Page 119 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

For what feels like an eternity, I remain poised on the edge of anticipation, my nerves wound tight with apprehension. The container taunts me with its untouched contents, a silent testament to the challenge that lies ahead.

With a surge of determination, I steel myself for the task at hand, each step forward laden with the weight of impending consequences. The air crackles with suspense as I approach the container, my heart thundering in my chest like a war drum heralding the onset of battle.

In a single, decisive motion, I pour the elixir into the water, the liquid swallowing the potent concoction like a voracious abyss. Time seems to stand still as I watch the ripples dissipateacross the surface, the tension in the air palpable as the fate of my plan hangs in the balance.

As I melt into the encompassing darkness, a flicker of satisfaction dances within me, momentarily eclipsing the weight of my treacherous actions. The air is thick with tension, each breath laden with the weight of impending consequence. For I know all too well that within the veil of shadows, secrets are born, and alliances forged in deceit can unravel with the slightest misstep.

Resuming my duties, I tread carefully, the burden of guilt heavy upon my shoulders. Every movement is calculated, every step a delicate dance between necessity and moral reckoning. Yet, despite the turmoil raging within, the mission demands unwavering resolve, and I am but a pawn in its unforgiving game.

Approaching Aurora’s group once more, I extend the water bucket with practiced precision, concealing the turmoil roiling beneath the surface. Jayce’s gaze meets mine fleetingly, a mere flicker of recognition before he accepts the offering without question. In that fleeting exchange, the die is cast, and the stage is set for the clandestine machinations to unfold.

With bated breath, I watch as Jayce retreats into the shadows, the weight of anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Every heartbeat reverberates with the cadence of impending consequence, as the tendrils of uncertainty coil around us, ensnaring us in their suffocating embrace.

And so, with a silent prayer whispered into the abyss, I resign myself to the waiting game, knowing that in the shadows of deceit, the true test of loyalty and resolve is yet to come.

With each passing moment, the tension in the air grows thicker, suffocating me with its weight. I find myself consumed by a sense of foreboding, a gnawing unease that coils tightly around my chest.

In the shadows, I am a silent observer, waiting with bated breath for the effects of my actions to take hold. Every second feels like an eternity, each heartbeat echoing in the darkness like a drumbeat of impending doom.

The plan hangs in the balance, poised on a razor’s edge between success and failure. All it takes is one wrong move, one unforeseen complication, and everything could unravel in an instant.

But still, I watch and wait, my senses on high alert for any sign of change. The anticipation is palpable, a tangible presence that hangs heavy in the air, as if the very fabric of reality is holding its breath in anticipation.

And then, finally, it happens. A subtle shift in Jayce’s demeanor, a faint flicker of disorientation in his eyes. It’s the signal I’ve been waiting for, the harbinger of impending chaos. With a surge of adrenaline, I spring into action, my movements swift and purposeful. The time for hesitation is over; now is the moment of reckoning.

CHAPTER 97

The Betrayal Pt. 2

AURORA

So far,so good. Everyone is settling in well within the camp. The American Lycans are passing out water, and tonight they are in charge of cooking. Dominik and Klaus are out hunting for my dinner while I remain here to maintain order. Slowly, I extend my hands out to warm them by the fire. The flames dance, moved by the slight eastern wind that blows gently. Wolves are a funny bunch, if you ask me. If they don’t have an Alpha, they go all primal and start reverting mentally to their animal base urges.

Moving back away from the flames, I move to sit on Dimitri’s lap so that our pack mates take turns receiving my touch. Touch is yet another important thing for wolves to feel grounded, safe, and that they belong. Dire and Lycan alike each come and bow before me, wishing for me to touch them. A gentle stroke here, a caress there, some just wish to be close to their Alpha just for a little while. For as long as I can remember, it was Dimitri, Andre, and me; now my family has expanded a hundredfold.For the first time in forever, I feel like I am almost complete. I have my mates, children, and my pack and swarm. I’m not alone anymore.

Dominik and Klaus return with a roe deer for me and it’s still warm—just the way I like it. Sliding off of Dimitri’s lap, I move forward to investigate the deer that my mates brought me. Dimitri warns the others to back away because I get very possessive of my food. I strip out of my nice clothes and shift. I eat quickly, savoring every morsel. It doesn’t take long for me to finish off the roe deer.

I keep a close eye on everyone that’s mingling at dinner time. It’s too quiet, and I hate to be the negative Nancy here, but it’s too peaceful. Something makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. The air feels too still and calm for some reason. Raising my nose to the wind, I draw in all of the scents around me. Nothing seems off in that regard. A sudden chill moves down my spine as I search the camp once more.

My guys hang out; drinking, eating, and socializing with our teams. I shift back to my human form and get dressed, then come back out. It’s about eleven at night, and I start noticing people moving off to go to bed. It wasn’t a difficult journey, but not everyone handles stress the same as others. I go to our cooler and pour myself some water. It’s been a long day, and tomorrow isn’t looking much better.

Pouring several more cups of water, I pass them out to my mates. That’s how it always is—the minute you get yourself something, everyone else wants what you have. We sit, watching the fire burn before us. Dominik tosses a fresh log onto the fire, and it pops and crackles as it blazes to life. The smoke keeps changing direction causing poor Klaus to keep changing his seat. For some blasted reason, it seems that the fire is following him. Laughing softly, I return to my favorite pastime of peoplewatching. With everyone going to sleep so early tonight, maybe I might get some “lovin’” before bedtime.

I lean back against Arnulf, using him as my personal pillow, watching everyone in camp. My mates, one by one, start to yawn and become sleepy. Fucking yawns are contagious, and I start yawning right along with them.

Suddenly, I watch Alaric’s eyes flash to his dragons. “Something’s not right, Aurora.” His voice is a whisper as he fights sleep. His movements are uncoordinated and sluggish. Alaric’s eyes close, and he falls over, asleep.

I yawn again, looking at everyone, studying them. I’m fighting to keep my eyes open, and it’s becoming a losing battle. We’ve been drugged. I try with all my remaining strength to summon Dante to rain fire down upon our assailants. He doesn’t answer. Either he’s dead or a victim like the rest of us. I struggle to get to my mates, to shield them from whatever may come. Sadly, I fall short and land face first in the shallow mud. I fight to open my eyes one last time; I see a man staring at me. Is this the end for me?

~Klaus— the next day~

My hands gradually slide up my face to hold my throbbing head. My mouth is dry like I had been up all night at the bar drinking the night before. What the hell happened last night? I rub my eyes, freeing them from sleep. It takes several minutes before they focus enough for me to see clearly. I look around the camp, and everyone is in different states of trying to wake up. I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone to check the time. I stare at the time far longer than I should. It’s noon. We should have been on the road for six hours already.

“Aurora?” I call for my mate and receive no reply.

My heart is pounding furiously in my chest; I can’t feel her like I normally do. Quickly, I stand up and shed my clothing and shift, which helps tons to clear my system and help me focus. I tilt my head back and howl, calling for Aurora’s beast to respond to me. I’m cheating, using a distress howl to get her attention. Still no response. This time I howl, summoning all the Lycans in my pack and the American pack. I’ve never tried an Alpha move like this, but it’s an emergency, and right now I need help.

My pack gradually awakens and comes to me; we’re two wolves short from yesterday’s headcount. Alaric and the others come running over, and I shift back to human quickly.

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