⚡🩸
Klaus stopped in a blur of wind and motion outside the dorm hall, setting Hope down. She didn't wait—she shoved the door open and stormed inside. The smell of splintered wood hit her, the sight of Nova clutching her swollen belly with tears running down her face burning into her vision.
Hope's anger sharpened to a razor's edge. Her eyes glowed, wolf-gold threaded with protectiveness, and her fangs pressed against her lip. "Step away from her," she growled, voice shaking with fury.
Nova broke then, stumbling into Hope's arms, sobbing against her chest. Hope wrapped her up instantly, one hand steady on her back, the other covering her bump protectively. "I've got you," she whispered, though her eyes never left Allison and Scott.
"They said—" Nova choked, pulling back just enough to look at her through wet lashes. "They said you're using me. That I'm not safe with you. That you shouldn't be around the babies—Allison said she should raise them with me instead."
The words made Hope's breath stutter. Behind her, Klaus let out a growl so sharp it rattled the walls. His eyes glowed golden, hybrid fury close to breaking loose.
Rebekah hissed through her teeth. "She what?"
Nova clung tighter to Hope, trembling. "She doesn't want you near them. She said I'd be better off with her."
Allison bristled at that, trying to defend herself with a sharp, "I only said it because I care about her!"
Hope's eyes snapped toward her, voice cold as ice. "No. You said it because you can't stand that she chose me. You lost that right the second you betrayed her, and you will never get near her or our babies again."
Hope's rage burned hotter, but she softened for Nova, pressing a kiss to her temple. "She's wrong. You and the babies are mine, Nova. Ours. Nothing will change that."
Klaus took a step forward, barely contained violence in every line of him. "If that girl speaks another word about taking your children, I will end her where she stands."
Scott shifted uncomfortably, eyes darting between Klaus and Hope. "We didn't mean—"
"Leave," Hope snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut. "Now."
Allison's lips parted, like she might try again, but the sight of Nova sobbing in Hope's arms and the lethal glow of Klaus's eyes silenced her. Scott tugged her sleeve, and after a tense beat they both backed out through the broken doorframe, retreating under the weight of every hostile gaze in the room. Yet even as she left, Allison's eyes lingered on Nova with a dangerous intensity, her jaw tight. Inwardly she vowed she'd find a way to win Nova back for herself, the same obsessive glint that once lived in her aunt Kate flickering to life behind her gaze. She spat one last bitter retort over her shoulder, voice shaking with obsession: "This isn't over. She'll realize she belongs with me." Scott dragged her away quickly, but the venom of her words lingered in the air like poison.
Hope's power flared in response, her eyes burning brighter as she clutched Nova tighter. "Over my dead body," she snarled, every syllable a promise.
Lydia's voice cracked with fury. "You don't get to say that to her ever again."
Lizzie folded her arms, her tone biting. "Try it, and I'll make sure you regret it in ways you can't imagine."
Malia's growl rumbled low in her chest. "She's Hope's now. You come near her again, and I'll tear you apart."
Derek's voice was flat and cold. "Stay gone, Allison. You've done enough damage."
Stiles, for once without sarcasm, spat, "You don't deserve to even say her name."
The pack and super squad who had rushed to the scene pressed in tighter, creating an unbreakable wall behind Hope and Nova. Lydia's eyes followed Allison with burning hatred, while Malia let out a low snarl that made Allison stumble faster in retreat. Lizzie crossed her arms, muttering something about hexing her into oblivion if she dared come back. Penelope's smirk was sharp as a blade, while Josie's hands sparked faintly with magic, ready if needed.
The air eased only slightly once they were gone, but Nova's sobs didn't stop. Her whole body shook, every sound muffled against Hope's chest. A small ripple of pain shot through her belly—a contraction from the stress—but she bit it back, saying nothing since it wasn't unbearable yet. She forced her expression steady, hiding the twinge so no one else would notice, even as her fingers dug tighter into Hope's shirt. Hope whispered fiercely, "It's okay, I've got you, they're gone." Still, her instincts prickled—the way Nova tensed didn't feel like just fear. Hope chalked it up to the stress of Allison and Scott, but a knot of unease lingered in her chest all the same.
Hayley stepped forward carefully, reaching for her daughter's arm. "Hope, let me help. She's hysterical. It's too much stress for her, and for the babies."
Hope's jaw tightened, but she didn't pull away. She rocked Nova gently, forehead pressed to her damp hair. "She needs me," Hope whispered. "She just needs me."
Hayley's voice softened, steady and soothing. "Then let me help you help her. Breathe with her. Calm her down together. She can't carry all this alone."
Hope finally nodded, letting her mother guide her through the motions. Together they breathed slowly, murmuring soft reassurances, until Nova's sobs began to taper into hiccups and trembling silence. Still, Hope could feel her shaking, could hear the way her breaths came ragged. No matter how she stroked Nova's hair or whispered promises, the fear wouldn't leave her. Hope's desperation grew—why couldn't she calm her?
Klaus paced in the background like a caged predator, fists clenched, jaw tight. Every muscle in his body screamed for vengeance, but he held it back for Nova's sake. Rebekah hovered protectively near the broken door, while Freya's hands glowed faintly with magic, ready in case Scott or Allison dared return. Stiles muttered under his breath about wanting to hit Scott with a shovel, and Isaac stood stiff as a board, his protective gaze never leaving Nova. The room itself felt wrapped in Mikaelson fury and pack loyalty, a fortress built around Nova as Hope rocked her gently, whispering over and over that she was safe now.
Moved to Safety 🛏️💞
Caroline arrived soon after with Alaric, their eyes widening at the splintered doorframe. "We'll get this fixed immediately," Alaric promised, already motioning for a pair of witches to reinforce the entrance with temporary wards.
Caroline's voice was brisk but warm. "Hope, take Nova somewhere quieter. She doesn't need more people crowding her."
Hope nodded, scooping Nova up carefully. Nova buried her face into Hope's neck, her sobs quieter now but her trembling still constant. Hope carried her out of the wrecked room, the pack and Mikaelsons parting like a shield to clear the hall. As she walked, Hope's instincts prickled again—the way Nova clutched tighter and shifted slightly in her arms didn't feel like just exhaustion. She brushed the unease off, telling herself it was the aftershock of Allison and Scott, but the knot in her stomach refused to ease.
They were guided into an unused faculty suite down the corridor, Freya whispering a soft charm to make the room calm and warm. Hope set Nova gently on the bed, crouching beside her. "We're alone now. Just breathe with me, love."
Nova tried, her breaths shaky, her hands clutching Hope's shirt. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't want to fall apart like that."
"Don't you dare apologize," Hope said fiercely. "You've been through too much tonight. You're allowed to break when it's this bad." Hope kept rocking her, whispering soft promises and stroking her hair, but Nova still trembled and sobbed against her. Every attempt Hope made to soothe her seemed to falter, her reassurances swallowed by Nova's fear, leaving Hope more desperate to calm her down. Something in her gut twisted. This isn't right.
For a few moments it was only their breathing, until Hope noticed the way Nova's hand lingered too long at her stomach, her face twisting just slightly. "Nova?" Hope asked carefully. "What is it?"
Nova shook her head quickly, eyes darting away. "It's nothing. Just... tired."
But another ripple of discomfort crossed her features, and Hope caught it this time. Her heart clenched. She reached out, cupping Nova's cheek. "Don't hide from me. Please. Tell me."
Nova bit her lip, her eyes welling again. "It's... it hurts. I thought it was just the stress but—" She stopped, trembling harder. "I didn't want you to worry."
Hope's eyes softened, even as her worry deepened. She kissed Nova's forehead, her thumb brushing her tears away. "Too late for that. You and the babies are my whole world. If something hurts, I need to know."
Nova let out a shaky breath, leaning into Hope's hand at last. "Okay," she whispered. "I'll tell you."
Hope's stomach dropped at those words, her instincts screaming that something was wrong—Nova shouldn't be in pain like this. The fear in her chest only grew heavier as she braced herself for what Nova was about to admit.
Crisis in the Night 💔🩸
Once they were alone, Nova's body finally started to ease. Hope stayed beside her on the bed, stroking her hair until her sobs faded into hiccups and then into steady breaths. Exhaustion tugged at Nova's eyelids, and she whispered, "Maybe if I just rest, it'll stop hurting." Hope kissed her forehead and held her until she drifted into a fitful nap, never leaving her side. When Hope's anger spiked, visions of hunting down Allison and Scott flashing in her mind, Nova stirred in her sleep and instinctively cuddled closer. Even half-asleep she clung and snuggled into Hope's chest, grounding her. Hope forced herself to breathe, holding Nova tighter, calming herself with the reminder that protecting Nova here was more important than revenge.
When Nova woke again, the sky outside had darkened. She shifted slowly, groaning softly, and pushed herself upright. Hope instantly straightened from the chair where she had kept watch, eyes locked on her. "Where are you going?" she asked, hovering as Nova eased off the bed.
"The bathroom," Nova said with a faint laugh, reaching to brush Hope's arm. "I can waddle that far on my own, you know."
Hope's frown deepened, protective to the core. Nova's heart warmed even through her weariness—her girlfriend was overbearing, yes, but it made her feel loved. "Go sit," Nova teased softly, giving Hope's shoulder a playful swat. "I'll be right back."
She shuffled toward the bathroom, her steps slow and heavy. Once inside, Nova splashed cold water on her face, staring at her reflection. But the relief she hoped for didn't come. Instead the pains grew sharper, closer together now. Her mind flashed back to Allison's words, the stress of her ex-girlfriend barging into her life again, and she tried to steady herself with deep breaths. "It's just stress," she whispered. "If I calm down, it'll go away."
But then a sharp stab tore through her lower belly. Nova gasped, her hands flying to the sink to steady herself. When she looked down, her breath caught—blood was dripping down her leg.
Her heart lurched into her throat. "Hope!" she screamed, panic cracking her voice.
In an instant Hope was there, bursting through the door. Her eyes widened as they fell on the crimson streaks down Nova's thigh. "No—" Hope's voice broke, horror flooding her face. She surged forward, catching Nova in her arms as her girlfriend sagged against her, shaking.
The sight of the blood turned the air to ice. Hope's protective instincts roared to life. "Help! Somebody get the car ready. We have to get to the hospital now!" she shouted, her voice breaking with urgency. The last thing Nova heard before the world tilted was Hope's desperate whisper against her hair: "I've got you."