Awaken

Chapter 20

The muffled sound of Dennis sobbing in the other room made Nova cringe inwardly. The pain of being separated from his mate was an overwhelming grief she would wish upon no one. She sighed, reaching her hand across the table for her sister, Cora's eyes piercing her own as she looked up at her older twin.

" We have to stop this, Cora. This is all my doing. We have achieved so much here in the last couple of years , and now it seems for nothing. They threatened the children for the Goddess' sake. I can't do it, I can't be responsible for any more pain in the people who have loved and supported us ", Nova murmured sorrowfully.

Cora tsked at her, her head shaking in dismay. " Nova, it is not your fault that Jagson is who Jagson is, nor is it your fault that our fates are intertwined with his. How easily you forget who you truly are. An Alpha, Novalynn. You are an Alpha and I am a Queen and there is a reason our lives were spared as infants. This, THIS , is the reason".

Her voice was low, but firm and Nova lifted her lips in a small smile. Her sister's ferocious spirit never wavered, no matter what sense of danger surrounded them.

" Or perhaps it is my fate to surrender our birthright, and lead this pack here, live peacefully".

The sound of feet shuffling behind her caused Nova to swing around. Rosalie looked at her, a weakened grin on her face. " Before you even think about shutting me down, don't. You will hear what I have to say. I am no Omega and I am just as strong as either of you" she said, jutting her chin defiantly in the air.

Nova let out a small breath, giving a small nod to her before standing to help Rosalie to her seat.

" It is true that we are certainly facing a monster in Jagson, but whoever it is that is helping him is even more diabolical than the Alpha King himself. Jagson is powerful, but not so much as to create vampires, let alone bring Kya back from death. If Joan and Dia are correct, and this is in fact the work of the ancient witch of their time, we have no choice but to FIGHT" Rosalie insisted, slapping the palm of her hand against the table.

" We wait, we train our forces harder, longer. Nova, Joan swears up and down you should share Cora's powers and she yours. The two of you are something lethal, it's just untapped, unfound. I know of a witch amongst our quiet ranks, someone who can veil the pack. It will give us time to put a plan in motion, to allow people to heal from all we have endured these last days" she finished, her gaze darting between the two sisters.

" She's right, Nova. We take our time, grow our forces. It's only recently they have been attacking us here. Jagson has not stopped tormenting the territories to the north and west of us here. We could get a message out, insist on a show of unity to cleanse the Onyx Lake Pack of that bastard and all evil that comes with him. Give me time to have this little fish." Cora stated, a protective hand on her belly.

Nova bit her bottom lip. The sound of little Tala yelling out for her Mama mixed in with Dia's howls as she encouraged her human not to give up.

" Hello Novalynn" Dia's voice purred in her mind.

" Dia, I am so happy you're okay. I was so worried you wouldn't make it all the way back to me ", Nova replied.

Dia let out another howl and Nova watched as the wolf spun circles in their shared space.

" Nonsense, my child, I waited far too long for you to Awaken, it's going to take a lot more than some poison and smelly vampires to keep me down" Dia smirked, sashaying her tail as she pounced.

Nova smiled, happy to hear her wolf back in character, Dia's words resonating within her.

" I can hear your thoughts, young one. Your fears are valid, they are even respectable. A true Alpha cares about the safety of her people, the protection of her pack is her purpose. It is sometimes easier to do nothing than to fight, and to convince ourselves we do less harm by sparing lives, sparing pain. But , no one deserves to live in such fear or danger as we are now. No one deserves to sacrifice themselves for nothing, and that's what this would all be, for nothing, if you choose not to push forward and to surrender. Fight Novalynn, stay on your path. I will be here every step of the way." Dia vowed.

Nova sighed as her connection with Dia closed, startled by a small tug at her leg. She looked down to find young Alaric at her knee, a scared-looking Draven standing next to him. She turned her chair, patting both of her knees indicating for the boys to climb up. They did, nestling themselves each into a crook of her arms, Draven sniffling the last tears that had streaked his little face.

" Mama, Darvis scared. No more bad lady, Mama, tell him." Alaric insisted, his eyes wide with worry for his friend.

Nova sighed, resting her chin on top of her son's head, sharing a quick glance with Cora and Rosalie. She turned her gaze toward Draven, his face so much like Mikael's.

" What's the matter my sweet boy, what's got you so frightened?" she said to him softly.

" I want my Mommy. The bad people will be back." Draven wailed.

Nova hugged him tighter to her, feeling his tiny body shake as a fresh round of sobs left his soul. Her own heart shattered with each breath the small boy took, and she reflexively sent some light in to him, his pain too much for such a small soul.

" Don't worry , Draven, Mama will keep you safe. Her wolf is so big!" Alaric promised, patting the other boy on his back.

Nova looked at them, nodding her head in agreement. " That's right bud, I will keep you both safe. You're both my boys. Uncle Maverick and I promise that you will always be safe, Draven".

She gave them each a small peck on their cheeks, letting them gently back down to the floor. Alaric smiled at her before turning back to Draven.

" Brother" the boy said simply.

Draven beamed at him, his tear-stained cheeks dimpling like Dianna's used to as Alaric wrapped his arm around Draven's shoulder.

" Brother" Draven repeated.

Nova felt pride swell in her chest as the two walked away, their heads together, small boyish whispers between them. Draven had a road of healing in front of him but she knew in her heart he would be okay.

She turned her attention back toward the two women at the table. It was now or never, she needed to make a decision whether to move forward or not, all this back and forth was only adding to the crippling energy that surrounded them all. Cora had fought so hard for her freedom and to free the people that Nova now lived alongside. So many sacrifices have been made already. Yet, she knew many of those remaining at the Onyx Lake Pack still suffered under Jagson's rule, Rosalie and Felix being among the few lucky ones who had escaped. And what of Tala and Titus? After all, they were rightfully children of the King of Wolves. But that did not mean they deserved to live like him, with him. Like Alaric, the two deserved to choose their own destiny, she couldn't discredit that. With Jagson ever looming over them, they nor their parents would ever have peace.

Her memories flashed back to the night of the Moon Feast, the night it all began and the sight of her own adoptive parents' heads rolling in front of her sister and herself caused her breath to catch in her throat. Maverick, strung high to the pole waiting for execution, and Cora's face, pale with a foreign fear her sister never showed. Mikael and Dianna were dead, and it was because they supported her and her son that they wouldn't be alive to raise their own. She let out a little wail, torturing herself with the memories of what if and thoughts of how come.

Jagson's face rose up in front of her. The sneer that was pasted on his image burned a hole in her mind. Cora never spoke of her time with him, but Nova knew what he had done to her twin. She pictured him laughing, enjoying the pain and making a woman like Cora bend, fury rising up in her as she pounded a fist on the table. How dare she continue to hesitate, this man and his sorry excuse for a wolf did not deserve to go on, they did not deserve a legacy. Her mind was made up.

" Okay, let's do it. Rosalie, I know you are still weak, but when you are better, I would like to meet this good witch you spoke about. Cora, in the meantime, if it isn't too draining for you and your little ...erm...fish as you said , can you put a bubble shield over the village? I think it's best to keep our people as safe as we can."

Cora nodded. " On it Little Sister".

Nova grinned as she watched her sister rush off, eager to play with her own magic. Cora did love having a purpose. She spun around, lending Rosalie a hand.

" Do you need me to help you back to bed, Rosie?" Nova asked.

Rosalie chuckled softly. " Not a chance, I've called for Felix. I need to see my babies, they are all the strength I need. Give me a day or two. Once Joan is fully awake, we will take the girls on a run to find Matilde. She keeps to herself mostly, she asked Felix and I not to tell anyone what she was. "

Nova shook her head softly. Witches were still a source of skepticism , even in a make-shift pack such as their own. It is a well-proven fact that a witch can claim good or bad , light or dark, and easily switch between the two. There was very little trust in their magical selves. Even still, Rosalie and Felix should have informed the others in rank that there was one living amongst the New Prix.

As though reading Nova's mind, Rosalie let out a short laugh. " And the look on your face explains exactly why Felix and I did keep the information to ourselves. You'll see for yourself why we were okay with that decision," Rosalie said confidently.

Nova just shook her head, not up for a debate. Just then, Felix entered the room, lifting his wife effortlessly into his arms.

Rosalie giggled, slapping him lightly on the arm. " I can walk, you buffoon. Put me down, and tell Nova there is nothing to worry about with Matilde."

Felix let out a small growl. " I will not put you down, but, she is right Nova, I am sorry we kept it a secret from you and the rest , but Matilde is harmless, she is good and I know it will mean a lot to her to help".

Nova c****d her head at them, her eyebrows raised. " I have no reason not to trust the two of you , or your judgment, but it is a surprise you would have kept something like this from Mikael."

Felix's face betrayed him at the mention of their late friend. " Mikael knew. It was Mikael who found her", he murmured.

Nova's eyebrows raised, but before she could speak, Maverick entered the room. " Nova, if you're up for it, I think Dennis would really benefit from a moment with you" he said to her, his voice somewhat sullen.

She looked at her mate, Maverick's eyes filled with unshed tears for his brokenhearted brother. Perhaps Dennis wasn't the only one who could use a soothing of the soul. Smiling softly at him, she placed a hand on Maverick's arm, the small beam of light visible only to her. The calming energy that flowed from her hand reached Maverick and he knew instantly what she had done. Bending down, he placed a soft kiss on her lips.

" Yes, exactly that, my love, thank you" he whispered into her lips.

Nova nodded, taking his hand in her own, casting one last look at Felix and Rosalie.

" Go see your children, Rosalie, you have done enough for me this evening. We need you at your best, and also, I love you, and I am so happy you are okay".

Rosalie beamed at her. " I love you too, Nova. I will see you in the morning".

Maverick wrapped her in his arms as they watched their friends walk off. " Care to tell me why Cora is outside, mustering up the biggest bubble shield I have ever seen her conjure?" , he asked.

Nova sighed, turning so she was face to face with him. " I am not done fighting. WE are not done fighting. But , I think it is best that we take our time. Build up our forces. There is more to tell, and I will, but first, please take me to Dennis. His sobs have been tearing me for two hours now," she answered.

Maverick gave her a small tug, the hint of his scent reaching her nostrils, a wave of calm washing over her that she hadn't realized she needed. She closed her eyes and let the smell of pine and forest absorb into her, feeling a surge of her own energy from their own connection. Goddess she would kill anything or anyone that tried to take him away from her.

Her eyes opened and she found Maverick smiling at her.

" I may be no healer like you love, but I am happy to see my own sneaky tricks work on you just the same." he whispered to her softly.

They joined hands, and Nova took a deep breath as they headed together in the direction of the gut-wrenching cries from their broken friend.

Ronan stood up quietly from the edge of the bed where Dennis lay, finally sleeping. Nova watched as her sister's husband gently covered the other man with a blanket. She knew Ronan in particular was close to Dennis, it was Dennis after all who had helped Cora flee from the inside of Prix on the back of his wolf. She shuddered at the memory of her sister being attacked by Jagson the night of the battle.

Ronan gave her a small smile. " I know, the idea she could've died that night still haunts me too. Will he be okay?" , he asked, pointing his head in Dennis' direction.

Nova frowned. " He will be okay, but mentally tormented the longer he is away from Marla. The Mate bond is intense, fierce. His Wolf knows she is in danger just as much as he does and there is nothing more powerless feeling than having your mate torn away from you."

Ronan nodded. " I may not understand what you call the Mate bond, but I do know how it felt to miss Cora, to feel as though I couldn't breathe without her presence" he murmured.

They turned together , shutting the bedroom door quietly so as to not disturb the sleeping man. Maverick was waiting for them at the end of the small hallway, his own head c****d in Nova's direction.

" I feel for Dennis, but I need to know what is going on Nova. I feel like all of you are aware of some great plan and I am out here feeling helpless", he growled.

Nova reached for him, letting her scent calm his agitations. " Mav, I promise it's okay. Call for the rest and let's discuss the plan Cora and Rosalie helped me come up with."

Maverick sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. " I'm sorry, Nova. You've been through so much, you all have," he uttered.

She pulled her into him. " No Mav, WE all have. I'm sorry for all I've thrown your way. I love you," she said simply.

He gave her a weak smile before lifting his head at Ronan. " I'm sorry man, I didn't mean to snap at you either."

Ronan held his hands up while shaking his head. " No apology needed here either. All I know is my wife is outside placing a very large bubble around us , but I have no idea why. I've just been distracting myself by Dennis' side, I'm as much in the dark as you are brother," he replied.

Maverick gave a short laugh and lifted Nova's chin. " Shall we go retrieve your sister then?"

She stood on her tiptoes. " Let me go find her, I promise I'm okay. Then we will all sit and discuss all of this. The fresh air will do me some good anyway."

Maverick c****d his head at her, searching her face for any sort of hidden pain. Satisfied he let out a sigh and gave her a small nod.

" Alright, but don't be too long, I am eager to have this conversation and then ...move on to some other activities I've been missing" he said to her knowingly.

Giggling, she leaned up and kissed him hard giving him a meaningful look over her shoulder as she walked away.