𝕌𝕟𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖

𝕐𝕠𝕦 ℍ𝕦𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕠𝕠𝕟

NATHANIEL HAD ONLY been asleep for an hour or two by the time he heard shouting outside his bedroom door. He groaned, rubbing his eyes before he threw his blanket off of his body to rise from the bed. He slipped a pair of fuzzy slippers onto his feet and exited his room to discover what the commotion was about. Nathaniel moved across the second level walkway to stand next to the metal railing. His eyes narrowed when he found Klaus striding over to where Elijah and Jackson entered the courtyard.

What was Jackson doing here? If Nathaniel remembered correctly, which he did, he and the rest of his pack was about to turn back into wolves.

"Tell me what you know," Elijah demanded as he approached his brother.

A coy smile formed on Klaus's lips. "Has Jackson misplaces his bride? Come to think about, I did read that global warming was affecting migration patterns. Try Georgia!"

Nathaniel made his way down the nearest staircase and called out gaining their attention, "What the bloody hell is going on?"

Jackson only glared at the hybrid before him. "I just left the bodies of people I care about to rot in the woods because you left them defenseless against poachers!"

Nathaniel stepped closer with wide eyes, while Klaus also seemed surprised, but he covered it up with a grin.

"Like Kingmaker Land Development. Does that ring a bell?" Jackson asked, making Klaus's expression fall. "Yeah, the CEO is Lucien Castle. Elijah tells me you two go way back..."

Elijah stood in front of his brother and cut the wolf off. "So, I will ask you once again -what do you know?"

Klaus pointed to Elijah as he said, "As it happens, I just came back from a romp with our good friend Lucien. You can find him in the penthouse of the gaudy new construction on Canal. And while you two are chatting up, be sure to ask him about the prophetic vision he showed me of our family's spectacular downfall. You could use a good laugh."

Nathaniel's brows furrowed as he looked between the brothers in complete confusion. He held up his hand and voiced, "Okay, hold up! What are y'all talking about? What the bloody hell is going on?"

Elijah turned to him and said flatly, "Hayley's missing." Before the original could ask further, he turned to Jackson. "You stay here. Niklaus and I will deal with this."

"Actually, as long as Hayley's prowling about on two legs and unaccounted for, I'm staying with my daughter and son," Klaus exclaimed as he stepped toward Jackson. "And, should I discover that this is yet another cock-eyed scheme for Hayley and you to abscond with her, the paltry remains of your beloved wolf pack will be sniffing at your entrails come morning."

Nathaniel sighed, while Jackson scowled. Klaus gave the wolf a condescending smile, before he turned away. He did not get far when Elijah sped in front of him, stopping him in his tracks.

Elijah looked at the hybrid, slightly amused "This doesn't frighten you, brother. But one day, your daughter and son will know exactly the kind of man their father is," his said as he expression fell into one of more serious tone. "If anything should happen to Hayley, you mark my words -no one will have to take Hope or Andrew from you. They will, without question, leave you of their own accord." He then turned on his hell and strode out of the courtyard with Jackson on his heels.

Nathaniel blinked, stunned by the harshness of one of his oldest friends words. He got that he was pissed with his brother, but he should have never brought up Hope and Andrew. "That was crossing the line. I get his made, but really?"