The Doppelgänger Mikaelson

Mystic Grill – Midnight

The low hum of conversation filled the air, mixing with the clinking of glasses and the soft melody from the jukebox in the corner. The warm glow of hanging lights cast long shadows across the wooden floors, giving the place a cozy, worn-in feel.

Lucifer swirled the amber liquid in his glass, his fingers tapping idly against the counter. Ivar sat beside him, leaning back in his chair, looking as if he was about to pass out from boredom.

"Man, this town is dull," Lucifer muttered, downing the rest of his drink in one go. "How do people live like this?"

Ivar exhaled through his nose, uninterested. "Not everyone thrives in chaos like you."

Lucifer scoffed, setting his glass down with a soft clink. He turned his head, eyes lazily scanning the room—until they locked onto her.

A girl. Sitting at the bar, sipping whiskey. Watching them.

His brows lifted slightly.

Ivar had noticed her too, but unlike Lucifer, he wasn't curious—he was annoyed. His fingers stopped drumming against the table as he let out a deep sigh.

"Of course," he muttered under his breath.

Lucifer smirked. "Friend of yours?"

"Not exactly."

They both stood at the same time, tossing a few bills onto the counter before heading for the exit. As they passed by her, Lucifer slowed his steps, tilting his head slightly in her direction.

She wasn't just looking at them. She was studying them.

"Something wrong, love?" he asked, his voice smooth, almost amused.

Before she could respond, Ivar cut in, his expression unreadable as he turned to face her fully.

"You're here for your brother, right?"

Hayley's grip tightened around her glass. Her breath hitched.

Her head snapped up, eyes sharp. "What do you know?"

Lucifer's smirk deepened. Oh, so that's why she was watching them.

Ivar exhaled, rubbing his temple like this was already giving him a headache. "Tch. Just follow us."

Hayley didn't even hesitate. She threw some cash on the bar and stood up, grabbing her jacket.

Lucifer raised a brow, amused. "That easy, huh?"

She shot him a glare. "If you know something about Henry, I'm not wasting time asking twice."

Lucifer chuckled. "Feisty."

Ivar was already heading for the door, not bothering to check if she was following. Hayley glanced between them for half a second before stepping in line, her boots clicking against the wooden floor.

Outside, the night air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. The streets of Mystic Falls were quiet, save for the occasional distant bark of a stray dog or the hum of a passing car.

Ivar stuffed his hands into his pockets as he walked ahead. "You're gonna want to keep up."

Lucifer slid his hands into his coat, throwing a side glance at Hayley. "Welcome to the fun part, love."

She didn't know what she was walking into.

But if it led her to Henry—

She didn't care.

Mikaelson Compound – Midnight

The streets of Mystic Falls faded behind them as Ivar led the way, his pace steady, unbothered. Hayley kept close, her eyes flicking between him and Lucifer, trying to piece together what the hell she just walked into.

Lucifer had that lazy smirk on his face, like none of this was serious to him. Like this was all just another game.

The air changed when they reached the Mikaelson Compound. The moment they stepped past the iron gates, Hayley felt it—the weight of something old, something powerful.

Guards stood at attention, scattered across the courtyard, their gazes sharp and unwavering. They looked human. But Hayley wasn't stupid.

Something about them was off.

She tensed slightly, her instincts on high alert.

"This your place?" she asked, her voice casual, but there was an edge to it.

Ivar barely glanced at her. "No. Just a necessary stop."

Her brows furrowed. She looked around again—at the sheer number of guards, the way they seemed to be watching, waiting.

"And you just… walk around Mystic Falls alone?" she muttered, her arms crossing. "Kinda weird for someone who has this much protection."

Ivar finally stopped walking. He turned to her, his face unreadable, then flicked a glance at the guards. "Them?" His lips curled into something that was almost a smirk, but not quite. "Pests. Created by my brother."

Hayley felt her stomach tighten. "Your brother?"

Ivar nodded toward the guards, and Hayley followed his gaze.

"Actually," he said, almost too casually, "your brother is one of them. The first, to be exact."

Her breath caught.

Her hands clenched at her sides.

"What?"

Ivar shoved his hands into his pockets, looking completely unbothered. "A hybrid. A creature of both vampire and werewolf."

Hayley barely heard him. Her heart was pounding in her ears.

Henry.

Her brother—her twin—wasn't just a werewolf anymore.

The heavy wooden doors of the Mikaelson compound creaked open. Alyssa stepped out, arms crossed, her sharp gaze landing on Ivar first before shifting to the two people behind him.

Her brows furrowed slightly. The guy—charming, cocky-looking. The girl—tense, eyes scanning everything like she was ready to fight if she had to.

"Who are they?" Alyssa asked, voice cool but curious.

Ivar exhaled like he was already exhausted by this conversation. He jerked a thumb toward Lucifer. "That's Lucifer."

Lucifer shot Alyssa a grin, hands tucked into the pockets of his coat. "Pleasure, love."

Alyssa barely reacted, just gave him a once-over before turning back to Ivar. "And her?"

Before Ivar could answer—

"Hayley!"

A voice cut through the air, raw and urgent.

Henry.

Hayley barely had time to react before she saw him—rushing out of the house, Klaus following closely behind.

Her breath hitched.

He looked different. Not in a bad way, but… different. Stronger. His presence carried weight now.

But none of that mattered.

Because in the next second, he was in front of her, arms wrapping around her in a tight hug.

And she didn't hesitate. She hugged him back just as hard.

"You're okay," she breathed.

Henry let out a shaky laugh, gripping her like he was scared she'd disappear. "I didn't think I'd see you again."

Lucifer raised a brow, watching the reunion with mild amusement. "Well, this is sweet."

Ivar ignored him, glancing at Klaus. "So? You gonna say something, or just stand there looking ominous?"

Klaus smirked. "You brought interesting company tonight, Ivar." His gaze flicked to Hayley and Henry. "And it seems our family reunion just got bigger."

Hayley pulled back slightly, still gripping Henry's arms. "What the hell happened to you?"

Henry hesitated. His jaw tightened. "It's… complicated."

Ivar snorted. "Understatement of the year."

Hayley's eyes darkened as she turned to Klaus. "You did this to him, didn't you?"

Klaus met her glare head-on, a slow, amused smile creeping onto his lips. "I gave him power."

Hayley's fists clenched.

This wasn't over. Not even close.