At least in Portland, they stayed in a nicer house.

"Is this up to your standards, Princes Poldark?" teased Klaus as they moved into the spacious mansion at the edge of the forest.

"Call me that again, and I'll fry your brain on repeat for the next twenty four hours," she said snarkily, shoving past him with the small knapsack. When he simply laughed, she turned around and flicked her hand, making him grit his teeth as blood started to leak from his eyes. She stopped it before it could cause any real damage, but she felt satisfied knowing she'd tormented him enough.

The trip had been traumatic. They'd flown on a plane, which Esmeray hadn't enjoyed in the slightest. She'd been in her seat, covering her face and whimpering with the turbulence they experienced. Klaus couldn't have been happier, ordering drinks back to back and chatting up the flight attendants, who all seemed to be worried about the shivering girl beside him.

"Is she alright?" one of the women had asked.

"Never been on a plane before, love," Klaus told her, smirking. "Now be a darling and go fetch me some of your finest wine. And then, maybe you can sit and chat with me for a bit."

As soon as they landed, Esmeray had bolted out and gone to the nearest trash can, purging and holding on to the edges. Klaus had rolled his eyes, but had taken slight pity on her and had purchased some thai food, which improved her mood greatly.

According to Klaus, Portland would be spilling with werewolves. There, he could find potential hybrids as well as possible Poldark or Paxon wolves that could help with Esmeray's ritual. He'd been very blunt in telling her that there was no guarantee she'd find any there, and their search might need to be expanded. She was just thankful to be closer to finding someone like her.

"This'll be your room," said Klaus, leading her into one of the smaller rooms that had a large balcony overlooking the trees. It was currently early in the morning, and though they couldn't see the sunrise, the sky already bore its gorgeous orange hue letting them know that a new day was starting. "Might as well go nap, so you're not bothering me."

She frowned in his direction. "Where are you going?"

"To find a bar," he muttered. "There's no alcohol here."

Esmeray crossed her arms. "You're not leaving me alone here. I want to go. What if there are wolves there?"

"Tonight is a full moon. Shouldn't you be off complaining?"

"I'm going with you. When it comes time for me to transform, I'll go off on my own. We might find someone before then."

Klaus was not thrilled to have her pestering him for another several hours, but he knew that if he wanted to win her loyalty, he couldn't just leave her alone to start scheming up a plot to murder him. "We'll get you some clothes while we're at it," he told her, making his way back to the car. "I don't fancy hearing you complain about having nothing to wear."

They drove out through the streets, which Klaus seemed to hate. Esmeray heard him sort at least five times, judging either the people he saw or the shabby buildings along the road. He stopped in front of a liquor store, and the two got out, finding an older man behind the counter, smoking a cigarette.

"Greetings, mate," said Klaus, coming inside with his hands behind his back, as if scrutinizing everything. "Happen to have any good bourbon here?"

The man glared at them. "What makes you think I'll serve you, hybrid?"

Klaus chuckled and came toward him. "You've heard of me, have you?"

"They've got pictures of you all up and down the West Coast after we heard what happened to those wolves in the East." The man sat up straight. "As for her, word's been spreading for ages." The man, at least, seemed more inclined to speak to her. "This man bothering you?"

"He's incessantly obnoxious," Esmeray said solemnly. "I wasn't under the impression that wolves were talking about me."

"I've been hearing about you all summer. My kids won't shut up about you. Pity you won't find what you're looking for, honey. Ain't no Poldarks in Portland, or anywhere."

Esmeray frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I'm pretty dang sure your entire Pack was wiped out maybe a century ago." He extended his hand to her. "Elvis Campbell. Me an' my kids are the last three pure Paxon wolves left on the West Coast. There are a few others... at most five, scattered around the States. All old, all hiding."

Klaus drummed his fingers on the edge of the counter. "Well then, Elvis, it seems you've managed to be of use after all. Where are these toddlers of yours?"

"They ain't toddlers," muttered Elvis, standing up. "They'll be around. They definitely heard you here." He glared at Klaus. "You go on ahead and clear out. We've no interest in making any deals with you."

"That's a shame," sighed Klaus. "I was going to ask if your children have any interest in becoming hybrids."

"They sure don't," Elvis snapped. "Nor do any of the wolves in this area of Portland. You came to the wrong place if you're trying to find some lunatic to take you up on that offer. Try the Rocky Mountains. That's where all the loners go. They'll want to be hybrids for sure."

"Here's the thing, Elvis," said Klaus, "I don't think you speak for all the wolves in this area of Portland. You're not their Alpha."

"No, but I am."

They turned to see a man and a woman, both holding up pistols at Klaus, looking pissed off. The man was dressed as a lumberjack, fitting his athletic figure, with tousled hazel hair that had some grey streaks in it to match well with his hazel eyes. The woman had on some workout clothes over her lean body, her eyes matching those of the man beside her, though her hair had been completely shaved off.

"You're the Alpha?" asked Klaus curiously, looking at the man. "Well then. Enlighten me."

"Like my Pa said," the man growled, his eyes flashing amber. "None of us want to be hybrids. I suggest you leave before things get ugly. We know we can't permanently kill an Original, but we can sure as hell take you down."

Klaus gritted his teeth, and Esmeray swiped her hand out to stop him from advancing. "Stop it," she snapped. "Go wait in the car if you're going to be causing a problem."

"Don't command me!" snarled Klaus, shoving her hand aside.

She thrust her hand out, sending him flying back into the wall, the floor cracking beneath her feet with her sudden burst of anger. "I'm sick of you trying to act like you're the Alpha male in every situation. You said you'd help me get my ritual done. From what it sounds like, I'm not going to be finding any Poldarks, so either stand down and shut up, or leave. If you expect me to keep helping you, I suggest you choose one of those two options and stick with it."

Klaus was no longer eager to argue with her. The man and woman lowered their pistols, and came forward. "So it's true," the woman said, coming closer and looking over Esmeray's figure. "You're the werewitch."

"And you're a Paxon wolf," Esmeray noted.

The woman nodded. "The name's Anya. My brother here is Aaron."

The man waved at Esmeray before looking at his father, who cleared his throat. "You said something about a ritual?" he asked her. "What's the deal with that?"

"I needed either a Paxon or Poldark wolf to preside over a ceremony that would put a half-binding on my witch side. I have no control over my wolf nature. My transformations take over eight hours to complete, and my magic can't easily be controlled."

Elvis rubbed his chin. "I ain't heard of any ritual like that. But then again, we only just heard of you." He looked at his son, who decided to speak.

"Would you like to come to our home?" he asked her. "We might be able to sort some things out. Let you meet our Pack. Most of the other wolves are descended from the BasRoq, Deep Water, and North East Atlantic Pack, all mixed. We're the only ones from a pure line. Gotta say, we have yet to meet a pure member of any of the other packs aside from the Poldarks. I guess you're the last one left."

She tried not to let this bother her. "I'd appreciate that. I can't say I'll be up for meeting other wolves tonight... I'll be indisposed for a few days, at least."

"Are you really that sensitive to wolfsbane?" asked Anya, still looking over her.

"Anya, don't interrogate her about that," chided Aaron before Esmeray could answer. He looked over at Klaus, who had yet to speak again. "Your friend can't come."

"He's not my friend," Esmeray muttered, looking back at the Original hybrid. "I'll return to the mansion later."

Klaus, despite not having wanted to spend the day with her, was not wanting to see her go. "Like hell you will, with your new little pals." He stepped up to Aaron. "You, especially, do not command me. I'll be accompanying her anywhere she goes. She's spoken for." His own eyes flashed amber, and Aaron let out a laugh, shaking his head.

Esmeray didn't understand what was so funny until he spoke. "Nothing like that, pal," said Aaron, stepping back and holding his hands up. "I have my girl and my kid back home. Not trying to move in on yours."

"I am not his girl," snapped Esmeray, which made Anya giggle.

It was a very awkward ride to the Campbell house.

Klaus was muttering under his breath more than usual. He was annoyed at Elvis and Aaron, and he didn't want to be wasting time visiting people who didn't like him when he could be using the time to make hybrids instead. A major part of him was only doing it to ensure Esmeray would be indebted to him. And yet, a smaller part was feeling satisfied, seeing the excited look in her eyes as they trailed behind the run-down truck that Anya was driving.

The house was just as run-down as the truck, with vines running over the chipped paint and cracks along every wall. Klaus scrunched his nose up distastefully, walking behind Esmeray, who trotted ahead and followed the three Paxons to an outdoor patio, since Klaus wouldn't be allowed into their home.

"Tell us more about this ritual," Elvis said as Anya moved around giving them some toast and honey.

Klaus leaned forward, since he was the one who knew about it. "I have the moonstone replica she needs. From what I've determined, my blood will be necessary, as will be the blood of either a Paxon or Poldark wolf. Mystic Falls soil is easy to acquire, and is essential due to her being kept there for so long. One of you would need to read from a scripture I have prepared to allow her to have control over her wolf nature. The last thing is for her to turn one last time, meaning this needs to be done on a full moon. No witch will be necessary, she will perform the spell herself."

Anya hummed lightly. "That doesn't sound bad." She looked at her brother and father. "I can do it."

Elvis gave her a stern look, as if warning her not to be making offers in front of Klaus. "Anth—"

"Anya," Aaron corrected automatically. "Her name is Anya."

Anya beamed at this and looked at Esmeray. "I'll do it. I'll only ask for one thing in return, a spell I'm sure you can complete." The look she gave her seemed to make the addition, 'But I don't want to talk about that here.'

Esmeray gave her a grateful smile. "I really appreciate it."

Klaus clapped his hands together. "Now that that's settled, we ought to leave, my little werewitch," he said, already sick and tired of being here. He definitely preferred expensive pasta with a side of blood to toast with honey. "We have a busy week ahead of us."

"Hold on." Aaron got to his feet. "I'm serious about our wolves not wanting to be hybrids. My Pa already told you to check the Rocky Mountains instead."

Klaus smirked. "That's not really your call, either, is it? Even as the Alpha, you don't get to speak for your whole Pack."

"Yes, I do, because more than half of them aren't even fifteen yet," Aaron spat. "Your kind— vampires— tore through our ranks. We've only just managed to keep ourselves from dying out. Our Pack is primarily composed of children. If you try to turn them into hybrids, I will make sure I tear you to shreds."

Klaus hummed, fiddling with his fingers as if he was only mildly amused and not threatened. "I don't desire any children to be part of my army. What's the name of your measly little Pack?"

"The Willamette River Pack," he told him gruffly. "We convene there for our full moons."

"How many other wolf Packs are there in Portland?"

Aaron wasn't going to answer, but Elvis said, "Two."

"Pa," said Aaron in a warning tone. "We don't sell out the other Packs."

"S'long as he don't hurt none of our wolves, I'd rather he moves on to them," said Elvis coldly. "Our rival pack is the Columbia River Pack. The other ones, the Oaks Bottom Pack, they've got mostly kids, too."

Klaus cast him a wicked smile. "Your information is much appreciated, mate."

"I expect you to get out of town soon, hybrid," muttered Elvis. "We ain't want you here."

"I think I'll be staying awhile," said Klaus, slouching back in the chair and putting his hands behind his head. "I like it here."

The door of the house opened beside them, and a young woman came out with a little girl that couldn't have been more than two years old. Aaron immediately tensed. "Get back inside," he told her sharply. The woman immediately picked up her daughter and scurried back the way she came.

"Come now, I wouldn't have hurt her," said Klaus, winking at Aaron.

"I'd be a fool to trust a hybrid," muttered Aaron, beginning to clear away their plates. "Now get off my property."

Anya held out her hand to encourage them to wait. She pulled a pen out from a small vase on the ground and wrote her number on a napkin. "Here," she told Esmeray, a blush on her face. "Call me when you need me."

The Poldark wolf felt her own face heat up. "Oh! Thank you, I appreciate it..." She folded the napkin carefully and tucked it in her pocket.

"Just one question," prompted Anya, sitting up a bit. "When he says you're 'spoken for,' does that mean—"

"I'm not officially with anyone," Esmeray answered shyly. "Especially not him."

Klaus looked offended, but Esmeray ignored him as she jumped up. "Thank you, once again. We'll let you all... be."

She yanked Klaus up, leading him back to their car, which made the hybrid laugh darkly. "And to think I was convinced the brother was the one pining for you..."

"She wasn't pining for me," snapped Esmeray as she got into the passenger's seat.

"Go on, love, why don't you put the number in your phone and give her a ring?"

"In case you forgot, I don't have my phone. You kidnapped me, remember? I didn't exactly get a chance to bring anything with me."

Klaus rolled his eyes and began to drive back toward the liquor shop, attempting to find a shopping center.

When they did, they each got themselves some clothes, and Klaus indulged in a great collection of alcohol that only someone with Mikaelson money could have been able to afford without a second thought. The sun was setting as they arrived back at the mansion, and Esmeray made quick work of putting her things away.

"Up you come," said Klaus well after the sun had set, but before the moon had risen properly. "To the forest with you, I'd rather you not tear apart my home. The moon will be visible soon."

She cast him a nasty look as he led her outside and into the forest, because she hadn't wanted him to be the one taking her there. She rubbed her arms and walked out, already feeling a painful tug in her core. They reached the edge of the woods, and Esmeray drew a deep breath, shaking Klaus off of her as she moved deeper into the trees. Within minutes, she had doubled over, letting out a loud scream as her legs snapped beneath her, her bones beginning to break.

Everything became a blur. She forgot Klaus and she forgot the hybrids and she forgot the Paxon wolves.

Klaus couldn't bring himself to leave. He had never seen something so painful. Many times, he'd watched wolves transform, but none of them had it as bad as she did. He watched for hours on end as she twitched and cried out in pain. He wanted so desperately to have the power to ease her pain. In that moment, he felt indescribable guilt at not having helped her with the ritual before. She had endured many more full moons than what he'd promised her, and he knew he wouldn't have liked it if someone had betrayed him in the same way.

He saw that once transformed, she really was incredibly fragile. Her wolf limped forward, but it wobbled, and soon crumpled to the ground, unconscious, becoming a mound of dark fur that he wouldn't have been able to see if he hadn't already been standing beside her.

"Bloody hell," he sighed, gathering her now torn clothes. He set them aside and moved closer, thinking she might've died this time around. But no, she was still breathing, and her heart was pounding steadily in her chest.

He wasn't sure why he stayed. Sitting beside her, he waited while she rested, her body twitching every now and then, to show that she was still alive. She'd kick out as if she were having nightmares, and though he was tempted to go into her mind and soothe her, he imagined she wouldn't very much appreciate it.

When the sun rose again, her eyes opened, and she forced herself to her feet, which elicited a whimper. Esmeray was trying her hardest to concentrate on her human form, but it didn't come. It burned her limbs to try and turn back, and she wished this wasn't so. She panted and screamed on the inside, but her wolf remained stationary, and no changes took place. She tried to cast a spell, but she couldn't, not while she was in this form. She lifted a paw and tried to focus on what her arm normally looked like, but it wasn't changing no matter how hard she tried. She had been so focused on trying to turn back that she hadn't realized Klaus was still there with her.

He'd turned away, thinking that she was not eager to transform back while he watched. She simply couldn't. She pawed at the ground anxiously, her legs still feeling brittle. She tried to lay herself down slowly, but she crashed down, making her whine.

It wasn't until she fell asleep once more that she was able to transform back. Klaus sensed the change and removed his jacket, holding it up to not see her naked form as he laid it over her. Knowing she likely wouldn't be waking up anytime soon, he scooped her up, her head lolling off to the side. Her face was still contorted in pain, as if even her nightmares were causing her to feel hurt. He gently lifted her head, tucking it against his chest instead. One of her hands reached out to grab his shirt, and she nuzzled in

He set her down on her bed, pulling the covers over her and leaving her wrapped in his jacket. She curled up in a fetal position, covering her face with her hands and shivering. He added another blanket, but the shivering persisted, and he realized it wasn't from cold, it was from the aching. He looked around nervously, as if he thought someone was watching, then bit into his wrist, arching her neck back to get her to drink some of his blood. Within seconds, she'd stopped shaking, and her expression became peaceful.

She'd woken up that evening instead of the following afternoon, as she typically did. Esmeray had no idea she had woken earlier than usual. By then, he'd already had servants hired to wait on them, and he'd had them prepare a platter filled with meat and fruits for her to indulge in, because he knew she'd be hungry.

The smell had made her sit up slowly. She felt quite sore, and she had to blink several times before she was able to see clearly. She felt the leather from the jacket rubbing against her skin, which made her hiss in discomfort. Now, her entire body smelled like Klaus, and she didn't like it, though a warmth rushed to her cheeks realizing he'd been the one to bring her back instead of letting her figure it out for herself. Seeing the food, however, she perked up, and she pulled the sheet up to cover herself as she brought the platter to her lap and began to eat as though she hadn't consumed anything in a month.

She bathed when she had finished and got dressed again, tiptoeing out into the living room, which felt much too bright. She shielded her eyes and stumbled blindly to the couch, which she sat down on, rubbing her temples.

Klaus strolled in, looking pleased with himself, a young man behind him. "Esmeray," he said pleasantly. "Meet— what's your name, mate?"

"Benjamin," the man muttered.

"Benjamin! Yes, that's right. He's my first hybrid here, and he's going to be helping around the house."

Esmeray ignored Benjamin, and slumped down on the couch. Despite having ingested vampire blood to heal, she was still quite drowsy. "How did you make only one hybrid in two days?"

"It's only been twelve hours since you woke up, love, I think that's suitable, considering I was still gathering some better liquor and furniture."

She blinked. "It's only been twelve hours? But—"

Klaus cut her off by starting to play music in the new stereo system he'd hooked up. Esmeray watched him suspiciously, but said nothing.

She was still fixated on the fact that he'd been there to help her.