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

Chapter 14

Alex's P.O.V

Klaus sped me to our bedroom and I sat down as Klaus paced back and forth in front of me. My brain was having a hard time processing the information Finn gave us. "Do you think it's true?" I asked Klaus.

He stopped and turned to me. "I don't know," Klaus answered and I bowed my head. He came up to me and kneeled down then tilted my chin up, so I'd look at him. "If it is, we'll protect them."

"Finn said to the firstborn, Klaus. That means Cordelia, not Leo." I told him. "I won't let my son grow up without his sister."

"Neither will I," Klaus stated and I felt my phone buzz. It was a text from Hayley about the meeting.

"Shit," I whispered. "I have to go. The meeting's starting." I got up and made my way to the door.

"You came back here for a reason," Klaus said and I turned to him. "Why?"

"I found out about a unification ceremony," I told him. "It marries Alphas that can bestow unique abilities to their packs, like our abilities as Hybrids. Victor and Hayley have been together for a while now, and since Victor's a hybrid, it would give both our packs the ability to control their shift without the rings."

"Meaning my mother no longer has a hold on them," Klaus expanded and I nodded.

"But it's a genuine marriage, if they choose to not go through with it...we have to find another way," I answered. I saw an idea pop into Klaus's mind, but I didn't have the time to ask. I kissed him on the cheek and said, "I'll be at the church, ok? I love you." Then sped out of the compound.

~At the Church~

"I know you're all angry and scared," Hayley said as I walked in. I made sure to be as quiet as possible, while I leaned against the doorframe at the back of the church. Victor was next to her with Charles. "But we are a pack no matter what."

One of the wolves stood up and walked into the middle aisle, "You've been checked out for months. Why should we listen to you?" He asked her and Aiden stood up then looked at him.

"Because she's the alpha," Aiden stated. "You got a problem with that?"

"I'm quite curious about what Hayley has to say," I spoke up, and every head turned to me, but I didn't move from my spot.

"This is a pack meeting," The unknown wolf said to me. "You're not one of us," I smirked as I walked up to him and got right up in his face.

"Do you want me to take off my shirt and show you my birthmark, or are you just going to take my word for it?" I challenged him. "Not to mention it was me who helped free you of the curse Marcel placed on everyone in this room. I'm as much a member as you, so get off of your high horse and kindly sit back down."

"Then, what about him?!" The wolf pointed to Victor and I came around to stand in front of him again. "He's not a crescent."

"But he has been protecting you with Hayley," I answered. The guy opened his mouth but I raised a hand to stop him. "And before you say he's not a wolf," I held out my hand to the side. My nails started to grow out like claws, then started to transform into a wolf paw, and my eyes glowed gold. After a moment, I shifted back, and my arm and face went back to human form. "Let me reassure you all hybrids are in fact werewolves too. Except we don't need those tacky rings to control when we shift." I turned around and sat down on the stairs leading to the altar. "If you want the same? Then, sit down, shut up, and listen."

Hayley smiled at me as she continued her speech, "You all need help and you know it. Now, whatever you think of Alex, what she says is true. She was born a crescent, and Victor has defended us and helped us in any way he could." She took a breath. "Since I'm the last of the Labonair line, that makes me an Alpha. Victor used to be an Alpha before he transitioned into a hybrid. Now I know many of you bought the story you grew up on, the Unification myth. Well, it's all true." There were mummers among the pack as Hayley looked at Victor for a moment.

"Which means," She continued. "If Victor and I get married, anyone with the guts to turn up to the ceremony has as much control over their wolf form as he does." More mummers occurred and I smiled at my great-great-granddaughter. "This isn't just about uniting our pack. It's about forming a new community." Victor moved to stand closer to her. "This ceremony will change everything for us. It'll give us the strength we need to defend ourselves. Then and only then will we finally have peace."

I stood up and looked at them. "The choice is yours," I moved to the end of the aisle as I looked at everyone. "Keep the ring and be another one of Esther Mikaelson slaves, or be part of the greatest pack that ever lived," I told them.

There were more mummers as I placed my hands behind my back, waiting for their response. Aiden stood and walked up to me. "I'm in," He stated and dropped the ring while looking at Hayley and Victor.

~

I walked out of the church after the werewolves left, to give Hayley and Victor some time alone. Charles was by my side as I walked back to the compound. "Now where the hell do we find a shaman?" I asked out loud and he laughed.

"I can do it," Charles said and I was surprised. "I'm technically a pack elder, which will count as a shaman."

"Ok, then," I said as we walked closer to the compound. "I'll talk to you tomorrow." He nodded before going to the Bayou as I walked into the compound. As I entered, Klaus and Kol were rushing out. "Hey-"

"You can tell us about the meeting on the way," Klaus said as he led me to the garage. "Get in," He commanded while gesturing to his car. Kol had already gotten into the back seat when I looked at Klaus

"Where are we going?" I asked him and he stopped opening the driver's door to look at me.

"To see our children," Klaus answered and I stared at him speechlessly, before we got in and left.