The Ivory Queen
Chapter 33

***Aurora’s POV***

I wake up to a lone flower and a note on Oliver’s pillow.

Good morning Beautiful,

I went to go train with Wesley this morning. I’ll be back around 2. I love you.

~Olivier

I tuck the note away and get up to shower and change. As I finish braiding my hair, I hear a knock at the door and Evan comes in ready to take me down for breakfast. He looks pissed.

I give him a sweet smile. “I’m sorry about yesterday.”

He doesn’t respond and stares coldly at me. I pinch his cheeks and tap on his chin.

“Awe, look at mister grumpy pants giving me the silent treatment,” I tease.

A tiny smile creeps up on his face but he quickly frowns again. I smile knowing he’s not really mad at me and decide to tease him some more. I continue to poke him until he grabs my wrist and snaps.

“That’s enough!”

I take the opportunity and start crying, causing him to instantly panic.

“No, no, no, no. I’m sorry! Please don’t cry. I’m not mad. See?” He contorts his face into a helpless smile and points at his face.

I burst into a fit of laughter while he stares at me, dumbfounded. He narrows his eyes accusingly.

“You little-“

“You should have seen the look on your face!” I gasp between laughter. “It was priceless!”

He storms out of the room and I follow him downstairs, still laughing.

After breakfast, we head back up to my room and watch Train to Busan on Netflix. As we’re watching, my thoughts drift off to Mia. I glance at the clock and see that it’s almost 11:30 am.

I shouldn’t go. I have enough on my plate with Oliver’s fight as it is. I don’t need anymore drama. Besides it could be a trap after all.

But what if it’s not? Reyna asks. What if she means it? Do you really want to risk losing her again?

I sigh. Its worth a shot.

I turn to Evan who is busy watching zombies devour the people on the train.

“Evan, can you take me somewhere?”

He pauses the movie and gives me a smile. “Sure, where are we going?”

“To the old oak tree at the border,” I reply, hoping he won’t ask questions. I’ve never been lucky, though.

“Why do you want to go to the border?” he asks, eyeing me suspiciously.

I fidget with my fingers and his impatience gets the best of him.

“Aurora, what is going on?”

“Just take me, please? I promise I’ll answer your questions once we get there,” I plead.

He watches me, hoping to get some kind of hint from me, but I don’t give him any. He sighs.

“Fine, I’ll go get the car.”

“Actually I was hoping you would shift and carry me there,” I mumble.

His face turns serious. “Why do you want me there in my wolf form. Aurora, what are you hiding?”

“Forget it, I’ll just walk there myself.” I say. I start to get up but Evan grabs my arm.

“No way you’re going anywhere on your own. I’ll take you. But I swear Aurora if I don’t like what’s happening, I’m taking you home,” he warns.

I thank him and we leave the house. Evan hides behind some bushes and shifts into a large chocolate wolf with green eyes. He’s smaller than Oliver, but still larger than the average wolf. He kneels and I hop on top of him.

It takes us almost 30 mins to reach the border. I make Evan put me down a few yards away from the oak tree and ask him to wait there for me. He growls and continues to walk alongside me, refusing to leave me alone. I give in, figuring it was probably best if I didn’t show up alone.

When we reach the tree, Evan immediately starts growling as we see Mia sitting alone at the top of the branches. She has a little wooden box on her lap. She gives me a shy smile and a quick wave.

“I’m so glad you came,” she says. “I was afraid you wouldn’t.”

Evan gives me an accusing look which I choose to ignore and start to climb the tree. He grabs my shirt with his teeth and pulls me back, making me fall on my a*s with a grunt.

I scowl at Evan as I get back on my feet and try to climb once more. He grabs my shirt again and pulls me to the ground, this time pinning me down with his paw.

“Would you cut it out, Satan? I need to speak with her,” I snap at him, to which he replies with a low growl and small grunt. “Evan!” I g***n, pushing at his paw.

He rolls his eyes at me and gently swats at me with his paw, knocking me over.

I’m going to kill this boy!

Seeing that Evan won’t budge, Mia climbs down and he takes a protective stance in front of me, warning her to step back. She places the box on the ground and slides it over. Evan inspects the box then stares back at her in confusion. I crawl around Evan towards the box.

The little box has a large circular gold lock that seals it shut on the lid and has a large sun carved in the middle.

“Where did you get this?” I ask.

Mia sits down on the ground and grabs a few blades of grass with her hands.

“The night that Dad died, we found it among his things” she says quietly. “It was supposed to be your birthday present, I think.”

My mind goes back to that dark night. Was this the thing that he was looking for while I waited outside?

“Why are you just giving this to me now?” I ask a little hurt the last gift my father wanted to give me was kept from me.

“Mom didn’t think you deserved it after what happened,” she replies, twisting the grass with her fingers. “She tried to burn it multiple times but it’s enchanted. It won’t- you can’t destroy it.”

I stare at the box, tears burning my eyes. How could my own mother try to take this away from me?

“I’m so sorry we kept this from you,” she says with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you said you didn’t kill Dad. I was just so angry that he was gone. I was so angry he wasn’t there for my first shift. I was angry he couldn’t help me with my powers. I was angry and jealous that you were always his favorite!” She weeps, wrapping her arms around herself.

Tears stain my cheeks as I watch her release her sorrows into her sleeve. I crawl towards her and pull her into my arms. She curls up on the ground, laying her head on my lap and pulling her knees to her chest. I run my fingers through her hair, soothing her. Sensing no threat from Mia, Evan finally decides to give us some privacy and walks away, leaving us alone.

We stay like this for a while, comforting each other with our presence. Several minutes pass by before Mia sits up and wipes her tears. She pulls the box close to us.

“Are you going to open it?” Mia asks, handing me the box.

I stare at the lock. Much like the black book, the lock has not keyholes or latches. There aren’t any vines holding the lid shut either so I continue to inspect it.

You are the key, says Reyna. You already know what to do.

As if in a trance, I place my fingers on the lock and feel heat radiate from my fingers. The lock glows red. I turn the lock to the left and the l*p pops open. Mia and I both gasp in surprise.

“How did you do that?” Miss asks. “You made it glow!”

“I don’t know,” I say, equally confused.

Inside, the box contains a white envelope and a gold medallion. My name is written on the envelope in cursive lettering and I know immediately it’s not Dad’s handwriting. I pull it out.

“Dad didn’t write this,” I say.

“That’s strange. I swear it was in Dad’s things,” Mia says.

We exchange confused glances and I proceed to open it. There’s a coat of arms engraved in gold at the bottom of the envelope with an Eagle and a Lion. I pull out the letter and stare at it for a bit. I begin to read it to myself. Mia gives me some privacy and scooches away from me.

*Written in Spanish*

My Dearest Aurora,

If you are reading this letter, it must mean that your father and I are no longer with you and that you have been living with your Uncle Emiliano and his family for the past 13 years in the United States. I know you must have so many questions but unfortunately I can only give you a few answers.

I swear my heart stops for a minute. Uncle Emiliano? You mean he’s not my dad? My whole life has been a lie?

Reyna tries to calm me down. You need to keep reading. This is important.

Mia turns to look at me. “What is it?” She asks, looking worried. “What does it say?”

I ignore her and continue reading.

Knowing your uncle, he probably told you very little about your ancestry (he never really liked titles) so this letter will have to do. I am Sofia Isabel Reyes, Queen of the Sol de Oro Kingdom and like all members of the Royal family, I am a gold wolf and have the gift of the fire element. Your father is Mateo Salvador Altamirano of the Altamirano clan, a noble family of silver wolves. He was gifted with telekinesis.

Queen? My mom is a queen?

Yes. We are royals.

And tio Mateo is actually my father?

Yes.

I loved your father very much and after a few years of ruling together, I became pregnant with you and your sister. I knew then that we were the fated gold and silver wolves meant to produce the Ivory twins. Word spread of your coming and the sightings of vile creatures increased significantly in our kingdom, followed by a long chain of assassination attempts. I survived them all thanks to your lovely uncle. I know he will protect you too.

Sister? Assassination attempts? Ivory Twins? This isn’t making any sense.

It will soon, Reyna cuts in.

As I write this letter, you are only a few days old, and my goddess you are beautiful. I have no regrets, my little sun. I love you more than I’ll ever love anything else in my life.

Please know, I did not intend to leave this world so quickly, but as the danger grows with every passing day, I know my days are numbered. Our enemies grow strong, but you and your sister will be stronger. This war has already claimed so many lives, including your father’s, but it will not claim yours. I will make sure of that.

I know this all seems so scary, but don’t be afraid. I will always be with you. Aurora, you are an Ivory twin, gifted with the fire and earth elements. Please understand that I did not want to give you away but life has gotten too dangerous for me to keep you and your sister with me. Your uncle loves you very much and I’m sure he will do his best to protect you wherever he decides to take you.

Today on your thirteenth birthday, you will meet your twin sister Celina Maite and you will complete your first shift together. I have instructed your uncle to give you your sun medallion as it was given to me upon your birth by the Moon Goddess herself. You must wear it at all times after your shift as it will mask your scent and hide you from our enemies. No one will be able to replace you so long as you wear it.

I love you, Aurora Salome. I hope someday you will forgive me for separating you from your sister and from me, but I only ever sought to protect you two. Happy birthday, my little sun.

With all my Love,

Mami.

I’m in tears by the time I finish reading. My chest is heavy and I feel like passing out. Mia pulls me into a hug.

“What did the letter say?” She asks.

Don’t tell her. You are still in danger.

“I can’t tell you,” I reply putting the letter back in its envelope and stuffing it in its box. I pick up the medallion and slide it over my head before locking the box shut. Mia’s face falls as she watches me wipe my tears and get up to leave.

“I know I have a lot to make up for but I hope one day you can forgive me,” she says quietly.

“I forgave you a long time ago,” I respond, gathering the box from the floor.

Her face lights up as she tries to hug me again. I take a step back and the smile on her face fades.

“But that doesn’t mean I want you in my life just yet,” I add. “It’s going to take a lot more than just a letter and a box to fix what you guys broke inside me.”

She nods in agreement. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get my sister back,” she says with a weak smile.

I flinch when she’s says the word sister.

We say goodbye and I replace Evan waiting patiently in the field, laying on the ground and enjoying the November sun. He studies me as I approach him. I lay beside him, petting his fur as he continues to stare at me with concern.

“Take me home, please,” I manage to mumble.

I climb on his back, holding on tightly. As he runs back to the house, my mind drifts off to the letter. My entire life is a lie and I have no idea who I am. Why would my father, or should I say my uncle, keep this from me? Where is my sister? Is she alive? Hundreds of questions fill my head and I fight every urge to scream.

Before I know it, we’re back at the house. I hop off Evan and make a run for the my bedroom, fighting back tears and trying to look calm. Once inside my room, I set the box on the night stand and throw myself on the bed. I grab a pillow and scream into it. My eyes and throat burn from how hard I scream and cry, but I don’t stop. I hear Evan enter my room and he sits quietly on the edge of the bed. After a few minutes, I crawl over to him and lay my head on his lap.

“Are you ok?” He asks, gently patting my hair.

I shake my head, holding back a fresh batch of tears.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I shake my head again. I couldn’t even if I wanted to.

We sit in silence as he continues to stroke my hair, his scent helping to put me at ease. I turn over to the face him and study his features. His skin is only a few shades lighter than my own while his hazel eyes are a storm of mischief. Short black kinky curls sit atop his head, fading down on the sides. His sharp jawline is sure to make the ladies swoon over him. He truly is a handsome man.

“Evan?”

“Yes?” he says, looking down at me.

“Do you think we would have been friends had you not been my gamma?” I ask.

He raises an eyebrow at me and laughs but stops when he sees my serious expression. He sighs, “I am your gamma and your guardian, but I choose to be your friend and I think that would be the case regardless of our bond. You’re funny, kind beyond belief, a little naïve but stronger than any one I’ve ever met. What’s not to love?” he smiles, wiping the tears I didn’t know had fallen. “I’ve never had siblings but I like to think Moon Goddess put you in my life to be my little sister.”

I lay in his lap a little stunned before bursting into tears. He lifts me up into a bear hug. “Listen, I don’t know what was in that box that made you so upset, but please know that you will always have me to lean on. You’re not alone anymore.”

He lifts me off his lap and carries me to my side of the bed. Evan then pulls the covers over me and tucks me in, telling me to get some rest until Oliver returns. I hear scratching at the door and Rio comes trotting in, curling up next to me. Evan plops himself down on the couch. Exhaustion sets in and I fall sleep.

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