The Ivory Queen
Chapter 92

***Mia’s POV***

For as long as I could remember, Mom and Dad always fought over the Gamma bond.

In any pack, the Luna is the most beloved and respected individual, even more so than the Alpha. They are the heart and soul of a pack, the glue that keeps us all together. They are the Alpha’s strength, their peace…. but they are also their weakness and are therefore always a target for any rival pack.

It is for this reason that Gammas were created…. to protect the heart of the pack. For any wolf, it is the greatest honor to be charged with the title of Gamma. You had to be brave, cunning, a great warrior… but most importantly… you had to be selfless. You had to be willing to put the Luna above all else.

And therein lies the problem… Because a gamma bond can often strain the gamma’s own mate bond if not handled well.

A Gamma must always choose their Luna as their number one priority, even above their own family. It may seem cruel to jeopardize the wellbeing of an entire family for the sake of one individual but it was absolutely necessary. Losing a Luna was a pain beyond belief felt by the entire pack and could easily destroy an Alpha.

My father was a brilliant Gamma. He and Ximena became exceptionally good friends during his charge. Miguel would get jealous of their connection but at the end of the day, he knew he could always count on Dad to protect Ximena with his life.

Mom, however, was never at peace with the bond. In fact, she hated it, though she never said anything to Ximena’s face. And it’s understandable. Who would want to be second place to another woman in their own mate’s heart?

The gamma bond was the subject of many arguments between my parents. Dad would rush to Ximena’s side at the drop of a hat but he would never do the same for us. Oddly enough, Aurora was the exception to this, further cementing our theory that he loved Aurora more than he loved anyone else. No matter the occasion, Dad was always there when it came to Aurora.

I remember being furious when Dad missed first my baile folklorico dance recital because Ximena needed his healing services for Javier and Aurora who had both hurt themselves playing a prank on Chava.

Now, after all these years, I replace myself in the same position as my mom and I was once again being pushed aside for Aurora’s sake. I know Evan saw Aurora only as a sister but it did not ease my mind that he would always put her first.

As I watch Aurora sleep, however, my heart softens. This was not her fault. Evan was chosen for her before she became Luna and their relationship blossomed way before I ever knew Evan was my mate. Furthermore, she had been through hell… losing her parents and now her mate to witches. Perhaps that’s why Dad favored her so much … to compensate for all the loss in her life.

“You look just like your father,” Valentina says quietly. “You have his eyes…”

I look up at her and smile sheepishly. Examining her features, I realize she looks oddly familiar although I can’t quite put my finger on it. From what I’ve gathered, this woman is Celina’s adoptive mother.

I squint my eyes. “You look -“

“Oh Right, I forgot. We haven’t formally met,” she chuckles. “I’m Valentina. Emiliano’s twin sister.”

Dad had a twin?

“Dad never mentioned having siblings other than tio Mateo.”

“When we left Mexico, we agreed to part ways and never speak of each other for Aurora and Celina’s safety. We hadn’t spoken since. It’s my biggest regret, not getting a chance to say goodbye to him when he passed. I never got to say good bye to Mateo either. He was on the frontlines while Emiliano and I stayed behind to protect Sofia and the girls.” Her eyes fill with sadness. “Goddess rest their souls.”

“I miss him so much,” I mumble, more to myself than to her, but she hears me nonetheless

“It’s clear you still need him,” Valentina sighs, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. “He left too soon… No thanks to your good for nothing mother.”

“You know?”

She nods. “Celina told me what she did and I will never forgive her for it. And to make matters worse, she poisoned all of you. I curse the day Emiliano met her!”

“What do you mean she poisoned me-“

“I’m not surprised Karina became the monster she is,” Valentina scoffs. “But you were just a child. She had no right feeding your anger and turning you against your own sister. It’s despicable!”

Right… Valentina had dedicated her life to protecting Aurora and Celina just like Emiliano. She must really hate my guts.

“I don’t blame my mother for me hurting Aurora. That was my own fault, not hers.”

“Perhaps, but children are impressionable, mija. Like it or not, they often mimic their parent’s behavior. Why else do you think Aurora is so forgiving? I can only assume she spent a lot of time with my brother. He was the best person I ever knew. He held no grudges. Not even as a kid. He could turn the other cheek with ease and no matter who it was, Emiliano was there to lend a helping hand. I love seeing Aurora be just like him. She keeps his memory alive by following in his footsteps.”

“Yeah… Dad loved Aurora more than anything or anyone. They were practically inseparable,” I say, desperately trying to hide the bitterness in my voice.

I loved my dad but I resented how much he favored Ximena and Aurora over the rest of us. I craved the attention he gave to Aurora for so long but I never got the chance to experience it.

“I see you disliked Aurora’s relationship with your father,” Valentina interrupts my thoughts. She softens her face. “Oh Emi, he was too good at his job… but not too good with his heart.” She reaches for my hand, giving it a squeeze.

“It’s just… he always put Aurora or Ximena first over the rest of us. I sometimes wondered if he ever loved us-“

“My brother was a great person but he was flawed like anyone else. He was terrible at managing his bonds and it got him into a lot of trouble with your mother and apparently you too,” she sighs. “I know you think he didn’t love you or your brother as much as he loved Aurora or his Lunas but you would be wrong. You should have seen him when Salvador was born! He wouldn’t shut up about being a father for weeks and he took Chava everywhere he went. I can only imagine how excited he was to have you. He always wanted a daughter to spoil.”

Tears well up in my eyes and I quickly turn to wipe them away. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that I had a special place in my father’s heart. I thought he only cared about Aurora and his Luna.

Wait….

“You said Lunas…. as in plural,” I say. “Was Dad -“

“Your father was Sofia’s Royal Gamma and to be honest, I think that’s probably one of the many reasons your father perhaps favored Aurora so much. The twins are a spitting image of their mother. He probably saw Sofia in her all the time. I know I do whenever I look at Celina,” She chuckles. “Emi was the youngest Gamma in the history of our kingdom,” she beams proudly. “A gamma at 17 is almost unheard of but Mateo and Sofia would have no one else. Emi was more than worthy and he was so excited to take on the role. He loved Sofia dearly. As did I. Having grown up with boys, she was the closest thing I had to a sister.”

“She sounds lovely,” I sigh.

“My Queen was beautiful inside and out. Adored by all her subjects… well most of them anyways.”

“What do you mean?”

She hesitates but finally let’s out a breath and speaks her truth. “Your mother wasn’t very fond of her. But then again, she didn’t really like any of us.”

I scrunch up my face. “Why?”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, for starters, she and I have always butted heads. Being twins, Emi and I were,” she crosses her fingers and holds them up. “We did everything together and Emiliano was always there for me when I needed him. And I’m sure you’re well aware of Karina’s jealousy. It’s her biggest flaw, really. She was probably none to happy to have Emiliano elected as gamma yet again at Lluvia Blanca. She never liked sharing his attention with another woman, especially a Luna. Anyways, she hated Sofia for being Emiliano’s top priority.”

“Well how else is she supposed to act?” I snap, defensively. “A mate is a mate. You shouldn’t have to share them with anyone!” I huff. “The gamma bond is really unfair if you think about. The mate of a gamma matters just as much as the Luna!”

Valentina stares back coolly at me and I suddenly feel embarrassed for my outburst.

“I sense we’re no longer talking about your father…” Valentina says after a long pause. “Want to tell me what’s really bothering you?”

My mouth opens but no words come out and I clamp it shut once more. I stare at Aurora’s sleeping figure, her sweet dream keeping her in oblivion.

“Your anger seems very personal,” Valentina offers and after giving it some thought, I decide to confess.

“My mate is Aurora’s gamma…”

“I see,” Valentina hums. “And this upsets you?”

“Yes… I-I mean no… I don’t know!” I huff, annoyed with the subject. “Evan is Aurora’s gamma and that means I will always be second place in his heart. I’m not sure I’m willing to settle as my own mate’s second priority.”

Valentina stares silently at me, a little sadness in her eyes.

“You sound just like Karina when she found out Emiliano was the Queen’s Royal Gamma. And just like her, you seem to believe gamma bonds and mate bonds are the same thing.”

“Aren’t they though?” I argue. “A gamma would stop at nothing to protect his Luna. A wolf would do the same thing for his mate.”

“Protective instinct does not equate to love, mija. A mate is not the same thing as a Luna.”

I stare at her and wait for her to elaborate.

She’s not making any sense. How is that not the same thing?

“Mia, the bond between a gamma and Luna is one of friendship. A gamma offers comfort and support in times of distress. He feels the need to protect her and if worse comes to worse, he would lay down his life for her. The bond between a gamma and his mate, on the other hand, is sacred, forged by pure, unconditional love. While he may share his heart with many, he does not share his soul with anyone but his mate. And therein lies the difference.”

She gives me a warm smile. “Your father loved your mother in a way he loved no one else. And no matter how angry she got, your mother knew this was true. He loved her. No one could ever take her place, not Sofia, not your Luna, not Aurora.”

My heart is split. I want Evan. I had seen his tenderness and fell for it instantly but his affection for Aurora cast doubt. Could he really love me?

“As I said, my brother was not perfect and he did not show his affections as he should have, but do not for a second doubt that he loved You, Karina and Chava. As for your mate, Evan is a different man. He adores Aurora, there’s not question, but perhaps, if you give him a chance and talk about your feelings and concerns, you’ll discover for yourself where you stand in his life. Who knows,” she shrugs. “He might even surprise you.”

She gets up from the bed and smooths her blouse. “Please think about what I said. Moon Goddess rarely gives second chances when it comes to mates and I would hate for you throw away your chance at happiness because of your own insecurities.”

She gives me a quick hug and scurries off, leaving me to my thoughts.

Inez whines. She wants her mate.

But I was worried. Evan was a gamma and up until twenty minutes ago, he hated me. Did we really stand a chance?

Only one way to replace out! Ines says. Please give him a chance.

Aurora suddenly sits up in bed, dropping her head in her hands and shaking her head.

“Aurora what’s wrong?” I ask.

“Celina…”