Page 200 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

Ever since one of the little girls in our family called me Daddy Dom, it’s now become Aurora’s new favorite nickname for me. Part of it freaks me out, the other part makes me hard as a rock.

“Later, sweetness, later,” is all I say to her before smacking her on her ass.

One of the elders breaks off from the pack and decides to give us a clan tour. We go from house to house, meeting each of the families. Most are thankful that Dimitri and Aurora removed the tyrant from his rank. There’s only one house that’s still upset that there’s a Lycan in control. But as the elder put it, they lost most of their family members because of Vladimir. It was going to take a little bit before they decided to trust again.

Aurora hands off her daughters to Arnulf, and the four of us wolves go out to hunt. Alaric and Arnulf remain behind, helping to prep for the big banquet that we were going to have in celebration of Dimitri taking over. The four of us roam over the countryside for what seems like hours. We successfully manage to kill four wild boar and a stag. Aurora’s beast shoulders the stag as Klaus takes two of the boar. Jayce and I pick up the last two to carry. We make it back to camp and the local butcher smiles, clapping loudly. He’s ecstatic that we have plenty of fresh meat for the celebration.

We party into the night as Dimitri gets to hang out with his clan. Aurora stays with all five of her children, almost isolated away from the rest of the group. My brother and Arnulf sit by her side, helping with the children. Alaric and I stand shoulder to shoulder, watching her and the others at the party. “Is she alright?” I ask softly, hoping for Alaric to shed some light on what’s going on.

Alaric draws in a deep breath, and his eyes glow faintly. Within moments Nicodeamus approaches and looks between his daughter and us. “Ah, I see what concerns the two of you.” He sighs and sips at his whiskey. “She’s allowing Dimitri to have his moment in the sun. And she knows most of the bears aren’t comfortable with the wolves’ presence.” Nicodeamus sighs and looks between Dimitri and Aurora.

Dimitri notices the looks that Alaric and Nicodeamus keep giving me. He slowly approaches and then looks over at Aurora. “Why is she sitting with the children over by themselves?” He furrows his brows, just as confused as the rest of us.

“I don’t think she wants to steal your thunder,” I say softly and keep an eye on Aurora and the children. Jayce has pulled Aurora and Luna into his lap, kissing both of their temples.

“Bullshit!” Dimitri says firmly before walking over to Aurora and the children. Odette immediately latches onto her father. Aurora and Jayce start to laugh at the little one’s antics. We can see the range of emotions that cross Aurora’s face as she smiles up at Dimitri. He kisses Aurora’s full lips before coming back over to us. “No problems, Luna is anxious, and Aurora is making sure she feels calm and safe.” He smiles as he snuggles Odette tightly before heading back over to his other daughter and granddaughter.

Aurora’s eyes glow faintly, and soon Marco is by her side. He kneels before her and lowers his head to her. Luna practically launches out of her mother’s arms and into Marco’s. I’m shocked witnessing the exchange. My eyes quickly dart over to Nicodeamus. He smirks and shakes his head. “She’s his mate. Until she matures, she will seek him out for comfort but not understand why.”

Nicodeamus smiles just before he kills off his drink. “When she gets close to maturing, Marco will be sent to either theWinter Palace or the Summer Chalet.” Nicodeamus smiles and sets his glass down.

“He’s lucky to have lived so long without a mate. Luna is blessed to have such a good, strong male,” Nicodeamus says before moving off to join Dimitri.

The rest of the night goes off without a hitch. Aurora has finally accomplished what she had set out to do. All of her mates are in positions of power within their own species. Now is the time for change and growth for all involved.

CHAPTER 156

Aurora

We arrive home around lunchtime,and we settle back into the Alpha House with the German Lycan pack. To be perfectly honest, I feel the most at peace here and the safest. Deep in my heart, I know this is where I was always meant to be. The guys are off getting things settled, and I’m in the kitchen cooking for everyone. I already called the butcher, and he dropped off some fresh stag meat for me to prepare.

Elsa and Helle soon join me and act as my sous chefs, chopping and marinating what I need done. I’ve decided to prepare a stag carbonnade with all the fixings. Tia is helping Odette and Luna with peeling the potatoes and putting them in the cutter. Elsa pulled out a child-safe cutter. All they have to do is drop the potato in and press the handle to make slices. Tia is such a good big sister, and I know she will be a wonderful mother one day.

Ladon finally joins us with Kirra in tow. I hand them the cloves of garlic and put them in charge of peeling them and putting them in the press. I watch them work together, and they divide the job up between them. All of my children are helping with the dinner, and it makes my heart swell. I kiss my stepmomand Elsa on the cheek and step outside to where the stag is hanging.

I size up the stag then head back inside to grab large pots and trays. The picnic table becomes my prep station. I shift my hands to my gauntlets and start butchering the stag into the prime cuts of meat. Boris, the butcher, returns to see if I need help, and he stops dead in his tracks watching me. “My Queen?” he says hesitantly as I cut the back strap free.

“Oh! Hi Boris. This is an excellent stag you brought me. Please tell me you and your mate will be joining us for dinner tonight?” I ask ecstatically, hoping he says yes.

“Um, but of course, my Queen. Are you sure you want commoners to dine with you?” He furrows his brow, looking at me puzzled.

“The entire village is invited. You’re just the first I’ve seen to ask. I’m sorry if that threw you off,” I say, trying to calm down my excitement.

“I still don’t understand, my Queen. I am no one.” Boris lowers his head and closes his eyes. Quickly, I shift my hands back to human and gently cup his cheek.

“Your family has been loyal to my family since day one. You are not a no one. You made sure I was properly fed with both of my pregnancies when my mates couldn’t hunt.” I smile and kiss his cheek. “I am honored to know you and your family, Boris,” I say softly to him as I notice Klaus coming around the side of the house.

“Boris and his father made sure my mom was fed when she was pregnant with Kaden and me. You are a treasure, ole friend,” Klaus says and embraces a blushing Boris.

I return to the stag and go back to butchering. It takes me the better half of an hour to remove all of the usable meat. Back into the kitchen, I take trays of meat in to set on the prep island. Thekitchen staff looks at me strangely as I and the other women in the family work on making dinner for the pack.

In the middle of cutting onions, a pair of hands slide over my eyes. To be honest, I can’t smell jack shit except for the onions. I know it’s not a pack member or one of my mates that’s covered my eyes. Carefully, I lean back against a firm chest that’s almost the same height as mine. “Hi, Ellis.” I say with a squeal. Quickly, I spin in his arms and hug him tightly around his neck.

Ellis starts laughing and holds me tightly to him. “How are you, sweetness?” he asks sweetly and kisses my cheek.

“I’m good, E, what’s shaking?” I ask as I smile, looking up at him.

“Not much, just come for a visit and to hang out,” he says as he smiles broadly at me.

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