Strange Fates

Chapter 9 - Well, Hello There, Darling

Before the conversation could get much further, it was interrupted by the front door opening. Elijah sighed at the sound of arguing before giving you a tight smile. "It seems we are being graced with the presence of our younger siblings."

The voices grew louder and you turned your attention to the doorway waiting for their owners to make their appearance. A tall blonde female with aristocratic features and a man with dark hair and eyes finally came into view. You ran your gaze over Rebekah first. There was no disputing her beauty though something about the way she carried herself told you that she was well aware of her appeal. She didn't bear much resemblance to any of her brothers though you'd say she looked more like Niklaus than either of the other two if pressed.

Your attention shifted to Kol and you tilted your head as you took him in. He was as attractive as both his older brothers though there was something about him that screamed trouble. The sound of a clearing throat caught the attention of the bickering siblings and their conversation faded as they turned their attention to the rest of you. They seemed surprised to find the three of you sat at the table.

"I thought you were going to be gone for the afternoon," Klaus said, irritation heavy in his voice.

Rebekah's eyes ran over the length of you and her frown deepened. "My ability for tolerating Kol eroded much sooner than usual. Who is this?"

You introduced yourself with a nod.

"Rebekah, Kol, this is our soulmate," Elijah explained further. Nothing in his tone even hinted at him being affected by the oddness of the situation.

Kol's brows shot up and he shifted his attention solely to you. As soon as those dark eyes met yours a shiver shot up your spine. "Did you say our soulmate, brother?"

It was Klaus that answered him. "Yes. It would appear Elijah and I have been gifted with the same soulmate. Be nice."

A smile covered the younger Mikaelson's face. "As if I would be anything but." He sauntered over, closing the distance between you and taking your hand in his own. You gasped as that by now familiar heat flared beneath your skin. Seriously?

Kol's smile turned down right predatory as he placed a kiss on the back of your hand. "Well, hello there, darling."

He moved to take the empty chair beside you, his eyes never moving from you.

"This is a private conversation, brother," Klaus bit out.

Kol left his gaze on you though his smile widened. He rolled up his left sleeve to show the now completed soulmark that sat just below the bend of his elbow. A fist slammed into the table causing you to jump. You turned wide eyes on a furious hybrid.

"Calm yourself, Niklaus," Elijah instructed.

"You cannot be any happier about this than I am."

Your gaze shifted to Elijah who graced you with a soft smile. "Of course, I am not happy. I'd much rather have her to myself. But all things considered, if she must be shared, at least it is between the three of us."

"And what a bloody comfort that is."

Klaus' tone made your stomach churn and you rested a hand against your abdomen as you swallowed past the lump in your throat. You didn't like this situation any more than they did but you had no control over it. And it wasn't as if you could just pick one and forget the others existed. That wouldn't be fair to any of you and you were certain it would break your heart. Even Kol who you just met had a pull on you like nothing you'd ever felt before meeting the trio of brothers.

"Let me see if I am understanding this correctly," Rebekah said from the doorway. You'd forgotten she was even there. She motioned around the table with her finger. "The three of you all have the same soulmate?"