45. Jayce

CHAPTER 45

Jayce

The last forty-eight hours have been hell on my nerves. We discovered Elena and Sebastian manipulated the most sacred of bonds for their own ambitions, and Aurora accepted a Dragon Prince before even meeting him. Now, she seems more powerful than ever. Andre, my best friend, was murdered because he must have found something important.

The American pack was deemed unfit to fight once Aurora saw the German Lycans. I have to admit, they are huge in comparison to the American pack. Personally, I understand why she left them behind; they can all turn on us in a second. Strategically, it's brilliant and dumb. I mean, we would have had higher numbers for the battle. On the other hand, if they turned on us, our odds would be far worse.

"Klaus? Can you tell us what you know about the fortress?" I watch Klaus turn his heavily muscled frame so he can face all of us when he speaks.

"It's heavily fortified but has developed flaws over the years, which we plan to exploit." He studies Aurora's side profile while she drives. I notice he seems appreciative of what he sees. "The flaws have to deal with the lower levels. They are flooded, which means the Strigoi are somewhere on the first level." Klaus looks between the three of us. His English isn't bad, which is a pleasant surprise. Aurora receives word that some of the smaller vehicles need to refuel, so we pull up to the diesel pump to top off the tank. Aurora turns to look at all of us.

"If your information is correct, that means they are more than likely in the throne room." Aurora's grey eyes slowly examine Klaus. He has medium-brown hair that's longer on the top, and his eyes are grey like Aurora's. They seem to stare at each other forever before Sebastian breaks the spell by knocking on Aurora's window. I've never seen her go from zero to demon bitch so fast. She's snapping and growling at Sebastian.

Gently, I touch Aurora's shoulder in an attempt to calm her. She turns to look at me, and I notice her beast is close to the surface. Dragon scales line her eyes like eyeliner. The silver shimmer makes the grey of her eyes look ethereal. Her head tilts left then right as she studies me. My wolf chooses now to come to the surface. Through my wolf's eyes, I see Aurora with a bright light behind her. My vision has never been like this before. The world is in tones of grey and black with lights behind the objects to outline them.

"Aurora? Is this how you see when you shift?" I look around in wonder; everything is so sharp. If I really concentrate, I can see the blood flowing through my brother's veins. Aurora starts laughing.

"Apparently, both you and Dom got the same gift from me. Yes, I can tell by your eye color you gained my vision. It's most helpful when a species can use glamours. Now, you can see right through them," she says so matter-of-factly, like it's no big deal. To me, it's a total game-changer. I smile broadly and start examining the world around me. I hear Aurora lower the driver's side window. "Yes, Mister Lupi? What can I do for you?" Oh shit, he's really redefining being in the dog house. My vision goes back to normal, and I watch Sebastian cringe at Aurora's tone.

"Aurora, please, love... can we talk?" Sebastian says in a pathetic tone. Hell has officially frozen over. Sebastian I-don't-give-a-fuck-about-anyone Lupi is begging. I start videoing it. I'm positive Dimitri and Nico would love to see this.

"LOVE? LOVE! You don't even understand the meaning of the word!" Aurora screams at the top of her lungs. We barely made it into Canada, and I think she's going to kill him. Out of nowhere, Dimitri's hulking form rises up behind Sebastian.

"I suggest you leave, boy. She's not interested in talking to you right now." Sebastian doesn't even attempt to argue with Dimitri; he just turns and leaves. Dimitri faces Aurora and kisses her forehead. "Anything for you, baby girl. Anything." He gently caresses her cheek then heads back to the truck he was in.

Aurora shakes her head then fires the truck up again, getting the caravan back on the road. Klaus is pondering talking to Aurora. Part of me wants to warn him; the other part wants to watch the explosion. Klaus gently rests his hand on her arm. I watch Aurora glance at him but doesn't swipe his hand away.

"I was filled in on what happened. On behalf of the German Lycans, we are sorry." He furrows his brows and removes his hand from her arm. "We still treasure and honor the idea and dream of finding a true mate." I watch Klaus interlace his fingers as he stares at his hands in his lap. Aurora reaches over and rests her hand on his knee.

"Thank you, Klaus. It hurts so bad to be betrayed and to realize my true mate is out there somewhere waiting for me." I watch a single tear roll down her cheek. "He's out there somewhere, praying to the Morrighan to find me, and I'm here..." Aurora's voice cracks as she's overcome with emotions. Dom and I both lay a hand on her to soothe her. "I'm here with a false bond, all because Sebastian and his mother are self-serving assholes."

Through the bond, my brother and I push our love for our mate the best we can. Aurora rests her cheek on Dom's hand and then reaches up to touch mine. She keeps her eyes on the road and sighs softly. My eyes turn to Klaus; so many emotions flicker across his face. I can't tell if he's empathetic or he knows what she's going through.

I lean forward and kiss Aurora's hand before I speak. "Love, we are here for you. Your father and Dimitri are here for you. From what I can tell, you have the full power of the German Lycans and the Dire Wolves behind you. You do not walk alone." I see Klaus hesitate before resting his hand on Aurora's thigh. I watch her look down briefly, then back up to the road ahead.

I can tell Aurora is deep in thought. She sits up straighter and removes her hand from mine. Aurora hits a button on her steering wheel. "Betty, play my playlist," she says, her voice wavers and almost cracks as she utters the simple command.

A few seconds later, the truck responds by saying, "Playing playlist." The opening notes to Shinedown's How Did You Love? starts filling the truck. Aurora begins singing along with the song. I watch her lips move almost hypnotically until I notice her canines have descended. Klaus gives me a look of concern, poor man has no clue what the fuck he got himself into.

Gently I tap Klaus's shoulder to get his attention. "She's like a force of nature unleashed upon the world." Dom nods along with my words. His phone goes off and it's the prince. Quickly, Dom brings the prince up to speed. I look back over at Klaus. "Right now, we're sitting in the eye of the hurricane. Her rage and pain aren't focused on us. She's battling between her logical side and her beast's desire to royally fuck up what's hurting her." I lower my eyes briefly before looking back up at Klaus. "Aurora works through her pain with music. We've almost figured out when she's going to explode by the songs she picks."

Dom decides to cut in at this point. "What Jayce is trying to say is this: if we say run, do it. It's not going to be pretty when she finally loses the battle with her beast's instincts." Dom rubs the center of his chest, indicating the pain we are both feeling from Aurora. We all watch her; she's so focused on singing it's like we're not even here.

I turn away from my brother and watch the scenery outside my window. The miles blow by like dust in the wind. Aurora shows no sign of fatigue after driving for the last nine hours. We pull into a rest stop somewhere in the middle of Canada to refuel. Aurora sits on the tailgate of her truck once it's fueled. Dimitri approaches her cautiously while Klaus and I watch them from a safe distance. Dimitri holds out a bag of food and shakes it to break Aurora from her trance. She takes the food and pats the tailgate beside her, Dimitri joins her. I can't decide if that's the bravest or dumbest thing I've ever witnessed.

Klaus returns to his pack mates and brother to update them. I spot Dom over by Nico, so I decide to join them. As I approach, I notice Sebastian with his head in his mother's lap, looking distraught.

"What's going on over there?" I motion toward Elena and Sebastian. Nico wins for best resting bitch face today. He looks at Elena and Sebastian, then back to me.

"Old laws dictate death for betraying the ruling family. Forging a false bond is grounds for execution." Nico raises his right hand to rub where his left arm used to be. "Their lives are in Aurora's talons—literally." He turns to watch Klaus with his pack mates and motions toward them. "Their pack is the last of the true Lycans. I had and still hope Aurora's mate is there in their pack somewhere. A true mate can break the false bond." Nico looks almost sad as he turns to Aurora and Dimitri. "I just have to wonder, was there magic cast to keep those two apart?"

I watch Aurora and Dimitri interact. They do act like a mated couple; they're perfectly attuned to each other. Is their comfort level due to the fact he raised her, or is Nico correct in saying she's his? Nico then yells for Dimitri and Aurora to join us. They meander over; Aurora hugs and kisses her father, then snuggles into me, suppressing a yawn.

"Something wrong, Dad?" Aurora asks before yawning into my side again. Dom moves to my side and kisses Aurora on the top of her head. She looks up and smiles at Dom, then snuggles into his side.

"Nothing is wrong, sweetheart. I just have a few questions." This catches Dimitri's attention, and he looks around to see if anyone is within earshot of us. When he's sure it's clear, he gives Nico the all-clear. "The question is actually for you, old friend. Did Elena send you and Andre regular care packages?" Dimitri looks puzzled by the question then looks between Elena and Nico.

" Da , why?" Dimitri answers quite tersely. Nico taps his finger on his chin for several moments, then looks to Dom.

"Aurora looks exhausted. We'll stop here for the night. Secure enough rooms for everyone." Dom nods then leads Aurora off. Once they are out of range, he places his hand on Dimitri's shoulder. "What if I told you I think you're a victim of Elena's tea as well?" Nico backs up and looks at me, then back to Dimitri, waiting for it to dawn on the Great Bear.

Several moments passed before you can tell when it hit him. Dimitri falls to his knees, and his hands fly up to cover his eyes. Is the big guy crying? Holy hell, he is crying. The atmosphere changes radically and, in an instant, Dimitri shifts to his bear, and that hulking beast is out for blood. His bear stands on its hind legs and roars its pain and anger into the night, shaking the very ground we stand on. Those golden orbs lock onto Sebastian and his mother.

Over a half-ton of enraged Great Bear thunders across the field between the rest stop and the motel. Sebastian's and Elena's faces visibly pale as they watch their death approach. With his full force, Dimitri hits their Jeep, sending it flying through the air. The metal of the Jeep is twisted upon impact, and we all watch the attack in horror.

Nico raises his hand, halting anyone from interfering. Dimitri launches the Jeep once more before a blur of white and frost stands before him. Aurora's hybrid beast roars at the Great Bear. He slowly lowers his head and swings it from side to side. Aurora's beast looks back at the Jeep in time to watch Elena and Sebastian crawl out of the wreckage. They look like they barely survived the attack. Aurora's beast moves forward and presses her forehead to Dimitri's bear's forehead. They stand like that for what seemed like forever before they turn and head our way. The whole event played out like an action movie crossed with horror. It was very surreal; I still can't wrap my head around it.

As they walk side by side, Aurora's beast has its taloned hand resting on Dimitri's neck. Usually, it's her animal that needs to be reined in. This is fucking backward as all hell. She stops several feet in front of us and shifts back to her human form. Quickly, I remove my flannel shirt and help her slip it on. Aurora doesn't move far from Dimitri, her fingers running through his thick fur.

"I don't know what was said to Dimitri, but whatever set him off… I almost wasn't able to stop him." Aurora looks at the three of us. Nico waves off of the approaching crowd.

"I wouldn't," he cautions the group. Once everyone leaves, Nico looks back to Aurora. "I have reason to believe that it's possible you and Dimitri may be mates. But something Elena put in her care packages blocked it." Nico studies Aurora's reaction.

You can watch as the rage moves over her face. Scales erupt then recede just as quickly. She takes off my shirt, shifts back into her beast's form, and howls her rage into the night. Dimitri's bear bellows right along with her. I move quickly and place my hands on Aurora's chest, trying to stop her. Aurora drops her muzzle until she's at eye level with me. She rests her forehead against mine and does the happy growl she likes to do. I feel the moment her body shifts back, and Dom helps her slip my shirt back on.

"They have a lot to answer for tomorrow," Aurora states, then grabs my hand and heads toward the motel. "I need a shower and sleep." I turn Aurora to face me and kiss her on the lips.

"Go with Dom. I'm going to help your dad sort things out." Aurora nods and follows my brother inside. Nico approaches me with Dimitri in tow.

"It's obvious that Elena lied about knowing the old magics. The real question is, what else did she do?" Nico turns to look at the remnants of Sebastian's Jeep. We stare at the crumpled, twisted remains. How in the world did they walk away from that wreck? Dimitri eventually shifts back to his human form and looks between Nico and me.

"I regret losing my temper, but I do not regret attacking them." Dimitri crosses his thick arms over his chest, looking at us. Apparently, he doesn't care about his dick swinging in the wind either.

"I'm impressed that Aurora was able to stop you," Nico states, studying Dimitri. Dimitri looks down, his brows furrowed.

"I would never hurt Aurora." He looks up and at us each in turn. "However, you fuckers wouldn't make out so well." Dimitri flips us all off then walks toward his room at the motel.

"Jayce?" Nico says as he watches Dimitri walk off.

"Yeah?" I tilt my head to the side, looking at Nico. He moves closer to me and puts his arm over my shoulder.

"We should go see what Elena and Sebastian are up to." He's got that mischievous look in his eye. It's almost like he's saying, let's just kill them now and surprise Aurora with the heads. I raise my eyebrows, looking at him after reading between the lines.

"Let's go get'er done." I might not be as bulky as my brother, Dom, but one bite from me and it's a death sentence. That knowledge makes me smile as I follow Nico into the night. We creep around the motel exterior, trying to catch their scent. Two laps around the building and nothing.

I text Dom and ask for their room number. He responds quickly and says it's room thirty-five—the one right in front of us. Nico places his hand on the door and freezes it solid. He makes a fist, busts the frozen knob off, and pushes the door open. There's no evidence they were ever here. Nico growls, and his dragon's eyes are visible.

"They're on the run." Nico darts to the parking lot and starts counting cars. No vehicles are missing, which means one of two things: either they ran off into the night or they were picked up somewhere. We stare at each other for several moments.

"Use your phone and tell everyone what happened. Alert Ellis as well; we need to change our route and plans. I will not give them an opportunity to ambush us!" Nico storms off to points unknown. Well, this trip just got more interesting.