The Ivory Queen
Chapter 100

***Aurora’s POV***

My heart sinks and I feel my frustration growing. My wolf refuses to talk about the flame lily and Queen of the night flowers so I have not more questions for the time being and release my wolves from their deafness. I slump back in my seat, fighting the urge to burst into tears. Evan wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me to his chest while I stare blankly into space.

The witch watches me silently. “I’m sorry I can’t be of much help.”

“No, thank you,” I sigh, closing my eyes and sitting up straight. “You’ve given us plenty. We know what they are no-” I let out a big yawn and cup my face in hands. “Sorry,” I mutter, rubbing my throbbing temples.

“That’s it. You’re going to bed. Right f*****g now,” Evan snaps, getting up from the couch and towering over me.

I shake my head. “I’m not that tired. Besides, we have a guest,” I protest, gesturing towards Gwen.

“You are having trouble sleeping,” Gwen asks, although it’s more of an observation than a question. She softens her face and smiles sympathetically. “You must be in a great deal of pain.”

I wipe my tired eyes and smile. “I’m okay,” I shrug. “A sleeping pill should do the trick.”

The witch contorts her face in disgust. “You want to stuff yourself with pills? Ugh! No. I have something better. Do you have a garden? I can whip something up for you-“

“There’s no way in hell I’m trusting a witch to give my sister a sleeping potion,” Celina snarls at the witch. “You must be out of your damn mind.” She turns to me and frowns. “I will heal you. You don’t need anyone else to help you. I’m right here.”

She wraps her finger around my wrist and feel of jolt of energy course through ever cell, awakening me. I feel better than I have these past few days.

If only sleep were the problem…

“Thank you, Celina, but I hope you realize you’ve been nothing but rude to Gwen all day and she’s done nothing to deserve it. Please apologize.”

“I can’t believe this,” she mutters before storming out of the living room and up to her room.

Diego and Valentina run after her and the room fills with awkward silence.

I sigh. And I thought I was stubborn.

“Please excuse my sister. She’s -uh- been through a lot these past few days,” I say, trying my best to be polite.

“It’s alright. I’m quite used to werewolf hostility,” Gwen chuckles. “But I really can help with the sleeping issue.”

“It’s not falling asleep that’s the problem,” I admit, my voice just above a whisper. “It’s the staying asleep that’s the issue.”

Gwen and Evan look confused and I fidget with my fingers to avoid their stares.

“I have nightmares… t-they keep me up at night,” I say, taking a deep breath to stop the tears that flood my eyes from falling. “Oliver used to keep them away or hold me when they came. And he’s not here,” I shrug, biting me l*p keep it from trembling.

“Why didn’t you say anything, kid?” Evan says pulling me into his arms.

“Everyone is dealing with so much, a few nightmares seemed so unimportant. I didn’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not burden. You’re just annoying sometimes,” Evan grumbles, ruffling up my hair.

I push his arms away and fix my hair.

“Nightmares, huh? I have a few remedies for that,” the witch thinks out loud, taping her chin. “Yes, yes. I’ll need some supplies of course. Let’s see here…”

She lists off several herbs and other items she needs when Rio comes trotting, covered in mud.

I’m about to scold him when Gwen starts hissing at him. The whites of her eyes turn jet black while the irises darken into a deeper green. Rio snarls at her .

“That dog…” Gwen mutters. “Where did you get it?”

I run over to him and she hisses, causing the guards to take defensive stances.

“Get away from it,” Gwen snaps. “There’s dark magic around it!”

I freeze

“What?” Evan snaps.

“There is dark magic surrounding that creature! It’s been watching you!”

My heart races and I turn to look at Rio, who continues to snarl at the witch.

Gwen starts chanting something under her breath and Rio becomes more aggressive, barking erratically and practically trembling with rage. Gwen’s chants grow louder, her voice filling the room and Rio’s body stiffens. He suddenly rolls over onto his side and howls, kicking his little legs in agony.

I can’t move. I can’t even breath. I’m frozen in place.

Gwen keeps chanting until Rio’s body goes limp. We all watch in horror as a red mist lifts from his ears and eyes, evaporating into thin air.

I stare at Rio’s lying motionless on the ground, time moving at a snail’s pace. After a few seconds, I snap out of my trance and try to walk towards my puppy when Evan grabs me by the wrists and pulls me in back, snarling at the still body on the floor. I have no strength to fight, my heart shattered into a million pieces that my little friend was nothing more than a means for the witches to know my secrets.

Much to my surprise, Rio suddenly gets up from the floor, shaking his little head and wagging his tail happily. He sprints towards Gwen who kneels down and welcomes him in her arms. He gives her sloppy k****s before trotting over to me and jumping up my leg, begging for my affection.

Evan snarls at him and the puppy whimpers, rolling over on his stomach in surrender. I stare blankly at him and Gwen chuckles.

“He’s okay now. I promise. I broke the mirror spell that was cast on him,” she says.

“H-how long has he been under that spell?” I ask, watching Rio from the corner of my eye.

How long had I been watched?

“I can’t say for sure. Where did you get him?” Gwen asks.

“I found him on the side of the road along with several other pups,” Eric steps forward. “I’m sorry Luna.”

“Well then it’s likely he’s been watching you from the beginning, Aurora,” the witch sighs, getting on her knees and calling out to Rio.

Rio gives me a longing look before trotting over to the witch and licking her fingers.

“I’m not surprised you didn’t’ notice. The spell on this puppy was quite advanced. I almost didn’t notice if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve used this spell before myself,” the witch says. She looks up at me and frowns. “Werewolves can’t sense our witch magic. Don’t blame yourself for not knowing.” She sighs and stops petting Rio. “I’m afraid that Rio isn’t the only one under a spell.”

My fists clench at my sides and I close my eyes to keep from lashing out.

Will I ever get a moment of peace? I can’t even sit in my own home without my every move being watched!

“I sense traces of witch magic throughout the territory and even a little in this house.”

My eyes nearly pop out my head. “They’ve been in my house?”

Gwen nods. “I can feel their presence. I’m sorry, but these witches aren’t as distant as you think.”

I harden my face. How can I protect my pack when these witches have free reign over my territory and I have no way of stopping them?

“I can do a cleansing of the house and make sure there are no more mirror spells,” she offers, her eyes darting across the room. “I could also cast a barrier spell on the house. Those witches won’t be able to come in without me knowing and it would ensure everyone’s safety here. Unfortunately my magic isn’t strong enough for me to protect the entire territory. It’s far too big for me to take on on my own.”

“Thank you. That’s alright. It’s my job to protect the rest of my pack. I can handle that,” I reply, still eyeing Rio suspiciously.

Sensing my hesitation, Gwen picks up Rio in her arms. “He’s free Aurora. He won’t hurt you.”

She walks over to me, offering me my puppy. I stare at him for a moment, debating whether or not to trust him again and he whines. I reach out a hand to stroke his soft head and he leans into my touch, wanting me to love him again. I can’t resist him any more and hold out my arms for him. He squirms excitedly in Gwen’s arms and I take him from her.

Rio covers me in mud I giggle at his love.

“What supplies do you need for you spells?” I ask the witch.

———

I take Gwen to my garden and grow her special herbs and plants for her to work with. As the evening settles, I grab a quick dinner and head up to my room to get ready for Javier’s ceremony.

I was returning to Lluvia Blanca for the first time since I saved Mia but I was not the same weak little girl anymore. I was a Luna and a future Queen ready to build her kingdom and I was going to look the part.

Rosalie and Laura help me with my hair and makeup. I decide to go with a simple eye look and have Rosalie style my hair in a low romantic bun with a few tendrils of hair to frame my face. For my gown, I select a long white dress with long sleeves that flare out at the ends. Gold leaf designs decorate the shoulders, neckline and sleeve ends and a cape hangs off my shoulders down to the floor.

I slip on my medallion when Celina’s voice interrupts me.

“You don’t need that. Take it off,” she says calmly, peering at me through the mirror.

I rub the medallion between my fingers. “Why?” I ask.

“You are a Queen, your majesty,” Celina says, her voice soft but firm. “So why hide it from them?”

“A Queen with no King and no kingdom,” I mutter.

“But a Queen none the less. Show them your not that scared little girl anymore. You will build your kingdom and when you do, they will bow to you.”

I purse my lips and hum quietly to myself. I did not want to be bowed to, I just wanted to be respected. Silently, I remove the medallion and tuck it away in its box. The girls all bow to me and I shift uncomfortably on my feet. I notice Celina is dressed in a gorgeous long satin green dress with spaghetti straps and thigh slit. She pairs the dress with a diamond studded choker and some strappy silver heels. Her hair is parted down the middle and flows freely down her back. She wears her medallion wrapped around her wrist.

“Why do you get to wear your medallion?” I ask.

“Because I am a Princess, not a Queen and this is not my fairytale,” she replies with a shrug. “I have nothing to prove to that pack, but you do.”

I disagree. I had nothing to prove to Lluvia Blanca. I was already Luna of River Moon and I was no longer associated with Lluvia Blanca. But I decide not to argue.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I ask, pointing to her dress.

“You’re crazy if you think you’re going to Lluvia Blanca on your own to sign that treaty,” she says, adjusting her dress.

“You sure you’re not using this as an excuse to go see your mate on his big day?” I tease her and she rolls her eyes at me.

Evan walks in, announcing Wesley’s arrival. He’s dressed in a dashing silver tux and black shoes.

“You look very handsome,” I chirp. “Is this all for Mia?”

“Shut up,” he grumbles but I see his blush.

These two want to deny their love for their mates so much, it’s amusing.

“How is Gwen handling the spells?”

“She finished the cleansing and she’s almost done with the barrier spell. She said she should be done by the time we leave” Evan mutters.

“Okay, well I want to increase security while we’re at the ceremony. The house will be on lockdown until we return. No one leaves and no one enters this house without my permission.”

“Yes Luna,” Evan answers and begins mind linking orders to the guards.

We head downstairs and I’m shocked to see Wesley and an army of men.

“Wesley, we are just going to sign the treaty. We don’t need this many body guards.”

“We have a problem,” he mutters. “Javier called. Amethyst Lake and Lluvia Blanca plan to launch an attack on River Moon.”