The Ivory Queen
Chapter 94

***Aurora’s POV***

“Salve Aurora,” the owl says. “Salve Celina. I see you both are doing well,” the bird sneers and we growl at it.

Evan and Diego turn to look in the direction of the bird.

“What are you two growling at?” Evan snaps. “Are you okay?” He asks, placing his palm on my forehead.

They can’t see it?

“If I were you, I’d mind my manners,” the owl snaps. “I do have your mate after all…”

The threat is all too real and I press my lips together tightly.

“Good, now lose the dogs and meet me in the garden,” the bird orders before taking flight deeper into the forest.

I glance at Celina and she nods. I open a vortex to my room directly behind Evan and Diego.

“Aurora. what are you-“

“I’m so sorry, Evan. Please understand,” I whisper before I focus on his and Diego’s hearing, cranking up their sensitivity to high pitched frequencies.

They both whine in pain as their hearing sensitivity increases and grab their ears in a pointless attempt to block out the sound. Taking advantage of their distraction, Celina swings around and creates a powerful wind blade that knocks them through the portals I opened. I stop manipulating their hearing and close the portal.

I feel extremely guilty having used my powers on Evan and Diego but I needed to follow the stupid owls instructions if I was to receive my daily updates of Oliver. I cut off my pack mind-link so as not to be disturbed.

“We better hurry up. They’ll probably get a search party going once they figure out what’s happening,” Celina snaps once we’re alone. “Where’s the garden?”

I open another portal and the garden appears into view. My palms light up in flames while Celina’s hands form an icy mist. Cautiously, we enter the portal and find the owl perched on the bench with an envelope in its beak.

I concentrate on the envelope and it begins to float towards me, landing in the palm of my now flameless hand. I quickly open it and find two photos of Oliver. He’s still chained up in the dark room but he looks very pale and exhausted. His wrists are covered in dried b***d and there are bruises on his cheeks.

Anger boils up inside me and I tremble with rage. My palms flash with lightening and I burn the photos. Without thinking, I aim a bolt of lightening at the owl and much to my surprise, the bird shatters like glass into a million black shards.

“You said you wouldn’t hurt him!” I scream into the air, crashing onto my knees. “You gave me your word!”

The black shards reassemble in a nearby tree and the owl eyes glow red once more. It looks angry.

“Do that again and I’ll -“

“And you’ll what?” Celina snaps. “Kill him? Do that and you lose your leverage.”

The owl clicks it’s tongue before erupting into laughter.

“Oh Celina, how cute… You think Oliver is the only trick up our sleeve? You forget, my dear, that we know everything about you. You’re mommy, Valentina, is it? Why she’s such a handsome woman and a spitting image of Emilia-“

“You touch my mom and I’ll-“

“You’ll what? Kill me?” The owl pouts mockingly. “Have you figured out where we are, what we look like or what kind of witches we are yet?”

Celina growls and the owls laughs once more.

“Awe, poor little wolves thinking they have a say in this deal. You know nothing about us. Oliver is just one pawn in the game but we have plenty to choose from. You love quite a few people, it’s hard to make up our minds on who to take should you not follow through with the trade… Let’s see here…” The Owl taps its chin with its talons pensively. “We could kill the gamma or the beta. Oh I know! How about Rosalie! She’s glowing, isn’t she? What is she… 9 weeks along now?”

“Okay fine!” I snap. “We get it. You’re in charge-“

“Exactly. Glad we’re finally understanding each other.“

“So why don’t you stop playing games-” Celina snarls.

“Oh but that would ruin the mystery now wouldn’t it? That’s no fun!” The owl chirps. It gives Celina and I a provocative grin. “You werewolves are truly such stupid creatures, crying like the weaklings you are over two useless mates. All that power coursing through your veins and Aurora couldn’t even protect her precious mate. And Celina! Ha! Truly pathetic. Pushing away a mate you’re so desperately in love with! So what now? You’re just going to let him find another mate? Perhaps Mia will do him the honor. I hear she and Evan aren’t doing too well either…”

How do they know everything?

Infuriated, Celina’s hand gives off cold mist and she throws ice crystals at the stupid owl, shattering it once more into tiny black shards.

The owl reassembles just a few feet from us, flapping its wings and staring at us with its cold red eyes.

“You’re going to regret that,” it smirks before taking flight into the dark sky and disappearing into the clouds.

Oh no, Oliver! They’re going to hurt Oliver!

Celina’s face drains of b***d as she comes to the same conclusion and she grabs my trembling wrists.

“Aurora I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to- I’m sorry.” She whimpers, tears welling up in her eyes.

I grab her arms and hold on for dear life as I think about what they’ll do to him.

“I-it’s okay, Oliver is strong,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “H-He’ll be okay. Right? H-He can t-take-“

My knees give out and Celina barely manages to catch me before I collide with the ground.

“It’s going to be okay,” she soothes but I can hear the fear in her voice.

She hooks my arm over her shoulder and grabs on to my waist.

“I gotcha, sis. I gotcha,” she coos as she walks me home.

The second we make it to the walkway, several guards come racing towards us, helping Celina carry me to the living room. The guards inform Evan and Carter of my return via mind link and within a few minutes, I hear them arrive along with Diego, Danny and Valentina.

It seems Carter and Evan have a competition between them over who can yell at me the loudest. I tune them out for the next 20 minutes, putting up my mental shield as I let my mind drift off to Oliver.

…Please be okay….

`Evan and Diego cuss us out for using our powers against them and demand both an apology and an explanation. We comply, offering our sincerest apologies and explaining what happened, which only infuriates them more. As I’m being yelled at, I look around the living room and make a sad realization. Christmas is around the corner but with everything going on, we have yet to decorate the house.

I don’t think now is the time for decorations! Reyna snaps.

I know, I sigh. It’s just … it’s been five years since I’ve celebrated. I was really looking forward to sharing my first Christmas with Oliver.

Reyna sighs. She knows how much I love Christmas

“Aurora, are you even listening to me?” Evan snaps.

I’m too exhausted to lie. “Can we get a Christmas tree?” I blurt out.

His face hardens. “That’s what’s on your mind right now? Goddess, Aurora. We have more pressing matters at hand. We don’t have time for your stupid thoughts right now. Grow the f**k up and be the Luna we need you to be-”

Reyna takes control and is on her feet in an instant. “Silence, Gamma. You don’t get to speak to me this way and you certainly never will again. Understand?”

`Evan lowers his head in her presence but the anger never leaves him. He clenches his jaw and clicks his tongue.

“Yes. Luna,” he mutters through gritted teeth before turning on his heel and leaving.

Reyna gives me back control and I slump back on the couch.

I look up at all the angry faces staring back at me and even without reading their minds, I knew I was nothing but a problem that constantly needed fixing. From the moment I took my first breath, I was nothing but a burden to everyone around me. My parents went to war for me and in the process lost their kingdom. Emiliano took me in and lost his life protecting me. No matter how hard I tried, everyone was always angry with me. My own family could not stand the thought of me for years. My pack members were constantly worried for me and now, my gamma and beta were getting tired of my bullshit. Goddess, even I was tired of me.

Much to my horror, my mind drifts off to the scalpel resting in its watery grave at the bottom of the fountain, craving the relief it once gave me.

No! I scold myself. Now is not the time for self pity!

I heave a heavy sigh and remove all the emotion from my face. I would be a burden no longer. From now on, I would be a perfect Luna. I would keep my stupid thoughts and feelings tucked away for now and put my packs needs before my own. Like Evan said, it’s time for me to grow the f**k up.

“I’m going to head up for a shower… excuse me,” I say, before shuffling upstairs.

When I return, I find everyone at the dinner table waiting for me. My hot shower helped me clear my mind a bit, but I felt my anxiety return once I stood before my pack members. I silently take my seat beside Evan. I can tell he and Carter are still angry with me and I fight the urge to squirm uncontrollably in my seat, sitting completely still.

“You okay?” Celina mind links me, giving me a look of concern. “You’re awfully quiet.”

I force a small smile on my face and turn back to my soup.

“Aurora-“

I cut off our mind link, determined to finish my food today.

I still have no appetite but I knew turning down a meal would only cause problems I was hell bent on not causing anymore. My hand starts to shake as I bring my spoon to my mouth. After several tries, however, I learn that keeping a tight grip and moving quickly keeps me from shaking too much.

The soup slides down my throat with great effort, each slurp tasting like a spoonful of cement but I continue to force myself to eat until my plate is completely empty. Evan and Carter look pleased that I’ve finished a full meal today.

After dinner, I head back to my room and get ready for bed. Around 10pm, Evan comes in to check on me. He says nothing for a few seconds and just stares at me.

“Good night,” he mumbles before leaving and closing the door.

I don’t like his coldness but figure it was best to give him some space. I’m sure he had a lot on his mind. I lay in bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling and petting Rio.

—

*Warning: Violence depicted*

I churn the hot chocolate in a hurry. It’s 6:50 am and Chava should be getting up for training soon. Today is his birthday and I’ve been up all morning making all his favorite dishes. The stove timer dings and I excitedly rush over to pull my flan out of the oven.

Goddess, I hope he likes it.

I turn the oven off and run off to my room to get his present. I had gone without lunch at school for almost two months to save up for his gift, a vintage record player from a thrift shop and a vinyl copy of ACDC’s Back in Black album for his music collection. Getting the record was no easy task. I had to sneak off from school and take the bus into the city, a place I was forbidden to go. Karina almost beat me to death when she found out I skipped school. My thighs were still raw with bruises.

I push those thoughts aside and quickly grab the gift from under my bed, placing it on the kitchen counter for him to see. As I finish cleaning up, I realize I forgot to coat the flan with caramel. I glance at the clock. 6:57 am.

I have time.

Pulling a pan from the cupboards, I pour in some cane sugar and stir it gently until it starts to caramelize, careful not to burn it.

“What the f**k is this?” Chava voice fills the room. I turn to see him seething in rage.

“H-happy birthday, Chava!” I say, forcing a smile. I run over to the counter, eager to give him his gift and have him smile at me just once. “I-I got you a present, see? It’s-“

A slap across my face instantly silences me. “You think a little gift and some food are going to make me forget you killed Dad?” he sneers.

“But I-“

I receive another slap and tears spill onto my cheeks.

“Callate la maldita boca. No quiero escuchar ni una sola palabra mas de ti! {Shut your f*****g mouth, I don’t want to hear another word from you!}” he growls, his body shaking violently with anger.

“Chava, I’m sorry,” I whimper.

“Chava, I’m sorry,” he mocks. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Ugh! Is that all you ever have to say? You’re sorry? Sorry won’t bring him back!” he slaps me again. “You want to know what I think about your ‘sorries’?” he grins, sending shivers down my spine. He yanks my wrist over to the kitchen sink and holds it down with one arm before reaching for the pot with hot sugar. “THIS!” he snaps as he pours the hot sugar onto my tender flesh…