Third Person P.O.V.

They say it's better to have loved, and lost then never have loved at all whoever wrote that clearly never experienced the love of their life being stuck as a wolf. It makes you want to be a lone because you can't lose what you never had.

It makes you feel helpless. Laya had grown so darn tired of feeling that way. She needed help. She couldn't ask Dorian, he wouldn't understand. She couldn't ask the twins because they were the ones relying on her to know what to do. She could ask
Dr. Saltzman, but then again, with the drama he had been put through recently, it probably wasn't best to.

Laya knew it probably wasn't best to ask him. He was dangerous. But he can help. The young hybrid groaned, flopping down on her bed. "Please work."

Laya's P.O.V.

"It's not often you summon me." Snow was falling all around us, and somehow I was wrapped in a thick coat. "You're scared." Kai's declaration would've been something that had bothered me if it wasn't so true. How could I not be? I was scared, confused, and completely annoyed by own self for running in circles the past few months.

"I just—I need help." Kai clicked his tongue wagging a finger in the air. "You don't need help, little wolf. You need to get your act together." I pulled my head back. Saying I was scared was one thing, but that was too far. "I have been working my butt of all summer, and found nothing!"

Kai breathed out a soft sigh. "You know that is not what I meant. I can not help you find the answers, you have to look within yourself to find them. Remember who you are. You're Kelaya Jones. A hybrid as powerful as the original, Klaus Mikaelson. You're the leader of the Prophetiae witch coven, some of the most powerful witches to ever live. And until you bring Rafael back, you're the alpha of your school's pack. Sure, you can pity yourself, and tell yourself you tried, but it doesn't change the fact that if anyone could do it, it would have to be you."

"But how?"

"You get back in the game. Take control of your own life!" I nodded, my self esteem building up with each word. Who was I kidding? I could do this. As I was getting ready to wake up, Kai stopped me. "Oh! One more thing. If I were you, I would make sure to make yourself present to the football game today. I'm no prophecy witch, but I do have an itch something will happen today."

Once again, I nodded before heading up. It's time to take control.

"As you are all aware, it is time for annual American football match with Mystic Falls High." The crowd erupted into a mass of groans, and complaints. "Today, you will not be forced to lose a game, so that humans can feel superior. Every one of you is special. Every one of you. And it's time you showed it." What was once complaints became cheers, and I stood up. "How?"

Dr. Vardemus merely smiled, "By using your powers in moderation, Ms. Jones. The goal is not exposure, merely to win." I glanced back to MG who shrugged. Barry, and Bastien were leaning over whispering to each other, and everyone else looked extremely pleased by Vardemus' words.

"Think of it as in exercise in control." Kaleb stood up behind me, and I decided to sit back down. "Well, I am here for it. After last year, it'll feel good to show those timberwolves what we're all about. Right?" I don't know how I feel about this. Last year, I was able to get out of it, but this year my old friends Ethan, and Maya just moved into town, and I know they'll be playing. It wasn't exactly high on my list to cheat against my friends.

"And who better to lead you in this endeavor, as your quarterback, then our own Landon Kirby." I sighed pulling my hands together in a cheer along with everyone else for my friend.

Don't let them take it too far.

Third Person P.O.V.

"You look amazing." Laya gave Barry a weak smile, looking around the field waiting for the timberwolves. For the first time in a long time, she was excited about something. When Laya was younger, before she attended the Salvatore School, she went to a normal elementary. While Laya's  whole family consisted of a bunch of psycho witches, and werewolves, Ethan, and Maya were her two best friends. Normal best friends.

They helped her to feel normal.

The bus finally parked. As soon as Dr. Saltzman got out, Laya was bounding towards the door. "There's my favorite Stallion." She smiled nodding, "I need to talk to you."

"Go ahead." Laya looked back to the auburn headed girl behind him, "Alone." "Oh, no, it's okay. We can trust her." Laya squinted her eyes suspiciously before hesitantly nodding. If only for a moment, the pale girl looked sad. It was so quick Laya wasn't even quite sure it happened.

"They're using magic." Laya informed. "They're cheating with magic. The new headmaster says its 'exercising control'." Laya waved quotations over the last two words making her best deep voice. "Ric! There's something that you need to see!"

On instinct, Laya went to follow
Dr. Saltzman away from the field, but she was stopped by none other than her friend, Ethan. "Laya! Long time no see." The boy grabbed her shoulder gently pulling her into a hug. "You ready to go down, sucker?"

Ethan laughed, "As if, in case you've forgotten, I'm a lot better than you at football." The edge of Laya's lips lifted upwards into a mischievous smirk. "Okay, Mr. Cocky. Guess what?" "Hmm?"

"I've practiced." Laya jogged past him to the field with a grin. She was taking control of her life which meant one thing at a time. Maya stepped up to the hybrid. "You're going down, Jones." Laya grinned, "I wouldn't bet on it." Vardemus held the ball proudly. "Let us begin our annual rite of American excess. But unlike last year, I expect no unseemly violence. Only for each team to play to the fullest extent of their abilities."

Josies smirk held more than mischief, and ambition, it was malice, and it scared Laya. She couldn't let this go too far. "Understood?" Laya nudged her head slightly to the side at Hope who nodded. "Timberwolves of Mystic Falls," Vardemus continued. "You may, as I believe they say, call it in the air."

Vardemus tossed the coin into the air just as Maya called, "Heads." Laya cringed as the coin landed on tails. It already had begun. "Tails never fails." Landon commented before Josie added, "We'll take the ball."

"So it begins," Vardemus went to step away before stopping, and turning back to the teens. "Uh, shake hands." Laya shook hands with Maya, the only one out of the five with a smile. Then, her hand held Hope's, and suddenly, she was overwhelmed with grief. It was suffocating, to the point where she wanted to bawl her eyes out, and look at old pictures of her, and Rafael whilst listening to sad music.

Laya unintentionally ripped her hand away from the girl's. "If Dr. Saltzman trusts you, so do I, but that doesn't mean we're friends." Hope gulped before nodding. "Got it."

Before long, the scores were counting up. The ocean eyed girl playing quarterback twisted her ankle caused by a mistake of Landon. Josie along with Barry, Bastien, Kaleb, and MG were winning only by means of their supernatural leverage.

Laya didn't know what to do. Landon hurried of the field after sharing what looked to be an irritated conversation with Josie. "Bastien!" Said boy, whipped around at the mention of his name. Laya nodded her head in Landon's direction, and the boy blew out a sigh following after the Phoenix.

"Laya! Why would you do that?!" Josie questioned stepping up to the hybrid in a threatening manner. "Because somehow every time Landon's alone a monster tries to eat him." Josie's nostrils flared at the comment, but she left nonetheless.

"Hey, Lan!" The Phoenix twirled around to find Bastien following after him. "What's up?" Bastien looked down, "Uhh, Laya sent me on the protection detail." Landon laughed, "Phoenix protection program?" Bastien nodded with a smirk.

The two boys headed inside the school. "Where are we going?" Landon held his pointy finger over his lips to which Bastien nodded in reply.

They stepped into Landon's room after the girl from the game to find her sitting Native American style on the floor. In front of her was a map witches typically used for locator spells. "What are you doing in my room?" Hope spun around to the boys. "Uh... look, I know that this looks bad—"

"No. It looks like magic." Landon glanced down at the locator spell before pulling Bastien out of the room. "Corporis  Impetus!" The boys stopped moving, "Dimitte me." Landon breathed out thankful for this 'Phoenix Protection Program' Laya had started.

"I'm starting to think you're not some ordinary girl." 

"Look, my name is Hope, okay? I-I'm a witch. I'm working with        Dr. Saltzman. He asked me to do a locator spell for Rafael." Landon cocked an eyebrow, "Why wouldn't he ask one of his own daughters? Or Laya?"

"Because they don't know about the Crescent Wolf Clan. Not like I do." 

"Wol— I-I've read about that. Does that mean you can turn Raf back?" Hope let out a tired sigh looking from Landon to Bastien. "There is monster in the woods, and it feeds on werewolves."

"Ok. Then, I'm coming with you." Hope rolled her eyes. "Sorry, but I fly solo." Landon didn't like this, so he did what he always did, he persisted. "He's my best friend."

"You do realize I can freeze you again, right?" Landon shrugged, "Thats what Bastien's here for." Hope narrowed her eyes at the boy before turning around, and pulling her football bag from the ground shoving it in Landon's hands.

"Just try to keep up." Landon glimpsed to Bastien who watched eh interaction with a smirk. "She likes you."

"What? Pfft, no she doesn't."

  Laya's P.O.V.

"Okay, okay, Stallions, I see you." The rest of the team seemed to be in a good mood, but it wasn't something I easily reciprocated. "That's what I'm talking about. Good half. Now, we can take it easy. This game is done, and dusted." I smiled happy that Kaleb finally decided to come to his senses.

"No, it's not." A scoff fell from my lips at Josie's strange attitude. "We need to score more." Kaleb smirked taking a sip from his blood bag. "We're up 35-7, Jo. No reason to rub it in. I mean, it sounded cool, and all, sticking it to the townies. But now it feels wrong."

Barry nodded plopping down on the bleachers. "I'm with Kaleb on that one. I don't think we need to use our powers in the second half." Kaleb smirked pointing to the pale boy across the gym. "That's right, newbie."

"What? Why not?" I couldn't take the odd behavior anymore stepping in. "'Cause your dad was right about the way the game should be played. He was right about a lot of things." Kaleb nodded, "But you already know how we feel about that subject."

It was that simple. The new headmaster was playing unfair. Even if we were 'better', it didn't change the fact that the Timberwolves didn't have powers to compete with us. "So, I'm guessing you don't wanna play quarterback, then?" I turned to Kaleb waiting for the vampire to answer. "Mmm-Hmm," Kaleb shook his head, and I smirked back at Josie.

"I don't think Landon's coming back. And, Laya sent Bastien out, so we're down a couple players. Someone needs to step up." A pudgy boy named Wade stepped in front of her with a large grin, "I'll do it."

"No, offense, Wade, but no. If we're not gonna use our powers, we need the old magic back." Josie's vision was fixated on her twin who looked up from her book to find the Stallions staring at her. "Pass."

The one man I was hoping to avoid seeing for a very, very long time walked into the room. "Enough leisure. Get back out there, and showcase your superiority." Something was off about Vardemus. Part of me thought that it was just my own biased opinion, but the other part knew something was seriously off.

Josie sent me a look, and I stuck out my tongue. Dr. Saltzman stepped into the room, and spoke with Josie, and Lizzie, but I didn't care enough to stay. "Hey, you okay?" Barry asked. "I'm fine."

"Oh, okay." I felt bad for my cruel tone at Barry, but I wasn't in a good mood. This wasn't how I pictured myself taking control. "Just to be clear, we're not using our powers, right?" I faked a smile Barry's way, and gave him a curt nod. "Cool."

We were silent after that. Walking back to the field.

Third Person P.O.V.

"Yeah, Raf should be up ahead." Hope told the other two boys checking her map once again. "Cool." Hope cocked an eyebrow at the boy, "Meaning not cool?"

"Sorry. It's just, nothing."

"Meaning something." Landon huffed explaining his emotions. "It's stupid, but when Raf was first stuck as a wolf, he used to always hang out with me, but then he, like he stopped. Like he forgot, or he moved on."

Landon smiled softly, "And you're worried. That it's gonna be the same when he's human again." Bastien gave Landon a toothless smile, "Told you it was stupid."

"I don't think it's stupid."

Bastien winked at Landon who rolled his eyes in reply. "It's painful to lose someone that you love." Landon nodded whispering quietly, "Yeah." That was something many supernaturals understood. "I know all about that. I grew up in the foster system getting bounced around from family to family made me want to shut everybody out until I realized that life's a lot harder without someone watching your back."

Landon turned to Bastien who held his hands up defensively, "I'm a twin. I've spent my entire life with someone watching my back." Landon chuckled, and Hope smiled. "Trust me, Landon. You don't have to worry about anyone forgetting you."

"Help! Help! Somebody Help!" Landon dashed towards the sound of a boy screaming, Bastien close on his tail. "Landon, wait! Stay back! You don't know what's out there!" A beast that looked to be the mix of a hyena, and a wolf stood on its hind leg. "I have an educated guess."

  "I said stay back." Hope pushed the Phoenix back grabbing Bastien's hand. "Three, two, one!" Bastien didn't know how Hope expected him to know what spell to cast, so he used his own.

"Incendia!"

"Dolor!"

The strange creature wailed in pain as it burned. The flames died down, and the pain subsided. "Is there a plan b? Please tell me there's a plan b." Bastien turned to Hope waiting for the girl's reply. "Turn around."

"Why?" Landon questioned. "Because plan B involves me getting naked." Bastien, and Landon twirled around simultaneously. "What?"

"I have to draw it away from you," Hope explained. "Why does that require nudity?"

"Because this monster feeds on werewolves." Landon couldn't seem to comprehend what she was saying. "But you're a witch. A lying witch." Hope's uniform landed on the ground, Bastien's eyes widening at the sight. "A lying, very naked witch."

"Look, I'm more than that, and I wish I could stay, and tell you all about it, but I can't. So, when I draw this thing away from you, I need you to go find Dr. Saltzman and Raf."

"Why would it chase after you..." Landon slowly turned around, Bastien mimicked the action to find a now white wolf standing in front of the boys protectively. "Because you're a were-witch. Holy smokes!" If Bastien wasn't in panic mode, he would've been impressed. The magic behind a hybrid was beyond extraordinary, and very rare.

The wolf darted away. For a second, the two thought that the monster would follow after her, but it stopped turning to them. "Not the droids you're looking for, so please move along." The creature lunged at them.

In a hurried heroic act, Bastien shoved Landon back ready to cast a spell, but it was too late. The monster grabbed his tiny body with his mouth throwing him into a tree with a sickening, 'Crack.'

Laya's P.O.V.

"Hey!" Ethan called running up to me. "For someone who had such vicious trash talk, you didn't play much." I laughed softly, slowing my pace so I could walk with him. "I don't feel to hot. But what about you, huh? You haven't played either."

"I didn't want to risk blowing out my knee, but since Hope's out, I plan on bringing the team back." I smiled at his optimism. With Ethan, is was quite possible that the Timberwolves could beat them.

Without using magic, the Timberwolves were better. They proved that many years in a row. "Well, good luck."

"You too."

Third Person P.O.V.

"Bastien! Bastien! God, I'm sorry for this!" Hope brought her hand down on Bastien's cheek. The harsh sting causing his eyes to flutter open. "Landon," he whispered. Hope nodded, concern painted over her face. "I'm sorry. I never would've left if I knew if wanted him."

Bastien's eyes darted to the charcoal grey wolf stepping up behind Hope. Bastien nudged his head Rafael's way, and Hope followed his gaze. "Raf! Hey, look, I-I know you don't remember me, but I'm sorry. Okay? This is all my fault. I would have never let anything like this happen to Landon."

The wolf was ready to walk away when Hope called out. "Wait! Raf, wait. Please. Don't-don't go. Okay, I... I can help you. Landon needs you, Laya needs you."

Laya's P.O.V.

With Ethan on the other side, and the Stallions deciding not to use their powers, we weren't doing to hot. I preferred it this way though, we weren't superior to them, and it made me feel good to watch Vardemus get so pressed over the matter.

"Pink 21! Pink 21!"

"Blue 48! Hut!" Maya tossed the football back to Ethan who caught with ease. Kaleb dashed for the ball, he went to jump up, and smack it down, but Ethan ducked spinning around, and getting ready to pass.

When it happened, I'd like to say it happened to fast, but I watched it. Josie grabbed Wade's shoulder, siphoning some of the magic out of him. "Tenebris Lapsus!"

"No!" Ethan's flexor digitorum sublimis jutted out making his scream in pain as he fell to the ground. I sprinted over to my friend running as fast I could. I fell to my knees, feeling them slice open against the ground. They'd heal, and I didn't really care. How could josie do such a thing?

Sure, she was acting a bit rude earlier, but it wasn't like she hurt someone. This took it too far. "Get a medic!"

"Josie, what the hell?!" I shoved her back angrily, but she didn't retaliate. Pain flooded her eyes, and I bit my tongue trying to hold back my sympathy. "I'm sorry. I don't-I don't know why I did that."

"He was my friend," I whispered softly. "Where'd you even get that spell? We don't use black magic." Josie's eyes fixated on her feet. "The headmaster."

"What?!" When Josie looked up, she was full on crying. "I'm sorry." I sighed pulling her into a hug. "It's okay. I'll-uh, I'll handle Ethan make it look like I was never there."

"Are you sure?" I nodded, "Someone's got to."

Third Person P.O.V.

"Now!" Rafael shot the arrow through the monster's back. "Raf." Landon couldn't believe it. She did it. "Lan, it's not done!" The Phoenix bounded over your the creature pulling the arrow from its back, and shoving it through the neck.

When they were sure the beast was dead, Landon, and Rafael practically ran into each other sharing a big bear hug. "I thought you were gone."

"You can stop thinking it, bro, 'cause I'm back. Thanks to you." Landon shook his head turning back to where Hope had fallen. "Not, it was, it was her, she... she saved all of us. Wha—" Rafael grabbed Landon's shoulder pulling him closer. "Who was that girl?"

"Laya?" The hybrid smiled stepping up to Ethan's bed. "It's okay," she reassured before grabbing his good hand, and whispering, "Somnum." Ethan's eyes fluttered shut, and he fell back into his pillow.

Laya quietly pushed the door closed, and turned back to Ethan. This time, she took Ethan's broken arm. The boy groaned, "Sorry." Laya closed her eyes, focusing all of her power on her friend's arm. "Sana." Laya could feel the bone snap back into place.

"Now, I can't let you remember this." She smiled sadly, "Obliviscutar hic eram." Ethan still kept moving around. Laya felt bad using only one more spell, "pax." Ethan settled down looking as though he was actually getting some rest. Laya pushed a gentle kiss to his forehead before heading out of the room.

Laya's P.O.V.

I stepped into the school, children were heading back to their dorms, but Landon sat in the lounge with Barry, Bastien, and someone else. It wasn't until he turned around did I realize who it was. "Raf?" This couldn't be real. It must've been a dream. "Am I having another episode?"

Landon laughed, shaking his head. Tears stung my eyes. He was really back. After all this time, I finally got him back. The first thing I could do, was pull him into a hug. All I wanted to was hold Raf forever. I couldn't lose him again.

"You're really back?" Raf nodded, wiping a stray tear away from cheek with his thumb. "I'm back."

  I had accidentally fallen asleep whilst Rafael, and I were watching some movie that I couldn't remember the name of. When I woke back up though, Rafael wasn't there. I sat up, still so excited that he was back. Until, I realized he was still in my room.

By my closet door, Rafael laid on the ground whimpering, and shaking violently. It truly pained my heart to see him like this. I knew it would take him a while to get better, but I didn't think it would be this bad.

I pulled my comforter off my bed, and I quietly padding over to my boyfriend, and laying the blanket over him. He jolted up, and I sighed, "Easy. It's okay." Rafael visibly relaxed, and I gulped falling back on my butt.

This was going to be a long semester.

Deciding that sitting on the docks was no longer a good place for me to be alone since I kept finding people there, I sat on the stairs. The students had all retired to their rooms, or so I thought.

Josie sat down next to me, "Hey. How's Raf?" I puffed out a sigh, "Adjusting."

"That's more than I can say." Josie leant her head onto my shoulder. "I don't know why I'm acting like this. I feel like, I don't know, something inside me is just off." I smiled softly at the girl staring at the fire across from us. "I fixed Ethan's arm. He doesn't remember."

"Thank you."

I pulled away from Josie's head staring at her intently. "It doesn't matter what you do, you're always gonna be one my best friends. We're gonna figure this out together, okay?"

"Okay."

I felt like it was important to include some of Bastien in this chapter. Josie, and Laya's friendship to. They're not exactly Hope/Laya close, but they still really are.

Who else would totally be down to be apart of the Phoenix Protection Program. I know I would 😂