Page 139 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

Aurora reaches out through the bond to me, Klaus, and Arnulf.Draw your swords slowly and quietly, just in case. Stay clear of the door. If I have to, I will use my breath weapon on whatever is trying to get in here.We nod and motion to the others to get ready.

We can hear the faint click of Aurora’s ignitor fire, and her eyes blaze with the power of the ancient. She is one hundred percent in seek and destroy mode. Gradually, the door opens; whoever is pushing on it is quite hesitant. When the door is three-quarters of the way open, a teenage boy sticks his head into the room. Aurora immediately freezes him in his place and covers his mouth with ice so he can’t scream.

The young male is frightened, and his scent screams Lycan. Aurora growls deep in her chest. Her oppressive Alpha power fills the small room, making those not in our bond start to whine. She moves with an unearthly grace and gets right in the face of the young Lycan. She uses the wolves pack link to speak directly into the mind of the pup. Klaus and I can hear her clear as day.Who sent you?She growls out as she stares at him.

The young male starts to cry and pisses himself from fear.Vladimir. My entire family has died today. I don’t want to die in his war. Please tell me you’re the ghost-wolf sent to kill him.”His eyes convey all the pain and anguish he is feeling. Aurora smirks and frees the boy.

“Gus, take the boy back through the tunnels to safety. Give him to Dominik.” Aurora reaches into her hair and cuts free a small white braid. She reaches out and fastens the braid to the boy’s wrist. “Show this to my mate, Dominik, and to my dragon mate, Alaric. You are safe now, pup.” In an uncharacteristic move, Aurora grips the boy behind his neck and presses her forehead to his. “Go” is the last word spoken to the boy and to Gus.

“That was odd,” I say softly, thinking I wasn’t heard.

Aurora smirks and looks at me. “He’s of my grandfather’s bloodline, diluted but related to me. One of his parents was probably a product of one of the old king’s flings with the help.” Aurora shrugs her shoulders then starts through the door into the lower chambers.

Room by room, we clear them, ensuring nothing that isn’t part of our team lived. Twenty-some odd rooms later, we come to the chamber in question. We take every precaution in securing the room. So far, no hidden passages or other ways in and out have been found. Arnulf gathers his herbs, and we all take turns filling the flasks up with water for him to bless and sanctify the ground. As the last grave receives the blessed herbs, screams and howls start to rise from the soil below. Arnulf continues with the blessing ritual with Aurora at his side as his personal guard.

Several Strigoi attempt to rise, and we decapitate them immediately. Aurora stands like a sentinel over Arnulf. She’s watching over him, making sure nothing interferes with the important work he’s trying to accomplish. I can feel it in my very being when Aurora starts reaching out to every mate in our bond. I feel her tug on the threads that bind us, making sure each one of us is okay. Her breathing hitches when she senses what has occurred with Dimitri.

A twisted smile plays upon her angelic lips.I want her head, is all Aurora says through the bond before we hear the answering roar of Dimitri’s bear.

It shall be done.The link fades quickly after that, and Aurora’s determination to end this war is doubled.

“We are done here, my love,” Arnulf speaks softly as he looks up to Aurora from where he is kneeling on the ground before her.

Aurora slowly turns and looks at Arnulf with so much love and adoration, it makes my heart swell. She extends her hands to him, offering assistance to stand. Hesitantly, Arnulf accepts her help and stands, and she promptly kisses him then sets him loose. “Okay, now that the leeches are under control and the lower level is secure, let’s head upstairs and clear out the next level,” Aurora states, leaving no room for argument or questions. The Aurora we all know and love is back with a vengeance, and she seems ready to rain hell on earth.

We watch her walk out of the room with Arnulf reluctantly in tow behind her. We stand there collectively watching her walk out; she’s a woman on a mission with a beast out for blood. On to the next level, I suppose. Here we go again.

CHAPTER 111

Klaus

As we ascend the stairs,each step is a deliberate movement, executed with precision to minimize any sound that might betray our presence. The musty scent of aged wood fills the air, mingling with the faint aroma of dust that hangs in the stale atmosphere of the castle.

My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline coursing through my veins heightening my senses. Every creak of the stairs beneath our feet reverberates through the silence like a thunderclap, urging us to proceed with caution.

As we reach the first floor, I peer cautiously around the corner, my senses on high alert. The dim light filtering in through the windows casts eerie shadows along the corridor, obscuring any potential threats that may lurk in the darkness.

A faint sound reaches my ears, a soft shuffling that sends a chill down my spine. With a series of hand signals, I communicate to my companions the presence of someone nearby, prompting them to prepare for whatever may lie ahead.

In a seamless display of coordination, Arnulf begins to shed his clothing, his movements fluid and silent. With a sense of anticipation, I watch as he transforms into his avianform, his majestic wings stretching out before he takes flight, disappearing into the darkness beyond the doorway.

With Arnulf scouting ahead, we wait in tense anticipation, our senses on high alert as we prepare to navigate the unknown dangers that lie in wait within the depths of the castle.

We wait patiently, hiding in the darkness of the hallway in which we’re standing. The top landing is a little crowded with all of us standing here. Still, we should be all together waiting then to hastily charge out into the hallway into the unknown. After what seems like forever, Arnulf comes back to us, landing and shifting back to his human form. Aurora assists him, and he gets dressed quickly before he begins to speak to us. “It appears that there is a much stronger Lycan presence on this floor. At least two dozen, if not more. Aurora, do you think you can make them submit? Klaus?” Arnulf’s eyes dart between mine and Aurora’s.

“If we combine our Alpha powers together, without a doubt we can drive them to their knees and make them submit to us and our will. The real question is, though, will they be loyal enough to be trusted to live, or is it more humane just to kill them now and end their suffering at Vladimir’s hands?” I rest my hands on my hips, looking back and forth between my sweet mate and our even more delicious Omega. I know in my heart of hearts, Jayce does not like us killing without provocation. But I also know that Aurora will kill without question to keep what’s hers safe and do it for the greater good. My eyes drift over to Arnulf, who is the newest of our group, to see exactly where his heart and intentions lie.

Aurora simply nods then looks between Jayce and Arnulf. “Out of all of my mates, the two of you are the most in touch with your emotions and feelings. I would love to be able to save everyone.” Aurora sighs then begins again.

“Realistically, though, it may not be the best decision to make at this time. On the one hand, I see the possibility of expandingthe bloodlines available to the Lycans in Klaus’s clan.” Aurora holds up her left hand.

“On the other hand, I see possible dissension in the ranks and potential uprisings in the future.” She raises her right hand and makes a see-saw motion.

“The possibility of traitors in our midst just like it was with the American Lycan pack. Extinction should never be an answer, but in times of war, we must do what is best for the greater good,” Aurora says with great finality. Her word is law, and her law dictates the masses’ safety over the preservation of a few. For a moment, I see a sadness creep across her visage, and just as fast as it’s seen, it flickers away into that stone-cold-killer gaze.

As I step forward and clasp Aurora’s hand, a surge of adrenaline courses through me, heightening my senses to a razor-sharp edge. The cool touch of her skin against mine sends a shiver down my spine, a tantalizing reminder of the bond that binds us together.

Turning to face the others gathered on the landing, I meet their gazes head-on, my eyes locking with each individual in turn. There’s a tension in the air, palpable and electric, as we stand on the precipice of something momentous.

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