Page 158 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

I leadAurora outside and surprise her with an impromptu picnic under the apple tree. My mother, Klaus’s grandmother Elsa, and the Fae Laurel, all sit under the tree waiting for us. Aurora’s smile lights up immediately as she spins around to hug and kiss me. She moves quickly and sits between Helle and Elsa, then starts filling her plate. Well, I’ve officially lost my mate for the afternoon.

My excitement is at a fevered peak. I can’t wait to find out whose babies are going to be born this time. The order really doesn’t matter to me; I know eventually I’ll get to meet my children. But for now, I can’t wait to see the little ones that will be born into the family soon.

Looking across the courtyard, I see Dimitri, and he waves me over to join him. Happily, I walk over and sit close by. “I never thought I’d live to see the day that Aurora would willingly sit with other females,” Dimitri says with wonder evident in his voice.

My eyes move back to observe Aurora more closely. She’s all snuggled up to my mom, leaning on her and accepting her affections. “She was telling me the other day that she was excitedto finally have a mom.” I shrug slightly and look back over at Dimitri.

“I can’t fathom a female not being raised with a mom. Though it kind of explains why sometimes she’s emotionally distant.” I start to fidget with the edge of my shirt, looking down at it.

“You’re right Jayce, it was tough raising her. We did the best we could. But... we’re guys. What the hell did we know?” He lowers his head and sighs softly.

Gently, I embrace Dimitri and lean my head on his shoulder. “You both did fantastic with her. Look at how great she turned out.” I motion towards Aurora.

“She is intelligent and can take care of herself, and it’s all because of you!” Lightly, I touch his cheek to get him to look at me. “You did a fantastic job. You were a great authority figure.” Smiling, I look into his eyes and make a goofy-looking face at him until he laughs.

“Okay, okay, I get it. I just feel bad when she has problems.” He shrugs his broad shoulders and goes back to watching Aurora.

Gently, I pat him on the shoulder before walking off. Alaric is over by what’s left of the wall, watching over the dragons as they remove what remains. “How’s it going, Alaric?”

“Slow but steady Jayce. Where’s Aurora?” He looks around the courtyard then he notices her sitting with the other women. Alaric raises his hand and checks his pulse in his neck. “When did that happen?” He motions back at Aurora and the other females.

“Scary, isn’t it?” I say half-jokingly.

“Scary isn’t the word for it. Remember when Aurora was ready to slaughter Klaus’s grandmother?” He gestures in their direction. “Now they’re besties, it seems.” Alaric tilts his head to the side as he studies the gathering. Out of nowhere, Ladondrops down out of the sky, startling us. “Holy shit, little man. Don’t do that to Daddy.” Alaric and I jump, both clutching our chests from the mini heart attacks I think we both had.

My hand is still firmly pressed to my chest as I try to calm my racing heart. “Is your sister with you, Ladon?” He shakes his head no and stretches his wings.

Tia’s giggles carry through the courtyard as she runs from a shifted Klaus. His black Lycan giving chase. Honestly, he could easily catch her, but she keeps leaving ice patches that he keeps almost falling over. You would think he would learn by now to quit while he’s ahead. Tia stops suddenly and shifts her arms to gauntlets like Aurora does. Klaus’s Lycan stops and starts to back away from her. Thankfully for him, Aurora gets between him and Tia. They have a mini staring contest before Tia shifts her arms back to normal and joins the other women.

Aurora makes eye contact with myself and Alaric and shrugs her shoulders, rolling her eyes. I can’t help but laugh at how similar the two of them are. “I think we’re in trouble with those two, Alaric,” I say it so matter of fact.

“No doubt, my friend, no doubt.” Alaric half chuckles to himself, watching the two of them sit together with the rest of the women.

“How did bringing the rest of the Lycan females back go?” I look between Klaus and Alaric.

“It was rough. Most just need a good bath and a hot meal.” Alaric looks down. “Some are carrying pups, most are not.” His tone tells me that it was not a joyful discovery.

“Oh.” There are no words to express what’s going through my mind. Klaus comes walking back over after grabbing shorts.

“It wasn’t a happy situation where those females were. Our healer is going to give them options.” Sadness washes through the bond from Klaus. Lycans are being hit the hardest with infertility and to possibly lose these pups is a hit to the species.Aurora comes up behind Klaus and wraps her arms around his waistline. I can hear her beast rumbling to his, trying to soothe him. Gradually, she makes her way around to face him.

“Elsa and I will be going to sit with the females shortly.” She lowers her eyes for a moment then presses her forehead against his chest.

“Any who do not wish to raise the pup they are carrying.” Aurora swallows hard and draws in a deep breath. “I wish to adopt them and raise them. They shouldn’t have to die because a sadistic asshole made a choice that wasn’t his to make.” Hesitantly, Aurora raises her eyes, looking up at Klaus. Doubt of her decision flickers over her before she schools her features to betray nothing.

“Do you mean it?” Klaus’s smile brightens immediately. He grips her hands and looks into her eyes.

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.” Aurora’s eyes move from Klaus, then to Alaric, and then me. Alaric and I look at each other than smile and nod, giving her our blessing.

“Angel, besides the birth of my own pup, this is a blessing. Thank you for this beautiful gift of life.” Klaus kisses Aurora’s forehead and sighs happily. “We have couples in my pack that can’t have children. We can place some of the pups with them as well,” Klaus says hopefully.

“Whatever you think is best, handsome. We can personally take the pups to meet with prospective parents,” Aurora says, smiling up at Klaus.

“Let’s take Gram’s with us and go talk to the pregnant females. We can give them the option of letting a childless couple adopt instead,” Klaus offers Aurora his open hand; without hesitation, she grabs it and pulls him with her.

I watch Aurora stop by the picnic and grab Elsa and my mom. It’s probably one of the smartest moves she could make besides bringing me. The three women lead the way into the castle andhead towards the wing where the rescued females are resting. “That went a lot better than I expected, to be honest,” I say, then look at Alaric.

“Either way, those pups, if they are allowed to be born will find loving homes. Be it with another family or us,” Alaric says with a confidence that gives me goosebumps.

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