44. Nicodeamus

CHAPTER 44

Nicodeamus

The revelations that have been made in the last twenty-four hours are borderline insane. First, we discover that Sebastian tricked Aurora into a mating. Elena more than likely doesn't love me, and she's been faking it all this time. Plus, we managed to solve Dimitri's aging problem. That, in itself, is a miracle.

I manage to get the alpha of the German Lycan pack's number from Elena. I call him and request that he sends me six of his strongest warriors that he trusts the most with guarding Aurora's life. I hope this will help cut down the possible threats to my daughter's life in the future. Who knows, with any luck, one of the six that he sends to us might be her real mate, and we can get rid of this Sebastian bastard. I can't believe, in all these years, someone of her kind would stoop so low as to force a mating, just like old Alpha Vladimir. You better bet that I'm going to do everything within my power, with the last dying breath I hold in my chest, to take care of and protect my daughter. I wait for confirmation of the tickets that will send the Lycans here straight from Germany. I now have to entrust the pickup of these young men to Dominik, since he and Jayce seem to be the only real mates that my daughter has.

The fate of our world as we know it is hanging in the balance. People we thought we could trust are now held as suspects in the back of my mind. Days like today make me regret my decision to trust the old alpha. We allowed him to live past the night he decided to curse us all and perform blood magic on us. Here we are, almost two hundred and thirty years later, and the repercussions of his poor choices are still felt today.

Now, I watch the American Lycan pack move amongst each other. Each one, in my mind, could be a possible threat to my child. I am fully prepared to turn this entire compound into nothing but a sea of ice. Hell hath no fury like a Dragon King scorned. I watch Dimitri approach slowly, his great, hulking forum exuding nothing but the primal confidence of his bear. It's nice to see my old friend back in his prime, ready to go to battle and destroy the enemies before him. As Dimitri gets closer, I see that he's smiling. I wonder what the old bear's been up while we were separated. "Dimitri, old friend, where did you manage to get yourself off to?"

"Nico, I was checking on the training. Dominik and Jayce have really stepped up. Those two are really trying to pick up the slack Sebastian's absence has caused." He smirks and looks between the alpha house and his own cabin where Aurora is. "I'm sure if Sebastian is up to something, we should know shortly. I can't see him sitting there on his hands waiting for Aurora to pass judgment on whether he lives or dies." Dimitri's observation is concrete. I just hope he isn't right.

"That's fine with me. Let Sebastian stew. I'm not concerned at all about this whelp, who would have been king." I tap my fingers on the arm of the rocking chair. I'm still watching out over the compound, ever vigilant for any signs of deception. Aurora still slumbers, though her sleep has not been peaceful at all. She woke up several times last night, crying in her sleep, upset over Sebastian's betrayal. The deception he carried on for all this time has been eating at her something horrible. One of two things will happen: either her wolf is going to lash out and destroy everything in its path. Or hopefully, if the dragon side of her nature is stronger, she'll bide her time and exact her revenge.

I rise from the rocking chair and lean on the rail of the porch, still keeping my eyes on the training circle as Dominik man-handles the American Lycans. Nothing is more enjoyable than watching a Dire Wolf fighting to prove his position within the pack. He's proving that he's the real first mate of the princess, my daughter. Jayce is off to the side, doing what he does best: keeping records. He observes everybody's movements and interactions, taking note of anything that may or may not be significant. He is the one who's organizing the flights for the Lycans when they arrive from Germany. I can't wait until they get here. "Dimitri, what do you think we should do with Sebastian and his mother? I mean, honestly, I don't think we can trust them any further."

"I'm not sure, Nicodeamus, but I believe our best course of action is to wait for Aurora's heat to end then have her come out and pass judgment." He crosses his thick arms over his barrel chest, looking like a mountain of muscle. I can understand now why the Great Bears of the past invoke such stories of fear when they were angry. The sheer size of him is quite imposing.

"You're right, old friend. I know I shouldn't be trying to make all these decisions for Aurora. After all, he is technically still her mate, and they are still bound until a real, true mate is found or until he dies." I give Dimitri a Cheshire Cat grin that I've become so famous for. Yes, in the back of my mind, I definitely want to rip that boy apart for the pain he's causing my daughter. But, in one sense, I almost hope his feelings for her are real and that the bond actually did some good and forged a genuine relationship for the two of them.

I remember looking at the picture of Sebastian holding Aurora as a wee baby—something I didn't get the chance to do. At that point, the look of amazement and infatuation on his face didn't seem forced. Perhaps, his wolf had fallen in love with her but may not have been a true mate like the stories they initially told. Maybe his wolf was more in love with the idea of having a pup around versus thinking of her as a potential mate. There are too many factors involved for me to make a logical decision on the topic of Aurora and Sebastian. The whole thing is too fucking frustrating for me at this point.

I let out a soft growl and grip the railing a little too tightly—the wood beneath my hand splinters and cracks. A gentle touch is laid upon my shoulder. Slowly, I turn and see Aurora smiling at me.

"Daddy, you worry too much." Aurora looks past me to the training ring; I watch her eyes churn liquid mercury. "I can't wait until the day death and betrayal doesn't hang over our heads." She sighs softly, then caresses the scale on her chest. Her connection to Alaric seems to have gotten stronger. In times of stress, she reaches out to him the only way she can.

"Little one, do you feel better today? I mean emotionally." I gently wrap my arm around Aurora, offering her the comfort only a father can provide. Aurora snuggles in close and rests her head on my chest. I feel her body relax as she holds onto me.

"Physically, yes. Emotionally, I feel gutted. How could he be so cruel? A true mate is a blessing, a gift. He betrayed that sacred covenant. How can I ever trust him again, Dad?" Aurora looks up at me, her sadness evident on her face. My powerful daughter is suffering from heartbreak.

"Little one, if Dimitri or I could bear this pain for you, we would do it gladly." Dimitri moves closer to us when I mention his name and rests his hand on her shoulder, rubbing it gently.

"Baby girl, all will be well. I will do everything possible to make sure all your dreams come true." Dimitri leans down and kisses Aurora's cheek, then rests his forehead against her temple for several moments before moving away. "I'm sorry, my king. I should remain outside from now on." His eyes change to the brilliant gold of his bear, then back to his normal hazel. Hmm, interesting. My daughter's heat calls to him. Perhaps, her wolf wasn't off base with Dimitri. Aurora pulls away from me and heads back to the cabin door.

"Prepare the troops. Once my heat is over, we leave for Alaska. No more waiting, no more stalling. If, by accident, several traitors don't make it, oh well. Not my circus, not my monkeys." Aurora's animal surges to the surface, and the wave of power that comes off her is impressive. The fighting stops in the ring, and everyone turns to face the cabin. Aurora shifts quickly and lets out her death howl, its tone haunting and summoning. Every wolven being within earshot of her was forced to shift by the power of her will alone. She stands there for several seconds before shifting back and walking into the house. My eyes pass over all the wolves now as they prowl the compound. I'm not sure what's more frightening: the power my daughter wields or the fact she can wield it.

~Later that night~

Dominik returns to the compound with the six Lycan warriors from the German pack. These men are stout, unlike the American Lycans who still do physical work. Dimitri is the first to greet them and catches them up on what has been going on. Then I notice the alpha's sons, Klaus and Kaden. Another set of twins have arrived. It would be comical as fuck if my daughter started a collection of twins.

Klaus is the first to approach me. Instinctively, I hold out my right forearm to show him the brand of the royal house. Klaus, in turn, shows me the brand of his father's pack. Once our identities are confirmed, we embrace briefly then head toward the cabin Aurora's staying in. Risky, yes, but I need to have them meet so he sees who his people are fighting for.

We arrive at the cabin's door, and I mentally reach out to Aurora. Several seconds later, she opens the door and her jaw drops and nostrils flair, inhaling his scent deeply into her lungs once she sees Klaus. She blinks several times before she moves out of the way to allow us to enter. I've never seen my daughter speechless before, so this is quite impressive. Aurora's eyes churn liquid mercury, and I feel her reaching into my memories.

Aurora clears her throat and speaks to him in German. "Thank you for making the long journey here. Please forgive my appearance. I haven't been myself lately." She motions to the couch and waits for both of us to sit before going into the kitchen. She returns with three beers. Aurora sets the beer bottles on the table, then shifts her right hand into her armored gauntlet and uses her talons to open all three bottles. Carefully, Aurora picks up the first beer, and we watch the frost move across the glass before she offers it to Klaus. His eyes go wide, looking between Aurora and me. Apparently, stories of her ability haven't reached his pack yet.

Aurora continues to speak in German. "I am sorry if my grasp of your language is lacking. I recently learned it." She hands me my beer then sits down in Dimitri's favorite recliner in front of us. Klaus looks completely gobsmacked as he stares at her. Neither of us expected her to conduct business in his native tongue. As if it just dawned on her, she shifts her right arm back and shows her royal brand to Klaus. Klaus immediately drops to his knees before her and rests his forehead on her knees.

"You are the last true ruler of my people. We serve only you from now until death and beyond." His German flows like the Rhine River, smooth and sure. Klaus looks up to Aurora, his eyes golden like that of his wolf. I watch him try to stare her down and fail. "Forgive me, princess. I had to make sure you were the one." Aurora reaches down and threads her fingers through his thick, medium-brown hair. She seems very interested in him, which could be a death sentence for Sebastian. Quickly, Aurora pulls her hand away like it touched fire.

She draws in a shaky breath, still speaking to Klaus in German. "I forgive you. If you wish to call your men inside, I shall shift for you; let you see what exactly you're dealing with. No secrets." Aurora climbs over the back of the couch and begins to shove furniture out of the way. Klaus goes to the door and shouts for his men to come in. Aurora's eyes fall on me and, in the back of my mind, she says to stop her if I need to. She's not sure how her beast will react to strangers in her temporary den.

I place myself in front of Aurora, who decides to stand in the house's dining area. She's wearing a simple robe that will tear easily. I listen to Klaus explain to his people that she's the true heir. Aurora raises her right arm and shows the guys her mark before she begins her shift.

She does it slower than usual, allowing them to watch each bone break and reform as her thick, white fur slowly blankets her muscular Lycan form. Frost begins to coat her fur just before her white dragon scales ripple up her fingertips to her elbows. Scales slowly form on her muzzle and around her eyes. Her wolven head is broader and longer than the average Lycan's. I can actually see some of my dragon's features in her animal. For instance, her eyes are almond-shaped, and she has a boney ridge up her muzzle like my dragon. Aurora's beast has grown in size as well. She easily stands nine feet tall. Klaus and his men stare in amazement, looking at Aurora's impressive beast.

"Gentlemen? Do we have your allegiance?" I state. All six men fall to their knees before Aurora. I watch her study them for a few moments before she turns and walks to the back of the house.

"Now that's settled, I have an announcement to make to the pack. I need you guys to stand with me. The pack hierarchy has been shifted, and we must settle the masses. I know you've been briefed on what's going on here, so let's make haste." I lead Klaus and his team of men toward the porch of the Alpha House. Sebastian stands there with his arms crossed over his chest like the self-important fool he is. Klaus moves forward, lets out a low growl, and locks eyes with Sebastian. Both are alpha's sons, but there's one huge difference: Sebastian's title was handed down. At the same time, Klaus's was earned through repeated battles over the centuries. I look between the two males; Sebastian, even though he's built heavy for the Americans, is considerably smaller than Klaus. Is it wrong that I hope they fight? Eventually, Sebastian backs down, and whispers move through the pack because of how quickly he submitted to the new male.

Without warning, the temperature plummets and frost begins to race along the ground. Aurora emerges from the cabin, the unease of the pack bringing her out of her self-imposed isolation. Her alpha power blankets the pack and drives the weak to their knees. The only ones left standing are the Dires, the German Lycans, Dimitri, and myself. The entire American pack is on their knees, whining from the pressure of her influence. Sebastian is also on the ground. From what I was told, he was once able to withstand Aurora. Now, he's on the ground like the rest of his birth pack. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. With a flourish of her right hand, she cuts the oppressive power that blankets the compound.

"Dom, summon your pack to the meeting point I gave you earlier. The North American Lycans shall remain here. It will be lambs to the slaughter if we bring them with us." Aurora's voice is commanding, leaving no room for questioning her authority. Sebastian moves to approach Aurora. She quickly shifts her hand and points her talons at her once first mate, she bares her canines at him. Her yellow-green toxin starts to drip from her exposed canines as she stares at Sebastian.

"You forced a mating by magic. It's going to take a long time to regain my trust. You cost me the chance at a true Lycan mate. For all I know, he could be right here," she motions at Klaus and his pack mates, "and I wouldn't know because of your betrayal." Her words are growled out, her body shakes with the effort to restrain her beast. I rest my hand on her shoulder, trying to stay her hand.

"Baby girl? Daughter? Consider this: he can fight alongside us and earn his place back at your side through battle. Or he can die trying?" I'm trying to appeal to my daughter's logical dragon side. It must have worked because she lowers her arm and shifts it back to human.

"You owe my father your heart, Sebastian. He just saved your life," Aurora says, devoid of any emotion. Then her eyes flicker to Klaus and Dimitri. She speaks in German for Klaus and his men. "We leave in an hour; be ready. Klaus, you and the twins are with me. Dimitri, take the other truck with father and Klaus's men. Dom, give your men the keys to the other four-by-fours so we can fuel up and depart. I'm done waiting." Aurora finishes with her instructions, flipping back and forth between English and German depending on who she's speaking to. She shoves past Sebastian, heading into the Alpha House to go pack. Klaus and I look at each other, then to Dimitri. The big guy is trying so hard not to laugh his ass off over Aurora's latest antics. We turn and start heading toward Aurora's truck.

"Guys! Wait up!" Sebastian is yelling and trying to catch up to us. Right now, I wish I had both wings. I'd be gone. Then I'd fly over him and shit right on his head; just cover the bastard in molten dragon shit. I must have what he perceives as a friendly smile on my face.

"Thanks for waiting up! Where are we going, and who do I ride with?" Sebastian says hopefully. I raise an eyebrow at Sebastian. Can this fucker be serious?

"I suggest you wait for Aurora and ask her. This is, how do you say it? Her rodeo?" I'm not sure if I'm using the phrase right. I glance at Dimitri, and he gives me the thumbs up, so I change my expression to a serious one and stare the whelp down. Sebastian double blinks and looks back at the Alpha House. He visibly pales, thinking about dealing with Aurora in her angered state.

"Um, okay? I mean, you are still King Nicodeamus. I'm sure you can tell me where I should be going." In my mind, I'm screaming, go to hell and rot." Or, better yet, go visit your ancestors and not come back."

"Yes, I am still king. My daughter out-ranks me by birthright. So, yes, I know where you should go. It's Aurora's job to make sure you get there." I smirk at him. Cocky mother fucker has finally been knocked down a peg. Sebastian heads back to the house and enters. We can hear Aurora clear as day when she yells that he better find his own ride because he wasn't riding with her. Dimitri and I can't help but laugh; they sound like an old married couple. Sebastian comes running out and heads toward his Jeep. Once inside, he pulls up to where the other vehicles are waiting.

Aurora steps out of the Alpha House with a duffle bag over her shoulder. She takes her time heading to her truck, where the twins and Klaus are waiting for her. I watch my daughter climb into the bed of her truck and look out over all the gathered vehicles.

"Roll out!" she yells before jumping down and firing up Black Betty. Plumes of black soot shoot from the diesel stacks as she begins to roll. We fall in line behind Aurora and so on down the line. Sebastian chooses the rear. I start to laugh; this isn't a regular wolf pack where the alpha leads from the back. My daughter is the soon to be mother fucking queen when she takes back the throne. Strigoi, beware: you have one pissed off hybrid coming for you.