Page 131 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

“Funny story, that is,” I say as I run my fingers through Aurora’s hair. “We were having a meeting about the attack plans. As you already know, you’re supposed to draw troops away from the castle grounds towards the dragons.” Monte nods, following the course of conversation. “Well, your genius of an Alpha made a comment to the effect of it being like throwing marshmallows on blacktop or asphalt.”

Aurora again starts hysterically laughing, as does Monte. I shake my head, looking at our fearless leader. I motion to Aurora, who’s in the middle of a massive giggle fit. “Thishappened last time too. So the nickname of marshmallow stuck.”

“Got ya. I’ll explain to my people what really happened,” Monte stresses the wordreallyand rolls his eyes.

“Thanks,” I say, then run my fingers through Aurora’s hair again.

“Hey, Klaus, how are you making out with getting your people organized?” I ask. Klaus looks up from his phone, then plugs in the solar charger and sticks the charging plate outside on the bench next to the driver.

“He’s doing good. As Jax can tell you, there have been a million questions that we can’t divulge answers to yet. Some are happy that Dom stepped up and took over; others still want Aurora to be in control for fear Dom is going to be like your dad was.” Sadness washes over me, hearing that, which makes Aurora sit up.

“If Dom wants me to, I’ll talk to your people; I’ll reassure them he’s nothing like your dad.” Aurora smiles softly at me as we hear Ellis finally starts to wake up. “Hey, marshmallow, you missed half the battle, you lazy fuck!” Aurora says, staring down at him.

“No fucking way. You almost killed me. I didn’t miss shit.” Ellis says as he goes to stand up. Monte reaches out and places a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

“Remember the apple, E. You don’t want to piss that female off now, do you?” Monte winks at Aurora, and she slightly lifts her chin at him. It looks like she has a new ally in the bear camp.

Ellis looks between Monte and Aurora, then quickly sits up on the bench next to Monte. They bump fists, and Ellis mumbles something about “good looking out.”

My phone goes off numerous times and catches everyone’s attention. Aurora’s phone goes off next, and her eyes go distant. “We need to go.” Aurora sticks her head out the front nearthe driver giving him instructions. The wagon stops and Aurora bolts out the back. We are currently four days’ journey away from home, and I’m not sure what has happened but whatever it is, we are leaving now.

The seven of us sprint in the opposite direction of the caravan and keep running till they are way out of sight. Alaric strips and shifts to his dragon; Aurora jumps onto his back, immediately taking off. As for the rest of us, when Dante, Edgar, and Marco catch up to us, we climb on their backs and take off. Dante and Edgar flank them quickly, and Marco brings up the rear. We are seriously packing some firepower going into this fight.

Alaric starts to bring us up to speed as to what has happened. Our original camp is being overrun with Strigoi. Apparently, one of the bears betrayed us. Nicodeamus, the twins’ mom, and the babies are hidden down in the bunker I built. Nicodeamus didn’t reach out to Aurora because he didn’t want her charging into this alone. It’s about ten in the evening, and we can see the Strigoi still fighting and attacking the camp in waves. I reach out to my clan that was left behind and tell them to hide in their houses.

When we get close enough to the ground, Aurora jumps off and shifts before landing on the alpha house. She goes on a rampage, her Lycan beast tearing through the Strigoi as if they are made of tissue paper. Body parts go flying, then the familiar click of her ignitor is heard, and she uses her breath weapon for the first time. A small pack of Strigoi is destroyed in a matter of moments and turned to ash. Her beast stalks through the camp as the rest of us spread out and search the houses for stranglers.

Nicodeamus and the babies come running out and stop short, staring at the mythic beast before them. Aurora almost looks like her old self, except she still has the visible spines running down her back that weren’t there before.

“Is that my baby?” Nicodeamus asks, the level of disbelief evident in his voice.

“Yes, sir.” It’s all Alaric had to say.

Aurora finishes her attack and turns, having heard her father speak. Tia and Ladon go running to their mother in their dragon forms. Slowly, Aurora drops to all fours and greets her children. Her beast’s muzzle definitely looks more dragon than it did before. It takes longer for her to return to her human form than for her to become her beast. I run up and help Aurora get dressed.

“Hi, Daddy.” Aurora cringes slightly, her voice a bit rough from the use of her breath weapon.

Nicodeamus runs over and wraps his arm around his daughter, holding her tightly to him. Aurora flings her arms around Nicodeamus, holding him and starting to cry. She keeps apologizing for her wolf almost dying and disappointing him and Anca.

“Now, you listen here, little one,” Nicodeamus says with a force he rarely uses with Aurora.

“If the Great Wyrm did this to save your life, then it’s a blessing, do you hear me?” Sheepishly Aurora nods, so Nicodeamus continues.

“You didn’t hurt your wolf; that was that bastard Vladimir’s fault, not yours. Do you understand that?” Nicodeamus raises Aurora’s head so that she’s looking him right in the eye. Reluctantly she nods yes.

“Good! One of Dimitri’s bears ratted us out that you were gone. I killed the betrayer before the Strigoi began to attack.” Nicodeamus kisses Aurora’s forehead.

“One of my people betrayed us?” Dimitri throws his head back and roars. His anger and pain are felt through the bond.

Aurora cautiously moves over and runs her fingers in circles across Dimitri’s shoulder blades. I can hear the soft rumbling of her beast as it tries to soothe Dimitri’s bear. “My love, it’s okay. We’re here and safe, and so are the babies.”

Dimitri draws in a slow, calming breath then lowers his gaze to Aurora. A smile slowly creeps across his lips before he nods and presses his forehead against hers.

“We need to return to our troops. We are so close to reaching the castle’s borders. Father, take your mate and babies underground again. I will send Marco for you once the battle is over.” Aurora runs over and hugs her father, then looks to Alaric.

“Time to go, love.” Both babies run to Aurora as their father shifts back to his dragon form. “Be good, my little fire starters. Don’t accidentally burn your new grams. I’d like to keep her around for a bit.”

Aurora and Helle move toward each other and hug tightly. Helle kisses Aurora’s cheek. “Don’t worry, daughter. I will take care of your father and children. After all, Jayce gets his venom from me.” Helle smiles and shows her canines and the venom she allows to leak slowly from them.

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