Shota stood beside Nimueh inside the cave, watching the pool of water with intense concentration. After a while, a blurry image appeared on the surface of the water. Nimueh then waved her hands over the still water and the blurriness disappeared. A clear image of the castle appeared and Shota moved closer, gripping the edge of the pool. "Shota, isn't this invading Alpha Henry's privacy?" Nimueh asked worriedly. "I have no intention of spying on him." Shota replied. "I just want to try something. If it works, I'll have some answers concerning Aurora's strange powers. You don't have to worry, Nimueh. No one would see the butterfly. Henry can only sense it, he can't see it."Nimueh still felt like they were committing a crime by spying on Aurora but she ceased her complains and focused on the water. As the translucent butterfly flittered into the castle, it headed straight for Aurora until it found her on the bed. She was sleeping. "She's asleep." Nimueh stated. "I doubt anything
The explosion from the pool had knocked Shota and Nimueh backwards. They lay a few meters away, unconscious. After a while, Shota groaned and raised her head weakly. Her eyes widened when she saw the water from the pool overflowing, and she rushed to her feet. "Nimueh! Nimueh wake up!" She said, urgently shaking the young priestess.Nimueh groaned and opened her eyes. She saw Shota standing above her, her face a mask of panic. "What happened?" She asked hoarsely. "The sacred pool." Shota said. "It's overflowing. I need you to stop it."Nimueh climbed to her feet and she stood in shock watching the water from the pool flow out into the cave. "This has never happened." Nimueh said, rushing forward. "Shota I told you this was a bad idea, but you wouldn't listen to me."She plunged her hands into the flowing water and began to chant in an ancient language. The water turned blue as Nimueh's voice increased. Slowly but steadily, it flowed back until every last drop disappeared from the
The moment Shota and Nimueh started chanting the healing spell, the pool changed from sapphire to deep ruby. "What is this?" Shota asked in shock. "I have never seen anything like this." Nimueh whispered, equally in shock. "What is it? Why did you stop chanting?" Henry demanded. "The water of the pool." Shota explained. "I think Aurora changed its colour. This has never happened since Tamerin was built."The crimson colour of the pool turned the cave to a deep shade of red, leaving everyone of them in complete disbelief. "Well, continue the chanting." Tyler said. "There is no need for that." Shota replied, her gaze pinned on Aurora. "She's healing on her own.""What?"Shota looked up at Henry and smiled. "This isn't the usual way shifter's heal." She said softly. "Aurora is using the power of the sacred pool to heal herself. I knew bringing her here was the only way to know what she really is."Truly as they watched, the water slowly flowed up Aurora's body until it reached her
"Do you need anything?" Matilda asked quietly. She pulled up the sheets to Aurora's chest and clasped her hands behind her. "I'm fine." Aurora answered softly. She snuggled deeper into the warm sheets, breathing in Henry's scent that was all over the place. "Alright. If you need anything, just send for me." Matilda smiled and turned to leave the room. "Where's Henry?" "He's still in his study with beta Tyler." "Could you get Penelope for me?" "Of course." Matilda nodded and gently shut the door behind her. Aurora lay back against the pillows, listening to the wind as it howled through the forest. They returned from Tamerin hours ago and Henry hadn't left her side. It was when Tyler sent for him that he left the room, finally giving her a chance to talk with Penelope. A few minutes later, Penelope knocked softly on the door and poked her head in. "Are you alright Aurora?" She asked worriedly. "I'm fine. Come on in. Henry isn't back." Aurora beckoned to her. Penelope climbed
"I'm going to keep the truth away from Aurora, no matter what it is." Henry made up his mind. "Alpha I'm not questioning your judgement." Tyler began tentatively. "But don't you think it's a bad idea to do that?""Tyler tell me something." Henry answered him. "If you did something terrible, and you knew it would have a negative impact on your mate, would you tell her about it?""But Alpha, this is different. We don't even know if Kahlan is really Aurora's mother...""Answer the question." Henry snapped. Tyler had no choice but to answer truthfully. "No, I wouldn't. I'd keep it from her.""And why would you do that?" Henry asked further. Tyler sighed and looked away. "Because she would hate me for it. Definitely."Henry nodded. "Good. I'm glad you understand what I'm getting at. I'm not going to wait until I discover the truth about Kahlan's connection to Aurora. This should be between us, and Shota. Understood?""Yes Alpha." Tyler nodded. ... The next few weeks in the castle went
"My turn." Henry grinned wickedly. Aurora gasped, her body shivering in anticipation. Henry slowly untied the tiny fancy laces in the front of her dress until the fabric fell open. His eyes devoured her luscious round breasts, enclosed in a sexy red bra. "How did I get so lucky to have you?" He whispered thickly. Holding her hands captive above her head, his other hand teased her skin mercilessly. He pulled one bra cup downward until her hard pink nipple was released. Lowering his head, he caught the hardened peak between his teeth and drew it into his mouth, sucking erotically. A low moan escaped Aurora and she arched into his mouth. Her hands struggled to be free but Henry had other plans. "Stay still." He commanded in a husky voice. Stroking the side of her slim waist, he flicked his tongue over her sensitive nub and a shrill scream tore out of her. "Henry please." She whimpered. "Sshhh. I'm not done." Henry replied. His free hand unhooked the bra clasp and he tugged it awa
"What?" Aurora drew back. "Who are you?"The blind woman stared in her direction silently. Even without her eyes, Aurora could feel the woman's gaze on her. Why would a total stranger say something like that to her? Before the woman could say another word, Matilda pulled Aurora away and shoved the woman. "Get out of here, or I'll tell the Alpha."The blind woman stumbled and fell to the ground. Aurora's heart went out to her immediately and she stopped Matilda. "Stop. You don't have to treat her that way." She crouched and helped the young woman up. As she let go of her hand, the blind woman pulled her back and whispered in her ear. "Run away, before it's too late.""Why?" Aurora whispered. "Who are you?""My name is Katherina."Aurora gasped loudly. "Katherina Rosenberg?""I see you know who I am." Katherina muttered, gripping her stick tightly. "Which means you have heard my story.""I don't know what you're talking about." Aurora replied. She looked back at Penelope and Matilda
"Aurora, who were you talking to?" Henry asked. He looked around the room suspiciously before walking in further and shutting the door. "No one." Aurora shook her head quickly"But I heard you talking." Henry insisted. He checked the bathroom, then the large walk-in closet. He sniffed the air, but all he could perceive was Aurora's rosy scent. Aurora shrugged, trying not to act suspicious. "I was just talking to myself. I do that sometimes."Henry went round the room a second time and when he felt sure no one was in there, he finally believed her. "Talking to yourself eh?" He grinned, leaning forward to brush his lips on hers. "When did you start doing that?"Relieved that he didn't suspect a thing, Aurroa smiled and looped her arms around his neck. "I do it sometimes, when I'm alone."The room turned silent as he kissed her, his lips dominating hers completely. One hand gripping her waist gently but firmly while his other hand found its way into her hair, his fingers gently fistin
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