Page 49 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

We walk to what would typically be the training circle. The sandpit will contain the embers and stop them from spreading. The heat alone will possibly turn some of the sand into glass. The entire Lycan and newly arrived Dire pack gather to witness a ceremony that hasn’t been performed in centuries.

Elena runs up to where Aurora positioned herself at the top of the pyre. Carefully, Elena lays out the blood-red cloth with the embroidered Marelup crest as well as the symbol for the Golden Eagles. Aurora reverently places Andre’s wrapped body on the fabric. She folds three of the four corners to cover him, leaving only his wrapped head exposed. We watch her layout the spices as well as crystals that Elena must have given her. Aurora draws in a deep breath and raises her hands above her. As she doesso, we watch her arms shift and become covered in thick, white, armored dragon scales. Her snow-white talons appear even more menacing by torchlight. Everyone falls silent and kneels before her and the great pyre.

“My people!” We hear and feel Aurora’s words and power through the pack bond. “One of our own was murdered right here on our land.” Her eyes scan the gathered wolves, searching for any sign of the betrayer. “He was sent on a mission for me that only he could complete. He died on his way back to me, to us.” She keeps a close watch over everyone present.

“Andre and Dimitri were tasked with my protection from the moment I drew my first breath upon this Earth. For over two hundred years, they were the closest things to parents that I’ve known.” Aurora’s voice gains the familiar growl of her beast. “A small piece of me died with him today.” Her eyes move from Dimitri to Nico and gives him the signal to shift.

Nico moves behind the pyre and shifts to his Ice Dragon, his head adorned with a crown of horns—denoting his age and lineage. His great head is raised above Aurora, waiting for her next signal.

“I…” Aurora hesitates for a moment, overwhelmed with emotion as tears stream down her cheeks. It’s then I notice the scale on her chest glows faintly. Her right hand rests over it, and she calms almost instantly, her mercury eyes returning to steel-grey. “Today, I lay to rest a man I am proud to call a father figure. I lay to rest a man that has put his life on the line time and time again for my mother and me. Today, I lay to rest my best friend.” Aurora shifts her right hand back to human and slits her palm over Andre’s body. She lays her bleeding hand upon him. “With my blood, I swear to seek out Andre’s killer and rip his heart from his chest. I will not rest until it’s done.” Aurora holds her bleeding hand up to the crowd. She turns her head to look at her father and nods.

You can hear the clicks of the dragon’s ignitor firing up before the roar of flames fills the arena. Most watch in horror as Nico bathes not only the pyre in flames, but Aurora too. We see her stand there, watching over Andre as he burns. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Jayce on the phone. I can read his lips; he’s reassuring whoever is on the other end that everything is okay. I return to watching the flames and the pyre burn brightly in the night.

A miracle happens: a smoke wisp shaped like an eagle takes flight straight up into the night sky from the flames. Gasps are heard around the fire. Apparently, that’s what we were hoping and waiting for. Jayce switches his phone call to video just before Aurora walks out of what’s left of the burning pyre. Neither a scratch on her nor a hair out of place. Sebastian quickly offers Aurora his fleece button-down, which she gladly accepts. Aurora smiles brightly at us and looks up into the night sky.

“Did you see? I freed Andre’s soul and sent him off to be with his ancestors.” She’s beaming proudly at her accomplishment. I only heard stories of events like this when I was a child. I honestly didn’t think things like this were possible. Then again, a Dragon-Lycan hybrid shouldn’t be possible either.

Jayce comes over, back to talking on the phone. I can tell by the changes in his tone that more than one person is on the line. I tilt my head to the side, looking at my brother. Jayce holds up one finger, then ends the call.

“The connection is stronger than we thought. Alaric called Alex directly when he felt Aurora’s distress. He was ready to fly here, which would have destroyed everything we’ve been working for.” Jayce’s eyes focus on Aurora and reach out to touch Alaric’s scale. He smiles sweetly at her before looking back at the rest of us. “I need to get everyone settled. If you need me, call please.” His eyes are glassy from unshed tears; he’s trying tobe strong for Aurora. I know he’s going to find a private place to cry. I turn to look at Sebastian, and the fucker is back on his phone again. What the actual fuck could be so important that he never puts that fucking thing down?

“Hey, Sebastian! Got a minute?” He slowly looks up from his phone and nods. He continues to type on his phone for several moments before he finally walks over.

“What’s up, Dom?” Sebastian says with that almost bored tone of his. If only Aurora didn’t have thatno hitting the other matesrule; I’d love to deck him with something hard. I have to admit, Sebastian has that swagger that makes him attractive. But his attitude? Shit, I can’t wait for the dragon to get here and knock him down a peg.

“Sebastian, I need your help organizing the clean up as well as the training for the Dires who just arrived. Right now, I believe it’s best for Aurora to take it easy and heal from her loss.” The Lycans are his people, and now we’re almost on equal footing with both of our species here together. Sebastian’s sky blue eyes change to the white-blue of his wolf before he smirks at me.

“Finally accepted your place in the family, I see. It’s about fucking time. I’ll organize my people, you handle yours. Training starts tomorrow. As for the mess, give me ten of your people, and I’ll get ten of mine to return the training grounds back to normal.” His look is one of challenge, and to be honest, I can’t fucking take it anymore. My Dire Wolf rips free of my body, pissed off to all hell. I feel different; my vision is different. Most of my vision shows shades of colors that outline the beings before me like a light is cast behind them. My night vision has evolved. I watch the blood pump through the bodies before me. I hear voices around me, and even Sebastian looks stunned.

“Dude, your eyes are mercury like Aurora’s! Fuck!” That explains it. I see the fear in Sebastian’s eyes as I stare at him.I stalk forward, growling at him. As I get ready to lunge, I feel Aurora’s hand on my back. I immediately abandon my original plan to attack Sebastian. Carefully, I turn to look up at Aurora, her liquid mercury eyes looking back at me. The look of wonder on her face is worth all the aggravation that Sebastian caused. I would give anything to remain in this moment forever.

“I see you have my vision, Dom. Use it wisely; it takes a bit to get used to.” Aurora leads me away from Sebastian and sits down on a nearby bench. I shift back to my human form and take a seat next to her. I turn my body so I’m facing her, gently taking her hands in mine. “Dom, my love, I know things are tense between you and Sebastian. I get it. It’s a constant measuring contest between you two. I know Sebastian can get on your nerves. Hell, he constantly gets on mine.” Aurora grips my hands tightly as she looks at me. I know deep down she’s in Hell, but right now, she’s more worried about me than herself. I look down to our joined hands, then back up to her. I can feel the moment my eyes go back to my human hazel; no more outlines and shining silhouettes.

“Thanks, Aurora. I’m not concerned about Sebastian at the moment; I’m more worried about you. Sebastian can go to fucking Hell for all I care. I want to make sure you’re okay emotionally, mentally, and physically. Death of a loved one is never easy to deal with.” Slowly, I lean forward and gently kiss her lips. Aurora lets out a pleased sigh and smiles at me. Then she cups my cheek and rests her forehead against mine. Through direct contact of the bond, I feel everything: her love for me, the pain she’s hiding, and the fear of losing one of us in the war.

Please be patient, Dom. All will work out in the end.Aurora’s voice is a breathy whisper in my mind. Her words embrace me and strengthen my resolve. We’ll be okay. I know we will. I lightly place my hands over hers and remain still, enjoying the connection.

“Kids, I hate to break up this love fest, but we need to plan to train and then to depart.” Like all parents, Nico has the absolute worst timing. Aurora rolls her eyes at her father before she pulls away from me. She stands abruptly and salutes Nico, then walks off in a modified march. I shrug my shoulders at Nico before I stand.

“I’ll go grab some pants and make sure everyone is settled in properly for tomorrow’s training push.” I also decide to salute Nico, which inflates the Dragon King’s ego even further. Thankfully, he doesn’t realize we’re being complete wise asses and that it wasn’t done out of respect but sarcasm.

CHAPTER 41

Aurora

The next morning,I wake up alone in Dom’s room. He and Jayce must have woken up early to get everyone started on their tasks. Silently, I return to my room and pull on a pair of leggings and a Bad Wolves T-shirt from my closet. My guitar amp is by the door, offering me solace from the pain I’m in. Yeah, I need to play something straight from the heart this morning. Pete is standing in the meeting hall, dusting my throne.

“Hey, Pete!” He jumps at the sudden noise. After realizing it’s me, he smiles and approaches me.

“Morning, My Queen. What can I do for you today?” Pete is ever so eager to please me. It helps that he’s an omega, and their drive to please their alpha is all-consuming at times.

“I need you to grab your bass and grab our drummer. I need to play this morning.” My eyes well up with tears that threaten to break. Pete looks panicked, then runs off to do my bidding. I walk around the main hall to open all the windows and set up my amp by my throne. I start to tune my guitar, preparing to play a song that embodies my feelings right now. Footsteps fill the hall, and I look up to see Pete and the usual crew ready to play together. To achieve the perfect acoustics, we turn our amps toface the halls. The guys look at me expectantly as I move to take my spot in the middle of the room.

“Cemetery Gatesfrom Pantera. Pete, be prepared to take over vocals if I falter during the song.” Pete gives me a nod before I start the opening riff of the song. I climb onto my throne and keep the tone going. When it comes to the lyrics, they flow from me, dripping with the pain I’m feeling. My voice is almost raw with emotion. I swallow hard as I go into the riffs between lyrics, pouring my heart and soul into nailing this song and making it perfect.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch the guys move around as they play along. My guys and several others file into the hall as I sing. My eyes close as I tilt my head to the ceiling, tears escaping out of the corner of my eyes rolling freely down my cheeks. I hear Dimitri enter and sniffle. My eyes open and I slide off my throne then begin to walk toward him. My eyes shift to that of my beast, and I feel scales ripple up my arms then recede. When I pronounce the wordgatesbefore the big solo, the word is growled out with the voice of my beast—its fierceness coming through strongly. At the end of the song, I practically howl out the wordgates. My guitar cries, holding the final tone until I finally release it. I feel a little better after playing that song. It happened to be one of Andre’s favorites.

Next, I decided to do another favorite of his. I choose to playBulls on Paradeby Rage Against the Machine. I have to say, it’s hard to play this song as well as the great Tom Morello does, but I give it my all. I end up jumping around the room and jamming out as Pete tries to scream the lyrics like they should be. The song changes the room’s feel from the gloom that my first song invoked to a bouncing, playful tone. It doesn’t last as long as I’d like it to. Unfortunately, now I have adulting to do—damn responsibilities.

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