The Ivory Queen
Chapter 41

***Aurora’s POV***

“Run!” Evan shouts as he begins shifting.

Taking his cue, I run back towards Isaiah’s room and lock the door, all the while hearing Evan fight the rogues off. Isaiah cries in my arms and I try my best to keep him quiet.

“Shh, it’s ok, baby. Everything’s going to be ok,” I coo, petting his tight curls.

I set Isaiah down in the bathroom. “Be a brave boy for me, ok? Whatever you do, don’t come out unless I tell you to,” I warn. “Lock the door sweetie!”

“Where are you going Rora?” he asks, fresh tears spilling from his eyes. “Don’t go!”

I kneel down to his eye level and cup his little face in my hands. “I’m not going anywhere, I’m not leaving you. Just be brave for me ok. I need you to be brave,” I plead.

He nods and closes the door as I tell him. I wait until I hear the click of the lock before I run back to the main door and wedge a chair underneath the knob. As I search for a weapon, I hear banging at the door. I desperately go through the medical drawers in search of weapons and replace none.

F**k, what do I do?

Earth! Reyna suggests.

I run to the window and sigh in relief as I see a tree brush up against the glass. I open the window and kick out the screen out just as the door is knocked over and the two rogues bust in.

They bare they’re filthy teeth at me and walk closer to me. One of them stares directly at my medallion and steps back hesitantly while the other seems to be mind-linking someone. He whimpers as yellow eyes suddenly turn bright red. I take advantage to make my first move and focus my energy on the tree outside. The red eyed rogue leans back on its hind legs and launches itself into the air.

I move my arm forward and the tree branch grows inside the room, wrapping around the rogue’s neck and snapping it. The limp body falls to the ground with the thud. The remaining rogue’s eyes turn red and stare at me with a smirk. I jerk my arm forward again, grabbing a fist full of air then pulling back. The tree branch mimics my motion, growing forward and wrapping around the rogues waist before pulling it through the window. I hear the wolf cry and whimper as it lands on the ground below. I look out the window, watching as the rogue tries to free itself from the tree’s grip. I tighten my fist and the tree squeezes the rogue, crushing it’s bones until it lays lifeless. B***d oozes from its nose, ears, and mouth.

I let go of the rouge and have the tree branch drag the other rouge out the window. My legs are shaking by the time I finish and I want to throw up. I run to the bathroom and knock on the door.

“Isaiah, sweetie. You can come out now,” I call out.

I hear the lock click and a crying Isaiah comes running out into my arms.

“Rora!” He cries, his body trembling in fear.

I pick him up and carefully walk towards the door, peering into the hallway. Seeing that the coast is clear, I try my best to calm down Isaiah.

“Isaiah, you did so good!” I say, stroking his curls and kissing his cheeks. “You were so brave!”

He smiles, wiping away his tears. I replace a blanket and drape it over his head to cover him.

“Whatever happens Isaiah, don’t open your eyes, ok?” I murmur and he nods.

I carry him into the hallway, taking my time to be as quiet as possible. As we turn the corner, I see Evan bleeding out on the floor. I gasp and Isaiah holds onto me tighter. I pull the blanket tighter over him to further shield his eyes from the bloody scene.

“Isaiah, I need you to keep your eyes closed and- and count as high as you can. Can you do that? Don’t open your eyes until I tell you too, ok?”

“Ok,” he whimpers.

I set him down and he proceeds to cover his eyes with his hands and count out loud. I crawl over to Evan, who is wheezing heavily on the floor. B***d pours from several wounds on his shoulders, stomach and throat.

“It’s ok, Evan, I’m here,” I whimper.

He whines as I place two trembling hands on his body. I let my energy flow through him and nearly cry when I realize he’s been poisoned. I take several deep breaths and count to three before laying my palm on his chest and healing him. I push through the burning sensation and bite down on my free hand to keep from scaring Isaiah. I break the skin from biting so hard and b***d stains my teeth and lips. Excruciating pain courses through my arms and to my temples and I let out stained scream. Evan sighs and gets up from the floor, shaking his head and shifting back to his human form. I fall to the floor, completely exhausted as the burning sensation lingers throughout by whole body. My screams draw Isaiah’s attention and he turns to look at me.

“Rora?” he whimpers before bursting into tears. “Rora!”

“I’m okay!” I lie, gasping for air and holding back another scream. “Don’t look, baby.”

I hear Evan race to his pile of clothes before he places the vile of lavender under my nose. After 30 seconds, the pain starts to subside. I look up to see tears in Evan’s eyes and I reach for his cheek.

“I’m so sorry, Aurora. I failed you.”

“I’ll be ok,” I croak, forcing a smile. Isaiah crawls into my arms and starts crying, burying his little head in my neck. I try to sit up and feel myself getting light headed.

“You did so good, Isaiah,” I pant, kissing his forehead. “Such a brave little boy.”

I lean against the wall, gathering my strength before I attempt to get up, failing to coordinate my feet. Evan wraps his torn shirt around his waist to cover himself and rushes to my side to help me to my feet. I stagger a little and he decides to lift Isaiah and I in his arms. Suddenly, Oliver, Wesley, Carter come rushing down the hall in their wolf forms. Oliver shifts while Wesley and Carter proceed to sweep the entire floor. I blush and glue my eyes to the floor as Oliver comes closer to me.

“Are you ok, baby?” Oliver asks, grabbing my face and inspecting me head to toe. He growls when he sees my bleeding hand.

“I-I’m ok,” I lie, still shaking from what just occurred. “I did that to myself,” I say, glancing down at my hand. “It’s fine.”

My eyes widen when I notice the gash on his shoulder. “Oh my Goddess, you’re hurt!”

Place my hand on his shoulder, but he grabs my wrist, stopping me.

“It’s just scratch,” he shakes his head. “Save your energy for someone who needs it. This will heal on its own within the next hour,” he smiles.

Isaiah shifts his weight in my arms and cries. I ask Evan to put me down and somehow manage to stand upright.

“Are the scary wolves gone, Rora?” Isaiah asks.

“They’re gone. We’re safe now,” I say, patting his back gently.

Carter and Wesley return in their human forms, dressed in hospital gowns. Wesley tosses Oliver and Evan a gown and they quickly slip it on.

“No signs of rouges in here,” Carter grumbles. “Cowards must have escaped through a window or something.”

I wince at the memory of two rogues I just faced and Isaiah tightens his grip around my neck to comfort me.

“Wesley, I need to get Isaiah here back to his mom. Do you think you can take him to the safe house to look? I’m still needed here.”

“Of course,” he says, stretching out his hands. “Hey little man, lets get you back to your mama.”

Isaiah shakes his head and holds onto me tighter.

“It’s ok, Isaiah. Alpha Wesley is going to help you replace your mommy. Don’t you want to replace your mom? I’m sure she misses you,” I try to coerce him.

He hesitates before glancing up at Wesley, who gives him a warm smile. Isaiah gives me a tight squeeze and a k**s on the cheek before I hand him over to Wesley I watch as they both walk down the hall towards the stair well.

“I need to eat. I just healed Evan and that little boy from witches poison. I’m sure once I get to the infirmary, there’ll be a lot of it for me to get through.”

Oliver nods and carries my down to the cafeteria while Evan and Carter continue to sweep the hospital for more Rogues. They meet us in the cafeteria.

“The hospital is all clear,” says Carter, handing Oliver some bandages for my hand. “Looks like those rogues were after someone or something in the pediatric wing. I found their bodies outside. Someone must have gotten to them before they could hurt anyone else.”

I shiver as I remember the lifeless limp bodies outside the window.

“Evan, what happened?” Oliver demands, carefully wrapping my hand up.

“There were just two. I was doing fine until one of those bastards eyes turned bright red and managed to get a bite of me. It was like I was paralyzed. I couldn’t move and goddess the pain was unreal. I tried to push past it but it was too much. I’m so sorry Aurora. I failed….I couldn’t protect you.”

I reach over and pull Evan into a hug. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. You kept your promise. You protected me long enough for me and Isaiah to get away.”

“But-“

“I’m fine, Evan. Really. I’m ok thanks to you.”

Oliver sighs and places a hand on Evan shoulder. “I watched a young wolf get bitten and go limp from the pain. I know you did what you could and I’m glad you’re okay” Turning his attention to me, Oliver’s voice turns serious. “With that being said, this is the last time you come along during an attack. You’re staying home or in the safe house.”

I try to protest but he growls at me. “End of discussion! Do I make myself clear?”

I nod solemnly and he relaxes. Evan looks disappointed as well, so I hold his hand and offer him a smile that says I don’t blame him for Oliver’s punishment.

Evan turns serious. “H-how did you manage to escape the rogues, Aurora?”