The Ivory Queen
Chapter 39

*** Aurora’s POV***

*Trigger warning: Violence depicted*

I start talking quickly before I lose the courage to tell him about the shameful carving on my body.

“My mom was never a really a drinker when I was growing up, but then Dad died and she-,” I begin, unsure of what I’m saying. “S-she needed to grieve.”

Oliver tenses up so I place a hand on his cheek to let him know that I’m ok.

“She would drink until she blacked out then take out all her anger on me. I’m sure if I were to ask her today about what she did to me, she wouldn’t even remember half of it,” I sigh. “This one time, I came home from school with a bruise on my neck. A couple of kids had slammed my head against the lockers and one of the locker knobs was smashed up against my neck and made this big ol’ bruise,” I laugh bitterly, at the cruel memory. “She thought it was a hickey. That night, she went out for drinks like she always did and came back beyond wasted. S-she’s not a particularly nice drunk and went on a rampage when she returned. I don’t remember what I did but I know I upset her. She-she came down to the basement and pulled out a knife.”

I feel Oliver’s heart beat faster in his chest.

“She made me undress myself from the waist down and took the knife,” I continue, my voice trembling as I fight back tears. “And carved the word ‘Puta’ {slut} on me,” I sob. “So that every time I got dressed, I would be reminded of what she thought of me.”

I look down to lift the hospital gown up higher and lower my panties a little, exposing my skin up to where my th!gh meets my h!ps. The word “Puta” sits permanently on my h!p bone, forever disgusting me. I look back up at Oliver and see a mix of anger and anguish in his eyes. I know he will never forgive her for what she’d done to me.

“Oliver, please say something,” I croak, growing anxious with his silence.

He traces his fingers along the scar making my skin tingle and gently pulls the gown back down to cover me. His eyes shift between silver and blue as he trembles with rage.

“How could she do this to you?” he finally explodes.

I grab his face and try to calm him down. “Oliver, I’m ok. Look at me, look at me,” I whisper. “I survived.”

He struggles to contain his tears and looks away. “What else did she do to you?”

I don’t respond. My entire body is covered with hideous scars, each one with its own cruel story. How do I explain five years of torture?

“Judging by your silence, I’m guessing too much to tell,” he snarls, balling up his fists.

I pull my body away from him and hop off the bed. Hurt flashes in his eyes and he reaches out to pull me back. I sigh.

“I want to show you something,” I say, trying to relax him.

He nods and lets go of me. I walk to the door and lock it from the inside.

Am I crazy?

Reyna laughs. No. Eventually, you’ll have to show him. So why not now? she encourages.

I remember showing myself to Rosalie and Kehlani. I’d never felt so free.

I slowly walk back towards the bed, taking deep breaths to slow my racing heart. With shaking hands, I reach over my shoulders and tug on the strings of my gown. I undo the last string and the gown falls to ground, leaving me just in my panties. I’d forgotten I wasn’t wearing a bra and turn red with embarrassment while my hands immediately go up to hide my b…reasts. I hear his breath hitch as I stand almost n..aked in front of him. I look into his eyes, expecting to see disgust or pity but I’m shocked to see neither. Instead there is only love in his eyes.

He reaches out a trembling hand to touch the scars along my abdomen, paying particular attention to target shaped burn scar in the middle of my stomach. I know he wants to ask where it came from, but he remains silent and instead leans forward to k!ss every scar on my torso, making my skin tingle and goosebumps rise. He gently nudges me to turn around and I comply. I feel him gently trace along the scars on the backs of my legs before he suddenly grabs my h!ps and leans forward to k!ss the tequila scars on my back. I flinch a little, but quickly relax as his soft l!ps cause sparks to tingle across my body.

“You are so beautiful,” he says.

I’m dumbfounded by his reaction. “B-but my scars-”

“Are a part of you,” he murmurs. “You’re a warrior, Aurora. You have battles scars that show just how strong you truly are. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met and your scars tell a story. A story of all the pain you endured, every obstacle you overcame, every scream you ever cried. How could I not love them when they show me who you are?”

He doesn’t think I’m ugly?

I told you, Reyna purrs. He loves us.

“I love you Aurora and there is nothing that could ever change that. No amount of scar tissue or pain will ever stop me from wanting to spend the rest of my life with you. You are the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on and you are perfect just the way you are.”

I turn to face him, searching his eyes for the truth. He looks back at me with so much love, my heart skips a beat. No one’s ever looked at me this way before. He reaches up to grab my arms and gently pulls them down to my sides.

“Mine.”

I hold my breath while he stares at my bare b…reasts and hear a growl rumble through his chest as he licks his l!ps. Losing all semblance of self-control, he leans forward, running his tongue up my belly and in between my b…reasts. A gasp escapes my l!ps at the sensation. I feel myself getting we..t and I blush as dirty thoughts flood my mind.

Calm down, Aurora! I snap.

Reyna purrs excitedly and my heart starts to race as I anticipate his next move. He looks up at me as he begins to massage my right b…reast, rolling my n****e between his thumb and forefinger. My n*****s harden with excitement, begging for his attention. I m**n and he grins, greedily taking the encouragement. He pulls me onto his lap and I straddle him as he takes my left n****e in his mouth, lightly suckling it. I arch my back and pull his head closer, pushing myself deeper into his mouth.

“Oliver…” I m**n, closing my eyes and letting the pleasure explode inside me.

He rolls me onto my back and climbs on top of me, continuing to work his experienced tongue against my n*****s until I drip between my th!ghs and tremble. I feel his e******n grow against me, exciting me even more and I rock my h!ps against him. He moves his l!ps up my chest to the mark on my neck and grazes his teeth against it. I tilt my neck to the side to give him better access and he bites down on it. I cry out as waves of ecstasy wash over me. Suddenly, he pulls away from me, panting and I whimper in frustration.

“We should stop,” he pants, getting up from the bed. “I don’t want our first time to be in a hospital room,” he chuckles.

I’m slightly disappointed but nod in agreement and gather up the gown from the floor and put it back on. He walks over to the bathroom and returns with a damp wash cloth.

“Take it off,” he says, pointing towards my groin.

I blush bright red and he laughs. I remove my panties and he walks over to me and slowly moves his hand up my gown. He gently wipes between th!ghs and throws the cloth away in the hamper before grabbing my overnight bag and handing me a fresh pair of panties. When I’m finished changing, he unlocks the door.

He sits on the edge of the bed and looks at me. I blush as I feel his eyes roam my body and I remember his l!ps on me.

He gives me a mischievous grin. “What are you thinking about?”

I turn a deep shade of red and fumble with the gown. “N-nothing,” I stutter. My wandering eyes land on the hard lump in his sweats and I lose the ability to form coherent thoughts.

He looks at me with amusement, raising his eyebrows. “It’s rude to stare, ya know?”

“I-I’m hungry,” I blurt out.

I did not just say that!

I mentally kick myself while Oliver looks at me with shock before bursting into laughter. I want the earth to swallow me whole as I burn with embarrassment.

“I think I can help with that,” he teases.

“N-no, that’s not…that’s not what I-“

Oliver has mercy on me. “I’ll bring you something to eat,” he laughs. “Besides, I think I need a cold shower,” he winks. He k!sses me on the l!ps and walks out, leaving me a alone to compose myself.

Reyna?

Yes?

I smile to myself. He touched me.

And how did that make you feel?

I wanted more, I blush.

She laughs. There’s nothing wrong with wanting our mate.

That’s not it, I say, butterflies fluttering in my belly. He touched me and I didn’t once think of Andrew…

———

Thirty minutes pass by before Oliver and Evan return with soup for me. Oliver makes me sit between his legs on the bed while he spoon feeds me and Evan watches with amusement. It seems the boys have figured out their differences while they went to fetch my food.

“You’ve single handily managed to turn Oliver into a love sick puppy. This is incredible,” Evan jokes, scrambling for his phone. “Carter has to see this.”

Oliver snarls at him, making Evan burst into laughter as he snaps a picture. I lean over and k!ss Oliver on the cheek, relaxing him instantly. He grabs my hand and k!sses my fingertips. Evan bursts into another fit of laughter.

“Back when we were training, Oliver was the toughest, scariest wolf you’d ever met. He could take on four opponents at once like it was nothing,” he laughs. “Now look at him! You got him wrapped around your finger!”

“Evan, shut up before I kick your a…ss right here!” Oliver snaps.

“Oh, did Evan hurt the big bad wolf’s feelings?” I tease, winking back at Evan.

Oliver rolls his eyes. I pull his ear to my mouth.

“You’re my big bad wolf,” I murmur.

His eyes darken as he looks back at me and I pull him into a k!ss. I hear Evan g***n with disgust.

“I can’t wait for you to find your mate and act gross,” I laugh as I pull away from Oliver.

Evan g****s with annoyance. ”Not a chance!”

“$50 bucks says you turns into mush the second you see her,” Oliver bets him.

“You’re on,” he replies.

I roll my eyes at their immaturity. “I’m surrounded by idiots,” I mumble.

I ignore their offended looks and turn back to my soup. After I eat, Evan excuses himself and Meghan comes in with my CT scans. It appears I’m all clear to go home in the morning and Oliver looks excited. When she leaves, Oliver and I curl up on the hospital bed and I drift off to sleep in his arms.

———

We’re up early in the morning, Oliver eager to take me home. Meghan drops by to see us off. When we arrive at the house, Oliver carries me in, refusing to set me down for a second.

“I can walk!” I protest as we ascend one of the stair cases.

“I’m never letting you go again,” He teases. “Your mine!”

He carries me to our room and sets me down on the bed. “Where’s Rio?” I mumble

“Evan took him out for a walk, they should be back in about half an hour.”

Oliver gets off the bed, walks to the closet, and throws a silk robe at me. “Put that on,” he calls out before he disappears into the bathroom.

Confused, I do as I’m told and strip down and wait for him to return. He comes out, seemingly pleased with himself and carries me into the bathroom. I’m hit with the amazing smell of cinnamon and roses. There are candles lit in every corner of the bathroom and the bathtub is filled with steamy hot water, rose petals, and a sizzling pink bath bomb. I stare at him in amazement.

“I hope you like it,” he smiles. “You deserve to relax for a bit.”

He slowly unties the string of my robe, keeping his eyes on mine and it slips off my shoulders so I’m bare in front of him. His eyes darken but he’s clearly on a mission and refuses to give in to his urges. He lifts me up and gently sets me into the bathtub. The hot water feels so good on my tight muscles and I let out a sigh as I sink lower into the water. Oliver turns to leave.

“You’re not joining me?” I blurt out. I blush furiously as I realize what I just said and he smirks at me.

“Do you want me to?” he asks, clearly amused.

“I…”

He chuckles softly. “Sorry Aurora, but I don’t have that much self-control. I might make you mine if I join you.”

My mind goes a million miles an hour at the thought of him ravishing my body with his soft l!ps and Reyna becomes restless, liking the idea.

Mine! She squeals. Mine! Mine!

He crouches down beside the tub, c…aressing the bruise on my cheek. I lean into his hand, enjoying his touch.

“Profitez de votre bain, mon amour,” he whispers.

My knees go weak when he speaks French.

He k!sses my shoulder, sending sparking throughout my body before stepping out to let me enjoy the quiet to myself. I sit back and let the hot water work its magic on me, letting my mind drift aimlessly.

After a while of soaking, I clean myself off and get out of the tub. I get dressed in a plain black t-shirt, jeans, a cardigan and apply some concealer and foundation to my bruise. I walk barefoot out to the bedroom with a hairbrush in hand. Just then, Oliver walks in dressed in black jeans and a white t-shirt and a towel draped on his shoulder. His hair appears to be we…t. He must have taken a shower in the hallway bathroom.

I hear the pitter patter of paws and Rio runs in, jumping with joy to greet me.

“Did you enjoy your bath?” Oliver asks.

I nod happily and wiggle the hair brush in his face. “Will you braid my hair?” I ask with my sweetest voice, giving him puppy eyes.

I give him a quick peck on the l!ps and he instantly complies, taking me over to the couch. He gently brushes my long black hair and combs through the tangles. He then proceeds to pull my hair into a loose French braid. When he’s finished, he gives my th!ghs a quick pat and I rush to the bathroom to see his work.

“Remind me to thank Rosalie the next time I see her!” I call out from the bathroom and he laughs.

I grab a pair of ballet flats and slip back out into the main room. I search for my overnight bag and pull out my gold medallion. Oliver g****s.

“No, please don’t wear that! I can’t smell you when you have it on,” he pouts. “I miss your scent.”

I give him a stern look and I place it on my neck. “I have to wear it. It’s a gift from Moon Goddess. It would be disrespectful not to,” I say, walking over and k!ssing him on his cheek.

He frowns, displeased with my answer.

“Tell you what, I’ll only wear it during the day and at night I’ll leave it on the night stand,” I say, trying to compromise.

He sighs but accepts my proposal.

With Rio at our heels, we make our way down to the dining room for breakfast and enjoy some crepes with fresh fruit and Nutella. As we finish our meal, Oliver receives a call from Wesley.

The smile on his face quickly disintegrates as he gets to his feet.