Risen

95

"Hatchling?" a male voice asked

"What the hell?" Nova asked, snapping back to reality as she looked around

"Calm, hatchling" soothing her "you know who I am"

". . Enjin?" her eyebrows furrowing slightly

"Yes, hatchling" chuckling lightly in amusement

"Ooh, this is freaky" her voice turning into a whisper

"Sweetheart?" Irina asked, slowly walked toward her

"Why does he sound like Idris Elba?" looking at her "like, exactly like Idris Elba?"

"You're okay?" Allison asked, looking at her while pushing herself to her feet, Nova's blood on her hands

"A little freaked out" looking around once more "but for the most part, yeah"

"You'll get used to him" Irina assured "come on, let's -- "

Nova stepped back from her reach, shaking her head slightly as she ran a hand through her hair, Enjin deciding it would be wise to move to the back of her mind and rest until she was comfortable enough to speak to him, which was understandable since all hatchlings often freaked out when they heard another voice in their mind of the opposite gender. She slowly looked down when she felt a cold breeze against her legs,

"Dude . . why?" looking at the dress

"If it makes you feel any better, you look beautiful" Kira said

"I feel naked" looking at her "I have never worn a dress in my life! . . But thank you" a warmth forming on her cheeks

Kira smiled slightly at the sight, not saying anything else to further embarrass her, Nova turning around, looking at her mate as she folded her arms, as if she was trying to hide herself. Irina admired the mark that lay on her back, Derek quickly making his way over to his mate, wrapping her in his arms, which caused her to wrap her own around him. He didn't like seeing his mate injured like that, and he never wanted to see it again, burying his face in her neck and taking in her scent, which calmed him down, knowing she was in his arms where she belonged.

"My jaket burned" she muttered "that was my favorite jacket"

"I'll get you a new one" Derek promised

". . You'll have to wear it a few times so it can smell like you" causing a smile to form on his lips

He unwrapped his arms from around her, shrugging off his leather jacket and placing it around her shoulders, a smile forming on her lips, surrounded by the scent of her mate as she stuck her arms through the sleeves.

"There is nothing left for us here" Noshiko said, gaining everyone's attention "it is best if we leave this place, for good"

Derek rewrapped an arm around Nova's back, tucking her into his side, walking toward the gate of Oak Creek, the others following a moment later. Scott and Lydia helped Stiles into the passenger seat of the jeep, Isaac getting in the back seat. Chris walked over to his car, Allison walking over to hers with Lydia, Kira and Noshiko hitching a ride with Nova, Derek and Irina,

"Hey" Allison said

Nova turned around before she got into the passenger seat to look at the dark-haired teen, stiffening for a moment when her arms suddenly wrapped around her. Nova found herself relaxing into the friendly embrace, wrapping her arms around her in return,

"You saved my life" she said "I owe you, big time"

"Get a tattoo of my name on your ass and we'll call it even" Nova whispered

A laugh emitted from Allison, pulling away with amusement in her eyes, shaking her head slightly as she walked over to the car, Nova getting into the passenger seat, and closing the door. Derek was in the driver's seat, reaching up toward the shade, lowering it and catching the keys that fell, causing him to close it again, starting up the car and pulling away from Oak Creek for the final time.

∆

"I believe a congratulations are in order" Noshiko said with a small smile as she looked at the redhead "I have not heard of an acceptance happening to one so young" looking toward Irina "you must be so proud"

"I am" Irina replied with a smile, then looking at her granddaughter "I truly am. And I thank the flame every day, since she had been brought into my life"

Nova could feel Enjin in the back of her mind, she couldn't really explain it. But she felt him there, knowing he was now part of her in a much deeper way. Pun intended. She looked down at her hand, her eyes landing on the ring that was given to her by Derek's mother, the very ring that was always around her right middle finger. Her head tilted slightly when she felt his movement in her mind, Irina watching her, knowing exactly what she was feeling. Nova felt as if nothing had changed, but at the same time, everything was now very different. Enjin was no longer wrapped around her body, protecting her from the dangers until the end of her lifespan. He was now within her, in her heart and mind, wrapped around the soul she shared with Derek, protecting them both with a raging flame that dared anyone or anything to threaten him. Due to his strength, they would definitely lose, Nova could feel that.

She rose her hand, looking at the ring for a moment longer, her eyes moving to her matte black nails, which were in that in-between from long and short. Derek glanced at her, taking his right hand off the steering wheel and grasping her left, which brought her back to reality. Nova looked at him, her hand falling to her lap as she looked down at their hands, a soft smile forming on her red lips, turning her hand over, allowing Derek to lace their fingers together. Her skin was much warmer now, and even he wondered what else had changed. One thing was certain, he didn't want his mate out of his sight again. But he knew there was no control over that. Nova turned her gaze back toward the window as a heavy yawn emitted from her,

"Sleep, my hatchling" his words soothing her "rest well, knowing I will continue to watch over you" her eyelids growing heavy "I have made the right choice. We are one, my hatchling"

With his words, Nova leaned her head against the window of the car, letting her eyes shut, falling into a much needed sleep knowing her mate was close and that Enjin was still there, with her, putting up with all of her modern teenage drama.

"Thank you for not leaving me"

"Never, my hatchling. Never"