The Ivory Queen
Chapter 44

***Aurora’s POV***

Carter brings me downstairs and Rio refuses to leave my side as several omegas run back and forth getting everything ready for the arrival of the Alphas. I pick him up and set him down on my lap, stroking his head and kissing him.

“You know he’s not a lap dog, right?” Carter laughs.

“Very observant of you,” I mock.

I’m wheeled over to the entertainment room where Oliver and Evan are in the middle of a heated argument.

“What seems be the problem?” I ask, looking at them sternly.

“Tell her Oliver,” Evan replies through gritted teeth, sending Oliver a death glare.

Oliver clenches his jaw and looks annoyed.

“I’m waiting,” I say, losing my patience.

“You’re sister was spotted sneaking around our territory,” he sighs. “I sent my warriors after her but they haven’t managed to catch her.”

What could Mia possibly want right now?

“Let her come,” I sigh. “Maybe she-“

“Aurora, are you crazy?” Oliver snaps. “We don’t know what she wants and she could hurt you! Need I remind you how she treated you all these years?”

“Mia never hurt me!”

“Right, she just watched while Salvador and your mom did the dirty work for her,” he rebuttals, throwing his arms up in the air.

“I’m not arguing this with you. Mia isn’t dumb and she’s not a threat. There must be a reason she chose to set foot on River Moon territory,” I huff.

Oliver looks like his mind is about to implode with how frustrated he is with me, but I can’t help it. I don’t want any harm coming to Mia or anyone else for that matter. Emiliano may not have been my father but he raised me to believe in second chances. He loved his family and I would never forgive myself if any harm ever came to them because of me.

“I hate when you do this, Aurora. You forgive way too easily.”

I shake my head in disagreement. “Oliver, I wasn’t raised to hold grudges against those who hurt me. I don’t believe in revenge. I just don’t. My father would be ashamed of me if I ever did. And I believe my forgiving heart has worked to your advantage on more than one occasion but you didn’t have a problem with it, did you?”

I instantly regret what I said as Oliver goes silent, hurt flashing in his eyes. That was cruel of me. I didn’t need to bring up his shortcomings like that.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that…I- excuse me.”

I roll my wheelchair out to the foyer and through the living room to get to the back yard. I need some fresh air. As I’m wheeling, I hear someone run after me. I look back and see Oliver pushing me gently out the door. When we make it to the garden, he wheels me over to a bench and we sit in silence for a bit.

“Oliver, I’m so sorry. That was unnecessary. My anger got the best of me. I didn’t mean it. I forgave you and I had no right to hang that over you like that,” I say, feeling incredibly guilty.

“You have nothing to apologize for. It’s true, I’ve messed up a lot since meeting you. It’s I who has to apologize. I’m sorry for getting upset with you. I’m just afraid your family might hurt you again if I let them near you. I called off the search party,” he sighs. “I’m choosing to trust your judgment.”

“Thank you.”

“I know she’s your sister, but that doesn’t mean she has good intentions. Sometimes family doesn’t have your best interests at heart,” he says quietly.

“You’re talking about your parents, aren’t you?” I ask, taking his hand in mine. “You must miss them.”

He shakes his head. “They’re adults. They made their choice.”

“Family is still family and you can miss them even when they hurt you. I miss my mom all the time.”

Oliver looks at me with anger and confusion. “How?”

I shrug. “She wasn’t always cruel. In fact, she was the sweetest person in the whole world. She used to set up these elaborate little tea parties with Mia and I and we’d dress up in our best dresses. She would sing to me when I had nightmares and wouldn’t leave my side until I fell back asleep. She gave the best hugs. She would hold me like I was the most precious thing in the world to her,” I smile. “Something just broke inside her when Dad died.”

Oliver listens carefully and sighs. “That doesn’t excuse what she did to you. Everyone loses someone and that doesn’t give them the right to treat people like shit.”

“I know, I just believe in remembering the good along with bad. Mom is a person with feelings after all.”

He lets out a heavy sigh and looks me in the eyes. “I respect your point of views and beliefs, even if I don’t necessarily agree or understand them. Please forgive me for over stepping my boundaries with Mia. I’m just trying to protect you.”

“I know, but she’s clearly trying to make amends. I’d like to give her a chance.”

He leans forward and k****s my forehead. “Come on, let’s get you back inside.”

Oliver wheels me back into the living room while he goes off with the boys to oversee the arrangements in the dining room. I get off my chair and plop down on the sofa where Rosalie and Rio curl up with me. I once again notice her chocolaty smell.

“You smell different,” I whisper and she lets go of me, sniffing herself.

Her eyes fill up with tears. “I don’t smell bad do I? Oh Goddess, that’s my biggest fear!”

“Oh no, Ro. That’s not- You usually smell like peaches but for some reason, you now smell like dark chocolate. I didn’t mean to offend you!”

“Oh,” she smiles, wiping her tears and hugging me again. “Ok,” she shrugs.

Hmmm….

“Ro are you ok? You started crying and now you’re smiling like nothing happened,” I laugh.

She goes quiet for a moment, clearly working through something in her mind. “I don’t know. I’ve been all over the place lately.” She pulls Rio into her lap and pets his head gently before looking around the room. “I think I might be pregnant,” she whispers.

I perk up immediately. “Have you taken the test? “

She shakes her head. “No. I bought the test a while ago but I’ve been too scared to do it on my own and I don’t want to tell Carter. I don’t want to get his hopes up in case I’m not.”

I wave my healing hands in front of her. “We could find out together.”

She nods and takes a deep breath before I place my hand on her lower abdomen. I wash my energy over her and squeal in excitement as soon as I detect the life growing inside her.

Her eyes widen. “Say it. I won’t believe you unless you say it!”

“Rosalie, my darling, you’re pregnant!” I say, shedding a few tears. “You’re going to be a mommy!”

Her hand goes to her mouth as she sobs with joy. She pulls me into a hug and we both weep like babies. Rio starts barking in celebration, drawing the attention of the boys who rush in.

“What’s wrong?” Evan asks as Rosalie and I wipe away tears.

I nudge Rosalie forward, giving her hand a quick squeeze for encouragement. She gets up and walks slowly towards Carter who looks hopelessly lost.

“Rosie, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” He asks, pulling her into his arms and inspecting her carefully.

She giggles and k****s him on the lips to calm his worries. “Carter, I couldn’t be happier right now,” she smiles reaching down to grab his hand and place it on her flat belly.

It takes him a minute to understand before his eyes fill with tears. “You’re-?”

She nods and he picks her up and spins her around. “We’re having a pup!” He shouts excitedly.

Oliver pulls Rosalie into hug and congratulates her. “Congrats little sis. You’re going to be an amazing mother,” he says.

Evan smacks Carter on the back. “Looks like baby Carter’s all grown up now. I’m proud of you, man.”

Carter rolls his eyes and smacks Evan back. I clear my throat and give them a warning look to stop them from going into a fist fight.

———

Since this is a formal Alpha meeting, Rosalie helps me do my hair and makeup before running off to get ready herself. Oliver picks out a cream figure hugging cape sleeve dress and matching pumps.

As I sit in front of the mirror, my eyes go straight to my arms and legs. The cape sleeves do little to hide the self-harm scars, cigarette burns and other miscellaneous scars I have, especially if I moved my arms. While the dress did go slightly past my knees, hiding the scars Andrew once gave me, it did nothing to hide the scar on my ankle from when Salvador used to tie me to the supply closet with silver chains. I cut my ankle trying to free myself.

Maybe if I keep my hands in my lap and drape the sleeves over them, no one will notice…

As I frown into the mirror, Oliver comes up behind me and stares at my reflection. He’s dressed in an elegant black suit.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs into my ear, leaning down to k**s my cheek. “Thank Moon Goddess you’re all mine.”

I close my eyes. “I am beautiful,” I mumble to myself.

He reaches down and grabs my wrist, gently lifting it up to his lips and causing the cape sleeve to hang off my shoulder. He turns my arm over and k****s my scars.

“I can’t even begin to describe how proud I am of you for finding the courage to show yourself like this. You’re amazing.”

He leans down and k****s my lips briefly before lifting me up bridal style from my chair and carrying me into the room.

“I’m sure I can walk now!” I giggle as he carries me towards the door.

“Not a chance!”

I catch a glimpse of my medallion sitting on the night stand and point to it. “Sir, I need my medallion,” I order.

Oliver g****s but does not deny my request and goes back to grab my medallion. He rolls his eyes as I slip it over my head and tuck it into my dress.

When we reach the bottom of the stairs, Oliver sets me down in the wheel chair and pushes me towards the dining room where Carter is patiently waiting for us. Evan, Cameron and other gammas stand guard at all the main entrances of the house.

I take a deep breath to remind myself that I will be okay. Carter moves in front of Oliver and I and we make our entrance.

I’m met by smiling faces as I glance around the room and notice there are a couple of new wolves I did not meet last time, including Patrick’s Luna, Ellen and Jonathan’s pregnant Luna, Scarlet. Oliver wheels me over to our place at the head of the table and motions for everyone to take a seat.

“I would like to start off this meeting today by thanking all of you for your help with the attack on my pack yesterday,” Wesley says. “We had 2 casualties but I think it could have been much worse had you not shown up when you did. I thank you for your quick response.”

“Of course there is one person in this room who deserves recognition for their complete and selfless act,” he continues. “Luna Aurora, I was unfair to you the first time we met, and yet you saved my son and several of my warriors from certain death that very same day. Yesterday you healed 4 Cerulean Sea wolves including a pup, 6 from Jade Crescent, 9 from B***d Moon and 4 from River Moon, saving a total of 23 lives. I-I don’t think I can express how grateful I am towards you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I was just doing what anyone else in my position would have done,” I smile, wiping a few stray tears.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Luna,” Alpha Patrick interrupts. “I’ve fought in many battles throughout my lifetime, both as Alpha and as a warrior, and I can tell you right now, not many wolves would have had the courage to do what you did. I’ve only ever met one other wolf who would and that wolf was your father.”

My ears perk up when he mentions Emiliano.

“I had the honor of meeting Emiliano on many occasions and was always in awe of the man that he was. He was a force to be reckoned with. There is no doubt in my mind that he would be proud of what you accomplished yesterday.”

I cannot stop the flow of tears coming from my eyes and take a few moments to collect myself.

“T-thank you. I don’t think I’ll ever be half the wolf my father was but your words are greatly appreciated,” I say, wiping tears.

“I would like to thank you as well,” someone says.

I follow the voice to Scarlet standing beside Jonathan.

“I don’t believe we’ve met, but I’m Scarlet, Luna of Jade Crescent,” she adds. “It’s an honor to finally meet the person responsible for healing so many wolves. My father, Russell, was among the poisoned wolves you saved.”

I smile. I was happy to meet his daughter.

“You’re father was incredibly brave and selfless,” I say. “He asked me to save the other wolves first before him because he thought they were in more pain than he was. When it was finally his turn, he asked me to take a break and heal him when I felt better. I’ll never forget that. In the midst of his own pain, he felt the need to take care of me too. I was glad I could help him.”

“Thank you for allowing my father to return home to meet his grandchild,” she says, rubbing her swollen belly.

Oliver k****s the top of my head as I wipe more tears. “You’re incredible,” he whispers.

“When this meeting is over, several of the wolves you saved would like to thank you personally. I believe some of them have gifts for you,” Jonathan announces.

I nod my head and Oliver begins the meeting.

“So the attack. Any ideas why Cerulean Sea has now been attacked twice?” He asks.

“Perhaps the rogues wanted to throw us off the pattern?” Jonathan suggests. “They probably figured out we had our eyes on B***d Moon and chose to strike where we wouldn’t expect.”

“But why Cerulean Sea?” Wesley wonders. “Our territories are smaller compared to River Moon and B***d Moon, but our warriors are amongst the fiercest. Why risk it?”

“The attack seems extremely calculated to me,” Patrick adds. “By sheer size, River Moon and Lluvia Blanca were probably too dangerous for these Rogues to take on again, especially since both packs boast silver wolves. And as Jonathan mentioned, B***d Moon would have been too obvious. This leaves Jade Crescent and Cerulean Sea as the two best options for their attack. How they determined which was the better option, I cannot say.”

“Well during our last meeting we found that the targets were mainly female. Was this still the case for this attack?” Oliver asks.

“No,” Wesley shakes his head. “There were over a 100 Rogues and not one went towards the safe house. Of the 23 poisoned wolves, only 6 were female and all of them mated.”

“Well two did manage to sneak into the hospital,” Oliver chimes in. “Evan and Aurora were attacked while they were in the pediatric ward saving the little boy who had been bitten.”

“Right, I had almost forgot about that,” Wesley recalls.

“Who was the child?” Ellen asks.

“His name is Isaiah. He’s a 5 year old. He had been playing at borders when a rogue attacked him. Luckily one of the guards got to him just in time and alerted us,” Wesley explains.

“Could the Rogues have been targeting him?”

“I doubt it. Isaiah’s just a child and his folks are good regular people. I see no reason why he would be of importance to the rogues,” Wesley concludes.

“Could they have been targeting you, Luna Aurora,” Kehlani suggests. “Perhaps they figured out you were a healer and wanted to ensure you couldn’t heal the injured wolves from the attacks.”

She has a point. Perhaps this whole ordeal has nothing to do with me and my secret. It could be that I just stand in the way of their plans!

“But how would they know she was the healer?” Oliver asks.

“She has healed multiple wolves before this,” says Wesley.

“Word travels fast, Alpha Oliver,” Patrick interjects. “Silver wolves are rare, and healers even more so. It’s likely someone informed this witch or whoever’s behind all this of her gift.”

“Well, for now, we’ll have to assume Luna Aurora is a potential threat to the witch and therefore a target. She is the only wolf that we know of who can heal those infected by the witch poison and is an obstacle in the rogue’s plan, whatever it may be,” Jonathan says.

I glance over at Oliver and Carter and their eyes are a storm of rage and fear. I grab Oliver’s hand in an attempt to calm him down.

“Oliver, don’t be scared,” I whisper.

“Alpha Oliver, you and you’re Luna are not alone. I would be more than happy to send you extra guards for her protection,” Wesley says.

“As would we,” Scarlet joins in. “We would be honored to help protect her.”

“Thank you,” Oliver answers before changing the subject. “Any news on the witch who is behind all of this?”

“We managed to capture a few live rogues yesterday but they all perished before we could even interrogate them. It’s seems the poison in their venom kills them as well,” Wesley says with a look of defeat. “Whoever this witch is, she’s covered her tracks very well.”

Oliver slams his fist in the table in frustration, causing me to jump back in my seat and the Alphas all give him a look of sympathy. Alpha mate bonds are extremely powerful and they know he fears for my safety.

“It’s going to be okay,” I murmur, kissing his fist. “I’m stronger than I look.”

“We will find this Witch, Luna Aurora,” Patrick declares. “As for the attacks, I think we should be looking to ramp up our training regimes. We should focus of tactical strategies to avoid being bitten.”

Having calmed down, Oliver nods. “I second that idea. It would greatly reduce the number of poisoned wolves and lessen the stress on My Luna,” he agrees. “I believe Wesley’s trainers are the ideal candidates to provide the best strategies. His warriors are the best in the state and have consistently kept the number of bites low among their soldiers. I’m sure they have a few tricks up their sleeve they can teach us.”

Wesley smiles at the compliment. “I would be honored to have my trainers work with everyone on better combat tactics.”

Suddenly, Oliver snarls and we all turn to look at him. His eyes are fogged over.

“Mia is here.”