The Ivory Queen
Chapter 26

***Aurora’s POV***

Lively chatter fills the dining room as several young omegas serve us our food. We enjoy our meal, cracking jokes and laughing at some old stories. Apparently Wesley and Oliver were friends back in high school. Wesley was a senior and Oliver was just a freshman. They used to spar with each other when Oliver first began his warrior training.

“I used to kick his a*s, three times a day, 5 days a week,” Wesley boasted.

“Yeah, well you had already completed training and I was just beginning so don’t give yourself too much credit,” Oliver jokes, taking the final bite of his steak. “I believe I was kicking your a*s two hours ago too.”

“Ha! That gash I gave you on your chest begs to differ!” Wesley laughs. “You always did leave your chest wide open. Makes it easy for someone to strike you right over your heart. I told you then and I’m telling you now, keep your chest closed.”

“Hold on, let me write this down for the next time I have to spar against him,” Carter teases and we roar in laughter.

As we settle back down, Kehlani grows serious and clears her throat.

“Umm well, I think we should discuss what Aurora discovered back in the infirmary,” she says firmly.

Carter, Oliver, and Wesley all turn their attention to me.

“What did you discover?” Oliver says, a concerned look settling on his face.

I gulp down my water and fidget with my fingers. Oliver’s face softens, noticing my discomfort, and places his hand over mine. Ease washes over me as the sparks ignite under his touch.

“I- uh. Well, ahem. I healed the wolves in the infirmary who were attacked by those rogues last week,” I begin, my voice shaking. “And when I scanned the first warrior, I realized that it was not wolfsbane that was keeping her from healing herself.”

“Well then what was it?” asks Wesley.

“It – uh. It was witch craft.” I say quietly.

The room falls silent as my words register in their ears.

“Witch craft?” Carter breaks the silence.

“Yeah, a witch’s poison of sorts. At least according to my wolf, anyways.”

“What else did she tell you?” Wesley asks growing interested.

“Umm, she said that it would kill them slowly if left untreated and that I could take it out but I would be in an immense amount of pain if I did,” I say softly, avoiding Oliver’s gaze. “So I did it anyway.”

Wesley watches me closely before asking, “You healed 8 wolves suffering from witch poison despite knowing the consequences to yourself?”

“I know pain,” I say calmly. “I know there’s nothing more painful than losing a loved one and those wolves have families. It was an easy choice.”

I glance at Evan, who is sitting solemnly in his chair. His glossy eyes are fixated on his plate.

“Evan-“

“I think I need some air,” he says standing up and walking out of the dining room.

I get up to follow him but Kehlani’s voice stops me.

“Let him go, Aurora,” Kehlani says quietly. “It is not easy for a gamma to watch his Luna experience that much pain on his watch. Even I had to hold back tears as I heard your cries,” she adds, wincing at the memory.

Silence consumes the following minutes, each of us lost in our own thought.

“We need to inform the other packs about the possibility of witches,” Wesley says, breaking the silence.

“I’ll send out an alert on the guard communication lines between the packs,” Carter says stepping out of the room.

“What could witches possibly want from us?” I ask.

“I don’t know. We haven’t had witches in over 50 years since the War of the Lunar eclipse and the Treaty was signed,” Oliver says, scanning his brain for possible answers.

“Well, whatever they’re planning, we need to prepare ourselves. We need to figure what type of witch or witches we’re dealing with and what it is they want exactly. We’ll have to call an emergency meeting here tonight,” Wesley says as he gets out of his seat. “I’ll make all the necessary arrangements.”

—-

An hour later, the Alphas once again gather for a meeting, this time in the Cerulean Sea pack house dining room. I shudder when I catch a glimpse of Alpha Miguel, Ximena and Javier entering the room, afraid their earlier outburst will be repeated. Oliver pulls my close to his seat and leans into my ear.

“You healed a child and 8 warriors today. Your father would be proud. Don’t let them take that away from you. You’re not a monster.”

I look up at Oliver and see nothing but love and adoration in his eyes. He meant every word he said and I feel my worries melt away. My mate loves me and that’s all that matters.

“Thank you,” I whisper back.

I lean forward to k**s him when I hear a low growl coming from the other side of the table, sending shivers down my spine. We turn to see Alpha Miguel baring his teeth and seething with rage.

“This meeting will not begin in her presence,” he barks at us.

Oliver’s face darkens and he jumps out of his seat. I grab his arm and attempt to pull him back but he’s too strong. He knocks me over and I yelp as I hit the ground. Realizing what he’s done, Oliver hurriedly picks me and apologizes repeatedly, caressing my face. His eyes are full of fear. He’s terrified of scaring me, but I’m not afraid of him anymore. I look him in the eyes and k**s him softly of on the lips, letting him know all is forgiven.

Miguel grunts in disgust, but Kehlani and Wesley both give him a warning growl. Miguel’s eyes widen in shock.

“You’re defending that -that girl?” He spits through gritted teeth, motioning in my direction.

“Her name is Aurora and you will respect her while you’re in my house!” Kehlani snarls.

“Wesley, what is this meaning of this?”

“I was wrong about Aurora,” Wesley snaps, “She saved my son and eight of my warriors!”

“She murdered her father in cold b***d.”

“I know how much you treasured Emiliano,” Wesley says. “And I will never forget what he did for my family, but Aurora is not a monster.”

“Come on Wesley, that girl can try to act all sweet and innocent all she wants but I know exactly what she is and what she is capable of.”

“You disrespect my mate again and I swear to you I will end our alliance!” Oliver roars with irritation. He pulls me close to his side and glares at the Lluvia Blanca wolves, daring them to defy him.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Miguel sneers, but there is clear fear in his eyes.

“Try me!”

“Enough!”

We all turn to look at the old Alpha of the B***d Moon pack, his nostrils flaring and his fist firmly on the table.

“We were gathered here for an emergency meeting,” Patrick continues. “So let us begin. I do not care for your petty arguments right now.”

“Agreed,” Jonathan adds. He turns to me and politely motions me to take a seat. “As a future Luna, you have every right to stay. No one gets to decide whether you stay or leave other than Alpha Oliver.”

The Lluvia Blanca wolves slide into their seats, completely dumbfounded by the turn of events. They have been out voted and the matter is settled.

“So Wesley, why have you called us back so urgently,” asks Patrick.

“We have gathered new Intel that pertains to the current rogue situation, and I must say, it’s quite shocking to say the least.”

The three alphas lean forward, registering every word from Wesley’s mouth.

“Explain yourself,” Patrick states.

“Well, I feel Aurora should explain this,” Wesley says, gesturing me to stand up and explain.

I freeze in my chair. Public speaking is not my forte, especially not with Miguel, Ximena, and Javier glaring daggers at me. Oliver slips my hand into his, sending sparks up my arm. My muscles relax but I’m still scared.

“Go on baby, tell ’em what you know,” he encourages me with a soft smile.

“I-I, ahem. I treated the 8 warriors today who were injured during the rogue attacks. While I was scanning the first soldier’s injuries, I realized that it was not wolfsbane that was slowing their healing… It was witch poison,” I say timidly.

Gasps erupt in the room followed by whispers. Suddenly Miguel slams his fists on the table.

“Liar!” He roars, infuriating Oliver. “I will not sit here and listen to this child lie any longer! We’re leaving and I advise the rest of you to do the same. It’s all part of some plot to destroy us. I just know it!”

Wesley tries to de-escalate the situation and blocks the entrance. “Alpha Miguel, please. Something is coming! We are all in danger!”

Miguel scoffs and looks back at the table. “The only real danger here is letting that murderous b***h here play the role of a saint and treating her like a goddamn hero. Can’t you see? She’s turning us against each other!”

Oliver begins growling uncontrollably at Miguel. I fight my fears and pull Oliver’s face down to mine. His silver eyes look at me in confusion as he rips my arms off him.

He’s too far gone.

Lunging at Miguel, Oliver shifts mid leap and lands gracefully on the table, towering over Miguel. He bares his teeth, snarling incessantly at Miguel. Seething in his own rage, Miguel begins shifting when Patrick abruptly jumps on the table in his wolf form. Catching Oliver by surprise, Patrick manages to sink his canines into Oliver’s left shoulder and forces him off the table. He falls with a thud and I yelp in pain as I feel the same bite on my own shoulder. I fall on my hands and knees, panting furiously as I try to control my pain.

Everyone’s eyes fall on me as I scream out in agony. Oliver looks horrified at what he’s caused and shifts back into his human form. Wesley hands him some shorts which he quickly slides on. He runs to my side and pulls me into his arms. The pain subsides when our skin touches.

“I-I’m sorry,” Oliver whimpers. B***d oozes from his shoulder.

Patrick shifts back into his human form and his beta offers him some clothes. Oliver glares at him.

“Why the hell did you do that?” Oliver snarls.

Patrick looks at him coolly. “Because tearing Alpha Miguel to shreds would only incite a war which we cannot afford at a time like this.” Patrick looks Oliver square in the eye. “I am sorry for hurting you, but seeing as you did not react to your own mate, I figured it was the best I could do to keep you from making a mistake.”

“I think I can handle my own battles, Alpha Patrick,” Miguel snaps. Taking Ximena by her hand, he turns to exit. “We will not remain here any longer. It’s clear you’ve all chosen a girl over our loyalty and I will not stand by and be disrespected any longer!”

“Alpha Miguel, you’re making a huge mistake. We cannot afford to – “

Javier suddenly jumps over the table as I double over in pain and g***n. His eyes are pitch black. Oliver pushes me behind him and steps towards Javier in a warning stance. Javier stops just in front of him, clearly fighting his urges.

Uh oh.

“f**k,” Javier g****s.

“Step away,” Oliver snarls. “NOW!”

I feel two hands grab and pull me. I want to scream but quickly realize it’s Kehlani. “You’ve got some f*****g timing, Aurora,” she chuckles with a huge smirk on her face as she leads me out of the dining room.

She gives Miguel and Ximena a quick growl as we rush past them. In the hallway, several gammas chatter amongst themselves. Evan suddenly looks up, his eyes black as night. He clenches his jaw and swallows hard before rushing out of the hallway and into the kitchen.

Kehlani leads me up the set of stairs and into an empty room on the second floor, locking the door behind her. I fall to the ground as another surge of pain pulsates through my body. My wolf is practically screaming Oliver’s name and I feel an ache between my thighs.

“Stay here until Oliver comes up,” Kehlani says as she turns to leave. A grin spreads across her lips. “And don’t break anything when he does!”

My cheeks heat up and my wolf m***s as dirty thoughts flood my mind. Kehlani leaves and I feel the fire between my thighs intensify. Every inch of me becomes electric and hypersensitive. I ache for Oliver.

Mate, Mate, Mate!

The door bursts open and the scent of apples and honey fills the room. I jump on Oliver, pressing my lips firmly on his, eager to taste every inch of his mouth. I wrap my legs around his waist as he presses me up against the wall. I smell his arousal and his hands roam my body freely, setting me ablaze. I grind against the hard lump in his shorts and he m***s. I take advantage and slide my tongue in his mouth, tasting him hungrily. He places his hands on my h**s to stop my movements and pulls away. My wolf whimpers, wanting more, craving more.

“You’ll be in heat for three days unless I mark you,” he whispers breathlessly. “What do you want to do?”

I look into his now ebony eyes when suddenly another surge of pain eclipses my thoughts. This is too much pain for one day and I’m exhausted.

“Mark me,” I pant. “Please!”

He hesitates so I press my lips against his and he enthusiastically responds. His lips leave mine and he places light k****s down my jaw to my neck. He carries me to the bed and lays me on my back as he climbs on top of me. I move my hair to one side to give him better access and he gently caresses the crook of my neck with his tongue. I m**n as he lightly sucks on the my skin where my neck meets my shoulder. I feel his teeth graze my skin and the need increases. I hold my breath in anticipation and bury my fingers in his hair. His sharp teeth pierce my flesh and I gasp in pain. After a few seconds, my mind goes numb with pleasure. I arch my back and m**n as waves of ecstasy wash over me. He gently sucks on my neck, setting me on fire. His tongues seals the wound and I’m left a panting mess. He lays his forehead on mine as we catch our breaths.

“Te amo, Aurora,” he murmurs.

I cup his face with my hands and give his nose a quick peck. “Je t’aime, Olivier.”

He stares at me with shock before the biggest smile stretches across his face. “You just said you love me.”

I nod happily and crash my lips against his. “I love you, Olivier,” I whisper. “My little French snob.”