The Ivory Queen
Chapter 103

***Aurora’s POV***

“Aurora… we’ve been expecting you,” Miguel smiles.

As I approach the stage with Celina, however, his smile fades and I notice the fear that flickers in his eyes. His soldiers, much to their own bewilderment, bow as I walk past them, sensing my wolf’s strength. Their eyes shift between Celina and I, at a loss at what to do next.

“W-What … What is the meaning of this?” Miguel snaps as he points at Celina. “Who- Who is she?”

I ignore him, climbing the steps of the stage until I stand only a feet away from him. I watch in amusement as he struggles to control the urge to bow. His fists clench at his side and his teeth grind against each other before he ultimately succumbs to the his natural urges and bends at a 45 degree angle.

For the first time since shifting, I’m actually grateful of my royal presence. After our last interaction, it was satisfying to have him bow before me.

“Alpha Miguel,” I smile coldly. “It’s nice to see you again.”

He glares at me and Celina before turning to Mia. “Is this an illusion… or some kind of trick you’re playing on me?”

“Stop talking,” I snap, looking around aimlessly at the crowd. “I’d like to speak with Javier.”

“Who are are you to demand things from me?” He snarls but I remain perfectly still. “This is no longer your pack and you are Trespassing!”

“Oh just like how you and Amethyst lake were planning on trespassing onto River Moon territory?” I smile innocently.

Anger flickers in his eyes for a split second but he doesn’t seem shocked that I know if his plan.

“Who is she?” he repeats, eyeing Celina.

Growing annoyed with this meaningless back and forth, I stomp my foot on the ground, a ripple shaking the earth violently. Everyone drops low to the ground to regain their balance. Fear lingers in the faces of all the Lluvia Blanca wolves as they stare at me.

Was I still a monster in their eyes?

“What the hell-“

“On you knees, Alpha,” I command.

Miguel drops to his knees instantly, staring at me with a look of horror and confusion.

“All of you, on your knees,” I demand, looking out into the crowd of wolves

The wolves do as I command and I smirk back at them.

“Look around you, Miguel. I’m not the same scared little girl who used to cower in your presence anymore,” I snarl, stepping closer to him and leaning close to his face. “I’m not afraid of you anymore,” I whisper in his ear before wrapping my fingers around his throat. “And I never will be again.”

His face reddens as he desperately tries to free himself from my grasp. Several of his men growl and attempt to rush the stage but Celina is quick to create several wind blades that knock them back.

“Call off the attack on my pack,” I snarl, desperately trying to restrain the flames aching to reach my fingertips.

Miguel just glares at me so I tighten my grip on on his neck

“F-f**k y-you,” he says before spitting at me.

My hands burst into flames instantly and he yelps as one of my burning hands latches on to his wrist for a few seconds. I release him and he drops the ground, whimpering in pain as blisters form along the burn.

“Monster!” he cries as he soothes his wounds. ‘You’re still a monster”

Before I can respond, Wesley and the guards return with Javier and Salvador. I let out a sigh of relief that they are both unharmed. Mia runs to Chava, hugging him tightly and thanking Moon Goddess that he’s safe. Javier stands off the side, his eyes zeroed in on Celina. She crosses her arms over her chest and rolls her eyes at him, but I see right through her farce. She’s aching to be with him.

“Go to him,” I urge her but she shakes her head.

I decide not to press, focusing instead on the Alpha still whimpering in pain. Small vines burst through the crust of the earth and climb up the stage, wrapping around Miguel’s legs. I step back as a cocoon of vines forms around him, trapping him in place so that only his face is visible. He tries to scream but I focus on his vocal chords and he falls mute, the terror only prevalent on his face.

Javier and Chava bow respectfully as they climb up the stage and stand before me.

“I’m sorry, Aurora,” Javier explains. “I tried to warn you before you got here but-“

“It’s alright,” I say, raising a hand to stop him.

He nods quietly. “So what now? Amethyst lake is supposed to move after the pack run and I have yet to complete the ceremony. I’m not Alpha and we’re running out of time!”

“That shouldn’t be to hard,” I smirk, turning to Miguel. I grip his face between my thumb and forefinger, yanking his face up to look at me. “You can finish the ceremony now.”

Miguel opens his mouth to speak but not a sound can be heard and I smile at him.

“What’s the matter? Wolf’s got your tongue?” I laugh, releasing his chin and walking towards the table on the stage. The black dagger still sits neatly on top of the pack tablet and I grip its handle firmly.

Slowly, I receded some of the vines wrapped around Miguel, exposing his palm and keeping it in place. I wave over Javier and he obediently stands beside me.

“You just need to seal the oath in b***d right?”

He confirms with a simple nod and I press the blade down on Miguel’s palm, slicing vertically while Miguel silently screams and protests.

“Your turn,” I say, handing Javier the blade.

He takes the dagger but hesitates to cut his palm.

“It’s now or never, Javi,” I urge. “We don’t have much time.”

He presses his lips together firmly and slices his hand, b***d pooling in his cupped hand. Wesley brings the pack tablet and I forcefully squeeze Miguel’s hand so his b***d spills onto the tablet and then press palm down onto one of the wolf carvings. I only need his b***d so when he tries to yank his hand back, I let go.

“You ready?” I ask Javier, reaching for his hand.

He takes a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.”

I guide his hand over the little basin, letting a few drops spill in with the venom before pressing his bloodied palm on the tablet and letting it rest there for a moment. The pack falls silent, even Miguel goes still.

Javier reaches a hand to his temple, wincing in pain before shaking his head and groaning. His eyes briefly turn baby blue and then return to their reddish brown color.

“Damas y caballeros de Lluvia Blanca {Ladies and gentlemen of Lluvia Blanca},” I announce to the crowd of warriors watching us. “Les presento a su nuevo Alpha, Javier Noel Salazar {I present to you your new Alpha}.”

The wolves bow their head in reverence for their new leader while Evan hands me the treaty. I spread out it on the table and Wesley gives Javier a pen, placing a congratulatory hand on his shoulder and offering him a smile.

Javier signs his name and turns to his pack. “From this day forward, Lluvia Blanca is once again an Ally.”

“Congratulations, Alpha,” I say, lowering my head in a graceful bow. “And welcome back into the Alliance.”

Miguel silently wails and I decide he’s had enough of a punishment and give him his voice back

“You’ve just sentenced my pack to death,” he growls.

“No, we’ve just save your pack from certain death,” I reply, shrugging my shoulders. “Be grateful I managed to convince the other Alpha’s to let Lluvia Blanca return.”

“Ha! You help us?” He laughs in a mocking tone.

Just then, a large group of wolves emerges from the surrounding forest led by a tall man with platinum blonde hair and the bluest eyes I’d ever seen.

“Luna Aurora,” he smiles. “It’s a pleasure to finally me you, your majesty. I’m Nikolai Kovalenko, Alpha of the Amethyst Lake pack.“

***Carter’s POV***

My team and I race to the Northern Border, William giving me updates as I run. By the time I arrive, the border is a war-zone with nearly 300 rogues attacking our pack.

I feel the b***d drain from my face when I realize William wasn’t lying. Oliver really was leading the rogues, his signature white spot unmistakable. But how? I’ve known Oliver my whole life and I know he would never attack his own pack! This can’t be possible.

Even more concerning is the fact that Karina is riding his wolf, wielding a black sword. White runes are carved into the jet black blade and the gold hilt has a black gem near the top.

That sword… No it can’t be!

My mind switches completely when I witness Oliver attack one of the guards, sinking his teeth into his throat. Several guards freeze, clearing struggling to bring themselves to attack their own alpha.

“Oliver?” I try to mind-link him, hoping to get some answers or at least understand why he was doing this.

He locks eyes with me, his wolf’s eyes red with fury. This is not my Alpha.

“Oliver what are you doing? Stop this now! These are your men,” I snap, gesturing to the guards with my snout.

But it seems my words mean nothing to him. Oliver drops the guard in his mouth, his focus now entirely on me. The young guard writhes in pain and I know his bite is laced with poison. Those b***d red eyes of his terrify me to my core as he stalks over to me, ready to pounce. He leans on his hind legs and snarls at me.

“Alpha-“

Before I get another word in, Oliver launches himself in the air, knocking me to the ground and landing on top of me. I use my paws and try to push him off, but Oliver was an Alpha. No matter how hard I trained, he would always be stronger.

Just as he’s about to snap his jaws at me, a black blur knocks him and Karina off with a powerful blow to his side. I sigh in relief when I realize it’s Alpha Patrick as he helps me up.

Alpha Jonathan, Alpha Jared, Alpha Malik and their soldiers follow in suit, jumping into the war zone and attacking the rogues.

Thank Moon Goddess they’re here!

Oliver’s gets back on his feet and charges at Alpha Patrick, knocking him several feet away. I rush to help when Oliver sinks his teeth into one of Patrick’s front paws.

The Alpha yelps, a red river spewing from the wound. Within seconds, he starts to trembling uncontrollably, the pain evident in his brown eyes.

I react quickly, grabbing onto Oliver’s hind paw and dragging him down to the ground. He rolls over and attempts to bite my shoulder but I manage to dodge his attack.

“Oliver stop! Please!” I beg, hoping to get through to him.

But he doesn’t hear me, an inconsolable anger coursing through him as he continues to struggle against me. I press down on his chest with my front paws, praying I have the strength to hold him down long enough for me to mind-link Aurora.

Oliver, however, manages to inch his neck close enough to my front legs and bites into my flesh. The pain is instant, weakening me with little effort.

My veins feel as if they were being set on fire, every cell in my body slowly being consumed by unspeakable agony. In my weakened state, Oliver manages to push me off of him before clamping his jaws on my hind legs. I start convulsing, the pain increasing with every ripple.

He drags me away from the fighting into a nearby clearing. Karina finds us, a black Owl gently perched on her bloodied sword. The owls eyes glow red and much to my surprise it begins to speak.

This must be the Tais and Ira’s messenger owl.

“Beta,” it chuckles innocently. “Are you hurt?”

I can’t keep myself from whimpering as another wave of pain washes over me.

“I warned Aurora and Celina not to mess with us, but they didn’t listen,” the owl snarls, extending out its wings. “You can blame them for what’s to come next,” it says before taking flight.

It’s wing seems to cut into the fabric of the universe, create a small portal before the bird disappears into it. I recognize where the portal leads to and I desperately try to get up but my weakened body protests against my efforts. Oliver runs through the portal, leaving Karina and I alone.

Karina strolls over to my side, her wild eyes flickering with joy at my predicament. I try to get up again but to no avail.

“Don’t worry, ” Karina smiles wickedly, raising the blade over her head. “It’s not you we’re after.”

Pain pulsates up my temples and my vision begins to blur, the pounding of my heart drowning out the noise of the ongoing battle

“It’s the baby we need,” she laughs before bringing the hilt down to the side of me head. Within seconds, my vision fades to black.