In a way, I’m a bit jealous of that level of connection to the children. But I know in time I’ll have my own pup to have that special connection with. In a way, it’s great that the dragon babies were born first. They’ll help protect their younger siblings.

A knock sounds at the door and Dimitri moves to open it. The pit master is at the door. Nicodeamus walks over to him with the list of dignitaries that are allowed to witness the battle tonight. None of us know what Aurora is going to do, or honestly what she’s capable of since Oberon’s visit. Aurora’s power and her beast seem to be more focused and in tune with her. There are no more internal power struggles or wars going on that would lead to her lashing out over nothing. The guys and I are concernedabout what’s going to happen tonight, especially since she’s so deadly calm right now.

Aurora watches the exchange at the door and goes back to eating her almost raw venison. She isn’t being snobbish about her power or swinging it around like a big dick in the wind. I feel it’s like she’s playing a huge poker tournament. She’s holding her cards close to her chest, so no one knows what to expect from her.

Here it is, go time. Aurora has Klaus in what looks like a mobile DJ booth, up in one of the standard viewing booths. Aurora has apparently set a playlist for this battle. Dimitri said that Aurora always has a soundtrack for every part of her life. Every big event and challenge, she’s pinned a song to it, just to keep her focused.

Camile enters the pit first and goes through her shift, nothing theatrical like Aurora does. She’s rather large for a Red Dragon and a female to boot. Camile proves her power and dominance by blowing, and sustaining, a stream of fire for a long time before roaring.

I watch Klaus’s eyes bleed to mercury when Aurora reaches out to him. Klaus’s eyes meet mine and the other mates before he nods his head. The song Aurora chose to walk into the pit is “Feel Invincible” by Skillet. The first few powerful hits of the bass and guitar trigger the side doors to blow open.

Aurora enters in a cloud of frost-like mist. Aurora is wearing a two-piece bikini with a sheer robe that shimmers in the light like diamonds. The part comes when the singer hits “There’s a reason to fight,” she points up to us then sends a wave of frost to coat the pit. Aurora cracks her neck, still prowling around the pit, looking Camile over. Aurora’s eyes are that of her beast, and she’s searching for weaknesses. I see Alaric’s, Nicodeamus’s, and Dimitri’s eyes are all mercury. They apparently are teaching her about Red Dragons.

There’s the smirk I was waiting to see from Aurora. She nods her head slowly then wiggles her finger for Camile to attack. I’m borderline ready to have a heart attack. Aurora is just standing there when Camile opens her dragon’s maw and rains fire down upon her. It looks like a river of lava flowing over her, I can’t see her and I’m terrified.

Alaric and Dominik come over to hold me, telling me to have faith in our mate. Then it happens, a mass of frost starts to overpower the fire. Aurora is fully shifted, and her beast is mammoth; roaring blue frost flames—like Nicodeamus can do—right back at Camile. Camile’s dragon leaps back, not sure what to make of the hybrid beast before it.

Aurora looks like an interesting blending of her Dragon and Lycan bloodlines. Aurora stands bi-pedal like a Lycan—her feet are all Lycan. The shape of Aurora’s head is mostly Lycan with some dragon traits. Aurora’s taloned gauntlets look even more lethal than they did before. Aurora’s body shape is basically Lycan except for the addition of scale armor on her arms, legs, and muzzle. Aurora takes full advantage of Camile’s shock and charges at her by launching up into the air. The talons on her hands and the claws on her feet gain purchase on Camile’s scales.

Camile attempts to shake Aurora off of her, only causing more damage to herself in the process. Aurora makes several swipes, and Camile’s left wing falls to the ground before Aurora leaps off and lands on a column of stone. Her talons sink deeply into the sandstone as she watches Camile writhe and roar in pain.

Camile’s blood is spraying everywhere as she spins and thrashes. Aurora picking her moment, leaps off of the column to land on Camile again and starts to rip at her scales. Camile can almost reach Aurora when she slides off Camile’s side to slip under her. In a swift decisive move, Aurora goes anddisembowels Camile, using her talons to rip along the seam of her soft underbelly. Intestines slither their way out of Camile’s abdomen and onto the pit’s floor. Aurora is bathed in Camile’s blood as she stands back, watching Camile look at her mortal wound.

In an attempt to save herself, Camile shifts back to human and begins to plead with Aurora, begging to be saved. Aurora shifts back to human and slowly saunters over to Camile. A soft smile plays upon Aurora’s lips as she goes and embraces Camile. We are all really fucking puzzled by this show of sympathy from Aurora.

Ever so gently, Aurora kisses away Camile’s tears then moves and kisses her lips, almost passionately. I am definitely having a what the fuck moment up here. It’s hot as fuck that our mate is kissing another woman, but her? Just as Camile is getting lost in it, I hear the ignitor click.

Aurora swiftly becomes covered in frost and shoots her blue flames down Camile’s throat. Aurora’s flames burn through the back of Camile’s neck, leaving the girl’s severed head in Aurora’s hand. Aurora spins around in the pit, holding up the head high, and our people cheer and chant her name. Every day I’m in awe of my mate and what she can do. Today,awedoesn’t even come close to what I’m feeling right now.

Collectively we run down to the receiving room, where the fighters go after battle. Aurora is sitting on the back of one of the War Dragons in his shifted form. Thank the gods the room is big enough for him to be here. Aurora’s hand is running over his scales, glowing faintly. If I’m correct, she is siphoning power from him to recharge herself to full strength.

When we arrive, Aurora slides down to the ground and walks over to us gracefully. She gives me a wink then mouthsfatalityto me. Apparently, we’ve been playing a little too much MK in our spare time.

We all take turns hugging and kissing Aurora, checking her over just to make sure she’s in one piece. Out of the corner of my eye, I see one of the servants walking out with Camile’s head on a silver platter, off to be prepared for the collection. Aurora is perfectly calm and relaxed as she moves between all of us. Tiamat and Ladon both chirp for their mother’s attention, and Aurora gladly gives it to them. Aurora quickly moves to sit on the floor, allowing her to hug them both simultaneously.

Nicodeamus makes the motion to get me to follow him, so I do without question. “Yes, Dad?”

He smiles, looking at me, then back towards everyone else in the group. “Aurora’s actions shocked us all tonight; you are not alone in feeling that way. Her great-grandmother was the last dragoness able to breathe fire in her human form. I don’t know what King Oberon did, but whatever it was has made her more lethal.” Nicodeamus shrugs his shoulders and looks at me. “How are you handling it, Jayce? I know you’re more sensitive to her changes than the other mates.”

I ponder his question for several moments before formulating a response. “It’s scary how she goes from chaos to peace. The flaming death kiss was definitely over the top for ways to kill enemies. I love her and will do anything for her. But I’ll be honest, that scared me.” I motion with my hands back towards the pit and then look lovingly back at my mate before turning to Nicodeamus. “I know she’s better equipped to face what’s coming, but that doesn’t make me any less afraid for her. We have babies now. They need all of us.” I sigh as I realize that I’ve gotten to the heart of what’s really bothering me about all the changes.

Nicodeamus gives me a knowing smile and then kisses my temple. “See, you figured out the problem all by yourself. I’m proud of you, Jayce. Now you just need to talk to your mateand bond mates about your concerns. I’m sure everyone will be happy to listen to you.” Nicodeamus just smiles and walks away.

CHAPTER 75

Jayce

March-

We gather up Aurora and the babies. Returning to our suite, Klaus and I set up the bath for her with her favorite scents. The babies have shifted and are toddling along in their human forms, gods those two are adorable. Klaus and I wistfully look at the babies, imagining our own when the time comes. Aurora catches Klaus and me sitting on the floor with the babies playing with them, and she just kisses the tops of our heads before cannon balling into her bathtub.

Ladon and Tiamat shift and run towards the water. They both slide in without fear to swim with their mother. The rest of the guys eventually join us, watching Aurora bathe both babies in the tub. I don’t know what’s keeping my attention more, Aurora’s boobs bobbing in the water or the babies getting their scales scrubbed with a loofa.

Aurora passes each clean baby off to Alaric to dry; he gets each baby to shift back to their human form and dresses them for bed. Klaus and I are the only two left in the room with Aurora. I guess the guys are giving us some alone time with our mate. I look over at Klaus and motion towards Aurora; he catches my drift and strips and then slips into the water. I turnon the bubbler, then turn on the heater to keep the water hot. Aurora watches me closely; her curiosity is getting the better of her, to the point she’s not really paying attention to Klaus.

Klaus slides up behind Aurora and lightly bites her shoulder over his old bite mark. “It’s a whole different experience with me completely awake, Angel.” Klaus lightly growls near Aurora’s ear as I watch his hands grip her breasts to tease her erect nipples. I can tell by his stance he’s lining himself up with her entrance, and suddenly he thrusts home. I hop myself up on the edge of the tub, watching Klaus take Aurora from behind.

Slowly, I begin to stroke my cock, watching and listening to them fuck in the tub in front of me. I have positioned myself above a bubbler, and Klaus notices it. Slowly, he maneuvers Aurora so that her breasts are tickled by the bubbles. “Angel, poor Jayce looks like he could use a hand. Why don’t you suck his cock so he doesn’t feel left out?” I raise an eyebrow looking over at Klaus. Mentally, I am giving him a high five right now.