CHAPTER 2
I wake up at 7:00 and I decide to do some exercises. I am not very fit and active but recently, it's something I start to incorporate in my routine. So I did 30 minutes of high intensity exercises and end with a very difficult yoga position for 3 minutes.
After that, I took a shower, followed by my skincare and wear nice outfit for work. I decided to have a quick breakfast and it was time to go. Today, I decide to not bother Adrian and go alone. I took a taxi and l arrive 15 minutes later. I enter quickly in the building because I was almost late and that is not ok as a first day impression.
Hi Sonia. I said to the assistant of the building.
Hello Ms. Astraea. Have a good day.
Thank you. You too. I reply and walk quickly toward the elevator.
When I enter the elevator I saw the dr
Alaric and he said : Hello Astraea. How are you ?
Good morning dr Alexander I'm fine thanks. I reply.
Exactly on time the first day. That's good.
Yes. 2 minutes after, we arrive to his office.
So, we need to start now because today, we have a lot to do .
Sure, let's start right now. I'm ready. I reply. we work for long hours and as l've predicted, working with Dr. Saltzman is really good. He always tell me what to do and guide me naturally without problems. we have been working till noon.
And now it's time to have some lunch. we went to lunch area and there was a lot of people all laughing and having a good time. We sit at a table full of people and we discuss and laugh.
Minutes later, suddenly, everyone went quiet.
Ok, what is happening? I ask myself.And suddenly,we heard:hello friends. A man said. It was a tall blond man with blue eyes. He is handsome.
Klaus mikaelson. What are you doing here ? Dr saltzman ask.
Oh my dear friend you are not happy to see me? That's rude.
This is my work place. Alaric reply. and we are busy. So I ask you again, what do you want?
Klaus was looking at me and reply: let's chat outside. And wait , your friend also come with us .
Klaus add : or I will kill all of you if you don't.
So Alaric make sign to me to follow him .
When we arrived outside,Klaus said:call the Salvatore brothers and tell them to meet me in my house.
Alaric reply : you know how much they love you.
well,then I will bring your new friend with me.When you are ready to have her back , come with the Salvatore in my house.With that said,good bye.
I didn't understand but a few seconds later ,I found myself in a completely different location.
I was so afraid so I start asking: who are the Salvatore? I don't even know them. please let me go klaus.
-OK ENOUGH. I'm tired ok.so,keep quiet. he grabs me by my arm and start walking. It's been a while we are walking and I am tired now .where are you bringing me? I ask him.
-The next time you ask me another question I will break your arms.
I look at him badly and minutes later we arrive to a mansion.
-Rebecca dear sister, I brought a new friend of alaric and let's say she will be with us until alaric convinced the salvatore brothers to join us. Take care of her .
-And who tell you I am a baby sister ? Rebecca ask.
-My love, we have to do that . after all you want to see your lover Stefan right ? he laughed and I saw Rebecca looked at him very bad .
-OK I will look after her but I hope she doesn't speak a lot. Hey you ,follow me .
So I follow her because I didn't want any problem and I am really scared. I am with two vampires I don't know anything about .
we will have a party soon. So why don't you help me to pick a dress ?
I'm like: OK.whatever you want .
She shows me dresses and ask me if it will suit her . finally we pick a very beautiful dress.
I think that's perfect. I told her . Can you please let me go. I just want to go home .
you will go when the Salvatore brothers come.
But I don't know even who are they please let me go .
you want my brother to kill me ? now stop speaking.
A few hours later .
There is a huge party. the house is big and beautiful. Everything is perfect but I did not enjoy because first I am kidnap, I don't know what they want from me and they are waiting for the Salvatore brother to come. so I am very sad. however a man come near me.
hello he said what is your name? he asked.
my name is Astraea. I reply.
I have never seen you before.
well that's because i am not suppose to be here . The only reason I am here is because someone sent me by force. This man right there .
he look at him and said :
oh. I see. This man is Klaus. He is my brother.
your brother ? I asked surprised.
yes. I am Elijah Mickaelson nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you but the only thing I want is to go home . I add.
Sorry, I don't know how to help you with that. elijah said.
And than klaus arrive: hi brother I see that you already meet my new friend.
I am not your friend .you just kidnapped me. I reply .
Oh don't think like that. As soon as the salvatore's brother come you will be free to go.
but what if they don't ? I asked .
Then you will stay with me forever, that should be fun.
well not for me. I reply.
Nicklaus , can you please let this girl go. Elijah said .
she will be free but not today.
POV klaus:
I organize this party to make allies and make my enemies fear me more than ever. And I have to be the king . I am already but I want everyone to know there is no other king except me and no other authority accept mine . After all, I am a 1000 years old hybrid. No one in this world is more powerful than me . And it always make me crazy to know that this royal family are recognize by everyone and they reign and rule this kingdom as if they deserve it. And soon , the throne will be pass down to their child Nathaniel . An immature prince who have done anything to earn this power. I can not let that happen. I should be the one reigning. Everyone will bow to me and respect me as a leader I am meant to be. Tomorrow is a full noon, I will be very weak.I know some enemies will use this opportunity to attack me and that's why I need more people. So I hope to see the Salvatore brother very soon and I have astraea with me, I am sure Alaric will convince them soon .
Hello ladies and gentleman.Thank you for coming.Today is the beginning of a new era. An era of change , hope and loyalty.
My family and I thank you deeply for joining us in order to make this new era possible. Please enjoy this party and do not hesitate to ask any questions.we will be happy to answer you. After the speech , I went near the new girl :
-Astraea, dear .Are you enjoying ? I ask her .
-It's difficult to enjoy when being kidnapped.
I laughed a little. I think I like this new human girl . She seems courageous.
-Well , why don't you come with me and I introduce you to some people ? I took her by her arm without waiting for her answer and start speaking to new people and introduce her.
POV Astraea
Approximately 30 minutes later , I saw Dr Alaric with Adrian and 2 others men . I guess they are the Salvatore brothers.
We will go soon , don't worry . Alaric said . Klaus. We are here .
A few second later, klaus arrive with his vampire speed .
-My friends:Stefen and daemon , welcome .
-We are not here by choice . Just let the girl go . One of them reply.
-Of course , what kind of monster you think I am ? I said:she can go when you come . So she is free to go now . Good night my dear .
-Let's go . Adrian said and took my hand.
So we left the Mikaelson house with Adrian and Alaric .
-I am so sorry that you have to deal with that . Alaric said .
-No , it's not your fault .
-They didn't do anything to you ? Adrian ask .
-No. I am fine .
Minutes later, we arrive to my appartement . After, we all enter , I ask them : do you want something to eat ?
-No . we are good. We just want to make sure that you are ok . Alaric answer.
-I am fine . Really , do not worry about me .
you want me to stay with you ? I will, if you tell me . Adrian said .
-No . No need . I will be fine .
-Ok . So we will let you sleep . Have a good night. Alaric said .
-Bye . Adrian said and take me in his arms .
I close the door . And I took some minutes to think about this day rich in emotions.
7:00 am .
Soft golden sunlight slips through the windows.
I am still in bed, eyes closed… 15 minutes later, i slowly opens them. Calm. Grounded.
Silence.
Then—I sit on the bed, crosses my legs and close my eyes.
I start whispering affirmations:
I am steady.
I am clear.
I walk into every room with power and peace.
after 15 minutes of affirmation, I put my headphones in. A soft voice plays affirmations.
Affirmation audio :
you are in control of your mind. You attract clarity. You trust your instincts. I listens, eyes focused. Absorbing every word. Then— my phone vibrates.
I removes the headphones. I look at my screen and it was Alaric calling.
I answer: Good morning.
Alaric saltzman : good morming. Hope I'm not interrupting your… routine.
Astraea (slight smile) : you are. But I'll forgive you.
Alaric : nice. I need you to meet me at the salvatore mansion.
Astraea: that sounds… interesting. But I don't know where.
Alaric : I am sending you the address right now.
Astraea: ok. See you later.
Something about this feels important. I eat some fruits and take my shower. Then I do my skincare and I wear jeans and a t shirt.
20 minutes later, i am at the Salvatore mansion.
The mansion stands tall and elegant.
I pause at the door. Take a breath. Then knocks.
The door opens. I recognise him . He was with the Dr Alaric yesterday.
Hello. I am Stefan Salvatore. You must be Astraea?
Yes . I am . Nice to meet you. And you must be someone who already knows more about me than I know about you.
A flicker of amusement crosses his face.
Stefan: That's… fair.
He steps aside.
Stefan (softly): come in.
I enter and eyes scan everything—books, furniture, the atmosphere.
I feel something. Not fear. Awareness.
Stefan (watching her): you're not surprised.
Astraea: should I be?
Stefan: most people don't walk into this house that calmly.
Astraea (smile): most people aren't me.
Stefan smiles back. Genuinely this time.
Then someone says : oh good. Another confident human. That always ends well.
I turn my heard and see another man leans against the doorway. I also recognise him.
He must be damon salvatore.smirking. Dangerous. Entertained.
I say: you are Damon right?
Damon: yeap. and let me guess… you're the advisor's little prodigy?
Astraea (calm)
let me guess… you enjoy being underestimated.
Damon's smirk widens.
Damon: oh, I like her. He tells his brother.
Damon steps closer.
Damon: tell me… are you brave, or just unaware of how fragile you are?
Astraea doesn't move.
Astraea.
neither. I just don't scare easily.
We look at each other without blinking.
Then Stefan (cut in) and say:Damon.
Damon sighs dramatically.
Damon: fine. I'll behave… for now.
Alaric Saltzman enters from another room and say: glad you made it.
Astraea: you didn't mention I'd be walking into a… supernatural reunion.
Alaric: Consider it an accelerated introduction.
Moments later, more people gather.
Elena gilbert, caroline forbes, bonnie bennett
jeremy gilbert
Caroline (whispering to elena)
she's human?
Elena
i think so…
I notices them whispering and smiles politely.
I said: hi. I assume you've all already formed opinions about me.
Awkward pause.
Then caroline steps forward and say: okay, i like her.
Bonnie watches me closely and says: something feels… different.
Not magical. But strong. There's something about you.
I reply (softly)
: well , i don't feel that .
Stefan moves closer to me.
Stefan: if you have questions… I'll answer what i can.
Stefan is a nice guy. Our connection is immediate. Calm. Easy. I like him.
Astraea
good. Because i have many.
Stefan: so you handled Damon well.
Astraea: was that handling?
Stefan (smiles):for him? Yes.
A small silence. Comfortable.
Astraea: you're different from him.
Stefan: that's one way to put it.
Astraea:you're… safe. Stefan pauses.
Then says quietly: I try to be.
Across the room—Damon watches them.
Smirking… but slightly annoyed.
Damon (to himself): yeah… this is going to be fun.
Back to group
Laughter begins. Light conversation.
I slowly relaxes into the group.
For the first time in my entire life i feel… included.
Damon walks past me one last time.
Leans in slightly and says:
Careful, Astraea.
I turn my head slightly.
Damon: this world… tends to ruin people like you.
I reply without fear: then it'll have to try harder.
He smiles back. Real this time.
POV Nathaniel:
I stand on the balcony, looking down at the city.
They look small from here. Quiet. Safe.
They are not.
I rest my hands on the cold stone.
Klaus is out there. And he is getting closer. The city is quieter but i can feel it. Something is coming.
I speak softly to the darkness.
"you want my throne…"
My eyes harden. "come and take it."
Unknown voice (very faint, almost like the wind: ):I will.
I don't react. But I hear it. And for the first time… I almost smile.
10 minutes later , I am walking with my mother. The queen.
She watches me carefully.
Queen: you're carrying this alone again.
Me: it's my responsibility.
Queen: it's your burden because you choose it to be.
I stop walking and look at her: would you rather i fail?
She doesn't answer.
Queen (softly): this Klaus is not like the others.
Me: I know.
Queen he will not stop.
I look ahead: neither will i.
Guard (behind me):
my prince… the council is waiting.
I don't turn and say they're always waiting.
A pause.
Then I walk inside.
Voices stop when I enter. All eyes on me.
Fear. Respect. Expectation. My father the king is also here.
I take my seat to the right of my father.
My father (loudly): start.
Council member says:another attack last night. Two noble families—gone.
Another one says:this is no longer random. This is war.
I lean back slightly: it was always war.
Council member says
"we need to strike back."
I shake my head.
"no."
They all react.
Confused. Frustrated. However, i see that my father already understood why i said that.
"that's what he wants."
I look at the map on the table.
"klaus is not attacking us… he is moving us."
My father ask
"moving us where?"
I look up.
"into a mistake."
They don't like that answer.
I can see it.
But they listen.they always listen.
Then what do you suggest, my prince?
I stand.
Walk slowly around the table.
We protect what matters.
We cut off his access to blood supply routes.
We reinforce the inner palace.
I look at my father finally and say: this is what i think me king.
my father the king reply: it is a good strategy. We will do that.
One member the council says: ok your majesty . There are people who will like to speak to one member of the royal family. You or the prince.
The king says: they will be speaking to the prince nathaniel.
I reply: ok my king.
5 minutes later:
Humans. Vampires. All gathered.
They look at me like i have answers.
Like i can protect them.i step forward.
I say: you're afraid? You should be.but fear does not mean weakness.
I look at them. One by one. It means you understand what is coming.
Man in crowd
ask:can you stop him? A simple question. But heavy.
I say: yes. With no hesitation.no doubt.even if…i'm not sure.
They believe me.i can see it.they need to.
After this meeting people are more relax now.
I walk directly to the training room
I punch.
Again.
Again.
Again.
The wall cracks slightly.
I stop.
Breathing steady.
Controlled.
Always controlled.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️End of the chapter❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Support me on YouTube also . I create more content .