Awaken

Chapter 2

The wind whistled in her hair as Nova stood at the edge of beach. The sun beamed down on her, kissing her skin with its warmth as she kept her eyes closed against the soft breeze. Sand twirled around her toes as a small wave met the shore at their tip.  Perhaps it was just coincidence, but whenever Cora and others from Upsa were to due to arrive, the beach tended to feel more alive than normal.  She lowered her head, a soft smile on her lips as a tell tale blue and white fin flipped in the air.  Her sister had arrived. Grabbing the sides of her skirts she waded into the salty water, it was warm and comforting on her feet.  Though it had been some time since discovering she was the daughter of a mermaid , Nova hadn’t learned how to swim yet. This fact annoyed her older sister.  Cora was convinced Nova had mermaid magic much like she herself had wolf speed. But Nova wasn’t so certain and preferred keeping her feet mostly on land.

     She remembered how Cora had huffed at her over it at their last visit and a small broke over her face just as her twin rose to the surface.  Cora was as beautiful as ever, her charcoal black hair hung dripping down her back, a broad smile on her own face as she closed the small gap between herself and Nova.

    “ Took you long enough sister!” Nova shouted over the waves.

    Cora chuckled as she stopped her swim just in front of Nova, splashing her legs playfully. “ If you would ever take the plunge and learn to swim with me, you would see why.  So many areas of beauty in my home” she answered, her vibrant blue eyes shining.

   Nova laughed, extending a hand to her sister in greeting. By now, a handful of merpeople rose behind their Queen, and Nova was pleased to see her brother in law Ronan had come as well.  Her hearted glowed when her grandmother and grandfather popped up in the small crowd. Marius and Vera had embraced her immediately after the Battle for Prix. Over the last couple of years , the two had made it a point to know both of their granddaughters.  Marius was especially doting on Alaric, and in return his young grandson adored his Papa more than anyone in the world.

   Right on cue , Marius smiled at her warmly.  “ Novalynn, it’s good to see you child, you’re just as lovely as ever.  Now tell me, where is my grand boy? We have swimming lessons to continue”.

   Nova smiled at her grandfather as they made their way back towards shore.  “ He’s at the inn, I decided not to tell him you would all be here today. He will be so surprised when you come walking through the door” she replied.

   His legs underneath him, Marius gave her shoulder a warm squeeze before heading up the beach.  A small shack had been constructed to store spare clothing in for when visitors arrived from Upsa. She smiled softly as she watched the older man beeline towards it, eager to get to his only grandchild.

  Soft laughter came from behind her and Nova turned, her grandmother’s eyes full of love as she watched her partner take off.  “ Gram, it’s so good to see you! I was hoping you were well enough to come this time!” Nova exclaimed, wrapping the older woman in a gentle hug.

   Vera hugged her back. “ It was Cora who convinced me. Our healers aren’t able to figure out what’s wrong with me, and she insisted I come so you could take a peek yourself” she lowered her voice to a whisper, “ don’t tell her I said so, but it’s also the reason we took so long to get here today, I just get so tired easily” she finished.    Nova nodded.  Over the last few months, Vera’s health had been waning and Cora had expressed great concern for her.  But Vera was stubborn, much like Cora her self and had only recently allowed herself to be checked out.  She hugged her grandmother again.  “ Don’t worry Gram, I won’t tell her you said so” she whispered back.  Vera gave her a small smile before heading in the direction of the shed.

   Nova sighed, turning around to see her sister waiting for the last of people to make it to shore.  Finally, Cora herself rose out of the water, Ronan waiting to escort her.  Nova snorted at the way her sister gently pushed his hand away. 

   “ I’m not broken Ronan, you darling man. I’m perfectly capable of helping myself. Go and get some clothes on, I’ll be there in just a moment” she heard Cora say.

   Ronan look perfectly chastised as he walked in her direction and Nova had to stifle a grin as he approached her.

    “ I’m so damn happy we are here. Maybe you can talk some sense into that blasted woman” he huffed.

   Nova choked back her laugh.  “ That bad huh?” She teased, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

  Ronan snorted at her , rolling his eyes.  “ You have no idea” he whined playfully.

   She laughed at him, patting his back reassuringly. “ Go on, go get some pants on before all the shifter girls on land trail you around like a bunch of lost puppies. Leave Cora to me” she said lovingly.

  He gave her arm a light squeeze heading up the small path just as Cora arrived at her side.  They linked hands, walking together.

  “ Was he trying to get you to put a restraint on me?” Cora joked.

    Nova tilted her head back, laughing at her sisters intuition. “ Well, why are you giving him such a hard time ? Or rather, what for? You know how men are with their mates. I can’t imagine it’s any different for merpeople”.

  Cora sighed , stopping them mid-step as she turned to face her twin. Her eyes shone in the sunlight, burning blue, dark like the deepest part of ocean she reigned over.  Nova could see the wheels turning in her sister’s head.  Something was bothering her older twin.

  “ What is it Cora? What’s wrong?” she urged, placing a hand gently on either of her sisters arms.

  “ I’m pregnant, Nova. It’s not that anything is wrong , it’s that I’m afraid” Cora’s voice was a whisper.

  Nova jumped back , her hands clapping in excitement.  “ It’s about time Coralee! No wonder that man is doting on you ! Finally Alaric will have a cousin to play with ! Oooh what if it’s multiples?!” she exclaimed.

  Cora shook her head at Nova, a small smile on her face.  “ Yes it is exciting and I know Ronan is ecstatic to become a Father. It’s just I see you and Rosalie with your children and I’m not sure I am as nurturing as either of you.  Even little Soli when she comes to visit, the slightest bruise and I’m in a panic over what to do. Plus I’ve been having these awful dreams, nightmares really” Cora spoke, the words rushing out of her mouth in an emotional downpour.      Nova was unable to stop grinning.  “ You are SO pregnant. My brave, powerful older sister, a bumbling mess on the beach over having a baby” she couldn’t help but tease.

    Cora glared at her, a foot stomping in the sand.  “ It’s not funny Novalynn! Stop picking on me” she pouted.

    Nova saw the swirl of her sisters eyes and chuckled.  “ Alright, I’m sorry you’re right. Come, let’s get you some clothes and get to the inn.  It sounds like we have much to talk about while you’re here…. And calm down Cora, your eyes are doing that swirly thing.”

  Cora grinned at her, lifting a finger cockily toward the sky.  “ That’s right , don’t piss off the pregnant lady”.

  They laughed, chatting as they made their way up the beach , stopping so Cora could get dressed.  While she waited, Nova could feel her thoughts beginning to run.  Perhaps it wasn’t the right time for her to bring up the Alpha challenge, not with her sister expecting her first child. She had little doubt in her own strength and that of her wolf, Dia, but Cora’s backing would be necessary to take on Jagson’s forces should war break out again.

  The door to the small shed slammed shut, and Cora c****d her head in Nova’s direction.  “ Now it’s your turn Nova, I can see your thoughts  churning just as hard as my own” she advised.

  Nova shook her head slowly and sighed.  “ It’s nothing, sister. It can wait until after you’ve had a moment to rest, along with the others.”

    Cora looked at her, unconvinced and wanting to press the issue further. But the look on Nova’s face was enough for her to know it needed to wait. She nodded slowly.  “ Alright,  we wait, but we will talk” she said firmly.

    Nova nodded her head in agreement.  “ We will talk, but just know, whatever is decided, it needs to be a choice we make together” she replied.

  Taking her by the hand, Cora smiled.  “ Together then.  Now, let’s go, I need to see my pudgy faced nephew and his handsome father.”  They arrived at the Inn that served as a type of pack house.  Ronan and Maverick sat on the porch, talking together as they normally did about Goddess only knows what they had transpired in the last month.  It was ironic to Nova, how their positioning was almost similar.  Maverick served as a Beta of sorts to Mikael, and Ronan was not only Cora's partner and husband, but her second in command.  They had hit it off instantly after the fight at Prix and that alone made Nova happy.    Children darted in out and out of the house, Alaric amongst them.  She stopped him short of running down the few steps, kissing him swiftly on his cheek.  As soon as he lay his eyes on his Aunt, he squealed in delight, jumping from Nova's arms to Cora's.  Cora swung him up in the air, earning her a scolding shout from Maverick, which she ignored as she bent the boy down, tickling his belly as she smothered him in kisses.     " Hello my sweet Alaric, are you being a good boy and driving your Mother mad?" she teased at him.  Alaric giggled in her arms, twisting his body in an effort to avoid her ticklish assault.

    " Auntie Auntie, down, down" he cried, trying to catch his breath in between uncontrollable laughter.  Cora relented, beaming as she set him on his feet. She gave his head a gentle pat before shooing him off to play with the others.

    Nova smiled gently at her sister, Cora would make a better mother than she thought and Nova was determined to help her realize that.  Sometimes a little encouragement can go a long way and Nova had a sneaking suspicion that it was their own childhood that was driving Cora's fear of failure in the maternal department.

   Just then, she heard the sound of a child crying and Nova whipped around to see what was the cause.  To her dismay, Draven was holding a  tiny hand to his mouth, Alaric standing in front of him, a scowl etched across his chubby face. She rushed to them, frustration filling her body.  These two boys were always at it, either they were completely inseparable or having some spat over the slightest thing.

    Kneeling, she gently took Draven's hand away from his lip.  It was bleeding slightly, as though he had been struck.  Judging by the glaring look on her toddler's face, that was in fact what had happened.  Alaric stood, unmoving, his small fist clutching an unknown object. 

    Nova sighed, taking her son's hand in to her own. " Alaric Ringo Darvis Herman, open your hand this instant" she instructed firmly, using the boy's full name.  

    Alaric glared at her, his green eyes burning with defiance. " No Mama.  MINE".  Nova bit back a grin.  Her small Alpha blooded boy.

   Taking him gently by the shoulders so that they were face to face, she looked him straight in the eyes, her heart full of love at the way his eyes reflected her own.  " Alaric. Open. Your. Hand. NOW" her tone was low, warning enough that the child best obey his mother.  Alaric's lip began to tremble as he slowly unclutched his chubby fingers from the mystery object.

   In his palm lay a rock, a plain, not special in anyway kind of stone.  Nova lifted her eyebrows as she took the rock from her son.  " Are the two of you fighting over this rock?" she asked them.

    The boys nodded at her quietly, tears streaking their tiny faces.  Nova shook her head at them.  " Alaric, Draven, there are plenty of rocks for you to share.  We do not fight over such silly things.  Alaric, it is not okay to hit our friends.  Say you're sorry to Draven right now."

    Alaric turned toward his friend, and Nova's heart melted as he hugged the other boy, young as he was he was able to acknowledge he had done wrong.  She smiled, satisfied as Draven returned the hug, the bloody lip already forgotten.  The two were like brothers, and both Alpha born whether they knew it or not.  She stood, satisfied with her work and was startled by the sudden sound of clapping.

    Maverick looked at her, grinning sheepishly as he walked in her direction.  " You my love, handled that like a true leader, a true Alpha.  But also like a Mother.  Which is a major thing I happen to love about you" he said, kissing her deeply. 

    She blushed at his words, smacking him lightly.  " It was no thing, the two are always at some small odd between them, that is of course when they're not causing some havoc together".

    Maverick wiggled his eyebrows.  " Havoc huh, my wolf on your mind?" he teased. " In all seriousness Nova, have you spoke with Cora about our conversation yet?" he questioned.

    Nova frowned.  " No, not yet.  Cora dropped her own news on me and now, well, maybe now isn't the right time..."

    Maverick held a finger to her lips.  " Nope,  I am going to stop you right there Novalynn.  You need to be honest with your sister.  Whatever happens, I know just as well as you, that Cora will be more upset if you aren't forthcoming with what has been on your mind.  Tonight, after dinner, we will sit our group down.  It's time to have this discussion." he finished.

       Nova sucked her breath in between her teeth.  He was right.  She had promised Cora they would talk, and they would. She stood on her tiptoes, kissing him softly.  " Fine Beta.  Now, what's for dinner?" she joked.

        Pinching her butt gently he kissed her on top the forehead.  " I don't know, but hopefully, I'll be having you for dessert."