The Ivory Queen
Chapter 120

***Oliver***

“Oliver what are you doing? Stop this now! These are your men!” Carter yells.

But I only growl in response, a pure rage surging through me. There’s a wolf’s neck in my mouth and with one bite, I tear out his throat, his limp body hitting the ground.

—

I wake up with a start, my heart racing and beads of sweat covering my forehead. The sweet smell of cinnamon and rose lingers in the air and I look down to see my beautiful mate nestled gently in my arms, snoring lightly in oblivion. She looked so peaceful, so angelic, so perfect. I lay back in bed, burying my face in her neck to inhale her scent and calm my fears.

It seems the minutes drag by and I finally decide to climb out of bed, hoping a run might calm the anxiety I was feeling. Rio wakes up at the sound of me slipping on my shoes and I grab his leash for him to join me. I don’t exactly know where I’m going as I just jog down the main road, letting my legs carry me wherever they so pleased. Moments later, I find myself in the place I always come to think.

The fort stood in all its glory, light barely peaking through the leaves of the trees surrounding it. I remove Rio’s leash and let him run while I take a seat on the swing, closing eyes to bask in the coolness of the spring breeze.

I don’t know how long I spend just sitting with my eyes closed, letting the air k**s my skin when I suddenly hear footsteps approach me and an all too familiar scent floats to my nostrils.

“Can’t sleep?” Carter asks, stepping directly in front of me.

I open my eyes and nod my head.

He chuckles softly, kicking a stone with his foot. He turns to the deck and climbs up, expecting me to follow him. We settle down besides each other, swinging our feet in silence when the Great Goof himself approaches the Fort. Evan climbs up and the three of us watch the sun rise.

“You okay?” Evan asks, resting his head on the deck railing.

I shrug, keeping my eyes on the on the tree-line. “I’ve been better..”

“Well talk to us, man. What’s on your mind?” Carter asks.

“I…” I sigh, unsure how to explain my feelings. “I keep getting these nightmares… Visions, I guess… Of things I don’t remember doing.”

“I see,” Carter says. “You’re remembering all the things those witches made you do.”

“I did them,” I correct him. “It doesn’t matter that Tais and Ira put me under a spell. I killed my men. I hurt Aurora. Hell I almost killed you, Carter. And Rosalie…” I scoff. “I could have killed her and Emi-“

“But you didn’t,” Carter interrupts. “Look man, I’m not going to pretend I understand what you’re going through because I never will. But I won’t sit here and let you think you’re some monster for doing the things you were forced to do.”

His face softens and stares off into the trees. “I know you, Oliver. I would have never agreed to be your Beta if I didn’t absolutely trust you and Michael.”

Silence falls between us as we think back to the horror we survived.

“Come, on, man, Let’s go on run,” Evan suggests, jumping to his feet. “It’s been a while since the three of us went on a run together.”

“I don’t know…” I say hesitantly, feeling myself grow anxious at the thought of letting my wolf out.

“Come Oliver. You can’t hide Michael away for ever…” Carter says, pulling me up.

I take a deep breath as the three of us climb down and shift. I sit back and watch, giving Michael full control of my body but prepared to jump in at any second.

“Lead the way, Alpha,” Darren (Carter’s wolf) says.

Michael stares at his paws and Bodhi (Evan’s wolf) nudges him with his snout.

“You can do this,” he encourages.

Rio trots back happily, licking my paws and rolling over on his belly in submission. I lick him and he gets up, eager to play.

Do you trust us? Michael asks.

That was the question of the century, After everything that’s happened, could I trust myself again?

My beta and gamma look at me expectantly. There was no fear in their eyes. No judgement for what I had done. I was just their leader.

If they could trust us, then so could I…

I take a deep breath and lean on my hind legs, taking off at full speed with my beta and gamma close behind. The wind in my fur feels incredible. I had missed running. I had missed going on stupid adventures with these two idiots. It had been so long since we felt this free. We race across the territory, letting out howls and yelps to break the morning silence.

Before I even realize it, we find ourselves at the meadow, staring at the 14 graves of my fallen soldiers.

I stand before them, letting the guilty slowly fade away. They had died protecting their pack, even from me.

“Our warriors died with honor,” Darren says. “They protected the pack you left in their care during your absence. Be proud. You made them believe River Moon was worth dying for. You inspired them to put their pack before themselves. Not every leader can do that.”

They were true heroes, my soldiers, and I would not let them down. I howl their names, thanking them each for protecting my pack.

I was free, free at last from Tais and Ira.

….APRIL 24th Coronation Day….

***AURORA***

The sun has finally set, stars quickly filling up the night sky. A fresh breeze flows through the trees, the smell of spring flowers blowing in the air.

After hours of preparation, I’m finally given sometime to be alone with my thoughts. I could feel the excitement bubbling in my belly as the hour drew near.

I roll my father’s ring between my fingers, admiring its beauty.

Things had finally settled down between the allies and tonight, not only would I marry the man I loved, I would also be taking my place as Queen. In just a few moments, the Allies would cease to exist, giving way to the Kingdom of the Ivory Phoenix, my Kingdom. My throne. My legacy.

Fear and excitement filled me to the brim. I had been Luna for some time now but managing seven packs was a tall order to ask of anyone. Would I measure up to the task?

This is what we were meant to do, Reyna says. There will be challenges and it will not be easy, but leading is in our b***d. And besides we are not alone. Oliver and Michael will be by our sides.

I smile at the ring on my finger. I was finally getting my King and my happily ever after…

A small knock disrupts my thoughts, Evan poking his head in.

“We’re ready for- woah,” he beams before bowing.

A satin cathedral wedding dress hung off my shoulders, the veil almost as long as its train.

I lift up the skirt, giving him spin and he smiles. “How do I look?

“Like a Queen,” he says, pointing at my head. “If only you had a crown to match.”

“Well, she’s get it soon enough,” a voice calls out.

I turn to find Chava standing by the door, looking dashing in a black tux and bow tie.

“You look beautiful,” he says, bowing slightly. “Your majesty.”

I offer a small smile in return. “Thank you.”

He wrings his hands nervously.

“Did you want to ask me something?” I inquire, getting nervous myself. “Did something happen?”

His face fills with panic as he shakes his head adamantly. “NO! No, nothing is wrong. I-It’s – I just–“

He sighs, wiping his hands over his face. “I was just wondering if I could walk you down the isle,” he blurts out.

Evan gives him a warning look. “I’ll be the one walking her down the isle. I’m her gamma.”

“And I’m her brother,” Chava replies coldly.

I stare at the two men, both equally important to me, both my brothers. “I would be honored to have you both walk me down.”

They exchange looks of contempt for each other but sigh in agreement.

Chava extends his elbow for me to take. “Ready?”

The ceremony was taking place at my garden, under the open sky as the Moon watched over us. I open a portal to the start of the stone path I created all those months ago, smiling wolves on either side. At the far end of the path stood an altar and the man who had taught me what love truly was. He had been patient when I was afraid to touch him. He had been kind when all I knew was cruelty. He had been gentle when all I felt was pain. He had loved me before I learned to love myself. He was never cruel and he treated me with respect. He made me laugh. He was my best friend, my mate, my partner, my home and my king. He was my Olivier.

Tears spill onto his cheeks when our eyes meet and Carter hands him a handkerchief to help him compose himself. Afraid I might burst into tears, I look around the crowd, grateful for every person who had come to celebrate. Valentina, Danny, Diego and Celina stood at the front, tears lingering in their eyes. Besides them, Oliver’s uncle Adolphe, his wife Quila, and their three children, Lupe, Lou, and Lucy all stood proudly as well as the members of the Wild Forest Pack.

David had a rocky relationship with Adolphe, cutting off all ties ages ago, but I was glad Oliver had mended that relationship now that his father was gone. I know he needed family and after meeting Adolphe and his family in Virginia, I was happy to have them become part of our lives.

When I reach the end of the isle, Evan and Chava k**s my hands and bow before delivering me to Oliver. Sparks tingle from my finger tips up my arms as our hands meet and I try desperately to keep the tears from falling.

“I love you,” Oliver whispers as Elder Auguste’s voice booms over the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here tonight ….”

Lost in Oliver’s eyes, I forget everything around us, focusing only on my mate and memorizing his every feature. It’s not until Oliver slips the ring on my finger that I finally come to.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” I say as I slip the wedding band on his finger.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Elder Auguste says as the crowd cheers. “Alpha, you may k**s your bride.”

Oliver’s fingers rest on my chin, tilting my face up for the joining of our lips in a sweet and tender k**s. His arms wrap around my waist while my hands find his neck and hair, pulling him closer.

Reyna howls with joy and I can only imagine Michael was elated as well.

Elder Auguste produces a vial of my venom for the coronation and makes his way over to the altar where the River Moon pack tablet lay.

The Allies and their elders make their way to the altar, each bearing their own pack tablets and placing them on the altar. One by one, the elders inject my venom into the tablets, the last one being River Moon’s.

When they’re finished, Elder Auguste turns to me and takes me hand.

“Luna, with your kind unyielding heart, your strength, your bravery, and your courage, you have earned the trust of your fellow wolves. We all stand before you tonight not only as your pack, but as your humble subjects. You have endured great pain and many obstacles, but still your hope and your spirit have not waned. From the ashes you rose and will continue rising, overcoming new challenges with grace and intelligence. It is time, then, for you to take your place as Queen of the Kingdom of the Ivory Phoenix.

So Luna, I must ask:

Do you, Aurora Salome Altamirano-Artaud, solemnly swear to govern the wolves of River Moon, Cerulean Sea, Jade Crescent, B***d Moon, Lluvia Blanca, Desert Sky, and Maple Moon according to their respective laws and traditions? To preserve, to protect and to serve every member of the Kingdom of the Ivory Phoenix?”

I hold my head high and respond. “I solemnly swear so to do.”

“Will you uphold the values of this kingdom and execute your judgement by way of the law and with justice. Will you lead with strength, grace, and mercy to the best of my abilities?”

“I will.”

“Do you swear to guide your Alphas in times of hardship and in prosperity. Do you swear to never abandon your people and to lead intelligently from this day forward?”.

“I solemnly swear so to do.”

Elder Auguste turns to Oliver and has him kneel. “Alpha, please make your oath to her majesty, the Queen.”

“I, Olivier Honoré Artaud, Alpha of the River Moon Pack, do solemnly swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Aurora, her heirs and successors, according to laws which govern the Kingdom of the Ivory Phoenix. So help me Moon Goddess.”

Elder Auguste takes his palm and makes a cut before placing it on the River Moon tablet. He then takes my hand and makes a similar slice across my palm. B***d pools in its center and he guides my hand across the tablet so that my b***d mixes with my venom in the little basin

I feel a gentle breeze wash over me and I bask in its coolness. One by one, the Alphas make the same oath and seal it b***d until all seven Alphas kneel before me. At this time, Elder Amelie brings forth a velvet pillow, an ivory Crown sitting upon it. Ever so carefully, Elder Auguste places the crown on my head, my wolf howling with joy to finally bear her title.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Elder Auguste announces. “From this day forward, you shall be known as the people of the Kingdom of the Ivory Phoenix.”

I can feel movement behind me.

“Your Majesty, please turn to face your loyal subjects,” Elder August instructs.

I do as I’m told, consumed by a flurry of emotions. My heart pounds against my ears and I hold back tears as I smile at my people kneeling before me. My Kingdom.

The sound of trumpets fill the night.

“Presenting Her Majesty, Aurora Salome Altamirano-Artaud, the Ivory Queen. May Moon Goddess bless her eternally!”