136. Alaric

CHAPTER 136

Alaric

The atmosphere is charged with a sense of accomplishment as Klaus seamlessly navigates the social intricacies of the evening. Despite his upbringing as a warrior, he moves through the crowd with a grace and poise that belies his origins. Each interaction is executed with precision, a testament to his adaptability and determination.

Aurora's pride radiates from her as she observes Klaus's performance, her hand tenderly caressing her swollen belly. There's a softness in her expression, a mixture of admiration and affection, as she watches her mate effortlessly integrate himself into the gathering.

I approach her, drawn in by the warmth of her smile, and press a gentle kiss to her cheek. The sensation of her soft skin beneath my lips sends a wave of tenderness through me, and I can't help but feel a surge of affection for her.

"My love, how are you holding up?" I inquire softly, my voice filled with genuine concern. "Do you need anything for the babies?"

She smiles at me and then shakes her head no. "Just when I didn't think my heart could get any fuller, it does. What you and Dad did for Klaus was amazing," she says, smiling at me as she watches him make his rounds with the visiting dignitaries.

"Well, the fun has yet to begin, my love. Under the full moon tonight, you need to crown him as king. The ceremony can only do so much; the crown itself is what does the rest for your people." I motion to the second box—it's in my hand—then I motion out to Klaus. "In all the excitement, we forgot to place the crown on his head."

Aurora starts giggling, shakes her head, and shrugs her shoulders. "You can't honestly expect me to think straight carrying another litter of babies at this point in time, do you?" I start to laugh and shake my head no.

"Of course not, my love, though these are your people." I smile and tilt my head to the left, then back to the right again. "How is it that the Americans say? Not my circus, not my monkeys." I start to laugh and then poke her side gently.

"This is your circus, and these are your monkeys." The broad smile that graces my lips apparently infuriates my darling mate. She pokes my chest several times and utters a soft growl.

"Not funny, Alaric, definitely not funny," she says, inflecting as much anger as she can, trying not to laugh at the situation. Apparently, her poking my chest got Dimitri's attention.

"So what did the pretty boy do now?" Dimitri asks as he scoops her up in his arms and snuggles her to his chest.

"Well, to start, his royal highness here," Aurora jabs her finger in my direction, "allowed us to get away with ourselves, and I forgot to put the crown on Klaus's head." Aurora tilts her head, hoping for Dimitri to be on her side.

We all know he's going to be, but it's always interesting to see what that man comes up with. Dimitri strokes his beard and looks at me, then over to Klaus, then back down to Aurora. "Well, there's only three of us standing here that knew exactly how this was supposed to go. Only two of us were up on stage."

He looks between myself and Aurora and then back over to me. I think I'm in trouble. "There's only one of us that was on stage that isn't carrying multiple babies and isn't only constantly either thinking of dick or food. Gee, I wonder who that is?" Dimitri just crosses his arms around Aurora tighter and then tilts his head, staring at me.

"Well fuck, I guess I did bogart this one, huh? Okay, okay, I get it. I let things get out of hand." I raise my hands up in a placating manner. "It's all right. We'll fix it later, no big deal." I slowly move away from the snuggling pair and go seek out Klaus. He's standing with his brother Kaden, and Kaden has his brand new mate with him.

"Your Highness?" I say half-jokingly to Klaus and lightly bow to him with a big smile on my face, so he knows that I'm just messing with him.

"Why, hello, Your Highness." Klaus imitates me and then bows to me the same way that I did to him, both of us being asses about the title.

"Oh great! Not only is my brother Alpha, but now he's a King. There's going to be no living with him now!" Kaden says as he snuggles his mate. It's now that I notice she's one of the females we rescued.

"Leandra, how are you doing?" I ask cheerfully as I smile at her. Kaden is beaming with pride, and she looks absolutely miserable.

"Better as soon as that bastard's pup is out of me," she growls almost viciously, turning her head away quickly.

Her growls set off a chain reaction, heads turn, and that catches Aurora's attention. She grabs Dimitri's hand and waddles herself over to where we are as fast as possible. "What seems to be the matter?" Aurora asks gently. The way her eyes are narrowed, she already knows what's wrong.

"I want this thing out of me! I want the last of that bastard's taint out of me." Leandra starts crying and buries her face in Kaden's chest.

As she cries, her water just so happens to break. Aurora tilts her head, and then her eyes take on an ethereal glow. Elsa comes over quickly with some of her medical staff. They pick up Leandra and carry her back to the infirmary. Aurora sighs softly, then lightly rubs her stomach before looking at us. "She'll be okay. Unfortunately for her, she was too far along when we found her for anything to be done." I can tell the thought of a female wanting to kill her pup really affects Aurora. Tears are threatening to break free from her eyes.

Carefully, I pull her to me, and Dimitri snuggles in close from behind. One by one, all of my bond mates come to us, sensing Aurora's distress. We each lay a hand on her trying to soothe her beast. "I just don't understand. Life is a gift. Poor Emma and her mate can't have pups." Aurora sniffles as she rests her forehead against my chest.

"These poor pups didn't ask to be here. They don't deserve to die." She sighs softly and tightens her arms around my waistline.

"Love, Emma and her mate will be getting a pup as soon as its born. As will the other two who want a baby." I smile down at her and kiss the crown of her head.

"I know, just Kayden's mate…" Aurora sighs. "I do and don't understand. I probably hate Vladimir more than everyone here." She slowly pulls away from me and looks at everyone. "I'll be okay. It's just, all life is precious." Aurora walks away, and Dimitri leaves with her.

Beneath the composed facade that Aurora presents to us lies a tumultuous sea of emotions, swirling with turmoil and uncertainty. The discovery of her twin's skeleton has dredged up a wellspring of grief and anguish, shaking her to the core with its stark reminder of a life cut tragically short.

As I observe her, I can sense the waves of sorrow and despair that wash over her, threatening to engulf her in their depths. The weight of such a profound loss hangs heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the room and dimming the once-bright atmosphere.

The thought of a life so young and innocent snuffed out before it could even begin resonates deeply within her, stirring up a tempest of emotions that rattles her cage to its very core. Each heartbeat echoes with the weight of all the death and destruction that has plagued us over the past two years, leaving an indelible mark upon her soul.

In the silence that follows, the air is heavy with unspoken grief, the weight of it pressing down upon us like a suffocating blanket. And amidst it all, Aurora stands as a beacon of strength, her mask of composure faltering only slightly as she grapples with the enormity of the pain that threatens to consume her.

As I navigate through the bustling party, a cacophony of sounds and sights assaults my senses. Laughter and chatter fill the air, mingling with the lively melodies of music drifting from a nearby band. The aroma of savory dishes wafts temptingly through the crowd, intermingling with the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries.

Amidst the jubilant atmosphere, I find solace in the knowledge that our hard-fought battles have yielded some semblance of victory. The once imprisoned are now free, their spirits unshackled from the chains of oppression. It's a bittersweet triumph, tempered by the losses we've endured along the way.

As I weave my way through the throng of revelers, I take a moment to express my gratitude to each person I encounter. Their unwavering dedication and sacrifice have been instrumental in bringing about this revolution, and I am humbled by their bravery.

I pause to exchange pleasantries with members of other dragon households, their presence serving as a reminder of the unity forged in the face of adversity. It's heartening to see Lycan packs finding refuge within their borders, offering hope for a brighter future amidst the chaos.

In the midst of celebration, I can't help but ponder the potential implications of this newfound alliance. Perhaps, with the integration of these packs, the longstanding issue of mate scarcity within the German pack may finally find resolution

I walk outside to find my son, Ladon, and Austin's son, Draven, playing by the koi pond. From my position, I watch the boys interact, having fun and roughhousing. In the shadows, my daughter. Tiamat, has taken a liking apparently to Draven. I move over and gently caress the back of her head to get her to look up at me. "Little one? Why aren't you playing with the others?"

"Daddy, the boys don't want me to play." Tia frowns and hugs my leg tightly. "They say it's not a princess's place to be able to play rough," she says again, rubbing her tear-stained cheek on my thigh.

My thoughts race as to how my mate would handle this situation. Aurora does not like when the boys feel that girls are not strong enough to do as they do. I reach down and cup my daughter's cheek and smile at her. "You are the direct descendant of the great Blood Queen. You bear her scales down your spine." I lightly trail my fingers over the scales that I just mentioned.

"In the years to come, you will surpass your mother and me by leaps and bounds. Pay no attention to the ramblings of silly boys." I smile as I bend down to pick my daughter up. I cradle her to my chest and kiss her cheek fondly.

"You are the heir to the Ice Dragon throne. As firstborn, you have the choice to rule or to abdicate the throne." I nuzzle her cheek gently. "When the time comes, and you choose your mate, I will respect your decision."

Tiamat makes that eww face as she looks at me. "Daddy, boys are disgusting. Yuck, why would I ever want one of them around me all the time?" She throws her hands dramatically up into the air and rolls her eyes exactly how her mother does.

"The only boys I don't mind around me are you and my other daddies. And sometimes Ladon." She smirks as she says that last piece.

As I observe the boys, a sense of pride wells within me. They play with their weapons, each movement a testament to their unique gifts. My son wields the power of ice with skill and precision, while Draven commands the crackling energy of lightning. Their camaraderie brings warmth to my heart, grateful that my son has found a friend who shares his extraordinary abilities.

The room is filled with the sound of their laughter and the occasional clang of metal against metal, creating a symphony of childhood innocence and boundless energy. I watch them with a mixture of admiration and nostalgia, savoring this moment of simple joy amidst the chaos of our world.

Beside me, Tia remains nestled in my arms, her presence a comforting weight against my chest. I glance down to find her sleeping peacefully, her soft breaths a gentle lullaby in the quiet room. It seems the events of the day have taken their toll on her, as they have on her mother and me.

With a tender smile, I carefully shift Tia in my arms, cradling her close as I rise from my seat. It's time to tuck my little princess into bed, to ensure she rests peacefully through the night.

As I carry Tia to her room, a sense of contentment washes over me. Despite the challenges we face, there is solace in the simple moments of familial love and unity. Tomorrow may bring its own trials, but for now, I cherish the tranquility of this moment, knowing that in the embrace of my family, life is indeed good.