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Lacy here with our next chapter. Got a bit of excitement for this one. Well, for Effie. Derek has to deal with Ralph wanting to mate with his sister. He's not handling that. Like, at all. But Effie has a bit of trouble with her training and that gets Derek out of wedding talks. Read on!

Disclaimer: I own Effie and Cora's packmates.

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The next morning, Derek and Effie were greeted by the sunrise just to the left of their main window. The sky started out a pale blue that turned pink, purple and golden as the sun rose slowly over the horizon. The pair laid quietly in each other's arms, just enjoying the peace and beauty of the moment.

"Felipe is taking me for a hike today." Effie spoke softly. Any louder and the tranquility would be ruined. "Wants to see if we can work out all my powers and start working on controlling my visions."

"Ralph wants to talk about marrying my sister." Derek grumbled. "Merging the Hale and Otero packs as a way of showing his serious intent to mate with Cora."

"They've already bonded." Effie shared. "She told me a few months ago, after it happened." she turned, seeing Derek's deep frown. "She's loved, Derek. You can see how much Ralph cares about her, truly cares. And she loves him just as much. It's nice to see that kind of love outside our relationship. And Cora deserves that."

Derek sighed, tucking his nose into Effie's hair. "I don't like it."

Effie smiled. "She's your baby sister, of course you don't." she nudged him. "Now you know how Stiles feels."

"Great," Derek groaned. "I'm starting to understand your brother. End it now."

Effie laughed. "Not happening, big guy." rolling to lay on top of him, she nipped Derek's chin. "Wanna see if we can be quiet enough to trick a wolf pack?"

Derek chuckled. "Impossible."

"I think we're up for the challenge." Effie winked.

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As morning finished settling in, Effie made her way across the compound to the hut Felipe lived in. In a pastel maxi dress with one of Derek's denim button-ups over it, Effie let the breeze from the canyon blow through her hair. She could hear various pack members moving around their huts, getting ready to face the day. One of the infants was being fed, while the other sighed softly in sleep.

In the distance, Felipe stepped out of his hut, his dark skin almost shimmering in the early sun. He wore a light robe open over khakis and fitted white undershirt.

"Good morning, Effie." Felipe bowed his head.

Effie returned the gesture. "Good morning to you." They started walking together. "I have to thank you for this. You're saving me from mating negotiations between Ralph and Derek over Cora."

Felipe laughed. "I had heard rumors our alpha intended such a talk once you two arrived. I didn't think he'd do it quite so soon, though."

"Probably wanted to get it over with before Derek figured out something was up." Effie guessed. "He's more than a little protective of Cora."

"And your own brother?" Felipe asked. "How did he handle your mating?"

"Annoyed." Effie admitted with a grin. "But he knew all the good Derek brought into my life and wouldn't fight it, not as long as I'm happy."

Felipe smiled. "A good brother, then. I look forward to working with both of you in the future." he motioned to a cave they'd reached. Effie looked around, shocked to see how far they'd walked already. "I'm gifted with increased speed through my bond with my alpha." Felipe explained. "You picked up pace without realizing it and I just kept up instead of slowing you down. This gives us more time to work."

Effie exhaled. "Alright then." she stepped into the cave, gasping at the glowing crystals that seemed to come to life as she walked further in. "What is this place?"

"Crystal caves exist all over the world." Felipe said. "There is one not far from Beacon Hills you'll be able to find once you return home." he ran a hand along the walls. "They're like sanctuaries for druids. They prove the perfect environment for meditation, healing, visions. Anything we may need, for ourselves or our packs. It is here I hope to unlock your true nature and help you gain control."

Effie could feel the power running through her veins. Her fox was calm, completely calm and not fighting her magic for the first time, ever. The peace flowing through her was beyond words.

"I'm ready." she whispered.

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Derek looked away from Ralph as the other alpha paused in laying out their treaty terms. He'd been able to feel Effie all day, working on her powers with Felipe. But just before the break, he'd felt a spike of power from her and it hadn't settled.

"Your mate," Ralph joined him at the window. "I've never felt power like that before."

"No one has." Derek said. "And it terrifies her. If your emissary can help her gain control and understanding, he'll have my eternal gratitude."

"I know Felipe will do his best." Ralph promised. "Ever since Cora told us about Effie's visions, he's been planning ways to help her. He knew you'd never get the help she needs from Deaton. The fact that Talia never sent him away didn't sit well with my father."

"It doesn't sit well with a lot of us." Derek agreed. "That's why Effie and her brother are training. Deaton can continue to tell Alpha McCall half truths, but the Hale pack wants no part in it."

"I have to ask, Ralph." Cora spoke up from the table. "What is the history with Felipe and Deaton? I remember Felipe saying once that he knew Deaton better than anyone."

Ralph crossed his arms. "It really should be Felipe's secret to share, but in the spirit of pack merging, they were lovers many years ago. For Deaton, it was merely a phase in his life. Exploring, if you will. Felipe, it was love."

Derek exhaled. "That-" Another spike from Effie distracted Derek. He whipped around, seeing a wave of energy coming from where Effie and Felipe had vanished that morning. "Ralph-"

"Let's go." Ralph didn't wait for him to ask. "That didn't feel right."

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Effie panted as she worked to control her senses. Felipe had been teaching her how to tap into supernatural tracking. A lone were-coyote had passed through the canyon a few days before and Felipe wanted Effie to read the tracks and tell him all she could about the shifter. And it had been working. Until she started reading other tracks from other creatures all over the canyon. Now her senses were out of control and she couldn't focus on what Felipe was telling her. Hell, she couldn't even hear what he was telling her.

Suddenly, it was like a golden bubble appeared around her. Warmth filled her and the world started coming back into focus.

Opening her eyes, she saw the ceiling of the cave, the crystals flickering wildly. Her back was against something warm and there were arms around her. It didn't take long for her mind to catch up and realize Derek was holding her, whispering softly in her ear.

"There you are," he said. "You had us scared."

Effie saw Cora, Ralph and Felipe watching from the entrance. "What happened?"

"From what I can guess," Felipe cleared his throat. "Your fox completely surrendered to the control of your druid and the resulting power spike was too much. Think of it like when you do a full shift. The fox takes control from the druid. Well, your druid doesn't know how to handle that level of power and quickly spiraled out of control. It took Derek to bring you back."

"Thanks for that," Effie tucked her forehead against Derek's neck. "I'm exhausted."

Ralph laughed. "After that? I would think so. Not to mention, you both worked through lunch." he jerked his head back towards the compound. "Let's get some food in you, then you can relax for the rest of the day."

"Relax," Derek shared a smirk with Effie. "Not sure we know what that means any more."

Cora grinned. "We'll remind you."

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Yeah, relax really isn't in the Beacon Hills vocab any more. At least not for the pack. But they'll get there, eventually. As you can tell, Effie has a lot of work to do and it's not going to be easy. But she's a quick learner and before she returns home, she'll have a grasp on most of it. I'm thinking this will be about ten chapters, so lots to look forward to. Let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading!

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