NOVA MCCALL - THEN
Nova McCall had two lives: the one before the fire, and the one after.
Born the youngest daughter of the powerful Alpha, Talia Hale, Nova grew up surrounded by strength, family, and secrets. She was the twin to Cora, the little sister to Laura and Derek. The Hale Pack was one of the strongest in California-until it burned.
Nova was just eight when it happened. One moment she was laughing with Cora, the next she was being shoved into a hidden crawlspace by her mother. Flames, screams, and ash were all that followed.
When she was pulled from the wreckage, Nova didn't remember her name. Her mind buried the trauma too deep. Social services placed her with the McCalls. Melissa called her Nova because it was the name on her hospital bracelet. Scott became her brother in everything but blood. And Stiles-brilliant, sarcastic Stiles-was her tether to something resembling normal.
But the wolf never left her blood.
SOPHOMORE YEAR - THE BITE
It was supposed to be a simple investigation, meant to be harmless. Just one of Stiles Stilinski's wild theories-his dad, the sheriff, had picked up something strange in the Preserve. Stiles just had to check it out, and of course, he dragged Scott and Nova with him.
They never found the body. The body found them.
Teeth. Claws. A blur of fur and rage.
Scott was bitten first. Nova turned to run-and it got her, too.
They limped home through the trees, adrenaline masking the pain. In Scott's room, they bandaged each other's wounds, silent and wide-eyed.
Only Stiles knew what happened. They swore him to secrecy.
By the next evening, the bites had healed completely. But the changes had only begun.
Super speed. Heightened senses. Strength. Hunger. Fury.
Scott panicked. Nova adapted. Something deep inside her responded, like muscle memory. She didn't understand it yet-but she would.
And the nightmare began.
SEASON 1 - BLOOD RELATIVES
When Peter Hale crawled out of a coma and ripped Laura's body to shreds, something inside Nova screamed awake.
The body they found was barely recognizable. The sister she didn't remember was gone before Nova could even know her again.
And then Derek returned-angry, defensive, and shocked when he realized his little sister had survived the fire.
Peter didn't recognize her at first. Not until he caught her scent.
"You survived," he said softly, voice reverent. "Talia's little shadow."
Nova said nothing. She didn't trust him. Not even when he offered her answers.
"I didn't ask to be a Hale again," she told him once.
Peter smiled like a wolf watching a lamb. "No, but you were born one."
SEASON 2 PART B - BETRAYAL AND ASCENT
It wasn't the Alpha Pack or the Darach that broke her. It was Allison Argent.
She had loved Allison. Honest and fierce and fearless. Their connection had been intense from the start-shared trauma, shared pain, shared heartbeats in dark corners.
And then she found her in bed with Scott.
Her brother.
Her best friend.
Her girlfriend.
Allison's eyes were full of regret. Scott's were full of guilt.
Nova turned and left without a word.
She didn't speak to either of them.
But when the Pack fractured under pressure and Scott wavered-hesitated-the power passed him by.
He faltered. He failed.
Nova stood.
The moon burned red overhead. The blood of the Hale line pulsed in her chest.
And when she roared, it wasn't grief anymore.
It was an Alpha.
No kill. No conquest. Just will.
Nova Hale became the True Alpha.
NOW - THE NIGHT SHE MET HOPE
The Preserve was quiet tonight, but Nova wasn't.
Her claws itched beneath her skin. Her rage sat heavy in her lungs. The betrayal, the pressure, the memories-it was all closing in.
She ignored Scott. Ignored Allison. The very sight of them threatened to rip her apart. She was better alone. Stronger.
She walked the Preserve, hood up, eyes darkened by hurt and fury.
That's when she felt it.
Magic. Strange. Wild. Ancient.
A girl stepped into view.
Long reddish brown curls. A piercing gaze. Magic clung to her like a second skin, but Nova couldn't place her. She felt like a mixture of different things, but that wasn't possible.
Hope Mikaelson.
They stared at each other.
"Didn't expect anyone else out here," Hope said.
Nova stayed silent.
"You okay?"
"Do I look okay?"
Hope stepped closer, undaunted. "You smell like blood and rage."
Nova's eyes flickered, deep red for just a second. "You should walk away."
Hope tilted her head. "Or maybe I found exactly who I was looking for."
Nova didn't know who-or what-Hope really was. Not yet.
But something stirred between them. Something neither understood yet.