8]

10 | Girl/Boy Talk

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The Bayou stinks as Klaus stands before the Crescent pack. The trees cloud the sun, and birds chirp in the distance. Klaus could do without the false hope the birds give him.

"Why would the werewolves take down their own Alpha?" Lisina, the wolf acting as Alpha, asks. She crosses her arms and glances at her right-hand man.

Klaus meets her question with a grin. "That's a valid question. Perhaps one of your fellow swampmates can shed some light?"

Lisina scoffs. Anger flickers in her eyes. "We are the victims here. A bloodsucker killed Henry for being a hybrid."

Klaus shakes his head. "No, you wolves saw the boy as an abomination as well. Who's to say the same disgust didn't extend to Hayley?" As Lisina huffs in rage, Klaus leans in. "A guilty wolf could just point fingers at vampires to cover their tracks."

Lisina's eyes drift away from Klaus'. He watches as her demeanor shifts from subdued anger to confidence. A smirk appears on her lips.

Klaus narrows his eyes. "If you didn't take her, I suggest you find out who did."

"Back off, Klaus," a voice says. Klaus spins around, his expression annoyed. Before him stands Derek, his eyes burning red. Behind Derek, a young man Klaus recognizes stares at him. The boy glances at Derek before flashing his yellow eyes with a famous Hale smirk.

Only once Klaus sees this does he know exactly who the boy is.

"The werewolves didn't take Hayley," Derek says, walking up to Klaus. "And now, Lexi is herself again. Go against the wolves, and you'll have a problem."

"Derek," Klaus greets, a strained smile on his lips. "If you believe so vehemently that the wolves are innocent, prove it. Bring me the head of whoever has Hayley. Or, better yet, have Lexi do it."

Derek mirrors Klaus' smile. "Lexi is with Stella in Mystic Falls. She's going to help your daughter control her magic. But, I'll play your game. I am, after all, part of the family."

The boy coughs awkwardly behind Derek. "We'll help look for Hayley," he says. "Just stay away from the wolves."

Klaus' blue eyes land on the boy. The hybrid looks the wolf over twice before sticking out his neck. "Hello, Teddy. You've aged."

Teddy's eyes narrow. "So has your daughter." Klaus' expression drops. "Leave the wolves alone, and we'll talk to Vincent about some witch power. Plus, we have Ezra."

"Ezra?" Klaus repeats.

"Right," Teddy drawls, stepping towards Klaus and placing his finger on his temple. "You didn't see me when you went for Elijah, did you?" A low growl echoes from Klaus' throat. "Ezra Bennett—Bennett witch who happens to be my roommate. He'll help me out. You? I'm not so sure."

The barely restrained anger on Klaus' face makes Derek step between him and Teddy. "Go back to town," Derek orders. "and calm down."

Klaus sends Teddy a glare before he disappears from the Bayou. Lisina turns to the two Hales with a grateful expression. "Thank god for you two."

Derek shrugs. "Klaus is annoying, but he means well. We'll keep him in check. In the meantime, help us try to find Hayley."

Lisina nods before she turns to her right hand. Derek looks back at Teddy with a proud grin. "So, first impressions of Klaus?"

Teddy rolls his eyes. "Just like you said he would be."

—|—|—|—

Lexi and Stella walk up the stairs of the Salvatore school, talking quietly. "So, that's why Freya's avoiding Hope?" Stella asks. "Vincent's lady friend thinks Hope is going to destroy New Orleans?"

Lexi sighs, shaking her head. "Hope's destiny is not set in stone. It's our job to keep her sane while the others find her mother."

Stella nods as they stop before a door. Hope's name is written on a whiteboard on the door. Lexi knocks.

Books clatter to the ground. A bed squeaks. The door handle turns, and Hope appears. Her eyes widen at the sight before her. "Aunt Lexi?"

Lexi grins and opens her arms. "Hello, Hope."

Hope sighs in relief as she hugs her aunt. Lexi cups the back of her head, humming softly. "So good to see you, darling," she says, pulling away from the young witch.

Hope glances back at Stella. "So this is why Caroline pulled you away."

Stella shrugs. "Yeah, we'll be here for a while."

Hope looks between the two Hales. "Did something happen?" Hope's voice wavers.

"No," Lexi says. "Your father has search parties scouring every inch of the city. We'll find Hayley."

"I just..." Hope sighs. "When I saw you, I thought that she..."

Lexi nods solemnly. "We'll find her."

Hope mirrors Lexi before furrowing her eyebrows. "Wait, if she's still missing, then why are you here?" Lexi tilts her head to the side. "Not that I'm not happy to see you."

Stella holds up a brown paper bag, the smell of beignets spreading across the room. "Care package from New Orleans. Mom brought them."

"Thought you might want a taste of home," Lexi says, a soft smile on her lips.

"So, you are both staying here to bring me beignets?" Hope asks.

 
"Well, we figured with everything going on, you could use some family," Lexi replies, leaning against the door frame.

Panic lights up in Hope's eyes before she glances down. "Thanks, but I'm really fine."

Lexi purses her lips and hums, her tone suspicious. "You know, I could be wrong after these few weeks as a wolf, but I think this is the part where you invite us in."

Hope nods, "Yeah."

Stella grins. "Yep."

Hope coughs awkwardly before she retreats further into her room. Lexi and Stella step in as Hope gathers the books on the floor.

"Locator spells in 12 ancient languages?" Lexi asks, catching a few of the spells before Hope shuts the books. "Thought you weren't allowed to do magic outside the classroom."

"That's for students," Hope answers. "Plus, this is catch-up reading for a class of mine. I'm trying to make up what I missed." Lexi narrows her eyes. "I've got to get back to work, Aunt Lexi."

"Sure you do," Stella drawls as she sprawls herself over Hope's bed. Lexi follows, lying back. She drapes her arm around Stella as the young witch cuddles into Lexi's embrace. "Or, we could get comfy, stuff our faces with deep-fried glory, and you could tell us about that cute boy you had hidden in your room last week."

Hope's eyes widen as Lexi chuckles. "Please tell us about that cute boy! I've missed too much!"

With that, Hope can't help but smile. She climbs into bed, settling on the other side of Lexi. Lexi grips Hope's arm tightly and kisses her forehead.

"Now," Lexi declares. "Time for girl talk."

I've been having a crappy few days. Sorry, I don't have something more creative to put here.

Hope you enjoyed

-L