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Lacy here with our next chapter. We're off to see Cora! Time to find out what the youngest Hale has been up to and for Effie to meet the man who will finally teach her all about just what she is and what she can do. It's gonna be an interesting ride. Read on!
Disclaimer: I own Effie and the names of Cora's pack members.
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Before too long, it was time to leave France and head to South America. Effie was excited to see Cora, but she also knew that, at the end of the trip, she would have to go back to Beacon Hills alone and leave Derek with his sister. It had been her idea for him to stay and spend more time with Cora, but that didn't mean she was looking forward to so much distance between her and her mate.
Deciding to focus on the trip, instead of what came after, Effie looked around as she and Derek walked through the airport. Cora was around, somewhere, waiting for them so she could drive them to her pack. Apparently it was a bit of a hike and visitors tended to get lost. When Derek had pointed out that he'd been there before, Cora reminded him that she'd been sitting beside him, calling him a moron every time he took a wrong turn.
It was at that point that Effie took Derek's phone away. Safer if she was the one who talked to Cora.
Seeing Derek go stiff out of the corner of her eye, Effie focused her senses and immediately picked up on what caught Derek's attention.
Standing about fifteen feet from the nearest luggage carousel was Cora Hale. Dressed in a knit army green camisole top, brown skinny pants and lace up ankle boots, she was a sight for sore eyes. Her long black locks fell down around her shoulders and back in loose waves and her face lit up once she saw the mated pair.
In true girly form, Cora and Effie squealed and jumped in place as they hugged after so long apart. Once they made a spectacle of themselves, and Derek shook his head, he took his turn, tucking his baby sister against his chest and kissing her head.
"It's good to see you, Cor." Derek said softly.
Cora smiled. "You too, Der." she pulled back, grabbing Effie's hand. "Both of you." They stood in silence, just enjoying being together, before Cora nodded to herself. "Come on, it's a long drive." she linked arms with Effie. "So, how's Stiles and everyone back home?"
Effie laughed as Derek snorted.
"There has never been a more loaded question, Cora." the werefox said. "You sure the drive is long enough?"
Cora cocked a brow. "I hope so."
"We can always break it up into parts. Especially Stiles." Derek offered, barely dodging the elbow Effie threw his way. "What?"
"My brother, only I can mock." Effie declared. She refocused on Cora while Derek huffed and pouted. "It's really not that bad. But you have missed quite a bit."
"Then don't leave out a thing." Cora decided. "We'll take the long way back."
Watching his mate and sister together, Derek felt more settled in himself than he had in a long time. He just hoped by the time they left, Effie was able to feel the same way.
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Stopping her SUV just down the road from her pack's compound, Cora dropped her hands from the steering wheel and let out a low whine as Effie and Derek set comforting hands on her.
"Why didn't either of you call me?" Cora asked, her voice soft. "Why didn't Stiles?"
"You got out." Effie shrugged. "You were free from Beacon Hills and the last thing we wanted was to pull you back into that mess."
"You deserve to have a life away from all of that, Cora." Derek all but whispered.
Cora whipped around in her seat. "So do you! All of you! I mean, Stiles was basically possessed by a fucking demon and Derek, if I ever see that bitch again, she's dead. I'll rip her into so many pieces, they won't know she was ever human." she shook her head. "I have half a mind to keep you both here and go drag Stiles and John out of that hell hole, as well. Kicking and screaming if need be." her eyes flashed gold. "And I ever see Peter again, he won't live to make it back into Eichen House."
Effie cleared her throat. "Ah, gotta love that Hale temper." she squeezed Cora's hand. "Peter's taken care of, Cor. He can't hurt us anymore."
"Doesn't mean I won't go through with my threat." Cora informed.
Effie laughed. "I didn't think it would. Come on, let's get going. I can tell Derek's getting sick of being in the back."
Cora saw the eyeroll her brother gave their fox. "My car, my rules, brother. And I like Effie better."
Derek sat back, arms crossed, and a bemused smile on his face. "Why doesn't that surprise me?"
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The compound Cora's pack had set up was amazing. There were hand built huts everywhere, small buildings for supplies and meetings. A special hut had been constructed for Effie and Derek so they wouldn't have to try and sleep around other scents. The pack emissary had even cleansed it, just in case anything lingered from the construction.
The entire pack greeted the trio as they showed up. Derek had stiffened a bit, watching his sister slide into the arms of a male pack member, but the elbow Effie threw into his gut stopped any comments or flashing eyes. In total, including Cora and the emissary, there were twenty-eight pack members, ranging from two infants to a couple of elderly shifters.
The man that Cora had embraced stepped forward, his posture nonthreatening as he flashed his red eyes and held out his hand.
"Alpha Hale, it's an honor." he said. "I'm Ralph Otero, Alpha of the Otero pack."
Derek shook his hand, his own eyes flashing in return. "Derek Hale, Alpha of the Hale pack. This is my mate and one of the pack Emissaries, Effie Stilinski."
Effie nodded her head, shaking Ralph's hand. "It's our honor to be here, Alpha Otero. We're very thankful for all you've done for Cora. It's a relief to know she is so well taken care of."
Ralph smiled, looking back at Cora in fondness. "She was a great addition to our pack when my father took her in." he faced the two, again. "Before you leave, Alpha Hale, I feel we need to have a conversation concerning Cora."
Derek cleared his throat and gave a short nod. "I agree. But we'll worry about that later."
"Of course." Ralph clapped his hands. "Cora can show you to your hut and we'll let you get settled. Dinner is going to be in two hours. We're preparing a bit more than usual in honor of your arrival. Enjoy yourselves and we'll see you in a couple of hours."
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The canyon the compound sat above was breathtaking. The cliffs were covered in lush green grass and dropped down to the canyon valley deep below. Water could be heard rushing by, but only to shifter ears. The view over the cliffs was simply stunning and Effie found she could easily be very happy living here.
"Emissary Stilinski."
Effie smiled as the Otero emissary joined her. "Just Effie, please. My family name is a mouthful."
The man smiled. "So it is. I thought I would introduce myself. I'm Felipe Santos."
"A pleasure." Effie shook his hand. "I've only ever known two other emissaries, one being my twin brother and the other-"
"Alan Deaton." Felipe finished. "Yes, I know Alan. Quite well. In fact, a little too well for his liking."
Effie raised a brow. "I'm not sure even his sister can claim that."
Felipe chuckled. "No, Marin wouldn't be able to claim in depth knowledge of her brother. You say your own brother is also an emissary."
Effie nodded. "He is, for our pack, as well. He is the more official one, while I work with him behind the scenes." she cleared her throat. "He was once the emissary in training for the McCall pack, but we have since formally cut ties with their alpha."
Felipe nodded. "I sense a long, complicated story behind this. But I shall not press. After all, we have just met. It is, however, my wonder about your powers. Cora has expressed a concern for the Spark powers you've inherited from your mother."
Effie gave a small laugh. "That is another long, complicated story, Felipe. One that will need more time than the two hours before dinner."
"Tomorrow then," Felipe offered. "First thing, while Derek and Ralph talk and discuss pack treaties."
"Tomorrow." Effie agreed.
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In case you missed it, I hate Deaton. Alright, not hate, but I really can't stand the man. So not a lot of people are going to be all buddy-buddy with him. *grins* Of course, Felipe has a different reason to dislike Deaton. You'll find out why before the end of this story, promise. For now, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading!
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