Page 149 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

For in her happiness lies our collective strength, a beacon of light in the darkness that guides us through even the bleakest of times. As we sit together, sharing in the simple pleasure of a meal prepared with love and care, I’m reminded of the importance of these moments of respite, these small pockets of joy that remind us of what we fight for.

In the warmth of our home, surrounded by the ones we hold dear, I find solace and strength, a reminder that no matter what trials may lie ahead, we face them together, united in our determination to protect one another and preserve the fragile threads of hope that bind us as a family.

“My love, I know you’re anxious to return to your mother’s castle, but please consider resting at least till noon before we head back.” A soft smile plays upon my lips as I wait to see how my words are received by my mate.

“My love, I understand your concerns, and I appreciate you looking out for all of us.” She smiles softly. “You’re always trying to make sure we are in the best condition possible.” A slightly frustrated sigh escapes her lips. “I worry about everyone that we left behind.” Aurora stands and moves around the kitchen island so she can face everyone. “There may or may not be stragglers still roaming the woods or hiding in the catacombs. It weighs heavily on my heart that I am not there to help protect them.” I watch Aurora move across the room gracefully as she comes to stand before me.

Her fingertips lightly touch the buttons on my shirt and then glide over the muscles of my chest. “My love, would you feel comfortable leaving the children or me in that environment without you?”

I shake my head firmly. “No, I wouldn’t.”

“Then please understand.” She places her hand upon my cheek.

“I feel as though I am their mother, they are my children.” She sighs softly and then looks up into my eyes. “I don’t want to chance anything happening to any more innocents.” She moves away from me slowly and then leans against the island in the kitchen with her back to everyone else.

“There are a bunch of young Lycan males that I put into hibernation during the battle that I feel in my heart.” She rests her hands on her chest, imploring me to listen with my heart and not my head. “I believe that I can save them. That I can heal them from the damage that Vladimir did.” Her eyes drift over to Klaus and then back again.

“If there are young males, there are young females somewhere.” She takes two steps forward towards me again. “We must find them. I don’t know what conditions they’re living in, and it scares me.” She speaks with so much emotion that it pulls at my heartstrings that I am driven to help her.

“We must do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of these young females,” I state firmly. “We will leave as soon as everyone finishes eating.” I walk forward and kiss her forehead. “I hope this pleases you and brings you some sense of comfort that we will hopefully find these new females.” I smile confidently. “We will save them and heal them. We will bring them back into the fold with the rest of the Lycans here.” My eyes move over to Klaus, who is smiling broadly.

“They will not be alone or endangered anymore.” Gently, I kiss Aurora’s lips and smile. “With my blood, this I swear.” My eyes flash to that of my dragon and lock with hers, and we have an understanding. My word is my bond, and I will not break my vow to my mate.

CHAPTER 119

Nicodeamus

The wind embracesmy scales as we take flight back to where it all began. My mate is giggling and enjoying flying with me. Never in a million years did I think I would be blessed with a second chance.

My mind roams, remembering all the things that have been accomplished since I was freed. My incredible hatchling has been through so much in her short life. She definitely has some impulse control problems because of it. I blame that on Vladimir. If Aurora had her mother and me, she would have turned out so different. The thought of my hatchling all alone, trying to figure things out makes my ancient heart ache.

With a slight tilt of my wings, I move myself closer to my daughter and her family. Tia is standing on her mom’s lap waving her arms in the wind. Ladon’s dragon is using his talons to hold onto his father’s spine. His wings are spread, and he’s enjoying the air moving over his scales. Slowly, his head tilts, and I know he wants to join me. Carefully, I maneuver myself over him and reach down with my taloned hand. Ladon reaches out and grips my scales. Slowly, he climbs up my body to sit with Helle.

Twins are so rare with dragons, yet my daughter birthed fully shifted hatchlings. In all my years, I have never seen that before. My grandson has figured out the accelerated growth table while staying shifted. He’s a brilliant young man already, and to figure this out amazes me. I can feel that he’s chosen to lay between my wings on my back to rest. Grandkids… I never thought this day would come. To make it even more special, they were born in the same cavern I was. This makes me wonder if when Tiamat is ready to give birth, will she migrate? Most times, a dragoness will return to where they were born to deliver their young. It’s an ancient instinct. The question is:does she possess it?

Our flight takes us across Germany and its numerous towns and rivers. The predominant wind sends us down into Austria and over various mountains and their large national parks. Spring is around the corner, and we can see some of the trees starting to gain their leaves in the lower elevations. Higher up, some of the mountains are still covered in thick layers of snow. Mentally, I sigh. So much has changed since the last time I was able to fly. Kingdoms have fallen, and new civilizations have risen. One thing remains the same: the mountains are still here.

We take our first break at Lake Balaton in Hungary. I’m quite thankful we did because I was starting to get really thirsty. I don’t bother shifting back. I lay down and let my grand babies use me as a jungle gym. The wolves in the family shift and take off into the woods. Aurora hesitates for several seconds before shifting and joining them. I don’t understand her hesitation, but then again, I was never hunted like she was.

Helle doesn’t leave with the rest of the wolves instead, she plays with Tia by the lake’s edge. I tilt my head questioningly at her, and she just smiles at me. “Let the pups hunt, my love, I wish to enjoy the little ones,” Helle says with conviction.

Carefully, I lower my horned head near her and rumble softly.I wish I could give you more pups,I huff, blowing frostout of my dragon’s nostrils.Unfortunately, that gift was stolen from me years ago.I close my dragon’s nictitating membranes, then my eyelids. My past causes my heart to ache. What if my mate wanted more babies? I hope I don’t disappoint her.

Lithe hands rest on my dragon’s maw, and I open the eye closest to her. “I have everything I need, my love.” She kisses my scales, looking into my eye. “I have two strong sons; I have your daughter and all of her wonderful mates.” She starts to laugh, and it’s music to my ears. “I have grand babies now! Best day ever!” She claps her hands and bounces around a little bit. I feel the joy she’s feeling, and I know in my heart she means every word she’s said.

I can’t stop counting my blessings. The level of gratitude I have to the Goddess above is immense. Quickly, I lift my head and use my wing to pull Helle and Tia closer to me. After everything that’s happened, I find myself constantly on the defensive. Aurora, Klaus, and the twins come back to camp dragging and carrying their kills with them.

Aurora and Klaus drop their deer then run back into the forest. Jayce and Dom drag two deer over to their mom and me. Gently, I nuzzle Helle and the babies towards the larger deer. I devour the second one in a single bite and wait to see how much is left from the first deer. Helle cuts a hind leg free and holds it up for me. Carefully, I shake my head no and look to Alaric for assistance. He approaches and gets the hint. Helle holds the leg high above her, and he carefully blows his flames upon it.

Helle smiles broadly, looking at her cooked deer leg. She and Tia sit on my front leg, ripping chunks off and eating their fill. Ladon, on the other hand, is eating directly from the carcass and enjoying himself immensely. Aurora and Klaus return again and feed two of her guards before running off for a third time. They repeat the process till everyone has been given at least something to eat.

Aurora comes and stands before Alaric, and she bathes in his flames. When she emerges from the fire, she’s shifted back to her human form. Quickly, she dresses and looks at everyone who’s gathered. “Let’s get this show on the road. We’re burning daylight.” Aurora doesn’t hesitate to run to Alaric’s side and climb up onto his back to get comfortable. Tia quickly runs over to her parents, and Aurora has to climb back down to help Tia up. Ladon rolls his eyes before climbing up onto my back again.

I can’t help but laugh at my family’s antics—they make life worth living. Dante and Edgar launch into the sky first, then myself, Alaric, and lastly Marco. We shift direction again, heading more southeast into Romania. Anxiety builds in my chest as we glide over the forests and mountain ranges. My scales rustle and shift with my unease. Part of me wants to turn around and go back. It doesn’t take long before I feel a weight land on my back and walk up my spine.

The next thing I know, Aurora is on my head, hanging upside down, looking into my eye.Daddy?she says through the bond.Are you okay? You don’t feel okay.Her eyes are that of her beasts, staring into my eye.

Slowly, I draw in a deep breath and try to release some of the tension I’m feeling. Leave it to Aurora to be so in tuned with me to pick it up before my mate.Yes and no, little one. Yes, because I have to be.My dragon huffs a breath of pure frost.No, because there are very few happy memories waiting for me. Too many ghosts.

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