The Ivory Queen
Chapter 68

***Aurora’s POV***

Oliver and I freshen up in silence. He refuses to speak or even look at me as he washes out the egg in his hair. I struggle to clean my own hair and he silently reaches over and helps me.

“Are you going to talk to me?” I sigh as he rinses out the shampoo in my hair. “I can’t do this alone. Your mom already hates me. I can’t have you hating me too.”

No response.

He steps out of the shower and wraps a towel around me.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble, hoping my apology will ignite some reaction from him but he remains silent. He takes a second towel and starts to towel dry my hair.

I hold back tears as I take my hair from his hands and run off to the closet. I scramble to get dressed, shedding a few tears that I quickly wipe away before he sees them. I grab my medallion and place it around my neck. When he comes into the closet, I try to act unbothered but when I feel his arms wrap around me, I quickly fall apart. Oliver holds me tightly, rubbing circles on my back and tenderly kissing my forehead.

“Why won’t you say anything you stupid, stupid man!” I cry, pounding on his chest with every word. I’m furious with his silence. He catches my wrists to stop me from hitting him and lowers them down to my sides before cupping my face in his hands.

“Because I’m an a*****e sometimes,” he mutters, his lips curved up slightly.

This little- argh! I hate him.

Despite my better judgement, his stupid reply brings a smile to my face and I smack him in the chest, making him chuckle.

”I’m sorry,” he whispers and I rest my head against him. “I was angry that you always seem to have to be the bigger person. They came here. They should be doing everything they can to earn your respect, not the other way around.”

“Life isn’t always so simple,” I sigh, peeling myself from his grasp. “Sometimes all we can do is be the bigger person.” I rummage through his clothes and hand him a shirt and some jeans. “Now don’t you ever give me the silent treatment again. i***t,” I scold, trying my best to look serious and keep from smiling.

He smirks. “I can give you a different punishment if you like.”

His eyes darken and he looks at me like I’m the most delicious prey on the planet. I bite my l*p to hold back a giggle and run away before he can pounce on me.

Downstairs, Evan and some of the pack members finish up their meal.

“My compliments to the chef,” Evan chirps as I walk into the kitchen. “This was amazing!”

“Chefs,” I correct him. “Oliver was my assistant.”

“You got Oliver to cook? Willingly?” He snorts. “Wait, did you at least supervise him?”

“Yup, now shoo! I have to set up for Simone and David.”

He makes a face and puts his dishes in the dishwasher. “Breakfast with the snakes. Good luck with that.”

Oliver comes down and begrudgingly goes to get his parents while I heat up and serve our food. As we sit down at the dining table, I feel Simone’s glare settle on me. Annoyed, Oliver lifts me up from my seat and sets me down on his lap so I can eat with him. My cheeks burn with embarrassment as Simone and David stare at us with bewilderment.

Oliver ignores them and reaches for the salsa. He scoops up some egg and beans with his tortilla, moaning when the flavors overwhelm his tastes buds. He smiles happily at our job well done. I notice a bean stuck in his tooth and laugh. He blushes when I tell him and swipes his tongue over his teeth.

Just then, Rosalie and Carter make their entrance.

Rosalie is practically bouncing on her toes. “This smells so good, Aurora. Did you ma-“ Her face darkens when she notices her parents and she turns to look at Oliver accusingly. “What are they doing here?”

“Rosalie, I am your mother! Is there something wrong with me wanting to see how you and the baby are doing?” Simone says, looking deeply hurt by Rosalie’s reaction. “Why didn’t you tell me you and Carter were expecting? I would have-“

***Aurora’s POV***

Oliver and I freshen up in silence. He refuses to speak or even look at me as he washes out the egg in his hair. I struggle to clean my own hair and he silently reaches over and helps me.

“Are you here to apologize to Aurora and Oliver?” Rosalie cuts her off, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yes,” David replies.

“No!” Simone scolds him. “I have nothing to apologize for.”

“Simone, calme-toi,” David growls, giving her warning look.

“Well in that case, I’m doing well so you can go home now,” Rosalie responds coolly.

“Ro, please sit down,” I plead. “If not for her then for me. Please?”

She hesitates and I throw in an ‘I love you’ for good measure, making her finally sit down.

“I hate you,” she scowls and I give her a triumphant smile. She looks at her father and raises an eyebrow at him. “Well?”

Carter takes her hand in his and interlocks his fingers with hers. “Calm down, Rosie. Anger is not good for the baby,” he whispers.

She rolls her eyes but his voice seems to soothe her. Meanwhile, I feel Oliver snake his arm around my waist as his body starts to tremble. I slip my hand in his and he slowly calms down as well. With the Artaud siblings pacified, we turn to look at David. The former alpha looks visibly uncomfortable as he tugs at the collar of his shirt and takes a sip of water before speaking.

“Ahem… right,” he looks up at me. “Aurora, I just wanted to….” David struggles to speak and has to stop to take a deep breath. “When you have children of your own, perhaps you’ll understand that all I’ve ever wanted is what’s best for Oliver.”

Oliver scoffs at this. “You call that an apology?”

“Calm down, Oliver. Let him finish, please,” I say, giving his wrist a squeeze to stop him from going off. I turn to give David a nod to continue.

“I’ll admit I had hoped Oliver would choose Adeline for several reasons,” he sighs. “But I see now that those reasons weren’t good enough. I’ve never seen Oliver as happy as he is with you and I am ….”

David swallows hard and Oliver loses his patience.

“Say the f*****g word,” he growls.

“Do not speak to your father that way!” Simone snaps.

“Then stop wasting my ti-“

“I’m sorry!” David finally manages to say.

Oliver stares at him, completely stunned. “What do you say?””

“I said… I’m sorry for trying to separate you two. And as for the challenge, I am grateful that despite everything I did to insult you, Aurora, you somehow found the grace and courage to heal my wounds and give me a second chance. I am deeply embarrassed and disgusted with myself for being blinded by power and prestige. Your arrival to this pack has been eye opening, to say the least, and I know I have many things to work on. I hope you can forgive me for being so close minded.”

I look him in the eyes as his words sink in. I can’t read him and I don’t know what to do. I’m still hurt that he was willing to challenge Oliver to the death for the title and that he felt I wasn’t good enough for his son. Moreover, his attitude towards Evan and his family is inexcusable.

I can’t take it anymore. I need to know.

“Are you only apologizing because you know what I am now?” I demand, using my Royal voice.

His body stiffens as the truth slips out. “No,” David replies quietly. “I’m here because I made a mistake.”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding in. He means it.

“I appreciate the apology but I am not the only person you hurt,” I sigh, knowing Oliver will not be so forgiving. “You have insulted my alpha by challenging him and my gamma in ways I will not describe. I am grateful that you see the error you committed but I cannot speak for the others you have hurt. I forgive you for your insults and your coldness towards me but I’m afraid a simple ‘I’m sorry’ will not be enough for your challenge. However, I want to give you a chance to show me you’ve changed.. I wish nothing more for us to see each other as family and for you to be a part of our lives. Turning words into actions is the only way to do that.”

A small smile of hope tugs at the corner of his lips and he nods. “I will do my best,” he says quietly before turning to Oliver.

“Oliver…. I know I disappointed you and that I’ve done a lot to make you lose respect for me … but is there any chance you might find it in your heart to forgive me, son?”

One look at Oliver and I know he’s struggling inside with his anger. I brace myself for his outburst.

Oliver stares his father directly in his eyes and shakes his head. “I am not your son. You stopped being my father a long time ago. You’re a stranger now. A few simple words won’t change that.”

My heart shatters as I watch David’s sadness peer through his gaze. Despite the problems, I don’t want Oliver to be estranged from his family.

“I understand,” David says solemnly.

Oliver’s next words, however, surprise even me. “Like my Luna said, I need actions. Show me you’ve changed, then we’ll talk.”

David’s face lights up instantly and he smiles. I’ve never seen David smile and I chuckle to myself as I realize who Oliver gets his dimples come from.

“I can do that,” he says. “Thank you for the-“

“Don’t thank me just yet. I haven’t forgiven you nor do I plan too anytime soon. I’m just giving you the chance to show me that you’ve changed. One screw up and I’m done, David. You so much as give Aurora a dirty look and I will forget you and I are related. Are we clear?”

David nods politely, accepting Oliver’s conditions. We go back to eating our food and a few compliments fly my way. Simone seems entirely disinterested in the food, her eyes glued to Rosalie’s growing bump.

“How far along are you sweetie?” She asks.

“7 weeks,” Rosalie mutters.

“Have you thought of any names?” Simone asks, trying to sound cheerful.

Rosalie reaches down to rub her swollen belly and smiles at me. “Carter and I have given this a lot of thought and after a bit of arguing, we both came to an agreement we’re both happy with. It’s a very scary world out there. I want my baby to be brave, so his or her name will serve as a reminder to always have courage. If it’s a girl, Emmeline.”

Carter grabs her hand and k****s it before looking at me too. “And if it’s a boy, Émile …. In honor of the very brave and noble silver wolf who gave his life to save our Luna.”

I feel my heart caught in my throat. Émile and Emmeline. It’s a beautiful tribute to Emiliano. Tears well up in my eyes and I quickly try to wipe them away.

“No! Don’t cry because then I’ll cry,” Rosalie whines, before bursting into tears.

“You want to name your child after a wolf who wasn’t even strong enough to protect himself from a 13 year old girl?” Simone scoffs. “Some brave wolf he was. He was a disgrace to the Silver wolf race!”

Anger boils up inside me. She could hate me all she wants but no one, absolutely no one, had the right to degrade Emiliano. I tighten my grip on Oliver’s wrist and he winces as I practically crush it. He tries to calm me down as Reyna takes over, but he can’t stop me. My body feels like it’s on fire with how much anger is pumping through me.

I slam my fist on the table, making a line of violet flames erupt down the middle. Everyone jumps from their seat as the entire table becomes consumed in flames. Carter and David run out to the kitchen to get some water.

“What did you say?” Reyna snarls, making Simone cower..

Suddenly Oliver yelps in pain and I look down to see my hand engulfed in violet flames.