Page 12 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

Then it dawns on me. Sebastian’s gift is battle strategy. I never had the ability to plan things out to this level previously. This is freaking amazing. Speaking of that hunk of a Lycan, he walks straight towards me. "You look deep in thought, love.Everything okay?" He smiles and sits next to me, taking my hand in his.

"Just a lot to process. I've done so much, yet it’s just the tip of the iceberg." I rest my head on his broad shoulder and take comfort in his presence. "Oh, and I figured out that I gained your gift of battle strategy. That is a most excellent gift to receive." I smile, and he starts laughing.

"Great, I made the perfect weapon even more dangerous!" he says, still laughing and smiling, so I know he’s just teasing me. "But on a serious note, good decision on killing the Alpha. He would have promised backup for the war then left us to drown. He’s always been a self-serving asshole." Fan-fucking-tastic. I didn’t read him wrong. I’m not sure if I’m more happy or relieved at this point.

"That’s exactly what I was pondering. You know I’m going to have to challenge and kill the Dire Alpha to secure his pack for the war." My face is dead-serious, not even a slight sign of joking in my tone. Sebastian's face drops, the joking smile falling from his lips.

"I know, love. If I could bear the weight of all this death for you, I would." He kisses my cheek and hugs me. Giving me the love and support I need. It’s not his fault he hasn’t yet realized I’m not some Disney Princess that needs saving. I’m like Selene fromUnderworld... but a wolf instead of a leech. I’m a trained killer; it’s all I've learned since I could walk.

"Killing doesn’t bother me, love. I know in a sense it should, but it doesn’t,” I say, shrugging my shoulders. “It’s a means to an end. I don’t know how many of the Strigoi still enslave any of our people.” Slowly I stand and start pacing back and forth. “I fully intend to do everything within my power to free our people and take back my mother’s castle. If I have to slaughter every Alpha between here and there to get the army I need... then so be it.” I stop right in front of him and look him in the eyes. “They areeither on my side or in my way." The last line is accented by my Lycan, making her presence known.

Dimitri and Elena walk up halfway through my little tirade. Elena wears a look of concern, while Dimitri just looks smug. "Now there’s that fire I’ve been waiting for! You are ready, Princess. You are ready to become a mother fucking Queen.” Dimitri picks me up, hugging me tightly. “That fire will spread in the hearts of your pack-mates; our strength will become theirs. It’s both a blessing and a curse, how a pack works.” He releases me and backs away. “One strong Alpha can influence the whole pack either to greatness or to ruin. I know, little one, you will inspire greatness, just like your mother did with the entire nation." Dimitri cups my cheek and smiles. "If any of the old-timers live, they will see your mother in you and follow you without question." He bows slightly and backs away. "Say your goodbyes, it’s time to go. We have a long trip to our next destination. Only twelve hundred miles to go." He smirks and walks off, heading to the truck where Andre is throwing what looks like mine and Sebastian’s bags under the cover in the bed of the truck.

I look back at Sebastian, and he seems like he’s in a bit of a shock. "Are you okay, love?"

He double-blinks and then locks eyes with me. "Most of your plan is solid. But are you sure killing off Alphas and dominating packs is the way to win the war?” he asks, puzzled. Then adds, “I mean, the Dire pack alone is like four to five hundred strong. If they revolt, we have one hell of a battle ahead of us." He makes a valid point.

"I look at it this way: the Dire Alpha has four sons, odds are at least one will betheone. Worst case, I take two of them as mine. They will stand with their mate. Thus, it’s in their father’s best interest to play nice, or he dies. It’s really pretty black andwhite..." I start cracking up because of the unintentional fur color reference. Thankfully Sebastian gets it and starts laughing.

"Please try not to kill everyone off, hmm?" Sebastian’s request is filed in the maybe pile.

I’ll divert him with boobies later since they seem to distract him. My plans are solid, well, for the most part. Then again, I like flying by the seat of my pants. I like to change it up on the fly, so my enemies have no clue what the fuck hit them. I wink at Sebastian and take off running towards the truck. "Shotgun!"

I am so excited about the gifts that Elena has given me. There are several books in the bag, all of them some form of reverse harem romance. She chose mostly new authors because she liked giving people a chance. She had strongly suggested that I read the mafia book first. Granted is only MF but she said the female is one to learn from. Elena said her main character was like me, a badass bitch that takes no shit. I’ve got to respect that.

She also said the books would give me a good idea of how to handle multiple mates and what may happen once I find them all. It’s kind of starting to feel like a horrible episode of Pokémon… Gotta catch 'em all. Gotta hunt them all down? I mean, really. What happened to the days of the males pursuing the females? Wait, I know what happened. I’m supposed to be fucking dead or not even exist. But those mother fucking Strigoi found me. Do I have some fucked up magical lo-jack on my ass or something? I open up and start reading the first few pages of the book and damn, this will get good; I can just tell.

CHAPTER 11

Sebastian

I can’t believeshe just yelledshotgunand took off like that. She’s taking this hunting for her mates thing better than the rest of us. Mostly I’m concerned about her safety, especially after the first attack of the Strigoi. Mother has trained me well for the last two hundred years to be ready for what was ahead of us. Underneath it all, I believe that mom has an ulterior motive behind all this.

I know Aurora’s guardians have trained her well because she’s fucking lethal. Like scary brutal, likeI’m concerned for the rest of the worlddeadly. So far, I’ve witnessed her kill my suitor and the Alpha without breaking a sweat. Not to mention the one-night stand Dimitri had that she killed. Yup... better make sure I keep my mate super happy, so she doesn’t go all homicidal on us.

My mother stops me halfway to the truck. “My boy, here’s all the information I have on the pack you’re looking for.” She hands me a thick envelope. Inside it has a map, a family tree, and a breakdown of all the key players in the pack. The Alpha has four sons, three mates, and a love of barbaric gladiator games. Mom grabs my jaw to make me face her. “Don’t let the bear and bird enter the den. They don’t trust anyone other than other wolves,” she says, concerned with trying to educate me. “There’sa rumor the Alpha may have Aurora’s father and a Wendigo. The Wendigo will lose its magic if its antlers are broken off. Remember what I tell you.” She grips my jaw tighter to make sure her point was heard.

I nod slowly. “I hear you, Mom. I will tell Aurora about the Wendigo, but I’m not sure saying anything about her dad possibly being there will help keep the peace.”

Mother releases me and kisses my cheek. “I will see you soon, my boy. By the time Aurora summons us, the pack will be whole again and the exiled returned.” Mom smiles at me and walks back towards the village.

She’s up to something; I can feel it. The question is, what did she do? Changing my focus, I make my way to the truck. Aurora apparently is playing DJ for this road trip because I can hear the music from here. What does she have in her hand? Hmm... it looks like books. Oh, shit, what did mother give her? Looking closer, I can make out a a couple in a heated embrace. She seems the most excited about that one. Just the cover art has me concerned. Just what Aurora needs: more inspiration to rip people’s heads off. I climb into the back seat, sliding mother’s care package out of the way and get comfortable. “What are you reading, Aurora?” My interest is piqued. She is so engrossed in the book, it takes her several moments before she answers.

“I’m reading a new female powered mafia book. According to the back, it’s full of sex, blood, hot guys, and a mob war.” She smirks and then winks at me. “It sounds right up my alley. I’m at war, I have a hot mate, and about to collect others.” She shrugs her shoulders. “So far, there’s been plenty of bloodshed with more to come. I wonder if she rips someone’s heart out like I did.” Aurora smiles sweetly at me and grips my hand. “I love you, Bash. And I’ll kill anyone who stands against you.” As comforting as her declaration is, it’s just as scary.

She looks at me so innocently. Deep down, I know she’s dead fucking serious when she said she would kill for me. She’s already done it twice. I can feel through the mate bond she’s calm and at peace, so her words are from the heart.

I squeeze her hand back and smile at her. Ever so slowly, I raise her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles gently. “I would burn the world to ash for you. I love you so fucking much.” My words please her, I can tell. Deep down, something does and doesn’t sit well with me making that declaration. Brushing that confusing feeling aside, I refocus on my beautiful mate before me.

Slowly she nods her head and lays her head against the headrest to watch me. At the moment, I have her full and undivided attention; her book temporarily forgotten. “Mom gave me directions to the Dire’s lair and instructions on how to gain passage.” Both guardians have climbed into the truck and made themselves comfortable. Dimitri gives me a nod, so I proceed.

“Andre, the ascent is vertical, so Aurora and I need you to scout it out before we start our climb. Once you determine it’s safe, we’ll shift and use our talons to make the climb.” Shifting my gaze left, I look at Dimitri, “Dimitri, you need to make sure we have our packs secure and keep the getaway vehicle ready to go.” This is the exact moment his bear makes itself known, and a soft rumble escapes his lips.

“I’m going with you. I’m Aurora’s guardian! No pup will keep me from my duty.” He is deadly serious, but Aurora’s growl—because he raised his voice—silences the entire truck. Her liquid mercury eyes are locked on him; he is now the target of her budding rage. “Aurora, you must understand, it’s dangerous. You are the only family that Andre and I have left in this world. It would kill me if anything happened to you on our watch.” I look between Dimitri and Andre; the poor bird has tears in his eyes. Dimitri’s words struck a chord with him.

Aurora takes a deep breath and her beast retreats. Her eyes move between Dimitri and Andre, trying to gauge their emotional state. “I love you both. You are the only family I ever got to have, the only ones I’ve ever known.” She reaches out and gently touches them both. “We are preparing to enter a den of wolves that with one bite can be lethal. There’s a very good chance that Bash and I are immune because of our bloodlines,” Aurora says, tilting her head.

“There is little to no chance that you and Andre are immune, Dimitri. I couldn’t live with myself if you two died because I couldn’t protect you. My heart would break into a thousand pieces if I lost the two of you.” She sighs softly, trying to keep it together. “I’m treating this like we’re walking into an ambush. I’d rather be over-prepared than not prepared at all.” Aurora speaks with a wisdom far beyond her years. None of us can argue with her logic; it is solid.

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