31. Aurora

CHAPTER 31

Aurora

"You did well today, daughter. You chose to rule with your heart and mind and not just your talons." Nico gives me a hug before we start heading back to the compound behind the others. We walk in relative silence as I'm tucked up under his arm, much like you would do with a child. It's fitting, really; I am his only child. To be quite honest, I'm actually enjoying having one of my birth parents around. Andre and Dimitri are great, but they're not part dragon or Lycan. They did the best they could for me, and I'm forever in their debt. My right hand absently comes up to rub at the implanted scale on my chest.

Nico catches the movement and stops walking. "May I see it? I wish to make sure it took properly." Nico tilts his head as he moves to stand before me.

Slowly, I move my robe to the side so he can examine the scale over my heart. Nico shifts one finger so he can touch the scale with his talon. I watch in wonder as frost coats the tip as soon as he makes contact. Nico smiles, then shifts his finger back to human and touches the scale again. This time, no frost, just pressure where my father is touching. "Very good! Your body has accepted his scale." Nico lets out a short laugh. "I honestly don't remember the last time the scale trading tradition was done. It's been several hundred years, at least. I believe I was only a young boy back then. My own parents didn't share scales since their marriage was political." I'm quite puzzled by what my father tells me.

"Why wouldn't your parents share scales?" I had to ask—there's only so much he's able to teach me while I sleep. He whispers in my mind so the others wouldn't hear. Scales only live on true mates . Nico smiles at me, and everything starts to click. My eyes widen, and my mouth drops open from shock. Ladies and gentlemen, I have officially been rendered speechless.

The guys must have sensed my inner turmoil because they all stop dead and look back at me. I keep looking from the scale, then back to my father. Jayce, who was sent back to investigate what's happening, looks at my scale, then over to Nico. Realization dawns on him and, slowly, a smile creeps across those perfectly plump lips of his. Ever so gently, Jayce kisses my lips then looks deeply into my eyes.

"I'll love him like I love you. The others will just have to get over themselves." Jayce winks and kisses me again. He's the perfect mate. Then again, I think he secretly wants another hot male to ogle over. I couldn't help but smile at Jayce. He's definitely the most light-hearted one out of my mates and brings balance to my rage. Without warning him, I run behind him and jump onto his back for a piggyback ride.

"I wish to get a cold drink and rest. Take me home, love! Giddy up!" I reach down and slap his ass, which makes him squeal and laugh.

My omega mate would move Heaven and Earth to make me happy, and my two potential alpha mates would rain fire and brimstone upon the Earth to protect me. One protects my heart, the other two, my body and my life. I wonder what role my dragon mate will play. Sometimes I believe that I see him in my dreams; it's so faint, so distant, I'm not sure it's even real. I lay my head down on my arm as Jayce carries me home. I have a lot to think about over the next few weeks. So much to do, so many Strigoi to kill. What's a girl to do?

We return to the Alpha House, and Jayce makes me comfortable on the porch swing. While I watch Dom and Sebastian supervise the ferals' care and the dorm's construction, Jayce disappears into the house. Housing here on the compound was insufficient, considering the size of the pack we're building.

Sebastian, make sure the dorm has a central kitchen and individual bedrooms with bathrooms for the single males. Sebastian makes eye contact with me as he listens to what I have to say. Like most packs, the male to female ratio is completely screwed. Not many males are willing to share their females, but from what I can see, there are more and more menage pairings than before. Perhaps my guys and I are setting a positive example and breaking enough barriers that others will follow in.

Way ahead of you, love. I'm putting a gathering place with a large TV in the central kitchen, so no one feels isolated . I smile and nod while listening to Sebastian. His idea will be a tremendous help as we integrate new members into the pack. These were his people long before they became mine, so he knows what they need far better than I do.

Jayce appears at my side with a tray of drinks and hands me my pomegranate juice with vodka—he knows me too well. I watch my gentle mate go and offer our other two mates cold drinks before he comes back to sit with me. He sits on the far side of the swing and pats his lap, offering it to me. I quickly finish my drink and move to lay my head on his lap. Jayce gently runs his fingers through my hair, working out the knots. Perhaps a nap will do me some good. After all, I've had quite a busy day today.

I don't know how long I napped for, but I wake up feeling refreshed and with my head still in Jayce's lap. I slowly roll over on my side so I'm facing Jayce, and I notice that he's asleep, leaning his head against the back of the swing. He looks so peaceful; his face is so angelic and innocent. Slowly, I rise from his lap and move so I can appreciate the handsome man before me. Yeah, it looks a bit creepy to an outsider, but my pack knows that I watch over my mates closely. They are my greatest treasure. For some reason that word resonates with me. I brush the thought aside before going into the house to retrieve my favorite blanket, which I use to gently cover Jayce. Once more I go into the house and pull out my guitar and amp. I sit down next to Jayce and begin to play Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." Technically, it should be an acoustic set, but I'm a bit too metal for that. Dimitri used to play a lot of Pink Floyd for me when I couldn't sleep, so I guess you can say I get my love of music from him.

Slowly, the pack begins to gather once they hear the melody coming from my guitar. I know there are dark days ahead of us, and I know the days of peace are limited now, so I do my best to enjoy every second. Just as Sebastian and Dom approach, Jayce wakes up. I switch it up a bit and start playing Metallica's "Nothing Else Matters." Although I sing it for the pack to enjoy, it's more so meant for my mates.

I make sure to hold eye contact with each one of them. I'm not like Jayce who wears his heart on his sleeve; I keep my feelings in, tight and protected. However, before this battle from Hell, my men need to know and feel what I'm feeling. I play the song in its entirety, all six minutes and twenty-something seconds of it. At the conclusion of the song, the guys swarm me. I feel the love they have for me, and I revel in it. I also fear for them with the battle to come.

In the distance, I spot Elena and my dad walking hand in hand toward the lake. It's about time both of them find happiness. Jayce is the first to notice that I'm staring at the hillside. He smiles and lets a soft aw escape his lips. Unfortunately, his cute reaction draws both Dom's and Sebastian's attention. Dom simply shrugs his shoulders and heads back to work, while Sebastian looks like he's beside himself.

He motions toward the hill and shouts, "Our parents! What the actual fuck!" He drags his hand down his face, then looks to me to do something. I can't help but start laughing. I'm not bothered by them being together, but apparently my big, bad—almost—alpha mate can't handle it. I give Sebastian a quick hug and pat his back.

"Don't worry, Bash. Dad's castrated, so there's no fear of any pups being born." I kiss Sebastian's cheek, then bound down the stairs and go for a walk to check out the new dorm the guys have been working on. I turn back briefly and the look of shock on Sebastian's face is really worth it. Dom bounds down the stairs and jogs to catch up with me. He gently takes my hand as we enter the building. He takes the time to explain the upgrades and little, special features it has. It's everything I could have wanted for the single males and more: private quarters for sleeping, a large living room, and an open kitchen design.

"I'm so proud of you guys! Everyone has done a wonderful job." I kiss Dom on the cheek as we finish the tour. Since Dires are apparently quite well off, Dom and Jayce had extra funds to go into the project, and all of the planning fell on Dom.

We continue our walk back to the Alpha House. My throne has become the focal point of the main hall and today, I find flowers left on the table to the right of it. I can tell it's the pack children because there is a single flower from each child—about nine or ten flowers left for me. It brings a smile to my face, thinking about how thoughtful these little ones are. We run into one of the housekeepers, Anna, and her new baby, Lia, in her arms. I've never seen a baby before, so I'm quite curious. Dom looks at me, puzzled.

"Babe, you act like you've never seen a baby before." I remain staring at the little one, then I turn to him.

"I've only ever seen them on TV. They never look this tiny." I lean down to sniff at the baby , and its eyes open. I pull my head back quickly because I wasn't prepared for the baby to look at me.

"Would you like to hold her, My Queen?" Anna asks, offering her precious child to me. I look at Anna then back to Dom, tears threatening to fall.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to break it , I say to Dom through our bond. Understanding flitters across his features as he guides me to sit on my throne. Gently, Dom takes the baby from Anna, then comes to me next. I watch in amazement at how he looks so perfect holding the baby.

"Hold your arms like I am. Trust me, you'll be fine." I mimic the position that Dom's arms are in and he gently rests the child in my arms. I'm honestly frightened I'm going to accidentally hurt the baby. My other mates arrive quickly, sensing my anxiety and fear. They suddenly stop, watching me nuzzle the baby I am holding.

Lia grips a lock of my hair and pulls hard. I can't help but smile at this little being's strength; she dares to pull the alpha's hair. I nuzzle her again and make a low, comforting rumble at her. I look up to my mates, my wolf and I are in agreement.

"I want one." I immediately drop my eyes back down to Lia when I hear the thud of a body hitting the floor. Sebastian passed the fuck out. I guess he can't handle the day today; way too many changes in such a short amount of time. The twins take this opportunity to approach and stare at the child together.

"Soon as the war is over you can have as many as you want," Dom proclaims. Deep down, I know that's the smartest course of action. I keep sniffing and nuzzling the baby; she's such a precious gift. Fertility is becoming rare among the Lycans; to birth a daughter is nothing short of a miracle. I carefully shift my arm under Lia and pluck a single scale before shifting back. I look at Anna and hold the scale out to her.

"Give this to Lia when she's old enough to understand the boon I have given her. I will come for her no matter where or when. That is my promise to this baby." I lean down and kiss Lia's forehead before offering her to her mother. "She is the first daughter born in a long time. She has my protection." Anna, practically in tears, looks from me to her baby. I have a gut feeling that she will be pivotal to the pack one day. I look up to see my father and mother-in-law have returned. Apparently, they witnessed the whole exchange.

"Child, are you okay?" My father asks softly. I know why he's asking; I feel the power of my beast pulsing. She tapped into some part of the dragon's ability that she can't access alone. I snuggle into my father's embrace and look up to him.

"I held the baby and felt that she has a part in the pack's future. I know it sounds strange, but my beast just knows." I search my father's features for answers. A slow smile creeps over his lips, and he nods slowly. Gently, my father kisses my forehead, then walks me back over to my mates.

"The first time I met Dominik, I knew he would play a role in your future. Our dragon side is very intuitive like that. I suspect once you mate with the prince, your dragon side will become better balanced with your Lycan side." My father briefly hugs me before letting go. I walk over to a prone Sebastian and decide to sit on his chest and stare down at him.

"Hey, Bash!" Quickly, I poke his chest several times before I receive a response. He's still kind of pale, definitely looking off-kilter a bit. "What happened to you?" Dom helps me off Sebastian, then passes me over to Jayce so he can help Sebastian stand up again. A quick look over and Sebastian is back to normal.

"Ever experience déjà vu? I mean, really experience it. I saw you, Aurora, with a baby nursing on each breast. One with white hair and one with black; one boy and one girl. It was really fucking surreal." I blink several times, looking at Sebastian, then back to my father. Nico walks closer to the group.

"I see Aurora's dragon side is gifting everyone with visions. It's a rather unique situation." The weight of my father's words hit me like a freight train. My hand flies up to the prince's scale on my chest. Gently, I rub the scale, tracing the unique shape of it against my soft flesh. I have been feeling slightly different since it was implanted on me; a little stronger, a little faster. But the most significant change I've noticed is that I'm not as quick to go straight to murder anymore. My gaze lands on my father, and he's smiling at me. He raises his finger and taps on his temple. Apparently, I've come to the same conclusion as he has. My eyes roam over my other mates, slowly assessing them one by one. Other than Sebastian, no one else has had any noticeable changes. I'll have to keep a very close eye on them. I love them too much to make them worry.