The Ivory Queen
Chapter 35

***Aurora’s POV***

“David get up!” Simone cries, desperately shaking his body. “David!”

David lays motionless in the middle of the floor, still in his wolf form. His breathing is labored and a large pool of b***d encircles him. Rosalie runs to his side, burying her face in his black fur.

“Daddy get up! Come on, Dad. Please!” She whimpers.

Simone gets up from her place and charges at Oliver and I. “You killed him! You killed your own father!” she screams.

Tears fill Oliver’s eyes. “No I-“ he voices cuts off as a sob escapes his throat. “I-I told him to yield!”

He releases me and tries to comfort his mother, but she isn’t having it. She slaps him across the face repeatedly, letting out all of her anger. Oliver grabs her wrists and pulls them down to her side. She falls into him, sobbing uncontrollably.

I remain frozen in place, the situation all too familiar to me. Simone’s cries remind me of Karina’s screams the night Emiliano died. She was inconsolable for days after his death. My hearts shatters as I turn my attention to Rosalie who is weeping on the ground beside her father. Carter tries to comfort her, but she continues crying.

“Aurora, don’t look,” Oliver calls out, having sensed my anxiety.

But it’s too late. I have to hold back a sob as I stare at David’s body pumping out b***d from his neck. My hand flies to my mouth to keep me from screaming at the bloody scene as memories of the dreaded night come flooding back.

Rosalie’s shrieks snap me out of my own trance. “Aurora please do something!” She pleads, reaching for me. “I know I have no right to ask for your help given how he’s treated you, but he’s my father! Please save him!”

I can’t move. I can’t even breathe and a few tears roll down my cheeks.

“Please!” She begs and gets on her knees. “Don’t let him die.”

Her pleas get me to react and my gaze shifts between Oliver, Rosalie and Simone. I’ve experienced their devastation first hand and I know they’ll never recover as a family if I don’t do something.

I couldn’t save Emiliano and my family but I can give Oliver and Rosalie a fighting chance to have their father in their lives… even if he hates me.

Fueled with this new found determination, I quickly walk over to David’s side and place a shaky hand on his fur before an angry shriek makes me pull back.

“Don’t you dare touch him! This is all your fault!” screams Adeline.

Hearing this, Simone stops crying in Oliver’s arm and lunges towards me. “Get away from him!” She yells.

Oliver grabs her by the arms and restrains her. She fights furiously against him, screaming obscenities at me and cursing at him to no avail but Oliver doesn’t let go. Enraged, Adeline storms over to me. Evan charges at her, quickly shifting and pinning her down with his paws. He bares his teeth as a warning and she spits in his face, screaming to be released.

With Adeline and Simone both restrained, I begin my work on David. Carter lifts Rosalie into his arms, desperately trying to keep her calm.

I place my hands on David’s shoulder, ignoring the vivid memories of Emiliano and focus on his shallow breaths. I let my energy flow into him and immediately sense the puncture wound in his carotid artery. His werewolf healing is currently the only thing keeping him alive.

You have to act quickly, Reyna urges.

The electricity shoots through my fingers tips and into his body, causing a small breath of air to escape his lips. Slowly but surely, his wounds begin to close and his breathing stabilizes. The last of his bleeding stops as the bite seals completely and he lets out a sigh.

My head is spinning when I’m done and I want nothing more than to sleep. I let go of David and lay my head in my hands, exhausted.

David gets up from the floor and shifts without so much as a kind word towards me. Oliver lets go of his mother who rushes to her mate and comes to my side, lifting me in his arms. I want to sleep so badly but Oliver’s voice jolts me awake.

“Thank you, nena Thank you for saving him,” he says with tears in his eyes.

I look at him and offer him a weak smile. Rosalie runs over and grabs hold of my hand, kissing my knuckles.

“Thank you,” she whimpers. “Thank you so much!”

“You’re thanking her? This is all her fault!” Simone snarls. “David wouldn’t have needed healing if that monster knew her place and stayed away from our family!”

I’m infuriated and bury my head in Oliver’s chest to keep from lashing out. I refuse to stoop down to her level, even if she deserves it.

“Leave! You are hereby banished from the River Moon pack! I never want to see you back on my territory again!” Oliver bellows with fury.

No! This wasn’t supposed to happen. I gave them a second chance with their father so they can make things right!

That’s not up to you, Reyna whispers. Sometimes a second chance is not enough to fix what’s broken.

“Oliver don’t do this! They’re your parents!” I beg.

“He’s right, Aurora.” Rosalie says quietly.

I turn to look at her, stunned that she agrees with Oliver.

“Our parents have shown repeatedly that they cannot be reasoned with,” she continues. “They have disowned their children, challenged their Alpha and disrespected their Luna on multiple occasions. I fear they will not stop until they get what they want and therefore pose a threat to our pack. They can no longer stay here.”

Simone is fuming with anger and David still seems to be processing the events.

“So that’s it? You’re just going to banish your own mother and father?” Adeline butts in, looking at Oliver with disgust. “I would think twice if I were you,” she threatens. “If you banish Simone and David, then I will personally end our partnership. Lune de Minuit will cease all transactions with River Moon and declare you enemies. Is that what you want? A war?” She smirks.

Who invited this b***h? Reyna snarls.

Oliver and Rosalie remain unfazed by her threats, but I, however, am terrified. Losing the partnership with Lluvia Blanca was difficult enough for River Moon. Adding Lune de Minuit to our growing list of enemies would only put the pack in jeopardy.

“David and Simone will stay in River Moon,” I declare, trying my best to keep my voice steady. “There’s no need for threats or banishment.” Oliver glares at me but I ignore him and continue. “I hope one day you’ll learn to see past all your hatred and we can all be a family. Until then, I pray the Moon Goddess watches over you.”

Simone and David look at me, stunned by my words. Evan’s jaw literally hangs wide open and I fight the urge to burst into laughter at his reaction. I look back at Oliver who is on the verge of exploding with anger, but he does not contradict my decision.

“I believe that decision is Oliver’s to make,” Adeline sneers. “Not yours.”

“Aurora is my equal and her decisions hold the same weight as mine!” Oliver growls. “They stay.”

Adeline smiles triumphantly, having guaranteed Simone and David’s stay, and I’ve never wanted to punch someone so much in my life! Reyna is snarling furiously.

“We’re done here,” Oliver announces.

He turns to Wesley and Kehlani and thanks them for assisting before dismissing his warriors. They all cheer their congratulations as they disperse. With me still in his arms, Oliver starts walking home.

———

Oliver sets me down gently in the room and heads straight for the shower. I change into some long silk pajamas and scramble to bed with Rio. I open the wooden box and pull out the letter, reading it over and over again. I savor ever word my mother wrote, wishing with all my might I could meet her and my sister.

My sister…

I still can’t get over the fact that I have a twin whom I’ve never met before. I have so many questions.

Where has she been? What’s she like? Does she know we’re the Ivory Twins?

I’m so lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice Oliver standing right next to me, watching me closely. I nearly have a heart attack when I finally realize he’s there.

“Aurora, why are you staring at a blank page?” He asks, sitting down on the bed next to me.

Can I tell him about my secret? I ask Reyna.

Not yet. You can only tell him the page is enchanted.

I sigh in frustration and hand the page over to Oliver who eyes me suspiciously as he flips the page over and over again.

“It’s enchanted. Normal wolves can’t see it,” I reply, a little bummed I have to keep my real identity a secret.

“What does it say?”

“It’s a secret,” I blurt out. I instantly regret my words as Oliver’s face turns serious.

“I thought we had no secrets,” he says, clearly hurt.

“I-“

“Aurora, are you- are you hiding something from me?”

I can’t bring myself to lie to him, so I don’t respond. This, of course, only infuriates him even more.

“What are you keeping from me?”

“N-Nothing,” I stammer. “I-it’s nothing serious.”

“Then why can’t you tell me?” He snaps back. “Aurora, I almost killed my father today! The least you can do is be honest with me!”

That is a very valid point. Why can’t I just tell him?!

I said no! Reyna snarls before cutting our connection.

I’m on the verge of a panic attack when I finally come up with an excuse. “Oliver this is the last letter I received from my father and I would really like to keep the contents of this letter between him and I. I’m sorry, but it’s private. Please respect that,” I say, hating myself for lying.

He’s quiet for a moment before his face softens and he sighs in defeat. “I’m sorry,” he mumbles. “You have every right to keep that letter to yourself. Those words are meant for you anyways. Please forgive me. I guess I’m still on edge from the challenge.”

I’m filled with guilt as he hands me back the letter. I quickly put it back in its envelope and stuff it in the box.

I’m going to have to be more careful with this Ivory twin crap.

My stomach growls so Oliver has dinner brought up to our room. As we’re enjoying our tacos, my mind drifts off to my family and all their secrets.

Reyna, how come Dad – err, uncle Emiliano, never told me about my real family?

Reyna hesitates. He was just trying to protect you.

Secrets don’t protect you. They just hurt you.

“A penny for your thoughts?” Oliver asks, interrupting my internal conversation.

I block Reyna out and look up at Oliver, who’s watching me. I come up with an lie in seconds. “I’m thinking about our date tomorrow,” I lie. “Where are you taking me?”

He smiles, shaking his head. “It’s a secret.”

“I thought we had no secrets,” I tease.

“Well it won’t be a secret for long,” he chuckles as he takes another bite of his taco. “So …. I’ve been thinking about the Luna ceremony…….. How does this Saturday sound to you?” he blurts out. “I already have all the preparations done and everything for you big day.”

I stare at him in shock.

So soon?

His face falls when he sees my reaction. “Do you not want to do the ceremony?” He asks.

“No- I mean yes I want to, but it just seems a bit … soon?”

“We been mates for over a month though,” he argues, letting out a sigh. “I want you to be Luna. I want you to lead this pack with me.”

I blush a little thinking about me taking the oath and being by his side for the rest of my life. A Luna ceremony is practically a wedding for us. I’ll be bound to my pack and my Alpha for life.

“Ok,” I smile back at him. “This Saturday, I’ll become your Luna.”

Oliver looks overjoyed. He jumps up and lifts me into his arms, howling in excitement.

“I love you! I love you so much, baby. I just know you’re going to be a great Luna,” he smiles, showering me with k****s. “Goddess, I can’t wait to meet your wolf at the pack run!”

I freeze. I haven’t had my first shift yet…

We can’t shift without Celina. We can’t reveal ourselves yet, sweetie.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Are you nervous about the pack run?” he asks, putting me down gently. “Don’t be! Everyone is really excited to see your wolf.”

“I-I… Oliver I can’t do the pack run,” I say, bracing myself for his inevitable anger.

“What do you- why not?” he asks, deflated by my lack on enthusiasm.

I panic. I can’t just tell Oliver I have a long lost sister I need to replace before I complete my first shift or I’ll die.

What do I tell him?

I-

“Aurora? Why don’t you want to do the pack run?” He asks again, a little irritation in his voice.

“Because i-it’s my first shift and I’d rather it be in private,” I blurt out.

He laughs. “Well you can have your first shift tomorrow with me in private and then do the pack run on Saturday. There, problem solved,” he says reaching out for me.

I step back, however, avoiding his touch. His face falls and his eyes flash with hurt. “Oliver you don’t understand. I can’t shift tomorrow or Saturday or anytime time soon for that matter…”

“Why not?”

“Because I-I just can’t! Ok? I can’t!”

Why can’t he just stop asking?

“That’s not a good enough answer.”

“Well I don’t know what to tell you. My wolf doesn’t want to!”

His face fills with concern. “Baby, if you’re having problems with your wolf, we can fix it. We can go to the elders and ask them to help you shift.”

I’m on the verge of tears.

Why can’t I just tell him? I’ll make him promise not to tell anyone!

Aurora, you’ll put our sister in danger if he knows. We can’t reveal ourselves until we meet Celina and shift!

“Oliver please, please understand. I can’t shift yet and I can’t explain why. My wolf just says she won’t shift until the time is right.”

Oliver looks furious and his eyes shift between their deep blue and silver as he fights for control of his body.

“Fine!” He snaps, refusing to meet my eyes. “We won’t do a pack run at your ceremony.”

I walk towards him to give him a hug. “Thank y-“

“No!” He snaps as he backs away from me. “I don’t like lies, Aurora. You’re hiding something from me and I-I can’t even look at you right now. I need some air.”

“Oliver wait-“

He storms out before I can finish my sentence.

———

I lay in bed crying. It’s past midnight and Oliver hasn’t come back since he stormed out. Rio lays next to me, licking away my tears. I pull him close, my body shaking as I sob.

Around 2 am, I hear him stumble in. He reeks of alcohol, causing several bad memories to come flooding back to me.

He’s not Mom, I remind myself.

I wipe away my tears and get up to help him into bed, but he just pushes me away.

“Oliver, please let me help you,” I plead.

“I don’t need your help!” He snaps as he continues to stumble into the room.

He manages to make his way across the room towards the couches. He starts to remove his shirt, struggling to get it over his head. I rush over to help him.

“I said I don’t need your help!” He slurs.

As he struggles with his shirt, his elbow rams into my face, making me lose my balance and crash into the floor. I taste b***d in my mouth and am instantly taken back to the times when my mom used to beat me during her drunken episodes. I back off immediately, caressing my cheek and fighting back tears.

… Maldita perra, he’s dead because of you …

My hearts starts racing as fear slowly begins to consume me. I start counting down in my head until I calm down. He doesn’t seem to notice what he’s done and continues to fight with his shirt. After about 15 tries, he finally manages to pull it over his head and starts to fumble with the waist band of his shorts before he finally pulls them down. He’s now completely naked. I look away and run to the closet to grab him a pair of pj bottoms. When I make it back, however, he’s already on the couch, snoring into oblivion.

I struggle to slip his pjs on him, furiously wiping away my tears until I manage to get them on. I grab a pillow and blanket from our bed and gently tuck him in.

I head to bed and cry myself to sleep.

*WARNING: The following dream depicts torture and violence.*

I’m sitting alone in my basement, trying my best to stay quiet. Karina has been drinking again, which is usually very bad news for me.

My body trembles as I hear her drunken footsteps come closer. I start to count in my head.

1, 2 , 3 , 4

Suddenly the door bursts open and the smell of booze fills the room. I continue counting.

5, 6 , 7, 8

I feel someone pull me by my hair.

9, 10.

I’m thrown against the cold wall. The wind is knocked out of me and I gasp for air. Mami breaks the empty bottle of tequila she’s carrying in her hand against the floor, holding the jagged edges towards me. I try to get up but she jams her elbow against my face, instantly breaking my nose and making me crash once again onto the floor.

“Maldita perra! He’s dead because of you! It should have been you!

Mami lifts my shirt up, exposing my bruised back. I feel her climb on top of me, pinning me face down with her full weight on my back. She then rakes the sharp glass against my bare flesh, tearing into my skin. I scream out in pain, begging for mercy. The drops of alcohol clinging to the bottle add to the stinging sensation on my back.

“Mamá, no por favor!” I cry out.

I jerk my head towards the door and see Salvador standing there watching. I call out to him.

“Auxilio! {help!}”

But he just walks away.

When Karina is done, she gets up and stumbles to my cot, throwing herself on it. As I lay on the floor crying, I hear her begin to snore.

After several painful minutes, I peel myself off the ground, stifling my screams with my arms as every movement I make sets my back on fire. I tear off my shirt and wrap it tightly around myself to stop the bleeding.

I look over at my mom and see half her body hanging off my cot. Very carefully, I lift her legs up and shift her body so she’s laying comfortably across the cot. I grit my teeth as the action sends waves of pain down my back. I take of her shoes and wipe off her makeup with a wet cloth. As I work, I dread the coming morning. She’ll be irritable with her hangover and I’ll most likely be beaten again. When I’m finished, I pull my tattered blanket over her and limp to the farthest corner of basement before I finally pass out.