135. Klaus

CHAPTER 135

Klaus

We all forgot about the dignitaries. Originally they were supposed to meet us at the Ice Dragon Court. I'm guessing since we didn't return with Nicodeamus to the castle, he rerouted everyone here. I hear through the pack link Aurora alerting all the wolves as to what's about to happen. My once tiny village has expanded to accommodate half of the Dire Wolf pack and a fraction of the rogue Lycans.

I am unsure of my mate's plans for all the wolves, but I know that she plans on calling all of the wolves home. We still haven't discussed where the new wolves will be going or how to assimilate them back into proper packs. Aurora has made arrangements for the last of the American Lycans to join us here. Perhaps some of the unmated wolves in my pack may find their mates with them. Plus, we have five pregnant females all in one house awaiting to give birth. Those pups will be given to families that can't have pups but want them. Two of my closest friends and my twin, Kaden, have found their mates because of this. Kaden is willing to raise the pup even though it isn't his, but his mate is still strongly against it. Aurora said we would take that pup as our own since it will be related to my brother's pups when they come.

Rooting through the closet, I finally find the dress uniform I had from all the political functions I attended with my father. It's a traditional three-piece suit with a tie and an appropriate cummerbund. I put on all of my metals and the sash. Those metals I had won through all the little skirmishes that we had fought years ago.

I double check myself in the mirror and then make my way downstairs to join the others. Once downstairs, I notice that Alaric had already pulled out all of his royal attire. Aurora is in a full-length gown, wearing her great-grandmother's crown. Dimitri is in the dress uniform of his people for the Royal Guard. Jayce and Dominik both are wearing their best suits, ties, and dress shoes. Arnulf is wearing a nice suit as well, but unlike Jayce and Dominik, he has a sash across his chest adorned with many assorted pins and ribbons.

Nicodeamus has pulled out of somewhere a crown and a rather regal-looking suit. We all assembled in the main hall of the Alpha House, awaiting the dignitaries' arrival.

Anna, who has become fast friends with Aurora, comes running in and whispers in her ear. We wait several moments. Aurora nods, and Anna goes running out of the house yet again, apparently on a mission.

Several minutes later, a powerful couple walks in with their young son closely at their side. Alaric rushes over and shakes hands with the man, and embraces him tightly. "Austin, I'm happy you made it. I hope that the winds were favorable for you." The gentleman, obviously the king of his clan, smiles at Alaric.

"Always, old friend. Being what we are, the winds are always in our favor." He smiles and then walks to stand before Aurora. Her head is held high, and her resting bitch face is on point. She slowly extends her hand out to the gentleman, who promptly takes it. He brings it to his lips and kisses her knuckles, and lowers his head and deferment to her. "It is an honor to meet a direct descendant of the Blood Queen herself. Thank you for allowing me and my family into your nest."

Aurora listens carefully to what the man is saying to her and then nods her head slightly. "You graced us with your presence, any friend of my husband's is a friend of mine." Her free hand comes up and lightly touches his cheek before she takes her hands away from him. Slowly, she turns and approaches the female.

The rest of us are on edge; Aurora doesn't usually get along with other females. For a split second, there is a battle of wills before the other female lowers her head and eyes. Aurora nods and then moves forward and gently kisses the female on both cheeks. "Welcome to my nest, Gisella. It's my pleasure to have you and your family here." Aurora looks down at the young boy whose jet black hair catches her attention. His eyes are as green as emeralds and wide open, looking up at her curiously.

"This must be your son, Draven." Aurora kneels down to get eye level with the young lad. She drops the resting bitch face and adapts a very friendly demeanor. "It's my pleasure to meet you, young prince." Aurora smiles softly. "Perhaps you would like to play with my son, Ladon? He could always use a friend his age."

The little boy's eyes light up, and he starts bouncing from foot to foot. Before we know it, he has his arms thrown tightly around Aurora's neck. She's smiling while he hugs her like she had given him the best present ever. "Thank you, thank you, thank you." he exclaims. He looks around quickly to see if the young boy she spoke of is anywhere in sight.

Aurora winks her eye at him and smiles. Her pale-grey eyes become stormy before an ethereal glow fills them. Soon, Ladon and Tiamat come running into the room. Tia runs and hides behind Alaric's legs, staring at the young prince. Her eyes are glowing like her mother's as she stares at him. Meanwhile, Ladon and Draven run out the door together to go play.

Aurora gives Alaric a knowing look then stands slowly. "Shall we adjourn to the banquet laid out in the great hall?" she asks cordially.

I watch Aurora escort the couple from the room and look to the others. "That was uncharacteristic of her," I say to no one in particular.

Nicodeamus comes over to me as Dimitri and Dominik greet the new arrivals. "She questioned me quickly about proper protocol. I educated her the best I could in such a short time frame," Nicodeamus says as if it was no big thing.

"How did she know who they were?" I tilt my head to the side, watching him.

"Alaric and I filled her in through the bond. She handled it quite well." Nicodeamus smiles and motions as several more dignitaries entered the Alpha House. "I believe we all have a role to play, son." Nicodeamus smiles at me then walks into the great room.

My eyes wander the main entrance for a minute before I turn and decide to follow everyone else into the great room. Aurora is speaking with three other women I can only assume are the wives of the other Great Dragon Houses that were invited. Along the wall is Dominik speaking with his brother, Alex, and his mate. I wander over slowly, not wanting to interrupt this family moment.

"Hey, Klaus! Great to see you not in the war room," Alex says to me, smiling as he kisses his mate's temple. "Oh, this is my mate James. James, this is Klaus, King Consort of the Lycan court." I double blink at the title, then look to Dominik, confused.

Dominik starts to laugh and shake his head. "Alex, he didn't know his title. Smooth move, brother." Alex's face goes pale as he looks from me over to Aurora then back again.

"I'm gonna be skinned alive," he says, still looking around nervously.

"Aurora won't skin you over a little slip. Besides, you're her mate's brother, you can't get much safer than that." I smile as I pat his shoulder before leaving to find Alaric.

Alaric is in deep discussion with the King of the Bronze Dragon court and two other powerful males. "Klaus, excellent timing! We have matters to discuss." He excuses himself from his current conversations and drags me through the house to the main floor's bedrooms. He reaches into the closest and pulls out a fancy suit, and lays it out for me. "You need to get changed, or Aurora will murder me." He winks before he adjusts his crown and tie.

I tilt my head and decide to get changed quickly without protest. It's very odd going from warrior alpha to being stuck in this three-piece monkey suit. Alaric moves in front of me and adjusts everything so that it's sitting properly. The suit itself is worth more than most of the things I currently own. Alaric throws a sheet over my suit and then proceeds to trim my beard, making sure it is well manicured. He looks me over one last time and then removes the sheet.

We start to leave the room when he stops and grabs two boxes I didn't notice on the table. He ushers us through the house and out into the gardens where Aurora is waiting at the altar with Nicodeamus behind the pedestal. Alaric walks with me down the aisle and moves me to stand before Aurora. Sometime during my wardrobe change, she went and changed as well. Her gown is as black as pitch and hugs her generous curves and the swell of her belly. Blood red roses are in her hands mixed with black calla lilies.

Nicodeamus raises his hand, and the guests quickly become silent. "We are gathered here today, after the victorious liberation of the Marelup castle. Today we witness the joining of two true and fated mates." Nicodeamus looks down and flips the page in front of him. "There has not been a Marelup descendant on the throne in over two hundred and thirty years, since the time of Queen Anca."

The crowd whispers, "May the Goddess bless and keep her."

Aurora's eyes get all misty, and I can't help but smile at her. Nicodeamus begins again. "Standing before you is my daughter and Anca's Heir, Aurora Marelup-Kraus, rightful Queen of the Lycan court. Rightful Queen as my heir to the Ice Dragon court."

Nicodeamus's voice is commanding and leaves no room for argument. "Before you stands Klaus Schmidt, Alpha of the German Lycan pack. Soon to be King Consort of the Lycan court."

My head whips back to look at the dead serious look Nicodeamus has in his eyes. Shit, this is really happening. "My daughter has chosen the ancient right of branding to anoint her new King." Alaric steps forward with the long wooden box and opens it.

Aurora slips on the leather gloves within and pulls out a small branding iron with the Marelup crest on it. "I, Aurora, last Marelup Heir, choose you, Klaus, to be my King Consort. To help me rule over our people from this day forth till our last breath," she says and extends a hand to me, palm up.

Carefully, I unbutton my jacket sleeve and roll it up, then repeat the process with my dress shirt. I lay my right forearm in her waiting hand and smile. "I, Klaus, Alpha of the German Lycan pack, accept the duties that come with helping you to guide our people from this day forth. I will support you and protect our people till my last breath." Once the words are spoken, she says to me through the bond that the branding will hurt. I subtly nod and smile.

With deft precision, she presses the brand in the exact same place as hers on my arm. I grit my teeth to keep from showing how much the brand hurts. A king cannot show weakness in front of others. The metal used is an ancient mixture that burns without fire and scars the skin black for life. As soon as Aurora pulls the branding iron away, she places her hand over it and sends a chill directly into my skin, stopping the burning immediately. She leans forward and kisses my lips passionately before pulling away and showing the crowd my new brand. Cheers erupt, and everyone stands, clapping for the two of us.

Aurora drags me forward to stand at the edge of the platform. Her pale-grey eyes look up to me adoringly. Through the bond, she speaks to me. Klaus, it would be wise for you to address everyone gathered now that you have been crowned King Consort . She remains smiling up at me and then kisses my jaw, the oohs and ahhs that erupt, giving me butterflies in my stomach.

I raise my hands up to silence the crowd. "Thank you to our friends and allies that have traveled near and far to be here for this momentous day." I motion towards Nicodeamus and call him forward with us. I then motion towards Alaric and call him forward with us.

"I have been thrice blessed in these recent days. Firstly, by receiving my angel who stands beside me from now until forever." I kiss Aurora's temple and smile, looking down at her.

"Secondly, I have been blessed with the gift of her father being present in our lives from this day forward. His wisdom and guidance will prove invaluable in the days to come." I motion next out and over the crowd.

"To all of you here that have not yet met everyone, my bond mates, my brothers in arms." I smile at them and bring my fist up and over my heart. "The five of them each have been a blessing in their own right. I don't know what I would do without them and their guidance." I can see that Jayce, Arnulf, and Alaric have unshed tears at the corner of their eyes. Next, I seek out where Dimitri and Dominik are standing. I raise my fist over my chest to them as well, no mate above the other.

"Let's have everyone adjourn back to the great hall. Let's eat, drink, and be merry. Tonight is a night for celebration," I say, smiling broadly, happy in the little surprise that was given to me tonight. Though, kind of like my mate, I don't really like being the center of attention. I am a warrior, not an aristocrat, just like she is. This will take some getting used to.