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CHAPTER 41: ETERNAL ANGER

❝ suddenly, forever feels like a really long time. ❞

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"YOU DID WHAT?"

We define ourselves by our family. From birth, we share their names. Entrust them to protect that which we hold most dear. We value them above all others. And yet, we are inevitably forced apart. Promises are made, then left unkept. The bond of family is not a bond forged by choice. In fact, some would see family as a terrible burden.

Looks like centuries full of backstabbing finally caught up to Klaus. Literally. He now found himself laying in his very own coffin with a golden dagger in his chest. When he had learned that Hayley and Jackson had essentially kidnapped Enola and Hope, he went on a rampage before his siblings banded together to put him down. His slumber was temporary, but his anger was eternal. He would find a way out of this and kill them all. Hayley knew that. Hayley feared that.

"You asked me to buy you time," Elijah reminded from the other end of the phone.

"I meant distract him so we could make a clean getaway!" Hayley defended.

"With Niklaus, there is no such thing as a clean getaway." Elijah scoffed.

"Klaus will come for every last one of us and kill us," Hayley warned worriedly.

"That is a problem for another day," Elijah announced. "For now, we must worry about Freya."

"Freya?" Hayley frowned in confusion. "What does Freya have to do with this?"

"She is determined to find Enola and Hope," Elijah sighed. "She thinks she is doing them a favor. Something about Enola never giving up on her, so she is not going to give up on Enola."

Hayley hung up the phone with a scowl. Enola had been the only one who wanted to give Freya a fair chance. Hayley supposed that Freya felt an allegiance of sorts to Enola. She couldn't have that. She bounced Hope on her hip as she pocketed her phone and made her way over to Jackson.

"Freya is doing a locator spell to find us. We have to leave. Now." Hayley informed. She paused. "Wait. You're burying Aiden here?"

"We can't keep carrying him around forever," Jackson sighed, briefly glancing up. "Give me a minute to get him in the ground and we will get out of here."

"You said that this is how wolves bury murderers and traitors," Hayley frowned. "I know that Aiden was answering to Klaus, but he was loyal to the pack in the end. That is what got him killed."

"You don't think I know that? You think this is how I want to put Aiden to rest?" Jackson snapped. "I don't have a choice, Hayley."

Hayley wanted to argue. She probably would have if they weren't interrupted by their prisoner who was sitting in the back of the wooden wagon with bound wrists and nothing but rage. She closed her eyes at the sound of the voice, internally cringing at the calmness that was almost eerie.

"You always have a choice," The prisoner hummed. "And you chose wrong."

"Enola," Hayley grimaced, slowly turning around. "You're awake."

"And now I am leaving," Enola spat, attempting to break the chains that held her wrists. Key word; attempting.

"They are spelled," Hayley informed. "We knew you probably wouldn't be happy with us when you woke up. Davina had no problem helping."

"Guess I'll have to add her name to the list of backstabbers," Enola grumbled.

"We did not backstab you," Jackson spoke up. "We helped you."

"Keep telling yourself that," Enola scoffed. "It's easier than the truth."

"And what exactly is the truth?" Hayley wondered.

"The truth is that you took my choice away from me," Enola answered. "I can only hope that it will be worth it in the end."

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Enola sat in the wagon with Aiden. Correction; she sat in the wagon with his corpse. She realized early on that the cuffs around her wrists were a lot like the witch shackles except for hybrids. They suppressed her supernatural senses, limiting her ability to fight back. So she was stuck silently seething. But the second she breaks free from these chains—and she will—she will destroy anyone who had a hand in this.

"You used to run these woods when you were cursed to your wolf form?" Hayley inquired.

"And before. I was an angry kid." Jackson confessed. "I was pissed we were exiled, I was pissed at my parents, pissed you were gone."

"Every kid with a wolf gene is angry. I was a nightmare." Hayley sighed. "Triggering the curse actually settled me down."

"Not me. I got worse. Of course it was different than how you triggered your curse." Jackson said. "When I triggered mine, the Crescent curse kicked in. So I was stuck as a wolf all month long." He looked down as if reminiscing. "One full moon, our Alpha didn't show up. He was killed. So I stepped up. Protected these people, kept them safe. That calmed me down. At least for a little while."

Enola never felt that werewolf rage everyone spoke of. Until right now. All she felt the moment she triggered her curse was this unbearable grief. Maybe that was because she had also become a vampire at the same time. She didn't have any time to collect her bearings. One moment she was a human, the next moment she was a hybrid. Her feelings were all over the place, but the sadness was always constant.

Enola was snapped back into reality by the sound of Hope crying. The baby had been fussy the entire trip. She wanted her mom. She even reached for her a few times. She felt as if she was in danger. And no matter how many times Hayley tried to convince her otherwise, nothing would work. She felt threatened. Because she knew her mother was the one chained to the wagon like some obedient slave. She was a child and she could still recognize the pain her mother was in.

"I need to stop and feed her," Hayley announced.

"There is a hideout about a half a mile south of here. Grab some guys to watch your back. I'll round up the rest and we'll make a perimeter." Jackson ordered. "This bayou is our territory and we'll defend it."

"You won't get away with this," Enola muttered.

"You make it sound like we are the villains," Hayley frowned.

"Aren't you?" Enola hummed. "I am the one chained up like a prisoner, after all."

"We wouldn't have had to chain you up if you weren't so difficult," Jackson pointed out.

"Funny," Enola chuckled humorlessly. "That sounds like something a villain would say."

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Enola sat in the corner of the abandoned shack watching Hayley feed Hope. Marcel was on the other end of the phone with information. Information he thought they should know before they started an all out war. This was going to end very badly and he thought that they should at least have a head up. They were his friends after all. Some more than others. Because if he was Enola's friend, he wouldn't let Hayley do this. The only person who was actively trying to help was Freya, but she apparently wasn't having any luck with that little bracelet on Hope. If only there was a way to get it off.

"So after all that, Klaus wasn't even the one who killed Aiden?" Hayley huffed.

"Thought you would wanna know," Marcel hummed.

"Why would he take the blame?" Hayley questioned in exasperation. "Because he is stubborn and irresponsible on top of being a blood thirsty, murdering lunatic?"

"Because he wanted everyone to fear him," Enola corrected. "Because if everyone fears him, they are easier to control." She looked down at the cuffs around her wrist. "I guess he was wrong."

"You doing okay?" Marcel hesitantly asked.

"Besides being held captive in a rat infested dump located in the middle of nowhere . . . " Enola trailed off. "Yeah—I am just great."

"She is just in a bit of a bad mood," Hayley sighed.

"Wouldn't you be if I snapped your neck and kidnapped not only you but your child?" Enola scoffed.

Hayley went to speak only for a commotion outside to interrupt. She had just finished feeding Hope before quickly ending the call with Marcel. She cradled Hope in one arm while tugging the chains bound to Enola with the other. She briskly made her way towards the disturbance only to find the two men fighting for her love at the center of it.

"Elijah," Hayley breathed. "You shouldn't be here."

Elijah slowly turned around, coming face to face with Enola. The moment he made eye contact with her, he regretted everything. He knew what it was like to have his choices stripped away and seeing her chained up like a hostage almost made him want to reconsider. Almost. They needed Hope and Enola safe for what comes next.

"We have another plan. Rebekah and Davina found a way." Elijah spoke up, breaking the tense silence. "If we can replicate Hope's magic, we can lure Dahlia into a trap. After which, I will kill her myself." He reluctantly allowed his gaze to shift to Hayley, who was currently holding Hope. "All we need is a vial of Hope's blood."

Hayley hesitated. Her eyes flickered between Jackson and Elijah before finally landing on Enola. If looks could kill, she was certain that she would be ten feet under. She had never truly feared her best friend—her sister—until this moment. Then again, she had dug her very own grave. But you know what they say; go big or go home!

"I will give you her blood," Hayley announced. "I am trusting you Elijah."

"The moment our home is safe, you can return Enola and Hope to where they belong." Elijah promised, sparing Jackson a look of disdain. "With family."

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Hayley found Jackson in the rundown cabin with Hope. A soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she watched him. Something inside of her felt moved at the sight. He would be a great father. She couldn't help but think about how good he would be if they had kids. She shook her head at the thought before stepping further into the room so that she had his attention.

"The pack is gathering for the funeral. They are just waiting for one more." Hayley informed. She paused next to the etchings carved on the wall. Initials. "You, Aiden, and Ollie used to hang here?"

"We were like brothers," Jackson confessed. "Always looking out for each other."

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Hayley muttered. "That was pretty much me and Enola."

"Look," Jackson began with a sad sigh. "Before the both of you came to New Orleans, our pack chose me. Not just to lead them, but to stand for them. We have lost too many to the Mikaelsons this year." He paused as he looked to the ground. "Elijah wants you to bring Enola and Hope back to their family when this is all over and you will no doubt be joining them."

"If they forgive me for this," Hayley pointed out.

"That is not the point," Jackson shook his head.

"You have a point?" Hayley teased playfully.

"My point is that I cannot live under the same roof as Klaus and be the alpha this pack deserves," Jackson continued.

"What are you saying, Jack?" Hayley frowned.

"I know that after this is over, Enola and Hope are going to run back to the Mikaelsons because they are family." Jackson sighed. "But I need to know who your family is." He looked at the woman he loved. "If you want to go back to the Mikaelsons with Enola and Hope, I cannot go with you. If they really are your family then I have to protect my own." He gave her a soft kiss on the forehead before pulling back. "I will give you some time to think."

Hayley knew deep down that there has always been a choice to make. The Crescents or the Mikaelsons? Jackson or Enola? It was time for her to make a choice. Then again, she had always known the answer. She would do whatever it took to protect her family, even if it meant they hated her in the end. She wouldn't be going back to the Mikaelsons. And neither would Enola.

Hayley left Hope alone in the cabin before storming towards Jackson. The crowd split like the red sea to reveal Aiden lying in a boat at the edge of the water. Hayley took the spot beside Jackson immediately. She slid her hand into his before pressing their lips together. He was surprised at first, but didn't hesitate to kiss her back. When they finally pulled apart for much needed air, she gave him a loving look.

"I don't need time. I spent my whole life searching for family. I found you and I found Enola." Hayley breathed. "I will not pick between the two of you."

"You're gonna have to eventually," Enola spoke up, sitting on a nearby log.

"Not if I take you with us," Hayley announced.

"Are you insane?" Enola scoffed. "Elijah said—"

"I don't care what Elijah said," Hayley interrupted. "Look what happened to Aiden when he got involved with Mikaelson business."

"Klaus didn't do that," Enola shook her head.

"I know," Hayley nodded. "His aunt did."

"Why are you doing this to me?" Enola whispered, voice breaking with tears. "We were supposed to be friends."

"We are sisters," Hayley corrected. "Family."

"And if you do this to me, we are nothing." Enola spat. "Do you hear me? We are nothing!"

Hayley went to refute only to get interrupted by a commotion amongst the crowd. They turned to find Josh. His path was being blocked by two werewolves on steroids, but his eyes were solely focused on Aiden. He truly loved him. And for a moment, Enola felt something other than fear. Something lonely.

"I told Josh where he could find us," Hayley whispered.

"Let him through," Jackson commanded.

Everyone immediately took a step back to allow Josh safe passage. He gave them a teary eyed smile before slowly making his way forward. He stared down at his dead lover as Jackson offered him a torch. He slowly took it into his hand, his lips quivering at the thought of never seeing the man he loved ever again.

"I never thought much about the whole immortality part of being a vampire," Josh confessed. "Suddenly, forever feels like a really long time."

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AUTHORS NOTE.
anywhore, i cannot wait to introduce you guys to the friendship between enola and freya. i think they might be one of my favorite friendships. they both have this deep understanding towards one another that is beautiful. until next time, my loves!!!