When Derek Hale first returned to Beacon Hills looking for his sister Laura, he didn't expect to find her dead. But what shocked him even more was discovering that his youngest sister, Nova, was still alive. She had no memory of who she was or what had happened to their family—until Peter, their manipulative uncle, made her remember. The memories hit hard, but they brought Nova back to herself. And it wasn't just memories Peter gave her—he bit her too. Just like he had Scott.
Derek also remembered warning Nova to stay far away from Allison Argent, haunted by his own past with Kate Argent—the woman who had seduced him when he was young and manipulated his trust, only to later betray him and be revealed as the one responsible for the Hale fire that killed most of their family. That betrayal had nearly destroyed him, and he couldn't bear the thought of Nova going through anything remotely similar.
Derek Hale didn't deal in emotions. At least, not the same way the rest of his pack did. He was a creature of instinct, of protection, of quietly doing what needed to be done. But when Nova stumbled into the loft, shaking, silent, eyes red-rimmed, something in him snapped.
He didn't ask questions. Not right away. He waited.
When she finally said the words, his blood ran cold.
"Allison. With Scott."
The betrayal hit hard. Derek had his problems with Scott McCall, sure. But he always believed the boy tried to do the right thing. He never imagined Scott would be capable of something like this—not with Nova. And Allison? Derek didn't want to believe it, but Nova wouldn't lie.
Derek didn't say much. He simply pulled her into a hug, wrapped strong arms around her and didn't let go. Not until she stopped shaking. Not until her breathing slowed.
Derek remembered meeting Caroline Forbes-Salvatore once with Laura in New York. She spoke about her school—an institution designed for supernatural students, offering guidance and safety. After Nova spiraled following the betrayal, Derek sat her down and told her about the school, believing it could be the fresh start she needed. He didn't expect her to take to the idea so quickly.
But when she asked if the others might want to come too, Derek was surprised. He hadn't expected Stiles, Lydia, Isaac, and even Ethan and Aiden to agree so quickly. Still, when Nova looked him in the eyes and asked him to come with her, there was no hesitation. He didn't trust many people, but he trusted Nova. If she wanted him there, he was going.
He watched the way Nova moved in those weeks before they left. Something about her had changed. She was still sharp, still fierce, but there was a heaviness to her she hadn't had before. And then came the motel outside Memphis. Derek saw the moment Lydia cornered Nova and convinced her to tell the rest of them.
Nova was pregnant.
Derek didn't react like the others. He didn't shout, didn't panic. He simply walked up to his sister, placed a hand on her shoulder, and nodded. That was all she needed.
He didn't ask who the other parent was. Not yet. Not until she was ready.
But when they arrived at the Salvatore School, Derek saw it. The way Nova stiffened around her new roommate. How she avoided Hope Mikaelson's gaze. How her scent shifted subtly every time Hope was in the room.
Derek knew.
And when Hope found out? When Stiles, after a signal from Lydia, broke the news? Derek watched. He watched Hope's face fall, her voice catch, her body still.
He saw the soulbond spark before anyone else did.
From that moment, Hope changed. She hovered, but not in a way that smothered. She provided. Protected. Claimed. And Nova, for all her sarcasm and stubborn pride, let her.
Derek kept his distance. But he watched everything.
He watched the small smiles Nova gave when she thought no one noticed. The way Hope lingered in doorways, eyes always tracking Nova. The food deliveries, the way Hope sat closer each day.
Then came the family meeting. Derek didn't need to say much. He stood beside his sister, stared Hope down, and let her prove herself.
And she did.
She didn't back down. Didn't flinch. Declared Nova her family.
Derek nodded.
And later, when Nova asked if he approved, he answered simply, "She hasn't run yet. That's something."
Hope Mikaelson had a long way to go.
But Derek Hale was watching.
Furthermore, he didn't miss a thing. And if Scott McCall or Allison Argent ever tried to hurt his sister again, they'd answer to him.
Derek gave Nova a look, half warning, half teasing. "Have you told Cora yet?" he asked, referencing Nova's older twin sister.
Nova paled slightly. "Oh god, I am so screwed."
Stiles, ever the opportunist for a quip, chimed in from nearby. "Well, technically Hope already did that to you, which is exactly why you need to tell Cora before she finds out on her own."