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chapter nine ━ shards of glass

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❝ our family is broken ❞

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"IF HE WASN'T her brother, I'd kill him," Thomas confessed, entering the living room where Elijah and Rebekah were. The two of them were discussing how much they screwed up with Klaus. He personally didn't find it okay that the Original blamed Athena for it. She believed in her brother and yet he still got mad at her. How could he? The female just wanted to be happy and Klaus couldn't accept that. Maybe he was jealous but the redhead doubted it.

Rebekah raised an eyebrow, looking confused. "Why's that?" Elijah turned his attention to him, also interested in his reasoning for the blunt statement. Neither of them had ever heard him so furious or upset about something.

Thomas threw his one hand, his face twisting into a scowl. "Because now Athena has gone into a pit of rethinking her choices. Klaus got it into her head that she didn't make the right ones." He was extremely concerned, the tenseness in his shoulders giving it away. The blonde Original saw and smiled slightly at the devotion this boy held for her sister.

Little did they know, Athena was coming to a conclusion upstairs. She thought about what Klaus said and then thought about if he was right or if he was wrong. If he was indeed right, what was she going to do to fix the problem? But the brunette got closer to one answer and then would switch to the other. Was it so crazy for her to cling onto Thomas in fear of him disappearing? Was it unacceptable that she was willing to give everything she had to him? Had she moved too fast?

Okay, so maybe she had. Running towards him and never letting him may have been too big of a leap. And yet she couldn't help but justify her actions. She just wanted to be happy with her mate and her family. Getting her memories back was in there somewhere. All Athena really wanted was to have a good life. Thomas could get her that, he was a part of that. So with that, the female Nyx made her choice. No matter what Klaus threw at her, she'd fight for her happiness with Thomas. She didn't want it any other way.

Walking down the stairs and pulling on her jacket, Athena looked to the side and saw a blue truck parked outside. Movers were packing up a huge painting and suddenly Rebekah stomped towards them. "Absolutely not! I paid for that!"

"You paid for something?" her sister questioned, smiling. 

Rebekah spun to her and sighed, glad to see the girl back to her normal self. Now Thomas could quit pouting and worrying about her. "I hardly see how that's relevant. Nik's just punishing us." The men continued packing up some of the furniture. "They better not touch my closet!"

"Well, Nik's upset with all of us at the moment."

She frowned and shook her head. Rebekah still couldn't believe what she and Elijah had done because she didn't blame Athena for anything. "We believed the worst about him, the one time in a million when the worst wasn't actually the truth."

Elijah was the next to appear, walking to the open door. Athena watched him leave with a perplexed expression. "Where are you going?"

He stopped and turned to them, fixing the sleeve of his suit. "To make sure Hayley doesn't suffer for our mistakes. Niklaus is feeling vindictive. We cannot trust that she is safe." The sisters made a face, agreeing with him. They didn't move to follow him when he exited the house. Rebekah was the first to leave, giving her sister a quick hug before following.

Athena stared at them through the open door. Thomas finally showed up and went over to her instantly. "Hey." She looked at him and smiled. "You okay? You bailed earlier and I got worried." He did look awfully concerned for her which made her smile more. Never in a thousand years did she think her life would be this. And despite all of the heartbreak, pain, and bloodshed, she wouldn't trade her life for anything.

"I'm fine. I just needed some time to think that's all." Athena kissed him on the cheek. "Come on, we have a pregnant wolf to save." He smiled back at her, glad to have her back. The two of them flashed off towards the compound.

Hayley had been trying to escape the horrid place. After Klaus made the announcement to annihilate that entire werewolf population in the bayou, she knew she had to contact the Nyxs somehow. These were their people, these were the species they called family. She would've called if she had a phone on her. Luckily, the vampires seemed to be busy so she snuck to the door, only to be stopped by Diego.

"Going somewhere?"

Jumping back in shock, Hayley opened her mouth to respond with a lie when Elijah appeared and snapped his neck. He tossed the body to the side. She gave him a look. "Elijah, you shouldn't be here. Klaus has his guys watching me."

Elijah shrugged to show that it didn't really matter. Rebekah, Athena, and Thomas appeared. The blonde kicked down two more vampires. Hayley sighed in relief at the sight of them. Athena looked around them. "Come on, we have to get you somewhere safe before more of them show up."

"No, you don't have to worry about me. I'm fine." They gave her a questioning look. "I've been deemed under protection by the almighty Klaus." She looked at the Nyxs. "It's the werewolves who need help. He ordered a wolf hunt as some jacked-up peace offering to Marcel's crew. You have to help them."

Athena growled and so did Thomas. The redhead cursed Klaus out. "I'm gonna tear that asshole apart."

His mate scoffed. "Not if I get to him first. But we have to save the wolves." Rebekah was about to protest but the girl cut her off. "This is our people, Bekah. This is Hayley's family. We have to protect them from harm. Even if that means betraying Klaus. Again." She nodded in reply and flashed off to the Bayou. Elijah gave Hayley one last look before following.

Thomas sighed. "You're sure you will be okay here?"

"I'm sure." Hayley nodded to assure them. "Go save our family." Athena gave her a smile and promised they would. She interlocked hands with Thomas and they flashed off to the Bayou.

It was a peaceful place despite the buzzing of the animals. But in a way, that was what made it so nice and calm. The blistering heat was definitely something Athena would change. Perhaps it could be a bit colder. If she didn't know that wolves lurked in the shadows, she would've never noticed. There wasn't a trace of them anywhere. Besides the occasional whiff of scents, there was nothing else.

Diego and his men had woken up from getting their necks snapped and quickly made their way to the Bayou where the Mikaelsons and Thomas were waiting patiently. The vampire ordered the men them to break off into groups so they could cover more ground. Athena was the first to emerge from the trees, smirking at him. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"The hell are you doing out here?"

She shrugged. "Enjoying the scenery."

"Yeah. Whatever." He tried to move past her but Thomas appeared, the two other Originals appearing behind him so the men were surrounded. Diego's jaw clenched, looking around to see that he was indeed stuck. "Back off."

Rebekah sighed dramatically. "Oh Diego, it would be such a shame to have to rearrange that pretty face." She punched him in the face and he recoiled, backing up into Thomas who glared down at him.

Once he recovered, he scowled at them. "What the hell do you care about wolves?"

"Generally we don't," Athena answered. "But they are our people and we're going to protect them. This clan is not to be touched." She waited for a second, letting him soak in the info before smiling falsely. "Goodbye now."

The rest of them smiled sweetly at the young vamp. Rebekah waved at him. "Bye." Diego didn't look too happy that their hunting party was cut short but still listened and turned around, whistling to the men, letting them now that they were leaving. "Ah, great. I think as well our job here is done."

Elijah got a strange sense and denied her comment. "Not quite." He sped away and they followed him to see Eve standing by a tree, waiting for them. Athena smiled at her. "We're not here to harm you. Hello, again. Eve, was it?"

Rebekah said how this must be one of Hayley's friends because she hadn't met Eve when they were dealing with Elijah's werewolf bite. The werewolf gave them a kind look. "Hayley sent you here to protect us, didn't she? Tell her we appreciate the concern, but we've been looking out for ourselves for a while now. Nobody finds us unless we wanna be found."

"Well, we found you, so..." Rebekah trailed off.

They all gave her a look. Eve replied, "Like I said. There's something I thought you and your family should know about." She started off with a stake and map in hand. Athena and Thomas followed instantly, Elijah next with Rebekah being the last to follow. She didn't trust the wolf but knew that if her siblings did, then she could.

Athena was close to the front until Thomas grabbed her hand, pulling her to slow down. So they were now in the back. Raising her eyebrow in question, he gave her a concerned frown. "You sure you're okay? Betraying your brother can't be easy."

"I'm trying not to think about it as betraying him. More like saving my family. Besides, Klaus was out of line. He doesn't want to be left alone, he doesn't want to lose us. And me being with you makes him think that he'll lose me. Rebekah being with Marcel, Elijah being with Hayley also means that. But ordering the wolves to be slaughtered is taking it too far. He knows what they mean to Hayley, you, and me."

He gave her a smile and squeezed her hand. "Well, I'm glad you're making your own choice. And about what happened yesterday—"

She laughed, shaking her head. "You're fine, Thomas. I'm not mad. But the fact that you feel the need to apologize is kinda cute." He laughed with her, growing a bit embarrassed that he ever thought she was mad at him. Unbeknownst to them, Eve had overheard them and was smiling widely. Seeing the two rulers so happy with each other made her feel happy. Rebekah thought their little moment was adorable and Elijah didn't seem to be paying attention. Lost in thought about Hayley no doubt.

Soon enough they came to stop at a lake. Eve set down the map, letting them crowd around it to look. Pointing at different sites, she began to explain. "Surrounded by 20,000 acres of swamp, the ones born here, who now know it like the backs of our hands, will be fine. But here—" She pointed to a site. "—newcomers from out of state. Not of Hayley's and my kin. But, word's spread about that baby of hers. A lot of werewolves wanna see this miracle pregnancy for themselves. Only now, the vampires are out looking for blood, and all these werewolves new at the Bayou might not know where to hide."

"You say that like we're supposed to care," Rebekah pointed out, ignoring the looks she got from the Nyxs.

"Believe me, you're gonna want them kept alive."

Athena glanced at Thomas then back at Eve. "Why? I mean I want them alive but there's a reason besides that?"

The untriggered wolf nodded. "See for yourself."

———

The evening had arrived and the Originals, Thomas in tow, were still in the Bayou. They were making their way through the werewolf camps, looking for the group of wolves Eve told them about. Athena sighed at the sight. It was not pretty. Every single tent and trailer was disgusting looking, empty cans and random trash littering the floor. Humans probably came here for parties and trash the place as a result. She frowned. "Wow. They just threw stuff together didn't they?"

Elijah opened a door to a trailer and then called, "Empty."

"Behind on their payments, perhaps?" Rebekah guessed. Athena chuckled at that, seeing the bored look on her sister's face. Thomas was making his way to another trailer to check, also finding it empty. Elijah told them to keep searching and the blonde groaned. "Let's not, and tell Hayley that we did. Then, you get to impress the girl, and I can go home. You know how hovels depress me."

Athena smiled sadly, joining her sister to look at their noble-brother who was avoiding Rebekah's comment. He smiled weakly at them. "I'm not trying to impress the girl."

The two of them laughed. Rebekah smiled. "I should bloody hope you are, why else are we out here?" He didn't respond and Athena nudged her sister. "Come on, Elijah! You've fallen for her, admit it! May do wonders for the stick that's lodged up your enduringly-stoic arse if you did."

"She's got a point, Elijah," Thomas piqued, going over to them and standing next to his mate. "And you're a pretty awful liar. Not to mention even a blind man could see how you feel for her." They all looked over at him with surprise. He shrugged. "What? I'm a hopeless romantic."

They all laughed and Elijah grinned. "If I admit to you all that it's complicated, would that suffice? Or, are you all determined to torment me throughout this endeavor?"

"Last option," Athena told him, still laughing. Suddenly, their playful chatter was cut off when they heard a noise. The followed the source and found the vampire hunting party. One of them was feeding off a male wolf. Instantly, the Queen and King flashed over. Thomas beat Athena to grabbing the vampire, holding him by the throat.

"Hello there Diego. Fancy seeing you here." He broke his leg by kicking his own leg at the back of them. Diego crumbled to the ground. "You all can leave." None of them other vamps moved. Rebekah moved to stand by Elijah while Athena stayed in her place beside Thomas. "Okay in case you thick-headed babies didn't understand me, I'll say it again. You can leave or we will kill you all and then deliver your heads to the people you care about. And seeing how you couldn't even take care of Klaus when you guys clearly had the advantage, I suggest you leave."

Diego got frustrated and embarrassed, but he reluctantly left, the other vampires following. Before they did, Thomas sped over and killed one of them, ripping his heart out. Diego glared and the redhead smirked. "Just to be safe." They left quickly, not wanting to receive the same fate.

Rebekah smirked. "Impressive! Who knew you had a dramatic and sarcastic side?"

Athena playfully glared. "Hands off, Rebekah." She went over and wrapped her arms around Thomas's waist. "He's mine." Her sister merely chuckled and Elijah laughed as well. The wolf Diego had been feeding on got up from where he had been on the floor, groaning in pain.

He gets up and stared at them suspiciously. "Who are you people?"

Elijah approached the boy then stopped he noticed a distinctive ring that the boy wore around his neck. His expression morphed into one of surprise. The other three noticed and exchanged looks. The Original touched the ring. "I would say the better question is, who are you?"

———

While the three Originals went back to the plantation house, Thomas had excused himself, saying he wanted to go back to his apartment and take a shower. Athena let him leave, but not before giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. She got a bit flustered afterward which he found cute, giving her a kiss on the cheek in reply before taking off.

Athena peeled her jacket off her body, calling to Rebekah and Elijah who were in the other room. "I feel so gross." She shivered at the sweat clinging to her body.

"Serves you right, for your pathetic attempt to undermine my rule," Klaus spoke up from where he sat at the piano. The other two immediately entered the room at the sound of their brother's voice.

Rebekah was the first to say something. "Nik, listen."

He didn't look too happy with them. But then again, they weren't too happy with him either. "When I order werewolves to be hunted to extinction, I expect you to stand aside and let the blood flow."

Athena scoffed, throwing her hands up. "Oh, our bad for going to save Hayley's family. It's not like they mean anything to her or anything." She was still pissed at him for the stunt he pulled with the wolves. They weren't just her people, they were family to Hayley. And she'd be damned if she let someone live without a family. Though the pregnant wolf did have them, the Mikaelson siblings were broken and they all knew Hayley would be better off without them.

Elijah threw the ring he found at Klaus. He looked at it as their brother explained what it was. "Do you recognize it? Perhaps you don't. It has been a thousand years since you last saw it grace the hand of our mother. The ring was in possession of one of the very wolves whose extinction you just ordered. So, naturally, I questioned him. He spoke of a legend. A legend wherein long ago, a chief of theirs had fathered a child with a very powerful witch. Their mythology further states that this child, a son, was later transformed into something this clan had never before seen. Something werewolf and vampire."

Rebekah continued for him. "Nik, we're trying to make amends. We found remnants of your family. The bloodline of your true father. And we saved them from being slaughtered at the hands of the vampires you command."

Athena then finished their speech off. "This could be an opportunity, Nik. This can be your chance to get to know your bloodline. And we are your family. We will never leave you no matter what you do and no matter what you say. We'll always come back because we're family. Come home.

"What home?" Klaus questioned. "This pathetic substitute? You see, despite all your doubts, all your attempts to thwart me, I've reclaimed our true home. I took back the entire city."

Elijah couldn't help but retort with something about Hayley. "You have the audacity to boast of your victory when the mother of your child remains your prisoner?"

The look on their brother's face told them that what Elijah said was wrong. He couldn't stand the thought that his siblings were finding their own love while he was sitting alone. "It all comes down to the pretty little wolf, doesn't it, brother?"

Rebekah was beginning to get angry with him. "Stop it, both of you!"

Klaus stood up from behind the piano. "Even if this is what you say it is, I have had enough of family to last me a lifetime. Why would I possibly want any more?" He left them there and Athena felt a pang in her chest.

She spun around. "So much for finding me and mending our broken family, right?" He stopped at the doorway. "We have done nothing but stand by you through everything. Sure, we've had our ups and downs but we always come back. You told me that you all searched for me for centuries. This isn't what I wanted to come back to. I would've been better off in that coffin if I knew I would've had to go through all of this."

Brushing past him, Athena sped off into the night. Klaus looked back at his siblings to see them both giving him that knowing looks. They all knew their sister was right. Searching for her all those years broke them apart even more. And then that little girl came back only to find shards of glasses. Pieces of her own family.

———

Thomas had gotten out of the shower when he heard a sound within his apartment. He had luckily got dressed around, his hair sticking to his forehead due to it being wet still. Taking slow steps to his bedroom, he stopped when a familiar scent reached his nose. Athena was sitting on the bed with her hands in her lap, twiddling her fingers with silent tears going down her cheek.

Dropping the towel dirty clothes on his dresser, Thomas went over and crouched down in front of her, placing a gentle hand on her knee. "Hey. What's wrong?"

She opened her mouth to explain but then her lip quivered, the sobs suddenly hitting her hard in the chest. Athena grabbed him and wrapped her arms around his neck, crying. It was just all too much. Being the Queen of werewolves, having a soulmate, being an aunt (which she didn't realize scared the shit out of her until that day), dealing with the death of Kol and Finn, Klaus being upset with her, her body couldn't process it all. And it was all attacking her at once which felt overwhelming.

He instantly held her, moving to the bed so he could hold her properly without hurting her. Brushing her hair, Thomas soothed her through her tears. Everything she was feeling was transferred to him because of their bond. And he could feel the constant memories making her doubt herself. She thought that he'd leave, she thought she wasn't good enough for her niece, she thought she wasn't good enough for anybody or anything. To ease her worries just a bit he sighed and whispered,

"I love you. And you're good enough. You'll always be good enough."

———

Sorry for the awful chapter! I'm actually surprised by the word count (3,907). But anyway, I know Athena's breakdown might not make sense to some of you. The reasoning for it is because despite Esther's aging her, she is still that little girl on the inside and she will always have that part of her. So the younger version of herself was young (obviously) and had to go through a ton of stuff. And the older version of her is now having to face that again + her doubts now that she's an aunt and the Queen of the wolves. That's a lot for her to handle. If you even think about coming after her, I'll fight you because my ocs are my bbys. Also, Thomas is just so cute that I wish he was real. I know I say this every chapter but he gets better and better.

What did you think about Athena's breakdown? What did you think about Thomas comforting Athena?

I hope you guys have a great day/night and don't forget to vote on this chapter, comment your thoughts, and follow me for updates!