The Ivory Queen
Chapter 28

***Oliver’s POV***

I’ve been in back to back meetings with lawyers and business executives all morning. I gave orders to our guards that Lluvia Blanca wolves are no longer allowed on our territories and closed the borders between the two packs. Enforcing the split between us is going to be difficult. For 50 years, we have relied and fought alongside each other. We have mated with each other. My own Luna was a Lluvia Blanca wolf and while Aurora’s family is vile in every sense of the word, I’m sure the split will take its toll on her. But there’s nothing I can do at this point. Lluvia Blanca refuses to respect her as my Luna and I will not stand for that. She is Mine.

As I continue signing documents and overseeing transfers, Adeline walks in.

“Oli?”

I don’t answer, focusing on my work.

“Oli, is she really worth all this trouble? We just lost a major business partner. Wake up! We can’t do this every time someone-“

“Aurora is my mate. No one has the right to ask her to step down from her rightful place as my Luna.”

“So you would willingly put our packs in financially stress? That’s not a leader. That’s not the Oli I know.”

“For the last time, stop calling me that!” I snap, my anger making her take a step back.

She smooths her hair and promptly walks towards the door. “You will be the downfall of this pack,” she mutters as she slams the door behind her.

I sigh in relief as she leaves. Little does that b***h know I already made an agreement with Wesley last night. He will be buying the shares that Lluvia Blanca releases and the Cerulean Sea Pack will become our greatest allies.

A sense of dread takes over my thoughts and I feel Michael getting agitated.

What’s wrong? I ask.

Aurora needs us.

A burning sensation radiates from my fingers and across my palms. The pain intensifies around my middle finger before it stops abruptly. Aurora must be in trouble. I call Evan to go check on her while I gather my things to leave.

—

Ten minutes into my drive home, I get a call from Evan telling me to come home quickly. I pick up the speed and arrive at the house. I run to our bedroom, fear rising inside me. When I walk into the bathroom, the door is lying on the floor. Evan is sitting in front of the bathtub, his eyes filled with overwhelming sadness. He gets up and pats me on the shoulder.

“She needs you,” he says as he exits.

I make my way to the bathtub and see Aurora curled up with Rio in her arms. My heart sinks as a I notice her eyes are puffy from crying. She looks so broken. I get on knees and rest my head on the tub, looking down at her. She doesn’t move and just stares into empty space. I listen to her breathe for a moment, watching her chest rise and fall. Rio jumps out of her arms to greet me. His eyes are sad too.

“Aurora?” I finally say. “Baby what-“

“Go away,” she whimpers, her voice soft and weak. Fresh tears well up in her eyes which she quickly wipes away.

“No!” I say forcefully, my voice causing her to jump a little.

She looks at me with those incredible golden eyes, pursing her lips. When she finally speaks, her voice shakes.

“I’m tired,” she whispers. “I just want to sleep. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

She bursts into tears, unable to contain her pain any longer. I climb into the tub and pull her into my arms. She protests, pushing her arms against my chest and screaming, but I refuse to let her go.

“Don’t say that. Please don’t say that. I-” my voice breaks. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. “I love you.”

She finally gives in, burying her head in my chest and sobbing. I hold her tighter. After a few seconds, I cup her face in my hands, forcing her to look at me.

“Why do you want me?” she asks. “I’m nothing. I don’t matter!”

“You matter to me!” I snap. “You matter to me more than you’ll ever know!”

“Why? A-All I’ve done is-is cause trouble for you!” She hiccups. “First with your parents, then with Erin and the rest of the pack. Wesley couldn’t stand me, and now Lluvia Blanca wants to leave the alliance! I’m not worth it!”

“Baby look at me. You are worth so much more than you give yourself credit for. You are the kindest person I know. You didn’t have to help Kehlani and her baby, but you did it out of the goodness of your heart. You were so brave for facing your family and going to help your sorry excuse of a sister. You are selfless. You saved 8 perfect strangers despite knowing the toll it would take on you. And you make me smile every time I look at you. You’re so stubborn and-and silly. You’re kind and gentle. And my goddess you’re so beautiful,” I murmur softly.

Her eyes well up with tears so I quickly k**s them all away. She reaches for my cheek with her hand and winces, before retreating her hand back. It’s too late, however. I gently grab her wrist, careful not to hurt her, and pull it up to my face to examine her hand. Michael growls furiously, trying to take control.

“Who did this?” I ask, attempting to restrain my anger.

She’s quite for a moment, clearly trying to decide whether or not to tell me. I lose my patience.

“Aurora!” I snap, making her hide her face in my chest. She shakes her head.

“Promise me you won’t hurt them,” she mumbles.

“I can’t make that promise.”

“Then I won’t tell you!”

I grunt in frustration. “Aurora this is not the time to be stubborn! Just tell me who-“

“They did this to me out of their own pain! I will not be the reason they are hurt again,” she fires back.

She struggles to get out of my arms but I tighten my grip, not wanting to let her go. This, of course, is a bad idea as I feel her slam her knee into my groin, causing the air to swiftly leave my lungs. She pulls herself out of my arms and leaves the bathroom with Rio following suit.

After massaging my balls and praying I’m not sterile, I get up to replace her. I limp into the main bedroom and see her face down on the bed, screaming her frustrations into her pillow. Rio’s laying lazily at the foot of the bed.

I climb into bed and lay next to her, not saying a word. If she wants me to promise I won’t hurt them then I’ll make that promise. I’ll just have them exiled for all eternity or better yet, I’ll have Carter kill them. I technically wouldn’t be hurting them. I smile at the second option.

“What are you smiling about?” She grumbles, eyeing me with suspicion.

I look at her innocently. “You’re cute when you’re mad.”

“Liar,” she mumbles.

I feign hurt and she laughs. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear her laugh and I smile. She blushes, making me even happier.

“I promise I won’t hurt them,” I murmur, leaning in closer to her and pulling her body to my chest. She’s so small, like a little pebble. My little pebble.

She looks up at me with those big honey eyes and I feel those damn butterflies flutter in my stomach and my heart skips a beat.

Focus, Michael warns.

“Pinky swear?” She asks holding up her pinky and looking at me with puppy eyes.

My heart flutters. Why does she have to be so cute?

“What are you, five?” I say, rolling my eyes and laughing. Hurt flashes in her eyes and I instantly regret making fun of her. “Pinky swear,” I say, clearing my throat and locking my pinky with hers. She lets out a deep breath.

“Hannah, Leila and Laura,” she says rapidly.

Erin’s friends…

I have to fight back my wolf as he struggles for control. He wants them dead. I don’t realize I’m shaking with anger and growling until Aurora’s voice snaps me out of my trance.

“You swore!” She snaps. “You can’t go back on a promise!” She buries her head in my chest and cries.

“Why are you protecting them?” I fire back.

She doesn’t respond, letting her emotions flow out. When she’s done, she pulls away from my chest and looks fiercely at me. “Because I refuse to become like them. I don’t want to be filled with hate. I don’t want to be cruel!”.

I glare back at her, hoping to affect her in some way, but she refuses to give in. I growl in annoyance and accept her decision.

“Thank you,” she sighs in relief.

She pushes up against my chest, hooking her right hand on my neck and pulling me close to her face. Her plump limps brush up against mine in a gentle k**s. She then lowers her head and snuggles up in my chest. I mind-link Meghan to come examine her hand.

Within minutes Meghan arrives, properly dressing her wounds and slipping on two finger splints on her left hand. Aurora can remove them tomorrow night. When Meg leaves, Aurora settles back in my arms and before long, we’re both happily asleep.

***Aurora’s POV***

A knock at the door wakes me up. I try to move but two arms are wrapped tightly around me, keeping me in place. My right hand is pressed up against Oliver’s chest while my left arms lays across his side. His legs are intertwined with my right leg and my left leg is stretched across his waist. I blush. This is the first time we’ve shared the bed together and I’ve never felt safer. I snuggle my head into his chest, breathing in his scent and listening to his heart beat. Another knock interrupts my peace. I k**s his neck softly to wake him up and he chuckles quietly into my hair.

“Olivier,” I whisper. “Someone’s at the door.”

He g****s, pulling me closer. I inhale his sweet scent and smile against his neck.

“Five more minutes,” he mumbles.

Rosalie bursts through the door. “Oliver, get up!”

Oliver g****s in annoyance and releases me from his grip. We both get up and I steal a glance at the clock. 6:23 pm. We slept for 3 hours.

“What the hell do you want?” Oliver g****s.

“Mom and Dad are here,” she says coldly. “They’re waiting for you in your office.”

My stomach drops and my muscles tense up. They’re here?

Oliver’s face hardens. “What the hell are they doing here?”

“Just go. I’m tired of answering their stupid questions.” she grumbles, rolling her eyes. She turns to me and gives me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Aurora. If they try anything, they’ll have to go through me.”

Oliver pulls me into his arms and k****s my forehead. “They won’t hurt you. I won’t let them.”

I nod my head and try to calm down my nerves but fail miserably. My hands are shaking. Oliver trails his fingers down my arm and interlocks his fingers with mine.

Leaning down to my ear, he whispers, “You are brave and you are strong. I love you.” He k****s my lips and pulls me out of bed.

I go to the closet and change into some jeans and a long sleeved shirt. I meet Oliver and Rosalie at the door. Rosalie grabs my left wrist and gives it a gentle squeeze.

“I’ll protect you too,” she whispers with a smile.

At the door of Oliver’s office, Carter and Evan are waiting patiently for us. They both look tense, making me more nervous. The five of us walk in together and I freeze when I see the witch herself, Adeline, along with David and Simone Artaud. David is sitting in Oliver’s chair while Simone is standing behind him. They both narrow their eyes at me so I hide behind Oliver. Adeline is standing by the desk, an evil smirk dancing on her lips.

A low growl escapes Oliver’s throat and out of the corner of my eye, I see Evan and Carter take defensive stances. Rosalie gives my wrist another squeeze to reassure me.

“What are you doing here?” Oliver says through gritted teeth.

“I’d watch that tone young man,” Simone snaps. “Don’t forget who you’re speaking to.”

“You are intruders as far as I’m concerned,” Oliver remarks coldly. “Need I remind you, I’m no longer your son?”

“You will respect your mother in my presence, do you understand?” David spits, glaring at him.

“I will not respect anyone who does not respect my Luna and I!

“You ungrateful-“

“Dad, that’s enough!” Rosalie snaps, fuming with anger. She regains her composure and takes a deep breath before speaking. “Just tell them why you’re here.”

“We’re here so you can explain to us how you single handedly lost the Lluvia Blanca alliance. An alliance that had survived for almost 50 years before your poor leadership flushed it down the drain!”

“I did not lose anything. They stepped away after refusing to set foot in the same room as my Luna!” Oliver retorts.

“So it’s true. This is all about that stupid, insignificant little brat?” Asks Simone, pointing an accusing finger at me. “Oh Moon Goddess, you’ve marked her!”

Evan, Carter and Oliver all snarl at her comment. My heart sinks and I do my best to hold back my tears. They really do hate me.

Adeline snickers at my reaction and Oliver growls at her, catching her off guard and making her take a step back.

“Insignificant? Our Luna is a silver wolf and a healer!” scoffs Evan. “She’s more powerful than – “

“Learn your place boy, unless you want to know what real power looks like!” David cuts him off. He turns his attention back to Oliver and I. “I had hoped it would never come to this but seeing as you continue to defend that worthless girl, I can’t ignore this anymore. Your actions have proven to me that you are unfit to lead this pack, Oliver,” he says as he rises from his chair. “I hereby relieve you of your title as Alpha of the River Moon pack.”