Chapter 20 - Chapter 19: Vows and Vengeance

🛌 Slow Morning Recovery

Sunlight streamed gently through the half-closed blinds, casting golden stripes across the tangled sheets. The room was still, warm, and filled with the quiet sound of slow, even breathing. Nova stirred first, blinking slowly against the soft light, and found herself curled tightly in Hope's arms, her back pressed to Hope's chest. One of Hope's hands rested protectively over her small baby bump, the other cradling her head.

For a long moment, Nova just lay there, letting herself feel safe. Hope's steady heartbeat thudded against her spine, grounding her in the middle of the chaos. Then Hope shifted, pressing a kiss into Nova's hair.

"Morning," she whispered, voice still thick with sleep.

Nova hummed, half-smiling. "That word doesn't mean what it used to anymore."

Hope chuckled softly. "I brought snacks." She reached over to the nightstand, producing a small bowl of cut fruit and a granola bar.

Nova arched an eyebrow. "Are you trying to bribe me into staying in bed forever?"

"Maybe. Is it working?"

Nova snorted and grabbed the granola bar. "I don't know what I expected when I got pregnant, but you hovering with fruit wasn't on the list."

Hope sat up, brushing her fingers through Nova's messy hair with care. "You had a hard day yesterday. That note shouldn't have happened."

Nova waved it off, though her smile was thin. "People talk. People suck. Nothing new."

"Nova," Hope warned, brows drawing together. "It wasn't just talk. That was vile. Cruel. If you let me, I could—"

"—Do something reckless that draws even more attention to me?" Nova cut in gently. "I love how murdery you get on my behalf, but I'm good."

Hope gave her a long look. "You're not good. You cried yourself to sleep in my arms."

Nova looked away, chewing her bottom lip. Then she said, half-sarcastically, "So what now, I eat for three?"

Hope leaned over and pressed a kiss to her shoulder. "Only if one of them is a snack goblin like you."

Nova rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "Seriously though. Twins. I shouldn't even be surprised. I'm the youngest of a set myself. Should've seen it coming. Great—we're overachievers now, too."

Hope chuckled, pulling her close again. "You're stronger than you know, Nova."

Nova nuzzled into her chest. "You say that now, but maybe not later."

Hope kissed the top of her head, her hand smoothing over her belly. "Even later, I'll be right here. No matter what."

Nova sighed into her, content despite the storm they both knew was still circling them.

Then, without thinking, she murmured, "You're lucky I love you."

Hope froze slightly, blinking.

Realization struck Nova like lightning. Her eyes widened as she pulled back just a little. "Wait—I didn't mean—Oh God."

She shoved the blanket down and made a break for it, practically tripping over her own feet as she scrambled toward the bathroom.

Behind her, Hope sat stunned for a moment... and then a smile spread slowly across her face.

"Yeah," she whispered to herself. "I love you too."

🐺Mikaelson Mode Activated

Later that morning, Hope and Nova walked through the halls of the Salvatore School, side by side. Hope's hand hovered near Nova's lower back or belly—always protective, always present. The news of the twins still buzzed around them like static, but Nova was handling it with her usual mix of sarcasm and resilience. Hope, however, was on edge.

Every glance from a classmate. Every whisper. Every smirk.

Hope noticed all of them.

When one student dared to make an offhand comment under their breath as they passed—something about "double trouble" and "Mikaelson spawn"—Hope stopped in her tracks, turned on her heel, and fixed the girl with a look that could kill.

Nova grabbed Hope's hand quickly, squeezing it. "Do not go full Tribrid on a sophomore," she muttered through a forced smile.

Hope didn't look away. "You sure? She blinked at you weird. I might have to set a precedent."

Nova rolled her eyes, tugging Hope along. "Come on, Mama Wolf. Let's make it to class without bloodshed."

Hope grumbled under her breath but relented, her arm sliding protectively around Nova's waist as they continued.

They passed Penelope and Josie in the next hallway, and Penelope gave Hope a knowing look.

"She's been like this all morning," Nova said, deadpan. "You'd think I was smuggling diamonds, not growing babies."

Penelope smirked. "Pretty sure your babies are more dangerous than diamonds."

Josie giggled, looping her arm with Nova's free one. "Come on, let's get you to class before Hope declares the hallway a war zone."

Hope narrowed her eyes but said nothing—though her hand stayed firmly against Nova's side the whole walk.

💬 Tactical Talk With Caroline

Hope cornered Caroline just outside the staff lounge, her jaw tight, eyes shadowed with purpose. "Got a minute?"

Caroline arched a brow. "You want advice, or permission to break someone?"

"Both," Hope said honestly. "But mostly the first."

They slipped inside, where Caroline poured herself coffee and leaned against the counter like a queen surveying her court.

"I'm assuming this is about the note, and the fact your girlfriend is carrying twins?"

Hope blinked. "You knew?"

"Hope Mikaelson, please. You and Nova have been radiating soulbond vibes across campus like some kind of paranormal WiFi. And your glare's been set to 'kill' since yesterday."

Hope crossed her arms. "I want to protect her. And I don't just mean emotionally. If someone lays a finger on her—"

Caroline held up a manicured hand. "Already ahead of you. There are a few 'protections' woven into the school's enchantments that were... enhanced last night. Let's just say any more threats will trigger consequences. Quiet ones."

Hope exhaled, some tension leaving her shoulders. "Thank you."

Caroline smiled. "It's not just you watching out for her, Hope. You two have people now. And don't worry—if someone's dumb enough to keep poking the mama wolf, they'll get the teeth."

💥Hope's Warning

Later that day, the sun was higher in the sky, casting dappled shadows across the courtyard as students filtered in and out of the main building. Hope stood alone near one of the archways, leaning against the cool stone wall, arms crossed and jaw clenched.

She was waiting. Watching.

Jed rounded the corner, laughing at something one of his friends said before they split off. The smirk on his face faded the second he saw Hope. He tried to brush past her.

Hope stepped into his path.

"Going somewhere?"

Jed's eyes narrowed. "Mikaelson."

"You've been busy," she said coolly. "Spreading rumors, leaving notes. You think I wouldn't find out?"

Jed scoffed. "You can't prove that was me."

Hope smiled, sharp and humorless. "I don't have to. I know it was you. And I know you've had a problem with Nova since she got here."

"She's just some wolf who thinks she's better than the rest of us," Jed snapped. "She comes in, everyone likes her, even the Beacon Hills pack treats her like royalty. She doesn't belong here."

Hope's expression turned to steel. "She belongs anywhere she wants. And she's carrying my children. You don't get to look at her wrong, much less talk about her."

Jed's eyes flicked with uncertainty, but he held his ground. "What are you gonna do? Hurt me?"

Hope leaned in, her voice soft but lethal. "If you even think about touching her again—or make her cry one more time—I will remind you exactly what it means to piss off a Mikaelson. And that's not a threat. That's a promise."

Jed swallowed hard, something cold flickering behind his eyes. Hope stepped aside, letting him walk past, but not before adding:

"Next time, you won't get a warning."

As he left, Hope's gaze followed him, burning with quiet fury.

She turned on her heel and headed back to her dorm. Nova didn't need to know. Not yet.

Not until Hope made it clear to the entire school: anyone who messed with Nova Hale had to go through her first.

🧁Nova & Penelope Bond

Nova found herself sitting under one of the sprawling trees in the courtyard, picking at a muffin from the dining hall. Penelope Park plopped down beside her without asking, sipping an iced drink with a knowing smirk.

"You know, for someone who's carrying literal twin spawn, you've got a pretty good poker face."

Nova arched a brow. "Spawn? That's a new one."

Penelope shrugged. "You're dating the tribrid. Everything is extreme now. Including your reproductive life, apparently."

Nova snorted, a bit of the tension bleeding out of her shoulders. "I didn't expect this either, believe me."

Penelope studied her for a moment. "You doing okay?"

"Define okay," Nova deadpanned. "Because I'm somewhere between 'craving an entire cheesecake' and 'willing to bite the next person who asks if I'm glowing.'"

Penelope laughed. "You'll fit in just fine. Honestly, I kinda respect it. You give off this 'don't fuck with me' energy that's hard not to like."

Nova blinked, taken aback. "Thanks... I think. Must be a family trait or something."

They sat in silence for a beat, and then Penelope asked more softly, "The soulbond thing. Is that real?"

Nova nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's real. Didn't know what it was at first, but now? It's this... pull. Like no matter what happens, I'm tied to her. And not just because of the babies."

Penelope nodded, her expression unreadable. "Sounds terrifying and kinda beautiful."

Nova tilted her head. "You're not weirded out by it?"

"Please," Penelope scoffed. "Josie's my soulmate. That girl could trip over air and I'd still think it was magic."

Nova smiled, finally relaxing. "Okay. That's cute. I'll allow it."

Penelope grinned. "Besides, you're not alone. The Saltzman twins are already planning your shower, by the way. And they're dragging you into movie night whether you want to go or not."

Nova blinked. "Wait, seriously?"

"Welcome to the chaos, Hale. You're one of us now."

And for the first time in a while, Nova didn't feel like an outsider. She felt seen.

She felt like she belonged.

🫀 Quiet Moments, Private Promises

That night, the dorm was quiet, the campus blanketed in a hush that only came once the world had wound down for the evening. Nova lay curled up under the blankets, her cheek resting against the cool pillow, when she heard the soft squeak of the bathroom door open.

Hope stepped out, towel drying the ends of her hair, her skin glowing slightly from the heat of the shower. She smelled like cedar and lavender, her usual scent intensified. She crossed the room in long, quiet strides and slipped under the covers beside Nova, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple.

They lay like that in silence until Nova whispered, "What would we do if they never accepted us?"

Hope brushed her lips along Nova's jawline and then kissed her deeply, slowly, with meaning. "Then we don't ask for acceptance. We take our place anyway."

Nova turned toward her, fingers tracing the edge of Hope's collarbone. "You always make it sound so easy."

Hope smirked. "That's because when it comes to you, I've already made up my mind."

The kiss that followed wasn't rushed. Hope moved over Nova, her hands steady, her touch reverent but firm. Nova gasped as fingers skimmed beneath her shirt, as Hope whispered praises between kisses.

"You're mine," Hope breathed against her skin. "All of you."

Nova arched into her, voice breathless. "Then take me."

Their clothes slipped away piece by piece, as if the layers were being peeled back to reveal nothing but raw, open vulnerability. Hope took the lead, mouth exploring every inch of Nova's skin, hands sliding along her curves with possessive intent.

Nova whimpered, her legs wrapping around Hope's waist as their bodies aligned. Every brush, every movement sent shocks of pleasure through her, every kiss lit her up from the inside out.

Hope moved inside her, slow and deep, coaxing gasps and moans that filled the quiet of the room. One of her hands cupped Nova's cheek as their foreheads pressed together, the other gripping her hip tightly.

"I've got you," Hope whispered, voice low and reverent.

Nova clawed at her back, pulling her in closer, deeper. "Don't stop."

"I won't," Hope promised. "Never."

Their rhythm grew desperate, the air between them thick with heat and love and something even more powerful: trust. Hope kissed the tears from the corners of Nova's eyes, never faltering, never letting go.

When they finally collapsed into each other, skin slick and breathing ragged, Hope pulled Nova into her arms, her mouth brushing the top of her head.

They lay like that for several minutes, hearts pounding in sync.

And then came the knock.

Hope groaned and rolled out of bed, slipping into a robe as she padded toward the door.

She pulled it open—and froze.

Standing outside, arms crossed and expressions ranging from curious to grim to amused, were the Mikaelsons.

All of them.

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