Chapter 21 - Chapter 20: Family Reckonings

🔓 Unwelcome Wake-Up

Hope stood barefoot in the doorway, her robe barely tied, heart thudding like a drumline. Her entire family—Klaus, Elijah, Freya, Rebekah, Kol, and their respective partners—stood in the hallway of the Salvatore dorms like a supernatural intervention.

Nova, who had hastily wrapped herself in the covers and was sitting upright in bed, blinked as she registered the crowd. "Well, this is intimate and I am naked."

Kol smirked. "Bit early for a family reunion, isn't it? Or are we late to the baby shower?"

Klaus's eyes narrowed, shifting between Nova and Hope. "So, it's true."

Hope crossed her arms, instantly defensive. "If you're referring to the fact that I got my girlfriend pregnant with twins—then yes, it's true. But good morning to you too, Dad."

Nova muttered under her breath, "Why do I feel like I'm the one in trouble when I'm the one carrying the babies?"

Cami stepped forward with a calm, practiced smile. "We're not here to start a war. We just... wanted answers. Preferably before the supernatural gossip mill gets even worse."

Rebekah arched an eyebrow at the mess of tangled sheets and flushed cheeks. "Judging by the timing, I'm guessing we missed a very important family moment."

🕵️‍♂️ The Interrogation Begins

Klaus walked into the room like he owned the place, his eyes surveying every detail.

Hayley stood slightly off to the side, trying to remain calm, but the look she shot Hope clearly said, "We will talk later."

Kol took one look at Nova, arms crossed with a defiant smirk, and then at Hope before quipping, "So you're the one who little Hope went and knocked up?"

Hope rolled her eyes. "Really, Kol?"

Elijah held up a hand to quiet them. "We came here to understand, not accuse. There are matters of significance that must be addressed."

Freya's gaze was more focused. "Hope, you called me asking about soulbonds. That wasn't a hypothetical, was it? Can you confirm its strength? Is it stable? Protected?""

Hope glanced at Nova, then gave a firm shake of her head. "No. It wasn't. We're bonded. Fully."

A silence settled. Not judgmental—just stunned.

Marcel let out a low whistle. "Guess that makes things a bit more permanent."

Kol snorted. "A bit? Try unbreakable. Unless you're planning on challenging Mother Nature."

Elijah, ever the diplomat, spoke carefully. "We merely want to understand. To support. But you both must know how monumental this is. Soulbonds and tribrid offspring... this could shift power balances."

Hope, now dressed and more composed, stepped forward. "It's stable. We completed the bond instinctively. It wasn't planned, but it's strong. We feel each other's emotions. And it's protected by magic—and nature."

Nova added, "I didn't even believe it was real until we felt the shift. But it's real. We're tied together in a way I can't explain."

Freya exchanged a thoughtful glance with Elijah. "Soulbonds are rare. And sacred. The supernatural world understands that crossing soulbonded pairs invites disaster. Let us help. This kind of bond—this kind of pregnancy—it's rare. But it's also sacred. And you won't go through it alone."

Hope's posture eased slightly. "Thanks, Aunt Freya."

Nova reached for Hope's hand under the covers and squeezed. Hope looked down at her and gave her a faint smile—tired but grateful.

Elijah continued, "And what of security? Both from external threats and... personal readiness?"

Hope nodded. "We have support. From the school, the pack, and our own strength. We're not perfect, but we're united."

Nova spoke up, voice steady. "We know. We didn't plan for any of this, but we're not backing down either."

Klaus looked between them, his face unreadable. "I'll accept it. But you'll both be watched. Not because we don't trust you... but because the world won't. And the world is crueler than either of you deserve."

Hope nodded. "Then let them come. They'll see what happens when you threaten a Mikaelson or a Hale."

A small, unified breath passed through the family. Not approval—but understanding.

Klaus studied them both, his expression unreadable. But behind the sharp gaze was something else—a spark of recognition. Maybe even pride.

And with that, the interrogation began to feel less like a trial, and more like a family finally catching up with reality.

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👨‍🏫 Nova Faces the Family

Nova had hastily wrapped herself in a blanket and darted to the bathroom, cheeks burning with embarrassment. Hope, shooting her family a warning glare as if daring them to comment, handed her a change of clothes through the slightly ajar door. Nova, now fully dressed, took a deep breath and stepped out into the open. When she returned, Hope shot a protective glare at her family before gently guiding Nova back to the bed.

She stood tall, even as nerves fluttered beneath her skin. "Hi. I'm Nova. Nova Hale."

Rebekah tilted her head. "Wait—Hale? As in Talia Hale?"

Hayley stepped forward, brows furrowed. "You mean those Hales? From Beacon Hills? I thought the fire..."

Nova gave a tight smile. "Yeah. That fire. Talia Hale was my mother. I'm the youngest of the Hales. Until recently, the supernatural world thought only Laura, Derek, and a comatose Peter were left. Surprise—there's actually three more of us still alive, including me. Though... Laura's dead now."

Hayley blinked. "Wait, who are the others?"

Nova exhaled, scratching the back of her head awkwardly. "Well, there's me, obviously. Then there's my older twin sister, Cora. And, uh, Peter's unknown daughter—Malia."

There was a collective intake of breath.

"Malia? As in... Malia Tate?" Rebekah asked, eyes wide.

"The very one. She spent 8 years trapped in her coyote form and she goes to school here now," Nova replied. "Turns out dysfunctional families are a bit of a Hale legacy."

Freya let out a quiet hum, shaking her head with a wry smile. "It really is never simple with our family, is it? Especially when soulbonds and secret Hale lineages are involved."

The room quieted for a beat, tension thick in the air as realization sank in.

"Guess that explains a lot," Klaus muttered.

Klaus's gaze sharpened. "You sure you can protect my daughter and those babies?"

Nova squared her shoulders. "I'm not just a Hale. I'm a True Alpha. I didn't kill for my power. I earned it. And I'll use everything I have to protect them—if Hope will let me."

Hope looked at Nova, her expression softening. That was true, she thought. Because all she wanted now was to keep Nova safe, no matter what.

A ripple of surprise moved through the room. Respect. Acknowledgment. Even Klaus, ever suspicious, seemed to reevaluate her.

Kol leaned forward with an arched brow. "Alright, I've got to ask—how exactly does one become a True Alpha? Doesn't exactly happen every Tuesday."

Nova looked sheepish, glancing at Hope. When their eyes met, Hope could instantly tell—Nova wasn't telling the full story. Hope recognized the tightness around her eyes, the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeve. Nova was downplaying how dangerous it had truly been, keeping the worst of it locked away even from her.

"It... wasn't easy," Nova began slowly. "This time, the pack and I were stuck between a Darach and the Alpha Pack. The Darach was sacrificing people in a three-fold death ritual to the Nemeton to gain power—enough to go to war with the Alpha Pack, which was led by Deucalion. We were caught in the middle of that storm. It nearly broke all of us. But I made it through. I didn't take power—I earned it and broke a mounatin ash barrier."

Hope's jaw tightened slightly, knowing there was more to that story. Her eyes flicked to Nova, a clear message in them—we will be talking later. But deep down, she understood.

A flicker of admiration passed through Elijah's eyes. "To become a True Alpha by choice rather than violence... That's rare. Remarkable."

Klaus gave a grudging nod. "Well then," Freya said softly, breaking the silence. "Looks like the next generation might be even stronger than we thought."

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🔯 Hope's Defense

As Nova finished explaining how she became a True Alpha, Hope moved without thinking, pulling Nova into a tight, protective hug. Her hands curled possessively around Nova's waist, holding her close, her heartbeat pounding with the need to keep Nova safe.

She pressed her lips to Nova's temple. "No one is going to bully you—not even my family. You're mine. And I'll protect you with everything I am."

Hope stepped forward, her eyes glowing faintly with power, voice sharp with fierce protectiveness. "She's mine. They're mine. I don't need your approval, but you damn well better not disrespect her."

The room stiffened at her words, the tension thick as power danced in the air around her.

Cami gently stepped closer, placing a calming hand on Hope's arm. "Hope, sweetie. They're reacting out of love and concern. They're not trying to hurt you. They just want to understand."

Hope didn't immediately relax, but she took a slow breath, eyes never leaving her family.

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😍 Tension Breaks (Mostly)

Freya cleared her throat and addressed the room, her tone gentle but firm. "What Hope and Nova share... it's called a soulbond. It's rare. Sacred. And nearly unbreakable. It's more than love, more than fate. It's written into the very fabric of nature."

The weight of her words settled over everyone like a soft blanket.

Rebekah surprised everyone by walking over to Nova. "I get it, you know. Being loyal. Being willing to burn the world down for the ones you love."

Nova nodded. "Yeah. Loyalty is everything."

Hayley moved in next, wrapping her arms around Hope in a tight hug. She didn't speak at first, but when she pulled back, her expression was full of reluctant acceptance.

"This is real," she said quietly. "And you're different, Hope. But in a good way."

Hope, already hugging Nova tightly, shifted slightly and made Nova sit on her lap, her arms wrapped protectively around her girl, clearly not letting go anytime soon.

Klaus let out a low, gravelly growl. Then, with a reluctant glance at Nova, he muttered, "If anyone comes for you, they come through us first."

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🌚 Private Aftermath

The dorm room felt like a different world after the Mikaelsons left.

Nova and Hope collapsed onto it, exhausted. Hope lay beside Nova, fingers lightly brushing her arm.

"I'm sorry for the ambush," Hope said, her voice soft.

Nova gave a half-hearted shrug, curling closer to her. "Honestly? I expected it to be worse."

Hope frowned, guilt flickering in her eyes, but Nova continued.

"But weirdly... reassured too. Like, if your family accepts this, maybe the world won't end."

Hope turned to face her fully, pressing a kiss to Nova's forehead. "No matter what, we face it together."

Nova nodded, linking her pinky with Hope's. "Together." Then she smirked slightly and added with a dry chuckle, "Though, I never expected to meet your family like this—with them finding me naked in your bed."

Hope chuckled, brushing a lock of hair behind Nova's ear. "Well, you're already pregnant with my babies—what's there to be mad about?"

Nova just cuddled into Hope, yawning, the exhaustion finally catching up to her. Hope smiled softly, wrapping both arms around her soulmate, holding her like the most precious thing in the world.

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