Hunt Little Wolf: The Aurora Marelup Series

by Serenity Rayne

  "Are you okay, my love?" I move closer and shift my arms like hers. My scales are just as rough looking. They have shades of mostly blues and whites with the occasional fleck of gold. I lightly touch my talons to hers to get her to look at mine. Aurora has a look of wonder as she lines one of her arms up with mine. Almost identical in every way, except color.

  "Wow. I guess I know what gift I got from you, Alaric." Her father almost chokes on his water. I can see the guys’ noses working as they catch her scent. The change in it is subtle, but it's there. I watch Nicodeamus huddle the twins together and bring them up to speed. Shock isn't even the word to describe the look on the twins' faces. Poor Dimitri just shakes his head and throws his arms up in the air. It's too soon to alert Aurora of the possible cargo she may be carrying. We'll know more in a month if it's taken root.

  "What the actual fuck is wrong with you four? This is cool as shit and y'all are over there measuring your dicks in the corner. Where's the damn food I'm starving!" Aurora practically growls out. Dimitri and Jayce bolt out of the room to get more food while Dominik, Nicodeamus and I deal with a heavily armored hungry hybrid. Lucky bastards made it out. I'm almost jealous.

  Ice Dragon Chalet

  Night of the Wolf

  November 30, 2019

  The local elite from surrounding clans have all gathered for the social event of the winter. A full string orchestra is playing in the foyer and drinks are passed out to arriving guests. Crown Prince Alaric stands on the balcony overlooking the festivities below. Tonight's wedding is two fold. First, it's the Night of the Wolf which is also Aurora's birthday. Second, we are luring all of the traitors to one location to completely clean the house.

  Queen Katherine moves gracefully through the crowd, greeting all of the dignitaries. King Bane's arrival is met with full fanfare. The king's eyes lock on the prince's as he motions toward the library to speak to him in private. Once inside, they lock the door and put the music on.

  Bane speaks first, "You know, Alaric, I didn't approve of this marriage. Our benefactors would not be pleased with this move." Alaric pours two bourbons and passes one to his father.

  "I believe it to be a brilliant move. If indeed she is the only heir to the lycan throne, then marrying her secures us two provinces and three wolf packs. Smartest way to build an army is to conquer it—that's what you taught me." Alaric slowly raises the bourbon to his lips and sips it. Bane starts to stroke his thick white beard, contemplating what his son just said to him.

  "Brilliant strategy, Alaric. You're a chip off the ‘ole block. Perhaps after she gives you an heir or two, we'll attempt to oust the strigoi. Then, we will have a true winter retreat." Bane briefly embraces Alaric before heading to the door. "Do you need me to walk your bride down the aisle?" Alaric smiles and sets his glass on the desk.

  "No, father, we have it all under control. I believe the bear, Dimitri, is escorting her down the aisle." Alaric moves to the full length mirror in the corner of the library and adjusts his medals and ribbons. "I'm just waiting for the steward to tell me it's time to take my place and get this show on the road.”

  "Very well, son. I'll do my kingly duty and walk in the procession with your mother. Only thing that wench did right was produce strong sons," Bane practically snarls the last part out. Alaric's poker face is perfect; not a single indication of the rage that boils below the surface is given.

  "Thank you, father, for this boon. I'm sure the princess will produce strong sons for me. After all, there were no stronger lycans than Anca and Vladimir." Alaric smiles at his father, watching his reaction closely. Bane looks back at Alaric and smiles.

  "Yes, they were the strongest of their kind. I'll make arrangements to introduce Vladimir to his daughter very soon. Rumor has it that her hair is white and she is dragon kin." Bane studies Alaric now, both males posturing for each other.

  "Rumors..." Alaric pulls out his phone and shows his father an image of Aurora with long, black hair. "She's almost an exact replica of Anca, Gods rest her soul." Bane takes the phone from Alaric and sends the photo to himself. He scrolls through Alaric's pictures, but every single one shows Aurora with black hair.

  "I wonder why rumors of a white lycan would surface," Bane says as he hands Alaric his phone back. "All the mates other than Vlad were castrated before Anca went into heat. Which reminds me, I have the herbs for you to make your mate obedient. Even if she's the last Marelup heir, we can't allow her to gain in power." Alaric accepts the satchel and tucks it into his inner coat pocket. Alaric smirks as he refills his glass. "You know how the peasants are, they need a savior to believe in." Alaric laughs to himself. "A white lycan, how absurd. It's like saying your scales are Easter egg color." Both men enjoy a hearty laugh before exiting the room.

  ~On the other side of the castle~

  Aurora stands before the mirror, her black wig pinned in place with a dainty tiara in the middle of her curls. Nicodeamus moves up behind Aurora to look at her in the mirror.

  "You look exactly like your mother with this wig on," Nicodeamus says softly as his fingers lightly touch the curls. Dimitri watches from the bench near the window.

  "Da, except Aurora is a wee bit taller and has more muscle tone." Dimitri's tone is almost reverent as he compares Aurora to Anca.

  "I still hate that Vladimir named you, though the name does fit you. You are a beacon of light and hope, with so many facets to who you are." Nicodeamus smiles at his daughter and kisses her cheek before he moves away. Dominik comes walking into the suite with a scroll. Jayce follows closely behind carrying a tray of food.

  "Alaric sends food before the ceremony. He said to only eat this tonight because he's not sure if anyone will try to poison us," Dominik says calmly as Jayce sets the tray down. "I have the processional line up. Traditionally, we all wear hooded cloaks until we arrive at the pulpit. Once we’re up there, the friar will instruct us to lower our hoods. Aurora is the only one not required to wear a hood." Dominik turns and starts passing out cloaks to everyone. Aurora touches her own face as she looks in the mirror.

  "Let's get this over with. It's all bullshit anyway. It just sucks that this stunning dress is going to get ruined." Aurora moves around the room, adjusting the guys’ cloaks and hoods to make sure their faces are completely covered.

  Aurora looks down at the flair of the sleeves of her gown. Alaric made sure she would be able to shift her arms without destroying her gown. The sleeves are long enough that if she did shift her arms, no one will see until it’s too late. The gown itself has a sweetheart top, which purposely exposes Alaric's scale on her ample chest. For strategic purposes, Aurora moves several locks of black hair over the scale. Three handmaidens approach Aurora, fastening the train into the back of her gown as well as the embroidered veil. She rolls her eyes, absolutely hating being handled this much. The handmaidens finally leave and Aurora looks at her family.

  "Our forces out number those in attendance three to one, so I'm not overly concerned. I still want to move in formation. Jayce, you and Dom enter first, then dad and I. Dimitri, you watch our backs." Nicodeamus and Dimitri start laughing at the same time. Aurora can’t help but growl at them.

  "I'm sorry, daughter, you set the procession the same way your mother did when she married Vladimir. We found it funny. It will cause flashbacks for those who were present for your mother's wedding." Aurora smiles, canines bared, and her eyes are the liquid mercury of her beast. "When did you gain the dragon slits in your eyes?" Nicodeamus says. Aurora moves back in front of the mirror to look at her eyes.

  "Hmm, nice upgrade. I look really freaky now!" Aurora purposely does that maniacal Joker laugh as she looks at us. At least she's in a good mood, which means the blood shed won't start too early.

  A knock sounds at the door and we all go on high alert. That was a five minute warning. Everyone settles down and double checks their appearance. Aurora gets a mischievous look in her eye. She moves to the vanity and applies blood red lipstick, making sure to accentuate h
er full heart-shaped lips.

  “Time to reign in blood, boys.” Aurora starts humming the song “Heathens” by Twenty One Pilots. Oddly enough, her song choice is quite fitting as she starts walking in the third position of our line up.

  Aurora’s group walks as a single unit down the hallway, passing Ellis and his bears. She maintains her resting bitch face as she moves. Aurora’s steps are silent and calculated; the only sound from her is the soft humming of her chosen song en route to the pulpit. Her group arrives at the double doors of the throne room. The steward is waiting to receive word that it’s time to send them in. It's so quiet that you can hear the opening prayer in the throne room. We hear three knocks and the steward opens the double doors. Aurora’s group enters, walking in time with the music.

  Whispers erupt throughout the throne room. Most are commenting on how much Aurora looks like Anca or that the Lycan Queen still lives. King Bane is the most shocked at Aurora’s appearance—the blood red lipstick was her mother's signature color. Once they’re at the pulpit, Aurora gracefully curtseys to King Bane and Queen Katherine. Next, she turns to Alaric and lowers her head submissively to him, playing the role she's in perfectly. Alaric reaches out and places his hand under Aurora’s chin, allowing her to raise her gaze.

  King Bane’s ego gets the better of him as he moves to inspect Aurora. He grips her jaw and examines her eyes and then her teeth like she’s some sort of brood mare. Bane quickly raises the right sleeve of Aurora’s gown to reveal her royal brand. Bane raises Aurora’s arm for the entire throne room to see.

  “Aurora is Anca’s heir!” Bane shouts to the gathered dignitaries. Her mates could feel the aggravation through the bond. Alaric does the only thing he knows to calm her and rubs her scale, acting like his shirt is bothering him. Aurora calms down and remains in Bane’s grip. “My son has chosen wisely for this political alliance. This bitch will birth powerful sons,” Bane speaks with such detachment, it’s unbelievable. It’s getting harder for Aurora’s party to maintain their silence as the king practically bashes and degrades Aurora in front of them. He finally releases Aurora into Alaric’s hands, and she instantly calms. Now, the friar raises his hands and begins the ceremony.

  “Lords and Ladies, we have before us tonight, on the Night of the Wolf, two powerful bloodlines. Though it is a political marriage, we pray for their love to eventually grow. We ask the Elder Gods for strength and fertility; that Anca’s heir produces strong sons, who will be able to ascend the Ice Dragon and Marelup Throne.” The friar takes out a piece of red silk and lightly binds Alaric’s and Aurora’s hands together. “This sash represents the blood that shall be shared between bloodlines when the first heir is born.” Next, a silver sash is wrapped around their hands. “The silver represents the prince’s dragon’s sight. May he always see the best solutions in the future.” The friar places his hand on top of Aurora’s and Alaric’s hands. “If anyone present has any reason these two should not be bound, speak now or forever hold your peace.” The friar looks around the hall at all the attendants. He didn't, however, look to his left at Aurora’s witnesses.

  The guys move as one and rip off their cloaks and fling them aside. Before their cloaks hit the floor, Aurora reaches up and rips off her black wig. Her long, snow white hair cascades down her back. In an instant, she and Alaric shift their arms so their gauntlets and talons are at the ready. Nicodeamus steps forward with Dimitri at his side.

  “I am Nicodeamus, true mate to Anca Marelup and the true Ice Dragon King!” Aurora and her group stand at the ready for the battle ahead.

  To Be Continued…..

  Book 3: Fight Little Wolf

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