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CHAPTER 17: SLAMMING DOORS AND EGGSHELLS

❝ you're dividing up the city and the werewolves don't even get a say? ❞

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IT HAD BEEN A MONTH. Rebekah had left New Orleans for good. Marcel had been exiled across the river. Elijah had banished the rest of the vampires from the compound. Hayley had cured the Crescent werewolves. Klaus had spent most of his days locked in a spare bedroom doing god knows what. And Enola—Enola had made a home with no slamming doors and no eggshells on the floor.

Enola would spend a lot of time in the bayou and make it home just in time to tuck Klaus into bed. Sometimes she would invite the Crescents over and they would get drunk on laughter, melting on each other like butter when they couldn't sit straight anymore. She reached out, they would reach back—one, two, three times—and they held hands on their way back to the bayou. She would lay in bed, curled up next to her lover after a long day. She hadn't woken up alone all month. She would sing, she would dance, she would unpack groceries. I love him on purpose, she would say. And she meant it. She loved herself on purpose too. The love she wanted exists out there. She exists too.

"They say the passage of time will heal all wounds. But the greater the loss, the deeper the cut and the more difficult the process to become whole again. The pain may fade, but scars serve as a reminder of our suffering and make the bearer all the more resolved, never to be wounded again." Klaus muttered oh so softly. "So as time moves along, we get lost in distractions, act out in frustration, react with aggression, give into anger. And all the while, we plot and plan as we wait to grow stronger. Then before we even realize that so much time has passed. We are healed, ready to begin anew."

"Spoken like a man who's made peace with his demons," Enola hummed.

"My demons are dead," Klaus sighed. "Or chased off."

Enola laid in bed watching Klaus paint. He had set up a canvas at the foot of the bed and began painting the landscape of the city in red and blue. She had softly reminded him that he had put together an art room for a reason. So they didn't have to take up so much space in their shared room with all of their art supplies combined. But he insisted on staying close to her. He had dedicated this entire month to spending time with the mother of his child. When she wasn't in the bayou playing wolf and when he wasn't working on his secret project in the other room, they were together. He had given the reins to the city over to Elijah for the time being.

"You could always call her, you know?" Enola reminded.

"Call who?" Klaus muttered between brush strokes.

"Rebekah," Enola stated. Klaus froze. "It has been a month."

"I am well aware," Klaus scowled. "Elijah won't let me forget."

"Elijah is just worried about you," Enola said. "We all are."

"You needn't worry," Klaus softly reassured.

"Someone has to," Enola frowned, sitting up slightly.

"Why don't you head to the bayou, hmm?" Klaus hummed. "Mingle. Socialize."

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to get rid of me." Enola scoffed.

"Good thing you know better," Klaus teased. "I will be fine. Go on."

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Enola and Hayley stood back with matching grins. It had only been a week since the Crescent werewolves had regained their human forms and they were already rough housing. It was a rather heartwarming sight indeed. Enola and Hayley were just glad to be a part of something so grand and epic. Jackson couldn't help but smile as he sauntered over to them.

"Shouldn't you be out there playing fight club with the rest of the frat boys?" Hayley wondered.

"That's just for pecking order," Jackson smirked. "They already know who's alpha."

"You sound so sure of yourself," Enola teased, hands resting on her baby bump.

Jackson led Enola and Hayley into the dining hall with a happy grin. Three long tables lined the room with plates of food that were piled high for the mangy pack of werewolves. Everything was so warm and comforting. They were just glad to be a part of something so intimate.

"You got to try Tucker's ribs," Jackson hummed.

"Then what?" Hayley quirked a brow. "Then we're gonna go play horseshoe?"

Don't mock country living, darling." Jackson grunted.

"Sorry about her. This is a lot more family fun that she is used to." Enola informed. "The Mikaelsons aren't exactly known for sitting around the dinner table and talking about what they're grateful for."

"Well, maybe I can help get her used to it." Jackson smiled warmly.

"I'd like that," Hayley grinned.

"Then all we gotta do is just forget that she spent half her life with humans and the other half with vampires," Oliver hummed, snatching a carrot stick off of the table before taking a big bite.

"Charming," Enola smiled sarcastically.

"Only for you, sweetheart." Oliver winked.

"Ollie, back off." Jackson huffed.

"It's okay. If the runt of the litter has got something to say, he should say it." Hayley nodded.

"You know, word from the quarter is your boy Elijah is holding some kind of power summit." Oliver hummed. "Guess who wasn't invited."

"Where did you hear this?" Enola demanded, straightening up slightly.

"It doesn't matter. The point is that we're stuck here living in the swamp while everyone else is off deciding who gets what in the city." Oliver shrugged. "But I guess that shows how much respect he has got for the werewolves, huh?"

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"Are you serious?"

Hayley had tried to stop Enola but it was too late. She was already storming into the church with a deadly scowl plastered across her face. Elijah sat at the head of the table surrounded by Kieran, Diego, and Genevieve—who had been trying and failing to get in bed with Klaus, but that is an issue for a different time. The current issue being that the werewolves were nowhere to be seen.

"You're dividing up the city and the werewolves don't even get a say?" Enola growled.

"What the hell are they doing here?" Diego scowled, chair scraping against the ground as he stood.

"Diego, sit." Elijah commanded. Diego reluctantly sat. When everything was calm, Elijah turned to Enola and Hayley to address the problem at hand. "We are not dividing the city. We are establishing boundaries—"

"No, Elijah." Enola interrupted. "There is not going to be peace if the werewolves are excluded." She paused, eyes dancing around the room to make sure everyone was listening. "They want a seat at the table." She ignored the protests as she continued. "And if they don't get one, I can guarantee that you will all regret it."

That was all it took for an uproar to begin. Kieran, Diego, Genevieve—they were all screaming over each other in hopes of getting their points across. Fed up, Elijah was forced to send them on their way before facing Enola and Hayley with a look of displeasure.

"Do either of you have any idea what it took just to get those people in one room together?" Elijah huffed, pacing the pews back and forth in frustration.

"No, actually, we don't." Enola shot back. "Because we didn't even know what you were doing out here until someone else told us."

"Tell me something, Elijah" Hayley finally stepped forward to address the situation. "Did you leave the werewolves out because of me?"

Enola would be a fool not to notice the indescribable tension between Hayley and Elijah. They had obvious feelings for one another but chose to ignore them for the greater good. Then Hayley moved out into the bayou and Elijah felt so alone with Enola and Klaus just down the hall doing things that would make any sane man look for an out.

"I excluded them because they no longer reside in the French quarter," Elijah defended. "My immediate concern is to end the mounting conflict here. Now I can assure you once this treaty is solidified, it will expand to include your people."

"And until then, we should tell them what?" Enola narrowed her eyes. "Sit, stay, roll over?"

"I would prefer that you remove yourself from the process altogether!" Elijah yelled. He paused to take a deep breath that would hopefully calm him down. "Go home to Niklaus. He needs you."

"Nik is the reason I want to help the werewolves," Enola reasoned. "They deserve a voice. Give them one. You know it's the right thing to do."

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Elijah was hosting a party at the compound. Enola knew Klaus was behind this. Despite Elijah taking the reins of the city, it was clear that Klaus wasn't done with it quite yet. He was up to something and she was sure of it. She trusted him not to do anything that would end up hurting her. Everyone else wasn't as lucky.

"Welcome to my home," Elijah greeted.

"Well, we wouldn't be here if Enola hadn't forced the issue." Hayley reminded bitterly.

"Yes. It's rather unlikely that you'll experience an outpouring of kind sentiment here." Elijah informed, eyes solely on Jackson. "The vampires in particular view you as—well, barbaric."

"Elijah," Enola warned.

"Enola tells me that this peace treaty is important to you," Jackson hummed.

"Yes, it certainly is. So much so, in fact that if anyone threatened to dismantle what I'm building here, I'd destroy everything they hold dear." Elijah gave Jackson a tight smile. "Have a wonderful evening."

Enola watched Elijah walk away with Hayley and Jackson. It was no secret that no one wanted them there. Not too long ago the wolves had been banned from the quarter. But things were changing and they were going to have to deal with it. Just like Enola was going to have to deal with Genevieve making advances towards Klaus. Her eyes found him standing on the balcony as the pesky witch suddenly approached.

"You guys have fun—dance, mingle, whatever." Enola pushed her companions. "I have to go deal with something."

"Good luck," Hayley nodded knowingly.

Enola would need it when dealing with Genevieve. She began to weave her way through the crowd before breaking through. However, just before she could reach the stairs, her path was blocked by a woman with raven hair and a beautiful smile.

"Enola Sommers," She said.

"Do I know you?" Enola frowned in confusion.

"Francesca Correa," She greeted.

"Well, is there something I can help you with, Francesca?" Enola wondered.

"I just wanted to introduce myself," Francesca informed. "I will be temporarily leading the human faction until Father Kieran is well."

"And why are you telling me this?" Enola quirked a brow.

"Because you're leading the werewolf faction," Francesca pointed out.

"Oh, I am not leading them." Enola chuckled awkwardly. "I'm more of a spokesperson."

"Well, you're one hell of a spokesperson." Francesca hummed. "Listen, I wanted to give the Crescents a welcome back to humanity gift in the form of a hundred dollar chips to my casino."

"I'm sure they will appreciate it," Enola grinned. "Thank you."

"Of course," Francesca smiled, pulling what appeared to be a business card out of her bra. "Here. You should give me a call."

Enola was unaware that Francesca had been flirting. Her eyes flickered up to the balcony to find Klaus gone as Genevieve stormed down the stairs in disappointment. She smiled in victory but frowned when she realized Klaus had once again disappeared.

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Enola spotted Klaus and Jackson through the crowd. They appeared to be coming from the same location. As Jackson went to find the Crescents, Klaus lingered on the sidelines. Enola hobbled on over. Klaus smiled in greeting, pressing a chaste kiss against Enola's lips but that didn't silence the questions.

"What was that about?" Enola inquired.

"Nothing you need to worry your pretty little head about," Klaus smiled softly.

"It is if it involves my wolves," Enola said. "Just—tell me it's nothing dangerous."

"It's nothing too dangerous," Klaus answered with a thoughtful look.

"Nik," Enola whined.

"Fine, fine!" Klaus groaned. "Your wolves will be perfectly fine."

"That's all I wanted to know," Enola grinned.

"If that's all . . . " Klaus trailed off, holding out a hand. "May I have this dance?"

"You may," Enola hummed, placing her hand in his.

Klaus whisked Enola onto the dance floor. He placed both of his hands on her waist as she wrapped her arms around his neck. The room was full of vampires, werewolves, and witches. Though it would appear that none of them felt comfortable enough to mingle outside of their species. They hoped that would change by the end of the night.

"You look absolutely ravishing," Klaus grinned.

"I look like a refrigerator," Enola pointed out.

"A refrigerator with impeccable taste," Klaus teased.

"Shut up," Enola rolled her eyes as a small smile danced across her lips.

Unfortunately the festivities came to a screeching halt at the sound of glass shattering. Enola and Klaus turn to find Oliver and Diego in the middle of a heated altercation. Until Elijah interrupted, siding with the vampires like always. This is what made Klaus a better leader. He never cared about the species he was teaming up with. All he cared about was getting the job done. And he always did get the job done. Meanwhile his brother was struggling to forge an alliance. And this was why.

"This ends now," Elijah spat, wrapping a hand around Oliver's throat. "I won't ask again."

"Oh, we'll end it all right." Jackson growled, pressing a broken chair leg to Diego's chest.

"Then what's stopping you? Kill him." Enola spoke up. "Go ahead, Elijah. Do it."

"Shouldn't you intervene or something?" Francesca questioned Klaus rather anxiously.

"Why would I? This party just got interesting." Klaus smiled, watching his girl take control of the obvious situation.

"It was Oliver who handed Rebekah over to the witches so they could torture her. But then again Diego led a literal wolf hunt just last month. And let's not forget the witches cursed the wolves while the humans stood back and watched." Enola continued. "So when you think about it, we all have done something that deserves punishment."

"Are you approaching a point?" Elijah narrowed his eyes.

"My point, Elijah, is this: if we can't all learn to get along, if our families can't create some sort of community, then what's the point?" Enola questioned rhetorically. "Just kill each other and get it all over with."

Elijah released Oliver as Jackson unhanded Diego. That night a treaty was signed and peace was forged. That should have been the end of it. But things never go how we expect them to, do they?

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AUTHORS NOTE.
enola feels responsible for the werewolves. like she needs to speak up for them. maybe it is because they are her friends. or maybe it is because her ancestor was a part of their pack. either way, she will not give up until they get a voice. until next time, my loves!!!