𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬

...🌑...

𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐀𝐘 portrayed by Shay Mitchell

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓, 𝑀𝑌𝑆𝑇𝐼𝐶 𝐹𝐴𝐿𝐿𝑆

𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎

𝐈 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐝, 𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚'𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐞.

It was supposed to be a simple evening, a few hours of pretending life was normal again. But as I slung the strap over my shoulder, the door to my room flew open with a bang.

"Please tell me you're not involved with a vampire," Morana's voice cut through the air like a blade.

I turned slowly, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at her entrance. There she stood, dark hair wild and her expression twisted with anger—same as always. "Nice to see you too, Morana."

Her eyes narrowed as she stepped further into the room, demanding attention. "Is it true?"

I raised an eyebrow, fully swinging the bag onto my shoulder as I faced her. "Why do you care?"

Morana's jaw clenched, her fists tightening at her sides. "Because you don't deserve the crown. Vampires are our enemy."

The accusation hung in the air between us, thick and charged. This was typical of her; she was always ready to throw doubt at me and question every decision I made.

"Morana, you've always wanted to be queen," I said, my voice steady, but I could feel the heat rising in my veins.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. "It should have gone to me."

The tension in the room snapped, and before I could react, Morana raised her hand. The wind rushed at me, slamming into my chest and forcing me back a step. My eyes flashed with anger, and I felt the warmth of my magic pulse through me, a familiar power surging beneath my skin.

The balcony doors behind me burst open, the wind howling through the room. My magic collided with hers, swirling around us like a storm. It crashed into her, knocking her back a few steps.

I held my ground, glaring at her. "You don't want to push me, Morana."

Her nostrils flared, her hands still clenched.

"You're pissed because you're not queen, cousin. Sorry, but I didn't choose this." I gritted out.

Her eyes burned with resentment, and I could feel the weight of every unspoken word between us.

We used to be close, but that was before the crown was thrust upon me before our family drew a line between us. Now, all she saw was a rival. I, on the other hand, saw a dangerous witch who wanted me gone.

"I was born for this," Morana hissed, her voice low and venomous. "You? You're just the convenient choice."

I stepped forward, letting the wind whip around us, the tension coiling tighter. "You think you can do this better? Better than my Mom? You think because you want the crown, that makes you fit to wear it?" My voice was sharp, matching the anger rising inside me. "Being queen isn't just about power, Morana. It's about responsibility. And you...you can't even handle the idea of not getting what you want."

She sneered, but the fire in her eyes flickered, just for a moment. "I will take what's mine, Selene. Sooner or later, the coven will see you for what you really are—a witch who consorts with vampires."

My fists clenched, the air crackling with the magic between us. "Say whatever you want," I spat. "But I'm going to be queen, and that's not changing. You'll have to do a lot more than blow open a few doors if you want to take me down."

For a moment, neither of us moved. The energy between us pulsed, daring one of us to strike again. But then Morana lowered her hand, though the fury still danced in her eyes. "This isn't over."

I smirked, pushing past her toward the door. "It never is with you, Morana."

With one last glance over my shoulder, I saw her standing there, fists still tight, her breath coming in angry bursts. Part of me wanted to turn back, fight her head-on, and end this once and for all.

But not today.

I stormed out of the room, the slam of the door behind me shaking the walls. Morana wasn't done, not by a long shot. But neither was I. She could try to take the crown and tear me down, but I wasn't going anywhere.

As I headed down the hall, I could still feel the electricity from our confrontation buzzing under my skin. But I pushed it down and forced myself to focus. Jenna's barbecue awaited, and despite everything, I needed a break from the war brewing at home.

Today, I just want to be a normal teenager.

...🌑...

The kitchen was filled with the familiar sounds of a casual afternoon—bags of chips crinkling, plates clattering onto the island, and Elena humming some nameless tune as she poured chips into a large bowl. I grabbed another stack of plates and placed them beside her, trying to focus on the task.

Normal.

Today was supposed to be normal.

"Thanks for letting me invite Caroline," Elena said, her voice a little too cheerful, as if trying to mask the tension. "She could use a day of distraction."

Jenna shot her a look, hands on her hips, before turning her gaze squarely on me. "Well, she's not the plus one I'm worried about." Her tone was sharp, cutting through the comfortable hum of preparation. "Why is Damon coming?"

I froze, my hand hovering over the plates. I hadn't heard that. Slowly, my gaze snapped to Jenna, then slid over to Elena, who was suddenly very interested in stirring the bowl of chips.

"Damon's coming?" My voice came out flat, but underneath, there was a mixture of surprise and a flicker of something else.

Dread?

Excitement?

I wasn't sure.

Elena nodded, offering me an apologetic look. "Yeah, because Alaric is a pity taker," she said lightly, trying to smooth things over. "Come on, Jenna, be nice."

Jenna scoffed, shaking her head and wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. "I'll be nice when Damon learns to keep his paws off her." She looked at me, her eyes filled with concern, not judgment.

I swallowed hard. Jenna had always been like that—looking out for me like I was her own. But this...Damon was a sore subject. I couldn't even argue with her.

Before I could think of a response, Mason entered the kitchen with his usual easy-going grin. "Good news! I found the shot glasses!"

"Perfect timing," I muttered, grabbing my chance to escape. "That would be my exit."

Elena turned, leaving, and I moved to do the same—anything to escape Jenna's scrutinizing stare.

"Selene," Jenna called, her voice stopping me just as I reached the hallway. I turned to face her, already knowing what she would say. She stepped closer, her eyes softening. "He's not worth it. He might break your heart."

My chest tightened. Of course, she was talking about Damon. I could see the concern etched in her expression, the same look everyone had given me lately as if I didn't already know the risks. Loving Damon was like trying to hold a storm in my hands, unpredictable and dangerous. I wished I could turn it off, push it all away, and make things easier for everyone. But I couldn't.

I loved him.

"I know that, Jenna," I said softly, my voice cracking just a little. Her expression shifted, realization washing over her face like a wave.

"Ah," she said, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "I see."

There wasn't anything more to say, so I just turned and walked outside, the fresh air hitting me like a reminder of the mess I was in. Caroline and Elena sat on the porch, shoving chips into her mouth like it was her new favorite pastime.

"This should be interesting," Caroline mumbled through a mouthful, her eyes locking onto Damon as he walked up the steps. I could feel her smirk without even looking at her.

I rolled my eyes at my best friend's commentary. "Don't even start," I muttered.

Damon reached me first, his presence as electric as ever, a bouquet in his hand. He held them out to me with that cocky grin plastered on his face. "Sunshine."

I took the flowers, my fingers brushing against his briefly, but I didn't say anything. He didn't need a response. With a smirk, he breezed past me and headed inside, completely at ease in the chaos he created.

I clenched the bouquet tighter and turned back to the porch, sitting beside Caroline.

Elena glanced at her phone, her brow furrowed with worry. "Is that Stefan?" Caroline asked her voice light but curious.

"Yeah," Elena muttered, her eyes glued to the screen. "He hasn't called me back. I'm trying to decide if I should be worried."

Caroline, ever the optimist, waved her hand dismissively. "I'm sure he's fine."

"Yeah, Lena," I added, though my mind was far from Stefan.

Caroline shoved another chip into her mouth with a groan. "God! I cannot stop eating. Stefan says it's a great way to sublimate the cravings." She shot us a look, her tone turning more serious. "It's horrible just fighting the urge for blood every minute of every day."

I glanced at her, guilt creeping in. If I hadn't told Damon to give her his blood, Caroline wouldn't be stuck in this nightmare.

Elena's voice was soft as she spoke. "I know that Stefan really hates that part of himself."

"Yeah," Caroline said, nodding. "And he hates that you're a constant temptation."

Elena's head whipped up, her eyes wide. "He said that?"

Caroline nodded, looking almost sympathetic. "The desire to rip out your jugular every time he's with you? Trust me, it's there. It's why I had to break up with Matt."

Before Elena could respond, Alaric stepped onto the porch, grinning at us. "Hey! Food's ready, come get it."

"Finally," Caroline groaned, jumping up from her chair. "I'm starving."

I exchanged a look with Elena as we followed Caroline inside, the weight of everything pressing down on me but trying to shove it aside.

...🌑...

"Would I be the worst friend in the world if I abandoned you guys and went to Stefan's?"

I look at Elena as I shove the markers back into their box from a not-so-fun game of charades. The subtle ways that Damon was trying to find out if Mason was a werewolf or not was not what I signed up for today.

Today was supposed to be a day when I could not think about the supernatural world, but apparently, Damon was on a mission.

Why?

I had no idea.

"No—" I started.

"You want to leave?" Caroline interjected, setting her bag of markers down.

"It's just that he hasn't gotten back to me, and I'm starting to get this bad feeling," Elena explained, grabbing her bag.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Elena." Caroline countered.

I furrowed my brows, looking back and forth between Caroline and Elena, wondering what had gotten into Caroline. She had been acting tense the whole day, and I couldn't figure out why.

"Damon's got it under control here." Elena reminded her, moving to the hallway.

"Take it from me. There's nothing worse than a clingy girlfriend," Caroline told her.

I followed them, heading from the living room to the front door, but I stopped as Elena turned and looked at us.

"I'm not being clingy; I'm—I'm just concerned," Elena said. "You understand, right?"

I felt Elena's eyes fall on me before shifting over to Caroline.

I knew where Elena was coming from, that feeling of your stomach dropping to the pit of your stomach and your heart beating fast as worry coated you. It's the same way I felt about Damon whenever he was on one of his ridiculous crusades, which was stupid because he's a vampire, immortal, and everything I should despise.

"How about this," I spoke up. They both turned their gazes to me. "We come with you, so you're not alone. Caroline can even drive."

Elena nodded. "Yeah, okay, that'll be great, thanks."

I wrapped my around my sister and pulled her to the side hug. "He's probably fine, Elena."

We walked out into the driveway, and Elena returned my hug, nodding her head.

"Yeah, you're probably right," she said before pulling away from me and getting into the front.

I got into the back of the car before Caroline pulled down the road towards the boarding house.

...🌑...

The engine's hum vibrated through my back as I leaned against the seat, staring out the window. Trees blurred together in streaks of green and gold as the sun dipped lower, casting the sky in shades of amber. Caroline's car smelled faintly of her vanilla air freshener, a smell that I usually find comforting. Still, today, it felt suffocating, like it was trying too hard to cover something darker beneath the surface.

Caroline wasn't herself, and I couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that something was wrong. Her voice, clipped and sharp, was the first giveaway. The Caroline I knew could be dramatic, yes, but not like this.

Not mean, especially not to us.

"Thanks for this," Elena said, breaking the silence as she glanced at Caroline. "I appreciate it."

Caroline plastered a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Here we come, to the rescue."

"Caroline," I said, my tone a quiet warning. She ignored me.

Elena turned in her seat, frowning. "Why are you being so snippy?"

"That's my own drama," Caroline snapped. "I'm sure you two will beat the odds. You too, Selene. Not that there's any study to pull odds from. What is the ratio of success for vampire-human or vampire-witch couplings? I'm guessing nil."

My jaw tightened, her words cutting deeper than they should have. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Sorry," Caroline muttered, but the apology felt hollow.

Elena sighed and turned up the radio, letting the music fill the tense silence. "I love this song," she said, her voice tight, trying to ease the mood.

Caroline smirked, pressing a button on her steering wheel. "What's playing?"

A cheery voice cracked through the speakers. "Playing 'We Radiate' by Goldfrapp."

"Ta-da," Caroline said with mock enthusiasm.

I shook my head at her when a shape pop of a tire burst through the air, jolting the car. Caroline swore under her breath as she guided the car to the side of the road. Elena sighed heavily while I leaned back, closing my eyes.

It was going to be a long night.

...🌑...

We stood by the car as the sun sank further, the sky now a deep indigo. The air was colder, biting my skin as I crossed my arms to keep warm. Caroline leaned against the hood, her phone pressed to her ear, while Elena paced nearby.

"Are you sure the tow's coming?" Elena asked, her voice edged with frustration. "We've been waiting forever."

Caroline lowered her phone and shrugged. "I know, it's weird. They said they'd be here by now."

"Yeah, weird," I muttered, narrowing my eyes at her.

Elena frowned, pulling out her phone. "I'm just going to call Jenna."

"No!" Caroline snapped too quickly. "Just let me try the tow people again. I'll use my agro voice." She forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.

I shivered, rubbing my arms. "I'm just going to walk," I said, turning to leave.

Caroline's hand shot out, her grip like iron around my arm. I winced, looking back at her in surprise. "I can't just leave my car," she said, her tone sharp.

Elena stepped closer. Concern etched on her face. "We'll come back for it."

"Your car is going to be fine, Care," I said, trying to shake her off.

"Just give me a minute," Caroline snapped, her voice rising. "Elena and Selene, please."

Elena's patience wore thin. "Caroline, what part of 'I'm worried about Stefan' didn't sink in?"

"What's the rush?" Caroline shot back, her words dripping with bitterness. "Why are you hurrying to get to a relationship that will never work?"

"That's not fair," I said, my voice sharp now.

Elena bristled. "I know you're upset over Matt, but stop projecting it onto me and Stefan."

"I'm not projecting anything!" Caroline's voice cracked, and for a moment, her mask slipped. "You're human, he's a vampire. You're going to be 70 and in diapers, and he's still going to be smoking hot. You'll never have his children, Elena! And you're too maternal not to want them."

She turned to me, her voice colder now. "Same for you. Damon is the worst of the worst, and yet you still fell for him. He's never going to change, Selene. He will always hurt you."

Elena's eyes widened in disbelief. "Where is this coming from?"

Caroline's hands trembled, and she forced a bitter laugh. "I'm just trying to be your friend."

"You're not being a friend right now, Caroline," I said, my voice low and firm.

She flinched at my tone, her full name like a slap in the face.

Elena crossed her arms. "Do us a favor and stop trying."

The low rumble of a truck approached, and a man climbed out. "Hey there, someone called about a flat tire?"

"She did," Elena said, her voice clipped as she turned and walked away.

I followed, feeling Caroline's hand grip my arm again, tighter this time. "Don't leave me alone," she whispered, her voice breaking.

I hissed, pain shooting through my arm. The warmth of my magic surged instinctively, and Caroline clutched her head with a groan, releasing me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, guilt twisting in my chest.

Elena and I walked away, leaving Caroline standing in the dark. I glanced back, catching the fear in her eyes. Whatever had shaken her so badly was enough to make her unravel. And all I wanted to know was what could possibly scare Caroline Forbes.

...🌑...

The heavy creak of the Salvatore Boarding House door sent a chill up my spine. It felt too loud, like a beacon calling to something unseen. Elena stepped inside ahead of me, her shoulders stiff, her eyes scanning the dim foyer. I followed, gripping the strap of my bag tightly as the air pressed against me, dense and electric.

"Stefan?" Elena's voice echoed through the house, a tentative call swallowed by the silence.

I didn't answer. The heat of my magic crawled beneath my skin, simmering low but insistent. It was always like this when something wasn't right—an itch I couldn't scratch, a whisper I couldn't quite catch.

We moved toward the living room, the faint smell of aged wood and leather grounding me as I tried to shake the feeling creeping up my spine. Elena called again. "Stefan?"

"Maybe he's not here," I offered, though my words felt hollow even as I said them.

Then, like a shadow stepping into the light, she appeared.

Katherine.

Elena froze beside me, and I felt my breath hitch. The resemblance was jarring—beyond uncanny. It was like staring into a distorted mirror. Where Elena's warmth softened her features, Katherine's were sharpened, cold, and calculating. Her lips curved into a sly smile as her eyes swept over Elena, dissecting her.

"You must be Elena," Katherine said, her voice honeyed and mocking.

Elena's voice wavered as she spoke. "How is this possible? How do we look exactly alike?"

Katherine didn't answer. Instead, she circled Elena, her movements languid, predatory. She trailed a finger along her neck, her dark eyes glittering with amusement.

"You're asking the wrong questions," Katherine purred.

My chest tightened as she shifted her focus to me.

"And you," she said, stepping closer. "You look just like her."

I frowned, my magic humming louder. "What are you talking about?"

Katherine tilted her head, her smirk softening into something unreadable. Her eyes lingered on me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something else. Sadness? No—it couldn't be.

"Eerie," she murmured, her tone laced with bitter amusement.

"Selene?" Stefan's voice shattered the moment, sharp and panicked.

I turned, spotting him rushing into the room. Elena barely had time to react before he pulled her into a desperate embrace.

When I looked back, Katherine was gone.

"Are you okay?" Stefan asked his voice tight with concern.

"Not really," Elena whispered, clutching onto him.

I stayed silent, staring at the space where Katherine had stood. The weight of her gaze lingered as if she'd left something behind.

"Selene?" Elena's voice pulled me back.

"I'm fine," I lied, my stomach twisting.

But I wasn't.

Katherine's words echoed in my mind, tangling with an unsettling familiarity I couldn't shake.

Who was she really, and why did she feel like a ghost I should've known?

...🌑...

The towel landed with a soft thud on the chair as I moved to the dresser. My fingers dragged through damp curls, the strands clinging to my skin like they didn't want to let go. I didn't want to go home—not to Morana's constant judgment nor the suffocating stares of the coven. Here, in Elena's extra room, I could breathe.

Or so I thought.

The sudden chill prickled my skin, goosebumps spreading like wildfire. I turned, my pulse quickening, and there he was—leaning casually against the wall, the window behind him wide open.

Damon.

I rolled my eyes, heading straight for the window. Slamming it shut more forcefully than necessary, I spun to face him. "What are you doing here, Damon?"

He smirked the kind that crawled under my skin and set it ablaze. "Stefan told me about Katherine."

I froze for a fraction of a second, avoiding his piercing gaze. "He did?" My voice was steady, but inside, I was anything but.

"Yes, sunshine, he did." His tone was sharp, cutting through my attempt to downplay the situation.

Grabbing a hairbrush from the dresser, I focused on dragging it through my hair. Anything to keep myself grounded. "Then go bother Stefan about it."

"We need to talk about this."

The brush hit the dresser with a dull clunk as I whipped around to face him. "No, Damon, we don't."

He took a step closer, his movements slow and deliberate. "Yes, we do."

"There's no we between us, Damon." The words came out harsher than I intended, but I didn't back down. "You're trying to win me back, and I don't hate you, but I haven't forgiven you."

His jaw clenched, but his eyes softened—just a flicker of something vulnerable before the steel returned. "I'm trying to save you."

"I don't need you to save me, Damon. I never needed that. I'm a witch who ascended. The future queen of the witches. I can save myself." My voice wavered at the end, betraying the confidence I wanted to project.

"You don't understand," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, but its intensity hit like a shout.

"Then help me understand, Damon. Why the hell is it so goddamn important—"

His lips crashed into mine, cutting off the words and stealing the breath from my lungs. My hands instinctively gripped his shirt, pulling him closer as if he were the air I needed to survive. My magic flared, warm and electric, crackling beneath my skin in response to his touch.

His hands found my thighs, lifting me as if I weighed nothing. In a blur, my back hit the bed, and Damon didn't hesitate, his lips moving with a ravenous urgency against mine. My fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer, deeper as if the distance between us could finally be erased.

He pulled back, his breath hot against my lips as I gasped for air. His forehead rested against mine, eyes locked onto me, wide open, raw, and unguarded.

"I can't...no, I won't lose you," he said, his voice cracking at the edges.

His vulnerability hit me like a punch to the gut. I stared into his eyes, the walls he so carefully constructed crumbling just enough for me to see the fear underneath. "You won't," I whispered, the words a promise I wasn't sure I could keep.

Damon's jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. He pulled me up from the bed and onto my feet, his hands steady despite the chaos in his eyes. He kissed my temple—a soft, lingering touch—and then he was gone; the only trace of him was the open window and the cold wind that swept through the room.