Page 5 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

“Baby girl. I’m so sorry this is hurting you so badly.” He hesitates as he starts to reach out to me, then stops himself. “Why didn’t you say anything to him? Or to me?” He sighs softly. “I would have talked to him and let him know what you’re going through.” Andre was distraught; he’s the best friend I could ever ask for. He slowly approaches me, his movements careful and calculated, making sure not to set my wolf off. His lithe hand gently rests on my shoulder and rubs softly, trying to comfort me.

“Why would I take away his freedom and his choice?” Raising my eyebrows, I open my eyes wide. “I’m the one that must wait for my first heat to come into my full power.” My emotions are a mess as tears freely roll down my cheeks in frustration. “I’m the one who must wait until then to start choosing my mates and gaining power. No one needs to share my hell with me. No one needs to suffer as I do.” Wrapping my arms tightly around my stomach, I slowly turn my head to look into his eyes; he seems just as sad as I feel.

“Baby girl, we are here for you. I am here for you,” Andre says with so much conviction. “I’ll talk to the big guy. Why don’t you go hunting? You know that will make you feel better.” Andre motions back to the kitchen. “Elena sent us another care package, I’ll leave it for you to open later.”

As usual, Andre is right. Hunting will clear my head, and I can take my aggression out on my dinner. “Okay, I’ll be back bynightfall.” Slowly, I turn fully and kiss him on his forehead. “You have been a wonderful father, Andre.” I had to let him know how much I appreciate him. I smile weakly at him before moving off to get ready to hunt.

I start stripping off my clothes as I head out of my sliding glass door. As my feet hit the grass, the shift takes me quickly. My bones break and grow and shift alignment. My muscles stretch and gain in mass, my arms and legs elongate, and my knees break and bend backward. Thick, white fur covers my body as the final changes take place. Last to change are my fingernails that grow to look like long-hooked talons. Tiny, silver-white, scale-like growths surround them. It seems that with each shift I go through as I get older, more and more white scales appear. My muzzle is longer and broader than the average Lycan. The boney prominence on my muzzle is raised, unlike any wolf I have ever seen. My skull is broader and thicker, with long pointed ears. Almost all eight feet of Lycan stretches out before I start moving towards the woods. Unlike other wolves, I’m bipedal—like the werewolves of horror movies, but bigger and scarier. I’m a freak, and I know it. I kind of like being unique; it makes me feel special. I would almost say I was an albino, but I tan every summer, so that thought is out of the question.

I haven’t ever seen another Lycan like me. Then again, I’ve only ever seen one other. Our friend Elena is also Lycan, but her fur is black as night. She says that’s the natural color for our species coat. It makes me wonder if the Alpha, my mother’s first mate, was my father or if one of the other males is my sire. The shit you think about to distract you from heartache. Logically, the Alpha couldn’t be. I mean, his fur was black like my mother’s.

I take a running start and leap up into the air to sink my talons into the cliff-face and start climbing. The cliff’s face is avertical climb and so worth the strain to get to the top. I’ve been climbing this cliff for the last few years—to be honest, it’s gotten relatively easy. The area I want to hunt in is on the other side of this divide. Reaching the top, I haul myself over and creep on all fours to look down into the valley below. My liquid-mercury eyes lock onto a herd of deer in the distance, moving towards the lake. It’s a good-sized herd for this time of year. There’s a decent blend of old and young deer, which usually means the herd is healthy. Calculating the distance to the large oak tree, I take a running start and leap through the air flying towards my target.

Landing softly, my talons sink deeply into the tree’s bark. I scan the perimeter and plan the next several jumps needed to be within striking distance. One last jump and I’m at a fork in the trail where the deer should cross. The wind is blowing from behind them into my face; the wind is perfect for my attack. A roar sounds in the distance, scaring the herd and sending them running. Okay, now I’m genuinely pissed off. There went my mother fucking hunt. Something is going to die, so help me.

I remain in the tree, talons digging into the bark, as I wait to see what just ruined my fun. Then it hits me; Dimitri, or should I say his bear. The big guy is upset with its human counterpart. Personally, I can’t blame the furball. I’m not overjoyed with his human side at the moment either. Ever so slowly, the bear lumbers its way towards my hiding spot. His snout lifting slightly in the air as his nostrils flair, trying to catch my scent. By the looks of it, he has sensed me and starts looking around for me. Silly bear never looks up. When he’s close enough, I release my grip and fall to the ground about ten feet in front of his nose.

Landing in a crouched position, I look up at Dimitri’s bear, who is now standing on his hind legs. Quickly, I launch myself at him, my shoulder catching his bear right under his ribcage, knocking him off balance. My momentum causes him to fall backward, allowing me to pin him on his back. My canineslightly press into the bear’s throat, and I let off a soft, non-threatening growl. The bear releases its control of their body, and before I realize it, I have Dimitri’s smooth human throat in my massive maw. I could quickly kill him at this moment, crush his throat like a grape. His fingertips begin to run through my coarse fur. He’s calm, too calm; he trusts me, but right now, I don’t trust me. I’m hurt and angry. Quickly, I release my grip on him and scoot back to see what he does next.

“Aurora, please shift back so we can talk,” he says. I grumble and shake my head, my tail thrashing wildly against the ground. “Okay, but please listen to me. I didn’t know you felt what I was doing; you never hinted that anything was bothering you.” His eyes stare at the ground; his guilt and anxiety coming off him in waves.

I almost feel sorry for him. I growl a little bit more and grumble. Deep down, I’m still debating on hunting the whore down. It’s not like there are many towns close to here, it should be easy. My wolf is calling for her blood; she believes that Dimitri is hers alone, and no other should touch him. She’s too smug, too demanding. I’m mildly concerned she may try something at some point. I snap back to the present. I’m feeling Dimitri’s pain now; his heart almost feels like it’s breaking. Sensing his emotions, my damn wolf betrays me and forces me back to my human form. Of course, because it’s not planned, I fall flat on my ass.

“Son of a bitch!” I stand up and rub my ass. Real fucking graceful. “Listen, Dimitri...” I never call him by his full first name, and the visible wince is evidence enough that I’ve gotten his attention. “You’ve done as nature intends. Your instincts and drive can’t be silenced because you’ve been sentenced as my eternal babysitter. I’m sure being forced to be bound to a baby for life really wasn’t high on your list of shit to do.” I begin to pace, running my hands aggressively through my hair.

“I’m doing my best over here. My wolf still wants to hunt that female, she’s jealous and has a sick idea that you and your bear belong to us.” I scoff and scrunch my nose as I turn and swipe at a tree. Just before impact, my talons extend and cut through the tree like a hot knife through butter. I get ready to swipe at another tree, but a firm hand wraps around my wrist and stops me.

“I’m sorry I hurt you, my bear is furious at me. He forced the shift and dragged me out here, knowing that this is your favorite hunting ground.” He releases my wrist and starts wringing his hands together. “I’m not trapped as your babysitter. It was, and is, a great honor to protect you. Now, you quite honestly don’t need my protection. I’ve half been waiting for you to tell me to move on, that you’ve outgrown wanting me around.” His eyes are sincere, and yet there’s fear behind them. He’s afraid I’ll do away with him.

“I haven’t outgrown wanting you around, D. It’s my damn wolf, she’s got it in her thick skull that you and your bear are hers.” I look down and away after admitting that. “I don’t know what to think or do anymore. I should be ascending soon. I feel the change coming. My wolf is anxious and becoming more aggressive. We may need to sedate me, as Elena suggested.” I didn’t like that idea at all, but what was I to do? Risk hurting others? It wasn’t worth it. I didn’t give him a chance to speak his mind on the matter. Honestly, I didn’t want the answer. I start walking back the way I came. “Come on, D, up the cliff face we go. Time to head home.”

My shift comes quicker than usual, bones pop and realign to take on the form of my Lycan. She turns her head to look at Dimitri then motions for him to climb on. Dimitri isn’t all that heavy to me in this form. His thick arms wrap around my beast’s neck and his legs wrap around my waistline, holding on tightly. When I was absolutely sure he was secure, I leap up and sink mytalons into the rock and clay of the cliff face and start my climb. The bear is afraid of heights, so part of me revels in the fact that he’s worried. The climb that would typically be over swiftly, stretches out because I want to enjoy his suffering. When we reach the top, I give him a few moments to relax before I launch us off the top of the cliff. His screams fill my ears as we head towards a tree. I use my talons to grip the small tree and slide down, almost like a fireman’s pole. Bark and tree-flesh litter the ground when we land. Dimitri quickly slides off my back and starts walking.

I don’t bother shifting back to my human form, and he returns to his bear. It was going to be a very long night. My wolf is still tearing me apart mentally. She is going over the logistics of plotting out which possible towns Dimitri could have gone to. Every time he left, it was long after I had fallen asleep, which gives the woman an advantage at the moment. I know my wolf; she’ll figure it out. I just hope I’m aware enough to stop her.

CHAPTER 5

Aurora’s Wolf

I’m goingto find that bitch. I’m going to kill her and rip her head from her body and leave it on the bear’s bed. How dare she touch what’s mine? I silently stalk through the fifth town, scenting the air from my hidden position in the shadows. It’s been effortless to overpower Aurora lately. With her body changing, preparing for the ascension, her mind has been distracted because of the surges in hormones and the increased drive to hunt.

Five hundred feet ahead of me I scent the female, and yes, she’s turning tricks in an alleyway—not a shocker. This will be an easy kill. The only question is, how long do I want to make her suffer? Hmm… minutes, possibly hours, or maybe even a few days of suffering would possibly please me. I will ponder this further while I wait for my opening. Once her date walks away, I strike. I stick to the shadows, moving silently towards her. My monstrous form looming over her from behind as I prepare to strike. With deft precision, I reach around her with my talons and sever her vocal cords, careful not to hit an artery. I just silenced the lamb and it was totally worth it. I throw her over my shoulder and run off into the night. Her blood is turning my white fur vermillion, its warmth runningin rivulets down my back. The iron tang in the air is almost driving me to the point of frenzy. I must keep my wits about me. I must do this the smart way so that the inhabitants are none the wiser to my mission.

We make it to the woods about a thousand yards from the main house. I pause and close my eyes sensing where Dimitri and Andre are. Both are none the wiser to my escape and abduction. I drop the female on the ground, watching her sad attempts at begging for her life. Sliced vocal cords make it so much easier to ignore her pleas. She’s crying, and from the smell of it has pissed herself from fear. My night just keeps getting better and better. I wonder if my human counterpart will be proud of what I’ve accomplished for her. I mean, revenge is a great gift to give, right? I know what I’ll do, I’ll leave the head for Aurora. Hmm... leave it on her bed? Or maybe on her table? Either way, at least she’ll appreciate the trouble I’ve gone through.

My taloned hand shoots out and sinks into the human’s soft flesh. Blood slowly runs down, coating my talons as my grip slowly tightens on her. Holding her down, I strike quickly, wrapping my maw around her throat and slowly increase the pressure on her soft flesh. Warmth starts to flood my mouth, the coppery tang of her blood soothing my soul. Soft sniffles fill my ears. I’m not entirely heartless, so I twist my head violently, severing her head from her shoulders, ending her life quickly. I proceed to rip her body limb from limb before heading back home with her head in my hands. I can’t wait until tomorrow morning; Aurora will be so proud of me.

~Aurora~

It’s been several days since the fight with Dimitri. Several days where I keep losing chunks of the evening and most of the night. I woke up this morning covered in blood. And it’s definitely not animal blood; it has a different texture and scent. That means only one thing; it has to be human. My eyes widen as I take in what's before me, screaming as loud as I can, I look around my room. My once beautiful room now looks like an active crime scene. Two sets of feet come thundering down the hall and my door blasts open, almost coming off its hinges. Andre shoots past Dimitri, then stops short and turns pale.

"Aurora, what have you done?? This looks worse than most of the horror flicks you and I watch." Andre studies me, then looks at Dimitri.

He’s pale, really fucking pale. Then it dawns on me; my wolf must have made good on her promise. I feel horrible thinking about what my wolf may have done. "Aurora? Talk to me, baby girl. You and Dimitri are scaring me." Andre walks around my room looking at the chaos around us and positions himself by my open window. His fight or flight instinct is kicking in big time... damn bird.

I raise my hands, staring at the sticky, half-dried blood. "I’ve been losing hours the last few days... like I can’t remember most of yesterday. After dinner too, now it is blank. I don’t remember going to bed or anything." I start sniffing at my hand that’s coated with sticky, half-dried blood; then I move my blankets. A severed head rolls off the bed and stops right in front of Andre. Andre screams like one of the old-school scream-queens and it honestly has that blood-chilling quality to it.

Dimitri has gone so pale he looks like he’s going to throw up. I slowly slide out of bed and look around the room. Bloody paw prints cover the wood floor, from the doors leading to the balcony and straight to my bed. My wolf kept her promise to hunt the human. She’s all smug in the back of my head, sittingthere proud of herself. Dimitri is beside himself. His horrified eyes slowly drift to lock with mine.

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