Dark and Damaged: Eight Tortured Heroes of Paranormal Romance: Paranormal Romance Boxed Set (117 page)

He left with his sister, and Aurora felt cold once more. She remained an outsider. And she wasn’t here to ingratiate herself into their fold, but kill the dragon.

The thought depressed her. She had never killed anything before. How could she gather the courage to do this?

She was a dragon seeker, with the ability to find such fantastic, mythical creatures. She had been trained to discover and capture them, not kill them. To find a rare silver dragon and then plunge a dagger into its heart…

Aurora wiped away a tear.

Later that afternoon, the pack sat in folding chairs in the garden before the wedding gazebo as Guy and Helen exchanged vows.

Her heart skipped a beat as she envisioned herself in Helen’s place, clad in a white flowing dress, a circlet of white roses upon her head, beaming at her groom.

Melancholy settled over her. She and Robert did not share love, like Guy and Helen. Their union would be political, nothing more. No love. Love was hollow, a meaningless concept to her.

After the formal ceremony, the guests retired to the reception. An enormous white tent, stretched over the lawn, protected the guests from the setting sun. The skies were streaked rose, violet, and yellow - a good omen, she’d overheard. A balmy breeze blew through the trees, rustling the leaves. Covered with white linen tablecloths, each table bore a squat glass vase of white roses, white hyacinth, and honeysuckle.

As alpha, Robert held a place of honor at the head table, but she’d been placed at a table with Susan, her mate Louis, and their friends. Melanie sat at a table in the back.

Susan had given her the night off as a reward for her hard work. Other Lupines bustled about the room, serving the meal. Susan had even paid her, and then took her shopping to buy a gown for the formal event.

In her pink, floor-length gown, she felt like a fairy princess. The V-neck bodice with its spaghetti straps was embellished with sparkling silver sequins, and the skirt was flowing chiffon.

Aurora listened to the conversation around her, ate the seasoned lamb and vegetables, and tried to be invisible, even though she longed to join the entertainment.

As the sunlight dimmed, the lights draped from the tent ceiling came on. Thousands of tiny blue-white bulbs sparkled like fairy light. It gave the tent a mystical, ethereal touch that enchanted Aurora.

Upon a raised wood dais, a band with a fiddle, harp, flute and guitar played as the guests danced. And the Lupines could dance! The wolves laughed and twirled and stomped upon the wood platform as Aurora clapped her hands. All the cheerful energy filled the air and chased away her morose thoughts. She sipped champagne.

Robert crossed the room, ignoring the slightly bowed heads as he passed, and sat in the empty seat beside her. He wore a well-tailored black silk tuxedo, which looked elegant on him. He was so handsome, whether in evening clothes circulating among the guests, or in dusty blue jeans, working the earth.

“You’re not dancing.”

“I’m not a great dancer.” She set down her flute of bubbly and touched a fragrant petal in the table’s arrangement. “Everything is so lovely, I just want to bask in it.”

“Do you know the meaning of the flowers?” he asked.

Aurora shrugged. “Roses mean love. Everyone knows that.”

Love. A meaningless word.

Others said “I love you” all the time. Her parents had said it to her before they abandoned her to be raised by the elite group of Mages, even as she cried while she was dragged off, her fingers gripping the doorway, desperate to stay.

“Each flower represents something. Honeysuckle for the bonds of love. The hyacinth for fertility.” He touched a sprig. “We are quite traditional here.”

Such a warm smile. She could almost believe he could care about her, did care.

Silly me
.

Her heart beat faster as he took her hand and brushed a soft kiss against her knuckles. As Robert talked of the traditions in the ceremony, and what they meant, she found herself smitten by the deepness of his voice. So sexy. Handsome. Strong. He was like the towering mahogany tree outside the tent, sheltering all who stood beneath him.

The pleasure he’d given her in the hot spring promised several nights of erotic bliss. And yet there was more to him than sex, a depth and vulnerability that drew her closer. Being near him chased away the darkness inside her.

But she didn’t know if she wanted the darkness gone. The darkness was all she’d known for many years, an old and familiar friend late at night.

Robert lifted her chin with his fingers, his grip strong but gentle. “What’s wrong? You look upset.”

Aurora gave a little shrug. “I’m having a moment.”

“Ah. I know about those.” He stroked a thumb across her lower lip, making her tremble. “But this is a time for rejoicing, not ‘moments.’ Try this.”

Dropping his hand, he slid a glass over to her. “It’s a delicacy at Lupine weddings.”

Each guest had a reservoir glass, and a slotted sterling silver spoon. A cube of sugar sat on a pretty hand-painted dish next to the glass and a pitcher of icy water rested at the table’s center. Susan and her mate had run some ice water over the sugar cube to dilute the green liquid. Aurora had refrained from drinking the stuff, worried about the effects on her system.

She studied the green liquid in the reservoir glass. “What is that? It smells like licorice.”

He raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Try it. You’ll like it. It’s like salted caramels, with a bit more bite.”

After doing the honors with the sugar cube, he handed the glass to her.

Aurora raised the glass to her mouth and took a tentative swallow. It burned like whiskey as she swallowed and she gasped, watching the room swim before her eyes. Sputtering, she set the glass down. “Holy schnitzel, what
is
that?”

“Absinthe. The only drink that truly matters at our weddings. Puts hair on the groom’s chest.”

Robert’s charming grin disarmed her. Aurora put a hand on his arm. “Steady,” he murmured. “It’ll wear off in a minute.”

She licked her mouth, as the room slowly steadied. “And what does it do to the bride?”

He gave a mysterious smile. “You’ll see.”

Standing, he held out his hand. “May I have this dance?”

Aurora’s heart pounded with both excitement and disquiet. He had not shown her exclusive attention before the entire pack. Now, by dancing with her, he would make a very obvious statement.

Silently, he continued to hold out his hand while she hesitated.

She took it and he led her to the dance floor. The band ceased playing and she could feel the collective stares of the pack, but didn’t care. Robert gave a slight nod to the band and they struck up a waltz.

Robert clasped her waist, his heat like a burning coal through the fabric of her gown as they began the steps.

She felt giddy to be in his arms again, this time in full view of the pack, if fully clothed. Her hand tightened on his broad shoulder, encased in black silk. Though nervous, she found dancing with him easy. Aurora glided along to his expert lead, and arched her neck to glance up at him.

He cut a very smooth turn and she followed effortlessly. They matched each other well. Would they do so in the bedroom? A furious flush ignited her skin as she thought of their wedding night. She hoped he would not notice.

“You’re very becoming when you blush,” he remarked. “Pink as your lovely gown.”

Aurora raised her gaze.

“Such a delicious rose pink. Pink as other, more intimate, areas of your body,” he murmured, pulling her closer.

Now her flush deepened.

“Pink after drinking that foul beverage you like? I fear my skin is more green than pink after the absinthe. But I match the foliage.”

His lips twitched with amusement. “You’re a most becoming decoration, no matter what the color. But don’t fear. I won’t plant you in a pot, stick you in a corner and string ribbon all over you.”

Aurora laughed. Heads turned, stared. Her mirth died as soon as it began - she could not risk drawing attention to herself. She needed to remain invisible so that she could complete her mission without anyone catching on.

She looked away from Robert, away from the man who would soon take her virginity. It was best they remained strangers, even once the deed was done.

“Everyone is staring at us,” she murmured, resisting the temptation to lay her head upon his broad shoulder.

“Of course. You are the loveliest woman here.”

Aurora shook her head. “Please, you don’t need to seduce me with pretty lies. I’ll be yours soon, and the falsehoods don’t flatter me or yourself.”

Robert shook his head. “I don’t lie. You are quite lovely, especially when you drop that guard you maintain. You disguise yourself, but I sense you long to show the world who you truly are.”

Startled, she looked up at him. “But aren’t we all in disguise, in some form or another? You’re a wolf in Skin clothing.”

“And what are you, Aurora Seville? A Mage with muted powers? Or a woman who wishes to free herself from slavery?”

“A woman who enjoys dancing with a handsome wolf.”

A mysterious smile curved his lips. “A woman who enjoyed my attentions in the hot springs.”

Aurora’s breath hitched. “Had I known what you wanted to do to me...” she began.

“You’d have turned and walked away?”

Aurora compressed her trembling lips. She looked directly into his eyes. “No,” she admitted. “I would not have.”

Satisfaction filled his gaze. She did not stiffen as he pulled her closer. The air between their bodies grew warm from their combined heat.

“And you? Had you a choice, if I were not the Mage destined to lift your curse, would you have walked away from me?”

She needed to know. His scent, mixed with the smell of clean skin, filled her nostrils. Aurora awaited his answer.

Some unknown emotion flickered in his eyes. Then his gaze darkened.

“No,” he admitted quietly. “I could not have.”

His gaze softened as they regarded each other. For a magical moment, she felt they were the only two people in the tent, as filled with joy about their future as the bride and groom. Filled with the wonder of discovering each other.

She smiled, fresh courage filling her. “Why would you not have walked away?”

He made no reply. A distant look came over his face, as if he had shuttered himself off from her.

Aurora was surprised and hurt, but she resigned herself to finishing the dance in silence. Their steps became more halted and less relaxed.

When the dance ended, she curtseyed and Robert executed an elegant bow. She sensed impossible layers to this man, hidden by cool indifference. He might be friendly and emotionally intimate with his people, but not with her. With her, he withheld himself.

She would soon become physically intimate with this wolf, and he would know every part of her body. Yet she did not know him at all. They remained strangers.

***

Robert escorted Aurora back to her table and sat. With her long brown hair cascading down her bare back, Aurora looked breathtaking in her bright pink gown, her skin glowing with health. How much she’d changed over the past four weeks.

Her cheeks had plumped out, and her skin was no longer sallow. When they mated in a few nights, she would be ready to accept his seed.

Robert poured a glass of absinthe and drank it as Aurora stared.

“Are you mad? That stuff is lethal!”

He wiped his mouth with the back of one hand. “Lethally good.”

Never the sugar for him, nor the ice water. He was alpha, and alphas were expected to drink the liquor straight.

She looked at the couple at the head table. “They look so much in love.”

Love yes. And lust. Robert glanced at Guy, who stared at his bride as if he were more than ready for tonight. Forget the absinthe and how it put fuel in a groom’s tank so he could perform. Guy wouldn’t need it.

Melancholy washed over Robert as he remembered staring at Caroline with equal lust, his excitement rising as the night wore on and the time for bedding drew near. He had hardly been able to contain his desire.

But Caroline had refused to commit to their relationship and only wanted to be his lover. He had not known she’d used him to leech power from the land. He’d been so damn naïve and foolish… and by the time he discovered her true purpose, it was too late.

The sex hadn’t even been memorable. For all her beauty, Caroline lacked the passion of Lupine females. When she had finally lain beneath him, her legs spread wide for him to take her, she had uttered a small sigh and stroked his back.

He noticed Aurora had moved her chair away and regretted how distant he’d been with her earlier. He wanted a willing mate, and he wasn’t doing his best to court her.

The hour grew late. He plucked a rose from the vase on the table and handed it to her. “For you.”

She took the rose, her silky brows raised in apparent suspicion. “Why are you giving me this? Do you want me to plant it?”

He laughed. “You’re a beautiful woman, and deserve a flower as lovely as you are.”

Aurora inhaled the bloom, and smiled. Such a simple gift, and yet it brought a sweet blush to her cheeks.

I cannot give her more
.

A throat cleared behind them. With some impatience, Robert glanced up. “What is it?”

Louis, Susan’s mate, hovered nearby, with several other males. “Rob, it’s time. The moon…”

“Of course.” He kissed Aurora’s hand. “Forgive me. Duty calls.”

“Can I join you?”

“No.”

The answer was more brusque than intended. But he grazed his fingertips along her smooth cheek. “Stay, enjoy yourself.”

Robert snapped his fingers and Susan scurried over. He cast Louis a meaningful glance. “My future mate shouldn’t be alone while I attend to my responsibilities. Susan, Louis, please ensure she is cared for.”

“Where are you going?” Aurora asked.

He gave Aurora a stern look. “It is a private matter. Aurora, you will stay with Susan and Louis at the wedding. I’m giving you a direct order.”

With little bows of their heads, his sister and brother-in-law sat. They were obedient, perfect Lupines who always did as he asked.