Bound By Fate

Chapter Eleven

I woke up to find a jewelry box on my nightstand. I don’t remember it being there when I went to bed. I open it to find a letter.

Dear Allison,

I enjoyed spending the evening with you even if it was brief, and I look forward to seeing you again soon. Please accept this small token of my affection for you.

Sincerely,

Nik

I look inside the jewelry box to find a bracelet. I can’t believe he got me something that seems so expensive. I think it’s beautiful, and I genuinely appreciate it, but it feels like it’s too much. I leave it in its box and put it in my vanity drawer before going downstairs and doing my morning routine.

I am almost finished with my dance workout when my phone starts ringing. With the ringtone being Omigod You Guys from Legally Blonde, I know it’s Caroline. I take a sip of water as I answer my phone.

A - Hey, Care, what’s up?

C - Ally, Dad is here.

A - Oh my god, are you okay? Did he hurt you? Do you need me to come get you?

C - No, I’m fine. He’s here to help Tyler break his sire bond with Klaus. I need you to keep Klaus distracted while we are doing this.

A - Okay, no problem. I’ll do my best to keep him occupied. Just stay safe.

C - I will. Love you, Ally.

A - Love you, too. Care.

I hang up and make some tea before receiving a text from Damon telling me to meet him at the Grill. Sighing, I finish my tea and change, before heading to the Grill. When I arrive, I find Damon sitting with Alaric at a table.

Allison: "Hey guys, what's going on here?"

Damon: "Just talking about Ric's psycho lady doctor."

Alaric: "She's not psycho."

I take a seat with them.

Allison: "Why would you think this girl is a psycho?"

Alaric: "Meredith is not crazy."

Allison: "Wait, Meredith Fell?"

Damon: "Yup."

Allison: "She and I used to hang out at the founders' parties. She's not a psycho, Damon, but she is a very curious person. I'd be careful, Ric. She doesn't like secrets and has a way of finding out all of your secrets once she's interested in someone."

Damon: "Great, 'cause that's just what we need."

Alaric seems to be lost in his own little world. He leaves while Damon and I take a shot together and get some drinks.

Damon: "So, why was Klaus hanging out with you at the Fundraiser? I saw you show up and leave together."

Allison: "That is not something I want to get into with you right now."

Damon: "Oh, come on, you can talk to me. We're friends, aren't we?"

Allison: "Just because we are friends doesn't mean I will talk to you about him. Besides, he's just protective of me."

He feigns hurt, putting a hand on his chest.

Damon: "You wound me. I just wanted to spend some quality time together and catch up."

Allison: "Uh huh, sure."

I'm not buying it at all.

Damon: "When was the last time you really loosened up?"

Allison: "Probably back before the whole kidnapped by the hybrid road trip thing. Since then, I've tried to relax several times, but I've been so tense."

Damon: "Well, I have to do some investigating. But later, we are going to get you to have some fun. Like before you left."

I smirk and chuckle a little.

Allison: "We'll just see about that."

He winks at me and pays his tab before leaving. I sit at the bar and have one more drink. While taking my first sip, Klaus sits beside me.

Klaus: "Hello Love."

Allison: "Hi Nik. What are you doing here?"

Klaus: "Just thought I would grab a drink before seeing you, but here you are. So I can save myself a trip."

Allison: "Well, as it just so happens, I was about to leave."

Klaus: "And where, may I ask, are you heading off to today?"

I pay my tab as I reply.

Allison: "A friend of mine needs my help planning a birthday party. I'm supposed to meet him at the mall."

Klaus: "Well then, please allow me to escort you."

Allison: "Alright, but don't get too possessive and controlling."

He gives me one of his charming smiles as he lightly chuckles.

Klaus: "I promise."

Allison: "By the way, thank you for the bracelet. That was really sweet of you."

Klaus: "You're welcome."

We leave the Grill together. We arrive at the mall and meet up with Sam, my best friend from college, in the food court. I call out his name, making him turn toward me and call out my name before we meet with a hug. For a second, I thought I heard a growl.

Klaus: “Allison, is this the friend you mentioned?”

I turn to him, and Sam still has an arm around my shoulder.

Allison: “Yes, Nik. This is Sam. Sam, this is Niklaus.”

Klaus: “Niklaus is the name my father gave me. Please, call me Klaus.”

Nik holds out his hand to Sam, who takes his arm from around me to shake Nik’s hand.

Sam: “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Klaus. So, Ally, the theme for my birthday party this year will be an enchanting masquerade.”

I make a note of that in my little notebook.

Allison: “Sounds fun. What are you thinking for the color scheme?”

Sam: “I have already made up a color palette. Enchanted Forest style.”

He shows me his palette.

Allison: “That’s going to look amazing.”

Sam: “I know, right.”

Klaus: “I have to make a call. I’ll be right back, love.”

Allison: “Okay, we’ll be here waiting for you.”

He walks off, and Sam instantly goes into hyper-bestie mode.

Sam: “So, what’s up with you and Mr. Sexy Hybrid?”

Allison: “How do you know something’s up?”

Sam: “Please, it’s so obvious. And don’t answer my question with a question. Spill, Ally.”

I giggle while rolling my eyes.

Allison: “Well, he’s my mate and trying to court me since we didn’t get off to the best start. He’s also kind of my bodyguard right now. But I’m cool with having a hot bodyguard. Just don’t tell him.”

Sam: “You are so lucky, having such a hottie for a mate. Does he have a gay brother?”

Allison: “No. All three of his brothers are straight from what I can tell.”

Sam: “Damn. All well. I guess I’ll have to keep searching. I just know there’s a hot man out there waiting for me somewhere.”

Allison: “I’m sure there is.”

Klaus returns with a smug grin on his face as he sits beside me.

Allison: “What’s with the smugness?”

Klaus: “It’s nothing, love. I’m just enjoying myself.”

Allison: “Okay, well, let’s start this shopping spree.”

I get the feeling Nik must’ve overheard us, but I will ignore that for now and help my bestie plan the best birthday party ever.

Klaus had to leave after about an hour and insisted on escorting me home. It was very annoying, but Sam thought it was cute.