Hidden Queen

Plans

POV: Nova

I am sitting on the couch with my head in my hands when Aunt Em, Uncle Ben, and Bean arrive. Lorna is on the floor beside me playing with Melody and Davis. Aunt Em rushes to my side and grabs my hand. "Oh, Nova, we will do everything in our power to stop the other packs from starting trouble. My alpha has already said he will not join in on the war. He will actually help calm the other packs down and teach you the things that you will need to know," she tells me. I smile and nod. "Thank you Aunt Em," I say, standing up to go give Uncle Ben and Bean a hug. Aunt Em stands up and trips over the kids. She looks down at them in confusion. "Nova, who are these small children and why are they here?" She asks me. I motion for the children and they rush to my side. "Aunt Em, these are Melody, Davis, and Lorna. Melody is Nerissa's daughter, Davis is Maya's little brother, and I found Lorna in the woods. She ran away from an abusive home and I decided to take her in. Which reminds me, will you help me get her papers together? She will need a birth certificate, a social security card, a passport, and any other papers she will need," I say. Aunt Em turns to Uncle Ben. He nods, and pulls out his phone. "On it," he says.

Bean creeps forward and sniffs Lorna. "No-No, she isn't like us. Aren't you gonna change her?" He asks, looking at Lorna curiously. I nod. "I will eventually, but not yet. She is too weak to make the change. If I tried now, she would surely die," I tell him. Lorna looks at me with fear in her eyes. "I don't want to die. Please don't kill me," she says, starting to cry. I rush forward and wrap my arms around her. "Of course I won't kill you. You are part of my family now," I whisper to her. She sniffles and pulls away. "But what if they come looking for me? They are dangerous," she whispers. I push the hair out of her face. "No one would dare crossing me and my people. We will all protect you," I tell her. Aunt Em looks at me with a smile. "You remind me so much of your mother. She was caring and compassionate too," she sighs. Tears well up in my eyes and I embrace my aunt. "I wish I could have known her," I say. My aunt smiles. "I can tell you all about her later, but for now, we must take care of Lorna. Come. We should go shopping for things that she will need," she tells me, reaching out her hand to Lorna.

Lorna hesitantly reaches out to take Aunt Em's hand but pulls away at the last minute and rushes to hide behind my legs. I crouch down. "Lorna, you don't have to be scared. This is my Aunt Em. She will never hurt you," I explain to her. Lorna slowly approaches Aunt Em and takes her outstretched hand. Aunt Em smiles. "How would you like to go shopping with me? We can get clothes, shoes, pretty hair things, toys, and anything else you might want," she asks Lorna. Lorna looks at me expectantly. I nod my agreement and she looks back to Aunt Em in excitement. "Can we get a doll?" Lorna asks shyly. Aunt Em laughs. "Of course we can. Anything you want," she says. I scoop up Bean and head to the car with Aunt Em and Lorna. Maya, let everyone know that I am leaving with my aunt and Lorna. We will be back later. Call me if there is an emergency, I tell one of my betas through our mind link. I feel Maya's agreement. As I climb into my car, Roman runs out of one of the pack houses and calls for me. I stop and look at him with curiosity. "Nova, my father just called me. There are hunters all over town. Maybe it would be wise for everyone to stay here," he explains.

Aunt Em guffaws. "There is no need to worry. As long as we don't shift or exhibit any shifter tendencies, we will be fine," she tells him. Roman bites his lower lip and grabs my hand. "Maybe you should take my sister or one of the other betas for protection," he whispers. I reach up and caress his cheek. "Why don't you come with us instead? We are shopping for our daughter," I tell him. He nods and climbs into the backseat next to Lorna. "Hey cutie. Mind if daddy comes with you?" He asks Lorna. Lorna smiles and nods. I look back at them and smile. "Looks like she is gonna be a daddy's girl," I say. Roman smiles. "Hey, it is said that daughters are closer to their fathers and boys are closer to their mothers. Looks like we are gonna have to have a boy soon," he says, giving me a sly smile. Aunt Em gives a teasing groan. "Just like Nadia and Spencer," she says to no one in particular. I climb into the driver's seat and I start driving towards town. "Hey, No-No, is Lorna gonna be my cousin? I always wanted a cousin," he says from behind me. I look at him in the review mirror and nod. "Yep," I say. Bean squeals in excitement. When we get to town, I notice multiple men and women with guns strapped to their backs. "Geez. Why are there so many Hunters out today?" I ask. Aunt Em sighs. "Because of your transformation. When you transformed for the first time, a shockwave of pure magic spread throughout the entire region, alerting everyone to a new power," she explains.