A/N Yes, another Klaus fic, I just can't help myself.

I hope you all like it and, if you do, please leave a review if you would like to read more.

Love Hurts

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Love hurts, love scars, love wounds and marks
Any heart not tough or strong enough
To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain
Love is like a cloud, it holds a lot of rain

Love hurts, love hurts, I'm young, I know,
But even so I know a thing or two, I learned from you
I really learned a lot, really learned a lot
Love is like a flame, it burns you when it's hot
Love hurts, love hurts

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Five Years Ago

"Jack, mom, I'm home!"

Maria made her way into her house, rubbing at the ache in her lower back as she shut the door behind her, placing her bag-pack next to the door. She ran a tired hand through her long hair as she took off her jacket, propping it on the coat stand with the others before she turned towards the rest of the house.

Just as she was about to rush up the stairs to her bed which she had sorely missed, her mother walked out of the kitchen, a towel in her hands.

"Honey, I thought I heard you."

Mary made her way over to her daughter, smiling sadly."How was it?"

"You mean the snapping of bones?"Maria arched her eyebrow, letting out a tired laugh."It was...snappy."

Mary let out a sad sigh."I'm sorry-"

"Mom, it's not all bad. I can jump really high."

Mary smiled softly, hugging her daughter. Maria had never known her real father, but it had proved that, when she had accidentally ran someone over on a drunken night, that he had been a wolf and she had inherited the gene. Her mother was human and hadn't told Maria's father that she had been pregnant. It was soon discovered that she was a wolf and, after a long time of searching, she had found her pack.

They were her family.

"I'm fine, Mom. Now, stop with the sappy stuff and let me go to my bed."

Mary pulled back, nodding and laughing to stop her tears."I'll start on dinner and wake you up when it's ready, okay? When I do, will you drag Jack from his room?"

Maria nodded and smiled once at her mother before making her way up the staircase.

The eighteen-year-old let out a happy moan as she entered her room and, after kicking the door shut behind her, she lunged onto her bed.

She snuggled into her bed, hugging her pillow."Oh, I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, love."

Maria let out a yelp of surprise, tumbling back and landed on the floor beside her bed. She let out a moan of pain, rubbing her lower back that was already sore.

She looked up at the Original standing over her next to her open window which he always came through."Did you have to do that?"

Klaus shrugged, hands behind his back as he looked down at Maria who got up."I saw the chance, and I took it."

"Thanks for the help you...oaf."

Klaus raised his eyebrows, feigning offense."Hurtful."

"I haven't slept in ages, let it side."

Klaus watched in amusement as the young wolf kicked off her shoes, picking up her fallen pillow and tossed it onto the bed. Klaus' smile dropped as he watched her yawn, wincing in pain as she, once again, rubbed her sore lower back.

"Rough full moon?"

She glanced at him, tired eyes meeting his a second later."Is it that obvious?"

When he just raised his eyebrows again, she added."It gets easier, particularly as the pack is there. The pain we share, it...it-"

"Strengthens the bond?"

She nodded, realizing the blank look in his eyes as he looked away.

He wanted that bond.

Maria yawned as she made her way over to the Original, stopping in front of him.

"I'm still in pain, and you're a wolf...ish."

She grabbed his hand and placed it on her lower back, pressing closer to him. Klaus didn't hide the genuine smile on his face as she raised her head, nose brushing his cheek as she met his eyes again.

She let out a gasp as Klaus wrenched her close, beginning to walk her backwards towards the bed.

"Are we to bond, love?"

She smiled, shaking her head."Kind of."

Klaus raised his eyebrows, fingers brushing circles on her lower back, sensing the pain as she winced.

She placed her hands on his shoulders, a teasing smile on her face as she spoke.

"You're going to massage my back then I'm going to sleep for the next twenty-four hours."

Present

"Ugh, really? Here?"

Ray rolled his eyes at his friend, a sigh spilling from his lips."What's wrong with it?"

"Red always hits on me."Twenty-three-year old Maria replied as she let her feet drop from the truck dashboard, sitting up straight."Can't we just keep on driving?"

"Not until I get a drink."

Maria pursed her lips as she followed Ray out of the truck and began to trail behind him towards the bar but a sudden ringtone stopped her.

The male wolf stopped as Maria pulled out her phone from her pocket, knowing by the smile on her face it was her half-brother who called every day at the same time to make sure that his sister was handling the days before the full moon well.

"Mare, you want me to wait for you?"

"No, it's fine, you go in, and I'll join you in a minute."Maria shook her head, answering the call before bringing the device to her ear.

Ray nodded and made his way into the bar, leaving her to her call.

"Yeah, Jack, I'm fine."

"What's up, Ray?"

Ray smiled in greeting as he walked further into the bar."Hey Red, get me a beer and a Cola for Mare."

The bartender just nodded and began to grab the drinks while Ray sat down on a stool, hands meeting in front of him as he waited for his best friend. Just as he was about to play on his phone, he felt a presence beside him. The wolf turned his head, eyes landing on a tall man who smiled before sitting next to him, blue eyes sparkling as he trailed his gaze over the wolf.

"Ray? Ray Sutton?"

Ray, not in the mood for a drunk to bother him, glanced at the other man."Who wants to know?"

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

Ray raised his eyebrow, not amused and made a move to turn round and ignore the man. But, as if he hadn't noticed or didn't care if he did, the man made himself comfortable beside Ray.

"We started in Florida, Pensacola. I met a young chap there who you used to work with before you moved to Memphis, now he directed me to two lovely young women."The man held out his arms, looking around the bar."And they led me here, to you."

Ray, sensing something from the other man that made him uncomfortable, started to get nervous and he stood.

"I think I'll be going."

He tried to leave, but the man grabbed him, his grip firm."Not so fast, mate. You only just got here, now your type are very hard to come by."

Ray tried to walk the other way, but he bumped into another man who was standing there and stopped him.

"I wouldn't do that."

The unknown man pushed him back against the bar and the two men, standing at either side of Ray, trapped him.

Ray looked at them both, fists clenching at his sides as he sensed something his kind wasn't fond of.

"Vampires."

"You're swifty swift Ray! Yes!"The British man chuckled, hitting the bar with his hand with an amused smile."My friend here is a vampire. He compelled everybody in the bar so don't look to them for any help."

Ray looked around with a calm but worried look, taking in how everybody was carrying on as if nothing were happening. He glanced at the entrance, silently hoping that Maria would sense something was wrong and help him while, at the same time, also hoping she'd move on without him.

"I, however..."

The man made himself comfortable against the bar, entering Ray's personal space.

"I'm something else, a different kind of monster."The still nameless man drawled in a hushed tone, voice laced with a complacency that made his more than obvious he held himself in high esteem."I've got some vampire; I've got some wolf."

Blinking in confusion, Ray stiffened at the words.

"Huh?"Swallowing nervous, Ray turned to look at the man standing at his left, choking out."You what?"

"A hybrid, Ray, I'm both."The man smiled at Ray, the smile a mix between sinister and amusement before he patted Ray's shoulder. You see I want to create more of me. Now you being the first werewolf that I've come across in many a moon, pun intended Ray!"

Ray winced at the pat on his shoulder, his skin crawling at the half vampire that was near him and a full vampire on his other side. He hated vampires.

"I need you to direct me to your pack."Ray struggled as the hybrid leaned forward, pupils dilating, grip tightening on Ray's shoulder."So, where can I find them, Ray?"

The wolf shook his head, shrugging the other man's arm off of him.

"You can't compel me; it won't work."

The green-eyed vampire started to rub his chin, and the hybrid looked at him, the pair silently conversing, and he nodded with a small smile. The vampire turned around, raising a hand for the attention fo the bartender, and pulled out something out of his back pocket.

"Can I get a scotch on the rocks, please?"He turned to the wolf, toying with whatever he had in his hand."Tell you what Ray, We're gonna play a little drinking game, something I like to call truth or wolfsbane."

He pulled out a pouch of wolfsbane, poured it into his hand, crushing it with his fingers. Ray's fists clenched at his sides again as he eyed the wolfsbane with a wary frown, turning his head as the hybrid chuckled to himself.

Ray glowered at the hybrid as he smirked at him, eyes glimmering with dark amusement.

"Oh, this is gonna be fun, Ray."

"My brother still on our trail?"

Stefan turned from Ray, darts in his hand, humming to himself as he ignored the painful pants, making his way over to the Original. Ray was chained to a wall, and had darts impaled in his body. Blood poured from him as he refused to tell Stefan and Klaus anything. He also kept on glancing at the entrance, silently hoping that Maria's conversation with her brother was one of their long ones.

He didn't want Maria hurt.

She was pack.

"He's getting closer; I'm gonna have to deal with that."

Ray panted heavily as he watched the two men—now known as Klaus and Stefan—met each other halfway across the bar.

Klaus sent Stefan a false, friendly smile and turned away, heading towards the exit. Heading towards Maria. Ray felt panic bubble up inside of him and opened his mouth to catch Klaus' attention but, thankfully, Stefan grabbed Klaus arm and turned him around.

Ray collapsed against his restraints, breathing heavily in both pain and relief.

"No, no, no!"Stefan protested, shaking his head with a calm smile."Let me handle it."

Brow furrowing curiously, Klaus turned back around to face Stefan, shrugging the other man's arm off of him.

The Original tilted his head, eyes narrowing at Stefan, looking almost insulted. Unbothered by the subject of their conversation but slightly thankful at the distraction, Ray watched the pair, mouth as dry as sandpaper and wounds slowly healing due to the wolfsbane in his system.

He needed to get free.

"Why should I let you leave?"

Stefan almost laughed at the question, swiftly answering."Cause you'll know I'll come back."

"Do I?"

Stefan shrugged, keeping Klaus' stare as he firmly replied."You saved my brother's life; I'm at your service."

"Ah..."Klaus sighed in exasperation, shaking his head at Stefan with a small laugh."It all sounds so tedious and indentured."

He then turned, raising his arm and gestured to the bloody and beaten Ray with a big grin.

"Aren't you even having the least bit of fun?"

Ray snarled at Klaus, hissing to himself when the chains only rubbed against his wounds. Stefan merely glanced at Ray then at Klaus, saying nothing in response to the question as he slowly began to back away.

"I'll make sure that my brother doesn't bother us anymore."

Without another word, Stefan handed Klaus the darts despite the wolfsbane dripping from them and flashed away.

"I'll hold you to that, mate."Klaus watched after Stefan until the man was out of earshot and looked down at the darts, unaffected by the slight burns on his hands that were already beginning to heal.

"All right, let's have another round, eh?"Klaus piped up, setting down the darts as he made his way over to the werewolf, hands already healed."I haven't had a go yet."

Klaus turned his attention to Ray, snapping his fingers and gesturing to the pool table. A bunch of compelled drunkards tore Ray from the wall and dragged him kicking and screaming over to the pool table where he smirked, circling the wolf as he was tied down on the pool table.

"I have big plans for you, Ray, all you have to do is tell me where your pack is."

Gasping for air, Ray glared up at the Original hybrid, forcing himself to speak despite the wounds covering his body.

"Rot in hell!"

Klaus' smile fell, and his eyes flashed angrily, and, just as he was about to beat some respect into the wolf, a gasp echoed throughout the bar.

"Ray?!"

Both Klaus and Ray looked over at the entrance where a young, dirty haired blonde stood, looking at a loss for words. She rushed in their direction when she saw the amount of blood that had been spilled, making Ray attempt to fight against the restraints, shaking his head wildly.

"What the hell?"She mouthed to herself, slowing down when she noticed an arm wrapped around Ray's throat. Eyes trailing up the arm, Maria's lips parted in astonishment when her gaze landed on the hybrid."You."

Grip loosening on the wolf, Klaus cleared his throat in an attempt to gather himself as his face went pale when he finally looked at the woman he'd only just managed to stop thinking of at night when the moon was full.

Klaus rapidly blinked, heartbeat echoing in his ears as Maria's eyes bore into his own, a pair of eyes he remembered gazing at him in adoration with such clarity if felt as if she'd never stopped.

But, as she stared at him then, he saw no trace of adoration. There was nothing.

And it cut through him.

"Mare, run!"

Snapping out of the daze, Klaus snapped back into reality at the sound of Ray shouting, his chains clanging together. Klaus pushed Ray back down with a snarl of irritation, forcing himself to look away from Maria as he did.

"Ray?"

Maria swallowed the lump in her throat and neared the pool table, forgetting about the shock of seeing the Original, shaking her head as she saw Ray's wounds.

"What's happening?"

"Hello to you, too, love." "You and i bumping into each other on such a momentous day for me. What are the chances, hmm?"

"What?"Maria muttered, still in shock as she tried to figure out how to act. Sudden moves weren't exactly something Klaus reacted well to."What are you doing to him?"

"Your friend is helping me out."Klaus answered with a relaxed tone, forcing himself to recover from the shock that lingered."Perhaps you should go fetch yourself a drink because this is going to take a while."

Nodding to the bar with a small smile, he sent Maria his most charming smile, tone softening.

"It's on me. I'll be sure to join you once i'm done here."

"I'm fine, thanks."Maria almost instantly replied, tone anything but kind as she noticed Ray's blood on his hands, wincing at the thought of her friend being harmed."I just want to take my friend, go, and you can do whatever you want when we leave."

Klaus' eyes flashed at her dismissive tone and, moving so quick that Maria's vision almost blurred, he grabbed Ray by the throat. Yanking the wolf upwards towards him, Klaus' fingers locked around Ray so tight that the wolf started to spit out blood. His eyes glazed over from the wounds as well as the wolfsbane, he strained against the chains

"Hey, stop it! You're hurting him. KLAUS!"Maria's voice rose as Ray's eyes bulged and he started to shake on the pool table from the lack of air."Let him go! Now."

Unmoved by the pleas, Klaus slowly turned to look at Maria as she reached out for her friend, looking almost bemused at her. Maria knew better than to attack, she had no chance against him, but she was well aware of the reasons behind his actions.

"You should curb your tone."His tone hardened, grip tightening on Ray's throat almost threateningly, offering Maria another false benign smile while he watched her pained eyes as she watched on."Remember who you're talking to."

Utterly outraged at him, Maria shifted from foot to foot, fists clenched at her sides.

"I know who i'm talking to. Believe me."Maria murmured to herself, forcing herself to remain where she stood as her friend chocked underneath Klaus' tight grasp and lowered her tone to a softer one."I...Klaus, what are you doing here?"

At the change in her tone, Klaus watched her for another drawn-out moment, studying the young wolf before he suddenly let Ray go. The wolf fell back onto the pool table, the thump of his head hitting the wood earning Klaus a glare from Maria.

He chose to ignore it.

"I'm in need of some werewolves. A pack to be more specific."Klaus keenly answered, smile faltering into an annoyed frown as he pushed Ray back down."But your friend hasn't been exactly forthcoming with their whereabouts."

Maria's face contorted into an expression of confusion and she followed him with her eyes.

"Wolves? Why would-"Confusion swiftly turned into understanding as realization dawned why he'd be in need to assemble the species he, while being half of, had been tamed for a thousand years."There was only one answer."The curse. You broke it."

"I broke it."Klaus repeated with a proud nod of his head, mouth curving up into a broad smile as he rounded the table, a shift in his demeanor and tone softening."It's been a long time, love."

Eyes clouding over in anger with each step Klaus stood, Maria sent the Original an icy smile, keeping his gaze.

"Not long enough."

Smile instantly falling and eyes darkening with indignation, Klaus sneered at her, and he moved swiftly, grabbing her by the forearms, spinning her around so that she was facing her friend, back against his chest.

"I wouldn't be so quick to irritate me."He held firmer onto Maria as she struggled against him, fingertips digging into her cheek as he forced her to look up at him."How about you help me out and get your boyfriend to tell me where your pack is?"

"Hey, HEY!"Ray shook his head, baring his teeth at Klaus in anger."That's enough!"

"Yes, I agree with that."Klaus laughed to himself and turned to face Ray, giving the other man no choice but to watch as he restrained Maria in his embrace."Maybe I should give her a gift of becoming just like me, Ray."

"No, no, no!"Maria shook her head as Klaus' mouth grazed her throat, trying to free herself from his grasp."Don't-"

"Just tell me where your pack is, and all this will end."She felt him smile against her throat and swallowed nervously."You have my word on that."

Shoving his arms away from her, something Klaus did nothing to stop, Maria turned on her heels so that she was facing him.

"Go to hell."

Klaus didn't let the harsh words affect him as he stepped closer so that they were close once more, giving Maria no choice but to look up at him.

"Where is your pack?"

Neither said anything and Klaus, growing more angry with each passing second, angrily stormed over to them. Shoving Maria aside without warning and stealing the bartender's knife from the bar, he made his way over to Ray.

"Klaus, no!"

Paying no attention to Maria's plea, he held the wolf down by his shoulder, other arm raising high in the air.

"It was nice meeting you, Ray."

Klaus began to bring down the knife, and Ray's eyes widened while Maria swallowed the lump in her throat. Klaus' hand came down, but just before the blade drove into Ray, a hand grabbed his wrist.

"Wait!"

He took longer than expected to react or respond to her interruption. He slowly straightened to his full height, eyes focused on Maria's hand on his skin before he turned to look at her.

"What is it?"Klaus turned his head, looking down at Maria who held his wrist in her hand."Do you want to say a final goodbye, Maria?"

She glanced at her friend, shutting her eyes for a long moment before she said.

"I know where they are. Our pack and I'll take you to them..."

"So bloody predictable."Klaus quietly said, resisting the urge to laugh, twirling the knife around his fingers."Great, where are they?"

"No, it doesn't work that way."Maria's grip tightened on his wrist just in case he changed his mind and stabbed her friend."I'll take you to them, i'll...i'll do whatever you want."

Corners of his mouth quirking up in interest, Klaus tilted his head in amusement.

"I'll do whatever you want-"Maria firmly repeated, slowly taking her hand away from Klaus when she was sure she had his attention."If you let my friend go and not turn me into whatever you are. Agree to that, and you have my allegiance."

Ray shook his head, about to protest."Maria-"

"Hush, now."Klaus shut him up by cupping a hand over his mouth, eyes focused on Maria."Are you negotiating with me, love?"

"Yes. You get what you want—the wolves, and my friend gets his freedom."

"You're willing to risk your pack for him?"

Klaus' jaw clenched, but he hid it as she bit her lower lip before sighing.

"Family."Maria hissed back, crossing her arms over her chest defensively, standing in front of Ray to block him from Klaus' eyes."He's my family."

"I don't want him to become a monstrosity like you."Maria continued, firmly shaking her head as she turned and looked up Klaus with repulsion."He doesn't deserve that."

Klaus' reaction was immediate as he cried out in outrage, flashing forward and backing the young wolf against the pool table that Ray was restrained to. She attempted to push him away from her only to have her wrists caught and forced down at her sides.

Pulling back to meet her eyes, Klaus tutted in a scolding manner at Maria, following her whenever she tried to break their gaze.

"So honorable though it's a little Judas-like, don't you think? Sacrificing your pack for your little friend."Klaus glanced back down at Ray, lip curling up in disgust as he spoke."You really want to save your boyfriend, do you?"

Yanking her hands away from him, Maria refused to bow down as Klaus mockingly smiled at her.

"He's-"Maria ground her teeth together in anger as she tried to remain calm, hands gripping the edge of the pool table."He's not my boyfriend."

Klaus tilted his head, a grin on his lips.

"Of course not, sweetheart, you prefer someone much more..."Klaus' eyebrow raised almost suggestively as his eyes skimmed over her features almost pensively."formidable."

Maria blinked up at him, teeth trapping her bottom lip before she bit down in an attempt to stop an angry retort she wanted to hurl back at him. Ray, as if sensing the tension and getting even more worried, shook his head at his best friend.

"Maria-"

Klaus straightened, stuffing wolfsbane into Ray's mouth to shut him up, making him holler in pain. He watched as Maria winced, clearly affected by her friend's pain but swallowed the whimper that wanted to follow.

Looking away from the upset on her face, Klaus brought the attention back to the matter at hand.

"What use would you be to me?"

"You don't need to ask that."She whispered back, flinching as Klaus' hand came up, fingers brushing her cheek."You know me."

"I know you."Klaus nodded in agreement with another smug smile.

Turning away from his hand, Maria scoffed at the irony of his words but bit back what she wanted to throw at him.

"Then you know I mean what I say."Maria sternly said through clenched teeth, drawing in a long breath before she carried on."I don't want to be a hybrid, you know I don't want to be a hybrid, but i'll answer to only you."

There was a dangerous glimmer in his eyes and, when he went silent for a moment, Maria knew she had his attention.

If Klaus Mikaelson relished in one thing, it was control, especially over others.

"You're quite vexed with me, my Maria..."Klaus murmured more to himself than to her, slowly leaning down, eyes flashing amber as his eyes flickered over her."I can smell it."

"Do you really care as long as you have loyalty?"She swatted his hand away from her, making him chuckle and reluctantly met his eyes."Do we have a deal?"

Klaus' hand fell back at his side as he stared at the young, defiant woman.

She was brave; she always had been.

"Perhaps you have a point."He muttered, eyes shifting over to Ray who still fought against his restraints in desperation as he pretended to ponder over her question, purposefully drawing out the tense moment."All right."

Maria slowly nodded, letting out a frustrated breath as Klaus took a step away from her, finally feeling she could breathe.

"All right."

Making a show of his eyes as Maria pointedly looked at him and then Ray expectantly, Klaus' hand suddenly shot out. Both Maria and Ray flinched at the movement but, when nothing happened, the pair sighed in relief when they heard the sound of tearing as Klaus ripped the chains from Ray.

He was free.

"You're no longer of use to me."Klaus said to the male wolf as he bundled up the wolfsbane smeared chains in his fist, merely blinking in reaction to the burning of his skin as he dismissively motioned to the exit."Leave."

"No. What's wrong with you?"Ray shook his head as he sat up, spitting out wolfsbane, panting."Maria, you can't-"

Ray went to grab her hand in a last attempt to save them both, but Klaus grasped Maria by the wrist, yanking her to him so that her back was against his chest. She didn't fight as Klaus draped an arm around her, arm pressed against her throat somewhat possessively.

"A deal's a deal, mate, don't go doing anything that'll get you hurt."

Emphasizing the last word, Klaus let go of the wolfsbane smeared chains Ray had been restrained with, showing the male wolf his healing hand with a sinister smile. Ray glowered at the hybrid, opening his mouth to protest, but Maria cut in before he said anything that would get them both into trouble.

"It's all right, just go."Maria gestured for her friend to leave, offering him a small smile."I'll be fine."

"Mar-"

"Ray, just go."Maria softly demanded, desperation in her voice."Someone needs to be around to have Jack's back. Tell him i'll be in touch if I can, all right?"

Ray's stubborn expression subsided a little at the mention of her brother and the imploration in her voice.

"You heard the lady, Ray."Klaus drawled, making a waving motion with his hand, eyes boring into Ray and sounding more annoyed as he lingered."Off you go."

Ray looked ready to fight, but Maria silently pleaded with him, quietly mouthing for him to go. Ray met her eyes for a brief moment as he slowly backed away, silently assuring her that this wouldn't be the last time they'd see one another.

We'll find you. He mouthed as he neared the door, hand against his chest as a silent promise.

The wolf backed away, eyes glassing over as he obeyed his friend and left the bar.

A dejected sigh slipped from her lips as her friend left, the sound of his truck following soon after.

"Oh, enough with the sadness, love."

Maria jolted when she felt Klaus' nose brush her throat, humming to himself when he heard her heart thumping against her ribcage, the beat increasing up at the touch.

He tightened his hold on her with a small, breathy laugh as he guided her away from the exit.

"I'll be just like old times."

Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it!

If you do want to see another chapter, please leave a review. Adding more depends on the feedback.