His Muse (Klaus Mikaelson/The Vampire Diaries)

Chapter Nineteen

Klaus couldn't help but grin as he took his place beside his mate. After snapping Ray's neck, all scent of another alpha on Bethany had vanished. When Ray woke up as a Hybrid, he would no longer be an alpha - therefore - would not be posing as a threat between himself and his little artist.

"How was your sister?" Klaus questioned. Although he wasn't particularly interested in the younger Forbes', he thought it best to be polite.

"She didn't answer her phone." Bethany replied, "She always answers."

"I know." Klaus agreed, "I can hear her shrill voice telling you all about her boyfriend problems, as though she's in the room with us."

The blonde was obviously concerned about her little sister, and excused herself to go and phone her mother.

Klaus allowed her to go, he had to admit, as much as Rebekah irritated and annoyed him - if he couldn't reach her - he would be worried for her. She was his little sister, after all.

The Original Hybrid looked up as Stefan waltzed back inside Southern Comfort. "Ah, that was fast. You're back."

"Did you doubt me?

"Only for a second. But, I knew you'd pass the test. You still care for your brother, for your old life."

"Nah, I don't care about anything anymore."

Klaus couldn't help but scoff, "You put on a good show Stefan. I almost believe you. Let's hope, for your brother's sake, he does. You never stop caring about family, do you? But, every time you feed, the blood makes it easier to let go."

Stefan 'hmmed' in agreement. "Bethany still trying to contact Caroline?"

"She's trying her mother now. Little Forbes didn't answer."

"That's because she's been abducted." Stefan replied nonchalantly, "Damon told me. Apparently their dad - who they thought had left their mum for another man - is a vampire hunter. They're still trying to locate where he's taken Caroline."

Klaus' interest was piqued, "So, being a huntress runs in the family? How fascinating."

"That's all you picked up on?" Stefan questioned, "You do realise that she will want to return to Mystic Falls now, don't you?"

"Then you'd best keep your mouth shut." Klaus glanced outside the window, to see Bethany laughing on the phone with her mother. "It appears as though the sheriff doesn't know about Caroline yet."

Stefan nodded and got to his feet. Klaus allowed him to leave, because he could see that his huntress was finishing up her conversation. He preferred her company to that of the Rippers' anyway.

Stefan and Bethany met at the door, and the younger Salvatore held the door open for her to enter. She did so with a small smile of gratitude, and Klaus immediately put on a concerned expression.

"Is everything alright, sweetheart?"

"Mum said the last time she saw her was this morning, with Tyler."

"Ah, see, nothing to worry about, love."

Stefan entered the bar again, and slipped his mobile back into his pocket. "Are we ready to go?" He asked.

"I think so, yes." Klaus replied with a smile, "Carry the body, Stefan. We've got a long walk ahead of us. Barkeep? Get the lovely lady here a bottle of water for our hike, would you? Good man."

"Where are we hiking?" Bethany asked.

"Smoky Mountains." Klaus replied, "I suggest your bring your camera, in case you see anything that inspires your art."

Klaus drove them to the Smoky Mountains, and after Bethany ensured she had her camera and a pair of trainers that weren't going to give her blisters, Stefan hitched Ray's body onto his shoulder. Then, they were on their way.

Again, Bethany walked a little further ahead of them. Klaus could see how much she enjoyed being outdoors, and the more pictures she took with her camera, the more satisfied he felt that this trip that he had asked her so politely to come on, was good for her.

He was glad that she hadn't changed out of her shorts, for the sight on her long and slender legs were appeasing to his eyes. Oh, how he wanted to run his hands up her thighs and caress her smooth skin-

"-Which way, Nik?"

Her question pulled Klaus out of his filthy thoughts, and he grinned up at her. "The left path will take us to the top, sweetheart."

She nodded, before turning around again and taking the path that he had suggested. The Original Hybrid, in a good mood, found himself turning to Stefan, who was lagging a little behind them.

"You okay? Is Ray getting heavy?

"I'm fine."

"You sure about that? You know, we've been walking for quite some time now. If you need some water or a little sit-down...I mean, we do have a human with us, if you'd like an excuse for a break?"

"You know, I get that we're, uh...we're stuck together, but if we could maybe just skip the chitchat, it'd be great."

"So much brooding. Your self-loathing is suffocating you, my friend."

"Maybe it's because I'm tired of being the third wheel here."

Klaus scoffed, "As opposed to have been the third wheel in Mystic Falls?"

Stefan sighed, "Maybe it's 'cause I'm a little tired of hunting werewolves. We've been at it all summer."

"Thanks to our pal Ray, we found ourselves a pack." He picked up on voices then, and noticed that Bethany had stopped to take a photograph while she waited for them to catch up. "And it appears as though we have arrived."

Klaus vamped ahead to keep an eye on Bethany, now that Ray was dead, it was possible that his alpha status had moved onto one of the other pack members. Stefan caught up with them as they entered the camp, and everyone stopped what they were doing to get a good look at the newcomers.

Stefan dropped Ray's body onto the ground, and a woman immediately rushed over to crouch beside the alphas body.

"Ray! Oh, my God. What's going on? Who are you?" She asked, looking up at Stefan.

"The important question is who am I. Please forgive the intrusion. My name is Klaus."

The woman gasped, and recognition flashed across her face, "You're the hybrid."

Klaus felt empowered again, and he couldn't keep the grin off of his face, "You've heard of me. Fantastic."