“Go away Dom!” Jayce waved his hand in the air trying to shoo me away. I used his pool cue and poked him several times till he growled at me. “Damn it to hell Dom go the fuck away! Don’t you see I’m not alone!” He buried his face against the males back between his shoulder blades.
“Jayce, we have a very important visitor today, and we need to talk before they arrive.” That got his attention, his head popped up and his eyes focused on me finally. I held out his robe to him. “Go shower I’ll explain as you get cleaned up.” Jayce’s face became very serious as he leaned over and whispered in his boyfriend’s ear, it was time for him to leave. The man rose and didn’t bother to dress when he walked out of the suite and into the main den. I turned to look at Jayce.
“Having fun pissing Father off with your latest conquest?” I say this half joking but half serious as well. He knows how father treats our gay brother. Why does he want to bring torture on himself is beyond me.
“You know I love making him uncomfortable. Especially with how shitty he treats our mother most of the time.” I couldn’t disagree with him on that count, Father treated our mother like shit. Dire’s don’t need a true mate to breed, just a female in heat. It’s sad really and it’s the only reason our numbers are so high. Jayce gets in the shower and starts to bathe.
“What if I told you that the dragon is right? His child lives. I have it on good authority she’s on her way here to find her mate.” Jayce’s head popped out of the shower.
“Are you fucking kidding me? Like, are you serious she lives? Father said the Queen died before the baby could be brought into this world.” Obviously, Father didn’t know the whole truth... Nico did and up until two weeks ago he hadn’t mentioned the child in years.
“Jayce we must be ready. If Nico is right, the winds of change are blowing. Our only decision is; do we help the Princess or let Father kill a female Lycan?” I hate the idea of father killing a female... any female. There are so few females left and even fewer that are fertile. To lose even one more life, is a crime.
Jayce’s answer was simple. “We save the Princess. It’s the right thing to do.” There was a finality to his words and all I could do was nod. He may not be the strongest of us, but his heart is always in the right place.
“Father said to be in the viewing room behind the tinted glass by ten am. I’m going to make sure our brothers are all ready.” With that I went in search of the others, anxious to see what kind of female the dragon’s daughter is.
Camping in the desert wasn’t as fun as I thought it would be. We can see the ruins from where we are. At one point there was a single spot of light that flickers for a moment on the cliff face. I watched the area for a while before I finished returning to camp with the pronghorn I had killed for dinner. My wolf is getting restless. There is a strange energy that I’m feeling, it’s making my blood hum. I can’t explain it, but I feel like a part of me that was missing is so close that I can almost grab it. I walk the outskirts of the camp for most of the night, before Sebastian makes me follow him back and go to bed.
We’re on the move again early this morning, the adrenaline is pumping in anticipation of what’s to come. We could be walking into a trap. Then again, a trap could be fun at this point. It’s been five days since I killed the last Alpha, I’m about due for some carnage. The boys are going over the hypothetical plan and I’m over here like let’s do this.
We arrive at the ground below the ruins. There’s plaques and various other tourist crap for those that will never see the ruins up close. While the boys chat, I move to the rear of the truck and grab my go-bag for the ascent. I double check the contents while Andre flies around assessing the ruins. Sebastian moves up alongside me and rests a hand on my lower back.
“Ready love?” He’s got one of those megawatt smiles. Those eyes of his are as blue as the bluest sky. I can get lost just staring up at him. I can tell he’s worried about this being a set up. I’m ninety percent sure this whole thing is a set up. Something is off. There’s no security, no sentry’s, I’m not feeling super safe at the moment.
I just smile and nod looking at Sebastian. “Let’s go. The cliff won’t climb itself.” I shrug out of the summer dress and shove it in my pack. The shift comes easier than usual, my blood is singing to me. I can swear I feel like my strength has been amplified. Half of me wants to ask Sebastian if he feels it also, but I don’t think he does. He’s not acting any differently than usual, it’s just me. I feel like I chugged a half dozen energy drinks and some espresso.
Once Sebastian’s wolf is beside mine, Dimitri helps us strap on our go bags for the climb. My usually growly bear looks nervous about us going without him. I lightly nuzzle his cheek and he smiles at me.
“Be safe Princess. Not all wolves favored the ruling family. If I’m correct this alpha was the son of the current alpha before the attack. Their pack was almost wiped out cause of the Strigoi. So, don’t expect a warm welcome.” Sebastian and I nod our heads before looking up at the vertical climb before us.
Andre approached from behind. “I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. Though one building looks like it’s got fancy double doors recessed out of the line of sight.” Slowly Sebastian and I nod then leap for the wall. Our sharp talons sink into the stone as we climb. Thankfully it doesn’t take us long to make it to the ledge of the ruins.
Sebastian is the first to scout the area as I shift back and get dressed. Sebastian returns to me and shifts back. “There seems to be an entrance in the far back right corner. I think we should start there." My eyes follow the path that he had pointed out and start walking in that direction. As I approach the door the humming in my blood seems to increase. I carefully reach out to grip the handle on the wooden door and frost begins to spread across the wood.
Sebastian and I both stared at the frost and the door. We are both puzzled as all fucking hell as to what’s going on now. “Maybe it’s because of who my father is? I mean you did say my wolf has gained white scales on my muzzle. I also noticed I have dragon scale gauntlets that go all the way to my talons. I wonder if I can blow ice fire. I mean is it frost flames? Ok, whatever it is an ice dragon freezes things with.”
Ugh it’s so frustrating not knowing what the hell I am becoming. As well as not knowing what kind of gifts, besides scales and frost touch I’ve gotten from my father. A light hit of Sebastian’s shoulder to the door and it splintered and fell to the ground in a frosty mess. We just glanced at each other and entered the hallway. I followed behind Sebastian just in case. Besides, he would never let me go first. He was dead set on protecting me. We made it to a foyer and several males were standing about looking right at us.
Sebastian spoke first. “The Alpha is expecting us. Elena sent word a week ago to him.” Two of the guys disappeared down the hallway before returning with a man in a suit. He wasn’t muscular in the least and he looked to be in his decline.
“Ah, welcome esteemed guests! Come this way so we can speak.” He turned and headed back down the hallway. Question is do we follow? Yeah why the hell not. I moved forward and Sebastian was close on my heels. We entered a room with a one-way mirror and a balcony overlooking the gladiator pit. I move towards the mirror and stare at it.
My wolf surges forward, her liquid mercury eyes studying the glass. I can see heat signatures behind the mirror. Two appear to be the same height one built heavier than the other. One tall and thin and the last tall and muscular. I can see the two same height males move closer to the glass. I can almost feel them. I cant my head to the side then straight again .
“What do you want Lucian? You have your sons behind the mirror watching us. To what end? I’m not exactly sure. My gut tells me you’re going to add conditions to meeting your sons. So? What are your conditions?” I cross my arms over my chest as I watch the myriad of emotions flicker over the Alphas face. Apparently, I’ve read him too well and he’s not used to it.
“You’re very wise Princess. I do want something, and I d
o have conditions.” He moved to lean his back against the mirror. “I’ll give you two options. The first is that you forget my sons and accept me. Your other option is to fight in the pit and if you live, you get to meet my sons.” He smiled in a way that would make the Cheshire cat jealous. He was definitely off his rocker if he thinks he would ever get his grubby paws on me.
I walk over and lean my back against Sebastian’s chest. Immediately his arm wraps around my shoulder. “I’ll take option B. I’ll fight in your pit.” I start to laugh. “I have to battle before I have met your sons, the dick better be worth it!” Sebastian was laughing behind me as he tightened his grip on me.
“Say the word my love and we leave.” His head lowered as he moved my sundress to the side to show his mating mark upon my shoulder. His mouth came to lightly grip the same place making me squirm.
“I came to fight my love. Apparently, Lucian wants to see if I’m worthy of his sons.” I look up into Sebastian’s eyes before kissing him chastely. I turned back to look at the Alpha. “At least let me see who I’m fighting for. After all, if by some fluke I die in the ring I want to see the four males that had the chance to see me.” I moved forward slowly placing my palms flat on the table staring at the glass. What I didn’t realize was that the frost was spreading from my hands across the table.
“As you wish Princess. Though I do have to warn you. I have one dud of a son. One who can’t make up his mind what team he’s on, one that’s betrothed and the last that is in love only with his armory. So good luck.” He flicked the switch and the reflection disappeared from the mirror. I can see the twins and the other two males clearly.
It was the twins who had caught my attention though the glass. I watched the males regard me. The two older ones don’t appear interested at all. The twins though, their wolves were showing. Dire’s know their mate on sight, Lycan’s need to scent their mate. I would definitely have something else to fight for. I need to win. I need to kill all my opponents and then the Alpha to free my mates from under his rule. But my question is will the other sons side with Daddy dearest or their brothers?
“Gentlemen let the games begin, shall we? Give me my first opponent and I’ll give you their head.” The twins began to hit the glass trying to break through, their drive to protect is admirable. I return to Sebastian. “Protect the twins.”
My eyes lock with his, and he gives me a quick nod. That’s all I needed to be able to enter the ring. As I’m led out of the room, I get close to the glass. The twins are still pounding on it trying to break free. I press a kiss to the glass leaving blood red lipstick behind. The lighter built twin is beside himself and the stocky twin looks pissed. Good, one has a temper; they’ll be just fine. I follow the Alpha down a series of hallways which head down deeper into the den. I scent so many bodies and species down here that my senses are on overload. Then there’s that hum that’s getting stronger.
“Daughter” I hear in my head. Cautiously I look around to see if anyone else heard the voice. I hear it several more times before I think a response.
“Dad?” I mean I never met the man and as far as I knew he was over two hundred years dead. I feel a wave of relief wash over me. Wait, dragons can communicate telepathically. “Nicodeamus? My mother’s dragon mate?” Part of me wanted to cry. I still had family left. I wasn’t completely without my bloodline. Tears threatened to break free. I had to make myself mad to not alert the Alpha to what was going on.
“Yes, little one. We don’t have much time. They plan to kill you in the ring. Use my gifts, my strength. When we come face to face, we will burn this place to the ground.” His voice held such confidence and authority I couldn’t help but smile. Now I know where I get my don’t fuck with me attitude. I walked with a more confident bounce in my step.
In my mind’s eye my father shared years of information. Our history, our family and the night of the attack. Apparently, the Alpha was the one that helped the Strigoi breach the castle’s defenses. For that he will pay dearly.
“Are you ready Princess?” The sarcasm is strong with his one. I just give him two thumbs up and turned my back to him. “Yup let’s get it done.” I crack my knuckles and then my neck. I’m as ready as I’m gonna be. The great doors open, and I hear the roar of the crowd. I start hearing the Megadeth song “Crush’em” in my head. The opening line fits so well. I start singing the first lines out loud.
Poor Sebastian must think I’ve lost my mind, entering the ring singing. I need to focus and one of my favorite training songs makes me feel like my mentor is right beside me. My eyes search the arena and they fall on Sebastian and the Twins. This is the first time they will see me shift. Should be worth seeing the look on their faces. Especially now that my father taught me how to use the frost in the shift, it should add a whole new element to my theatrics.
I breathe in deeply and let out the deepest most haunting howl I could muster as the shift took me. Frost seeped from my every pore as my body took on its new shape. I embraced my father’s magic and let it bond with my wolf. By the time I was done the arena was dead silent. Not a single sound besides my breathing can be heard.
“Hell yeah babe!” I hear Sebastian shout.He knew through the bond about the influx of power I had gained. My mercury eyes seek out the twins. Their eyes glow golden like their wolves. Yes, we are one. Bring on my opponent!
The door across from me slammed open and a rather large Dire wolf came charging out and skidded to a stop. I don’t think this poor bastard was expecting me. I roar at him my voice a mix of wolf and dragon. He’s frightened that’s good. Two more Dire’s come out behind him. Now this is about to get interesting. I raise my right arm and show off the royal seal before twitching my finger at them signaling for them to attack. All at once they charged. Now the fun really begins.
Holy fuck what a day. Aurora is the Princess and our mate and part dragon. Can today get anymore fucked up? My brother Jayce and I race to the balcony with Sebastian close on our heels. He’s trying to reassure us that she’ll be fine. But, damn every female we know can barely hunt for herself. We just found our mate and we aren’t ready for her to die yet. Halfway into the suite Sebastian’s knees buckle sending him to the floor. He’s panting heavily.
“Shit that hurt. I hope she knows what she’s doing.” He looks up to me. “She’s tapping into her father’s power. They are close enough for her to do it now. Fuck did that pack a punch.” His eyes were swirling between an almost white blue to his regular sky blue.
If the mating bond can do this, I’m almost afraid of the power she’s wielding at the moment.
I go and help Sebastian to his feet, and we make it to the balcony to see her enter the ring. I can’t believe my ears, she’s singing while entering the ring. Sebastian is laughing saying how the pack is in trouble now.
Her gaze finds us, and she smiles before letting out the most bone chilling howl I’ve ever heard in my life. Fur ripples over my arms as my wolf fights me for control. I can see Sebastian and Jayce having the same problem. We look at each other briefly before watching Aurora shift. She’s a mother fucking beast of a Lycan. Not only that, there’s frost all over her fur and the ground around her.
Wow… there’s no words for what I’m seeing. A couple of quick stretches later and the double doors in front of her are thrown open. One Dire wolf comes running into the arena. Aurora looks bored with only one arriving. The roar that came out of her mouth was the thing that nightmares are made of. The male in the ring is terrified, that is until two more join him. Aurora raises her right arm; she bears the royal seal. Fuck, she is the lost Princess. To attack Royalty is an immediate death sentence. The Dires move as one towards her and her fingers spread exposing her talons. They aren’t even claw’s they are talons: long, curved and lethal. In one fluid move she flicks her hands out, catching the two leaping at her and severs their heads from their bodies.
Blood spray everywhere. Her snow-white fur is stained vermillion, as she stares down the last remainin
g wolf. Her rage is palpable in the air. Energy crackles around the arena as if a thunderstorm is approaching. As the last wolf charged and leapt, she caught it in midair. Her talons sunk deeply into the ribcage of the dire. Blood flowed freely from the wounds she had dealt him as his feet dangle off the floor. The poor wolf is whining, whimpering and squirming. Trying to free itself from her vice like grip. Her eyes locked onto my father as she ripped the Dire in half... Aurora threw the upper half of what was left of the dire at my father’s balcony. Blood splattered all over the white marble and some managed to land on my father’s face. He wasn’t happy that she threw the body at him. Personally, I found it funny.
The carnage in the ring is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in all my years of watching these battles. Aurora turned and looked back up at us trying to gauge our reaction to her brutality. I bowed my head and raised my fist to my heart. Out of the corner of my eye I witnessed my brother and Sebastian repeat what I had done. Aurora lightly dipped her head to us and raised her fist over her heart in return. Respect was mutual between us.
My only question was how far my father was going to take this farce. He’s up to something I’m just not sure what. The door to the right opened and the energy in the air changed. The air became thick and humid. Fog began to roll into the arena which made Aurora adjust her stance to face her new foe. I knew what it was, it was the Wendigo. It stood almost equal in height to Aurora’s Lycan. But where Aurora had bulk the Wendigo was gaunt with bones protruding out of its half-rotted flesh. Its face looked like the skull of a bear with terrifying teeth and a blue tongue that can be seen tasting the air. Upon its head are great horns like that of a stag. Its eyes are deep set glowing red orbs like that of the demon that it is. Its arms are long and at the tips of the boney digits razor sharp claws.
Hide Little Wolf: The Aurora Marelup Series Page 8