The castle had not changed much in a hundred years, its stone walls still echoing with whispers of secrets and shadows of firelight. But as Henrik and I approached, cloaked in the weight of time and power, I felt the shift.
Aurora was waiting at the gates. Her eyes glowed faintly, a predator's gleam she wore with ease now. She had embraced immortality long ago, but the smile she gave me was still warm, still Aurora.
"You kept your promise," she said softly. "You returned."
I stepped to her, brushing a strand of fiery hair from her face. "As I swore I would."
Behind her stood Tristan, his expression steady but deferential. His eyes glowed faintly — not human, not mortal. Aurora's doing.
"I could not leave him behind," Aurora explained. "My brother needed to see the truth. To serve you, as I do."
Tristan bowed low, his voice respectful. "My loyalty is yours, Niklaus. Yours, and the family's."
Henrik smirked beside me, his crimson Alpha eyes flickering faintly. "So the proud Tristan de Martel bows at last. The world does change."
The Reunion
Inside, the family gathered. Rebekah clutched me tightly as if afraid I would vanish again. Elijah offered a steady smile, though I could see the relief in his eyes. Kol smirked, muttering something about "finally deciding to return."
Freya stood near the hearth, her presence stronger than when I had left. Henrik embraced her tightly, the siblings whole again.
When the greetings faded, all eyes turned to me.
"You owe us a tale, brother," Elijah said. "A century is no small absence."
I nodded, stepping forward, my voice carrying through the hall.
What We Did in the North
"We found them," I began. "The Northern Atlantic Pack. My father's blood, my heritage. They met us with suspicion, with growls and teeth bared. But when they saw my eyes, when they heard my name… they yielded. It was my birthright, and I claimed it."
Henrik stepped forward, his crimson eyes burning bright. "I told them what I am — the first bitten, immortal by fang and curse. I showed them the power of my blood. And we gave them a choice."
I continued: "Some chose to remain as they were, to live out mortal years until their children were grown. Only then did they take the gift, so their lines could continue. Others drank at once — rising as something new. Hybrids. Wolves with immortal blood. Not cursed, not bound by the moon, but still able to sire children of their own."
Aurora's eyes widened, her lips curling into a smile. "So you did what even witches could not — you broke the chain. You made an immortal pack that can still breed."
I inclined my head. "Exactly. A dynasty of wolves, cursed and bitten, living and immortal. Loyal to us. Loyal to me."
Henrik added with a grin, "They are strong, our pack. Children born mortal, then turned eternal. A line that will never wither."
Elijah folded his hands behind his back, his voice thoughtful. "You've built a kingdom of wolves."
Rebekah's eyes gleamed. "And brought them here, to us?"
I smiled faintly. "Some will come, when the time is right. For now, they wait in the North, guarding our legacy."
Aurora and Tristan
Aurora stepped closer, her hand brushing mine. "And now you are here. With me. Forever."
Her words held promise and fire. She was mine, as I had always known she would be — one day, one of my wives.
Tristan bowed again, his loyalty clear. "We serve the Mikaelsons. Whatever storms come, whatever enemies rise — the de Martels stand with you."
The Shadow of Rumors
But even in reunion, shadows lingered. Aurora's smile faltered as she whispered, "The Five have not gone. Their order has grown. Their blades are sharper. They hunt still."
Elijah's jaw clenched. "Then our century of peace is at an end."
Henrik's red Alpha eyes gleamed in the firelight. "Let them come. Let them see what a century has made of us."
I stood at the head of my family, Aurora at my side, Henrik blazing with wolf-fire, Tristan kneeling in loyalty, the others gathered.
The world had changed. The Five had risen. But so had we.
And we would not be broken.