Page 160 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

Softly, Aurora knocks on the door to the suite the females are being kept in. A blonde female named Sophie opens the door, and her jaw drops seeing Aurora standing there. Quickly, she lowers her head and bows as she opens the door wide. Time moves slowly for the next several moments. Shock and recognition cross the faces of each of the eleven females in the room. A female with darker brown hair comes over and grabs Sophie. “Do you know who that is?” she whisper yells at Sophie.

“Duh, Riley, that’s the last Marelup.” Sophie points at Aurora’s family brand on her right forearm.

Aurora raises a brow, looking at the two bickering back and forth about who she is. She extends a hand out to the females. “I’m Aurora, Anca’s daughter.” Her eyes flicker between her human grey and her beast’s mercury.

Both Sophie and Riley lunge for Aurora’s hand and take turns shaking it. I can tell by Aurora’s posture that she’s uncomfortable with all the attention and contact. “Okay, ladies, let’s let our queen into the chambers so she can visit with everyone,” I say as gently as possible, as I place my hand on Aurora’s lower back.

Aurora draws in a deep breath and nods her thanks to me, and allows me to lead her to the sitting area. Slowly, she lowers herself onto the pillows and gets comfortable. “I wanted to come see you all myself.” Her eyes roam over each female, acknowledging them. “I am truly sorry for what Vladimir and his officers had put you through. Most died at my talons.” Aurora shifts her right hand to her dragon-scaled gauntlet, her talonsgleaming in the light of the room. Her eyes are fixed on her talons as she flexes her hand for the females’ benefit before her. Quickly, she shifts her hand back and rests both hands on her lap.

“I understand some of you are with pups and were taken as mates against your will. Is this correct?” Aurora asks as gently as she can.

In unison, the females all murmur that what Aurora said was correct. “Do you sense the males that formed the bonds are dead? That the bonds have been severed?” Aurora looks anxiously between the females.

Only one still holds her head down. “Who is the male that took you as his mate, young one?” Aurora questions hesitantly.

The young female’s head shoots up, and she looks panicked. “Please don’t kill Sven. He’s my true mate. He kept the other males away from me.” Tears begin to stream down the female’s face.

Aurora closes her eyes, and through the pack bond, she searches for the male in question. A smile crosses her lips as she locates him. “He’s been summoned. He’ll be here shortly to collect you.”

Joy instantly crosses the female’s features as she jumps up and runs over, throws her arms around Aurora and hugs her. My poor angel looks panicked. She’s not used to affection outside of our bond.“Think of her as Tia,”I say to Aurora through our bond. Aurora instantly relaxes and snuggles the female, and starts making the soothing sound of her beast.

Moments after, three knocks sound at the door, and Aurora stiffens. Without hesitation she moves swiftly and puts herself between the door and the females. Frost begins to gather in her hands as she watches the door closely. I move to open it and Aurora cocks her head to the side as her eyes land on the male standing there. It’s the same young male she spared and gave abraid of her hair to. He still wears it around his wrist. “Ioana!” he yells and bolts across the room towards her. They embrace tightly and cry tears of joy.

“My Queen, thank you for sparing me that day in the tunnels. I was trying to find a way to get to my mate during the war.” He furrows his brow then looks down at the braid on his wrist. “Why did you spare me?” Ioana looks at the braid, then back to Aurora as well.

“You are a descendant of my grandfather, the King.” Aurora tilts her head as she looks from the couple then to me.

“You are the last living relative I have from my mother’s side,” she says as she returns her gaze back to him.

“Your family is my family. Pack protects pack,” she states matter of factly.

“You mean I’m a Marelup?” He furrows his brows.

Aurora slowly shakes her head. “Sadly no, Sven, that name is passed from female to female. You are a Constantine, my grandfather’s family name.” Aurora moves and extends her hand to Sven. “I’m guessing your mother is the offspring of my grandfather and one of the females that worked in the castle.” Aurora rolls her eyes. “Apparently, he liked to take liberties with some of the young females.”

There’s a look of shock that moves across Sven’s and Ioana’s faces. “Vladimir was the same way, my Queen,” Ioana states flatly. “It’s why five of the other females are with pup.”

The temperature in the room starts to drop immediately. Not long after, Alaric comes barreling into the room with Dimitri hot on his heels. “Do you know what Vladimir did?” Aurora shrieks, venom dripping from her descended canines. Her rage is palpable in the air.

Alaric goes to comfort Aurora, and she immediately rejects him. The look of shock on his face is priceless. Jayce, Dom, and Arnulf arrive just in time to witness the whole thing. Dimitritries his hand at getting close to her, and she immediately melts into him. Out of curiosity, I start to approach and she grabs me and pulls me into the group hug. Hmm, this is an interesting turn of events.

The other mates watch with great curiosity at the new dynamics. The last time Aurora was pregnant, she only wanted Alaric. Now so far, it’s Dimitri and me. Wait! Does that mean I get to be a dad next? My eyes dart over to my grandmother and she smiles at me. I think I may be onto something. Eventually, Aurora wiggles free from our embrace and moves before the five pregnant females.

“It doesn’t matter to me who the father of your pups are. I would like to make a request.” Aurora sits in front of the females, making eye contact with them. “Let them live. There are families in Klaus’s pack that are childless.” Aurora looks down and rests her hand on her lower stomach. “I would consider it a favor to me if we can give those childless couples a pup.” Aurora keeps her eyes lowered as she listens to the females speak between themselves.

“My Queen?” A young female says softly. Her stomach is huge, and she appears to be close to giving birth.

Slowly, Aurora raises her head to look at the young female. “Yes, my dear?” she says tenderly, watching the female’s stomach move.

“I would like my baby to go to a family.” She steps side to side, appearing nervous.

“May I request to meet the members of your mates pack? Maybe my true mate is there?” she states the last part as a question, not sure where Aurora’s thoughts may be.

“Fair enough. You can even meet the family that will be raising your pup, if you wish.” Aurora’s soft voice shocks the rest of us. She’s so tender with these females. It’s quite odd and almost unsettling the way Aurora is gently handling thesefemales. Maybe it’s because she, too, is pregnant, or perhaps motherhood has changed her some. Either way, it’s strange to watch this interaction amongst Aurora and all the females.

Nodding slowly, the female extends her hand to Aurora. When Aurora reaches out, she places her hands on her stomach. A broad smile creeps across Aurora’s lips as she feels the baby moving. “Thank you for this gift. I hope we can find your mate, sweetheart. Everyone deserves their happy ending.” Aurora leans forward and kisses the female’s forehead, then looks to the others.

“Who else would like to accept my offer?” All but one female accepts. The last one wasn’t far along and decides not to endure the pregnancy. I could see the war waging in Aurora’s eyes. Being an Alpha, she could force the female to endure the pregnancy. But then again, it’s not Aurora’s style to force anyone to do anything if she doesn’t have to.

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