I'm Nathan Riley and I'm what everyone knows as a normal person. I've always been in the middle of the pack when it comes to test scores, athletic activities, and looks.
If that wasn't enough, I was the second of three brothers, which meant that even at home, I was in the middle. This was scary, to the point where I sometimes wished I had the courage to escape my home.
I was ignored or at best treated as less than my brothers. I had developed such an inferiority complex that I actually fooled myself into believing that no matter how hard I tried, I would never get better at anything.
Receiving fewer birthday presents than my siblings and at Christmas always getting the worst, having to walk home from school alone since they forgot to pick me up once and every time after that.
To make all worse, I had just been rejected by the girl I'd liked for over two years, who ironically was also my only friend.
It wasn't the rejection itself that hurt. I could live with a "no." What really destroyed me were the words she said… words that echo in my mind like a broken record. And it was only then that I realized: I had no one. No one by my side.
I decided to take the long way home, just so I could think. Think about everything. Not that it mattered if I was late, as if anyone back home would care.
"Dating a useless guy like you? HAHAHAHAHAHA! What a hilarious joke! Boy, I only approached you to try to get with that sexy brother of yours. And besides, why would I date someone who doesn't even try to improve himself? How stupid..."
Those were her words. Cruel. Empty of any empathy. And those are the same words that keep going around in my head as I sit on a park bench far from everything, and especially everyone.
She was right... at least partly. I never tried to improve. Because of my complexes, I ended up sinking deeper and deeper, and now I'm paying the price. Still, she deceived me from the beginning. That's not my fault, right? But I was the one who chose this path. I clung to the little bit of love and support she gave me, maybe because, at home, it never existed.
All of this leads me to a single question that keeps coming back to me: why me?
I have never committed an unforgivable sin. I have never hurt anyone on purpose. So why?
But I didn't have time to keep rambling. A strange sound began to fill the air. Something that sounded like... a truck? The noise was too loud, and it seemed to be getting closer. It didn't make sense, I was in a park, far from the road.
I turned around on instinct.
And then I saw.
A truck. Running out of control towards me.
It had to be a drunk driver... that's what I thought for a second.
But before I could finish that thought, the words escaped my mouth:
"AH, YOU'VE GOT TO BE FUCKING ME—"
The impact was immediate. The sound of twisting metal and breaking bones merged with the scream stuck in my throat, which didn't even have time to come out completely.
In an instant, my body was thrown around like a rag doll, and everything around me turned into a blur of red and black. I felt the world spin, then stop. And then... pain.
A pain I never thought could exist.
It was as if every part of my body had been crushed and set on fire at the same time. My lungs begged for air, but all I could get was the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth. My eyes, bleary, tried to focus on something, anything, but all I saw was the sky slowly darkening, as if the universe was saying goodbye to me.
And there, on the cold floor, with the life draining from me with each weak beat of my heart, the pain began to recede... replaced by something deeper. An emptiness. And within it, only one thing remained: thought.
Is this how it ends...?
I started remembering. Not the big things, but the little details that no one would notice.
The moments I pretended to be okay. The forced smiles. The sleepless nights, staring at the ceiling, waiting for an answer that never came. The forgotten birthdays. The hugs I wished for but never received. The words I needed to hear but never came.
And I thought about her.
Not with anger... but with sadness. Not because she rejected me, but because she made me believe that, for a moment, I wasn't invisible.
I just wanted to be a better person...
Someone who could really smile. Who had real friends. Who wasn't a burden to himself or others. I wanted to be someone who was proud of who they were. Who could inspire. Protect. Love.
I wanted to be strong, unshakable and have a real family.
But all I was... was a broken reflection of who I wanted to be.
The tears flowed, hot, mixed with the blood. And in the midst of the growing darkness, something in me began to detach. A strange warmth took hold of my chest, as if, even in the midst of death, a weak flame tried to resist.
Is there still time to start over?
And then, everything went silent.
Silence.
Darkness.
End.
Or... would it be the beginning?
-----
Silence.
After the pain, after the darkness... just that. A dense, almost suffocating silence. There was no more sound, no more pain, no more body. Just the strange sensation of being, without knowing where, without knowing why.
It was then that my eyes opened.
Soft morning light streamed in through a simple window, cutting through the room with golden beams that danced in the wind. I blinked a few times, my eyes burning, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.
I was lying down. Alive. In a room.
My fingers moved slowly over the sheets. I could feel the fabric. My heart was beating. My lungs were breathing fresh, clean air. But... it didn't make sense. I was dead. I remember the truck clearly, the pain, the blood...
"What the fuck…"
I mumbled, sitting up slowly.
I looked around. The room was small but cozy. The walls were light wood, and the furniture was simple, almost rustic. A desk with a mug of tea still steaming on it. An old armoire. A threadbare rug on the floor. Nothing looked threatening... but there was something unsettling about it all. A strange sense of familiarity, as if I had been here before in some forgotten dream.
I climbed out of bed, feeling the cold floor beneath my feet, and walked to the door. I opened it slowly, and a wooden staircase revealed the lower floor. Downstairs, a simple living room with a roaring fireplace and a dining table with sturdy wooden chairs. Everything was rustic, everything was... too calm. And yet, something about the house made me feel at home. And I couldn't understand why.
I approached the front door. It was ajar, and a light, cool breeze blew through, carrying the scent of wet earth and freshly cut grass. The sound of leaves rustling softly beckoned me outside.
I opened the door completely.
There, on the wooden porch, were two chairs. And on one of them... someone was sitting.
I stopped.
My eyes widened.
"No…"
I muttered, feeling a shiver run through my body.
It was him. Blond hair, serene face, kind, intense and peaceful eyes at the same time. He was there, sitting as if it were just another morning, looking at the horizon with a slight smile on his face.
Jack.
Jack Kline.
The Nephilim. Son of Lucifer. The most powerful being in Supernatural. The final "God" of the series.
"You... you are…"
My voice came out shaky, almost like a whisper.
He slowly turned his face and looked at me with calm, almost brotherly eyes.
"Yes. I'm the Jack you're thinking of. The one from Supernatural."
He replied in a calm, gentle voice, as if he were explaining something simple to a scared child.
I swallowed hard. I took a step back, but my legs felt weak. My heart was racing. This couldn't be happening. This didn't make sense.
"What…? What's happening? I… I died! I remember! I got hit by a truck! I felt everything, I–"
"I know."
Jack interrupted softly, calmly raising a hand.
"You really died."
"So... am I in heaven? Or... in purgatory?"
Jack smiled, his eyes shining in an almost fatherly way.
"Neither one nor the other. In fact... you're in another multiverse now."
He paused and indicated the empty chair beside him.
"Sit down. You must have a lot of questions... and I have the answers."
Still dazed, I approached slowly, as if approaching something sacred. I sat down, my heart pounding.
Jack folded his hands in his lap and continued:
"When you died, I felt your soul. It was... wounded, but still pulsing with desire. A desire to change. To be someone better. To make a difference. That's rare. I spoke to the God of your multiverse. An indifferent but permissive being. He let me bring you here. A small deal, let's say. It's not common, but... I have some leverage now."
I stared at him, still not knowing what to think, much less what to say. It all seemed like a dream. A post-mortem delirium. But it was so vivid. So real.
"Why?"
I asked.
"Why me?"
Jack looked up at the sky, as if searching for the right words.
"Because sometimes lost souls deserve a second chance. And because… There are changes I want to make, changes you can make in a certain universe."
He turned back to me as I tried to process the madness of this situation.
"What place is this then?"
I asked after I calmed down.
"No specific place, just my creation, I like to rest here. It's peaceful, brings back old memories…"
Jack looked at the horizon with a nostalgic smile, seeming to remember a life that had already passed.
Looking around and thinking more clearly, that house looked like the place where Jack was born at the end of season 12 of Supernatural.
It was basically the same house, that's why I felt the familiarity, it wasn't that long ago that I revisited the series.
I didn't say anything, but his words made more sense now that I recognized the place. Not that it mattered much, he must have known what I was thinking, after all he was "God".
"Uh, about what you said… You mean you're going to throw me into a universe from this Multiverse? What exactly did you mean? Don't tell me I'm going to have to reincarnate into an alternate Dean Winchester or something."
Jack chuckled softly at my comment.
"No, not exactly. I tend to observe life and major events from different universes, including moments, individuals, and stories that captures my attention. In one specific universe, in which the Supernatural is also extremely significant, many things did not go in a direction that I find particularly satisfying."
I was really intrigued by this, wondering what he was getting at. Also, what universe would this be?
"There are obviously alternative universes to this one, where things happen differently. However, I always wanted to see really impactful changes…
Thus, observing other Multiverses, I realized how several Gods use this "artifice" of reincarnation/transmigration to cause radical changes in their universes. My curiosity was awakened… What would happen if I took the soul of someone with knowledge of this universe and placed it in one of its most important individuals?"
Okay, classic fanfic scenario, not that I mind that much. Clearly it was the second chance I was after and who was I to refuse?
Hmm, I'm accepting all this with much more tranquility. Well, I'm already dead, there's no point in worrying about things even in Death.
"Okay, I understand the vision now. But, which universe is this? From what you said, it must be a universe I have knowledge about, another supernatural series?"
I asked curiously.
"In your world, you know this universe as The Vampire Diaries/The Originals/Legacies. I know your favorite character is Klaus and considering your greatest wishes, especially the ones you recited in death, I plan to place your soul in him."
Okay, I really didn't expect that. I mean, it wasn't a bad universe or anything.
But isn't that the fucking Supernatural Multiverse? Is The Vampire Diaries part of that too?
Well, it's a Multiverse, so I shouldn't be that surprised.
Anyway, The Vampire Diaries was a cool series, of course it had a lot of teenage drama with vampires in it. But much better than Twilight... God, thank goodness it's not Twilight...
There were several interesting concepts, great characters and cool conflicts. But, my favorite series in this universe was definitely The Originals.
I loved the Mikaelson family, ever since they were introduced on TVD, they were chaos without measure. But regardless of everything, they were a family.
That they loved each other and stayed together, even with the pain they caused each other, was somehow admirable, it was something I wished I had.
This unconditional love of family.
And now, I actually could. Better than that, I could have, being the Original Hybrid himself, one of the most powerful creatures in this universe.
I loved Klaus Mikaelson, he was a very charismatic character, full of mistakes and a real villain in many moments.
His journey for redemption was great to follow, from a terrible monster to a father who would do anything for his daughter.
And I could do even better, rebuild this trajectory, conquer the family, love and loyalty that I so desire (And that Klaus also desired).
It really was my chance, a second chance.
"Okay, I'm all in. How is this going to work?"
Jack smiled, probably already knowing I would accept.
"First, you must know that you will truly become Niklaus Mikaelson. Klaus is an ancient creature, over 1000 years old, while you are only 17. His memories, soul and mind will completely override yours. Of course, your knowledge and vital parts of your personality will remain, but in essence, you will simply be Klaus and Nathan Riley will disappear. Keep that in mind, before anything else."
This information was a little scary, but then again, I was already dead. Worrying about it was unnecessary.
So I simply nodded in understanding.
"With that said, you will receive an extra benefit from me. You will already be one of the most powerful creatures in this universe, but Klaus is not invincible.
So, to make things even more interesting, I'm going to enhance your werewolf side.
Now, your werewolf side will be a mix of the traditional werewolf from The Vampire Diaries universe, with the alpha werewolf from the universe you know as Teen Wolf.
This way, you become much more powerful, being able to use the abilities of a werewolf from the Teen Wolf universe, that is, you can transform into a wolf whenever you want, take away people's pain, and have the presence of an alpha.
But, it is even more powerful, after all it is combined with the normal werewolf from The Vampire Diaries and considering that it still has its Original Vampire side, its power extends even further. Its presence, its alpha spark, does not only affect wolves, but any supernatural creature."
My eyes were wider than ever, damn… This was just op
Just being Klaus was already absurd, now having the werewolf side enhanced with the powers of a Teen Wolf alpha? That was ridiculous.
What would he be? A Supreme Alpha??
Take that, Scott Mccall.
"That's awesome and all, but how am I going to explain these special powers and abilities to other people? I mean, everyone's going to find it weird if all of a sudden I have abilities that no other werewolf has, even if I'm the Original Hybrid."
Jack shook his head, quite calmly.
"Don't worry, I've made some changes to certain aspects of this universe. Nothing major really, just a little old legend about the first werewolf alfa, so you can have a logical explanation for your powers. When you awaken as Klaus, you'll have all the information about this legend in your mind, so you can explain it to anyone."
I nodded in amazement, he just altered a universe just so I could have an explanation for some additional powers, how crazy.
Are all Gods like this?
"Well, if you don't have any more questions, we'll get started right away. The timeline you'll be in, in terms that you understand, is the first episode of The Originals. The moment that Elijah goes to talk to Klaus, to take him to Sophie Deveraux and inform him about Hayley's pregnancy."
Interesting, this was a good place in the timeline. A lot of things could be established and changed from there, plus he wouldn't have to go through the drama of breaking the curse and unleashing his werewolf side.
"Very well, thank you for this second chance. I will try my best to create those changes you desire."
Jack smiled slightly, his eyes shining brightly.
"Chase your dreams, we will meet again."
Those were the last words I heard before he snapped his fingers and everything went black.
----
The world… was silent.
For an eternal second, there was only darkness. Not ordinary darkness. A living darkness, dense, heavy as millennia compressed into a drop of blood.
And then…
Memory veins exploded.
A field. A man. Mikael screaming, his voice like a blade in the wind.
Esther with guilty eyes.
The first blood spilled.
The curse activated. The transformation.
The hunger.
The fear.
Centuries passing in seconds.
A blonde girl dancing in a field.
Rebekah, your light. Your pain. Your obsession.
Elijah, his compass, who always pointed to family. Even when he ignored.
The blue flame of a spell.
The pain of seeing his stepbrother's body on the floor.
Kol, laughing with irony. Dying with sarcasm.
Centuries of persecution.
Mikael, hunting like a soulless predator.
A city bathed in blood.
New Orleans.
The throne that was never his.
And then…
She.
Caroline Forbes.
The eyes he couldn't forget.
The first one who didn't fear him.
The first one who saw him.
"He is cruel."
"He is a monster."
"He is passionate."
The last memory was a whisper...
"You're the alpha. You're the apex predator."
…
The body breathed.
The eyes opened slowly. The pupils dilated.
The moonlight bathed the balcony at night.
The air smelled of the river, of the city, of blood... and of contained power.
He was… on a balcony. He felt the weight of his body as if it had always been his.
Because he was.
But inside the mind, the echo screamed:
"That's not me."
For an instant the old name, the human name, tried to come.
But it disappeared like smoke. Like a dream after waking.
"Klaus…"
He murmured.
And he felt it.
It was his name. It was him. Totally.
But with it came other things.
The absurd clarity. The knowledge that was never his.
Science. History. Strategy. Art. Philosophy. Wars he never fought, films he never saw, maps of worlds he never set foot on… but now he knew.
And even with the soul molding itself into the monstrous identity of the original hybrid…
there were traces that could not be erased:
Kindness to those who deserved it.
Contempt for empty injustice.
The absurd desire to not waste this new chance.
The old life was there.
But now it was just a distant memory. An echo of the man he once was.
Now… he was Niklaus Mikaelson.
With every scar. Every unforgivable decision. Every tragedy. Every death. Every curse.
But this time… he was awake.
With full control.
With full knowledge.
And with the ability to redo everything.
A faint smile formed on his face.
Not of joy.
But of understanding.
It was time to be the right monster.
For the right reason.
And with an advantage that no one could imagine.
Because for the first time in a thousand years…
he knew exactly who he was.
And this time, he wouldn't run away from it.
The night wind touched his face like an ancient greeting.
From the balcony, New Orleans spread out like a living map of chaos and beauty. Golden lights flickered between enchanted alleys, where vampires hunted to muted jazz and witches muttered spells over bottles of bourbon.
Marcel Gerard… his son … was downstairs, talking to Camille O'Connell, the sweet psychologist bartender.
Just like the series in his memory.
He watched.
Not with arrogance.
But with a silence that weighed heavily.
"How many times have I tried to possess this city by force?"
The city did not belong to whoever took it.
It belonged to those who understood it.
And now… he understood.
A faint smile crossed his lips.
Not for victory.
But by promise.
You will be mine. Not as a trophy… But as a legacy.
The calm breeze was like a harbinger, what came with it, the beginning of everything.
"Good evening, Elijah."
I said, without even having to turn around.
"Niklaus."
That elegant and firm voice almost made him smile. It was impossible not to recognize his noble older brother.
"What an entirely unwelcome surprise."
It wasn't what he meant, but he needed to keep up appearances. He didn't want to burden his brother too much, the changes had to be precise and coherent.
Plus he had to admit, it was a bit fun to replicate these "dialogues" from the series.
His powerful and ancient mind could remember most things accurately, so remembering these dialogues was all too easy.
"And what an entirely unsurprising welcome, come with me."
Klaus remained distant, maintaining his stubborn and frustrated posture.
"I'm not going anywhere until I find out who's conspiring against me."
He was genuinely good at it, maybe acting was one of his talents. But technically he was acting as himself, so not so much.
"I believe I just found it out for you."
This time, Klaus turned around and feigned interest, no longer opposing his brother.
Klaus followed Elijah to a mausoleum in Lafayette Cemetery, where he met Sophie Deveraux, who told him about Marcel. Klaus seemed surprised by all this information, but to tell the truth, he didn't care at all.
"This is all very fascinating, but I don't see why I should care about you... witches..."
Klaus said in a bored and mocking tone.
He then began to hear footsteps accompanied by an enchanting and charming voice.
"Klaus, you need to listen to them…"
He turned, barely containing a smile as he saw the beautiful Hayley Marshall. He didn't know if it was from his knowledge, or perhaps from the strange experience of transmigration, but she was more beautiful than ever.
His memory, whether it was seeing her for the last time or the series, couldn't compare to seeing her in person before his eyes. She was stunning.
I'm sorry brother, but I'll have to steal this one from your arms. Should he think of a method to kill Jackson? This should definitely be looked into.
Feigning surprise, Klaus gave a wry smile.
"Little Wolf, you have an exceptional nose for trouble, you know that?"
Klaus approached slowly, tilting his head, letting his gaze run up and down Hayley.
It wasn't just lust; it was the raw analysis of a predator assessing something rare, valuable, and strangely close.
"And you, dear."
Klaus continued, his voice full of irony.
"Has an even better nose for inappropriate places."
Hayley crossed her arms uncomfortably, trying to maintain her posture.
She honestly didn't expect those comments, she thought he would go crazy, make some mean comment or something, but it took her by surprise.
Elijah looked at the scene curiously, his brother's attitude was not that surprising to him, even though he expected revolt and paranoia.
In fact, he was relieved that Klaus didn't react badly to Hayley's presence. It was already a good start, before the news of the century.
Klaus felt her heart race. The scent of her blood. The beating of her heart. The uncertainty in her eyes.
"She doesn't know the power she carries."
He looked away at Sophie, as if remembering an unpleasant presence.
"So, witch…"
He resumed, the contemptuous intonation returning.
"Do you want to tell me why you think you should have my attention?"
Sophie hesitated, but stood her ground. She didn't know why, but Klaus' presence was making her more tense than she thought it should be.
She knew she should be cautious around him, after all the stories were terrible. But his presence there was making her much more tense than it should have been.
And the worst part is that she didn't even know why.
Sophie could not imagine that Klaus now had the spark of an alpha werewolf, a power, a presence, that could affect anyone.
"Marcel may be able to stop us from doing real magic, but as keepers of the balance, we can still know when nature is cooking up something new.
For example, i have a special gift… of sensing when a girl is pregnant."
The words hung in the air like sweet poison.
Klaus' smile disappeared as he feigned a shocked realization.
"What?"
Hayley felt the fear, the doubt bubbling inside her, of what his reaction would be.
"I know it's impossible…"
Klaus turned to her, he noticed the apprehension and fear in her eyes, all he wanted at that exact moment was to calm her worries.
But unfortunately he couldn't, not yet. He had to continue the little act.
"What are you saying?"
Elijah decided to deliver the news at once, smiling at his brother, he said the words that sealed their fate.
"Niklaus… The girl is carrying your child."
For a moment, the world seemed to stop.
Obviously it was no surprise. He already knew.
However, it was the strangeness of finally hearing it said, echoing in that dark chamber.
Klaus' gaze met Hayley's.
And for the first time, behind the cynicism, there was something real: a spark of tenderness that he wouldn't let anyone see.
"My daughter… Hope…"
The silence was unnerving, the atmosphere heavy. Everyone waited anxiously for Klaus's reaction.
The hybrid shook his head.
"That's impossible. Vampires can't procreate."
Klaus said as he turned to his brother.
"But werewolves can. Magic made you a vampire, but you were born a werewolf. You are the original hybrid, the first of your kind, and this pregnancy is… just one of nature's many loopholes."
Sophie Deveraux explained confidently, although she was still nervous.
"Well, that changes a few things, doesn't it?"
Klaus said, his voice almost casual, as if he were talking about the weather.
He slowly turned on his heel, facing Elijah, Sophie, and Hayley in turn.
In his mind, the game was already being rewritten:
Marcel.
The witches.
Francesca Guerrera.
Davina Claire.
And most of all… Hayley and the child.
The child.
His heart contracted, a strange sensation, old yet new.
He allowed himself just one moment of truth, buried beneath tons of mask:
"This time, no one will take her away from me."
Slowly, Klaus approached Hayley. His steps carring imposingness and power.
Elijah watched intently, prepared to intervene in case of any rash action from his unpredictable brother. However, there was a visible hope in his eyes.
Hayley was more nervous and scared than she had ever been in her life, she picked at her nails and couldn't look at him.
Klaus arrived in front of Hayley and with a delicacy that surprised everyone, he placed his hand on her belly.
He listened carefully, his little girl's heartbeat was clearer than anything in the world.
It was definitely the best thing he had ever heard in his long life.
He looked back at Hayley, but this time, she faced him. His eyes were soft and comforting, with a warm smile.
The little wolf couldn't help the feeling that grew inside her. Klaus' gaze at her, it was as if he was looking at his entire world.
And the truth was, he was.
Hayley really felt like she was dreaming, she was sure before that Klaus would freak out, maybe accuse her of sleeping with someone else.
But no… Nothing was as she thought… He was being gentle and comforting, assuring her with his eyes.
Assuring that he wasn't angry, that he wanted that child.
Maybe… this won't be a disaster in her life.
"Okay, I'll help you."
Klaus said in a firm and serious tone to Sophie.
Everyone was surprised, he had actually given in.
Elijah was happy, the redemption he saw for his brother seemed clearer than ever. Of course, he was still worried.
Klaus had easily agreed to the situation, Elijah knew his brother better than anyone, nothing was that simple.
Regardless of the situation, his brother hated being commanded, much less threatened.
But this wasn't mind control, body possession or anything crazy, this was definitely Niklaus. The way he acted, carried himself, expressed himself…
It was simply Niklaus, he was just acting more thoughtfully?
Besides, his brother strangely seemed more powerful than normal, even he for some reason felt pressured by his presence.
However, what truly excited Elijah was Klaus's gaze, the way he touched Hayley's belly and listened to the child's heartbeat.
That look in his brother's eyes, it was impossible to be fake. The astonishment, the genuine happiness hidden in his eyes, the love.
Elijah saw all of this in an instant, beneath the terrible Original Hybrid, the most fearsome creature on earth, he saw his beloved younger brother.
And he would do anything to see it again.
So yes, Elijah was happy, but with doubts. He longed to talk to his brother alone.
Sophie was shocked at how easily Klaus agreed. She had heard of the atrocities, the murders, the genocide he had committed. She knew how ruthless he was, how devoid of any humanity. That was why she needed Elijah in the first place, the only person who could control this monster.
But soon, she recovered and said:
"I'm glad you saw reason, Klaus, but to ensure you don't try to shirk our agreement, we've taken precautions."
Sophie said as she showed her hand and hurt one of her fingers.
"Ouch!"
Hayley said as she raised her hand.
Klaus walked over to Hayley with vampire speed and inspected the wound.
"What is the meaning of this?!"
Klaus asked in an irritated and authoritative tone. Although he knew it was inevitable, he couldn't help but feel frustrated.
"The spell was used to confirm the pregnancy and also to ensure that I am bonded to Hayley, so if you do not follow my instructions to the letter I WILL have to take drastic measures."
Sophie replied confidently, before her eyes turned sad.
"The last act my sister did before Marcel took possession of her."
"That's not what we agreed on."
Elijah said as he stood between Klaus, Hayley and Sophie. Klaus still held Hayley's hand as he looked at her face, she was unreal.
He also noticed that she was very worried about the current situation. Klaus lightly squeezed her hand, making her look at him and receiving a reassuring smile, to which she responded with a small smile.
Klaus placed his hand on Elijah's shoulder, the two exchanged glances, a mutual understanding formed.
Elijah felt something strange in the air.
It wasn't just Klaus's presence, always so imposing, it was different.
There was a fierce, almost animal stillness that seemed to wrap around his brother like a second skin. An ancient, authoritative and yet calming aura that Elijah couldn't explain, but that echoed in every supernatural fiber of his body.
For an instant, Elijah, ever the rational one, ever the protector, felt something rare:
the absolute certainty that he could trust.
As if, finally, Klaus had stopped fighting the world… and had become what he was born to be:
a true leader.
And for the first time in centuries, Elijah allowed himself to breathe... feeling, deep down, that with that Klaus by his side, no enemy would ever bring them down.
So, now at peace, Elijah stepped away and let Klaus deal with the situation.
Klaus turned and walked towards Sophie in a threatening manner, he stopped a few feet away from Sophie, staring straight into her eyes. As she tried to act firm, her confidence wavered and her heart raced.
The pressure she felt was unbearable, her legs began to tremble, her instinct screamed for her to kneel down and beg for forgiveness.
Klaus was aware of what he was doing to the witch, it was on purpose. This power was intoxicating, he had truly become something even more terrifying.
To give you an idea, he could even sense the wolves in the Bayou, outside of town. Even if they weren't part of his pack, he could still feel them.
No wolf escaped his senses, the connection was that strong.
His power in general was extremely superior to before, possibly not even an enhanced vampire like the future Lucien, Marcel or the Alaric enhanced by his mother's spell could stand against him.
In fact, he wasn't sure about it. Maybe they were still a challenge, but he was confident of victory in a battle.
The power of an alpha werewolf from Teen Wolf really took his existence to the next level.
One thing he wondered was whether he could transform into a real anthropomorphic werewolf.
In The Vampire Diaries, this simply didn't exist, werewolves only transformed into normal wolves.
But in Teen Wolf, that was definitely possible.
There are several interesting cases in this universe, without considering the normal werewolf form that only changed facial features.
Talia Hale could transform into a real wolf, which in the Teen Wolf universe was a rare thing. Unlike The Vampire Diaries, where all werewolves can do this.
Derek Hale, from the same lineage, managed to achieve the same feat.
The twins, Ethan and Aiden, were able to merge into a giant werewolf.
Deucalion had his "Demon Wolf" form.
Now, Peter Hale was able to transform into a giant anthropomorphic werewolf in the first season of the series, when he was an alpha.
Sébastien Valet, the Beast of Gevaudan, could also transform into a giant anthropomorphic werewolf and was extremely powerful.
What connected the last two was hatred, the desire for destruction or revenge, catalyzing the most monstrous transformation, going more towards the side of "beast" than "man".
Klaus not only believed he could transform into an anthropomorphic werewolf, but that he could control that form.
He was far from being a common alpha, after all this power mas mixed with his traditional werewolf side in this universe.
And on top of all that, he was a hybrid. The Original Hybrid.
In other words, he had power and experience. His mind would not be controlled by the instincts of a beast, he would rather die than let that happen.
So yes, the anthropomorphic werewolf was entirely possible. Which meant his power was even more bizarre.
Klaus Mikaelson was on a whole different level now. It was no wonder that a witch like Sophie Deveraux felt utterly terrified, even more so when he focused his power on her.
If even Elijah felt truly pressured, imagine a little witch like her.
"I'm sorry about what happened to your sister."
Klaus said with pure sincerity, which once again caught everyone off guard, who wondered if that was really the real Klaus Mikaelson.
"I... I..."
Sophie stammered, unsure of how to react to Klaus's sincerity. Nothing he did lived up to the expectations she had set.
"But understand this…"
Klaus continued and took a step forward.
It was enough. The wind seemed to grow heavier, and even the sound of Sophie's breathing wavered.
His aura strengthened and focused completely on Sophie, who felt as if she would die at any moment, she couldn't even breathe.
His golden eyes blazed with a fury that came not just from the Original Hybrid, but from something older, something primordial, that slept in his veins.
He tilted his face, and his voice was low, almost a whisper, but filled with a threat so thick it seemed to push the air away:
"And I want you to listen carefully, witch…"
The tone was sharp as a white oak blade.
"If a single drop of her blood is spilled because of this little game you're playing… if she feels a scratch, if she sheds a tear of fear that came from you…"
He took another step. The aura exploded around him like a black tide.
The chill ran across the stone floor, and even Elijah, nearby, felt something different: the old beast awake, not just his brother.
"I won't just destroy you."
He stepped closer, his voice carrying something almost ritualistic, like an ancient curse:
"I will tear everything you love from the face of this earth. I will burn the bones of every ancient, I will turn your name into a curse that not even witches will dare speak. And when I am done… I will make sure your soul never finds peace, because I will be waiting for it on the other side."
His gaze was empty of pity, full of ancient promises.
"And believe me, Sophie…"
His voice dropped to an almost supernatural low note.
"Of all the monsters this city has ever seen…
I am the only one who never forgets a blood debt."
His hybrid face was exposed, black veins protruding from his eyes, but at that moment, his eyes weren't yellow… they were bright red.
For a moment, the silence in the mausoleum was absolute. Only the muffled sound of the wind outside tried to fill the void left by his threat.
Sophie Deveraux, a witch who had already faced vampires, werewolves and ghosts, felt something she didn't remember feeling since she was a child:
Pure fear.
Fear that did not come from reason, but from the body, as if every drop of blood knew that the man before her was not just a monster, but a force of nature.
The air around Klaus felt thicker, vibrating with something ancient, primal.
Even the heat seemed to disappear, leaving a biting cold that made the skin crawl.
Sophie tried to breathe, her mouth dry, but she couldn't find the words. For a moment she thought about taking a step back, but she knew that would be worse.
Then she stay still, her heart beating so hard it hurt.
Elijah, ever the mediator, ever the calm one, was silent.
But inside him, something twisted.
"That… isn't just Niklaus."
It was as if something buried for millennia had awakened:
A king without a crown, a god without a temple, an Alpha without a pack.
And even Elijah, who always believed he knew every shadow of his brother, felt that he didn't know that.
Hayley, watching from a distance, saw more than the monster.
She saw raw fury, but also something fiercely protective:
The terror he promised was not because of empty cruelty, but because of what she carried.
And despite the icy fear that crept up her spine, she felt a strange, irrational security.
"He would protect me… from anything."
She didn't even notice how her eyes shine brightly, as if her wolf instinct naturally responded to his alpha.
In the center of it all, Klaus stood still.
His eyes burned with an unearthly glow, his jaw clenched like stone. He was more than an Original Hybrid.
He was the storm that even the gods would avoid causing.
And everyone, even without words, knew at that moment:
That wasn't a warning.
It was a promise.
Klaus took another step towards Sophie, now just a few inches away, who was paralyzed with fear.
"We have a deal... witch…"
"I... I..."
Sophie stuttered, but Klaus interrupted her.
"Great, then I'm glad you saw the reason."
Klaus said in a light, mocking tone. Then he looked at Hayley and Elijah.
"Shall we go?"
Klaus asked as he gestured to the door with his hand for them to leave.
----
When the three arrived at the plantation house on the outskirts of New Orleans, Elijah went upstairs to unpack, purposely leaving Klaus and Hayley alone in the hallway.
Klaus pulled out a chair for Hayley to sit in, and she responded with a smile. Klaus slowly removed the sheets from some furniture as he thought about how to deal with the enemies they would face.
He already had the knowledge that would give him a great advantage, but more importantly, he would not make the same mistakes he had made in the "original line." He would have his family by his side.
"I wanted to thank you."
Hayley started.
"For a second there, I thought you were going to leave me behind."
Klaus looked at Hayley, who didn't seem afraid of him, but was still anxious.
"I guess I should be grateful if that was the worst you thought of me, little wolf."
Klaus said with a sad smile, making Hayley look down guiltily.
Klaus walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, which made her look at him.
"Sorry I scared you back there. I needed to make sure they didn't think of any underhanded maneuvers."
Klaus explained in a calm and gentle tone.
"I didn't mean..."
Hayley began.
"I know."
Klaus interrupted her
"But you don't need to worry. I would never leave you behind."
Klaus said with a wry smile before continuing.
"I've grown quite attached to you, little wolf."
Hayley gave a weak smile in response.
"I didn't know you liked me enough to save me."
Klaus arched an eyebrow, the smile remaining on his lips, but something darker flashed in his gaze.
"You really have no idea… how much."
He stepped a little closer, and Hayley almost held her breath.
The woody scent mixed with the iron of the blood seemed to envelop her, so intense that for a moment she forgot where she was.
"It's not just about you carrying my child, Hayley."
His voice dropped, deep, almost hoarse.
"That's because even if you wasn't… I still wouldn't let it."
Hayley stared at him, confused and vulnerable.
Behind the facade of strength, she saw something that almost no one else ever noticed:
Guilt. Weight. Loneliness.
And a strange, genuine, fierce, ancient heat.
"I don't usually admit it, little wolf…"
Klaus continued, his voice lowering even further, almost like a confession.
"But you remind me that... there is still something pure in what I am."
He tilted his head, looking directly into her eyes, his tone becoming colder and more calculated:
"And so I swear: whoever dares touch you… will wish they had never been born."
His aura seemed to pulse around him, almost suffocating, not just a promise of violence, but a promise of absolute protection.
Hayley felt her stomach tighten, not from fear… but from something warmer, that she couldn't name.
For a moment, his expression softened, and he added with a crooked, almost playful smile:
"So please… don't make me look like an idiot for caring, okay?"
Hayley blushed, surprised by the bluntness, and just nodded with a small, nervous smile.
Klaus looked away for a second, as if allowing himself a break from the weight of being who he was.
This time, he wouldn't lose anything that mattered to him.
"So, what do we do with the witches?"
Hayley asked, trying to change the topic as she felt drawn to Klaus.
"Well, the most important thing would be to remove the binding spell. While they may not try anything as long as we 'play along,' I do not wish to take any chances."
Klaus said while Hayley slowly nodded.
He could see her starting to move again, a clear indicator of her anxiety or nervousness, and given her current position, she could not be blamed.
"So, how do you feel?"
Klaus tried to distract her, causing Hayley to roll her eyes.
"The same I was feeling five minutes ago and five minutes before that."
Hayley responded with sarcasm.
Klaus chuckled before looking at her again.
"I meant being a mother."
Hayley shifted uncomfortably, her expression sad.
"I... I was abandoned when I was born, and my adoptive parents kicked me out the second I turned into a wolf... so I don't really know how to feel about being a mother, since I never had a good one."
Hayley said as she looked at her belly and hugged it lightly.
"I just want It to have a better life, to know is loved."
Klaus was silent for a moment.
His face hardened, not from coldness, but from something that came from deep within, a past marked by invisible scars.
He breathed slowly, looking at Hayley with an almost painful intensity.
"You know…"
He began, his voice hoarse, lower than before.
"The irony of it all is... I never had a good mother either."
He looked away, staring into space, but continued speaking, as if each word was being wrung out in cold blood.
"Esther… gave us immortality, but took away everything that made her a mother. And my father…"
His jaw clenched, the old hatred almost seeping out of his eyes.
"Well, he was never really my father. Just a tormentor, a shadow that haunted me until the end of his days."
For a second, the pain on his face was so real that even Hayley forgot to be afraid.
Klaus looked at her again, and there was something different in his gaze: it wasn't just coldness, nor arrogance. It was... understanding.
"So believe me when I say… I understand what it's like to be born with nothing to call home."
He moved closer, until she could feel his warmth, and spoke in an almost gentle, almost human tone:
"But…"
His gaze dropped to her belly, softening.
"Our child… will not know that kind of emptiness."
His voice hardened, but it was a protective hardness, a promise:
"Because as long as I breathe, Hayley…"
Klaus lifted one of his hands and placed it carefully over hers, on her belly.
"No one will hurt you.
No one will hurt our littlest wolf."
The golden eyes shone with something ancient, almost sacred:
"Neither witch, nor vampire, nor wolf, nor destiny."
For a moment, he wasn't the monster.
He was just a man who promised to protect what he considered his, with all the weight and fury of someone who had nothing and would not accept losing it again.
Hayley stood still, her eyes fixed on Klaus's hand resting on hers, on her stomach.
For a moment, she tried to find sarcasm or coldness to respond, the armor she wore with everyone. But nothing came.
What she found inside herself was something different.
A strange warmth. A hope she didn't dare admit she missed.
Her voice came out low, almost choked:
"Thanks…"
She muttered, barely looking at him directly.
"I don't know why, but… when you say it like that… I almost believe it."
Klaus gave a crooked smile, that half smile he rarely showed, more sincere than arrogant.
"Almost?"
He teased, his voice soft but his gaze still steady.
Hayley took a deep breath, holding his gaze.
"It's just that…"
She hesitated, her eyes shining with barely contained emotion.
"No one ever said that to me. That they would stand by me… no matter what."
Klaus felt something tighten inside his chest.
It wasn't just pity: it was something deeper, older.
Maybe it was because, deep down, he knew exactly what it was like to grow up not belonging anywhere.
He tilted his head slightly, his voice deep but almost tender:
"So listen carefully, little wolf: I don't just say something. If I promise… I'll keep it."
Hayley looked down, her hands lightly pressing against her stomach. A single tear escaped before she could stop it.
She laughed awkwardly, quickly wiping it away with the back of her hand.
"Shit…"
She muttered.
"I don't want to cry in front of you."
Klaus took a step closer. His hand lightly touched her chin, lifting her face until she was looking him in the eye.
"There's nothing wrong…"
He said, his voice even lower.
"In demonstrating that something matters."
For a moment, the two remained like that: so close that they could feel each other's breath, trapped in a heavy silence of feelings they couldn't even name.
Hayley opened her mouth, as if to say something, but hesitated.
And then, as if a spell was broken, Elijah's footsteps sounded in the distance.
Klaus pulled away slowly, his gaze still locked on hers, before saying in a playful but soft tone:
"Let's save those tears for our little one's first party, shall we?"
Hayley gave a low, awkward but sincere laugh, and for the first time, she didn't feel so alone.
"I think I'm going to go to sleep now, the last few days have been exhausting to say the least."
Klaus nodded.
"Goodnight my dear."
She smiled softly.
"Good evening, Klaus…"
Elijah listened to most of the conversation, unable to stop the smile on his face, thinking that his brother's redemption really wasn't far away.
When Elijah returned to the main hall of the plantation house, he found Klaus standing near the antique fireplace, slowly swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand.
Elijah closed the door behind him, his gaze serious:
"Niklaus… we need to talk."
Klaus looked up, the reflection of fire dancing in his golden eyes.
"About the witches?"
He said, already knowing the answer, with that almost lazy half smile.
Elijah approached, hands clasped behind his back, posture impeccable.
"Yes. And about Marcel."
His voice was calm, but filled with brotherly concern.
"What exactly do you intend to do, brother? We cannot wage war against both of them at the same time."
Klaus let out a low, almost humorless laugh.
He took a long sip of his whiskey before answering, looking at the fireplace, as if contemplating something much larger.
"War was never my first choice, Elijah… contrary to what everyone believes."
He swirled the glass once more, his tone becoming colder and more calculated.
"Marcel… he's not just an obstacle, he's an asset. Someone who knows the city, commands respect, and, most importantly, someone who was once loyal to me, who saw me as a father."
Elijah narrowed his eyes curiously:
"And do you intend to regain that loyalty?"
Klaus looked up and smiled, with that dangerous glint:
"I intend to remind him of who he was… and show him that the throne he built still belongs to the one who first built it."
Elijah nodded slowly, though still cautiously.
"What about the witches? Sophie Deveraux doesn't seem like the type to take orders."
Klaus snorted, almost amused.
"They think they can blackmail me using Hayley… and for now, I'm going to let them believe that."
His gaze darkened, like the shadow of a storm.
"But only until I decide I don't need them anymore."
Elijah watched his brother for a moment, brow furrowed.
"Niklaus… you look… different."
Klaus raised an eyebrow:
"Different, how?"
"More…"
Elijah hesitated, searching for the right words.
"Calmer. More patient. And…"
He took a step closer, his voice lowering.
"More powerful. I felt it back in the cemetery. Your aura… it was like being in front of something I didn't even know."
Klaus was silent for a second, his smile fading. His gaze met Elijah's, intense but not hostile.
"You are right, brother."
He said, his voice deeper, carrying something almost solemn.
"I changed. I became… something more."
"And can you tell me what, exactly?"
Elijah asked carefully.
Klaus took a deep breath, looking away from the flames:
"Not yet."
He turned back to his brother, his expression softening.
"But soon, Elijah… you will have your answer."
Elijah stared at Klaus, and even though he didn't fully understand, he saw something he rarely saw:
Determination without the usual insecurity, and an almost ancestral glow of conviction.
Klaus finished, more quietly, almost like a promise:
"Trust me, brother. I won't make the same mistakes this time. I won't send us to war on every front. We will conquer this city, and Marcel will be part of the family again."
Elijah was silent for a moment, and then he nodded slowly, his voice deep:
"Very well, Niklaus… for now, I will trust. But don't make me ask twice."
Klaus gave a crooked smile, full of gratitude and contained pride:
"I never asked for anything different, Elijah."
Elijah smiled too, he was seeing his brother more and more, the future somehow seemed bright.
"I believe this is our family's chance to start over, to recover everything we lost, everything that was taken from us. The original family…"
Klaus smiled even more, his brother's speech was very similar in the series.
"We remain together, always and forever."
Emotion flashed in Elijah's eyes.
"Always and Forever… I believe brother, that this child can give you what you never thought you had…"
Klaus already imagined what his older brother's answer would be, but he asked anyway.
"And what would that be?"
Hope shone brightly in Elijah's eyes like never before.
"The unconditional love of family."
When he thought of the future Hope Mikaelson, Klaus knew this was true. But he hoped that in the future, perhaps even in the near future, this unconditional love would not be hers alone.
His family… He needed to fix it… And he definitely would.
Smiling wryly at his brother, Klaus asked:
"What about Rebekah? Did she get over her complaints and decide to join in on the fun?"
Elijah sighed lightly.
"Rebekah made her disinterest very clear."
Klaus's wry smile widened.
"Often stabbed and thrown into a coffin, I presume…"
Elijah grunted in amusement.
"But don't worry brother, I will talk to her."
Elijah raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"You are?"
Klaus laugh.
"I can't leave my little sister out, I need her as much as I need you. Like I said before, I won't make the same mistakes and that applies to everything, including our family…
I promise you brother, I know I don't deserve it, but believe in me, put your hope in me... I swear by the same promise we made 1000 years ago, I will not disappoint you."
Elijah was genuinely surprised by Klaus' words, his brother was caring again.
The exact cause of such a change was not clear to him, he knew it was influenced by his child and the transformation in power, but still, it was surprising.
Either way, Elijah was genuinely happy and hopeful. Whether it was the firmness of his words or his welcoming aura, his brother seemed genuinely sincere.
And he, regardless of the past, chose to believe. After all, family ties blessed us with limitless power, but they also gave us the responsibility to love unconditionally.
"I believe in you, brother. I never stopped believing."
Elijah replied with all sincerity.
Klaus smiled genuinely, those words from his brother affected his being deeply.
Even that man who once was in another life, that boy who once existed, a young man who didn't have that unconditional love from his family.
Even he was affected by those words.
Klaus knew that whether in this life or the next, all he wanted most was his family. And he would fight the world for his if necessary.
"Well brother, right now I'm properly busy, I need to go talk to Marcel. Then with our sister, then I'll be on my way. Have a good night, Elijah."
"You too, Niklaus."
----
The night in New Orleans was lively, Klaus enjoyed the beauty of the city. This was a place he loved.
Good moments of his life were there, moments where he could find a kind of happiness.
And now, all he wanted was to use the knowledge he had, tear off the wings of his future enemies and achieve true happiness with his family.
Thinking about all this, Klaus remembered something special, a small, unique moment from the series that he remembered.
Maybe the time wasn't the same, but that didn't matter, it was the message that mattered.
The Original Hybrid took out his cell phone and started recording an audio for a special person.
"Caroline, I'm standing in one of my favourite places in the world… Surrounded by food, music, art, culture and… all I can think about is how much I want to show it to you… Maybe one day you'll let me."
Klaus finished with a big smile, as he thought about the fearless blonde from Mystic Falls. Things would be different for her too, Caroline would not escape him in this life.
Other people might think he was too greedy to want both Hayley and Caroline. But he was Klaus Mikaelson.
What he wanted, he took. A being like him did not need to surrender to human precepts, he was the Original Hybrid, a king.
Everything he didn't have in the "original line", he would have in this one. Nothing could stop his plans and dreams.
That was who he was, Niklaus Mikaelson.
The original hybrid. The reincarnated one. The monster. The king, and now, the father.
This world was not ready for him.