Awaken

Chapter 12

    They returned to the inn just as dinner was being set on the table. Nova took in the sight of their make shift pack, smiling at her little family before her. Maverick motioned for her to sit beside him and she obliged, resting her hand gently on his thigh as he leaned in to kiss the tip of her nose.

She breathed him in. The scent of pine and dew drops embracing her, causing her heart to flutter and her blood to stir. She lifted a hand lovingly to his face, caressing him, enjoying the moment between them.

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought her back to the present moment and she looked up sheepishly to see Mikael grinning at them.

" I don't mean to interrupt the moment but are you girls going to let us in on exactly what you were up to today?" the bear quipped, taking a bite of his food.

Nova grinned, tilting her glass in his direction before taking a sip. " No, that's why it was girls only" she replied.

Beside her Maverick shook his head. " Nova..." he growled.

She sighed, placing her cup back in place, her eyes glancing around the table to see who was in attendance. She didn't want to think there was a possibility someone was leaking information to Jagson but who knew at this rate. Tonight was important, dangerous, and the last thing any of them needed was for their plans to fall on the wrong ears.

Crossing her hands across her chest she leaned back into her chair. " Rosalie, Cora and myself went to have a small meeting, you could say. Joan and Dia wanted to educate us on some things that are important for tonight's ritual. We have learned quite a bit of their own back story. I must say, I think it's a good idea that we take a small group of warriors with us as discussed" she informed them.

Mikael took another bite as he nodded his head. " Maverick and I agree. Dianna, myself, three vampires and five wolves are coming with you. Maverick and Felix will remain here to keep order and an eye in case any problems come to the pack".

The sound of metal hitting glass made her jump and she looked over to see Maverick's face , pinched in argument at Mikael's announcement.

" That is not what we discussed, Mikael" he snipped.

Mikael lifted his eyes from his plate, searching his friends face before he responded.

" No, Mav, it isn't. The last two times that Nova has done her thing with the boy you have all but panicked, and understandably so. I don't know much about nothing, but I am willing to bet that tonight is going to be much more extreme than these other incidents. I can't have you panicking while these three do whatever it is they're going to do" he said simply, waving his hand for effect.

Maverick stood, knocking his chair backward, anger washing over him at the idea of being told he couldn't stand with his mate and pup. " I don't know who you think you are!" he boomed, his fist slamming on to the table.

Mikael clicked his tongue, sliding his plate forward and pushing his chair backward, remaining seated. " I am your Alpha, Maverick. The Alpha of this band of misfitted, united species, and more importantly, I am your friend. I support Nova in her quest to unseat Jagson, but I also have a duty to all of these people as do you. I know this is hard for you, brother. It's difficult for me and she isn't my mate, and Alaric isn't my pup. But rest assured, you are better serving here. It's why I am going with her. If the roles were reversed, I can't think of any one I would rather watch over Dianna than you" he stated calmly.

Maverick stared at the bear. Perhaps Mikael wasn't a wolf, but he was in fact the Alpha. Though he could not command Maverick as wolves do, there was still respect for rank, and more importantly the brother before him. Nova watched as her mate's nostrils flared in consideration with Mikael's words. His eyes had turned to the cobalt blue of Havoc's and she could sense their inner struggle.

Gently, she placed her hand on his arm, feeling the muscle ripple beneath it with tension. " Mav, erm... Havoc, look at me my love" she urged.

His gaze turned to her and she could see the love, fear, and anger swarming around inside the darkened blue orbs of his eyes. Havoc had won the power struggle.

She stood, taking his face gently between her hands as she looked him in the eyes. " Havoc, I know you're afraid , for me and our pup, but you must let me do this alone. Both of you have to trust me and know that Dia and I , not to mention all the others, we will keep our boy safe and I WILL come home to you both. I love you, my gentle beast. Dia and, we love you" she said to him softly, placing a light kiss on his lips.

Her mate's arms lifted and embraced her, crushing Nova as close to him as possible. She smiled against his chest, hearing his heart thud inside and she gave him a small squeeze back. When her head lifted she saw Maverick's crystal blue eyes staring back at her and she leaned in on her tip toes, kissing him once again.

He smiled at her. " Thank you, my love, I was feeling a bit jealous that Havoc was getting all your attentions" he joked softly, earning him a giggle from Nova.

They returned to their seats, Maverick reaching his hand across the table toward Mikael. The two men grabbed hands.

" I trust you Mikael, as my brother and my Alpha. I know that you and the others will keep them all safe. Forgive me for my outburst" he stated.

Mikael shook his head. " No forgiveness necessary. If it were the other way around, you would have to tie me to this chair. We are all good my friend. Come now, let's finish our meal. Dusk is setting in."

Nova nodded her head in agreement, taking the first bite of food since she had come to the table. She shared a look with her twin. Cora smiled at her gently, but Nova could see the worry on her sister's face and she shook her head slightly. No, everything would be okay, they must be successful tonight. Alaric's life depended on it.

She took a bite of the now cold food. Her mind racing at what was to come. She could hear Dia inside, calming her and encouraging her to stay strong. The opal thrummed against her chest, and Nova shivered. It wouldn't be long now, and the task at hand was becoming ever more daunting. She found herself fighting back the urge to find Alaric and hold him tightly. There was no reason to frighten the poor boy.

She finished her plate, taking it to the wash room for those on dish duty to clean up. Her lips pursed as she reached for the cupboard that held her herbs and spices and other supplies she used to make remedies such as teas and salves to treat injury.

A hand on her shoulder made her jump and she turned around, face to face with Cora. Her sister's expression was soft, the same look of worry etched across her brow.

" Novalynn, you are shaking, let me help you little sister" Cora's voice was a whisper.

Nova sighed and gave a short nod, Cora squeezed her arm, and gently nudged her aside. Standing on her own tiptoes, Cora reached at the top shelf, grabbing the tiny jar of poppy flowers down and setting it on the wooden counter.

" There, we've got the goods. Now what? Come, take a seat sister and teach me how to make whatever concoction for my nephew" Cora instructed.

Nova gave a small laugh. Her sister would most likely always be rather bossy. She knew better than to argue and did as Cora instructed, taking a seat in one of the chairs off to the side.

" I was going to mix them with a touch of honey and a bit of cinnamon to make it taste a lot less potent. Knowing Alaric, he will still fight me. The boy hates to take any sort of medicine, even when its for a simple cough" she remarked, motioning Cora in the direction of the other necessary supplies.

Cora grinned. " Reminds me of someone else I know who never wanted much to do with being sick" she said pointedly, raising her eyebrows in Nova's direction.

Nova chuckled, running her hand through her hair. " I suppose he does take after me more than I care to admit. Though there are often times that streak of stubbornness his Auntie harbors make me question if he is my child or yours" she quipped.

Cora snorted a giggle. " You are perhaps the more reserved twin, Nova, but I assure you, there is no lack of stubborn on your end."

Nova smiled, watching her sister dump the ingredients in the large pot that hung over the fire in the kitchen. Cora stepped back, giving the mixture a small stir before joining Nova at the small table. She reached across it, taking her younger twin by the hands.

" Novalynn, I am proud of you. Of how much you have grown over these last years since all of this started. You are strong, much stronger than I think either of us ever imagined you could be. I don't say that cruelly, but it is true you must admit. From the moment I discovered I was meant to be beneath the water, I wondered what would happen to my baby sister, who would look out for you, protect you. But you don't need protecting. You are the Alpha. The strongest she-wolf walking earth at this very moment. But before all that, you are a Mother, and one I can only hope to be some day" her voice trailed off as she placed a gentle hand atop her own belly.

Nova bit back the tears. " My sweet sister. Thank you, for your words, and for your support. But I will always need you Cora. Whether it be to regain the throne of Droake and the lead the werewolves, or to kiss my boo-boos, you will always be necessary by my side. You are a Queen, a leader. I will need someone to lead me in my new role. Who better to do that than my own twin? The Queen of the Sea, leader of Mermaids. And don't be silly, the little girl you're growing, my she is one lucky little lady to have such a powerful woman to call Mother."

Cora sniffled. " You think it's a girl?" she mumbled quietly, her gaze cast at the hand that still rested on her stomach.

" I know it is. I can feel it." Nova said confidently.

Cora smiled broadly. " Well, boy or girl, I am just excited to become a Mother. I was afraid, I admit, and perhaps that's why I wanted to wait so long to try for a baby. But, I also want this for Ronan and me. I am excited to see him become a father. It's surreal how mer-people can transform from infancy if they're born beneath the sea. Somewhat unsettling as well" she mused.

Nova burst out laughing at the look on Cora's face. She stood shaking her head as she giggled. " You are magical fish people after all Cora. Come, grab the jar this tea is ready" she said to her sister.

Cora crossed the room, joining her and gave Nova a hug. " That laughter is exactly what I was looking for. We've got this Nova, I've got you" she said reassuringly.

Nova poured the liquid into the small wooden jar Cora held. The scent coming from it a mix of sweet and citrus. She sighed, turning her gaze toward the door. " And I've got Alaric. Come sister, let's find the little prince himself."

Cora nodded, taking Nova's hand into her own. It was time to chase away the darkness.