Protecting Them (Only His Series: Book 3) *NEW VERSION*

Chapter 1

Alex's P.O.V

February 6th, 2014

It was empty here. Why was I still here? It's not like New Orleans was anything special to me. All the courtyard furniture was covered up with white sheets and plant vines were running up the walls. I took a deep breath and fiddled with my locket for a moment. The spell on the locket was pointless considering hybrids didn't burn in the sun, meaning it was pointless for me to wear it. Reaching behind I undid the clasp and felt as the locket loosened around my neck. I held it in the palm of my hand and stared at it before opening it up. I almost cried at the family photo held within the little golden heart. We were so innocent back then, the world may have hurt us but at least it hadn't separated us. Some people wore their hearts on their sleeves while I wore mine around my neck. No more.

I stuffed my necklace into the pocket of my jacket. I didn't want to move, but I couldn't stand in the archway forever. The compound's current state was a representation of my mood. Dull and gray, frayed at the edges. I wish it were the opposite. Happy and warm, maybe then I wouldn't feel so numb.

"Alex?" I turned and saw Cami walking into the courtyard.

"Cami?" I asked her. "You shouldn't be here."

"I know, but-"

"If you know then leave," I snapped. There may have been a time when I would have listened, but why should I listen anymore. No one listened to me and the price was my children.

"I understand that you're mourning-" Cami started to explain, softly with pity.

"If you plan to finish that sentence with an 'I'm sorry,' I'll stop you right now," I scoffed and Cami looked at me sympathetically. "I don't need your sympathy, or pity, or condolences. You will never understand the pain I'm going through, so don't even bother trying. I lost my children again and Damon-" I choked up. I couldn't even say his name. Closing my eyes I took a deep breath while pushing back the tears. I held onto the necklace in my pocket so tightly, I knew it'd leave an imprint. No more. I gave Cami a tired look, "Leave Cami. You're not meant to be here."

I turned around and made my way towards the stairs. "Francessca's men keep following me." I stopped but didn't turn to her. "The city is being run by gangsters, and you aren't doing anything about it," She explained, but that caused me to whip around to her.

"And why do you think I give two shits about this city?" I asked her. "I only stayed because I wanted my children to know their father, but they're gone now," And let's not mention the fact that my grief caused Victor and Hayley to be absent when Jackson was bribing the pack with moonlight rings so they'll follow him.

"Look, Marcel took them out 100 years ago without you. Don't you think he might be up for lending you a hand?" Cami suggested.

"Are you not hearing me? I. Don't. Give. A. Flying. Fuck. About this city. I never wanted to rule or play Queen. THAT was all Klaus. Not me," I explained to her. "Goodbye Cami." I continued to walk up the staircase once I had finished talking.

"I know you don't believe those rumors that Marcel killed your children." Of course, I don't believe it, because it's not true. The lie we came up with is that Francesca and her new pack were the reason why my children died. Marcel killing them was simply a rumor that sprung from our lie, but it did explain why Marcel wasn't speaking to us. "So if you, or Klaus, or Elijah, want help taking down the Guerreras...you have a weapon across the river just waiting to be fired," She explained. "Use it." I heard her heels click against the concert as I turned around to see her leaving the compound.

I sighed before walking upstairs only to run into Daniel. "I'm assuming you heard all of that," I stated.

"Yes," Daniel replied.