**WARNING!!!! This is a SEQUEL! Please read my first book, Inevitable, before reading this one!!**

We never had to force love. We were drowning in it the moment we met.

"Welcome to New Orleans, our love" 

Claire practically presses her face against the tinted window of the limo as they passed the 'Welcome to New Orleans' sign. Her eyes absorbed everything she could see. She instantly liked the city more than Mystic Falls. She believes it to be far more beautiful, far more alive. She briefly wonders what it looked like when her mates arrived for the first time.

"How much further?" Claire asked not able to tear her eyes away from the scenery.

"Not much, just a little further. The plantation is just on the outskirts." Klaus informs her. Claire nods finally able to look away. Her eyes instantly go to her daughter. The five-year-old is curled in Elijah's lap, out like a light.

Madelyn Mikaelson. Claire always smiled in amusement whenever she thought about how Madelyn got their last name before she did. Her mates had come to her not long after they left Mystic Falls wanting to adopt Madelyn and have her bear their name. Claire instantly agreed.

After watching her daughter sleep for a few moments, her eyes downcast to her hand. Her left hand, where her engagement ring hugged her finger. It's only been a couple of weeks since they proposed. They waited until she had graduated and she instantly gave them a tearful yes.

Claire had just wrapped her head around the fact that she's getting married when she ran into a pair of witches. They were sisters. The run-in was innocent enough until they received a letter about a week later from the same witches saying that they need to come to New Orleans, that it was of utmost importance. 

Her mates weren't interested until Claire noticed something along with the letter. A picture of a man. He was smiling brightly with his friends in the center of the city. On the back, it said 'King of the French Quarter'. When Claire pointed it out, it instantly got their attention.

Marcellus Gerard is a vampire Klaus had sired during his time in New Orleans. He was a slave boy that fought back when being whipped. His display of courage and strength caught Klaus's eye. From that day on, Klaus took him under his wing. Klaus treated him like a son until the day Klaus thought Marcel had died, the day Mikael found them and forced them to flee.

Not wanting to stay in McKinley any longer Claire suggested that they go to New Orleans. That they see what the Deveraux sisters wanted, see the great city of New Orleans and get acquainted with their so-called 'king'.

Claire didn't know what New Orleans had in store for herself and her family but the new adventure made her excited. She remembered craving a normal life once and she had it, for about a semester of college. She enjoyed the simplicity at first but then grew bored with the repetition. Though, she would rather have the boring repetition than the possible danger. 

Though, being with the Mikaelson's and being so involved in the supernatural community, the danger is around every corner. Claire could say she felt confident in protecting not only herself but her family, especially her daughter. The last few years in college weren't always repetitious and whenever something came up, she proved to herself that she has the strength to protect the ones she loves.

A hand covers her own and snaps her from her thoughts. She looks up at Kol and returns the smile he's giving her. He kisses her forehead. She breaths peacefully and lean into him. Her head lays on his shoulder, his rests on top of hers.

Her grip on his hand tightens as the memory of their beloved son re-enters her mind. It's been three years and eleven months since their son was stolen from them. The anger still resides in her heart but at least now she can think of him without crying... every time at least.

As if knowing exactly what is on her mind, which he seems to always know, Kol presses a comforting kiss on the top of her head. She smiles and relaxes against him. Her eyes look at their intertwined fingers. Her thumb grazes of the skin of his hand.

"We're nearly there," Klaus says gaining her attention. "When we get there, I need you to sign the deed." Claire gives him a small smile and a nod.

"Tired, Angel?" Kol mutters.

"It's been a long couple of days," Claire tells him.

Long felt like an understatement. Over the last few years, Klaus has acquired more hybrids. The total is up to 43, including the original set of hybrids that Klaus turned first. All of the new hybrids have broken the sire bond and have decided to stay with Claire and Klaus. Stay within the pack. 

Klaus had offered them all deals they couldn't refuse. Klaus told them that in return for their loyalty he and the Mikaelson family would financially support their immediate family as well as protect them should they run into any type of trouble. With the original group of hybrids vouching for his word, more like Claire's word, they felt more confident staying within the pack.

So, not only did Claire and the Mikaelson's have to pack their things and send their luggage to New Orleans but they had to organize everything for the 43 hybrids that are accompanying them to the city. On top of that, Claire had to keep Caroline, Bonnie, and Rebekah on everything that's going on as well as watch after Madelyn.

If her looks didn't show that Madelyn is Tyler Lockwood's daughter, then her temper would convince anybody. Claire knew she could have a temper herself but nothing compared to Tyler. It's one of the traits Madelyn inherited from him seeing as she has the werewolf gene. The last few months, specifically, have been a struggle with her temper.

So, yes, long felt like an understatement when describing the last few days. Claire looked forward to getting some sleep though she doubted she would get much any time soon. She knew they would have to meet up with the Deveraux sisters later in the day which would either cut into or completely ruin Claire's precious nap time.

"We're here" Elijah notes. Claire's head lifts off of Kol's shoulder. She practically jumps out of the limo. Her mouth drops at the beauty of their new home. Claire wondered if she would ever get used to the extravagant ways of the Mikaelson's.

"Like it?" Klaus asks climbing out of the limo after her followed by the rest of her mates. Elijah holds Madelyn to his chest knowing it was better to continue to let her sleep than wake her up at the moment.

"It's beautiful," Claire tells Klaus. He grins kissing her cheek. She grins and walks up to the plantation. Other cars begin to pull up and trucks begin to pull up. Some filled with luggage and the others are filled with Hybrids.

The plantation didn't have enough room for everybody which is why Klaus is having additional space being built in the back. Once it's done, the hybrids would move out there. In the meantime, it would be a tight fit. 

The plantation home sits proudly and is the first building seen when you pull up. In the back, there is an extravagant riding arena, pasture, and stables for the horses. The horses have yet to arrive but they were on their way.

"Ms. Forbes, may I please have a moment of your attention" Claire looks away from the house and towards the man in a suit almost as nice as Elijah's.

"Claire this is our lawyer, Alex, and he has the deed for you" Elijah introduces. Claire smiles and goes to shake his hand but Kol pulls her back into his chest. Claire rolls her eyes at his possessiveness.

Kol isn't the only one, they were all possessive. Claire could hardly stand within a few feet of another man without them doing something to show them Claire is theirs. Though, Claire doubts she's much better when they're around other girls.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Alex, please excuse my fiancé" Claire smiles at him.

"It's no problem, Ms. Forbes, I understand" Alex has worked for the Mikaelson's for many years. He's in charge of their finances and looks over their various properties. He does several things for the Mikaelson's yet this is the first time Claire is meeting him. "A moment please"

"Of course... Kol" Claire says sternly as she unwraps his arms from her waist. He whines like a child losing their favorite toy. Claire smiles and escapes his grasp. She follows Alex toward the house.

There's a table and a pair of chairs resting just in front of the entrance of the home. Alex talks through the paperwork quickly knowing all he truly needed is a few signatures. She signs where she needs too and he gives the official stamp and seal.

"Thank you, Alex" Elijah nods to him.

"My pleasure, Mr. Mikaelson. Should you need anything else, you know how to reach me. Good day, Ms. Forbes" Alex nods to Claire and the rest of the Mikaelson's before leaving.

Claire looks at the door leading into the plantation. She walks up to it and slowly opens the door. Before she could enter Henrik scoops her into his arms. He spins her around and carries her over the threshold. Claire laughs and clings to him. He grins at her.

"Why thank you" Claire mutters.

"Of course, my lady" He replies. She leans her head towards him and kisses his lips. His grip on her tightens as he deepens the kiss. She slowly pulls away and he reluctantly sets her on the ground.

She pats his chest before turning around. Her eyes try and see everything at once. The plantation truly is beautiful. Even though everything is covered in dusty sheets, she knew that the inside is marvelous, just like it's exterior.

"Wow, this place is huge," Henrik says looking around as well. He had seen the place from the Other Side but seeing it in person is a completely different thing.

"Angel" Kol whines impatiently. Claire grins and turns seeing not only her mates waiting to be invited in but the rest of the hybrids.

"Oh, this is going to be an interesting couple of weeks" Claire whispers knowing it would take at least a few weeks for the Hybrid house to get finished. Klaus had started construction the moment they decided to come to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. "Non-Original Hybrids, all 43 of you, you're invited in" 

The hybrids glance at each other and then to the Mikaelson's. The Mikaelson's, minus Henrik, have yet to be invited in. They wanted to enter the house but didn't think it was wise to go through the brothers blocking the doorway.

"Um, boys, do you mind moving to the side, they'd like to come in," Claire said grinning playfully. Elijah and Finn shake their heads, a grin on each of their faces. They both move off to the side.

"If a single hybrid walks past me, I will snap their necks" Kol warns viciously. Claire tilts her head and raises her eyebrows at Kol. Her mate whines and almost stomps his foot. "Angel, it's been a long day, invite us in." He pleads in a completely different tone.

"Not with you threatening my beloved hybrids, I don't think so," Claire said shaking her head. 

Some of the hybrids try to stifle their smiles while the others display them proudly on their faces. They all love Claire. She stands up for them, she treats them like family. She knows all of them by name and knows a few personal facts about each of them. It's hard not to like Claire and because of her efforts to get to know the hybrids on a personal level, they all felt a deep desire to protect her. Of course, they would protect and do what the Mikaelson's say but it's no secret who's the boss.

"Now, sweetheart-" Klaus begins.

"Move aside," Claire says calmly. "Or I'll leave you out there all night" She grins. Klaus clenches his jaw. 

Klaus didn't like being undermined in front of his hybrids but Claire didn't care. She did but not too much. She did stunts like this to show the hybrids that Klaus is a person capable of reason and love, not a heartless demon like he tries to convince everybody. Now, if they were in front of a potential enemy or ally, Claire wouldn't perform a stunt such as this one. She wouldn't dare undermine Klaus in front of someone like that. However, in her eyes, they're in front of family and she has a right to tease him in front of the family. 

"I would do as our mate says, I do not wish to spend the night under the stars," Elijah tells Kol and Klaus, a small grin on his face. Kol grumbles but does as told, followed by an extremely reluctant Klaus.

"Alright non-original hybrids, come in" she smiles at them. They pick their bags up and begin to enter the house. She then begins to direct everyone to where they would be sleeping. Klaus had a blueprint of the house brought to her before they came to New Orleans so she could plan where everyone could be. "Alright, groups 1-3 can take the guest rooms on the second floor" Claire shouted over the chatter. "Take a right once you get on the floor, the first two doors on the right and first door on the left. It'll be tight but it's only temporary" She told them. "Group 4 is going to bunk in the living room. Mattresses are being brought now for all of you" Claire tells them. "And group 5-7 will be in the ballroom. Mattresses for you guys are on their way."

"I love it when you take charge" Henrik mumbles pulling Claire back into her chest. Claire smiles and turns her head towards him. They kiss softly. "I love you" He whispers.

"I love you" She whispers back. Once most of the hybrids were in their designated areas, Claire turns her attention back to her mates. "Elijah, Finn, please, enter our beautiful home."

"Thank you, Princess," Finn said entering first. She smiles leaving Henrik's arms for Finn's. She gives him a small yet meaningful kiss making the wait to be invited in worth it. She then gives Elijah a gentle kiss before kissing Madelyn's head.

"I'll take her to her room," Elijah tells her. She smiles and nods. He walks up the stairs and towards Madelyn's room.

"Angel," Kol says somewhere between a whine and a growl. Claire turns to him and sees Kol standing in the center of the doorway with his arms crossed. Klaus leans against the framing trying to look angry though Claire can see amusement in his eyes.

"Kol, come in" In a flash, Kol is in front of Claire, holding her in his arms. She giggles quietly and hugs him back. His teeth nip at her neck roughly. She moans quietly, her body arching against him. He smirks, his grip on her tightening.

"Sweetheart" Klaus sings snapping out of her moment with Kol. Claire pushes on Kol lightly but he smirks at her knowing he was going to get his revenge on her later.

"Klaus, please come in" Klaus enters the house and strolls up to Claire. "Don't be cross with me, love, I was only teasing" Klaus hums and slowly nods still strolling towards her. Claire slowly begins to feel nervous. She lets out a small laugh and takes a step back but before she can get far, Klaus grabs her hips and pins her to the wall. She instinctively wraps her legs around him so she doesn't fall, not that he would let her.

"You were only teasing, huh?" He whispers his lips brushing against hers. He grins slightly and pulls back every time she tries to kiss him. "I'll show you what teasing is you little minx" He growls before biting her lip and pulling at it.

"Niklaus" Elijah says walking up to him. Klaus growls quietly. "You may have your time with her when we return, we have witches to see" 

*So... How is it? Is it a good start? I don't know why but I'm so nervous about this book. My last one was so popular that I don't want to disappoint.*