Something I had learned at an early age, was Trust. I was always taught to not trust anyone, no matter what. It didn't matter if they were considered friends or family. It didn't matter if you felt like they had no cruel intentions. Everyone can be bought. Remember that. Anyone could pull that rug out from under you if it benefits them in some way.

And that is something I always hold true. Which was why I was awake at five in the morning. Knowing I had to leave before Caroline woke up. Or before her mother woke up for work. I had no intentions of seeing the rug pulled from under me. But when I went to leave the room I was occupying, I heard voices. Someone was angry. My eyes looked down to see one of the triangles on my wrist glowing a soft blue glow.

"You have something of mine, Caroline. I want it." I heard a male speak. He had to be one of my mates. Had to be. I could feel it.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, Klaus." Caroline told him simply. Trying to come off as innocent as she looked.

"The Dopplerganger has already told me of her. In exchange of her family's protection." This Klaus guy seemed to be speaking calmly right now. But I could feel his anger building. "Oh, I can feel you lurking, love." I jumped back slightly at his voice. I closed my eyes as I realized if I could feel his anger, he could most likely feel my fear.

"She doesn't want to meet you, Klaus. Leave her be." Caroline told him. I heard something slam. I had thought it was the door at first, but I was wrong.

"INVITE ME IN!" Klaus demanded in a shout. I flinched further from the door. Swallowing hard as I felt the feeling of fear truly wash over me. My body felt like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water over me.

"I don't think so." With that, I heard the door actually close, before I heard footsteps walking towards my door. Klaus shouting from outside the front door still.

"ONLY WE CAN PROTECT HER, CAROLINE!" He roared out, trying to get the blonde to change her mind. "CAROLINE!" I jumped when a knock sounded on my door.

"It's okay, Vee. He can't come in." Caroline said through the door. I slowly peeked the door open. Making eye contact with Caroline instantly. "It's okay." She reassured with a soft smile.

"He isn't going to stop until I leave with him." I told her. My words came out fast, I knew better. I knew I was risking her life and her mothers. I had learned my lesson before.

"My mom can take the day off. We can have a girls day or something just us." She offered. "Also, Klaus will have to leave eventually. He has his own problems to take care of." I tilted my head at her, nodding.

"I'll leave when he does then." I told her. Caroline frowned, looking past me to see the bed was already made and everything.

"You were about to leave just now." She realized. I nodded.

"It's the best option." I told her.

Klaus had ended up leaving, but when he did there was a knock on the door. I stayed in my room, safely as Caroline went to open the door. I could hear her sighing in annoyance. My wrist lighting up as a new triangle started to glow lightly, a dimmed green color.

"Elijah." Caroline greeted. "Did Klaus call you or something?"

"I'm sorry, Ms. Forbes. But Klaus and my family will not be leaving you alone anytime soon." I heard an educated sounding voice speak up. I could feel how calm he felt. But I also could feel the need he felt.

"I kind of figured- god I'm going to kill Elena." Caroline growled out in annoyance.

"Ms. Gilbert had the best intentions in mind." He told her simply.

"I'm sure she did. I'm sure you understand already, I have no intentions of inviting you inside." Caroline informed him.

"Could I perhaps speak to her at least?" Elijah questioned. He was trying to do whatever he could. I understood it. But I was afraid. I had only heard of the Soulmate thing. I never experienced anything other than the glowing triangles. No one in my family had a mate. What if I made eye contact with him and will just instantly do what he wants? Or perhaps there's a pull? "You do not need to fear.." I heard him say.

"Hold on, let me go talk to her." Caroline spoke up before I heard her coming to my door. I opened it for her before stepping away. I wasn't afraid of my mates- if that's what you are thinking. I'm not some mouse afraid of my own shadow. I was afraid of having no choice. Of being pulled further into a world I wanted nothing to do with. "Vee?" I looked at Caroline with a sigh.

"When you met Stefan.. Did you still have a choice?" I questioned, my eyes watching her. Caroline frowned.

"Of course I did. Is that what is keeping you from meeting your mates?" Caroline asked me. I shrugged a bit.

"That mixed with a few other things, I guess." I told her. Caroline smiled.

"You should meet Elijah. He's the easiest to get along with. I won't let him in. It's all your choice." I sighed, nodding.

"I guess I should-" Caroline stopped my talking, grabbing my hand and pulling me. I think she was more excited than I was. Once I was in the hallway, I noticed the man in front of the doorway. My wrist held a strong green glow as his eyes moved from the ground up to meet mine. A smile stretching across his lips. This was probably the first time I had felt nervous without fear. Like a calm feeling was trying to wash over me.

"Hello there." Elijah breathed, staring at me. It was an intense stare, like he was trying to memorize what I looked like. I crossed my arms as I stepped near the door, keeping my distance.

"Um- hi." I muttered. Not really knowing what to say, trying to hold down my nerves.

"There's no need to be nervous. I won't take you away or harm you in any way." Elijah assured as he adjusted his suit jacket. His brown eyes stared into my eyes for a moment before trailing down to see the glowing triangle. My hand moving to rub against it slightly to cause his eyes to snap back to mine. "May I ask your name?"

"It's um- Octavia Yorker." I told him in a short tone. I hadn't meant to be short with him. I was trying to keep my emotions clear from my voice. I knew he could feel what I had felt, but I still didn't want him to hear it as well. "But I go by Vee usually." Elijah smiled at me.

"Octavia.." He tested. My heart fluttered at the way my name rolled off his tongue. "Such a beautiful name for a beautiful woman." He complimented. I offered him a smile.

"Thank you.."

"Sorry, where are my manners. I'm Elijah Mikaelson." He introduced. I already knew his name, but hearing him tell me made my stomach flutter. I tried to push that away though.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Elijah." I told him politely. I watched as he tried to take a step forward, seemingly forgetting about the barrier keeping him away from me.

"Is there anything I can say or do, that will make you willing to come with me, Octavia? My family- we want to be able to protect you. Get to know you." He told me. I frowned, not knowing if I was ready for that.

"I-I don't know, Elijah." Elijah frowned.

"No one will touch a hair on your head with us around you. You will be completely safe. I give you my word." He offered. I turned my head slightly to see Caroline off to the side. She offered me a encouraging smile, nodding her head in a way to say she trusted Elijah. Caroline so far was the only person I could trust. Or at least I felt like I could. Which was already fighting every instinct inside of my mind. I turned my head back to look at Elijah, a look of hope lingering in his brown eyes.

"But what will protect me from you and the others?" I asked him. I needed to cover all of my bases. Elijah frowned at me again. "I heard how angry- I felt how angry the man named Klaus was. Like he has no control over his temper." Elijah sighed, shaking his head.

"My brother has quite the temper on him. But I assure you, he would never dream to hurt you- none of us would." He told me carefully. "We have waited such a long time to even have the possibility of you in our lives. I guarantee you, that we would never jeopardize it." I let out a sigh, before nodding. Licking my lips before I decided to speak up again. I noticed his eyes jolt to my mouth before looking back to my eyes.

"I will go with you."