"Get dressed." Elijah cast a cursory glance around the room.

I drew the covers up until just my face could be seen. "No." Even if I wanted to, I'd have to shower before I'd be able to do whatever it was he wanted.

Klaus had been called out, don't know by whom, but he'd been gone for a good hour.

"With the present threat toward you, I'd like to ensure you can properly defend yourself." He put his hands in his pockets.

"Babe, I literally just got kidnapped by psychopaths and had to watch as my best friend had his arm chopped off." I curled into Klaus' comforter further. "So excuse me for wanting the day off."

"Up you get."

"Elijah I already know how to fight." I was not whining. I wasn't. "I'd just like to point out that I learned how when I was extremely pregnant and I fought with Bennett strapped to my chest, he never had a scratch on him."

His lips pursed downward slightly. "Given that you don't stink of vervain, I could compel you, if I wish."

"I call your fucking bluff." Why couldn't he leave me be? "Very unfriendly reminder that I can and will run."

"Whatever you need to do, get it done and meet me in the courtyard." He pointed his ear. "I'll be listening."

Elijah left, leaving the door open a crack.

Little asshole didn't even shut it all the way.

I reluctantly detangled myself from my cocoon, inching toward the bathroom. Though that brought up what we argued about last night.

How could Klaus think that Jackson and I were together.

Jackson.

Of all people.

Couldn't say he was my type. Even when I was fully brainwashed as a wolf, I didn't like alphas. They were all a little too... well what weren't they?

Misogynistic. Egotistical. Entitled.

Maybe it wasn't all their fault, after all growing up in that type of environment wasn't good for anyone, much less impressionable minds.

That could be why the werewolf council insisted on teaching young ones about the beliefs sooner rather than later.

Easier to indoctrinate them.

I stepped under the shower's spray, washing away everything from last night. While Klaus was usually excellent at aftercare, sometimes he didn't get everything. I couldn't continue with my day if I didn't feel absolutely clean.

That and any creature with a strong sense of smell was acutely aware of what exactly I had, dried between my thighs.

It was already going to be uncomfortable enough sparring Elijah. No need to add to it.

I did wonder what moment caused me to snap in that way. Sure, something felt off, especially as I got older, but I'd been a firm believer in wolf tradition. What had he done?

Truthfully I was glad. In the end I had gotten out. I'd pulled myself from that awful situation.

Which, now that I had children of my own, I'd  never do that to them. How could my parents trade me away like that? How could he, a grown man, marry a girl who'd barely turned sixteen?

Horrendous.

I hope they all rot in hell.

I grinned as the full weight of what happened fell on me. Klaus hadn't been the one to save me, it was me who'd done it. I killed them. Not him.

A giggle fell from my lips. It probably sounded half crazed, but I felt almost giddy.

Through the days I wished I was dead, I'd survived.

I won. I won.

A shadow crossed the foggy shower door and I froze.

What the fuck was that?

Leaving the shower running, I inched toward the door, my knuckles popping as my hand shifted, nails growing long and sharp.

Veins descended from my eyes.

What I saw, though, when I opened the door, it made my blood run cold.

It was him.

He had that wretched little smirk on his face. I stumbled back, muttering obscenities under my breath.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

It couldn't be real.

He picked up the ceramic soap dispenser, tossing it lightly in the air. "Delilah, Delilah." He taunted. "You killed me."

He threw it at me, and I barely dodged in time. It shattered the tile of the shower.

Oh. Oh no.

"Maverick, are you alright?" Elijah knocked on the door.

He advanced.

I threw my hands up protectively.

The door slammed against the wall, and Elijah immediately went for him. It wasn't much use, the second he tried to land a hit, he evaporated, reappearing behind him.

"We have to go." I urged. "It's a vengeful spirit."

Elijah paused, his brow furrowing.

I grabbed a towel, wrapping it around myself. "C'mon."

"Are you certain?"

"Given the fact he just evaporated, then yes."