Splintered // Chapter 16 // Copper Tang in the Air
âWell fuck!â Nora swore and the words ripped a roar out of Derek.
He was on her before she could even scramble up, ripping her up and slamming her back into the glass on the doors behind her. She felt it crack beneath the weight. She was trying to formulate a plan but the sudden piercing pain of his claws digging into Noraâs shoulders snapped her back to the current reality.
Derek was holding her up off of the floor, squeezing into both shoulders with his claws. Nora tried to catch his eyes and was hoping to see some sort of light in them. The only light was the glow of the wolf inside him, it was like the wolf was in full control but not even present at the same time.
She had never seen him so happy as the first time he could hear the babyâs heartbeat. He knew but when she had told him he hadnât reacted much. The old Derek had crept onto his face, unsure if he even deserved this kind of happiness after all heâd done. They both still had their moments even after all theyâd done to tip the scales the other way.
But when he could finally just hear the faint sound of that tiny heartbeat it was like the chains had dropped off of him. They were working quietly side by side at the kitchen counter. Nora was slicing veggies when Derek stopped in his tracks beside her.
He was so still it caught her attention and then she watched with amusement as the ear closest to her twitched slightly before elongating.
âDerek?â Nora asked with a chuckle.
âShhhhâŠâ he urged quietly.
She watched as his face transformed from the grim expression heâd had earlier. His eyes were sparkling and the crinkles beside them led her down to the biggest, warmest smile sheâd seen in a long time.
Derek rushed at her throwing his arms around Nora lifting her off of her feet before swinging her in a circle. She gripped his shoulders tightly not only from the motion but the sudden flop it caused in her stomach. He mustâve realized when she stiffened up so he set her down. She was in front of him, his hands on her hips and staring down at her fondly.
âWeâre having a baby,â his smile was blinding.
Noraâs mouth dropped open, âdid you just realize that? Not like I havenât said it millions of times plus thereâs this,â she gently rested her hands on her just starting to show bump.
âNo, I know but,â he huffed and his smile dimmed slightly in his frustration.
Nora grabbed his hands pressing them to her stomach. His eyes lit up again as he heard the tiny heartbeat speed up slightly before slowing into a steady rhythm.
âI can hear her,â Derek said just above a whisper.
âYou can?â Nora shared his look of wonder now, âhow does she sound?â
Derek nodded and smirked, âstrong like her Mother.â
Nora smiled and pulled Derek down by the shoulders for a kiss. Just something that said what she couldnât at the time. From that moment on it was like a small piece of both of their hearts had been fixed.
They hadnât shared the news with anyone but the next time everyone was at the house for a BBQ they were going to. They figured Derek would be the only one to noticed changes so far because he was so intuned with his wife.
But when Peter walked in casually late as always they realized their mistake. He took a look at Noraâs smile quirked his head to the side and instantly all colour drained from his face before he turned around and stormed out.
Derek went to follow but Nora put her hand up, and she followed Peter slowly knowing he hadnât gone far. She found him at the end of the driveway beside his car. His head was bowed between his arms as his hands gripped the roof. She could tell from the stiffness in his shoulders that he was struggling. It still amazed her how alike the Haleâs were.
Nora made sure to make noise as she walked and spoke up still keeping her distance, âPeter?â Even though she knew he had heard her the way his head snapped up, eyes wide had her having to steel herself so she didnât move.
He didnât speak but a few deep breaths had his eyes calming from the shining blue to their normal hue. A few more through his nose had his claws receding and a beat later the tension in his back lessened, but didnât leave entirely as well.
A few beats later she stepped closer to him, her hands resting gently on the small bump.
âIâm sorry,â her voice held a gentleness few were granted, âI knew this would be hard for you but I misjudged what dumping it on you with no warning would do to your instincts.â
He let something go that was half snarl and half whine, it brought an aborted smile to her face before she got serious again.
âPeter Hale, left hand of the Hale pack,â he perked up right away.
Nora reached out with her right arm he reacted and grasped her arm by the wrist, palm up. Nora held his gaze as she felt his claw extend and push against her wrist, not cutting just putting pressure there.
âEleanora Argent,â a single red eyebrow raised on her forehead, âsorry Eleanora Hale, I pledge my life âtil the last drop and beyond to protect your child.â
He flashed his eyes as his claw sunk in just enough to draw blood.
âPeter Hale, I pledge my life âtil the last drop and beyond to raise this child to be worthy of that protection in character and not just name,â Nora of course pulled a hidden knife out and pressed the tip into Peterâs wrist as well.
âYou know this is supposed to be a one-sided wolf thing, right?â Peter snarked.
âYou know Iâm carrying a tiny wolf, right?â And if that statement didnât have them both smiling like loons.
âCongratulations little hunter,â Peter said softly, as he pressed his forehead to herâs.
âThank you big bad wolf,â she smiled as Peter playfully growled, âshall we?â She straightened up and offered him her arm.
âWe shall,â this time the smile was all teeth as he led her back to the yard.
When they walked in everyone was looking at them a few interested, some confused and the rest back to their conversations quickly. That was until Derek stormed over, eyes shining.
âWhat did he do?â He nostrils flared, âare you ok?â Derekâs hands, minus claws thankfully, were on her stomach instantly.
Everyone was staring, Scott had the confused puppy face on. Stiles leaned over and whispered in his ear. The other wolves heads whipped up and stared at their friends locked in this strange stand off.
âI can smell your blood on him,â there was a slight lisp to his speech that told them his fangs had slipped out.
Nora simply turned her arm over for him to see her wrist. It was at that point that Derek noticed a few things. Peter was deathly still beside his wife but had her arm tight and a hand ready to go across and yank her from him at a moments notice. And Peter was zeroed in on his nephews hands on Noraâs belly.
Derek dropped his hands at the same moment his wolf receded before he was pulling Peter to him Derekâs hand clasping the back of his uncleâs neck and pressing their foreheads together.
âThank you,â Derek whispered.
He relaxed fully when he felt Peter mirror the motion, âof course pup.â
Nora looked on smiling softly before she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked over to find Chris with tears in his eyes. The Father and daughter share a long and meaningful hug. Then chaos descends as everyone else gets in their congratulations.
Peter stays one step to the left and two back from Nora the rest of the day until they convince him to sleep in the spare room that night after he tries to curl up on the floor beside her bed.
Hope you all like it, Iâm trying to get back writing and watched the teen wolf movie again and it had my head spinning with ideas.
When you think youâre a strong independent woman who can do everything herself and you get humbled hard when your husband injures himself being a dumbass and you have to do it all by yourself đ€Šââïž
Splintered // Chapter 15 // Clear Calculation in It's Eyes
Nora had been to one end of Beacon Hills and back by this point but she was finally at the last spot. Chris had installed a proximity grid around the school after a bus driver had been killed. He said it went off a few times the night before so it was worth checking out. She doubted it was the Alpha and more likely to be kids sneaking in to sit on the bleachers and drink. She had spent many a Friday night much the same way many moons ago.
Boy did she wish that was all it was as she noticed two vehicles parked by the school.
Splintered // Chapter 15 // Clear Calculation in It's Eyes
Nora had been to one end of Beacon Hills and back by this point but she was finally at the last spot. Chris had installed a proximity grid around the school after a bus driver had been killed. He said it went off a few times the night before so it was worth checking out. She doubted it was the Alpha and more likely to be kids sneaking in to sit on the bleachers and drink. She had spent many a Friday night much the same way many moons ago.
Boy did she wish that was all it was as she noticed two vehicles parked by the school.
Splintered // Chapter 14 // Meet Violence with Violence
The deeper Nora walked the worse she felt, she could swear that someone was watching from the trees but every time she looked she could hear a laugh that twisted and turned to something more chilling and familiar. It made her check her hands a few times to make sure they werenât sticky with blood.
The laugh seemed to be coming from everywhere. She must have been walking for a long time because the forest suddenly seemed so dark. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up a split second before she was face down in the dirt.
She expected the Alpha but the body on top of herâs was decidedly female, âitâs been quite some time since I got the drop on you,â she could smell the slight hint of bourbon on Kateâs breath.
Splintered // Chapter 14 // Meet Violence with Violence
The deeper Nora walked the worse she felt, she could swear that someone was watching from the trees but every time she looked she could hear a laugh that twisted and turned to something more chilling and familiar. It made her check her hands a few times to make sure they werenât sticky with blood.
The laugh seemed to be coming from everywhere. She must have been walking for a long time because the forest suddenly seemed so dark. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up a split second before she was face down in the dirt.
She expected the Alpha but the body on top of herâs was decidedly female, âitâs been quite some time since I got the drop on you,â she could smell the slight hint of bourbon on Kateâs breath.
Splintered // Chapter 14 // Meet Violence with Violence
The deeper Nora walked the worse she felt, she could swear that someone was watching from the trees but every time she looked she could hear a laugh that twisted and turned to something more chilling and familiar. It made her check her hands a few times to make sure they werenât sticky with blood.
The laugh seemed to be coming from everywhere. She must have been walking for a long time because the forest suddenly seemed so dark. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up a split second before she was face down in the dirt.
She expected the Alpha but the body on top of herâs was decidedly female, âitâs been quite some time since I got the drop on you,â she could smell the slight hint of bourbon on Kateâs breath.
Sometimes Derek needs something a little more. It had been one of those weeks where he needed to lose control a little bit. Some time where he didnât have to be an alpha.Â
Nora was perfect for this. Sheâd mix just the right amount of aconite into a drink for him. Just enough to dull his healing but not his senses. He never asked her how she found this magic amount and he was sure he didnât want to know.
Then sheâd strap his hands and feet down using something he couldnât break on his own, heâd tried multiple times.
âWhatâs your safe word?â Sheâd ask whisper soft, the picture of innocence with her red hair softly waving down her back and her blue eyes glowing in the low light.
âTrapezoid,â Derek swallowed and it seemed to echo through the loft.
When they first picked safe words the story had been he hated math. One day in the cuddling aftermath Derek explained it better. When Kate had seduced him she was the substitute math teacher, they were doing geometry and she used helping after class to get in his head. The word would snap him back quicker than anything and Nora promised never to make him use his safe word, so far he hadnât.
Nora was quite enamoured with Derek, she trusted him and he trusted her especially with this. She knew how big of a thing it was for him. And to be honest it was for her, no one had trusted her in years.
Once that was done she slowly trailed her fingertip from his big toe across his leg. When she got close to his very naked midsection her finger dipped in slightly to just brush against his balls. Making sure not to touch his cock. She smirked at itâs twitch when she got close and felt his sigh as she moved on. The finger mapped his internal musculature, Derek closing his eyes and his body relaxing into the bed.
To him it felt like hours but he was sure it was only moments. The longer it went the harder he got, and she still hadnât even touched his dick. At this point sheâd touched every spot on his body that she could reach. But she just started the process over. Derek knew it had been a rough week when he couldnât last much longer than the first couple passes today.Â
âPlease,â he whispered.
âYouâre sure youâre ready?â she asked a note of concern in her voice.
Derek nodded, and it felt like so much effort.
âI need to hear you say it Derek,â her voice more commanding, âbeg for it, beg for it or you wonât get it.â
âPlease Nora,â it was on a breath, âI need it.â
She could feel the conviction in his voice, and as always that first strike on his leg made his eyes jump open. They tried to flare but with the aconite in his bloodstream it was just a flash and gone. The second strike of the batton was across his chest, this time the aconite working better. The more strikes the more it stung. Derek couldnât hear anything outside of the blood rushing in his ears and the sound the batton made on his flesh. He could feel tears of relief streaming down his face, his mind emptying of all the stress and worry.
Instantly the strikes stopped, âare you there yet?â her voice soft and it felt like her breath spanned every bruise on his body.
Derek nodded and normally she would make him speak but she knew how bad this week had gotten to him, she dropped the batton starting to kiss his damaged chest as she swung her leg over and got on top of Derek.Â
It didnât take either of them long to reach their peaks. After Nora collapsed forward causing Derek to hiss slightly. But as she laid there a constant weight on his chest he relaxed back onto his bed.
âThank you,â he whispered into the dark, kissing the top of her head.
Nora nodded enjoying the afterglow and Derek felt her smile when he growled softy, sounding like a purring cat. Thatâs how they fell asleep that night.
Some days later Derek is woke up screaming coming from beside him as Nora is sleeping. He can tell sheâs deep into her sleep as her body is locked up tight. Derek doesnât need to know what the dream is, it doesnât really matter. Itâs the same every time.
Derek is gentle as he brushes the sweaty hair out of her face. He leaned forward whispering into her ear.
âPlease,â he spoke just loud enough to be heard, the breath brushing her ear and her neck, âPlease Nora.â
Derek sat back somewhat hoping it was enough tonight, but he wasnât that lucky. Although Nora settled for a moment, the thrashing started. He knew better than to try to hold her down. In that they were different, she had always needed her freedom. So Derek brushed his finger tips down the side of her neck, and across the tops of her arms. A few more brushes up and down before he leaned forward again.
âNora please I need this,â he tried not to sound desperate, âI need you.â
Her body seemed to relax almost instantly, and he smiled against her neck when he felt her hand clench into the fabric at the back of his boxers.Â
âAre you back with me?â he asked, not moving more than he needed to.
He felt her nod and bury her face into his neck, his wolf loving the nuzzling motion she was doing. Pushing her scent deep into his skin. But it only drew more attention to the fact that she smelt wrong. Too much fear and pain was wafting out of her pores.Â
So his wolf took over, gently rubbing his face on her neck, his lips soft as they left kisses in his wake. Once he was satisfied that his mateâs neck smelt like them he kissed her softly on the lips. He was happy to feel the smile her lips were curved into when he did. He pulled back to watch her face.Â
Nora smiled up at him, âthank you,â she whispered her voice hoarse from the screaming.
âAny time,â he returned the soft smile.Â
He inspected her face, the soft moonlight filtering in the grainy window highlighting her beauty. He could see small scars from a rough life but that wasnât what he noticed first. He noticed the slight freckles she had, genetics and sun to thank for that. The fact that her laugh lines were getting deeper than the stress lines on her face. Something he was grateful to see. But the best part was the soft vulnerability that only he got to see. And only in dark, quiet moments like this.
He snapped out of his thoughts when the moonlight glittered across the tears on her face, âIâm sorry,â he whispered kissing the moisture on her cheeks, âI got lost in you.â
âGod youâre sappy,â she told him softly, âbut fuck do IâŠâ
She had trailed off, neither of them had said it yet and neither of them knew when theyâd be able to. It was such a dangerous word. Instead of focusing on that though he leaned down to softly kiss her on the lips again.
âTherein lay the question. No.â His voice was smooth, warm, but with an edge that ripped through me like straight brandy. âI have been looking forward to meeting you, Simone.â
- Chapter 1 - Infinite Regress
Kiss from a Rose (A Discovery of Witches)
Sometimes Derek needs something a little more. It had been one of those weeks where he needed to lose control a little bit. Some time where he didnât have to be an alpha.Â
Nora was perfect for this. Sheâd mix just the right amount of aconite into a drink for him. Just enough to dull his healing but not his senses. He never asked her how she found this magic amount and he was sure he didnât want to know.
Then sheâd strap his hands and feet down using something he couldnât break on his own, heâd tried multiple times.
âWhatâs your safe word?â Sheâd ask whisper soft, the picture of innocence with her red hair softly waving down her back and her blue eyes glowing in the low light.
âTrapezoid,â Derek swallowed and it seemed to echo through the loft.
When they first picked safe words the story had been he hated math. One day in the cuddling aftermath Derek explained it better. When Kate had seduced him she was the substitute math teacher, they were doing geometry and she used helping after class to get in his head. The word would snap him back quicker than anything and Nora promised never to make him use his safe word, so far he hadnât.
Nora was quite enamoured with Derek, she trusted him and he trusted her especially with this. She knew how big of a thing it was for him. And to be honest it was for her, no one had trusted her in years.
Once that was done she slowly trailed her fingertip from his big toe across his leg. When she got close to his very naked midsection her finger dipped in slightly to just brush against his balls. Making sure not to touch his cock. She smirked at itâs twitch when she got close and felt his sigh as she moved on. The finger mapped his internal musculature, Derek closing his eyes and his body relaxing into the bed.
To him it felt like hours but he was sure it was only moments. The longer it went the harder he got, and she still hadnât even touched his dick. At this point sheâd touched every spot on his body that she could reach. But she just started the process over. Derek knew it had been a rough week when he couldnât last much longer than the first couple passes today.Â
âPlease,â he whispered.
âYouâre sure youâre ready?â she asked a note of concern in her voice.
Derek nodded, and it felt like so much effort.
âI need to hear you say it Derek,â her voice more commanding, âbeg for it, beg for it or you wonât get it.â
âPlease Nora,â it was on a breath, âI need it.â
She could feel the conviction in his voice, and as always that first strike on his leg made his eyes jump open. They tried to flare but with the aconite in his bloodstream it was just a flash and gone. The second strike of the batton was across his chest, this time the aconite working better. The more strikes the more it stung. Derek couldnât hear anything outside of the blood rushing in his ears and the sound the batton made on his flesh. He could feel tears of relief streaming down his face, his mind emptying of all the stress and worry.
Instantly the strikes stopped, âare you there yet?â her voice soft and it felt like her breath spanned every bruise on his body.
Derek nodded and normally she would make him speak but she knew how bad this week had gotten to him, she dropped the batton starting to kiss his damaged chest as she swung her leg over and got on top of Derek.Â
It didnât take either of them long to reach their peaks. After Nora collapsed forward causing Derek to hiss slightly. But as she laid there a constant weight on his chest he relaxed back onto his bed.
âThank you,â he whispered into the dark, kissing the top of her head.
Nora nodded enjoying the afterglow and Derek felt her smile when he growled softy, sounding like a purring cat. Thatâs how they fell asleep that night.
Some days later Derek is woke up screaming coming from beside him as Nora is sleeping. He can tell sheâs deep into her sleep as her body is locked up tight. Derek doesnât need to know what the dream is, it doesnât really matter. Itâs the same every time.
Derek is gentle as he brushes the sweaty hair out of her face. He leaned forward whispering into her ear.
âPlease,â he spoke just loud enough to be heard, the breath brushing her ear and her neck, âPlease Nora.â
Derek sat back somewhat hoping it was enough tonight, but he wasnât that lucky. Although Nora settled for a moment, the thrashing started. He knew better than to try to hold her down. In that they were different, she had always needed her freedom. So Derek brushed his finger tips down the side of her neck, and across the tops of her arms. A few more brushes up and down before he leaned forward again.
âNora please I need this,â he tried not to sound desperate, âI need you.â
Her body seemed to relax almost instantly, and he smiled against her neck when he felt her hand clench into the fabric at the back of his boxers.Â
âAre you back with me?â he asked, not moving more than he needed to.
He felt her nod and bury her face into his neck, his wolf loving the nuzzling motion she was doing. Pushing her scent deep into his skin. But it only drew more attention to the fact that she smelt wrong. Too much fear and pain was wafting out of her pores.Â
So his wolf took over, gently rubbing his face on her neck, his lips soft as they left kisses in his wake. Once he was satisfied that his mateâs neck smelt like them he kissed her softly on the lips. He was happy to feel the smile her lips were curved into when he did. He pulled back to watch her face.Â
Nora smiled up at him, âthank you,â she whispered her voice hoarse from the screaming.
âAny time,â he returned the soft smile.Â
He inspected her face, the soft moonlight filtering in the grainy window highlighting her beauty. He could see small scars from a rough life but that wasnât what he noticed first. He noticed the slight freckles she had, genetics and sun to thank for that. The fact that her laugh lines were getting deeper than the stress lines on her face. Something he was grateful to see. But the best part was the soft vulnerability that only he got to see. And only in dark, quiet moments like this.
He snapped out of his thoughts when the moonlight glittered across the tears on her face, âIâm sorry,â he whispered kissing the moisture on her cheeks, âI got lost in you.â
âGod youâre sappy,â she told him softly, âbut fuck do IâŠâ
She had trailed off, neither of them had said it yet and neither of them knew when theyâd be able to. It was such a dangerous word. Instead of focusing on that though he leaned down to softly kiss her on the lips again.
