106. Klaus

CHAPTER 106

Klaus

As I gradually awaken from the depths of sleep, I am enveloped in a comforting warmth, surrounded by the familiar scent of sweat and desire lingering in the air. Aurora's head rests gently on my chest, her soft breaths a soothing rhythm against my skin. The tangle of limbs serves as a testament to the passion we shared throughout the night, seeking solace and reassurance in each other's embrace.

With tender affection, I press a gentle kiss to Aurora's forehead, savoring the intimacy of the moment. Turning to Jayce, I find him blinking away the remnants of sleep, his eyes gradually focusing on me with a sleepy warmth. There is a deep love that binds us together, a sense of belonging that transcends mere words.

I offer him a reassuring smile, a silent acknowledgment of the bond we share. As he nods in understanding, I watch him extricate himself from our tangled nest, his movements graceful and deliberate.

The tent is filled with a sense of tranquility, punctuated by the soft rustle of fabric and the occasional murmur of voices. Dimitri stirs next, moving quietly in the dimly lit space. With a tender gesture, he leans in to kiss Aurora's lips, a gentle caress that rouses her from her slumber.

In a moment of confusion, Aurora reacts with instinctive protectiveness, her canines bared in a display of primal aggression. But as the haze of sleep clears, she recognizes the familiar faces surrounding her, her features softening into a smile of recognition.

With a playful nip at Dimitri's lower lip, she returns his affection. "Evil female," Dimitri mutters before he to gets up and leaves.

Aurora looks at Dom and Alaric next and starts laughing. Alaric is spooning Dominik, and Dominik has Alaric's hand held tightly to his chest. Hmm, I carefully reach over and snap several pictures. Quickly, I send the copies to Jayce and to Dimitri. Aurora carefully leans over and nips Alaric's lip. He tightens his grip on Dom and starts grinding his cock against his ass. Suddenly, Dom's eyes fly open, and he starts struggling to get away from Alaric.

Alaric mumbles for Aurora to stay still, unaware of anything wrong, and he tightens his grip again. "Babe, it's not me you're holding." Aurora sings, laughing the entire time.

"What the fuck!" Alaric says when he realizes he's holding Dom, he rolls away then stands up, adjusting himself.

"Almost time to roll out, love. You need to give the dragons their tasks. Dom, you and Klaus organize the wolves as we discussed." As Aurora moves to the suitcase, a sense of anticipation fills the air, mingling with the faint scent of aged leather and the subtle rustle of fabric. With each movement, the soft swish of clothing against the suitcase echoes in the room, adding to the tension that hangs palpably in the air.

As Aurora retrieves the outfit chosen by her father, the rich aroma of well-oiled leather fills the room, intermingling with the faint scent of lavender that clings to her skin. The fabric of the pants is smooth beneath her touch, molding to her form like a second skin, while the supple leather of the bodice whispers softly as she fastens it around her waist.

As she dons the outfit, the room seems to come alive with a sense of adventure and excitement. The soft clink of metal against metal fills the air as Aurora pulls out her sword and scabbard, the sound of the belt tightening around her waist reverberating with a sense of purpose and determination.

Caught in a moment of shared understanding, Aurora meets my gaze with a playful wink, her eyes sparkling with mischief and anticipation. In that brief exchange, I can sense the weight of our shared history and the unspoken bond that binds us together.

With each adjustment and movement, Aurora transforms before my eyes, her appearance reminiscent of a character from a dystopian steampunk tale. Yet, beneath the facade of bravado and adventure, there is a vulnerability that lingers in the air, a reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. One thing I notice is she's not wearing the shoes this time.

"Angel, did you forget to put on your boots?" I hold up her favorite knee-high boots and wave them in the air at her.

Aurora rolls her eyes, then comes over and kisses me on my lips. "No, silly, I can't swim with those heavy things on."

I nod slowly, then bend down to kiss her lips again, savoring the moment. "Stay safe, angel. I love you." My chest hurts thinking about her entering the bowels of the castle alone.

"I love you too. You better stay safe too." Aurora boops me on the nose then leaves the tent quickly.

As I prepare for the upcoming assault, the weight of my sword strapped to my side serves as a constant reminder of the impending danger. The metallic clang of the weapon against my belt resonates through the air, accompanied by the rustle of fabric as I adjust my attire.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the camp, my pack mates and I exchange greetings and strategize for the impending attack. The tension in the air is palpable, each of us acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

My gaze flickers skyward, instinctively seeking guidance from the position of the sun. Its warm rays cast dappled shadows across the forest floor, a stark contrast to the impending darkness of our mission.

As the signal sounds, my pack springs into action, dividing into four groups and dispersing to their assigned positions. With a sense of purpose, we move swiftly, our footsteps muffled by the forest undergrowth.

Arriving at our designated rendezvous point, I scan the area, searching for our leader. High above, Aurora perches in the branches of a tree, her silhouette outlined against the azure sky. From her elevated vantage point, she surveys the landscape with a keen eye, orchestrating the operation with precision.

Under her command, our teams spring into action, methodically disarming the traps that litter the perimeter of the castle. Jayce and I look at each other, pondering why we are here if Aurora is issuing the orders.

As the group of approaching Lycans draws near, a surge of adrenaline courses through my veins, heightening my senses to a razor-sharp edge. The thud of their footsteps against the earth reverberates in my ears, each pounding beat a warning of imminent danger.

Jayce's swift shift into his dire wolf form sends a ripple of tension through the air. The scent of fur and musk mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest. In contrast, I remain rooted in my human form, gripping my sword tightly as I prepare for the impending clash.

As the Lycans draw closer, confusion flickers across their faces at the sight of me brandishing a weapon. Their hesitation is palpable, a momentary pause that grants us the advantage we need to strike.

With Aurora at my side, our swords gleaming in the dappled light of the forest, we charge forward with a primal ferocity. The clash of steel against flesh fills the air, accompanied by the visceral sounds of grunts and cries of pain.

It becomes evident with each swing of my sword that some of our adversaries are ill-equipped for combat, their movements clumsy and uncoordinated. I relay this crucial information to my comrades with urgency, ensuring that they are aware of the enemy's weaknesses even amidst the chaos of battle.

As we continue to fend off the attackers, every sense is heightened to its fullest extent, each moment fraught with danger and uncertainty. But amidst the chaos, there is a sense of unity and determination, driving us forward in our fight against Vladimir's forces.

Aurora is having the time of her life parrying and twirling out of the way of the attacking Lycans. It's almost as if she's dancing while she battles, and then I hear it. She is singing Taylor Swift's "Look what you made me do" while she's fighting. Every battle, a song is tagged to it. This battle is no different than any other.

I swear that woman is going to put us all in an early grave. We clear the attackers quickly then return to the task before us. Aurora moves to survey the entrance to the flooded tunnel. My scout goes to stand beside her and goes over his discoveries on his previous mission...

Aurora looks to Jayce and me, then back to the scouts. "Guys? Can you come here?"

"Yes, angel?" I ask, looking between Aurora and my scout. Jayce shifts back and pulls on his pants.

Aurora's features give nothing away at the moment. "I've reconsidered my original plan. Jayce, pick two of your men. Klaus, you do the same. The eight of us will enter through the tunnels."

Aurora's eyes take on that ghostly glow as she reaches out through the bond. She tells the rest of her mates her amended plans, and I sense the relief from the others. We start getting updates that Lycan forces have been testing our groups for the last hour. Several hundred have fallen by our swords.

Through the trees, I spot Arnulf coming through carrying his medicine bag. "Thank the Gods for Ziploc bags." he says, patting his bag. He needs to bless the ground the Strigoi are buried in to weaken or kill them, hopefully.

Aurora turns and approaches Arnulf and kisses him gently. "Are you prepared for everything?" Aurora asks in a soft tone.

Arnulf tilts his head, then smiles. "Yes, my love, I am fully prepared."

"Good. Jax will be your personal guard. When we find the graves, Jayce will shift and remain at your side for added protection. After all, his venom is unrivaled." Aurora's tone holds nothing but love and pride for her mates.

Arnulf nods, then looks at the rest of us gathered. "So, what's the plan?"

I step forward and motion to my scout. "Gus here was the one that scouted the caverns originally. I figure he will be the one to lead us to the old weapons' chamber that he discovered. Arnulf, one of us will hold your clothing. We can have you shift and fly through some of the chambers, giving us a little bit of recon before we proceed."

"Sounds good," Arnulf says.

Aurora looks to the cavern then back to us again. "Be prepared for anything. Each Lycan must have a Dire with you. My mates will tell you when to shift and climb. If I have to freeze everything, you'll need to be out of the water." Aurora looks to the entrance then back to Gus. "Let's get this party started."

The dampness of the surroundings seeps into our bones, a constant reminder of the cold, dark depths that await us. The faint sound of dripping water echoes off the walls, creating an eerie symphony that reverberates through the cavern.

As Gus takes the lead and disappears into the abyss below, the anticipation grows palpable. The water is frigid against our skin, sending shivers down our spines as we follow suit, each step a test of our resolve. The darkness envelops us like a thick blanket, obscuring our surroundings and heightening our senses.

With each passing moment, the tension mounts, our senses on high alert for any sign of danger lurking in the depths below. The sound of our own breathing fills the silence, a rhythmic cadence that serves as a reminder of our vulnerability in this unfamiliar environment.

As we plunge deeper into the darkness, uncertainty gnaws at our insides, a nagging reminder of the perils that await us on the other side. But with Aurora's guidance and Gus leading the way, we press forward, our determination unwavering in the face of the unknown.