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chapter three ━ so we meet again

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❝ the two rulers ❞

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IF ANYONE WERE walking by at that moment, they would've heard a sickening smack as Athena slapped Thomas across his face. He rubbed his jaw, though no sound came out that indicated he was in pain. She was glaring at him furiously, her hybrid eyes showing. Athena could not believe the one person she actually thought she could trust had said something like that. Thomas was lying, he had to be. According to the lore, Athena would've known the moment she met him. But that didn't happen.

"You low-life snake," she growled. Athena used her speed to push him to the wall, pinning him. "How could you even joke about that?"

Thomas did not struggle, his eyes softening at her outburst. He placed his hand on hers that pushed on his chest. Athena stopped, her hybrid face dissolving. They both stayed quiet before Thomas said in a whisper, "I'm not joking. If you don't believe me, go and ask a witch."

She shook her head, still not removing her grip. "But I don't understand. I was told that I would know..."

His hand moved to her wrist. Thomas slowly peeled it off of him. Gentle. He was gentle with her. The years she spent alive once more was filled with nothing but moments that forced her to grow up, to be strong. There was no other option. There was no loophole. It was growing up or be killed. Athena had become this monster. Never in her right mind did she think her fate, her destiny, would be so great.

No one was gentle with her. Klaus, Rebekah, Elijah, and Kol did not count. And neither did Caroline or Stefan. They all were in front of her, protect her. Being gentle was something she hadn't seen in over a thousand years. Gentle was the moment when Klaus would hold her during a bad storm. Gentle was the moment when Kol cleaned her wounds from falling in their stream. But this man, he hardly knew her, and he was gentle. And it made Athena feel at home. His hands were soft and it was almost like it was fit for her.

"We've already met," he told her. "When you slept in your coffin for over a thousand years, you were on the Other Side. With me." Athena still looked confused so he continued. "Esther brought me back when she aged you. She knew the witches would shun her if you were killed."

Athena didn't move. "But if you knew about me, why didn't you come looking for me?"

"I made a deal with Marcel. He said his men would look for you, and I would have to stay here as a leader of the 'werewolf faction'."

They were quiet again. Athena dropped his hand and took a step back. "Prove it. Prove to me that you are who you say you are."

Cars drove by from the street near them. A hum past through both of their ears. Tourists walked by casually. New Orleans was the hub for the supernatural, apart from the small town of Mystic Falls. People were so oblivious to what was going on right in front of their face. If people were paying close enough attention to that alleyway, they would've seen a brown-haired girl with a red-head boy. And they would've seen the glowing electric blue eyes of the red-headed boy.

Athena stared in wonder, completely speechless. Her violet eyes shined without her consent. Once Thomas's eyes went back to normal, Athena's did. More cars passed, more tourists. They were still standing there.

"Why don't I remember you?" she mused.

"Because it was an after effect of the spell that placed you in your coffin."

She was still skeptical. "You're really him?"

Thomas nodded. "Yeah. I'm really him."

———

Athena kept cursing herself in her mind over and over again. Luggage sat in the back seat of her car, a red-headed male sitting next to her. She drove to the Mikaelson Manor in complete silence. Neither Thomas nor Athena said another word after he insisted that he was to stay with her at the mansion. The silence stretched on and it was finally cut with a pair of scissors.

"You're mad at me," Thomas realized. "Look, if you don't want me to stay I won't—"

"I'm not mad at you." Her fingers pressed delicately into the steering wheel. "I'm just trying to process everything. That's all."

She replied to him quietly, almost like she was still wary. It ran in the family: paranoia. More than a curse than anything it was. Athena wished her mind would just relax and take a leap of faith. But she couldn't. The windows were rolled down about halfway so the wind blew in their faces. Her chocolate brown hair went behind her.

Thomas had watched the small reactions she had to him. One moment, she was at ease, not thinking and once he spoke her body straightened like she was on high alert. Did he really think Athena would just let him into her life so easily? This girl next to him had been through so much in the short time she lived. What made him think that gaining her trust would work so swiftly?

"Just—" He licked his lips, glancing around with hesitation. "—just talk to me."

Athena looked at him for a second. "What do you want me to say? 'I'm sorry if I'm disappointing you and maybe I'm not the best person to rule over the entirety of the werewolf population'? Because I'm not ok. I can barely handle my own family, let alone an entire species."

"That's because you're thinking too much about it." He spoke to her gently again. Not like he was speaking to a child, but like he wanted her to know that he wasn't angry and that there was nothing she had to worry about. "You make it sound like you're doing this alone. You're not."

She shook her head, a scoff passing through her luscious natural colored lips. "It's a lot to take in in one day. What did you expect me to do?" Annoyance laced her single word she uttered. "Run into your arms and kiss you?"

Thomas raised an eyebrow, not at all displaced by her sass. "Why would you kiss me? We haven't even gone on a date yet." Athena gave him a pointed look and he smiled. "Relax, I was just trying to lighten the mood." The teen did not relax. "I understand you don't want to trust me. But believe me, we've met before. We spent over a thousand years together, a know nearly every little detail about you. I care about you, even if you don't remember. I'd die for you and I'd kill for you. I'd do anything for you if it meant you'd be safe and happy."

Athena's shoulder reclined, earning a smile from him. She gave him a twitch of a smile and then looked back at the road. "I can take care of myself you know."

"Oh, I know. But that doesn't mean I won't be fighting at your side. We're equal. So throw out whatever shit you heard about the male overruling the female. Because that isn't going to happen with us."

That made her smile. Thomas felt relieved that she finally calmed down and gave him a chance. Even if the years they spent together were gone from her memory, the Athena he knew was still sitting next to him. It was almost like nothing had changed. But things had changed. Now, Thomas could live with his Queen.

———

Rebekah was just about to leave when she saw her sister walking to the front door with an unfamiliar boy. She approached, her stance already showing that she was ready for a fight. Athena saw and went to explain. Rebekah cut her off, her eyes drilling into Thomas's. "Who is this?"

Athena gestured toward him. "Rebekah, this is Thomas. He's a werewolf. He's... um, the male Nyx." Her sister's fighting posture disappeared and was replaced with wonder. 

She smiled. "You found him!"

Thomas smiled and chuckled, putting his hands in his pockets. His luggage (which was only one bag) sat on his right shoulder. Athena nodded, slowly. "Yeah... anyway, Thomas is going to be staying with us."

"Good luck with that," Rebekah sighed, gliding past them. "Nik will have his head."

"Good thing I can't be killed like you guys," Thomas revealed.

Rebekah smirked. "Consider yourself a lucky soul. And, of course, you hurt my sister and I'll make sure death looks like mercy."

The protectiveness of her siblings made Thomas happy. Athena had expressed to him on the Other Side how much her siblings really meant to her and how she was heartbroken that they were separated. When he heard of their reunion, he was thrilled. It absolutely broke him to watch his little mate walk around with a frown, never exactly bright.

"I'd end my own life before that ever happened."

Athena blushed, looking away. Rebekah was gone in a flash so they continued back to the front door. Once they entered, Klaus was in the main room with a smirk, his hands behind his back. "I knew I smelt a wolf."

"Well, then I assume you heard our talk with Bex. So, Thomas, this is my hybrid-ass brother, Klaus. I'm going to get Thomas settled and then you can catch me up on the 'Save Elijah' plan. Bye."

They were gone just as fast as Rebekah was. Athena swung open one of the doors and entered. Thomas set down his bag. "This my room?"

She nodded, looking back at him. "Yep. My room is right next door so if you need anything, don't bother me." He smirked. "Is there anything you need or can we go back downstairs to get the news about my brother?"

He moved out of the way and motioned to the door. "After you, my love."

A roll of her eyes made him smirk even more. Klaus was waiting in the same spot. Instead of a smirk, a glare was in place. Evidently, it was aimed at Thomas.  When his sister cleared her throat, he explained, "Rebekah has gone to get some research on a traitor in Marcel's inner circle."

"Traitor? How come Marcel hasn't noticed?" Thomas questioned.

Klaus's glare did not move. "Do you really trust him, sister?"

Paranoia. Athena nodded. "He said he knew me, Nik. On the Other Side. I could tell he wasn't lying so yes, I trust him enough to allow him to help us."

He mumbled, "Fine. I'll take your word for it." Normally, Klaus would still be paranoid. Which he was, but her siblings held enough faith in her to believe that she knew what she was doing. His phone rang and he answered it, putting it on speaker. "Well?"

Thomas moved closer to Athena, hoping she wouldn't notice. It was difficult for him not to hold her hand or to show her affection of any kind. On the Other Side, he always held her hand, played with her hair, little things that were a reassurance that he would always be there for her and that he wouldn't leave at any time. He constantly made sure Athena knew he cared about her.

Rebekah's voice came through the phone. "You were right about the traitor. Luckily, she's just a kid and she doesn't know anything about us and what we're up to. Do you want to hear the part that's gonna please you the most?"

Athena stood up on her toes with anticipation. "Continue, please, Bex."

"She's in love with someone in Marcel's inner circle. Guess who it is?"

Thomas already had his suspicions when he found the vampire sneaking around one night. The Nyx was out because he was thinking about Athena and how Marcel's men had yet to find her. He could've sworn he caught the scent of something he shouldn't have. "Thierry."

Everyone looked at him. Thomas nodded his head at Klaus. Rebekah was smiling on the other line. "Two points for you. Thierry is fraternizing with the enemy."

Athena thought for a moment. "Which means if we expose him, Marcel just might trust us a bit more. And then we can get Davina, which means we can get Elijah."

Klaus smirked, off in thought. "Oh, to be young and in love in a city where witches and vampires are at war. How very tragic."

———

Sophie was over at the mansion, discussing with Klaus, Rebekah, Athena, and Thomas. The witch was seated on the couch while almost the rest of them stood. Athena sat at one of the chairs, Thomas next to her, standing, an arm draped across the back of her chair. Rebekah was pacing while Klaus stood behind the other chair.

Hayley got the fortune of meeting Thomas, confirming that he was who he said he was. This made Klaus relax a bit more, but he was still extremely paranoid because this "Thomas" was his sister's "soulmate". He wasn't thrilled about that.

"Are you out of your mind? No way," Sophie denied.

The youngest hybrid rolled her eyes. "So you're telling me, you won't even do one tiny little locator spell for us?"

"Witches who practice magic in this town get caught, and then they get killed."

"Not my problem."

Thomas tried to contain a smile but failed. Despite the fact that he knew nearly everything about her, it still struck him funny that Athena still had the fire she held when she was younger. She would always give him a hard time if she wanted to go for a run. Athena would snap at him, shooting him with sarcastic comments to which he finally caved because he found it cute. Now, he couldn't say that. Because it wasn't cute, it was stunning.

"Yes, about that. It seems you left out a crucial detail when we made our deal--Marcel's secret weapon, the way he knows when a witch is using magic..." Klaus trailed off, allowing Rebekah to continue.

Rebekah put her hand in. "Girl about yea high, cute as a button..."

"Don't forget the anger issues," Thomas inputted.

She pointed at him. "And has anger issues."

It didn't take much to realize that Sophie knew exactly who they were talking about. Her eyes were wide with shock, her mouth hanging open slightly. "Davina? Where have you seen her?" Athena put a hand on her cheek, supporting her head when she placed her elbow on the armrest. Thomas's hand graced her neck but did not move any further. She tensed, not expecting it. However, she did not look over at him.

"I don't know," Rebekah replied. "The little brat erased my memory right after she threw me out a window with her bloody mind."

Braving up, Athena looked over at him. Thomas noticed and did the same. She raised an eyebrow at him to which he frowned and moved his arm. Athena covered her guilt by joining back into the conversation. "Ok, so Davina has Elijah, you guys want Davina found, the only solution to yours and our problem is magic."

Thomas nodded. "I agree." Everyone looked at him. Thomas shrugged. "What?"

Athena smiled. Sophie moved on, explaining how Davina would sense her using magic. Rebekah was quick to argue, "Unless, of course, another witch — say, a traitor to the cause, Katie for example — was to perform much more powerful magic at the same time. That would create a smokescreen, concealing your very small spell from Davina."

Sophie shook her head. "Katie doesn't deserve to die."

Klaus banged his hand on the table angrily, standing up from where he stood in the other chair. None of them were startled besides Sophie. "Sophie Deveraux! You're in no position to be so principled. You can't win a war without a few strategic losses, no matter how regrettable they may be. How many times have the vampires been one step ahead, known something they shouldn't? Your sister, executed in the public square for practicing magic - who knew she'd be caught? Did she even attempt to flee?"

The witch managed to keep a straight face. "She was caught hiding in a cargo hold of a freighter before it set sail down the Mississippi."

Athena stood, crossing her arms over her chest. "And which one of Marcel's men takes care of things at the docks?"

She knew the answer before it was even given to her. "Katie's boyfriend, Thierry."

———

Entering the party, Athena gazed around at the dark atmosphere, acrobats dancing, confetti falling from the sky. She thought Caroline threw magnificent parties, this, unfortunately, topped it off. Thomas kept their arms intertwined. He leaned into her ear. "You do look stunning."

She gave him a look, trying to conceal a blush. "Thank you, you don't look too bad yourself."

He had fought with her for nearly an hour. After Klaus announced that they were to attend a charity event hosted by Marcel, Thomas took the opportunity to ask Athena if she wanted to be his date. She remembered her making a face and saying, "I don't know, Thomas."

Thomas had sighed. "Come on, it's just one party. Besides, this can be a chance for us to... reacquaint. You don't want to go to the party dateless, do you? Look, I promise, no funny business."

She agreed after that and so there they were, drawing all of the vampires' attention. Because they all knew that if the Queen and King of werewolves were together, that meant the werewolves in the bayou would no longer stand for the injustice they've received from the vampires.

"Wanna dance?" Thomas asked, holding out his hand.

Athena thought for a moment and then placed her hand in his. "Why not? If you step on my toe, I'll kick you."

He laughed, guiding her to the dance floor. They danced to the music though they were a bit off time with it. It didn't matter to them. Athena smiled and laughed with him, listening to the adventures they had that she did not remember. Each and every one of Marcel's vampires was watching them with worry.

The two stopped dancing when Rebekah approached. "We need to go, it's time."

Sophie was waiting for them at the cemetery when they arrived. Once the witch made sure it was them, she began to chant. Thomas stood next to Athena as the three of them watched patiently. "Hurry," Rebekah spoke urgently.

It didn't last for long. Suddenly, Sophie gasped, stopping the spell. "Something's wrong. Katie's magic stopped. I can keep going."

"But you said before that she'll sense it," Athena pointed out.

"No. I can find Davina. I just need another moment."

Athena was not about to put her family in jeopardy. She flashed and grabbed the map, throwing it on the ground along with the sand so Sophie could not continue. The witch was stunned. The hybrid glared. "I understand how far you'll willing to go to get Davina back. But we cannot risk Hayley or the baby dying. It's done, so forget it."

She stormed off and Thomas followed her. Athena left the cemetery and was making her way through the woods when Thomas flashed in front of her. Her eyebrows furrowed. "I'm just as fast as you are, so don't even think about running." She crossed her arms over her chest. "What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong is that the person I'm supposed to spend my life with is right in front of my face. And supposedly, I've previously met him." Athena sighed. "I feel like I'm failing at this already."

Thomas frowned. "You're not." She didn't look reassured. "Hey, you're not, ok? Come here." He wrapped his arms around her and she welcomed his embrace.

Athena sighed again and looked over his shoulder. Bright eyes peeked out of the trees. "Thomas." He let go and turned to follow her vision. "Is that..."

"Yeah. There are wolfs here." The wolf bowed to them and then ran off.

Her eyes went to the floor, then back up him. "We should probably get back to the house." He agreed. "Why don't you tell me another story on the way back."

A smile passed his lips and they linked arms. "Hmm, let's see. I got one."

They continued their conversation from there. And once again, Athena smiled and laughed. Before any of this, she was nervous because she didn't know what to do or how to even go about being the Queen of werewolves. But with Thomas on her side, it didn't seem so scary anymore. That was just the thing. Her family was the strongest in the entire world. And Thomas now lived with them. How far would he be willing to go to keep his place at her side? What was he willing to do?

———

They are honestly a power couple though. I'm super excited to develop their relationship. 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!