The meeting took place in neutral territory—The Crossing, my bar, carefully warded against ancestral spying.
Marcel arrived first, flanked by Thierry and a handful of survivors. He looked better than when I'd last seen him—stronger, more focused. The months in hiding had hardened him.
"Paradox." He clasped my arm. "You've been busy."
"You have no idea."
Hayley came next, representing the Crescent pack. She moved differently now—confident, powerful, the alpha she'd always been meant to become. Her pregnancy was advanced, the baby visible, but she showed no signs of slowing down.
"Wolves are ready," she said simply. "Just tell us where to be."
Sophie arrived with a small group of witches—those who'd rejected the ancestors' call, who still believed in balance rather than domination. She looked nervous, surrounded by so many vampires, but held her ground.
"We're not many," she admitted. "But we're committed."
Finally, the Mikaelsons arrived.
Klaus swept in like he owned the place—because he did, technically. Elijah followed with his usual dignity. Rebekah brought up the rear, eyes scanning for threats.
"Intimate gathering," Klaus observed. "I approve. Large meetings attract attention."
"We're past subtlety." I gestured everyone to seats. "The ancestors are moving. Monique is gathering power. We need to stop them before they cross fully."
Discussion lasted hours. Strategies debated. Alliances tested. Old grudges surfaced and were suppressed.
By dawn, we had a plan.
[WAR COUNCIL: COMPLETE]
[Forces assembled:]
— Mikaelsons (3 Originals + followers)
— Crescent pack (30+ wolves)
— Marcel's remnants (15 vampires)
— Loyal witches (8 magic users)
— Paradox (Stage 3 Pureblood Hybrid)
[Battle plan: Multi-pronged assault on ancestral nexus]
[Target: St. Louis Cemetery #1]
[Timing: Next dark moon (72 hours)]
[Objective: Sever ancestral connection permanently]