How did I get myself into these situations? Running through the woods in the dead of night, wearing a shredded dress. I ditched my heels hours ago.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Something was giving chase. Someone.

Twigs tore at my feet, adding to the already bloody mess. If he was following me, he wasn't going to the babies.

Bennett. August. Henrik. Hope.

Bennett. August. Henrik. Hope.

Bennett. August. Henrik. Hope.

Breathe through the pain, Maverick.

Would he stop once he's killed me? Or were they next. Gods. I couldn't bear it. They were already so fragile still.

Fucking hell. I was going to die.

I'd never see them grow up. Never watch them find someone to love. My worst nightmare, coming true.

Bennett. August. Henrik. Hope.

This was for them.

All for them.

Always.

An arm wrapped around my waist, slamming me against the trunk of a tree.

This was it, the end.

He'd found me.

Jackson Kenner held a hand over my mouth, his other hand rubbing mud and leaves down my sides and through my hair. He worked quickly and efficiently, twitching at every sound.

It fucking stung.

Once I was covered, he grabbed me, and helped me hobble in a different direction, moving through the woods in a way that told me he knew exactly where he was going.

"Maverick!" His voice sent chills down my spine. Klaus continuously called, and every time he did, it sounded closer and closer. He was taunting me.

I glanced over my shoulder, fully expecting him to be standing there.

There was nothing as far as I could see in the dark. A million questions flew through my head, but how could I ask? Klaus knew my voice. He'd find me in a heartbeat.

The only thing keeping me somewhat safe at the moment was that he was mostly hunting me by scent.

Jackson brought me to a cabin, tapping lightly on the wood. It sounded thunderous after hours of somewhat silence.

"Come in." He pushed the door open, and dragged me inside, setting me on the floor just under the only window.

An old woman tended to the stove, a strong, overpowering smell burrowed in the air. She hummed a song. Jackson drew a couple of lines and the very cabin shook as protective runes wove themselves in the battered walls.

"Speak freely dear. He can't hear you in here." She turned.

I leaned my head back, basking in the ability to just sit for a moment. "Why are you helping me?" My heart slammed against my ribs almost painfully.

"Tit for tat. You made sure we had what we needed and kept guard while we were wolves, we rescue you from that psycho."

Jackson threw me a blood bag. Gods it would be so nice. "How do I know you won't turn me over to the council?" If that was their plan, I'd take my chances with Klaus.

"We're not." The alpha sat on the couch.

"I'd love to say I trust you." But I didn't. I fiddled with the opening of the blood bag.

"She's a smart one." The woman crossed her arms. "And brave by the looks of it."

"I needed him to be away from my kids. There's enough of my blood in those woods that he should stay in the area." They wouldn't go through all of this trouble to hide me, and then poison me, would they? "I'd rather him tear me to shreds than hurt them."

How were Marcel and Hayley doing? Had they gotten Camille and Davina out in time?

I didn't want to call them and potentially give away their position.

"What about your angel friend. Can't he come help?" Jackson leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "Or your hunter friends."

"Who told you about them?"

"Hayley."

Figures. "They've got their own shit to deal with. I can't call them every ten minutes because something's gone wrong with my life. It's just Klaus." The scariest motherfucker I've ever met.

Silence settled over the cabin, and I closed my eyes.

Just for a second.

Gods, I was tired.

It made me wonder how long this vampire endurance was supposed to last. Could Klaus even feel exhaustion?

How the fuck was I supposed to make it out of this alive? It felt like something greater was against me. Even in my quietest moments. It was plotting on my downfall.

"Why did you save me?" Jackson asked quietly.

I was quiet for a moment. "I want you to appreciate what I actually did for you. I had to trade my memories for your life. Because you couldn't keep your bastard mouth shut, I don't get to know what it was I did to my pack." I reluctantly looked at him. "So. Thank you for that."

He frowned. "You did that?"

"Yes, you asshole. If he killed you, not only would their treaty go to shit, but Oliver would be the Alpha." He was even more of a dumbass than Jackson, which would be so much worse. "Can I ask you something?"

He hummed.

"Why Hayley? You are always so ready to help her."

"She's a Labonair."

"No shit." I shifted forward. "Really?"

He dropped his head. "I was supposed to marry her."

"Oh no. Jackson."

The old woman made her way over, three beers in her hand. She handed one to him.

"I know, I know. It's an old tradition." Was he... ashamed?

She gave the other to me, which I gladly accepted. "It's not. It's alive and well."

Jackson's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Are you guys really that secluded? I was forced into one of those marriages."

"I was too." The old woman, who was actually kind of growing on me, nodded her head. "If Marcel hadn't a come in, it probably would've still happened here."

"I thought it was all normal. That marrying the man twice my age was good, and I was completing my duty to my pack. That I could play the part of a good wife."

"I'm sorry. For reporting you to the council. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions." Jackson fiddled with his drink. "I had no idea."

An alpha apologizing. That actually meant something. "Thank you."

I had to go back. Had to face Klaus.

My fate.

"For this. But I'm not going to put the pack in any danger with a murderous Original on the loose." I could do this.

Die with dignity and all that.