Aurora's jaw dropped when she heard the word 'mate'. Tyler was staring at Penelope like she was all he could see. He touched her tentatively, like he was afraid she would disappear. Aurora beamed at Henry as he walked around to stand beside her. "I can't believe it." She whispered, taking his hand in hers. "They're mates. But I don't understand. Penny isn't eighteen yet, and it isn't even the full moon."Henry placed his arm around her and drew her closer to him. "Some shifters find their mates earlier, before they come of age." He explained. "And at times, they find each other without the help of the moon.""I'm just so glad." Aurora said, her smile lighting up her face beautifully. "If she hadn't come here, they never would have made a connection.""Fate would have led them to each other." Henry said, dropping a light kiss on her hair. "Just as it led me to you."Aurora smiled up at him and her eyes slowly closed as they kissed. Then something suddenly occurred to her and she pu
Penelope didn't say another word until Aurora was done with her story. "It all makes sense now." She said finally. "What makes sense?""Why it took you so long to find your wolf." Penelope explained. "It's because there's something special about you Aurora. Your wounds healing, your eye colour, it all means something.""I know that now." Aurora said. "Henry said he would take me to the cave of Tamerin to find answers.""I've heard of that place." Penelope cut in. "It's guarded by a high priestess.""Yes it is." Aurora nodded, then she looked up at Penelope uncertainly. "Penny, you didn't say anything about my step-aunt's death.""What? Were you expecting me to freak out just because you killed her?" Penelope questioned. The way she put it brutally made Aurora feel uncomfortable and she looked away. "Aurora, I'm sorry." Penelope said, moving closer to her. "I shouldn't make you feel worse by saying it that way. It's just, Lydia deserved whatever she got. She was horrible to you all
"Kill him." Bishop's eyes widened and he recoiled when he heard the order. His terror increased when one of the lycans snarled and moved towards him. "Alpha I am innocent of this." His voice rose up in fear. "Maybe you are." Henry replied coldly. "But I know the criminal is right here. Your death will make them talk."Amelia looked away in fright, wringing her hands nervously. The lycan grabbed Bishop around the neck and lifted him. One slash of its sharp claws would completely slit his throat and decapitate him, making it an easy death. Bishop knew this and he began to panic. "Alpha please," He pleaded. "Give me a chance to find the person responsible...""It's a little too late for that. Kill him!"As the lycan swung its claws, aiming for Bishop's throat, someone screamed out suddenly. "Stop! Please stop! I know who did it."All eyes turned and fell on Victoria, the woman who was kneeling beside Amelia. "Vicky what are you doing?" Amelia whispered in fear.Victoria ignored he
"I can't believe you got lost in the forest." Penelope laughed when Aurora finished her story. "I have never been that terrified Penny." Aurora chuckled, remembering the day it happened. They were walking around the large garden beside the castle. Roses, daisies and dandelions swayed in the soft wind, filling the air with their fragrances. "You were lucky the Alpha King saved you in time." Penelope said after a while. "Yeah." Aurora said, but there was a dreamy smile on her face, one that didn't go unnoticed by Penelope. "What's the purpose of that smile?" Aurora giggled and clasped her hands behind her. "Well, I know I never should have left the castle that day, but I'm glad I did.""Why do you say so?""Because it was the day Henry kissed me for the first time." Aurora smiled as she remembered that particular day. "The day we couldn't deny the attraction we felt for each other.""That is so sweet." Penelope gushed. "Here you are, living the best life, while I was worried sick
Aurora felt the lust slam into her the moment Henry's lips covered hers. Her fingers explored freely, tracing the contours of his perfectly smooth muscles. When he caught her lower lip between his teeth and sucked on it, she gripped him hard, scratching all over his back. "Oh Henry." She moaned breathlessly when he released her. Henry carefully undressed her until she was standing in front of him fully naked, her perfect body bare to his view. He took a moment to devour the beauty standing before him. Her breasts were high and perfectly round, with the hard nipples a pale pink. Her slender waist dipped enticingly, making her hips flair out. His fingers itched to touch and trace them. Her skin was as smooth as precious pearls, as clear as crystals. Her hair lay in golden waves, curling wildly over her shoulders. Her legs were curvy and slender, the sight of it alone driving him insane. "You're so beautiful my love." He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "So beautiful."Auro
Dusk settled quickly and with it came a heavy storm. Aurora stood by the window, her arms wrapped around her body. She was staring outside at the heavy downpour. The storm raged angrily, lighting up the sky with lightning and thunder bolts. It was extremely chilly and she had come to notice that it rained almost everyday in Ashidore. But Henry's room was warm and cozy. There was a fire in the chimney, sending warmth into every corner of the room. The soft glow of the chandeliers illuminated the room and the smell of fresh soil tickled her nostrils. She smiled when Henry came behind her and placed a blanket around her shoulders. Then he slipped his arms around her and rested his chin on her hair. "Dinner will be brought up to us." He said. "I know you're hungry.""Thank you." She mumbled to him, sighing softly as she leaned into his embrace. Henry kissed her hair and they both stood by the window in comfortable silence, staring at the rain as it flowed heavily down the windowpanes
The relationship between Henry and Aurora blossomed and strengthened as each day went past. Aurora felt she finally had the perfect family. She had a man that loved her, and her friend Penelope had finally moved into the castle with Tyler. She had someone she could share her thoughts and feelings with. Everything was perfect, until one day when someone strange arrived at the castle. A day before that person arrived, Aurora was in the library, the place she spent most of her time as she loved to read. Penelope was somewhere with Tyler. Thinking about both of them brought a smile to her face. Two weeks ago, Penelope arrived at Ashidore with her parents and her belongings. Her parents wanted to see the man she had been paired with. They were greatly intimidated by Tyler's presence and it showed in the way they stared at him with fear. Penelope hadn't given them the chance to ask Tyler any questions. She promised them she would be fine and she would come occasionally for visits, and
"Did I startle you?" Henry asked after Celia left the library. "A little." Aurora replied. "It was creepy, turning around and finding her there.""I think it's time they return home." Henry said. "They've overstayed already.""Henry they're your family." Aurora said next. "You shouldn't chase them away.""If it weren't for my uncle who made me promise him that I would take care of them after his death, I wouldn't even let them here.""Why do you dislike them do much?" Aurora asked. "Because Helena keeps trying to set me up with her daughter.""Celia?"Henry nodded. "Helena wants her to be my Luna.""But Celia is your cousin.""Step-cousin." Henry corrected. "Celia and Collins are not my uncle's children. After my uncle lost his mate, he took a chosen mate which was Helena. Helena also lost her mate so my uncle decided to be the father of her children.""That was really kind of him." Aurora said. "But I knew the kind of person Helena was right away." Henry continued. "She had her ey
Two Years Later... On the roof of the castle, Henry and Aurora lay cuddled in a warm blanket, staring at the full moon in the sky. The air was cool and the sky was alive with thousands of shimmering stars. Aurora lay on her side, with Henry spooning her. His hand lay curved on her large belly and he slowly caressed her baby bump, occasionally dropping kisses on her cheek. "Tyler is going to be a big brother soon." She whispered, placing her hand over Henry's. "He's going to be the best big brother." Henry replied. He leaned down and nuzzled her neck, breathing in her sweet scent. "You've been the best mother to him.""I promised Penelope I would take care of her child." Aurora said with a smile. "And I intend to keep that promise. I know I'll tell him the truth about his birth parents someday, but for now, he's mine.""Ours." Henry said, gently turning her around to face him. "He's ours.""Yes. Ours." Aurora smiled and her eyes closed as they shared a passionate kiss. A lot of ye
Many months later, the realm was back to normal. Shifters returned to Ashidore and everyone went back to their normal way of life. Ashidore was built again and it prospered more than before. The dead was buried and mourned and the injured received healing. But they would never forget the last war with the dragons. They would never forget the innocent souls that died that day. They would never forget how their Alpha sacrificed himself to save his mate and destroy the dragons. Aurora had been crowned Supreme Luna of Ashidore and she ruled the kingdom just as Henry would have wanted her to. But she knew her life would never go back to normal without him. It took her a whole year to move on and accept his death. She built a tomb and did a proper funeral for Tyler, Penelope, Henry, Shota and Nimueh, and every other shifter they lost. Most nights, she stayed beside Henry's grave, crying and wishing to the heavens that he would be brought back to her. She was a strict and just Luna, and
When Aurora arrived at the designated spot, she met a horrific scene. The entire forest was covered in flames. The bushes, tall trees and grasses were all burning brightly. Thick smoke coiled up into the dark sky and the heat was blistering hot. The entire lycans were scattered all around, bloody, burned and unconscious. The dragons continued their terror, wrecking havoc everywhere. Aurora's eyes darted around, searching for Henry. She found him lying a few meters away from her, surrounded by fire. "Henry!" She screamed, rushing over to where he lay. She didn't dare try to extinguish the flames because the last time she did, it affected her. Grabbing his arms, she dragged him away, over to a dry patch of grass. Then she knelt beside him and placed her head on his chest. She could feel his faint heartbeat meaning he was still alive, but barely. There were terrible bloody burns on the side of his face and chest, and unless he gained consciousness, he wouldn't be able to heal. "He
"Let me go Cade." Aurora cried, trying to dislodge herself from Cade's grip. The baby had woken up from the sound of her screams and was crying loudly, but all Aurora could think of was going back to help Henry. Without her, he and the other lycans were doomed. "Cade please..." She begged. [Forgive me Luna. I cannot disobey the Alpha's orders] Cade replied without stopping. "You don't understand." Aurora protested. "Henry is in danger. They are all in danger. Fighting against the dragon creatures is futile."[The Alpha knows this, which is why he wants you out of harm's way before he faces the creatures]Aurora felt like screaming out. He wasn't listening to her. "Cade I am your Luna! And it is only right that you listen to me! Put me down this instant. Now!"Cade tried to resist the order, but just as Henry used his Alpha voice on him, so did Aurora. He couldn't disobey the authority in her voice. He slowed down and gently lowered her to the ground before shifting back to his h
A few minutes later, Henry and Aurora met with Krino and the entire lycan warriors. The other shifters had been shared into three large groups and dispatched to different packs. They were instructed to inform the members of the different packs to build bunkers and hide away until the war with the dragons ended. All that was left were the lycans and a few shifters who stayed back to fight beside their Alpha. When Henry and Aurora arrived holding the baby, Krino and Cade noticed immediately that Penelope was not with them. "Where's Miss Penelope?" Cade asked. The other lycans then noticed that their late beta's mate was missing. Aurora didn't respond and just started crying softly. It was Henry who took a deep breath and told them how Penelope had passed away after birthing her son. The news hit them hard and a few looked away so the tears in their eyes wouldn't be seen. How many more would they lost? How many more would die just because two shifters were evil enough to set the d
Aurora jerked awake from sleep with her mother's name on her lips. It was daylight already. Henry was up, standing a few meters away from her, holding the baby. She watched him for a while as he stared down at the sleeping infant. She couldn't read his mind, but with the look on his face, she knew he was thinking about his beta. When Tyler died, Henry had felt the pain of loosing his beta and best friend. Though he didn't shed a single tear, she knew Tyler's death affected him immensely. She knew he was greatly hurt. Yet what was coming was even greater than Tyler's death, and she doubted if he would be able to bear it. The dream she had of her mother played back in her mind and she heard Kahlan's voice echo in her ears– 'Aurora the core of your magic lies in your soul, and that is the only thing powerful enough to destroy the dragons. You must use it.'She remembered the shock she felt when she realized what her mother meant. To destroy the dragons, she would have to sacrifice
No! Aurora screamed the words within her, but her face remained frozen in shock. She could hear the cries of the baby at the back of her mind, loud and persistent, but all her focus was on Penelope's face. The entire word faded, the sound of the wind and the rustle of the trees. Everything went still as she stared at her friend. For a short moment, she thought Penelope would blink and stretch out her hands for her baby. She waited, hoping and praying. But as each second passed, Penelope's body turned completely pale and stiff, and her eyes turned glassy. Only then did Aurora move. She lifted a hand and placed it on Penelope's cheek, tracing the dried streak of blood. "Penny." She whispered. Tears spilled down her eyes silently as the thought registered within her. Penelope was dead. Her best friend was dead. She hadn't been able to prevent her vision from coming to pass. "I'm so sorry Penny" She sobbed, softly pulling down Penelope's eyelids so her eyes were closed. "I'm sorry I
"PENNY!" Aurora screamed, rushing towards to the hole. All she could see was darkness, but she could hear Penelope's soft groans. "Penny can you hear me? Are you okay?" She asked repeatedly, waiting for an answer. After what seemed like an eternity, Penelope responded. "Aurora." She called out in shaky voice. "I'm right here Penny. Are you alright?""No. I... I think my water broke. And I think I might be bleeding too.""Just hold on. I'm going to get you out." Aurora said, hearing her friend cry softly. The castle was slowly crumbling as the flames consumed it entirely. She knew in a matter of seconds, the large building would collapse. She was at a loss of what to do. Calling to Henry for help was impossible because he wouldn't be able to go through the flames. And her strength was slowly diminishing. Her nose continued to bleed and she was beginning to feel dizzy with loss of blood and all the smoke around. "Moon goddess." She whispered in tears. "Please help us out of here
"HELP!" Penelope screamed out. She was curled into a tight ball at the edge of her room. Half of the room was destroyed by the flames and the fire kept advancing towards her. "HELP ME! PLEASE!" Her screams were drowned out by the roar of the flames as it licked up the entire room. The curtains and bed burned brightly, and the walls were slowly falling away. Seeing that there was no way out, she stopped crying out for help and just sobbed quietly. As she waited for death to take her, her mind went over everything that had happened minutes earlier. She assumed Aurora and Henry, along with all the other lycans had perished in the fire and all that was left was her. Hours ago when she first heard the roars and trembles, she made no move to find out what was happening. She had been too weak in the spirit, too tired, after the death of Tyler. All her energy was gone, her zeal for living too. But then her hand brushed her belly and she realized she had a reason to live. She was going t