CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT: Exiled
WARNINGS: minor violence, harsh words

ELENA SMILED AT ROSE AND Alice who were waiting for her at a table in the corner of the Mystic Grill. She slid into one of the chairs beside Rose and across from Alice.

Rose had been out of town for the last couple of days to help Alice and to just venture out on her own with no fear of being hunted. Also just enjoying the sunlight.

"Hello, Elena," Rose smiled, pressing a kiss to the doppelganger's cheek in greeting.

Elena smiled back at her, cheeks a bit pink. "Hello to you too," she said before looking at Alice who was watching their interaction with slightly narrowed eyes, "hi! It's good to see you again. Sorry for lying to you about Rose feeding you her blood."

Alice shrugged, smiling easily at her. "It's all good. Rosey explained it all to me," she dismissed.

Elena glanced at her friend who was blushing a bit from the nickname. "Well!" Elena's smile widened, "what have you two been up to?"

"Well, we cleaned out Slater's apartment and I helped Alice move into a new one. Then we kind of just drove around," Rose shrugged, smiling at the waitress who brought them their food. Elena had texted Rose her order since she was running a little late.

Alice frowned at Rose, "we didn't just 'drive around'. On Thursday we went to North Carolina. On Friday we went to Tennessee where Rose used that cheesy pick-up line; Are you from Tennessee? Because you're the only ten I see."

Elena laughed at that while Rose's blush darkened a bit.

"Then on Saturday Georgia. Then Sunday we spent some time in Florida before heading back here," Alice finished with a satisfied smile.

"That sounds so cool," Elena said with a grin, "I've only ever been here. Well, and Georgia because Athena and Damon kidnapped Caroline and I." Rose and Alice exchange looks and then stare at Elena with wide eyes. "Not, like, actually kidnapped. I kind of crashed and they found me and then just... well, okay, a little like actual kidnapping." She shrugged.

Rose snorted a bit, shaking her head in amusement.

"Speaking of Athena..." Alice says suddenly and Elena hums, "she's like thee Athena, right? Athena Castillo? The owner of Castillo Industries and also, like, the scariest person on Earth."

Elena shrugs, "yeah." She popped a fry into her mouth.

"And she's just casually hanging out in Mystic Falls, Virginia?" Alice asked, an eyebrow raised with excitement in her eyes.

"Well, I mean, she lives here. Her girlfriends live here. So not casually, but yes," Elena nods, taking a bite of her burger.

Alice grinned, biting into a fry. "Do you think you could introduce me?"

Rose frowned a little. "You just described her as the scariest person on Earth and you want to meet her?" Alice shrugged, nodding her head. "No, you do not. No. You're staying far away from her," Rose shook her head, waving her hand back and forth.

Alice frowned back at her. "I didn't ask you, Rose," she said before turning toward Elena, "I heard she has tattoos. Does she have tattoos? Those are very hot."

Elena snorted a bit at the incredulous look Rose was sending her friend. "I don't know if she has any tattoos. Caroline and Hayley are the ones who have seen her naked—not me. And she wears t-shirts when we're training so I can't see her torso," Elena explained before taking a bite of her burger.

Alice tilted her head. "Training?"

Elena nodded, wiping her hands. "When I agreed to help her with something, she started these private training sessions. Usually, I'd train with, like, her pack, but since I'm going up against some pretty powerful people... she's opted to train me by herself. In secret, so don't say anything about it to anyone," she added seriously, glancing between the two.

Alice hummed and nodded, impressed. "What kind of powerful people? Originals?" She asked curiously, tilting her head, "is that where you were before you came here?"

"Well, I guess Originals, yeah. I didn't necessarily fight Elijah, I just kind of stabbed him. In the heart. But, other powerful people—like that woman... Claire? Yeah. Claire—"

"Valkwood?" Rose asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Elena nodded slowly, tilting her head. "You know her?"

Rose swallowed, her hands shaking slightly. "Unfortunately," she whispered, her eyes darting around the restaurant as if terrified the woman would appear behind her and stake her. "She's the one who found Katerina, Trevor, and I. She tried to tell Klaus, but Athena had intercepted her. That was the last I saw of her for about a century. Then she showed up again and... and..." Rose trailed off, looking pained. She grabbed the ketchup with shaking hands, popping it open with a bit of a struggle.

Alice reached for her hands, setting the ketchup off to the side. "Rosey?" She asked quietly, worriedly. The vampire glanced at her and then looked away.

Elena frowned a bit, worried for her friend as well. She'd seen the woman rattled before—the fear of Elijah, then the fear of Athena—but this seemed different. Deeper than just being chased for over 5 centuries.

Rose just held Alice's hands, staring at them. It was clear she didn't want to talk about it anymore. The other two wouldn't force her.

Luckily, Athena appeared looking a bit disgruntled. She sat down beside Elena who blinked at her in confusion. "This is way too much Athena-time," the brunette said in greeting.

The redhead ignored her, setting her elbows on the table and linking her fingers together. "I found a book today. In Caroline's closet—"

Elena's eyes widened, smacking Athena's arm. "You weren't supposed to see that! Why were you looking through her closet?" She demanded.

Athena frowned a bit at the smack. "She asked me to go grab some clothes while she, Hayley, and Lorelei went to Crystals," she defended, scratching the side of her head, "I just accidentally found it in her drawers."

Elena side-eyed her. She knew exactly what drawer Caroline kept it in. Liz wouldn't go through it. "Why did you look in it?" She frowned.

"I'm a very curious person!" Athena stammered, throwing her hands in the air.

Rose shook her head a bit, amused. Alice was just staring at the redhead in awe, hearts in her eyes.

Elena rolled her eyes. "You're going to pretend you never saw it. Ever," she said seriously, pointing at Athena.

The redhead scowled a bit. "Can you just tell me why she picked January?" Athena asked, shifting a bit uncomfortably. She wasn't upset with the month, at all. She was just curious as to why Caroline picked that one out of everything.

"Nope," Elena shook her head, "Girl Code. I'm not outing my best friend."

Athena huffed a bit, rubbing her eyebrow. She nodded, yielding. She gave Rose a slight smile, "hello, Rose. Good to see you again. How's the ring working for you?" She asked curiously.

"It's good to see you as well, Athena. It's amazing, thank you," Rose said, twisting the daylight ring on her finger.

Athena hummed, nodding. She looked at Alice next, blinking a bit at the intense gaze the woman was staring at her with. "Hello," Athena greeted, holding her hand out, "I'm—"

"Athena Castillo. Slater had so many of your books and works. I've read most of them. They're very, very good," Alice rambled, her cheeks flushed.

Athena smiled a little. "It seems Slater was everywhere. I'm surprised he made the connection. I was very good at hiding. Thank you though, I spent many centuries getting those books accurate and such. What's your name?"

"Alice Monroe," Rose filled in, looking a little bit tense.

Athena's eyes lit up with realization, a subtle smirk making its way on her lips as she stared at Rose. "Ah, so you're thee, Alice," she said, turning her gaze toward the black-haired woman.

Alice tilted her head, glancing at Rose before she looked back at Athena. "I guess," she nodded, smiling a bit, "you've heard about me?"

"Oh, yes. Specifically—"

Rose kicked Athena's shin very hard, sitting up straighter and clearing her throat. "How is Elena doing in training?" Rose asked, changing the subject quickly.

Athena snickered a bit, though that kick did hurt. Bad. She shook it off though. "She's doing well. Better than I thought she would," she shrugged.

Elena made an offended noise, rolling her eyes. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

VIOLET FOLLOWED ATHENA into the library where the redhead was going to check on her spells. She still has yet to pinpoint exactly where Rebekah is, unfortunately. She has gotten closer to some spells that could potentially be used to save Elena's life, thankfully.

"What is it that you want, dear?" Athena asked as she flipped through a couple of pages of her mother's grimoire before looking at the maps.

"You remember that conversation we had a while ago? About the weapons given to Castillos by the Gods?" Violet asked in return, crossing her arms and looking around the room.

"We had it in this very room," Athena replied, waving her hand over the map, "why?"

"We've been here longer than either of your girlfriends and yet, they both got their weapons before us. Any of us. Even Ace doesn't have his," Violet said, sounding frustrated. "You said that we'd get them by now."

"I said you'd get them when you get them," Athena said, not really interested in having this conversation again. She understood the impatience, but it wasn't up to her.

"That's not good enough," Violet scoffed, shaking her head and crossing her arms.

Athena turned toward her grandaughter-in-law. "I genuinely do not care. I have more pressing matters to tend to. I apologize that you have yet to get your bloody weapon. Clearly, the Gods do not believe you and your boyfriends are either ready or deserve one at all. That is not my problem."

"You promised me!" Violet shouts, angry.

Athena rolled her eyes, understanding why the Gods had not given her a weapon. "If all you wanted out of this arrangement with my family was a weapon given to you by the Gods and mythical powers then you are not who I thought you were. I opened my home to you. I let you near my grandson despite the warnings from my family because he loved you. You do not get to come in here and try to force my hand. I promised you nothing but protection and a roof over your fucking head.

I took you and Akemi in when your covens exiled you. I gave you power in my pack. I can take it all away. Do remember that," Athena said seriously, turning away once more to go back to checking her spells, "you already have a strike from the stunt you pulled with Hayley. Now you have two. I suggest not getting a third. The Gods do not feel you or your boyfriends are worthy. I can do nothing about that. Now get out."

Violet glared at her back, scowling. "You truly are pathetic. Calling your own grandson unworthy. That's a new low," she laughed sardonically.

Athena turned back to her. "My grandson... is an amazing young man. He is powerful and his mother's son. That does not make him worthy."

"Oh, but Bianca is? She's not even a Castillo!"

Athena had a hand wrapped around Violet's throat in a second, lifting her in the air with a terrifyingly dark look in her eyes. "Bianca is my daughter. She is more a Castillo than you could ever be. You do not ever speak of her like that... or I will kill. She is my priority. I have known her far longer than you have been alive," she said seriously.

She dropped the witch and Violet crumbled to the ground, gasping and coughing. Ace and Akemi came running in, looking panicked. They were beside Violet in a second, looking her over and trying to help her breathe.

Ace looked up at Athena with a dark look. "How dare you lay a hand on her?!" He shouted, "she's my girlfriend! Why the fuck would you do this?!"

"Do not speak to me like that," Athena snapped, staring down at him with mild annoyance, "your girlfriend was speaking out of turn—"

"Oh, this isn't the 1800s, nonna!" Ace interrupted, "there is no speaking out of turn! Whatever she did, she didn't deserve this." He stood up to be face-to-face with his grandmother.

Athena gives him a sharp look, wondering when he decided that her rules didn't stand. "She said Bianca wasn't a Castillo," Athena explained, crossing her arms.

Ace rolled his eyes, rubbing his forehead. "She's not. It's the truth. You have favored her and she's not even your flesh and blood. I am, and she," he points to Violet whom Akemi was slowly helping stand up, "is my person. So is he. So they're off-limits."

Athena ran her tongue over her teeth, nodding. "I hoped you would've been better," she sighed, disappointed. Ace frowned, confused. "Bianca has helped you since the moment your mother died. When I couldn't be there, she was—"

"No, Marcel was," Ace interrupted again and it was really starting to piss her off.

"I'm speaking," Athena snapped, giving him a sharp glare, "Marcel was a big part of your life after your mother died, yes, but Bianca was there too. She's the one who taught you how to control your powers as you grew older. She taught you how to cook, she taught you how to actually talk to these two. She's the reason all of you are together, you understand that, right? She convinced me to let you be together. I didn't trust either of you," she said seriously, gesturing to Akemi and Violet. "Bianca was the one who said to give you a chance. So I am not going to stand here and listen to you guys say she is not a Castillo. That she's not my family, because she is. She's my little girl. My daughter."

"I'm your grandson!" Ace shouted, scoffing, "me! Flesh and blood! My mother was your biological daughter. You abandoned her, but stayed with Bianca!"

"I never abandoned your mother," Athena argued immediately, shocked that he would even think that, "I loved your mother. Endlessly. She was my daughter. She chose to leave, she chose your father over me. Over her family. She hated me. Why do you think the day she died was the first day I had ever met you?"

Ace frowned a bit, shaking his head. "You're lying. She—she said you left her. That you chose Klaus over her. That you chose Bianca over her. She... she left for her own good. Because you didn't care for her. Don't you find it interesting that somebody always has something bad to say about you? Claire, Elijah, Kol, Cassidy, half the fucking world. You act like you're some saint, but truly... you're just a pathetic woman who abandons her family. A sad woman who everybody clearly hates."

Athena stared at him in slight shock. Her heart pounded, sinking faster than an anchor.

Akemi stared at Ace in horror then at Violet who was agreeing with the boy. "That's... Ace, what the fuck?" Akemi said, standing up.

"It's true!" Ace laughed, "my mother died because of her. Because of the people who hate her. She's the reason I'm an orphan."

"Ace, that is enough," Akemi snapped, "this woman right here has given us everything. We would have to spend lifetimes repaying the debt we are in. You are lucky that she even cared to take you in after the shit your mother apparently pulled. Nonna doesn't abandon anybody—maybe she should." He glared at Ace with tears in her eyes, "you don't deserve the love she gives you if you treat her this way. Bianca is a wonderful woman, somebody who was there despite what you may think. She is family. She's a Castillo through and through. You're a sad excuse for one. That's why neither of you got your weapons or your stupid powers. Family clearly means nothing to you."

Ace and Violet stare at him in astonishment. He loved them both so much, would kill and die for them. Would live for them. But...

He turned to Athena who nodded to him. She placed a hand on his cheek. His family had abandoned him for who he loved. Athena had given him a safe space, and had shown him love and protection when he earned her trust. She was his family even if he wasn't hers.

"Thank you," Athena whispered to him. She swallowed a bit, "you will always have a home here."

Akemi smiled through his tears, leaning into her hand a bit. He understood what she was saying and he didn't blame her for what she was about to do.

Athena dropped her hand and turned toward her grandson. "You are not a part of this pack anymore," she said quietly, solemnly, "I have plenty of other homes you could live in if you need. You're 18 so you have access to your trust fund." She swallowed a bit. "But you aren't welcome here."

"What?" Violet scoffed, staring at her in shock, "this... this is our home. Our friends are here. You can't just do this."

"I just did," Athena snapped, "you do not get to insult me, get to insult my family—my daughter—and get off scot-free. You aren't welcome here. Perhaps that will change in the future, but for now, I want you both out. If you truly need my help, I will help." She looked at Ace, "you are still my grandson and I love you."

Ace stared at her in shock. He shook his head a bit, scoffing. "Right. Go to Hell, Athena," he spat. He grabbed Violet's hand, pulling her out of the room.

Akemi watched them, incredulous. He turned back to Athena who inhaled deeply and turned away from him. She walked back over to the maps. "Nonna..." Akemi said quietly, "I am so sorry."

"It is alright," Athena looked over her shoulder to smile at him, "go. I'm sure they'll be lenient with you."

Akemi nodded and quickly rushed out of the room. He caught up with Ace and Violet quickly, grabbing Ace's arm to stop him. "What the fuck is wrong with you?" He demanded.

Ace ripped his arm away from his boyfriend's grip. "What is wrong with you? You chose Athena over your own partners!"

"Nonna has done everything for your ungrateful ass. She took you in when your mother died, she gave you a trust fund which she didn't need to do. She's letting you use her other properties so you're not fucking homeless," he spat. He was angrier than Ace and Violet had ever seen him. He was usually the calm one, never really getting angry.

"She kicked us out, Akemi!" Violet exclaimed.

"Yeah, I would've too," Akemi snapped, glaring at his lovers. He loved them, nothing would change that, but the way they were acting made him see them in a new light. "I didn't sign up to be dating children. You called your aunt not a part of the family," he said, pointing to Ace, "and yet she didn't cut you off. She could've very well taken every ounce of money she had put in your trust fund and left you with nothing. But she didn't because she loves you. It's called tough love, Violet."

Ace stepped toward Akemi. "She chose Bianca over me. Just like she did my mother. Athena doesn't care about us." He turned to the people in the living room. "She doesn't care about any of us! She's just using us. To die for her, to work for her. As soon as any of you are of no use to her she'll get rid of you."

"Hey!" Hayley grabbed Ace by the collar, "do not talk about her like that!" Ace tried to shove her off but Hayley just shoved him up against the wall.

"Get off of him!" Violet demanded, flicking her wrist. Hayley was yanked off of Ace and thrown at the wall.

Athena caught her before she hit the ground while Caroline's arms went around Violet's neck from behind, her eyes electrified. Violet choked, pulling at her arms.

"Let her go!" Ace shouted, rushing at Caroline but was intercepted by Akemi.

"You'll make it worse!" Akemi exclaimed as Ace tried to shove him off.

"ENOUGH!" Athena shouted. The whole house went silent, everyone turning to stare at the woman. Athena's eyes were filled with anger and it was more than a little terrifying. "Caroline, let her go," she said.

Caroline did as she was told, shoving her into Akemi and Ace. She glared at the woman and the witch glared right back. The blonde was beside Hayley in a second, checking her over.

Athena turned her gaze onto her three grandchildren. "You have an hour to collect your things. Then you will leave," she said seriously. Luciana, the witch who was next in line to be the representative, stepped toward Athena. The redhead met her halfway. She whispered something to her and Luciana nodded.

The witch walked back into the living room. "I'm calling a meeting for the witches," she said after casting a spell to reach every witch. All the witches began to file in, looking confused and curious. "Akemi and Violet have been released from representative duty," she said when she was sure all witches were there.

"Luciana," Violet said, grabbing her arm and yanking her sideways, "you're not even going to fight for us? We're your family!"

Luciana pulled her arm away and turned back to the witches. "Akemi is still allowed to be here. He has done nothing wrong. Violet has insulted our family and our leader. She will be punished however we see fit, but she will leave. Athena has decided that. There is no set time for how long, that is what we will decide."

Everyone looked at each other, whispering amongst themselves and trying to figure out what Violet had said.

"What did she say?" Hayley asked Athena quietly. The redhead sighed a bit.

"I am now your representative. We will hold the vote as soon as I get more information about what has happened. For now, say your goodbyes," she said before walking over to Athena. "Shall we?" She asked.

Athena nodded.

"This is bullshit," Ace said, looking over at Athena, "you're—"

"Do not," Caroline snarled, glaring at him. Ace flinched back a bit.

"Go pack your things. She gave you an hour," Hayley added.

Akemi yanked Ace and Violet down the corridor to their room.

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

"I TOLD YOU my warnings," Luciana said from where she was standing across from Athena's desk, her arms crossed. Caroline and Hayley were sitting on the couch while Athena was sitting in her desk chair.

"Yes, yes, I remember, darling," Athena sighed, rubbing her forehead. Luciana was the oldest witch here besides Bianca. About three hundred and fifty years old. Athena had brought her in when she was 23. Luciana had been with the group who had left Salem and were brought here.

"I can't say I'm unhappy to see Violet leave," Luciana sighed, taking a seat in the chair, "or that I'm surprised at what she said about Bianca."

Athena hummed, nodding. "I should've seen it. The constant pestering about the weapons. From both of them. Akemi never really cared, he was just happy to finally have a home that accepted him." She sighed, tapping her fingers on the table.

Luciana nodded. "You never told him about Charisma?"

"I tried," Athena said, leaning her elbows onto the table, "he wouldn't hear it. I wanted to know more about her, but he refused. He would tell Marcellus though. I never understood why until now." She shrugged.

"Yeah, well, he's a little shit," Luciana said, leaning back in her seat, "so was Charisma." Athena shot her a look. "The one time I met her, she was trying to convince me to leave because all you cared about was power. You were literally helping build an orphanage," she deadpanned.

"She was... complicated," Athena sighed.

Luciana rolled her eyes a bit, scoffing. "That's a very nice way to put it," she muttered. She rubbed her eye and sat up a bit, giving Athena a serious look. "I understand the love you have for your family. That you have this need to show them love and to be there for them. To pay for Mikael's mistakes... but at some point, you need to learn when to let them go. You can not keep everybody happy if you can't keep yourself."

Caroline cocked an eyebrow at that. The way the woman had softened when speaking to her girlfriend. The professionalism leaving her. She made eye contact with Hayley, the two seeming to get on the same page.

"Luciana," Athena warned, closing her eyes.

"I know you, Athena. We've known each other for a long time," Luciana continued, knowing where the line was, "you're my family. I am indebted to you—"

"Let's not talk about that, please," Athena groaned, burying her face in her arms, "I don't need to be reminded of how Katerina's going to fucking kill me when she sees you're still alive."

Luciana blinked a bit at the change in topic. "She knows I'm still alive," she said slowly, glancing away from the redhead.

Athena slowly looked up at the witch. "What?"

Luciana winced a bit, "two weeks ago. We kind of literally ran into each other. At the grocery store."

Athena stared at her incredulously, "why was Katerina at a grocery store?"

Luciana shrugged. "I asked her that too. She didn't answer."

Athena continued to stare at her. "Why didn't you bloody tell me Katerina knows you're alive?!" She exclaimed suddenly and made Luciana jump a bit.

"Because!" Luciana threw her hands in the air, "it's not a big deal! Plenty of people aren't dead."

"Not a big—" Athena looked like she was about to throttle Luciana, "she's going to kill me! Oh, I'm so dead."

"You're overreacting," Luciana deadpanned.

Athena gave her a wide-eyed look. "I apologize for being terrified of my best friend whose wife I hid for centuries!" She threw her hands up.

Lucianca winced at the 'W'-word.

"Pause," Hayley said, looking bewildered. She pointed at Luciana, "you're Katherine's wife?"

"Better question—Katherine's married?!" Caroline all but shouted.

Luciana gives Athena a dry stare. The redhead shrugged her shoulders. The witch groaned slightly and turned toward the blonde and brunette. "Ex-wife and Katerina was married. We are separated but not legally divorced," she explained.

"Eh," Athena argued, scratching the side of her head. She shrunk a little at the withering glare Luciana shot her.

"I'm still incredibly confused," Caroline said, blinking.

When Luciana didn't respond, Athena cut in. "Katerina and I were the ones who guided the witches here after 1690. I was the... God," Athena winced a bit at the title, "and Katerina was the beautiful woman. Luciana was one of the witches we helped. She's the woman Elijah was talking about. The one who fell for Katerina."

Luciana rolled her eyes, holding up a finger. "Katerina fell for me. I fell after," she said.

"Yeah, like a bloody asteroid," Athena muttered.

Luciana threw a pencil at the woman's head which she caught easily. "Anyway, when my friends and I were strung up to burn... we used the magic we still had to force Athena and Katerina away since both of them were incredibly weak. It was only later on, when I woke up surrounded by my burned friends that I realized the ring," she held up her right hand which had the pack ring on it, "kept me immortal."

"Well, then, why didn't you tell Katherine that you were still alive?" Hayley frowned, tilting her head in confusion, "if you loved each other so much."

Luciana swallowed a bit, making eye contact with Athena. She cleared her throat and looked away. "I must go. I have a meeting to hold." She nodded to the two women on the couch and then to Athena before fleeing.

"Please do not tell me that you two fell in love," Caroline sighed, giving her girlfriend a look.

Athena blinked a bit. "No," she frowned, "she's never gotten over Katerina. It's just... there's a reason why they never spoke again. One that both of us would like to forget. And... perhaps don't bring it up in front of Bianca."

"Athena," Caroline said, giving her a look.

The redhead sighed, running a hand through her hair. She got up and went to sit between her girlfriends. "Katerina fell in love with a man before she met Niklaus and I, before she became a vampire. He was one of the reasons she was thrown out of her home. This man showed up when Luciana woke up. He threatened somebody that Katerina doesn't even know survived... if Luciana didn't pretend to be dead... then he'd kill me, Bianca, Luciana, Katerina, and the person he threatened."

"What does this person have to do with Bianca though? I thought Jenna had a better relationship with Katherine than Bianca did," Hayley frowned a bit, looking confused.

Athena's jaw clenched a bit. "His name is Vincent. He was Bianca's brother, the one I fell in love with. He was the one Elijah helped kill my son with," she explained.

Caroline's eyes widened in shock. "Oh... what... what happened to him?" She asked quietly, hesitantly as she hugged Athena's arm. Hayley leaned her head against Athena's shoulder, their fingers linking together.

"After Luciana told me what happened... Finn, Sage, Niklaus, and I hunted him down. We tore him apart, killed him, and buried his remains in the Atlantic," she replied.

"I thought you had killed him the first time," Hayley said, her brows furrowed.

Athena scoffed a bit. "I did. He came back. And unfortunately, I have no doubt he'll try again. He's vowed to make my life miserable, to get rid of me. Witches don't like it when somebody is too powerful. Along with other elitist groups. People hate anything that's different. I happen to be the embodiment of that."

Hayley squeezed Athena's hand, lifting her head up a bit to kiss the redhead's cheek. Caroline shifted a little. She set her hand on Athena's cheek, rubbing her thumb over her cheekbone. "Then we'll be ready," she said seriously. Hayley nodded in agreement.

Athena smiled at the two of them, kissing both of their foreheads. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

ELENA WALKED INTO Lorelei's room, setting her purse down on the small table by the door before plopping down beside Lorelei on the couch. The hybrid was flipping through a grimoire, looking very focused.

"Where have you been?" Lorelei asked in greeting, not looking up from her book.

"I was hanging out with Rose. She's back in town for a little while. I wanted to catch up with her before school tomorrow," Elena explained with a shrug, leaning her elbow against the back of the couch and resting her head in her palm.

Lorelei froze for a second then looked up at Elena. "Rose is back in town?" She asked, her brows furrowed. There was a look in her eyes that Elena couldn't quite place.

Elena watched her for a second. "Mhm. We went for brunch at the Mystic Grill. It was really fun," she replied.

Lorelei nodded a bit. "Mm," she hummed, looking back down at the book, "I didn't realize you two were going on dates."

Elena scoffed through her nose, "ha ha, very funny. She's my friend."

"Who you looked at like she was a piece of meat," Lorelei drawled.

Elena laughed a bit, "well, I'm sorry that a very beautiful, naked woman was in front of me. I mean, I'm not blind." Lorelei hummed, flipping the page a bit forcefully. Elena raised an eyebrow, "what's wrong with you?" She asked, poking her shoulder.

"Nothing's wrong with me," Lorelei said with a small frown.

"Mhm," Elena hummed, unconvinced. She eyed her curiously for a moment, trying to gauge what was going on. She smirked a little when she realized. Her fingers made contact with the back of Lorelei's hand and then slowly dragged up her arm. "Are you jealous? Is that what's happening right now?" She asked teasingly as she felt Lorelei shiver under her fingertips.

"I'm not jealous. Why would I be jealous?" Lorelei argued, her cheeks flushed a bit as she watched Elena's fingers.

The doppelganger gently dragged her fingers along Lorelei's collarbone, sliding her hand around Lorelei's neck. She turned the hybrid's head to meet her eyes. "You are sooo jealous," she whispered, smiling.

Lorelei's eyes trained on Elena's lips, nodding distractedly. Elena cocked an eyebrow, her smile widening. "Wait," Lorelei blinked, "no... I'm not—"

Elena giggled a bit, shaking her head fondly. "You don't need to be jealous. I'm pretty sure Rose and Alice are together. I mean, she hasn't said anything about it, but something's definitely going on with them," she said.

Lorelei hummed, "well, good for them." Elena nodded, tangling her fingers into Lorelei's hair. The hybrid sighed, leaning closer and letting her hands slip around the older girl's waist.

Elena's heart sped up, her breathing picking up just a bit. Lorelei exhaled shakily, her eyes focusing back on Elena's lips. Elena's own eyes focused on Lorelei's lips.

The world faded out around them. Elena's fingers reached up toward Lorelei's cheek, gently brushing them across the skin while her other hand, still tangled in dark hair, pulled the girl just a little closer.

Blood rushed into Lorelei's ears as she swallowed. "Elena..." she whispered, her eyes flicking up to meet the doppelgangers, "can I—"

The door opened, Bianca looking agitated as she strolled right on in. "Okay, what the fuck is going on around—" She paused as she noticed what she just walked in on.

Elena pulled away from Lorelei, clearing her throat. Lorelei closed her eyes, sighing through her nose. Then she turned toward her sister, running a hand through her hair.

"I..." Bianca winced, looking between the two girls, "apologize." Elena gave her an awkward grin and went into the bathroom. Lorelei glared at Bianca a bit. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I didn't know," she whispered, raising her hands in surrender, "but damn, kid." She smirked teasingly at her.

Lorelei chucked a throw pillow at her much to Bianca's amusement. "What are you doing here?" She asked with a sigh.

Bianca cleared her throat and nodded, getting back on task. "Well, I got a colorfully worded text message from my nephew. What the hell is going on? It looks like Luciana is in charge," she said, crossing her arms.

Lorelei winced a bit. "She is in charge. Violet and Akemi have been taken off the representatives," she said. Bianca stared at her in shock. "We will be voting in a couple of minutes..."

"On what?" Bianca asked, her eyes wide.

"On how long till they can return," Lorelei replied as she stood up.

"Wait, wait, if Akemi and Violet aren't allowed—"

"We're not voting for Akemi," Lorelei interrupted solemnly, "it's for Ace and Violet."

Bianca looked like she had the wind knocked out of her. "What? Why—I need to go talk to Ma. She can stop this—"

"It was her decision," Lorelei stopped her, grabbing her older sister's arm before she could leave, "and frankly... I agree."

"Ace is family," Bianca argued, shaking her head, "he doesn't deserve to be thrown out. No matter what he did."

Lorelei frowned sadly. She wrapped her arms around Bianca, hugging her tightly. "I love you," she whispered.

Bianca tilted her head a bit, confused as she hugged her little sister back. She smiled slightly, "I know, little one. I love you too."

"Please make your way to the living room."

Lorelei pulled away from Bianca. "Come on, we have to vote," she said.

Elena came out of the bathroom, pulling her hair into a ponytail. Lorelei held her hand out for Elena who took it even though she was confused. The three of them left the room and made their way into the living room. Athena, Caroline, and Hayley were standing with Jenna near Luciana, Luther, and Quinn.

The three made their way over to them. "Ma, what is going on?" Bianca asked, wrapping her arm around her wife who looked like she was about to bitch slap somebody. Again.

Before Athena could respond, Luciana started speaking. "Thank you all for coming. I know this is very short notice, but our time frame was an hour. Now, we're here today to discuss the period of time in which Violet Browne and Alexander Mikaelson were exiled from the pack," she said, standing tall and confident.

Quinn was the one to speak next. "They have violated Code 1. They insulted our leader and her daughter. Insulted our family. We have reason to believe that Violet was only here to get her weapon from the Gods and her mythical powers. When she was not given that, she lashed out."

Bianca looked over at Athena, confused. Bianca knew that Violet wasn't her biggest fan, especially recently, but she didn't understand why Bianca would be brought into the mix. She always had an inkling that Violet was just after the bestowed gifts, she just hoped it wasn't true.

"What was said?" Asked one of the wolves.

Luciana looked over at Athena. The redhead nodded, moving to step forward. Akemi stepped up next to Luciana before she could get close. Athena gave him a look, but he just nodded.

Athena stepped back beside her girlfriends.

"Violet called nonna pathetic and then right after said that Bianca wasn't a Castillo. They argued... it got physical for a moment. Nonna let Violet go before Ace and I came in. Ace got pretty mad... said that Bianca wasn't a Castillo, that she wasn't family. He said she was sad,  pathetic, and that everybody clearly hates her. That everybody always has something bad to say about her. They went after our family and even I... I couldn't stand by them for this," Akemi said, his eyes a bit red and his voice trembling a bit.

He looked down at his shaking hands, twisting them together. It reminded Athena of the first time she met the scared teenager who was thrown out after being beaten—almost to death.

Athena stepped forward, taking his hands between hers and holding them firmly. She looked out at her people. "I believe that covers everything, except the altercation that happened with Caroline and Hayley. Feel free to take that into consideration as well." She gave Luciana a nod as she pulled Akemi away from the spotlight.

He buried his face into her shoulder. She placed a hand on the back of his head, sighing. She kissed the side of his head, rubbing his back.

"You're going to be alright," Athena whispered.

He shook his head. "I don't think I am," he muttered, crying softly, "they hate me. I—I was j–just trying to make them s–see all that y–you've done for u–us."

"They love you," Athena argued, shaking her head, "you guys are just having a fight right now. Emotions are running high."

Violet and Ace walk over with their bags, setting them by the door. They look a little agitated like they want to leave. Unfortunately, they have to stay until the vote has been cast.

Athena pulls away from Akemi, smoothing his hair back. She gave him a small smile. "You're going to be okay," she said seriously, "you don't need me anymore. You're a wonderful young man. Powerful. Don't let anybody push you around. You're part of my family. Command respect."

Akemi nodded, smiling slightly. Even though his eyes were red and there were tear marks going down his cheeks, Athena knew that he'd be alright.

"I love you, nonna," Akemi said, squeezing her hand once more.

"I love you too, kid," Athena smiled. 

┍ ∞ ○ ∘ ɹǝʌǝɹoɟ puɐ sʎɐʍlɐ ∘ ○ ∞ ┙

TWO YEARS. ACE and Violet weren't allowed to come back for two years. It was to give them time to reflect or to move on to something bigger if they wished. Maybe it'll create hate or maybe it'll be better for them. Whatever it was, they didn't belong here. Not right now.

Akemi wasn't very shocked. Honestly, he thought it would be longer considering how many of their people take offense to their family being threatened and insulted. He was glad it wasn't that long, two years is nothing compared to half the people who lived there.

Bianca hugged him tightly before she let him leave. He didn't really want to let go of her either. They talked quietly to each other, smiling and laughing, crying and hiccuping.

Ace and Violet were saying their goodbyes to their friends even though they were bitter about most of them voting them out. A couple of them didn't even say goodbye to the two, opting to finish their chores or do anything else.

Violet and Ace stopped in front of Athena, mostly because they had too. She tilted her head at the two of them. "Good luck to both of you," she said, "I love you both. I know that probably means nothing to either of you, but I do. You're still family. Just... be safe."

"You're right. It doesn't mean anything," Violet said, brushing past the woman to get in the car.

Athena ignored her, keeping her eyes focused on Ace. The boy looked small now, almost scared. Athena twisted her wrist and a book appeared in her hand. The Hidden Species of the World, the book of every creature to exist. It was Ace's favorite book of her collection.

"Here," Athena said, holding it out to him, "I know you already have one, but... this is one of the first copies made. I thought you'd like it. Or, at least, you have something to take your anger on me out on." She gave him a half smile.

He gently took the book, brushing his fingers over it. "I... thanks," he said before he made his way to the car.

Athena exhaled deeply, her chest hurting. Her left hand was taken, fingers linking with hers while two hands wrapped around her right arm. Athena relaxed a bit, smiling a little at her girlfriends.

Ace looked over at Akemi who was hovering around the front of the car. "You coming?" Ace asked, his expression and voice much softer than it was.

Akemi raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to yell at me later?" He shot back.

Ace shook his head and held out his hand. "I'm just tired," he said.

Akemi hesitated a bit but took his boyfriend's hand. They got into the car and then they were off. Athena watched until she couldn't see them anymore.

"Do you need a minute?" Caroline asked quietly, brushing some hair behind Athena's ear.

Athena exhaled once more, shaking her head. "No... no, I'm alright. Come on. I need to sleep for a little bit," she said.

Hayley kissed the back of her hand, smiling. "That we can do," she said before guiding her girlfriends inside. 

AN: i am so sorry for the late update!! i've had little to no internet connection for a couple of days. i am so sorry! thank you so much for reading and hope you enjoyed!!

edited:
finished: 02/18/24
wc: 7278