The Ivory Queen
Chapter 24

***Aurora’s POV***

“Luna this crazy! You know Alpha Wesley would never agree to this!” Cameron cries.

“I don’t care!” Kehlani snaps. “I will do whatever is needed to save my son. And you,” she says pointing a finger at him, “you will not tell Wesley!”

Cameron backs down immediately and nods obediently.

“Aurora I don’t-“

“Evan, I’ve made up my mind. I’m going to help!”

“This could cause problems amongst the packs. You would be trespassing onto Cerulean Sea territory-“

“She is not trespassing if I’m the one letting her in,” Kehlani interrupts. “Wesley cannot object if it is I who brought her in.”

Evan and Cameron still seem hesitant but they are in no place to object. We out-rank them. We hop into Kehlani’s SUV and head for their pack hospital. Within 20 mins, we reach our destination and make our way to the pediatric wing. We pass by several rooms before we replace the one we’re looking for.

Inside a large crib, a beautiful baby boy lays fast asleep. He is connected to several tubes and machines and my heart breaks as I hear him cough. Kehlani tears up as she watches her son struggle for air.

“He’s beautiful,” I say trying to comfort her. I rub my hands on her back and she hugs me.

“Can you help?” she pleads.

I’ve spent weeks reading up on my powers and I know I can treat illnesses, injuries and even energies. But I’m nervous. I’ve only ever treated adult injuries.

“I will try,” I say taking a deep breath and walk over to the crib. “What’s his name?” I ask as I lean in to place my hand on his tiny chest.

“Matthew,” she whimpers.

“Hi Matthew,” I murmur. “I’m going to help you feel better.”

I scan my brain trying to remember the steps for treating illnesses. I take a deep breath and let my energy wash over him like water. As it flows, I detect the infection in his lungs and gasp.

“What is it?” Kehlani asks. She leans over the crib to look at little Matthew.

It’s a lot, I panic

Focus! You can do it. Reyna encourages.

“Nothing, I think I found the problem,” I say hurriedly.

I take a deep breath and concentrate on the infection I sense in his lungs. I feel the familiar jolt of electricity exit my fingers and flow into his tiny body. I work through the infection, careful not to lose focus. Finally after about 5 minutes of healing, little Matthew lets out a sigh. His eyes slowly open and he coos at the sight of his mother. Kehlani breaks down in tears and begins unplugging the tubes to cradle her tiny baby in her arms. I feel my legs go numb but Evan rushes over and catches me before I hit the floor. He carries me over to a chair and sets me down gently. I’m panting and covered in sweat.

“Cameron, get her some water. Now!” Kehlani orders. She brings Matthew over and sits next to me.

Suddenly a doctor and nurse burst through the door.

“Luna what’s going on?” the doctor asks. “Why have you unplugged -“

“She healed him,” Kehlani says gently, her eyes never leaving her son.

“But how is that possible?”

“She’s a silver wolf,” Evan says matter-of-factly.

The doctor and nurse look stunned at the revelation and turn to look at me. I give them a shy smile. Cameron rushes back with a bottle of water and towel.

“Here you go, Luna Aurora,” he says timidly, handing me the bottle and Evan the towel.

Evan gently wipes the sweat from my forehead and I gulp down my water. I want to sleep. Healing that huge infection took a lot of my energy and I’m exhausted.

“Luna, if you don’t mind, I’d like to run one last X-ray on Matthew to make sure the infection is completely gone,” the doctor asks Kehlani.

She nods and hands her son over to the nurse. She turns back to me. “Thank you for saving my son,” she says as she reaches over to hug me. Tears stream down her face and sob escapes her throat. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” I manage to say through tears.

We hold onto each other until the doctor clears her throat. We look at her.

“Umm, Luna Aurora. W-we have quite a few wolves in our infirmary. They are still recovering from the attack last week and can’t seem to heal properly. We think its wolfsbane but they can’t seem to get rid of it on their own. I was wondering if you would be willing to-“

“Absolutely not,” Evan interrupts, shaking his head fervently. “We are not even supposed to be here! You can’t ask her to-“

“I’ll do it,” I stop him. I attempt to get on my feet, but Evan holds me back.

“Aurora, no. You’re already exhausted from healing Matthew. We should go home and get you some rest.”

“No,” I protest. “I cannot stand by knowing I am needed.”

“Luna, would you just listen -“

“No, you listen Evan. My father would be on the battlefield, fighting side by side with soldiers. When the battles were over, he would heal every wolf that was injured, never once stopping to catch his breath. My father was the strongest wolf I ever knew and I intend to follow in his footsteps,” I say, fighting through tears. “I’m helping and that’s final!”

I get up from my chair but I wobble a little and Kehlani holds me up. “Aurora, maybe you should rest. Just for a little while. Maybe grab a quick bite to eat to renew your energy. You like sandwiches? We can get you one down at the cafeteria.”

I want to object but Evan’s threat stops me in my tracks. “Aurora, you eat or I’ll call Oliver to drag you home himself.”

I give in. Kehlani giggles as Evan lowers himself and I hop on his back. “My word, you guys fight like brother and sister,” she chuckles as she turns to leave.

I smile brightly. “He is my brother,” I whisper to myself.

—

We go down to the cafeteria and I scarf down a sandwich, a bowl of fruit, chips and a coke. When I finish, the doctor, who introduces herself as Melanie, leads us to the infirmary where the soldiers are while Kehlani goes back to the pediatric ward to receive the X-ray results.

Dr. Melanie takes me into a large room with several beds lined up next to each other. There are around 8 wolves lying in bed, groaning in pain or trying to sleep. I walk up to the closest bed and look at the young female wolf. She has a large wound on her abdomen and she winces when I get close.

“H-hi, I-I’m Aurora. I, umm, I’m here to heal you,” I say quietly and give her a shy a smile.

The entire ward goes silent and all the wolves stare at me. I shift my weight on my feet, uncomfortable as I feel their gazes grow cold.

“It’s the she-wolf that killed the brave Emiliano!” someone calls out.

“What is she doing here?” Another snarls.

Evan pushes me behind him and snarls at the wolves.

“It’s alright, Faye. She won’t hurt you,” Dr. Melanie says to the girl before me. “She’s a healer.”

“Pfft, healer or not, she’s still a murderer. I don’t her anywhere near me!” cries a wolf laying in the far corner.

“That’s alright, Daren, you can rot in that bed for all I care!” Dr. Melanie snaps and Daren shuts up.

“Umm, will it – will it hurt?” Faye asks cautiously.

“No,” Evan answers with confidence. “It won’t.”

“O-Okay,” she smiles nervously. “You can try.”

I lean over and gently place my hand on her wound, making her wince. I feel all the wolves lean forward to watch me work and I shake a little. Evan rests his hand on my shoulder.

“Relax,” he whispers. “Show ’em what you can do,” he adds with a grin.

I take a deep breath and concentrate. I wash my energy over her and concentrate on the fluid coursing through her veins.

That’s not wolfsbane, I think to myself.

No. It’s a witches poison, Reyna snarls. It’s killing them slowly.

Can I treat it? I ask.

Yes, but it’s going to hurt. A lot.

I open my mouth to inform Faye of this, but Reyna interrupts again.

Not her, you. This will hurt you.

I freeze and Faye senses my anxiety.

“Is it that bad?” Faye whimpers. Tears glisten in the corners of her eyes.

“N-no. I can do this,” I answer, trying to keep my voice calm.

I can do this. I know pain.

You’re going to need lavender oil to ease the pain, says Reyna.

“Umm, I’m going to need some lavender oil,” I say to Dr. Melanie.

She gives me a confused look.

“Please,” I ask and she mind links a nurse to bring some.

I turn my attention back to Faye and focus my energy on her wound. The electricity flows between us, but suddenly it starts to burn my fingers. I grit my teeth and take a deep breath. The pain intensifies and I break into a sweat. I fight to hold back tears and a whimper is caught in my throat. Evan notices my distress and tries to stop me.

“Aurora, stop it! It’s too much!” he shouts, trying to pull me away.

I resist, determined to help this girl. I g***n in pain as I take the last drop of dark magic. Faye sighs in relief and her wound starts to close up.

“Aurora!”

I stifle a scream as Faye’s wound completely seals. I let go of her and crash to floor, writhing in pain. Evan takes me in his lap and tries to calm me down.

“Aurora, look at me. Breathe. Just breathe,” he shouts frantically, fighting back tears. “What’s wrong? I can’t- where does it hurt?”

“M-my head!” I scream holding my head in my hands. I gasp as more surges of pain radiate between my temples.

Suddenly a nurse comes running in with a vial of lavender oil. She hands it to Evan.

“What do I do with this?” he questions me.

“I need to smell it,” I pant.

Evan quickly opens the vial and places it under my nose. I take deep breathes, inhaling the beautiful scent. I feel the pain slowly start to subside. I keep taking deep breaths until I finally relax.

“That’s it, Aurora, you’re done. I’m calling Oliver!” he says cradling my head with one hand and pulling out his phone with the other.

“No,” I protest, trying to knock the phone from his hand. He raises it higher and I hear the text send.

“The meeting is over; Carter and Oliver will be here shortly,” Evan snaps at me. Tears glisten on his cheeks. “No more.”

“Evan, you don’t understand,” I plead. “It’s not wolfbane!”

Everyone freezes and turns to look at me.

“What?”

“It was witch craft,” I say as I try to stand up. “If I don’t heal them soon, they’ll all die.”

Evan stares at me, hesitation flickering in his eyes. The injured wolves all begin to whimper at the mention of their potential death.

“Luna Aurora?”

I turn to see Faye get out of her bed. She kneels before me and bows her head. “Thank you for saving my life,” she says. “I’m indebted to you.”

“There’s no need to thank me,” I reply quietly. “I- I was just using my gift.”

“I’m indebted to you, as well,” Kehlani says as she walks in. “Thanks to you, my son will get a second chance to make his mark on this world,” she says with a smile. “He’s upstairs taking a nap as we speak.”

“Oliver and Carter will be here within 25 minutes. If you plan on saving these wolves, you better get started. If Oliver gets here before you finish and sees you in agony, he won’t hesitate to take you home,” Evan warns.

I nod and get working on the remaining 7 wolves. Each healing session is more painful than the last and I feel extremely weak. Between sessions Evan begs me to stop, but I can’t knowing their lives are literally in my hands. I grit my teeth and push through. I feel bad when I notice Evan wiping away tears as he helps me move between beds. I almost pass out after the 5th wolf but Evan places the vial of Lavender oil under my nose, waking me up immediately. I get through the 6th wolf and I feel sleep threatening to take me in.

Don’t give up, I tell myself. Just one more.

I sniff the Lavender oil again and Evan helps me to the last bed, where Daren, the a*****e, lays. He growls at me as I get closer. Angered, Evan wraps his fingers around his throat and slams him into the bed. Daren howls in pain.

“Don’t you ever disrespect my Luna again,” Evan snarls. “She is trying to save your pathetic a*s.”

Daren glares at him. Kehlani stands beside Daren and leans forward so he can hear her. Her voice is smooth like velvet.

“You should put aside your prejudices, Daren,” she says quietly. “The world is so much brighter when you learn to love instead of hate.”

Daren rolls his eyes but relaxes in his bed. I place my hand on his wound and he growls. Evan glares at him and Daren retreats. I brace myself and let the electricity flow. I whimper as the pain spreads from my fingers to my temples. Beads of sweat form across my temples and I swallow my screams.

Breathe, Aurora.

The pain intensifies and I know I’m almost done. Unable to contain it any longer I let out a strained scream. Suddenly the door bursts open. I don’t look, however, and keep my focus on Daren. The smell of honey and green apples fills my nostrils.

Focus.

I scream again as I take the last drop of poison from Daren’s body. He sighs in relief and his wound closes. The room starts to darken. I feel two strong arms lift me but the pain is too much and I writhe in agony in Oliver’s arms.

“Baby stay with me! Aurora!”

I smile at the sound of his voice before the darkness lulls me to sleep