One eye pops open first then the other. She blinks them rapidly and yawns. Her voice is scratchy from lack of use. “Did we win?” Of course, Aurora worries about victory at a moment like this.
“Yes, love we won. You were shot by a poisoned arrow. If it wasn’t for Mom taking pints of blood from me and your dad, I don’t think you would have lived.” Sebastian’s voice cracks mentioning her near death experience. His eyes well up with tears and he lets them run down his face.
Dom and I share the same side of the bed as we watch Aurora carefully. Her eyes locked with each of us in turn until she gets to me. “Thank you, Jayce, for keeping me clean and telling me about the day. Thank you for keeping me warm at night. Thank you for remembering to treat me like I was awake and here.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she smiled at me. She truly appreciated all that I had done for her.
“Anytime my love, anything for you... anything you want it’s yours.” I meant every word. I lifted her hand and kissed the back of it looking into her eyes as I did it.
“Jayce, When I’m stronger I want you in my bed, just the two of us. We need to finish our bond. I love you so very much.” She made the motion with her lips like she wanted a kiss. Who was I to deny her? I leaned forward and let her control the kiss. It started sweet and tender until she bit my lip again and licked the wound. I couldn’t help but smile. I was the happiest wolf on the planet at this point.
I reluctantly moved out of the way of the others and let everyone in to show our girl some love. I feel so relieved and scared at the same time. Scared because as soon as she heals it’s going down! Or should I say I’m going down. Crap greatest and worst day ever. Performance anxiety absolutely. My eyes catch the movement of Sebastian leaving the room quickly. I wonder what the cheeky bastard is up to.
Sebastian returns carrying something with a towel over the top of it. Nico is right beside him with his hand on the edge of the towel. “My love. I present to you the head and heart of the man that attempted to kill you.” Sebastian dropped to one knee next to the bed and held the covered platter out to Aurora. Nico removed the towel with a practiced flourish. The smile that crept across Aurora’s face was worth witnessing this disturbing scene. Who in their right fucking mind gives a head and heart as a present?
It fucking must be a lycan and dragon thing because Aurora is elated, Nico is proud, and Sebastian is smiling. Meanwhile Dom and I are looking at each other like what the fuck just happened. We’re confused as all hell by this display, but it made Aurora happy so it’s worth it.
“Elena? Mom?” Aurora calling Elena mom brought tears to the old lady’s eyes. She moved forward and sat on the opposite side of the bed as her son.
“Yes sweetheart?” Aurora rested her hand on Elena’s. “Can you please prepare the skull to hang with the others? It deserves a place of honor in our home.” Elena nodded and motioned for a lycan male to enter the room and take the tray from Sebastian.
“Aurora, I took the liberty of taking your skull pile and set them to be cleaned as well.” Elena stated plainly. Well fuck.. The look all three of us gave Elena and Aurora was definitely of shock. Had Sebastian’s mom finally completely lost her shit? How is it that this skull hoarding is now a thing?
Nico cleared his throat, “It’s a dragon thing to horde the skulls of you enemies. The more skulls the stronger the dragon. I didn’t think my baby would have that instinct.” He sniffled and wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. “I’m so fucking proud right now I can’t handle it. Please excuse me.”
Aurora waved everyone off and her father came to sit before her, and she held him tightly as they both cried together. Perhaps her odd behavior isn’t so odd after all. She’s merely following the instinct of her dragon side. That explains a lot. Well maybe not, but it makes a little more sense. “Daddy will you show me how to make a menacing display of my trophies?” Seriously?? I must be in the twilight zone. Nico nodded and smiled before getting up and leaving the room.
“Guys I’m really hungry can I have steak and pasta and something cold to drink?” Everyone was scrambling while I just moved and sat beside Aurora again. I wasn’t letting that girl out of my sight until this bond was dead solid. I pulled Aurora into my lap and nuzzled her neck. Fucking instincts, of all the times for them to kick in now isn’t it. Aurora just giggled and snuggled in close holding on for dear life. “You’re a good fighter Jayce. You held off a lot of Strigoi after your brother had fallen. I’m very proud of you.” She kissed my cheek gently and rested her head on my shoulder.
Everything is good in the world other than my mate collecting skulls. It’s something I’m going to have to adapt to and overcome. Gently I run my fingers through her hair and carefully massage her scalp. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she relaxed into the massage.
With a giggle and a flop, she ended up with her head in my lap looking up at me. Those stormy grey eyes shine with love and happiness. Deftly I seek out the knots in her hair and remove them with my fingers. Gently I start massaging her temples and forehead. The sounds she is making, lord save me, went straight to my cock.
I was praying she wouldn’t notice my erection but let’s face it. She was right there inches from it. Her eyebrow raised and she looked right at it. “Someone’s happy to see me.”
That devilish smile had Dom stopping in his tracks in the doorway and raise his eyebrow at me. I waved at him to enter which may or may not have been my brightest idea. I would sit here suffering with the boner from hell until I knew she was fed and strong enough. Fucking bastard has a mind of his own at times. After helping Aurora to sit up Dom and I set up the table for her and watched her eat. I never in a million years thought I would take pleasure in watching someone else eat. But here I was watching our mate eat like it was the most wonderful sight.
Dom elbowed me and I followed him out the door. “Sebastian and I are going to patrol the grounds tonight. Dimitri is going to remain as his bear on the porch and Andre on the roof. You’ll have the house to yourself.” Dom gripped my shoulders tight then pulled me in for the hug to end all hugs. “She knows you love her, it's time to show her how much. Let her in Jayce, let her love you back. And don’t give me that I’m an Omega bullshit. You’re a great warrior when you have to be. You’re a far better man than I am, you can understand emotions. That’s a gift I wish I had.” Dom smiled at me and in his way, I received a pep talk. Now if someone had a roadmap to a woman’s G-Spot that would be awesome. One last snicker from Dom before he started to turn and walk off. “Don’t worry about what to do. Aurora is a dominant, she’ll submit when she wants to but most times it’s hold on for the ride of your life.” Dom gave me his usual wise ass two finger salute before heading off down the hallway.
What the actual fuck have I gotten myself into? I ran down the hall to my room and took a quick shower and trimmed my mustache and beard. Once I was pleased with my appearance, I picked out a nice silk shirt and my favorite slacks. My suit jacket was perfectly tailored to me. I stood before the mirror and did a last-minute check, I fucking love the way this suit looks on me. Reaching into the top drawer of my dresser I retrieved the necklace I had bought Aurora while I was in town. Carefully I pulled it out of its satchel and stare at it. The necklace is an exact copy of the paw print Dom and I have tattooed on our wrists. One can only hope she appreciates it. Gently it gets placed in my right coat pocket before I head back to see my mate.
Lightly I knock on her door and wait. Man, I’ve never been this nervous in my entire life. The clicking of the knob turning drew me out of my inner monologue quite quickly. Aurora stood there hair in a messy bun with a night shirt that aptly says Fuck off. I smiled and leaned in to kiss her gently, but the Princess had other plans. Aurora grabbed onto my lapels and dragged me into the room and locked the door behind her.
Mercury orbs gazed back at me and in this moment, I know what a rabbit feels like when we hunt them. Slowly her gaze moved over my body inch by inch, I swear to the Gods that I can feel her eyes caress
me. A gentle smile graced her lips as she moves in closer. Ever so lightly her fingertips glide over the soft material of my suit jacket. Her hands stop at my waistline before she stepped back and made the turn around motion with her finger.
I was quick to comply with her silent command. I’d do anything for my mate, absolutely anything.
Her smile lights up the room and puts my soul at ease. “You look very handsome Jayce. A well-cut suit on a man is like a tiny lace thong on a woman. Very much appreciated.” Her eyes bounced back and forth between human and wolf apparently, I have the attention of both. “Allow me.” She says softly as she reaches forward and slowly unbuttons my suit jacket. I gently toe off my dress shoes because fuck I wasn’t going to be fumbling with them later.
Slowly she exhales and reaches up placing her hands on my shoulders and slides the jacket off. I don’t know who was getting more turned on me because I was being stripped or her. It's quite evident she’s getting worked up, the scent of her arousal is filling the room. Her hands gently hold my jacket as she moves to lay it over the arm of the chair. When she returned her eyes remained locked with mine as she undid my tie. Fuck this is the single hottest thing I have ever witnessed or been apart of. I’m literally terrified to speak I don’t want to break the spell. My tie was laid on top of the jacket before she returned and worked on the buttons of my silk shirt. She stood on tippy toes and lightly pressed her lips against mine and whispered. “Do not move a muscle.” I can feel my cock hard and pulsing straining against my boxer briefs. First time in history I’m afraid of blowing my load too early. Each touch of her fingers feather light. After what seems like eternity, she has my shirt open and she’s touching my skin.
Aurora keeps her eyes locked with mine as her fingers roam over my chest and abs. Holy fuck she’s tracing every single cut and ripple of muscle I have. Silently I thank my brother for forcing me to work out with him. Every pain filled workout is now made worth it seeing the appreciation in her eyes. Aurora moves behind me and grips the collar of my shirt and pulls it off. Again, I feel her feather light touches moving over every bump and ridge of muscle I own. My eyes close of their own volition. I can’t help the shuddering breath that escapes my lips when she kisses my left pec right over my heart. “Can I call this mine?” She speaks so softly; her breath tickles my skin.
I open my eyes to see this dominant female looking so unsure of herself. I can’t have that. I reach down and take her hand in mine and place it over my heart. “It’s always been waiting for you my love. It was yours long before I knew your name. I just hope to be wolf enough to deserve yours in return.” Tears threaten to break loose from my eyes as I finally speak my heart to her.
Aurora begins to cry, and I bend down to kiss away her tears. I linger on the last one then press my forehead against hers. “You’ve always been wolf enough for me Jayce. I love you for you. You are the kindest most thoughtful mate a female could ask for. I am grateful I was blessed with you.”
Her hands came to grip my belt and it came off super-fast. That confidence she was lacking just a moment ago was now back in full force. I couldn’t help but laugh at her antics as my pants hit the floor.
She stepped back and cocked her head to the side and smiled.“I’ve found a huge difference between you and Dom. Yours is definitely bigger.” She bit her bottom lip as she grabbed a hold of my boxer briefs. One finger shifted and her talon sliced through the cotton like a hot knife through butter. Mercury orbs locked on the sight of my rigid leaking cock.
Just for good measure I gave my cock a slow measured stroke. Her eyes followed my hand as it glided up and down my length. Now I’ve got her. I reached forward and used my claws to slice the night shirt free from her. She looked a little shocked, but it was totally worth it. There it was, the fabled black lace thong she favored. I dropped to my knees before her and gripped the lace with my teeth. My hands rested on her thighs as I slowly began to pull the thong down.
To be continued……..
Moldavia, Romania
Tomas paces back and forth within the castle walls. The calls and emails he’s been receiving are quite disturbing and concern him greatly. Apparently, he didn’t succeed in killing off the Marelup line. To make matters worse it’s a female child that was born. I summoned Bane Krauss the Alpha of the ice dragons and Ellis the beta of the polar bear clan. In theory if that Marelup bitch is following tradition these were the last two clan’s she’d need a mate from.
Lucian from the Dire Wolf clan had called me a week ago about the missive he had received from the shamans sister. The fucking bitches hid the last heir to the fucking throne from me. I threw my chalice of blood to smash against the wall. White marble was painted red as I watched the life essence run down the wall. I shake my head, fucking temper, that was a good tasting AB positive. My eyes scan though the last several messages from Johan the Beta, he was frightened by the Marelup bitch. Somehow, she was able to kill a Wendigo whatever the fuck that is. Damn new world abominations. His last text he said he and his father were going to kill her if she survived the battles she had left. The arrogance of Vlad was the downfall of his people and now his child will be tortured.
Honestly, I can’t wait to sink my fangs into her neck and drain her dry over a series of days. Her stupid father secured his breeding right by neutering the other mates. Heh, I had to laugh to myself. A pure bred lycan female was weak and frail, so this should be easy. Perhaps the other shifters in the new world are weaker as well. I walk out onto the balcony of what use to be the north tower. Slowly I look over what remains of the castle. Most of it is in ruins from the attack over two hundred years ago. Some sections like this one I’ve made my slaves repair. What’s left of the lycan forces as well as the dire forces that enslaved my people are now my slaves. I felt it and I see his white dragon making slow lazy loops in the air before he landed in the courtyard. I’m still waiting on Ellis to arrive, fucking bears are slow as molasses in winter. Returning to my desk I roll out the map of the area extending up into Bane’s territory and over into the polar bears. There is only one path for the bitch to take and that’s to cross the land bridge. I sit there calculating the distance from the Lycan compound in North America to the land bridge. Unless she flies it will take the better half of a week to two weeks depending on the weather.
Mid thought is when Bane decides to enter my office, the fucker doesn’t even knock. Maybe I should put dragons back on the menu because of his insolence. “Glad you can make it.” I mutter under my breath, it took you long enough. I force a smile, though I know my grin is of that of nightmares. Unlike Vlad the Impaler we Strigoi don’t have retractable fangs. Instead it’s rows of needle like teeth that leave hundreds of puncture wounds. The better to bleed you with.
“Why am I here leach?” Dragons are always so fucking dramatic. He seems put out by being summoned. His boots clop on the floor as he moves towards my desk. Every little thing about him irritates the fucking hell out of me.
I make a graceful sweep across the map. Each of the three territories are marked clearly including now the dire wolves and the lycan compound. “What the fuck man I thought the last of the wolves were here under your control?” He moves quickly away from the table to the balcony. He glares at me and I can see that fabled dragon temper flaring. Blackened slits bleed through the green of his eyes making his dragons presence evident.
“It gets worse. Apparently, Anca’s daughter survived that night. She’s now collecting mates. There’s no answer from Lucian or Johan so I’m figuring they were killed off or failed and are hiding. Either way it doesn’t bode well for anyone involved.” I lean over the map watching the dragon Alpha process the information given to him. He pulls his phone out and starts typing out a message.
“I just alerted my son to be watching for any communication from the Lycan’s about a visit. He said nothing yet. So perhaps the problem sorted itself out and no one survived the battle in the dire compound.” He shrugged his shoulder like this was one bi
g fucking joke.
“So that’s your answer to this problem? Just wait for the message she’s on the way?” I was getting more and more irritated with the giant fucking lizard. I swear to the nine hells that he was so fucking stupid even a rock would know better than him.
“Yes, that’s my fucking answer, are you daft? Think of it this way if she follows protocol, she’ll reach out to me to meet my sons. Then we know exactly when she’s on her way. No wasted resources. We can set the trap when we can estimate her travel time to the land bridge.” He took my ruler and started measuring mileage. “Depending on how fast she drives and what route she takes she should get to the ice shelf in 8 days. Once she hits the ice shelf it’s on foot from there. Besides how hard is it going to be to spot a pack of black wolves on snow?”
He had a point, I hated admitting he was right. I was stressing over nothing. “Ok, so now we wait for her to reach out. Ellis the Beta from the Polar Bear clan should be here in a few moments. They’ll lead the initial attack on the ice bridge. Your people will be the last line of defense.” I drew a line from Wales, Alaska to Diomede Island over to Naukan, Siberia. I then drew a diagonal line from Uelen, Siberia to Naukan, Siberia and put my pewter Dragon on the line I drew. Bane watched as I made my lines and just nodded along.
Ellis chose this time to knock on the door frame. I waved my hand at him to enter not wanting to lose my concentration. “Just in time Ellis. I need you and your bears on Diomede Island when I call you. You’ll be waiting to ambush a pack of black wolves and Lycan’s trying to cross the land bridge. There will be a single female with them. Bring her to me alive, everyone else you can do with as you please.”
Ellis just nodded slowly before adjusting his hat. “So basically, the bears are doing all the heavy lifting while you two sit up in your ivory tower?” He crossed his muscular arms over his chest as his eyes locked with mine. Gotta hand it to the bear he’s got more balls than brains. He kind of looks like the bald-headed guy from that police show. Chiseled features chocolate skin and well-defined muscles. I always found it odd how a white bear had black skin but hey how can I judge when I’m a walking nightmare creature.
Hide Little Wolf: The Aurora Marelup Series Page 17
