CHAOS BACK AGAIN

9

Before Klaus could press further, Rebekah entered the room, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She glanced between her brothers, sensing the tension. "What's going on here?" she asked, her eyes narrowing at Kol. "And why do you look like the cat that got the cream?"

Kol turned to her with a sarcastic smile, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, nothing, dear sister," he replied smoothly. "Just the usual family fun. You know how it is. Klaus playing the dictator, and me doing my best to ruin his plans."

Rebekah looked at him skeptically, her eyes narrowing further. "Come now, Kol," she pressed, a note of irritation in her voice. "What are you thinking?"

Kol's smile widened, his expression almost playful. "Just thinking about how much fun this party is going to be," he said with a chuckle. "And how Klaus here is in for quite a surprise. Might even see some old... familiar faces."

Rebekah sighed dramatically. "Must you always be so cryptic? It's quite tiresome, really."

Kol snickered under his breath, his amusement growing. "Oh, Rebekah, always trying to lighten the mood. Maybe you're hoping to find another tragic love story to cry about, hmm?"

Rebekah shot him a glare, her patience finally snapping. "Oh, shut up, Kol!" she hissed. Without warning, she pulled off one of her heels and threw it at him with surprising force.

Kol dodged the flying shoe with a laugh, his reflexes sharp. "Careful, Bekah! You might ruin your precious shoes," he taunted, his grin only widening. "Or do you just have a closet full of them waiting for their turn?"

Rebekah's eyes blazed with anger "You're insufferable, you know that?" she snapped.

Klaus's glare intensified, but Kol merely shrugged, his expression a picture of innocence. "I'm just here to help, Nik. You know that." He paused, letting his words hang in the air. "Besides, this party of yours might actually turn out to be... entertaining."

Rebekah raised an eyebrow, sensing the undercurrent of tension but deciding to let it go for now. "Well, whatever it is, I hope it's worth it," she said, turning to Klaus. "And you, stop being so serious. It's just a gathering, after all."

Kol chuckled under his breath, enjoying the brief respite from Klaus's anger. He knew his brother too well; he knew Klaus would want to know every detail of who was in this town. And when Klaus finally saw Stiles, when he saw the uncanny resemblance to Henrik, it would be worth all of this if only for the look on his brother's face.

Kol couldn't help the thrill of anticipation that ran through him. This was going to be good.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scott

When the bus pulled into the stop after returning from the Glen Capri Motel, Scott McCall stepped out, Stiles Stilinski close behind him. They moved quickly, their steps in a familiar rhythm as they followed Stefan and Jeremy. Scott's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, swirling around the events of the night before. His attempt to end his life, his best friend's desperate jump into the pool of gasoline to save him, and finally, kol's unexpected intervention. Then there was Derek's short, almost cryptic "I'm alive" text.

Scott shook his head, trying to clear the fog of confusion and guilt that clouded his mind. He focused on the present, on the task at hand. They needed answers. Scott quickened his pace, closing the distance between himself and Stefan, who was walking beside Jeremy. Behind him, he heard Stiles muttering under his breath, still shaken by the realization he had shared with Scott that Stefan was something supernatural.