"Her plan is solid, Dom. The only problem I see is that the polar bears and ice dragons are also white. It will be tough for us to spot them in time."
"Gee, ya think?" I say under my breath. Captain Obvious strikes again. I roll my eyes. Seriously, does Sebastian think we're stupid? With the way he speaks to everyone, he must think we are at times. Aurora spots the faces I’m making while Sebastian is busy. Aurora rolls her eyes at me, then slides off Sebastian’s lap. He’s so engrossed in what he's doing, it barely registers that she moved. Aurora goes behind Sebastian and starts making some of the silliest faces I’ve ever seen her make.
Sebastian must sense something is up because he turns to catch Aurora sticking her tongue out at him. He quickly grabs her tongue between his index and middle finger and growls at her. Aurora simply smirks at him. I look down to see she had shifted her hand, and her talons are millimeters away from his cock and balls. Realizing his family jewels are endangered, he quickly releases her tongue and backs away. Aurora clicks her talons together and looks them over before shifting her hand back to normal.
“Just remember, love, you may be my first mate, but I am still alpha.” She pats his cheek and smiles at him. Aurora winks at me, then grabs her empty bowl and dumps it in the sink. I could tell she has a lot on her mind by the way she stared at Sebastian’s drawing. Just about any way we slice this mission, there’s going to be a high body count.
“Sebastian, I want to go swimming at the lake. Mind taking me?” Aurora smiles when Sebastian agrees. Slowly, she stands before me and gives me a soft kiss—one that could set your loins ablaze.
Gently, she rests her forehead against mine and says softly through our bond, “Don’t fear, my love. Call your brother. Make the arrangements. All will work out.” Her terse sentences don’t fill me with comfort. They do, however, give me something to do while they were off swimming.
Jayce is the one who comes to gather up Dimitri and Nico. I give Jayce a questioning look and he only laughs.
“Aurora had a mini meltdown and Sebastian volunteered to remain at ground zero if she loses her temper.” He shrugs and goes back to loading the luggage into the car’s trunk. “Come to think of it, Elena, he’s been pissing her off more often than not lately. Do you know why he’s pushing her buttons?”
It’s times like this when I wish the boys thought more with their heads than with their hearts. I know Jayce means well, but if looks could kill, Sebastian would be dead. To be honest, I'm not sure which of her two father figures would do it first.
“I believe, Jayce, it’s because he’s afraid of losing Aurora, be it in the war or because of this new male. His dad wasn’t exactly the best example of how to be a good mate and father.” I lower my head for a moment and give it a brief shake. Nico is by my side in a second, lending me his strength. His arm bands around me, tightly holding me to him. I smile up at him to let him know I’m ok.
“Let’s just say I wasn’t sad when he lost the alpha fight to Angus. Sebastian believes it’s his birthright to be alpha. My son isn't alpha material. He doesn't have the same commanding presence that Aurora has. In a sense, I believe he’s jealous of his mate. Correct me if I’m wrong, Nico, but the title of First Mate is just that: a title. He may think that it gives him dominion over the others. Aurora would be wise to set him in his place,” I say as Jayce nods slowly, taking in all that I’ve said to him.
“Aurora has put Sebastian in his place many times. If he keeps his nonsense up, I fear for his safety that she may tear him apart one of these days. He likes trying to keep her for himself, and it’s not right,” Jayce says, looking down sadly. You can tell he’s trying to keep his emotions under control. I fear the damage my son is doing to his bond mates, especially this gentle one. I wiggle out of Nico’s grip and go to embrace Jayce. He snuggles into me tightly, needing the emotional security. I run my fingers through his hair in an attempt to soothe him. The guys continue loading the car while I take care of Jayce.
“Son, don’t worry about Sebastian. It may do him some good if Aurora kicks his ass and makes him submit. He might actually get the silly notion he’s an alpha out of his head.” I smile at him as he stares at me in disbelief. In a motherly move, I kiss his temple before patting his bottom, sending him on his way. “You need to get going. You don’t want to miss your flight. May the Goddess watch over you and keep you safe.” I hug Dimitri next and thank him for what he’s doing. My heart breaks for Aurora every time I look at Dimitri and Andre. Time is catching up to them far too fast for my liking. Nico steps up to me next and kisses me passionately. He stirs the fire deep within me, making me wish he wasn’t leaving. Reluctantly, I pull back and look up at him.
“Elena, I will make sure the forces are prepared properly. We have too much at stake to accept anything less than perfection. Only the strongest will run beside our children. We shall not fail you.” The strength of conviction in Nico’s voice soothes my nerves. I stand on my tippy toes and kiss him once more. I back away, watching the guys get into the car. I trust in Nico’s judgement completely, but as a mother, I still worry.
In measured steps, I approach the training ring where Dominik is sparring with the other pack members, honing their skills for the battle ahead. However, something makes me stop and start looking around. Something isn't right. My eyes scan the area quickly, trying to find what’s causing this uneasy feeling.
“Dominik, get Aurora and Sebastian back here! Wolves! Prepare for battle! Something’s coming!” It’s been ages since I last shifted, and even longer since I actually had to fight as my wolf. The familiar snapping and cracking of bones is almost music to my ears. My body slowly shift forms as my bones, muscles and sinew shift alignment and grow in size. It’s been years since the pack has seen me like this. I tilt my head back and howl, calling all the wolves that can hear me. Dominik’s dire joins in, our blended tones carrying far and wide. In the distance, I hear Aurora’s bone chilling howl soon joined by Sebastian’s. I know that whatever is coming, doesn't stand a chance. I raise my eyes skyward to find Andre circling, calling out and flying toward whatever he sees. Now that we know the direction of the attack, we adjust accordingly.
The first strigoi breaks through the trees, followed closely by a black bear. Damn, now the local bear dens are involved in this mess. Strigoi and bears clash with our wolves. The once white gravel of our town center is painted crimson and black in a matter of moments.
One of the bears comes straight for me. I quickly dodge to the left and sink my claws into his side, rending flesh from bone. He turns, now favoring that side, and charges again. I never repeat a move, so instead, I leapt up and landed on his back. My canines sink deeply into the back of his neck as my claws rip out his throat.
Aurora bursts through the tree line, leaving a trail of frost in her wake. The air around her is supercharged with her rage. I’ve never seen her lycan look this angry and aggressive. She charges into the fray, swiping left and right, ripping throats out and severing heads as she goes. Her growl is so deep, almost demonic like, you can feel as if she’s standing right next to you. Sebastian finally makes it to the party and stops next to me. We watch in wonder as she goes on a rampage. Sebastian leaves my side to assist Dominik, who happens to be surrounded by five bears. He makes quick work of the first bear by ripping his head clean off. The rest of the pack is doing quite well holding their own against the strigoi and bears. I’m watching them work as a well oiled machine. Everyone is looking out for each other, making sure to fight in pairs like we trained.
Suddenly, Aurora leaps up on top of a building and closes her eyes. She shakes her head several times before jumping back into the fight. I wonder what that was all about? She looks a little shaken by what happened. Her rage lessens as she finishes off the last few strigoi.
One large, black bear moves toward me and shifts back to his human form. It’s the leader of the bear’s den. He drops to his knees before me and says, “Please, stop the slaughter. Tomas lied to us, told us that we had to ki
ll you to save ourselves. Please, call them off. Bears! Stop! Submit and live!” The leader yells and all the bears immediately obey him.
Aurora stops and shifts back to her human form. Dominik and Sebastian flank her side. Mira runs out of the alpha house with Aurora’s robe, quickly assists her with putting it on, then scurries off. Aurora raises a single hand and, through the pack bond, she sends everyone home. Her eyes fade to that of her human.
“You beg for mercy after attacking my people because a leach said so?” She tilts her head to the side, assessing the leader of the bears. He’s not that big of a man, but he’s slightly bigger than your average human male. Aurora’s fingers run through Dominik’s thick, coarse, black fur. Her eyes dart to Sebastian, and he moves back toward the alpha house. Slowly, Aurora reverts her attention back to the scared man before her.
“They took my daughter. If we didn't attack, they would kill her.” His head hangs low as he begins to cry. I watch emotions flicker across Aurora’s face, then vanish almost as quickly as they came. Her eyes narrow on the man before her as she turns her right forearm out to face him. Once he sees her family brand, his eyes widen. As soon as recognition hit him, Aurora turned and headed back to the Alpha House.
“Follow me,” she said without turning around.
Inside the house, Sebastian helps her get cleaned up and dressed in her blood red floor length gown. By the time the leader of the bears and I enter the house, she is perched on her Throne of Skulls. In her left hand is a glass of red wine, Dominik’s wolf sits at her right side, and Sebastian—dressed—stands to her left. Aurora looks majestic as she sits there, and quite frightening, to be honest.
The bear leader drops to his knees before Aurora, and Dominik growls in warning, not liking how close the man is. Aurora’s right hand goes to rest on his head to calm him.
“How long ago did the strigoi kidnap your daughter?” Slowly, Aurora raises the glass to her lips and takes a sip of her wine.
“Two nights ago, my liege.” He keeps his eyes lowered. I’m guessing he realized how badly he fucked up today.
“Sebastian?” Aurora turns her head to regard my son, “Take a team and scout the area around the bear’s den. The weather is in our favor. Now, bring back his daughter.” Sebastian leaned forward and kissed Aurora’s lips before heading out. “Go with my mate. He will find your daughter. In repayment for this boon, I require your people to guard my people in my absence when we go to war. There shouldn't be any attacks. The strigoi are after me, and with me gone, there's no reason for them to even think about coming here. Do we have a deal?” Aurora’s eyes churn liquid mercury as she watches the leader of the bears. Her hand is extended to him, waiting for him to accept. The man quickly moves forward and takes her hand without a second thought. He shakes her hand firmly, then kisses her knuckles.
“I swear to you, on the last beat of my heart, I will not fail you. We will fight beside you and guard your people as you command.” Aurora nods and looks to me.
“Elena, we seal this the old way: a blood oath.” Aurora’s canines elongate and her hands partially shift to talons. I bring her a wine glass and hold it out to her, then she quickly cuts her left wrist and drips blood into the glass. Aurora’s tongue darts out and licks her wound, sealing it instantly. She grabs the man’s arm and slits his wrist over the glass. I watch his blood mix with hers. Aurora grabs her other glass and pours some wine into the blood mix, then stands up, holding the glass high.
“I hold my blood and the blood of the bear’s leader in my glass. On this blood, I swear we—the lycan clan—will help find your missing child.” Aurora takes a sip of the blood wine, then holds the glass out to the bear leader. He takes the glass and raises it up before those who gathered.
“I swear on my blood and on the last beat of my heart to serve the last Lycan Queen, and to protect her people in times of war without question.” He, too, drinks the blood wine, then hands the glass to me. Aurora gives him a nod and he proceeds to follow Sebastian. She returns to her throne and runs her fingers through Dominik’s fur.
“I heard the prince mid-battle today. He’s placed my scale and the bond is slowly growing. Dom, shift back, love. I’d like to talk with you.” She smiles softly and kisses his wolven lips. She shows such reverence to all of her mates. I have yet to see her favor one male over the others. Dominik seems to be her voice of reason. Jayce is the peacemaker and the one that helps her deal with emotions. My son, Sebastian, seems to be her sword and shield, her guardian and protector. I reach back and grab the spare robe I keep near the throne just in case. I hand it to Aurora, who takes it and waits for her mate to shift. She offers him the robe and he slipped it on.
“You can hear him? It must be the dragon bond that the scales have forged.” Dominik begins to pace, but Aurora grips his forearm, stopping him in his tracks. She backs him up until he’s sitting on her throne. She smiles, admiring him sitting on her throne. Aurora’s gaze meets mine, and I smile and nod at her. Slowly, she looks back to Dominik.
“You do look rather handsome on my throne, like a conqueror.” I watch Dominik sit up a little straighter, a little prouder, at his mate’s assessment of him. “Each of you have a strength and a weakness. Dom, I have to say your thought process is the most similar to mine: use force only when needed, but destroy my target utterly.” Aurora is walking around the throne, watching Dominik. She is studying him closely. His pride isn’t getting in the way, and he just smiles and nods at her words.
“My love, I will be whatever you need me to be. I wish only to be at your side and to be seen as an equal.” His eyes flash to that of his wolf, then back to his human hazel. Aurora smiles, then sits on Dominik’s lap. Her fingers thread though his thick, black hair while her eyes are searching, studying him up close.
“Elena, I wish for you to announce to the pack that we have dragons on our side.” Her eyes close quickly and she pauses her breathing. Dominik tightens his grip on her, studying her features for any signs of distress. Her eyes suddenly open, and they are the liquid mercury of her wolf. “He has eighteen loyal only to him. Do not mention the numbers. He’s in flight to the court of his mother’s birth to petition the gold dragons for help as well.” Dominik kisses Aurora’s cheek and nuzzles her jawline. Unlike my son when the dragons are mentioned, I don’t sense any anxiety from him. He’s calm and measured in his thoughts and actions.
“That’s fantastic news, love! The prince seems to be very generous and concerned for your safety. That means the world to Jayce and I. I’m not too sure if we should fill Sebastian in on how strong the bond is yet. Elena, he’s your son. What do you suggest?” Dominik and Aurora turn as one to face me.
“I believe your assessment is correct. I don’t think my son can handle the idea of the bond growing stronger. We’ll have to break it to him slowly when it gets closer to the start of the war.” It’s sad that I feel the need to hide things from my son. Honestly, he’s a bit immature with this whole situation. He knew from the start that Aurora was destined to have a harem. I know he secretly dreamed of her as only his. But if he keeps fucking up and pissing her off, Aurora just might add his skull to her collection—mate or not. I sigh softly. My poor son always feels like he’s on shaky ground with Aurora. He doesn’t realize that she treats them all equal, that no one is favored over the other.
My cell phone pings, alerting me to a message. I look down to find a text from Nico saying they are at the airport. He felt a shift with Aurora and is wondering if she’s ok. I text him back, filling him in on what transpired. He sends back a heart and a thumbs up emoji. I guess he’s almost caught up with everyone else.
“The guys have made it to the airport. Jayce is on his way back.” Aurora nods slowly and turns to look at Dominik, her eyes bleed liquid mercury as their gaze locks. His eyes are now the gold of his wolf. I’m not sure what I’m witnessing, but it's interesting as all hell to watch.
“Jayce is stopping at the store to get me more ice cream. He says everyt
hing went fine at the airport. It took him almost twenty minutes to explain to my dad what a plane is, though.” Aurora shakes her head and rolls her eyes, laughing softly to herself. “My dad wants to know what enchantments are on the metal beasts to make them fly. Since they can’t use their phones on the plane, I told him I'll watch a video about it in a bit so he can watch too.”
“Wait a second, you can speak to your father as well as your mates?” This is interesting news to me. I’ve heard of dragons dream walking, but communication on this level is scary. Scary, but useful.
Aurora shrugs her shoulders, but Dominik says, “It freaked me out in the beginning as well. It comforts Aurora's wolf in stressful moments when her father's dragon can reach out and soothe her. The communication thing is definitely a dragon gift. For years, her father was dreamwalking to train her before they saw each other for the first time. As mates, if Aurora concentrates hard enough, we can see through each other’s eyes. We were talking to Jayce together and planning dinner. He wanted our opinion of a cut of beef, so we took a look,” Dominik says like it's the most natural thing in the world. I guess for them, it has become that way. I never experienced that with Sebastian’s father. Ours was a true mating, but not a fated mating. Only the animals loved each other; the humans, well, we barely tolerated each other. Deep down, I have to admit I’m a bit jealous of Aurora. She knows and feels exactly what her mates are feeling. In her lifetime, she will never have to question where she stands with them. Honestly, it’s a thing of beauty.
I looked outside and the sun is beginning to set, painting the sky in so many vivid colors. Tonight is the first night of the Hunter’s moon. It’s a beautiful, crisp October evening, and soon the moon will rise high in the sky and illuminate the ground. The Hunter’s Moon is typically when the pack goes to hunt elk on the ridge. I watch as families gather and prepare for the hunt. Young ones, finally into their teens, prepare for their first hunt with the pack.
Hunt Little Wolf: The Aurora Marelup Series Page 7