Chapter 20 — Morning After
Morning came softly.
Golden sunlight filtered gently through the massive bedroom windows, painting warm streaks of light across tangled blankets and sleeping bodies.
Nova woke slowly.
Exhaustion still lingered heavily in her bones, but for the first time since yesterday—
The panic wasn't crushing her chest.
Not completely.
Because Thea was still here.
Nova carefully shifted onto her other side until she was facing Thea before gently settling Allie between them beneath the blankets.
Even asleep, Thea had one arm draped protectively across both Nova and Allie.
Baby Allie gurgled softly beneath the blankets, tiny fingers curled tightly around part of Thea's shirt.
Nova's expression softened immediately.
Carefully, so she wouldn't wake either of them, Nova shifted slightly until she was facing Thea.
Thea looked peaceful asleep.
Relaxed in a way she rarely allowed herself to be awake.
Nova stared at her quietly for a long moment.
Then slowly reached up.
Her fingertips lightly traced across Thea's cheek.
Across the faint freckles dusting her nose.
Along the soft line of her jaw.
Gentle.
Careful.
Like Nova still couldn't fully believe Thea was real.
That she was still here.
That she hadn't left.
Thea stirred slightly under the touch.
Her nose scrunched faintly before sleepy green eyes with hazel centers slowly blinked open.
The second she saw Nova staring at her—
Her entire expression softened.
"Hey." Thea murmured sleepily.
Nova's lips twitched faintly.
Small.
Fragile.
But real.
"Hi."
Allie made another happy little gurgling sound between them.
Thea smiled softly before glancing down briefly.
"Looks like someone already woke up before us."
Nova let out the faintest breath of a laugh.
Then almost immediately her expression fell again.
Guilt crashed back into her eyes so quickly it physically hurt to watch.
Thea noticed instantly.
Of course she did.
Nova swallowed hard.
"I'm sorry." she whispered quietly.
Thea frowned immediately.
"For what?"
Nova looked down.
Couldn't hold her gaze anymore.
"For yesterday." she admitted softly. "For the fight. For the mess I helped cause. For losing control."
Thea stared at her for half a second.
Then immediately reached out and gently grabbed Nova's face.
Firm.
Certain.
Forcing Nova to look at her.
"Absolutely not." Thea said instantly.
Nova blinked slightly.
Thea shook her head.
"You do not get to apologize for yesterday." she continued firmly. "Scott was being a complete fucking dick and saying things he had absolutely no right to say."
Nova's eyes flickered downward again.
Thea caught her chin gently before she could fully look away.
"No." she repeated softer this time. "Look at me."
Nova finally did.
Thea's expression softened immediately.
Still angry.
But not at her.
Never at her.
"Allison's death was not your fault." Thea said carefully.
Nova visibly flinched anyway.
Thea's jaw tightened.
Because even now—
Even after everything—
Nova still carried that guilt like it was carved into her bones.
"Scott was being selfish and cruel when he blamed you." Thea continued quietly. "And honestly? I think part of him knew exactly how badly it would hurt you and said it anyway."
Nova's breathing shook slightly.
"But if I was stronger—"
"Nova."
Thea cut her off immediately.
Not harsh.
But firm enough to stop her.
"The Nogitsune controlled the Oni." she reminded her softly. "Not you."
Nova stayed quiet.
Thea sighed quietly before brushing some hair back from Nova's face.
"You know what everyone keeps saying downstairs?" she asked softly.
Nova frowned slightly.
Thea smiled faintly.
"That Allison died protecting people she loved."
Nova's eyes immediately glassed over.
Thea moved closer.
Careful not to wake Allie fully between them.
"Nobody blames Allison for dying, baby." she whispered softly. "And nobody who actually matters blames you either."
Nova laughed weakly.
Broken.
"Scott does."
Thea rolled her eyes so hard it almost startled another tiny laugh out of Nova.
"Scott also thought emotionally destroying my girlfriend was a good idea." Thea muttered dryly. "So forgive me if I don't exactly value his opinion right now."
Nova's lips twitched again.
Slightly more this time.
Thea immediately noticed.
And looked ridiculously relieved.
"There she is." she murmured softly.
Nova looked confused.
Thea gently brushed her thumb across Nova's cheek.
"My girl." she whispered.
Nova's eyes watered immediately.
Thea softened further.
"Hey."
Nova shook her head quickly.
Embarrassed.
"Sorry."
Thea looked horrified.
"Do not apologize for crying." she ordered immediately.
Allie let out another tiny happy noise between them before grabbing Nova's finger.
The tension cracked slightly.
Nova looked down at their daughter.
Her entire expression softened.
Thea watched her carefully.
Then finally spoke quieter this time.
More vulnerable.
"You know what scared me most yesterday?"
Nova looked back up immediately.
Alarm flashing across her face.
"What?"
Thea swallowed once.
"Seeing you believe him." she admitted softly.
Nova went still.
Thea moved closer again until their foreheads touched lightly.
"Because I need you to understand something." she whispered carefully. "There is absolutely nothing Scott could say that would make me stop loving you."
Nova's breathing caught.
Thea's voice stayed soft.
Certain.
Steady.
"Not the baby."
A kiss against Nova's forehead.
"Not pity."
Another kiss.
Softer.
Closer.
"You."
Thea finally kissed her gently.
Slow.
Soft.
Loving.
"I choose you." she whispered against Nova's lips. "Every time."
Nova's fingers curled tighter around Allie instinctively.
Her throat tightened.
"I never wanted the bite to put you or Allie in danger." she admitted quietly, her voice rough with emotion. "You two are my family. I just... I wanted to protect you. Not put a target on your back."
Thea's entire expression softened painfully.
She carefully brushed her thumb across Nova's cheek again.
"Baby, there was already a target on my back." she said softly.
Nova frowned immediately.
Thea gave her a small sad smile.
"I'm a Queen." she pointed out gently. "My family had enemies before werewolves ever entered the picture."
Nova opened her mouth.
Thea shook her head.
"No, listen to me." she murmured. "You didn't ruin my life by turning me."
She glanced down briefly at Allie between them.
Then back up at Nova.
"You gave me a chance to actually protect our daughter instead of standing helpless while other people fight for us."
Nova's eyes immediately watered again.
Thea smiled softly.
"Do you honestly think I'd rather sit on the sidelines while you throw yourself into danger alone?" she asked quietly.
Nova looked down guiltily.
Which honestly answered the question.
Thea snorted softly.
"Exactly."
Nova let out a weak breath of laughter.
Thea's expression gentled further.
"You know what I saw yesterday?" she asked softly.
Nova hesitated.
Then shook her head.
Thea moved closer carefully.
"I saw someone terrified of losing the people she loves." she whispered. "Not some monster forcing people into things they don't want."
Nova swallowed hard.
"Scott made it sound like I ruined your future." she admitted quietly.
Thea looked genuinely offended by that.
"Nova, you are my future." she said immediately.
The words hit Nova so hard she visibly stopped breathing for half a second.
Thea laughed softly at the stunned look on her face.
"You, Allie, this family we made together? That's my future."
A tiny smile finally pulled at Nova's lips again.
Real this time.
Thea leaned forward and kissed her softly once more.
And this time when Nova started crying—
it wasn't from heartbreak.
It was relief.
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About an hour later—
Thea and Nova finally dragged themselves out of bed.
Slowly.
Reluctantly.
Nova looked far better physically after resting.
Most of the bruising had faded significantly overnight.
But emotionally?
Thea could still see the lingering hurt in her eyes.
Still see the exhaustion.
The quiet vulnerability.
Thea made sure not to let go of her hand for long.
Even while they got dressed.
Even while they brushed their teeth side-by-side.
Even while Nova carefully got Allie dressed for the day in one of her little fluffy wolf onesies.
Thea stayed close.
Grounding.
Constant.
Eventually, the three of them finally headed downstairs.
Nova carried Allie carefully against her chest while Thea kept one hand linked with Nova's the entire walk down.
The second they entered the dining area—
Everyone looked up.
The pack was already there eating breakfast.
Derek sat at the island with coffee.
Isaac and Stiles were aggressively arguing over pancakes.
Ethan and Aiden looked far too comfortable sprawled across expensive Queen dining chairs.
Lydia sat elegantly sipping coffee while Malia stole bacon directly off Isaac's plate.
Honestly?
It almost looked normal.
Safe.
Moira and Walter were noticeably absent.
Which meant they'd already left for work for the day.
The second Nova walked in, conversation softened slightly.
Not awkward.
Concerned.
Protective.
Malia immediately perked up.
"Nova's alive." she announced casually.
Stiles looked offended.
"That was your opening line?"
Malia shrugged.
"She almost got murdered emotionally yesterday."
Nova snorted softly before immediately looking mildly horrified that she'd laughed at that.
Thea squeezed her hand reassuringly.
"See? Progress."
Nova rolled her eyes weakly.
Thea gently took Allie from Nova before carefully settling the baby into the high chair beside the table.
Allie immediately started smacking the tray happily.
Tiny chaos goblin.
Stiles looked delighted.
"There she is. My favorite tiny menace."
Lydia looked up from her coffee.
"You say that like you're not actively teaching her bad habits already."
"Correction," Stiles said proudly. "I'm teaching her style."
Allie shrieked happily.
Malia nodded seriously.
"She likes Stiles because he also acts like an untrained puppy."
"Rude."
The atmosphere eased slightly after that.
Not fully.
But enough for Nova's shoulders to loosen a little.
Everyone slowly started eating.
Then Malia spoke again.
Blunt as always.
"You did a good job kicking Scott's ass yesterday."
Nova nearly choked on her orange juice.
Derek snorted into his coffee.
Isaac looked entirely too pleased.
"After Lydia, Laurel, and Malia took you back inside," Ethan added casually, "the rest of us handled Scott."
Aiden smirked.
"By handled, we mean kicked him out of the estate and the pack."
Nova blinked.
Slowly.
Confused.
"You... what?"
Isaac leaned back in his chair.
Completely unrepentant.
"We don't need Scott." he said simply.
Nova stared at him.
Isaac shrugged.
"We already have an alpha."
Nova frowned.
Still not understanding.
Lydia looked up from her coffee.
Then blinked slowly.
"You, idiot."
Nova froze.
Actually froze.
"Me?"
The entire table collectively looked at her like this should've been obvious.
Stiles pointed at her with his fork.
"Yes, you."
Nova looked genuinely stunned.
Because before yesterday—
Before everything exploded—
She and Scott had technically been co-alphas.
Scott had usually taken charge publicly.
Scott had usually been the voice people followed first.
Not her.
Derek leaned back slightly in his chair.
"Not anymore." he said quietly.
Nova looked overwhelmed immediately.
"Guys—"
Isaac cut her off.
"Nova, Scott emotionally manipulated half the pack anytime they disagreed with him." he said bluntly. "You don't."
Ethan nodded.
"You actually listen to people."
Aiden shrugged.
"And you don't act like being alpha means everyone belongs to you."
Malia stabbed another piece of bacon.
"Plus you're nicer."
Thea snorted softly beside Nova.
"High praise coming from Malia."
Malia nodded seriously.
"I know."
Nova looked down at the table for a second.
Overwhelmed.
Confused.
A little scared.
"But I don't even live in Beacon Hills anymore," she admitted quietly. "I'm here now. In Starling City."
Her eyes flicked between all of them uncertainly.
"How am I supposed to lead the pack from another city?"
Stiles immediately waved a hand dismissively.
"Please. Half of us already communicate through group chats full of death threats and memes anyway."
Lydia sighed.
"Mostly memes."
"Important memes," Stiles corrected.
Isaac rolled his eyes before looking back toward Nova.
"Beacon Hills will be fine." he assured her calmly. "We can maintain things there."
Derek nodded once.
"We're not asking you to move back and abandon your life here."
Nova blinked slightly.
Thea squeezed her hand gently beneath the table.
"You already lead us anyway, baby." she said softly.
Nova looked at her immediately.
Thea smiled faintly.
"You're the one everyone goes to when things fall apart."
Ethan nodded.
"You're the one people trust."
Aiden smirked slightly.
"And honestly? You're less emotionally exhausting than Scott."
"That's because Nova actually knows how to communicate like a person instead of a motivational poster," Isaac muttered.
Nova snorted softly.
Actual amusement this time.
Malia pointed at Nova with a piece of bacon.
"Plus you're stronger."
Nova blinked.
"Malia—"
Malia shrugged.
"You are. Scott fights like he's trying to prove something. You fight like you're protecting people."
The table went quieter at that.
Because honestly?
Malia wasn't wrong.
Nova looked down for another moment.
Thinking.
Processing.
Then slowly—
A small smile finally spread across her face.
Soft.
Still emotional.
But genuine.
Nova looked back up at all of them.
Her family.
Her pack.
People who had chosen her.
Chosen her even when she didn't fully believe in herself.
And slowly, Nova nodded.
Accepting it.
Accepting them.
Accepting herself.
"Okay." she said quietly.
Thea's entire face lit up.
Stiles immediately pointed dramatically.
"Dibs on being favorite beta."
Isaac looked offended.
"Absolutely not."
"I was here first!"
"You were also incredibly annoying first."
"Rude."
Lydia pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Why are you two like this before noon?"
Ethan leaned back casually.
"Honestly? This is kind of wholesome."
Aiden nodded.
"Disgustingly wholesome."
Thea laughed softly beside Nova.
And this time Nova laughed too.
Really laughed.
Not forced.
Not fragile.
Real.
The sound instantly relaxed everyone else around the table.
Breakfast slowly dissolved into teasing, stolen food, sarcastic comments, and overlapping conversations.
Stiles kept making faces at Allie until she squealed.
Malia stole half of Isaac's breakfast.
Isaac complained the entire time while still making her another plate anyway.
Lydia corrected Ethan's grammar twice.
Aiden nearly fell backwards in his chair laughing.
Derek sat quietly watching all of them with the faintest almost-smile hidden behind his coffee mug.
And Nova—
Nova looked around the table slowly.
At the people surrounding her.
Her family.
Her pack.
What a pack was actually supposed to be.
Safe.
Protective.
Loving.
And for the first time in a long time—
Nova finally felt like maybe things were going to be okay.
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A few hours later—
The pack finally started heading out.
Back to Beacon Hills.
There were hugs.
Threats.
Stiles dramatically pretending he was being abandoned forever despite the fact they all had phones.
Isaac stole half the snacks from the Queen kitchen before Derek physically dragged him toward the car.
Malia hugged Nova long enough that Nova nearly fell over.
Then hugged Allie even longer.
Lydia held Nova's face gently before pressing a kiss against her forehead.
"Call if your brain starts spiraling again." she ordered softly.
Nova smiled faintly.
"Yes, mom."
Lydia narrowed her eyes.
"I will absolutely come back here and slap you if necessary."
"See? Terrifying." Stiles muttered.
Thea snorted quietly beside Nova.
Eventually, the pack piled into the SUVs and disappeared down the long Queen estate driveway.
Leaving behind an almost strange kind of quiet.
Not lonely.
Just calmer.
Safer.
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A few days later—
Nova stood in front of the massive mirror in hers and Thea's shared bedroom.
And stared.
The new St. Jude's private school uniform fit almost unfairly well.
A crisp white short-sleeved button-down shirt hugged her frame neatly.
The dark blue and red striped tie hung loosely around her neck.
The high-waisted navy plaid pleated skirt stopped mid-thigh.
And somehow the entire outfit made Nova look both adorable and ridiculously attractive at the same time.
Nova turned slightly.
Then experimentally twirled once.
The skirt flared out around her.
Nova giggled softly.
Then glanced toward the bed.
And paused.
Because Thea was just staring.
Completely frozen.
Mouth slightly open.
Nova blinked.
Then waved a hand slowly in front of her face.
"Earth to Thea."
Thea visibly snapped back to reality.
Barely.
Her eyes immediately dragged slowly down Nova again.
Nova suddenly looked suspicious.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Thea stood up slowly from the bed.
Dangerously slowly.
"No reason."
Nova narrowed her eyes immediately.
That tone never meant anything good.
Nearby, Allie happily played inside the large playpen area set up near the windows.
Thea suddenly turned toward her.
Scooped her up effortlessly.
And walked toward the nursery door.
Nova frowned.
Confused.
"Thea?"
Thea ignored her completely.
Instead calling out calmly toward the hallway.
"Hey! Can you take Allie to the nursery for a little while?"
The nanny appeared a moment later with a knowing smile.
"Of course."
Thea handed over the giggling toddler carefully before kissing Allie's forehead.
Nova still looked completely confused as the nanny disappeared down the hallway with their daughter.
Then Thea turned around.
Slowly.
A smirk spreading across her face.
Nova immediately gulped.
"Thea—"
Thea walked toward the bedroom door.
Closed it.
Locked it.
The click echoed loudly through the room.
Nova took an instinctive step backward.
Thea took one forward.
"Baby," Thea said softly.
Nova backed up again.
Directly into the edge of the bed.
Thea's smirk widened.
"You cannot seriously expect me to behave when you look like that."
Nova's face immediately flushed bright red.
"It's literally just a school uniform!"
Thea laughed once.
Low.
Dangerous.
"Exactly my point."
Then before Nova could react—
Thea grabbed her.
Lifted her effortlessly.
And tossed her gently backward onto the mattress.
Nova let out a startled laugh.
"Oh my God!"
Thea immediately climbed onto the bed after her.
Hovering over Nova.
One hand braced beside her head.
The other resting lightly against her waist.
Her eyes slowly dragged over the uniform again.
Very deliberately.
"You look so fucking hot in this uniform." Thea admitted huskily.
Nova's breath caught.
Thea leaned down slowly before kissing her.
Soft at first.
Then deeper.
Hungrier.
Nova's fingers tangled immediately in Thea's shirt as she kissed her back.
Thea smiled faintly against her lips.
Victorious.
And as the kissing grew more heated and Nova's soft sounds started mixing with Thea's low grunts—
The bedroom door stayed locked.
The curtains stayed closed.
Thea's hand slid beneath the hem of Nova's skirt as another breathless sound escaped her.
Nova laughed softly between kisses before the sound melted into a quiet moan when Thea kissed along her jaw.
The bed shifted beneath them.
Thea's low grunts mixed with Nova's increasingly breathless noises.
And somewhere beneath all the teasing and heat—
There was love.
Warm.
Certain.
Safe.
The locked bedroom door kept the rest of the world outside as the sounds inside the room slowly dissolved into muffled laughter, kisses, and soft moans.