𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙎𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙀𝙉
ミ★ ( reign of wolves, act one ) ★彡

Rhea had woken up tired. After the party had ended, she had spent the night on the phone to Caroline, the two catching up on everything after they had missed out on a month of speaking because she was stuck as a wolf. Caroline wasn't really impressed that she had picked a fight with a witch, and Rhea had to explain that it was Elijah's ex girlfriend from two centuries ago and she came back with a vendetta. Caroline then also let her know about how she thinks she might be gaining feelings for Stefan Salvatore—
which was more surprising than anything—because of how close they had gotten over the last couple months.

They spent hours on the phone together until it was late in New Orleans and eventually, Rhea crashed.

That was, until she was rudely woken up to the sound of construction happening in the courtyard of the compound. There were much nicer ways to wake someone up in the morning and they all don't involve drilling and banging of wood.

     "Hey, earth to the psychopath that I plan on marrying!" Rhea shouted angrily as she stormed down the steps of the compound with steam practically bursting from her ears with rage. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" She motioned at the construction being done.

     "Be careful, my love, there's glass and chipped wood on the floor." Elijah deflected once he noticed her attire—barefoot and only wearing one of his button up dress shirts—he smiled adoringly before returning to order around the workers.

     "And it's also seven in the morning on a Saturday." She glared harder, "Why on earth would you organise construction for this time?" His adoring smile turned to one of amusement at her anger, she was clearly tired and had woken up in a bad mood because of it. He was in for a treat today until he dealt with it.

     Eventually, Klaus and Genevieve come downstairs to find the source of the noise and arguing also, "Enough with all the racket!" Klaus shouted also.

     "Is there a problem, brother?" He turns to the workers to dismiss them, "Gentlemen, please."

     The men all stop working and began to disperse to take a break while Klaus pushed passed them all, "I agreed to a general sprucing up, not a bloody three-ring circus."

     "Marcel and his minions abused our home for the better part of a century. Now, you might be content to live in squalor, but I'm not." Elijah responded.

     "I agree with your brother." Genevieve spoke and they all turned to look at her suspiciously, "It's a new era in the French Quarter. This place could use a makeover."

     "If she's agreeing with you, she clearly wants something." Rhea crossed her arms and raised her brow as she said, "Out with it."

     Genevieve huffed, knowing she had been caught and she wasn't very subtle, "Actually, I do have a request." Rhea grinned in victory, "I'm told our coven hasn't been able to celebrate feast days in the open since Marcel restricted the use of magic. Now, with the new peace, I'd like that to change."

     Elijah looked at her expectantly, "Am I to assume that you have a certain feast day in mind?"

     "La Fête des Bénêdictions. Feast of the Blessings. In the past, members of the community offered witches gifts in exchange for blessings." Rhea scoffed at her answer, "We'd like to use it as a forum for introducing our young Harvest girls to society."

      "So, your coven attempted to destroy my family—and you yourself held my siblings in unspeakable torment—and you would like a party for the witches?" Klaus chuckled at Elijah's response.

     "Not to mention it's a party where we bless you with gifts." Rhea pointed out, "A little weird if you think about it."

     Genevieve placed her hand on Klaus' shoulders seductively like she was seducing him in front of them all, "I've made my amends with your brother." Klaus smirked, thinking about how they made 'amends' before she dropped her hand, "Why don't you think it over?" She suggested and then left the compound.

     Elijah gave his brother a flat look—clearly unimpressed by her presence and how she had made herself at home in their home despite their history together.

     "Oh, don't be such a stiff, Elijah. The tourists love a good festival." Klaus whined, "Besides, what better way to cement the solidarity than a show of faith toward a one-time enemy?"

     "A onetime enemy with whom you've grown rather nauseatingly intimate." Elijah reminded him.

     Klaus smirked, "Well, who said maintaining alliances can't be fun?"

     "When that alliance is with someone that literally tortured us all." Rhea reminded him also, "And you'd think that you'd be more interested with making an alliance with Hayley—who is the mother of your child—so she can come home."

     "The mother of my child is werewolf royalty. She's far safer in the Bayou with her pack than she would ever be here with us." The Original hybrid shrugged before he began to walk away, "Don't worry. I'll bring her home before the birth. No child of mine will be born in a swamp."

     "Oh, how thoughtful." Rhea remarked sarcastically before turning to Elijah, "So... La Fête des Bénêdictions, huh?"

     "As much as I love when you speak French, I don't think we should give her what she wants." Elijah stated and she chuckled at him, "The witches don't deserve a celebration."

     "To be fair, they've been punished enough because of Marcel's rule. I would revolt too if I had the chance because my people were killed doing the thing they were born to do. And Genevieve did help bring me back to normal." Rhea started with a shrug, "If we want peace, we should give them a party like they want—and who knows, it could be fun."

     "Spoken like a true Queen." Elijah stated again and she blushed, "Are you sure?"

     She nodded her head affirmably, "Davina deserves this. Ever since she came back, she hasn't been the same because of what happened with Marcel and the ancestors haven't exactly been on her side. We said we would protect her and that she could trust her, we need to prove that and be on her side."

"You really care about her." Elijah observed.

She nodded again, tucking a piece of dark hair behind her ear, "I feel for her. She reminds me of me when everything supernatural started happening, and if it wasn't for Tyler I would've been completely alone. Marcel might care for her but it's clear he still wants to use her for her power. She needs people she can trust and I want to be that for her."

Elijah then signed adoringly, wanting to do anything that made her happy, even if it meant they had to throw a party for the people he despised most at that moment. He pressed a kiss to her head, "I will speak to the factions."

     Rhea walked into the Bayou to meet with the Crescent wolves that afternoon. Elijah had told her that he would speak to the vampires and the humans and she said it would probably be best for her to speak to the wolves herself—since they would probably like her more than they would him.

     Hayley noticed her presence almost straight away and walked over toward her with a smile, "Hey, what are you doing here?" She asked kindly, "Didn't think you'd want to come back after being here so soon."

     "Can't seem to stay away." Rhea shrugged jokingly, "No, but I am here for a favour though."

     She looked concerned and crossed her arms over her protruding belly that looked as if it was about to pop, "What is it?"

     "Genevieve was by the compound this morning," Rhea started and Hayley's eyes hardened at the mention of the red headed witch, "She wanted to throw a party for the Harvest witches, and Elijah and I have decided to agree with it... for Davina. As the werewolf faction, you guys are supposed to attend."

"Are you kidding me? No way!" Hayley protested.

Rhea let out a frustrated sigh. Hayley wanted the werewolves to be part of New Orleans but when it came to being a part of New Orleans, she refused. She only wanted to pick and choose in that moment, "It's important that you attend. You wanted a seat at the table? Here it is. You're coming."

"Thanks, but no thanks?" Hayley responded.

Rhea's eyes rolled, "Okay, fine, but you can kiss your chance at fighting for the wolves goodbye if you don't. If the vampires can find it in themselves to attend, you can too."

Jackson and Oliver, having heard the entire conversation came over the two women slightly arguing. Jackson sighed as Oliver said, "Maybe we should hear her out." He suggested to Hayley.

Hayley looked at him in bewilderment, "The witches are the ones that cursed your pack. And they've been nothing but crap to me since I first came to town." She turns to Rhea, shaking her head, "No. We're not going."

Rhea shrugged like she couldn't care less, it would've just given her an excuse to throw it in her face later when she came to whine about the wolves not getting what they wanted.

"It's a new day in the Quarter, Hayley. I agree with Oliver. If we're gonna coexist, we have to play ball." Jackson decided before turning to look at Rhea, "We'll send a representative with a gift."

She only grinned at him and grabbed onto Hayley's arm to pull her away to speak to her. Hayley was clearly annoyed at the situation and was slightly trying to fight her off but Rhea was stronger.

Rhea walked into the Bayou expecting a little push back about the witch's festival but the way that Jackson and Oliver agreed so quickly made her suspicious. Hayley was fighting not to go while she expected that they would back her up instead of fold. The hybrid leaned to her ear and whispered, "I may be very charming, but that was way too easy." Hayley looked at her as she continued to warn, "I wouldn't trust it—I wouldn't trust him." Rhea's eyes narrowed into Oliver.

Rhea then walked away.

It was nighttime when the Feast of Blessings parade began. The witches marched down the street, and the three Harvest girls were hoisted above the crowd on thrones. The girls were each dressed for the element they represented in the Harvest—Monique in floral earth tones, for earth; Davina in bright red-orange, for fire; and Abigail in white, for air.

The men carrying the thrones placed them down steadily and the witches stood up gracefully with a smile to walk onto a stage where Genevieve joined them to greet the crowd, "Now, in accordance with the Fête des Bénédictions, the witches of New Orleans bless you all!"

The crowd cheered and Genevieve stepped offstage. Monique stepped forward first, raising her hands and with her magic, created a mild earthquake that rumbled the ground below them.

Then, Abigail stepped forward and raised her arms to create very strong winds that blew around the crowd of tourists.

Finally, Davina stepped forward, turned around, and raised her palm to the sign behind her, which immediately ignited with fire and set off dozens of fireworks, which made the crowd cheer in delight again. Of course, all thinking that it was just a show despite that real magic was at play.

The witches then returned back to their thrones and the men carrying them and Genevieve lead them to the hall where the feast—and the party—continued.

Rhea waited by the entrance and waited for Davina to pass through, clearing her throat gently when Davina walked by, causing her to stop in her tracks and run to the hybrid with a smile on her face, "Rhea!" She squealed and hugged her.

"Hey, D." Rhea said back as she pulled the younger witch into her embrace, "You having fun?"

Davina nodded her head, "So much fun."

"Good. I'm glad." Rhea stated with a smile on her face, "You deserve a good time after everything." Davina's smile faltered slightly as she thought about everything that had happened to her. The Harvest, the witches, Marcel, Tim dying and then having to go through with the Harvest once more—then came the ancestors that punished her throughout the time of her death.

Genevieve then walked over to them both, "I want to thank you for this. I know you convinced Elijah to say yes—without you, this wouldn't have been possible."

Rhea almost wanted to put Davina behind her protectively, to put herself in between her and Genevieve as she said, "It wasn't for you," she glared at the witch, "You know as well as I that your people would never accept a truce unless we showed you some respect. I want this city to be a safe haven for all supernatural beings, and that includes witches... so if you want a party, then so be it. The girls deserve to feel special after the hell they were put through because of your coven. Enjoy your party, Genevieve."

     Rhea then gently grabbed onto Davina's arm to pull her away from the other resurrected witch so she could get away from her and lead her to the bar so she could get a drink.

     "I'm here," she heard Hayley's voice say from behind her as they waited for assistance. Rhea turned to look at her, "Where do you want me?"

     Rhea's dark eyes scanned the room for Jackson and Oliver, "The others didn't want to come?"

     "You asked for a representative for the werewolves, so take me or leave me." Hayley responded with annoyance.

     A smile graced Rhea's lips, "I did. Thank you," she said in a soft voice, "I really do appreciate it. I know you don't like the witches."

     "At least someone's appreciative." Hayley mused with a wink before she walked away and Rhea chuckled before ordering the drink and a soda for Davina.

     Genevieve then walked onto the stage and Davina quickly scrambled to join her along with Monique and Abigail.

     "Welcome. As is our time-honored tradition, you are all welcome to deliver your offerings. It is our custom that no one should be turned away, no blessing be denied." Genevieve greeted them all.

     Guests lined up to bring their offerings to the Harvest girls. First was Hayley, who smiled at Davina and was about to give her gift to her, but is stopped by an attendant. She softly tells Hayley to give the gift to Monique, which she does.

     Then, Francesca gives her gift to Abigail.

     Rhea felt an arm wrap around her waist and she smiled as she felt the familiar sparks on her skin from Elijah's touch, "This is a wonderful evening."Elijah exhaled with content. Despite what the cause was for, he was glad he agreed to it.

     "It is, isn't it?" Rhea said back as she sent Davina a calming smile since the girl looked like she wanted to pass out. She then looked up at her soulmate, "Did you get the gift?"

     "I did." Elijah said as he held up a velvet box, "One sapphire necklace as per your request."

     "Thank you." Rhea whispered as she reached up to kiss him, "I hope she likes it."

     "She will." Elijah said as he hugged her to his side and pressed a kiss to her head.

     The line to give offerings to the Harvest girls continue and Davina was yet to receive any gifts, Rhea narrowed her eyes when she noticed that Monique sent Davina smug smiles every time she got a new gift.

     She immediately went to the line with the gift in her hand. Once she reached the front of the line, she made a bee-line straight for Davina. The attendant tried to steer her away and make her give her gift to Monique, who continued to stare smugly at the other girl.

Rhea's hybrid eyes flashed at the attendant, "If my gift goes to anyone besides Davina once it leaves my hands—I'll kill you. Got it?" She snapped and the girl fearfully nodded her head.

Rhea's harsh glare dropped to a victorious grin as she placed the gift in front of Davina. The girl looked as if she was about to cry as Rhea said in a low voice, "They're just trying to break you." She informed her, a serious but comforting expression on her face, "Don't let them see you break, okay?"

Davina bit her lip to try and choke back the sob as she nodded and said, "I just need a minute." She sniffled and quickly stood up and ran away.

"Davina—" She tried but it was fruitless as she had already gone. Rhea sighed as she returned back to Elijah's side, "They're punishing her. I don't like it."

"They won't get away with it." Elijah told her, "Not with you looking out for her."

Seconds later, Klaus walked into the room, dragging a frightened Josh with him and Davina running in after them both, trying to get the original hybrid away from her friend, "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?" He called out to the crowd and they all looked at him, "We are gathered here today to pay homage to our beloved witches, but one very special witch has been utterly ignored besides the efforts of my sister in law. That seems a little unfair to me."

Klaus then held out a small box as his offering to Davina, "No." She grimaced, "I don't want your gift."

Klaus' face faltered for a moment before a proud look replaced it, "I understand why you would reject me, given our past. In truth, many of us here today have been wronged in the conflict which my brother's treaty ended. Your friend Josh was involved in a plot to kill me. It would be well within my right to execute him here and now. But, in the spirit of solidarity, and for your favor, Davina, I hereby pardon him. Josh, from this day forward, you have nothing to fear from me." He said and Josh looked relieved that he wasn't dying today before Klaus' attention returned back to Davina, "Please."

Klaus then handed Davina the box before he left and Josh continued to beam in relief. Davina opened the box to find a lapis lazuli ring and a small, folded up piece of parchment.

"What is it?" Josh asked.

Davina looked at her friend in shock and excitement, "It's the spell that makes daylight rings."

Josh grinned happily.

The party continued on swimmingly for the rest of the evening and everyone was enjoying the party. Davina's mood had changed and she was happy again despite the small downside to the party of her 'friends' sabotaging her.

Suddenly, a large group of drummers marched into the party. Rhea looked confused as she didn't organise them but lingered in case Elijah did instead.

The drummers stood in organised lines and once they were in formation, they dropped drumming. The lead drummer then spoke, "Happy Fête des Bénédictions." He greeted them, "We have a message for all of you from Marcel Gerard."

Rhea's eyes widened as everyone else frowned and started to whisper to each other. All of the drummers then took out straight razors from the pockets and sliced their wrists open, bleeding all over the floor.

The vampires in the room start to get antsy from the smell of blood, their eyes darkening and their fangs protruding from their mouths. Rhea's mouth even watered from the intensity of the blood.

"Control yourselves. This is a vulgar trick," Elijah commanded from the middle of the room, sensing a bad situation was about to happen, "We do not violate our agreement."

The lights suddenly went out, and the vampires started feeding on the drummers, as well as other humans at the party. The crowd dissolved into chaos and Rhea was immediately by Hayley's side to protect her and fight off the other vampires that tried to attack them.

She threw off one of the vampires and bit into another that tried to go for Hayley, while pushing her into the corner so no one could grab her from
behind.

Before she knew it, hands were around her neck and everything went black as her head was twisted to the side.

The chaos continued and when the lights switch back on, there are dozens of dead and injured humans lying on the ground. On the walls, someone had written "THERE WILL BE NO PEACE" on the wall.

"Elijah!" Hayley called out to the original vampire when she noticed Rhea on the ground, rolling her onto her back to see if she was okay, holding back the bile in her throat when she saw her broken neck.

Elijah ran over to them, picking up Rhea from the ground securely since he knew she would wake up, "Are you hurt?" He asked Hayley.

Hayley shook her head, "I'm fine. Rhea protected me." She said and they then quickly left the party so Rhea could wake up comfortably.

Whoever had done this, was going to pay.

Back at Marcel's loft, he and Thierry were discussing what had happened at the night's events like two teenage girls that were gossiping away excitedly about someone they hated, "Blood on the walls. Pile of bodies." Thierry described, "All in all, I'd say message received."

Marcel grinned happily before he asked, "Did you get Davina out first?"

Thierry nodded, "As planned, Josh took care of Davina. I made sure the other Harvest girls got out in the clear." He told him and Marcel looked relieved that Davina wasn't harmed in the process. Thierry then smirked, "I even managed to snap Rhea Lockwood's neck during the commotion."

The Gerard man chuckled and went to pour himself a drink, "That was just the warning shot." He decided, "Now we double down."

"MARCEL!" Elijah roared as he entered the loft, immediately tackling Thierry and threw him against the building. Within a blink, Elijah was face to face with Marcel, "I warned you." He snarled as he shoved Marcel against the wall, "And yet still, you return to the French Quarter—and you got Rhea harmed in your presence."

"You gonna kill me, Elijah? Go ahead. But then you won't know what Klaus has got going with that witch in his pocket." Marcel taunted.

"Oh, whatever shall I do?" Elijah asked sarcastically, "I suppose I could just ask him."

"Yeah. Make sure he tells you all about the secret meetings with the werewolves." He panted, "That is, if he's still speaking to you once he knows that you killed me."

Thierry picked himself up off the ground. Elijah tilted his head to the side, "Do you not know me?" Elijah then shoved his fist into Marcel's chest and grabbed onto his heart. When Thierry jumped in to protect him, Elijah does the same to Thierry, who groaned in pain, "For your violation against my soulmate."

Elijah then ripped out Thierry's heart.

Marcel knelt beside Theirry's body as soon as Elijah let him go, "No. No, no." He sobbed at the sight of his desiccated friend.

Elijah held Thierry's heart in Marcel's face, "You live or you die according to my will. Try to remember that." He told him, "And if Rhea wishes to see you dead for your treachery, I will see to it that it be fulfilled."

Elijah then left the loft, leaving Marcel crying on the floor beside his dead friend.

When Klaus returned home, he found Elijah waiting for him on one of the couches, a drink in his hands that were still bloody from killing Thierry earlier in the day.

Klaus smirked in amusement at his older brother's blood stained hands, "I see that you've already avenged your soulmate. But judging by your look, you're still out for blood."

Elijah stood up from his seat, "If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results, then surely my quest for your salvation ranks me as one of the maddest of men." He stated with disappointment.

Klaus lightly groaned, "Come on, then. What horrible deed has the bastard done this time?"

"Do you know, in the past, I actually appreciated the methods to your manipulations?" Elijah questioned, "However, now, here we are, poised on the brink of a new era which will benefit not only your home but your child; and you go behind my back to conspire with wolves."

"Conspire is hardly the word I would use for a family council." Klaus argued, "Lest you forget, Elijah, they are my family as much as any Mikaelson. A name, in truth, I cannot even call my own."

"How casually you disavow a thousand years of allegiance towards you." Elijah scowled.

"And now that I've found the remnants of my other family, am I to ignore their plight? I would've thought you'd support my desire to help them, when in doing so, I help Hayley, and the child." Klaus reminded him.

Elijah pointed at him, "Do not question my allegiance towards that child." He snapped.

"I suppose I shouldn't be concerned about your tireless dedication for my child, but rather your concern for Hayley when your soulmate is laying her life down to protect her, herself." Klaus remarked, clearly trying to anger his brother, "I saw how you cared for her over Rhea's unconscious body. I suppose your zeal in which your destroy whoever was behind tonight's events was to avenge Hayley instead."

Elijah shoved his brother against the wall, "If you even dare to poison my relationship with the love of my life, I will destroy you, brother." He snarled, "I am warning you. I've forgiven you. I have stood by you. I've almost forsaken every single one of my desires to have a good relationship with her in the name of your ridiculous redemption that it almost made me lose her. No more. If you try to harm my relationship, I'll kill you. Mark my words."

     Klaus only glared at him in response and Elijah dropped him before walking upstairs to the room he shares with Rhea to wait until she awoke.