The streets of Mystic Falls were nearly empty.
Only the soft glow of streetlights illuminated the quiet town.
Alexander and Rebekah Mikaelson walked side by side along the sidewalk.
Rebekah looked unusually relaxed.
Which was rare for an Original vampire.
She glanced at Alexander with an amused smile.
"Your friend looked very unhappy."
Alexander already knew who she meant.
"Elena?"
Rebekah nodded slightly.
"She was practically glaring at me."
Alexander chuckled softly.
'Jealousy already… interesting.'
Rebekah looked at him sideways.
"You enjoy this, don't you?"
Alexander shrugged.
"Human emotions are entertaining."
Rebekah laughed quietly.
"That's a very vampire-like answer."
Alexander didn't reply.
They reached a quiet intersection.
Rebekah stopped walking and turned toward him.
Her blue eyes studying him carefully.
"You know…"
"Most men would be nervous walking alone with an Original vampire."
Alexander tilted his head slightly.
"Most men aren't me."
Rebekah smirked.
"You really like saying that."
Alexander gave a small smile.
Suddenly—
A voice echoed softly from the shadows.
"He's not wrong."
Both of them turned at the same time.
Standing beneath a nearby streetlight…
Was Katherine Pierce.
Arms crossed.
Dark hair moving slightly in the cold wind.
Her eyes were locked on Rebekah.
And she was smiling.
But it wasn't a friendly smile.
Rebekah's expression changed slightly.
"Well… look what the night dragged in."
Katherine walked closer.
Her heels clicking softly on the pavement.
"You must be Rebekah Mikaelson."
Rebekah raised an eyebrow.
"And you must be the infamous Katherine Pierce."
Katherine smiled sweetly.
"Flattered you've heard of me."
Rebekah shrugged.
"Your reputation is hard to miss."
The tension between the two women became instantly obvious.
Alexander remained silent.
Watching calmly.
Katherine stopped beside him.
Very close.
Almost possessively close.
She glanced briefly at Alexander before turning her gaze back to Rebekah.
"So…"
"What exactly are you doing in my town?"
Rebekah laughed softly.
"Your town?"
She stepped closer.
Now standing only a few feet from Katherine.
"That's adorable."
Katherine's smile didn't fade.
But her eyes became colder.
"Mystic Falls has been my playground for a very long time."
Rebekah tilted her head slightly.
"Sweetheart…"
Her voice turned dangerously calm.
"My family built empires before this town even existed."
The air between them suddenly felt very tense.
Two dangerous women.
Both used to getting exactly what they wanted.
Katherine suddenly looked toward Alexander.
Then back at Rebekah.
Her smile returned.
"Let me guess…"
"You're interested in him."
Rebekah didn't deny it.
She smiled confidently.
"Maybe."
Katherine chuckled softly.
"That's unfortunate."
Rebekah crossed her arms.
"Why?"
Katherine stepped slightly closer to Alexander.
Her hand lightly touching his arm.
A clear message.
"Because I saw him first."
Rebekah stared at her.
Then suddenly laughed.
Not politely.
But genuinely amused.
"Oh that's cute."
Katherine's eyes narrowed slightly.
Rebekah continued.
"You think that matters?"
Katherine's voice remained calm.
"Usually it does."
Rebekah looked at Alexander briefly.
Then back at Katherine.
"Then maybe we should let him decide."
Both women turned their gaze toward Alexander at the same time.
Waiting.
Alexander sighed quietly.
'Humans… vampires… always the same.'
He looked at Katherine.
Then at Rebekah.
Then he spoke calmly.
"You're both making unnecessary assumptions."
Katherine raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Alexander shrugged slightly.
"I haven't chosen anyone."
Rebekah smirked.
"Smart answer."
Katherine looked thoughtful for a moment.
Then she smiled again.
A dangerous smile.
"We'll see how long that lasts."
Katherine stepped back slowly.
Preparing to leave.
But before she disappeared into the shadows—
She looked at Alexander once more.
"Try not to get bored without me."
Then she vanished into the darkness.
Using vampire speed.
Rebekah watched the empty street where Katherine had been standing.
Then she laughed softly.
"I like her."
Alexander looked amused.
"Most people don't."
Rebekah shrugged.
"She's fun."
Then she glanced at him again.
Her eyes playful.
"But just so we're clear…"
Alexander waited.
Rebekah smiled confidently.
"I don't share."
Alexander chuckled quietly.
'This town really is entertaining.'
Far away…
Inside her bedroom…
Elena Gilbert stared out her window at the night sky.
Her thoughts still full of Alexander.
And she had no idea that two of the most dangerous women in the world had just argued over him.
Mystic Falls was becoming a battlefield.
Not just for supernatural power.
But for something far more complicated.
Desire.