Page 92 of The Aurora Marelup Complete Saga Omnibus

I blend myself into the crowd and grab two red wine glasses before heading over to Jayce. “What’s a sexy wolf like you doing here all alone? I could just eat you up.” I playfully snap my teeth at him, and he finally smiles. He really enjoys it when we role-play sometimes.

“Well, I was waiting for my beautiful and lethal mate to want to dance with me. But the others, well, they always get there first.” Jayce lowers his eyes, and I want to cry. I rush over and hug him tightly.

“I am so sorry, my love. I love you so very much. I hold none above the other. I’m sorry you’re feeling this way.” I kiss his lips ever so softly. I hate feeling as if I’ve wounded my gentle mate. I hate to have favorites, but for my emotional needs, when I feel I need a gentle touch, it’s Jayce. It’s always Jayce that guards my heart. He reminds me that I am more than just my animal; he reminds me that my life doesn’t just have to be about killing.

“Shhh, my love, I’m a lot tougher than most give me credit for. I know Dom talked to you; we were both hurt when we realized the baby wasn’t ours. We’re twins, so it really didn’t matter to either of us who fathered the child. Genetically there’s only one or two genomes difference between us. More thanlikely, when one of us does father a child with you, it will end up in twins again.” Jayce smiles, looking at me, happy with the possibility of multiple sets of twins.

Wow, that just knocked my world off-axis; another two sets of twins are possible. Fuck me sideways! Well, I did always want a large family, so I guess this is one way to do it. I smile softly at Jayce, rest my head on his chest, and then press my nose under his chin. In one sense, it can be viewed as a sign of submission. To my family, it’s more a sign of trust. I am blessed that my beast is trusted this close to his tender throat.

Lightly, I run my tongue up the artery in Jayce’s throat, my beast rumbles in my chest. I nip his jaw then kiss him. “You will be in my bed alone tonight. You need me just as much as I need you.” Jayce’s eyes light up, and his smile shines brighter than the brightest star.

“Sounds like a wonderful plan, sweetheart. Shall we soak in the bath together before bed? I’ll give you a massage?” Jayce truly knows how to spoil a girl. Fuck, how did I get so fucking lucky? I’m lost in the adonis known as Jayce until I hear Klaus trying to whisper yell at a female to leave him alone.

Jayce knows the minute my beast awakens. It’s already cold out, but I am making it damn near arctic conditions. I slowly strip off the beautiful red sweater I’m wearing and hand it to Jayce as we approach where Klaus is. The other guys are there, along with an older man trying to reason with Klaus about accepting his daughter. My mates sense my bloodthirsty mood; others feel the temperature drop before they notice me. My eyes have shifted to my beast’s, mercury dragonic orbs lock on the female that’s attempting to touch my mate.

Klaus is doing his best to keep her at arm’s length, but that bitch is slipperier than an eel. Swiftly, I close in; my movements are nothing but a blur to onlookers. I grab the female by her shoulders and throw her a good twenty feet away from Klaus.Quickly, I shift my stance and then my arms to my dragon-scaled gauntlets. I click my talons in agitation, staring the stupid female down.

She shifts and charges, her movements seem off as if she’s not moving of her own volition. No matter, I don’t budge one inch. Instead, I remain relaxed; the minute she’s close enough, I raise my hand and hit the dead center of her chest. She’s sent flying backward with her chest partially frozen solid. I just sent icicles through her heart with a single hit. Another female’s life wasted; another unnecessary kill on my hands.

I run and jump up on stage and use my Alpha powers to draw everyone’s attention to me. Through the pack bond, I decide to speak to everyone at once.My people. One thing I am not lenient with is someone attempting to poach a bonded mate. I have a feeling she was under the witch Elena’s power. I will be hunting that bitch very soon. For now, do not eat or drink anything unless someone you completely trust gives it to you. She has blood magic and the power to create false bonds and loyalties. I will protect us all the best I can, but you need to help me by protecting yourself the best you can. I’m only one being; I can only do so much. If anything concerns you, please speak to me, or one of my mates, or my father.I watch the pack’s response, and one by one they lower their heads slightly to me then go back to the party.

I hop down off the stage and look at my guys. “It’s begun. I will hunt Elena soon. Up the training on our fighters, pair each Dire with a Lycan. Give each team a dragon to lead them. If we can find the bears, we’ll see if they have the numbers to help.” My eyes move to Dimitri and I smile. “I’ve located your clan; we leave in the morning to go see them. Alaric, Dimitri and I will be riding Dante to get to the bears. I need you and my other mates to keep the camp running as usual and keep the babies safe.Dante will be flanked by Edgar and Marco; I’ll have two War Dragons and a Black Dragon with us.”

Alaric contemplates the information I’ve just given him and strokes his beard. Having heard their names, the dragons in question arrive and bow to us before awaiting Alaric’s judgment. “I’d prefer you riding Marco and let Dante and Edgar flank him. Size-wise the War Dragons are more maneuverable than Marco’s giant Black Dragon.”

Alaric crosses his thick arms over his chest then turns to look at the dragon men. “You will be traveling with my heart; protect it with your lives. You will also have my bond mate, protect him like you would your own brother.” The three dragon guards nod, bring their fists to their chests, and bow. Oddly, the three dragons and Alaric slice their palms and shake hands. They just gave their oath in blood. Okay then, I feel a fuck ton safer now.

The party rages on well into the night, everyone getting to know each other and bonding wonderfully. Dimitri, Jayce, and I slip off by ourselves sometime around one in the morning. Dimitri and I need sleep, and Jayce needs quality time with me. Jayce was kind enough to share his time with me with Dimitri too. We snuggle and fuck until we are tired, morning is going to get here quickly, and we have a mission to complete.

CHAPTER 78

Dimitri

March-

Morning has come, and Aurora is asleep with her head on my chest. Jayce is curled up behind Aurora so tightly. I honestly hate disturbing both of them, but I’m kind of anxious about seeing my clan’s descendants. Gently, I kiss Aurora’s lips, and I can feel the rumble from her beast. I still get concerned when I hear it; that thing makes me feel small. Slowly, her eyes open, then she rolls to kiss Jayce awake. He immediately pouts because he knows it’s time for us to leave. Sleepily, he extracts himself from the bed and heads out of the room. “Are you ready, Aurora?” I ask her softly, my thick accent rolling off my tongue like silk.

Aurora smiles up at me, then lunges and kisses the tip of my nose. “Yup! Let’s go!” Aurora climbs over me to get to the other side of the bed. Apparently, walking around the bed was too much trouble for her.

Aurora disappears into the walk-in closet and comes out fifteen minutes later wearing an all-leather outfit. There’s thicker leather on the inside of her thighs and the crotch, like those fancy equestrian pants. Her jacket is perfectly tailored and makes her tits look phenomenal. I watch Aurora struggle withbraiding her hair, so I go over to where she is and knock her hands away.

Aurora smiles up to me sweetly and offers me her brush. Fuck, I think I just got played. She runs over and sits in a chair, waiting for me to come over and braid her hair for her. I do two french braids in her hair, parting it right down the middle. “Let’s go; the dragons are probably waiting for us to arrive at this point.”

Aurora points over by the door. “My go-bag has been packed and ready since yesterday; I even packed yours, D. You’re welcome.” She sings the last part, like the Hawaiian demigod in that kid’s movie she loves so much.

I can’t help but start to sing the song in my head. Andre and Aurora drove me absolutely nuts with that fucking movie.Andre. I honestly haven’t thought about my best friend in a very long time. I’ve been so focused on revenge and Aurora that I haven’t had time to wallow in my grief over his loss. I follow Aurora out where the second biggest dragon I’ve ever seen is lying in the field. This dragon isn’t as big as Nexus was, but fuck, he’s damn close to it.

Aurora strides up like it’s nothing and rubs his nose gently. Alaric is at her side, giving directions as Dante and Edgar make lazy circles in the air waiting for us. I approach the dragon and look at all the spines along his back. There’s one spot before his wings that I’ll fit in. “Alaric? Where’s Aurora sitting?” I look over the length of the dragon, then back to Alaric.

“She’ll be riding up on his head behind his horns, so she can direct him easily. Don’t worry, big guy, she’ll be safe up there.” Alaric smiles, not a single worry in his mind. Me, I’m ready to freak the fuck out thinking about all the danger she’ll be in without me.

I turn to watch Aurora’s eyes take on that haunting look as she stares up at Marco. His amber eyes glow faintly as he staresback down at her. Fuck, is she talking to him? What the fuck can’t she do these days besides fly? Marco lowers his massive head to the ground and moves his wing forward. Aurora steps onto his wingtip and gets lifted up to the crown of horns on his head.

I watch her find a comfortable position and sit down like she’s done this a hundred times before. Hesitantly, I move over to his side and look up to where Alaric suggested I sit. “Baby girl? How am I supposed to get my fat ass up there?” I look back to where I’m supposed to sit, then back to Aurora. The next thing I know, I get slapped on the back of my head by Alaric. “What the fuck did you do that for?” I practically growl out at Alaric.

“Brother, Aurora said to do it because she doesn’t like you calling yourself fat. She thinks you’re perfect just the way you are.” Alaric shrugs his shoulders then looks back to Aurora.

“Climb on Marco’s wing when he extends it, then walk along the bone to his back. Try not to step on the leather of his wing; that will hurt him,” Alaric says, then pats me on the back before backing up.

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