Page 186 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

“Don’t worry, little one, I will handle him when I leave here tonight. The killing of babies is frowned upon by the Elder God’s. Somehow he managed to make it into Elysium.” Anca’s rage is almost as palatable as her daughters. The water begins to churn almost violently. It looks as if it’s the waves upon the ocean crashing upon the shore of the lake.

It’s now that I step forward and start to silence the lake. Unfortunately, when a spirit gains too much power, especially using water as a conduit, it could be quite dangerous for those who are living. “Anca, it’s time for you to return. Before someone you love becomes mortally wounded.”

She looks around quickly and sees what is happening to the lake around her. Immediately, she assists with silencing it. “I am truly sorry; my temper got away from me. Do what you will with the castle and the title, daughter.” She looks down and back at the water and then back over towards Aurora again. “If that part of the monarchy must die with you or me, then so be it. Speak with those who still remain living around the castle and see what they think.”

She opens her arms wide and sends a cool breeze towards us. “I will always love you, little one. Now I must go search for your sister in Elysium.” Now that liquid form of Anca falls back into the lake. The lake itself is calm and flat as a sheet of glass. The moon’s reflection dances on the light ripples of the water as we stare at it, waiting to see if anything else was to occur.

“Well, my love, I’m sorry she didn’t exactly give you an answer, but at least you know that no matter what you decide she will support you in it,” I say softly just before I kiss her cheek and release her. The typical game of pass Aurora occurs as each one of the mates takes their turn. Each male is hugging and kissing her and reassuring her that she has their full support.

I turn around and smile, laughing that the three new babies are surrounded by Tia and Ladon. They have their own two little personal dragon sentinels. It’s a beautiful sight to behold. We know that no matter who’s born in what order, they will always have someone older than them watching over them. Nicodeamus starts to usher us all back to the house, saying it’s time for us all to sit and have a long, serious conversation.

I love and hate these meetings. Mostly because they all set my bird on edge when tempers start to flare. I honestly know nobody will hurt me, but it’s just pure instinct. Dominik and I both grab one of the new babies. I take Luna, Dominik takes Kirra, and Nicodeamus takes Odette. We take them all downstairs to the nest that had been prepared as their birth site. Dimitri has replaced all the soiled pillows and linens with brand new extra fluffy ones. We get Tia and Ladon dressed for bed and have them curl up in the nest with the other three babies. At least with those two there, if something goes on, they can reach out to their mother, father, and grandfather to alert us to what they need.

We stay on the lower level and move to the sitting room, leaving the nest room door wide open for us to hear. Aurorastands at the head of the table with Alaric and Nicodeamus at the two closest seats to her. The rest of us file in, taking random seats. “I haven’t come to a decision lightly. I want to rebuild my mother’s castle and the town that used to surround it.” She pulls the map out in front of her, looking over the land. “I want to reestablish a Lycan stronghold near the castle. Klaus’s brother, Kaden, will move into the castle for now.

“Love, have you spoken to Kaden about this?” I tilt my head slightly as I study my mate. Aurora smiles and looks down at the map.

“I gave Kaden and his new mate a permanent home in the castle. I told them to choose which suite they want on the third floor to be theirs.” Aurora smiles as she looks between Klaus and me. “I couldn’t think of a better pair to watch over the castle for me.” Aurora shrugs slightly, then looks back to the maps.

Klaus wraps Aurora up in a big hug and kisses her silly. “We can move the American Lycans to the village by the castle. I do have some fantastic news.” Klaus smiles broadly. “Between the once rogue Lycans and the American Lycans, more mated pairs were made.” Klaus moves to go stand near his twin as he enters.

“Thank you, Aurora and family! You have made the European packs whole again.” Kaden bows before taking a knee before Aurora and gently holding her hand. He presses his forehead to the back of her hand. “You have my undying loyalty and gratitude for what you and your family have accomplished for all of us. You saved us from an eternal war that has ravaged these lands for over two hundred years.” Aurora gently runs her fingers through Kaden’s hair.

“You are most welcome. Without your pack and your brother at my side, I may not have made it this far,” Aurora says softly as she watches Kaden look up at her slowly.

Aurora assists Kaden to stand. “Let’s usher in a new life of peace. Please take your mate and the others to the castle andstart the reconstruction.” Aurora smiles sweetly. “I’ll send Edgar with the plans in a few days’ time. Dimitri’s people will join you shortly to assist.”

“Thank you, my Queen.” Kaden bows and leaves as swiftly as he had arrived. Aurora disperses the meeting for tonight. Tomorrow is a new day with a ton of changes on the horizon.

CHAPTER 145

Aurora

Four MonthsLater-

Morning, my least favorite time of day, ranks right up there with pack politics. I wake up in a tangle of limbs between my mates and my five children. I can barely move. Today is the day we return to my mother’s castle and see how far Kaden and the Bears have gotten.

I wiggle myself free and tiptoe across the floor to the bathroom and take care of my morning necessities. A quick shower later and I feel like a new woman. The only thing missing is my coffee. I come out of the main part of the Alpha House and into the kitchen, catching my mother-in-law and my father sitting at the table having a quiet breakfast together.

“Good morning, everyone,” I say with my semi-serious grump. They murmur their good mornings, barely forming words. I guess they are having a morning like I am. Jennifer brings me my coffee as well as my favorite—French toast with bacon. I’m halfway through my first cup of coffee when Dimitri makes it upstairs from our little love nest.

“Good morning, love,” he says softly as he kisses my temple and hugs me to his body gently. He sits next to me at the island table, and Jennifer brings him his coffee and his honey-coveredtoast. I can’t help but start to giggle, seeing what he’s having for breakfast. “What seems to be so funny, my love?” Dimitri asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, you see, I just find it funny what you’re having for breakfast. Little stereotypical, don’t you think?” As I scrunch my nose, looking at him, then down to the honey-covered toast, then back up again, I tilt my head to the side and smile trying not to laugh.

Dimitri looks at his toast before taking a bite, and then it hits him. He smirks while chewing his bite and then starts shaking his head slowly. “Yeah, you got me. I can’t help it. I love sweet, sticky things.” I almost inhale my coffee, my poor father wasn’t so lucky as he does inhale his coffee, and my stepmom laughs hysterically at him. Poor Jennifer comes back to the counter three shades of red as she wipes up after my father’s mess.

I’m just shaking my head, trying not to spit or inhale my coffee. I settle down enough to finally swallow the gulp that I have in my mouth, and then I look over at poor Jennifer. “Yeah, you guys really need to learn not to drink when I’m involved in a conversation.” My father, of all people, should know this by now since he’s almost drowned at least six times. I start laughing softly before taking another sip of my coffee.

“The things that come out of your mouth… your mother would have been blushing,” Nicodeamus says semi-sternly but with a smile on his face, so I’m quite confused.

“Really, Dad?” I tilt my head, looking around Dimitri at my dad. “You helped to create me, and you’re telling me she would have been blushing about what I said.” I lightly touch my chin with my index finger as I stare at him. “I’ve overheard some of the things you’ve said to Helle; you’re definitely not innocent.”

I raise an eyebrow staring at him as he starts to stutter. “Well, yeah. I guess you have a point there,” Nicodeamus says, trying to hide his blush as he goes back to sipping his coffee.

I lean forward a little further to try to catch Helle’s eyes. “I know what Daddy said to you the other day that had you blushing furiously,” I say with a sadistic smirk and smile like Harley Quinn.

Helle starts to sputter and cough and then turns a bright shade of crimson. “Um, I don’t know what to say to that, daughter.” She looks frantically between my father and me. Dimitri has his hand up, not wanting to look in their direction, trying to shield his eyes.

---