The Ivory Queen
Chapter 17

***Aurora’s POV ***

It’s not long before Evan comes out, still chuckling about the knee I gave Oliver.

“Can I just say that was the most entertaining 3 seconds of my life,” he laughs. “He’s still mad!”

“Well he deserved it!”

Evan smiles and shakes his head. “So, uh, why do you want to go to the pack library?”

“I have a few questions about my powers,” I say. “I don’t really understand any of it.”

“Oh, well in that case. Let’s go!”

Evan and I walk down the road to a large white building with beautiful wolf statues on either side of the entrance. We replace a little librarian wearing cute gold spectacles deeply immersed in a book.

“Hey Anne, we’re looking for books on silver wolves and healing,” Evan says as he leans on her desk. “Did I mention you look absolutely fantastic today? I love the glasses. They really make you hazel eyes just pop.”

Anne glares at Evan. “Nice try kid, but don’t think I forgot what you and that hooligan did the last time you were here,” she hisses.

I cough to hide my laughter. Anne scowls at me and I pretend to look around the building. There are only a couple of young wolves gathered around a few tables doing homework or reading textbooks. I had forgotten I had been in a coma for four months and school was back in session.

“Oh come on, Anne. I’ve changed!” Evan pleads. “You see her?” he says pointing to me. “She’s our Luna and she just wants to know about healers.”

Anne glances back at me and I give her a shy smile.

“Fine,” she sighs.

Anne leads us up to the second floor, which is completely empty. We walk past the sea of bookshelves and empty tables until we reach a tiny back room.

“Here you are,” she says turning to us. “You better not mess around in here, Evan,” she warns.

Evan smiles. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Anne.”

Anne rolls her eyes and walks off, leaving the two of us behind. Once I’m sure she’s gone, curiosity gets the best of me.

“So what exactly did you and Carter do?” I giggle.

“Oh we may or may not have put stinky cheese in the air vents and rubbed poison oak on all the surfaces of the library.”

I burst out laughing. “You what?”

“Whole placed smelled like rotten cheese for weeks and no one could figure it out!” he laughed. “And the best part was everyone who came in here was inexplicably itchy. Poor Anne was scratching for two weeks before Rosalie ratted us out.”

“You guys are awful!”

“I disagree whole heartedly,” he says innocently.

“Whatever, help me replace some books,” I chuckle.

We get to work, reading through several book binds and selecting those that seemed relevant. As I’m searching, I replace myself being drawn to a thick black book wrapped in what appeared to be vines. I pull it out and see that it has a golden lock in the center.

Damn it, it’s locked.

I take it anyways, still intrigued by its mystery. I continue my search and before long Evan and I carry half a dozen books to the nearest couch. I grab a book simply titled “The art of Healing” and start skimming through it. Evan plops himself next to me and spreads himself out.

“Let me know if you replace anything,” he yawns.

“Are you kidding me? You’re not helping?” I g***n.

“No thanks, I graduated high school 4 years ago. My studying days are over,” he sighs. “Besides, its nap time,” he says as he lays his head in my lap and closes his eyes.

“My guardian, ladies and gentlemen,” I mutter.

“I heard that!” he snaps.

I chuckle and continue skimming through the book.

You won’t replace anything useful in that, says Reyna.

Well if you would just tell me what I am, this would be so much easier, I snap.

She ignores my irritated tone. Read the black book, it has the answers you’re looking for.

I sigh with frustration and grab the second book in my pile. I stare at the lock and g***n.

Umm do you not see the lock? How am I supposed to read it!

No answer. Thoroughly annoyed, I set the book down and grab another book titled “Healers: The gifted children of the Moon.” I start reading the first chapter when the smell of green apples and honey fills the room and a terrifying growl sends shivers down my spine.

Oliver.

***Oliver’s POV***

Aurora and Evan betrayed me. The photo I’m staring at proves their relationship. Rage builds inside me as I look at picture of Aurora and Evan kissing, their arms wrapped around each other.

Kill him! Michael growls.

I struggle to keep Michael contained and I feel Adeline stroke the side of my face.

“I told you Oli, she’s not worthy of being your Luna,” she coos. “But I-“

I grab her by the neck again and squeeze with all my might. “Shut up” I hiss.

I release Adeline and send the photo to myself. I’m mind link Evan and ask him where he is. I rush out the door and head straight for the library.

When I get my hands on you, Evan!

Once inside, I run up to Anne panting viciously.

“Where is Evan?” I command.

“Second floor at the far left. Back room,” she replies.

“Everyone get out,” I command. I wait until all the wolves exit the building before proceeding.

I head upstairs as I struggle for power with Michael. The second floor is empty as I rush past the many shelves towards the back room. Suddenly I am face to face with Aurora sitting peacefully on a couch while Evan sleeps in her lap. I see red and a loud growl escapes my throat. Aurora looks up at me with fear in her eyes but it’s too late. Michael is in control.

I get on all fours and shift. The familiar cracking and rearranging of my bones pleases me as the wrath grows inside me. My clothes are torn to shreds but I don’t care, I only have one thing on my mind. Evan gets up at the sound of my shift and looks up at me with horror as I rush at him. Evan pushes Aurora out of the way and I pounce on him. I hear Aurora scream my name but I ignore her. I’m here for Evan. I plunge my teeth into his shoulder and throw him against some shelves. Evan g****s in pain but quickly gets up before I rush at him again. He slides across the floor, leaving a trail of b***d and dodges my attack. I turn back to face him and see he’s in defensive stance in front of Aurora.

“Oliver, what are you doing? It’s me!” he screams. “You’re scaring Aurora!”

f*****g traitor!

I charge at him and he runs to the left behind some shelves. I chase after him but he disappears from my sight. Suddenly a bookshelf falls on top of me, knocking me to ground and burying me in avalanche of books. I hear Evan cry out to Aurora.

“Aurora get out of here! Go!”

I push myself up and crawl out of the bookshelf. Aurora helps Evan to his feet and I feel the b***d boil inside me.

Why won’t she stop touching him?

I advance toward him but Aurora steps in front of Evan, shielding him. She’s shaking like a leaf and there are tears in her eyes.

She’s so afraid of me, always so afraid…

I stand before her, putting my face mere centimeters from hers and sniff her. Her scent is intoxicating and I feel my wolf calming down in her presence.

“Please stop!” she whimpers. “This-this isn’t you!”

I feel tears well up in my eyes. She betrayed me but I can’t get mad her! I whimper, letting her know my pain. She reaches out her hand to touch me and I cower away, still hurt by her betrayal. A small whine escapes my throat. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling down my head to rest her forehead on mine. I feel those amazing sparks surge through me.

“Come back to me,” she whispers through sobs.