The Ivory Queen
Chapter 114

***Aurora’s POV***

Alpha Patrick, Wesley, and Jonathan gather around the dining table as we wait for Javier, Malik and Jared’s arrival to start the meeting.

I stare at the damaged table, looking at the burn marks I made when I first activated my fire element. I run my fingers along the charred wood, remembering Oliver running after me to calm me down when I hurt him.

My Olivier….

We hear the doors to the dining room suddenly burst open and I look up to see Javier and Celina walk in together holding hands. My heart almost bursts with joy that my sister was finally giving her mate a chance.

A tiny smile creeps up on Celina’s face as she takes her place beside him at the table while Javier couldn’t look prouder to have his mate at an Alpha meeting.

“I expect details!” I demand, making her blush.

I steal a glance at Oliver’s spot at the dining table, his empty chair taunting me with his absence.

The doors open once more and the Alphas from both Maple Moon and Desert Sky arrive. We all take our seats and I stretch a little, exhausted from the Moon Warrior Ceremony.

“Welcome,” I smile at Alpha Malik and Alpha Jared. “I’m sorry to have our first meeting together under such circumstances, however, we have some pressing issues to discuss. But first,” I say, turning to everyone. “I want to begin by thanking you all for answering the call for battle and for helping us protect River Moon from Nikolai’s forces.”

The alphas nod their heads at the acknowledgment.

“I also want to extend my condolences to your packs. We all lost some members that night,” I say solemnly.

“Thank you, Luna Aurora. Now,” Patrick clasps his hands together. “Let’s get down to business,” he says, wiping his forehead worriedly. “Where is Gwen?”

“Upstairs,” Carter replies. “She’s removing the barrier spells on the house like the witches asked.“

“And when exactly is she leaving?” Jonathan snaps irritably. “We don’t exactly have a lot of time!”

I almost growl at him, standing from my chair. With the tension rising, I take a moment to step back and breathe. I was already on edge, I didn’t need an Alpha riling me up.

“She leaves in 30 mins,” I sigh, closing my eyes as I exhale. “She’ll be staying at Artaud Inc for the time being.”

“Is that far enough away?” Wesley asks.

I rub my temples as I think. “I don’t know. The witches just said to make her disappear, so I’m assuming off of River Moon territory.” I scan the room. The only ones present are the Alphas, Celina, and Carter.

Can you trust them? Reyna asks.

Well I’m running out of time, so I guess I have too.

I take another deep breath. “In requesting she leave, Tais and Ira have confirmed my suspicions that someone close to me is betraying us. I can only assume Gwen’s presence makes it quite difficult for the witches to spy on me.”

“Do you have any suspects?” Wesley asks. “Anyone you think could possibly be working with the witches and tipping them off.”

I shake my head.

“Well who are your enemies?”

I think for a minute before a few people come to mind. “Simone and Adeline ,” I sigh, grimacing at their cruel words from yesterday. “But they can’t be it. A mother would never put her child at risk, especially not with Rosalie pregnant and Adeline would never hurt Oliver. Simone is a terrible person, but she loves her kids.”

“So Simone and Adeline are out,” Patrick sighs . “Who else?”

“Erin and Andrew’s parents?” Carter suggests. “They could be seeking revenge for their deaths!”

I think for a second before once again shaking my head. “Tais killed Erin. Do you think Diana would willingly work with the person responsible for her daughter’s death? Besides, they haven’t been to the pack house since the ceremony.”

“That would be true if they actually blamed Tais and Ira,” Carter says. “But much like Karina, they probably blame you more for everything. I mean the woman you once called mother is working for those bitches despite the fact that they killed her mate. I wouldn’t put it past them. They’d only need to be here once to be able to help those witches take Oliver.”

He’s not wrong.

As I rack my brain for more possibilities, Gwen walks into room.

“It’s done,” She announces, plopping down in a chair with a g***n and wiping her face in exhaustion. Much like the rest of us, she had been up all night working on our plan.

“How is the antidote coming along?” I ask.

She g****s again, laying her head on the table and covering her face with her arms. She shakes her head before looking back up at me, regret in her eyes.

“I tried all night,” she sighs. “I read all of my spell books and that little excerpt you wrote down for me but I’ve got nothing!”

“What is she talking about, Luna?” Patrick asks “Care to explain what it is Gwen can’t seem to figure out?”

I nod and clear my throat. “D-did any of you happen to notice Karina carrying a sword of some kind?”

Alpha Patrick starts laughing. “Are you kidding?” he laughs dryly. “She almost impaled me with that thing!”

The other Alpha’s confirm they saw her with the black sword. After hearing about the legend from Gwen, I held onto hope that perhaps it was a mistake and Tais and Ira had other plans, but it seems that was all just wishful thinking. They had the Soul of Insanity.

“Have you ever heard of the Soul of Insanity?” I inquire, drumming my fingernails nervously on the table.

“Soul of Insanity?” Alpha Malik asks. “I’m afraid I’m not following.”

“The sword Karina wields is special,” Gwen explains. “Once activated, Tais and Ira will be able to control an army of werewolves and be virtually unstoppable. Every werewolf would be under their command and not even the Ivory twins would be able to save us.”

The air thickens with worry.

“And how exactly does one activate the sword?” Jonathan asks. “And how do we keep them from doing so?”

“That’s what Gwen was working on all night,” I say. “You see, in order to activate the sword, Tais and Ira need the b***d of the Ivory Twins and of an innocent first born child.”

“So that’s why they requested your b***d,” Patrick murmurs, connecting the dots in his head. “And Rosalie..”

I nod. “They have her and her baby, her first born. Now the only thing they’re missing is our b***d.”

“So what exactly is your plan?” Jonathan persists.

I turn to Gwen and she nods. “Like any other werewolf, Ivory twins have weaknesses and we suspect these witches know it. What Gwen and I want to do is figure out a way to counteract the effects of my weaknesses so that when I meet them for the b***d delivery, I can-“

“YOU WANT TO GIVE THEM YOUR B***D?” Jonathan growls, standing up from his seat. “ARE YOU MAD?”

Carter is up too, growling at the Alpha for raising his voice at me and I grab his forearm to calm him down.

“Please sit,” I say sternly. “Both of you. Let me explain.”

Carter reluctantly settles back in his seat but Alpha Jonathan remains standing.

“Explain yourself Luna, because I’m not understanding,” Jonathan snaps, his tone angering Reyna.

Calm down, I growl at her.

Tell him to calm down, she retorts.

I glare at him and he finally slides back in his seat. “I wouldn’t give Tais and Ira my b***d. I would just make them believe that I am,” I grunt. “It’s likely those witches will have some concoction prepared to render Celina and I powerless so if Gwen and I can figure out a way to counteract the effects of the my weakness-“

“You could use your powers to save Oliver and Rosalie during the b***d draw,” Wesley finishes my thought .

I nod, but one look around the table lets me know not everyone was pleased with this idea.

“That’s taking a huge risk, Luna,” Jared says. “And we don’t have the luxury to fail.”

“But what else can we do?” I almost scream in frustration at him. “What choice do we have?”

“Not this one!” Jonathan says, pushing his hand through his hair. “If your plan fails, those witches get your b***d and we’re all f****d!” he snaps. “They get free reign over all of us and you would be useless against them.”

“But if we succeed, we could stop Tais and Ira once and for all. We could save Oliver and Rosalie!”

“Can you guarantee that this potion of yours will work?” he questions, placing both hands on the table to support his weight as he leans forward. “Can you tell me with out a shadow of a doubt that my wolves and those of your allies will not pay the consequences of your failure and that you would not be putting all of our lives in danger?” He turns to Gwen. “Can you do this, witch?”

Gwen stares at her hands sheepishly. “I-I can try my best-“

“THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH!” Jonathan snaps, making her flinch.

My hands burst into flames. “SIT DOWN ALPHA,” I command and he glares at me as he obeys the command.

“You are asking me and my wolves to put our lives in your hands,” he says through gritted teeth. “You, a child who is still learning how to use her powers! You can’t ask this of me and I can’t be the only one who thinks this!”

I scan the room of dejected faces and know he is right. They don’t trust my plan.

“Alpha Patrick?” I call out, my voice small. “Do you have anything to say?”

He exhales deeply, forming a triangle with his fingers over the bridge of his nose. “How confident are you that you can counter their spell, Gwen?”

My heart is practically bursting out of my chest as we wait for Gwen to reply. She remains silent for a moment, carefully thinking out her words.

“I-,” she closes her mouth and frowns. “I haven’t… this is a very tricky spell but I’m trying. I just need some time to figure it out..”

I can almost feel my soul leave my body as Alpha Patrick nods his understanding.

“Aurora-“

“Please let me try,” I beg. “Please… It’s my mate. Please let me save my mate. Please-“

It feels like an elephant is sitting on my chest as I hold back a sob and gasp for air, pleading with them to let me save my mate.

“I am sorry, your Majesty,” Alpha Patrick says quietly. “I cannot support your plan.”

“No.. ” I shake my head in disbelief. I turn to Wesley, hoping he might help me out. “Wes, please. I-It’s Oliver.. H-He’s your friend… Don’t let him die!”

“I’m sorry,” Wesley whispers, refusing to look me in the eye. “I can’t help you.”

A sickening feeling settles in the pit of my stomach and I want to scream, but the wail is caught in my throat. I look at Javier, Malik and Jared all who stare at the table, their silence shattering all of my hope.

“Please!” I cry but my pleas fall on deaf ears.

From the corner of my eye, I see Carter clenching his fists in the arm rest as tears spill onto his cheeks. When he looks up at me, his eyes look lifeless.

“My wife…” he whimpers. “and my baby…”

I place my hand over his to comfort him but he yanks his arm away as if disgusted by my touch.

“They were right,” he snarls. “You are to blame for everything that’s happened!”

He gets up from his seat and storms out of room, his words ringing in my ears. I stare at the door, willing the tears back but I’m failing miserably.

“When Midnight falls, Luna, you must write NO with the chalk,” Patrick says quietly. “I can’t imagine what you are feeling right now and I am deeply sorry for what you’re about to experience but it’s for the good of all werewolves. We cannot sacrifice all of our lives for just your mate.”

His words register slowly and I slump back into my chair as the ringing in my head intensifies.

We’re going to lose Oliver and Rosalie! Reyna wails.

No! I refuse to give up!

“It’s never going to end!” I argue. “It’s Oliver now but it could be Scarlet next or any one of your wolves!” I scream in protest. “Those witches won’t stop! You know they won’t!”

“And hopefully by then, we’ll figure something out but we cannot risk you giving them even an opportunity to take your b***d!” Jonathan retorts.

His face softens when a few tears spill onto my cheeks and I quickly wipe them away.

“I’m sorry, Luna. I truly am. But this is how it has be.”

With my heart hardening by the second, filling with ice and hatred for those witches, I nod silently. I felt numb, my hope, my will, my strength gone with their decision.

“Gwen, are your things ready for you to leave?” Patrick asks and the witch nods. “I’ll escort you to Artaud Inc. then.” He turns to the Alpha’s once more. “Meeting adjourned. We’ll return before Midnight to help Luna Aurora with-“

“Help?” I laugh coldly. “You’ve just killed me.”

“Aurora,” Celina murmurs as she walks over to me, trying to wrap her arms around me, but I find her presence suffocating.

“Don’t touch me,” I snarl, pushing her arms away. “Don’t f*****g touch me!”

I push her with all my force and she collides with wall. Javier is on his feet instantly, rushing to help her up.

“You’ve found your own mate only to help take away mine!” I snap, wiping at my tears furiously. “Don’t you ever speak to me again! Don’t you ever call yourself my sister!”

Celina’s eyes fill with tears. “You don’t mean that,” she whimpers. “I know you don’t.”

I close my eyes to focus on my breathing. “I need to be alone,” I say, my bottom l*p trembling. “Excuse me,” I mutter, storming toward the door only to be blocked by Wesley. “Move,” I whisper, my hands shaking harder by the minute.

“Aurora I don’t think-“

“I said MOVE!” I command and he shifts off to the side obediently.

I only had one thing on my mind and I dash out of the room, eager to get my hands on it. Evan rushes to me the second I step out of the dining room but I ignore his pleas and storm outside. I walk briskly towards the fountain as Evan runs after me and catches up, wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Aurora, talk to me. What happened-“

I crouch down a little and jab my elbow into his stomach, causing him to loosen his grip. I grab his arms and yank them off, hell bent on getting what I wanted.

I need it. I crave it and for once, Reyna doesn’t protest.

“Aurora!”

I ignore Evan as I jump into the fountain, gasping slightly at the coolness of the water. The fountain was deeper than I thought and I sink until the water reaches my chest.

“Aurora, what are you doing?” Evan cries, reaching the base of the fountain.

I take a gulp of air and slip beneath the surface of the water, keeping my eyes open. Looking around the bottom of the fountain, I try to go deeper when I feel an arm yank me back out.

“Aurora stop!”

I gasp for more air before throwing a punch at Evan and sinking back into the water to search for the scalpel.

Where the f**k is it?

I hear a splash as Evan dives in after me. He pulls me out of the water and I try to fight him off, flailing my arms and legs about.

“Let me go,” I scream. “I have to find it!”

I kick and scream until my throat starts to hurt.

“You won’t find it in there!” He snaps.

I freeze and look up at him.

“Oliver had me take it out a long time ago,” He sighs. “He didn’t want you hurting yourself anymore.”

I feel another sob coming.

Oliver protected me even from myself… why couldn’t I have protected him?

We hear footsteps approaching and turn to see the Allies, Celina and Gwen coming to meet us. Bitterness ripples through my heart. They all had their mates safe and sound or within reach… but what about me?

A few tears well up in my eyes and I wipe at them angrily, yanking myself free from Evan’s arms.

“I’m so sorry I’ve failed you,” Gwen says quietly, unable to look at me. “I’m so sorry.”

Of all the people standing here, she was the only one who had been willing to save Rosie and Oliver.

My chest tightens in anguish as I rush to her and give her a good squeeze. “You didn’t fail me,” I whisper.

I hold onto her for a while as she whispers a few words of encouragement to me, the decision made by the Allies slowly sinking into my bones. Cold and wet, I start shivering.

“Come on, Aurora. Let’s get you dried off,” Celina says as Wesley drapes his coat over my shoulder.

I shrug the coat off and head down the walk way,

“I’m going on a run,” I mutter, my back now to them.

“I’ll come with you,” she says, taking a step towards me.

I spin on my heel instantly, palms up in flames.

“You stay the hell away from me,” I snarl, freezing her in her tracks.

Sprinting down the walkway as they call after me, I shift and disappear into the woods.