Aurora passes off both babies to Helle and kisses her cheek in return. Dom and I hug and kiss our mother and head towards Marco and Alaric, ready to fly. Dimitri and Klaus stand waiting to assist Aurora up onto Alaric.

Alaric launches up into the air and turns towards the last camp that we will have before the battle begins. I sit snuggled next to Aurora, watching the trees and mountains move swiftly around us as the dragons carry us to our destination.

Several hours pass, and we can see the campfire light ahead of us.We’ll land far off from the camp and walk in. I don’t want to alert any spies as to where we are. The less Vladimir and his group know, the better for us,Alaric says through the bond.

We land in a field not far from the camp and slide off of the dragon’s back onto the ground. Alaric shifts back quickly, and I offer him his clothing. I watch him dress, and I’m thankful every day I get to witness this fine specimen of a male dress and undress. Alaric notices me watching him and winks at me;I know my alpha appreciates my attention. “Come on, Jayce, tomorrow is going to be a very long and tiring day.” Alaric comes up alongside me and slaps my ass. I can’t help but laugh as I playfully bump into him before running towards the camp. Tomorrow starts the assault on the castle. We better sleep good tonight. Tomorrow, we march into hell.

CHAPTER 106

Klaus

As I gradually awaken fromthe depths of sleep, I am enveloped in a comforting warmth, surrounded by the familiar scent of sweat and desire lingering in the air. Aurora’s head rests gently on my chest, her soft breaths a soothing rhythm against my skin. The tangle of limbs serves as a testament to the passion we shared throughout the night, seeking solace and reassurance in each other’s embrace.

With tender affection, I press a gentle kiss to Aurora’s forehead, savoring the intimacy of the moment. Turning to Jayce, I find him blinking away the remnants of sleep, his eyes gradually focusing on me with a sleepy warmth. There is a deep love that binds us together, a sense of belonging that transcends mere words.

I offer him a reassuring smile, a silent acknowledgment of the bond we share. As he nods in understanding, I watch him extricate himself from our tangled nest, his movements graceful and deliberate.

The tent is filled with a sense of tranquility, punctuated by the soft rustle of fabric and the occasional murmur of voices. Dimitri stirs next, moving quietly in the dimly lit space. With atender gesture, he leans in to kiss Aurora’s lips, a gentle caress that rouses her from her slumber.

In a moment of confusion, Aurora reacts with instinctive protectiveness, her canines bared in a display of primal aggression. But as the haze of sleep clears, she recognizes the familiar faces surrounding her, her features softening into a smile of recognition.

With a playful nip at Dimitri’s lower lip, she returns his affection. “Evil female,” Dimitri mutters before he to gets up and leaves.

Aurora looks at Dom and Alaric next and starts laughing. Alaric is spooning Dominik, and Dominik has Alaric’s hand held tightly to his chest. Hmm, I carefully reach over and snap several pictures. Quickly, I send the copies to Jayce and to Dimitri. Aurora carefully leans over and nips Alaric’s lip. He tightens his grip on Dom and starts grinding his cock against his ass. Suddenly, Dom’s eyes fly open, and he starts struggling to get away from Alaric.

Alaric mumbles for Aurora to stay still, unaware of anything wrong, and he tightens his grip again. “Babe, it’s not me you’re holding.” Aurora sings, laughing the entire time.

“What the fuck!” Alaric says when he realizes he’s holding Dom, he rolls away then stands up, adjusting himself.

“Almost time to roll out, love. You need to give the dragons their tasks. Dom, you and Klaus organize the wolves as we discussed.” As Aurora moves to the suitcase, a sense of anticipation fills the air, mingling with the faint scent of aged leather and the subtle rustle of fabric. With each movement, the soft swish of clothing against the suitcase echoes in the room, adding to the tension that hangs palpably in the air.

As Aurora retrieves the outfit chosen by her father, the rich aroma of well-oiled leather fills the room, intermingling with the faint scent of lavender that clings to her skin. The fabric of thepants is smooth beneath her touch, molding to her form like a second skin, while the supple leather of the bodice whispers softly as she fastens it around her waist.

As she dons the outfit, the room seems to come alive with a sense of adventure and excitement. The soft clink of metal against metal fills the air as Aurora pulls out her sword and scabbard, the sound of the belt tightening around her waist reverberating with a sense of purpose and determination.

Caught in a moment of shared understanding, Aurora meets my gaze with a playful wink, her eyes sparkling with mischief and anticipation. In that brief exchange, I can sense the weight of our shared history and the unspoken bond that binds us together.

With each adjustment and movement, Aurora transforms before my eyes, her appearance reminiscent of a character from a dystopian steampunk tale. Yet, beneath the facade of bravado and adventure, there is a vulnerability that lingers in the air, a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. One thing I notice is she’s not wearing the shoes this time.

“Angel, did you forget to put on your boots?” I hold up her favorite knee-high boots and wave them in the air at her.

Aurora rolls her eyes, then comes over and kisses me on my lips. “No, silly, I can’t swim with those heavy things on.”

I nod slowly, then bend down to kiss her lips again, savoring the moment. “Stay safe, angel. I love you.” My chest hurts thinking about her entering the bowels of the castle alone.

“I love you too. You better stay safe too.” Aurora boops me on the nose then leaves the tent quickly.

As I prepare for the upcoming assault, the weight of my sword strapped to my side serves as a constant reminder of the impending danger. The metallic clang of the weapon against my belt resonates through the air, accompanied by the rustle of fabric as I adjust my attire.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the camp, my pack mates and I exchange greetings and strategize for the impending attack. The tension in the air is palpable, each of us acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

My gaze flickers skyward, instinctively seeking guidance from the position of the sun. Its warm rays cast dappled shadows across the forest floor, a stark contrast to the impending darkness of our mission.

As the signal sounds, my pack springs into action, dividing into four groups and dispersing to their assigned positions. With a sense of purpose, we move swiftly, our footsteps muffled by the forest undergrowth.

Arriving at our designated rendezvous point, I scan the area, searching for our leader. High above, Aurora perches in the branches of a tree, her silhouette outlined against the azure sky. From her elevated vantage point, she surveys the landscape with a keen eye, orchestrating the operation with precision.

Under her command, our teams spring into action, methodically disarming the traps that litter the perimeter of the castle. Jayce and I look at each other, pondering why we are here if Aurora is issuing the orders.