The Ivory Throne

8. Gates

***Celina***

I’m still fuming by the time I reach the hotel lobby with Evan and Mia, my anger reaching its peak when I see two hotel employees attempting to remove the pictures of my family from the hallways.

“What are you doing?” I snap as I storm up to them. “Why are you taking those down?”

The workers exchange glances before answering, “the owners are planning to remodel the hotel.”

Remodel?

“Are you putting them back up when you’re finished?” I demand.

“We were instructed to toss these out to make room for the new portraits, señorita,” the worker explains, an anxious smile on his face.

I glance at the pictures, holding back an angry sob at the thought of never seeing portraits of my parents ever again.

“Give them to me,” I command with my Ivory voice, the two workers handing over the largest portrait without hesitation. “You tell your boss you threw these out. Entendido?” I snap, the workers nodding obediently as they hand over a few more framed photographs to Mia and Evan.

Satisfied with what I have, Mia, Evan, and I jump into the elevator, and as the door closes, I teleport us back to my room in Lluvia Blanca.

“No way are they erasing you from history,” I mutter to no one in particular, setting the portrait on my bed and instructing Mia and Evan to do the same. “We have a huge battle ahead of us if we want to get our hotel back,” I sigh.

“Maybe this is a battle we shouldn’t fight,” Mia says quietly, my rage almost instant.

How could we not fight for what’s ours?

“What?” I snarl at her, Mia stepping forward to speak louder despite Evan’s protest.

“I’m just being realistic,” Mia argues back. “Your home is California. It's on the other coast in another country. Expanding the Ivory Phoenix Kingdom with Sol de Oro is a huge responsibility, especially with all that’s going on with Lune de Minuit. Are you even sure Aurora wants what’s there? Have you thought about the logistics?”

“What is there to think about?” I snap back. “The hotel and the hacienda are all we have left of our parents! I just had to steal pictures of my own mother and father, because I don’t have any! Aurora will agree with me: Sol de Oro belongs to us and if we have to go to war, then so be it.”

I don’t give her a chance to argue with me, grabbing her and Evan by the wrists and teleporting us back to the hotel. I storm down the hall to my suite, locking myself in my room and jumping into the shower to think while washing away the blood from the fight.

It wasn’t so much what Jadiel and Belén said that infuriated me, but the fact that I let them get under my skin. I know I shouldn’t have revealed so much about myself to them this early on but after seeing Jadiel’s thoughts and his plans, I couldn’t help myself. He’s just like the rest of his family; a lying, manipulative, conniving snake. He knows what we are and yet, he’s choosing war.

How pathetic, I mutter to myself. Unfortunately for him, he’s about to find out just how powerful the Ivory Twins can be.

I stay under the hot water until I calm down, a cloud of steam wrapping around my body as I step out of the shower and stand before the mirror. Aside from a busted lip and a bruise on my cheek, it seems I made it out of the fight with little damage. I get dressed, tossing my wet towel on the couch when I knock over my purse and hear a clinking noise. Upon closer inspection, I realize it’s my engagement ring that spilled out of its box.

After Javier died, I tried returning it to Luna Ximena but she refused, saying Javier would have wanted me to have it. I keep it with me wherever I go. It brings me comfort whenever I’m feeling lost.

“I could really use one of your hugs right about now,” I whisper as I slide the ring down my finger. “I miss you.”

Before I turn into a sobbing mess, I put the ring away, refusing to feel sorry for myself. There are bigger problems to deal with right now.

A knock at the door startles me, but I’m relieved to discover it’s only Valentina checking in on me. She says nothing as I step aside to let her in, but the cold look on her face tells me she’s anything but pleased with me.

“I know you’re an adult and you are free to do whatever it is you feel you need to do,” she says, clearing her throat, “but I’m your mom and I’m worried,” she murmurs, raising her hand to silence me when I attempt to protest. “This was supposed to be a family vacation to get away from all of the pain we’ve suffered as a family. To relax. To think— not get into fights, make enemies, and declare war.”

“I see Mia and Evan snitched on me,” I mutter, vowing revenge under my breath. “But I wasn’t trying to start a war,” I argue back. “I was pestered, so I reacted. Sue me!”

“You reacted impulsively,” Valentina scolds me, sighing tiredly when I remain silent. “You have your father’s spirit,” she whispers. “He would have fought back too… but he is gone, and I would rather not bury you too.”

“You’re being dramatic, Mom—”

“Am I?” she scoffs, walking over to the window overlooking the large blue sea. “I’ve lost a lot of people because of Estrella del Monte. My mom, my dad, my brothers, my home. I know it hurts being here. And after everything you endured last year, I know you’re angry… at the world… at Moon Goddess, and maybe even at yourself. You regret ever missing an opportunity to hug and hold the ones you’ve lost, because you were angry with them. You start wondering if you should have done things differently. I understand your pain, mija… more than you know, and I hate that you now know this pain too, so I am trying to be understanding. I am trying to be the mother you need me to be right now. I’m not your enemy and I’m not going to stand in your way, so whatever it was you and Aurora found out today about Jadiel and his family, I need to know. Believe me, I will help you find every answer you need, but you must make a promise to me first,” she begs, a tear rolling down her cheek. “You must promise me that you will tread carefully, because I will not bury you or Aurora. I will not.”

Her voice cracks and trails off as she turns away to compose herself, so I wrap my arms around her waist and hold her.

“I promise, Mami,” I whisper, leaning my head against her back.

She breathes a sigh of relief, patting the back of my head gently.

“Good.” She nods to herself, a small chuckle bubbling in her chest. “Evan tells me you won?” Valentina asks, attempting to hold back a smile when I nod. “You better have. If you’re going to start a fight— you better win,” she mutters, turning around to face me. “Pero para qué se te quiten las ganas {But as punishment}, I’m not healing you,” she chuckles. “You wear your battle scars. Now, tell me everything you know. I’ll see what I can fill in.”

“Well, not much.” I shrug. “Aurora was the one who snuck into Jadiel’s suite to gather more intel—”

“She snuck into… you know what, for my peace of mind, maybe don’t tell me everything. Just tell me what she found out.”

“I didn’t get a chance to speak to her, but I can just go get her and we can figure this out.”

I imagine myself in Aurora’s suite and when I open my eyes, I immediately regret it, finding Oliver coming out of the bathroom butt naked while my sister lies sound asleep on the bed, her clothes strewn across the floor. Oliver scrambles to find something to cover himself up with, and hisses at me in anger as I turn away in disgust.

“Do you f*****g mind?” he whisper-screams. “I told you guys to leave us alone! There’s a f*****g sign on the door. Can’t you read?!”

“I just came to ask Aurora what she found out,” I reply, knowing I will never mentally recover from this trauma.

“Can it not wait until tomorrow?” he snaps. “Your sister came here to relax. So let her f*****g relax!”

I have half a mind to turn around and beat him to a pulp, but my sister would likely beat me up in return. She may be the peaceful one, but I learned a while back that she can throw a punch when pushed the wrong way. Reluctantly, I go back to my room, Valentina sitting on my bed, waiting patiently.

“She’s asleep.” I sigh, plopping down on the love seat and gathering my thoughts.

I explain to her that Jadiel stole my passport and managed to find out who we are, what we are, and where we’re from.

“Jadiel is planning to reach out to our enemies— for what exactly, I don’t know yet.” I shrug. “I didn’t stay too long in his brain. I don’t like it there,” I mutter, Valentina chuckling to herself.

“I imagine he’s as delusional as his father,” Valentina laughs, her face suddenly turning serious. “Please be careful around that boy. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, and if he’s anything like Julian, we’ll need to tread carefully. Estrella del Monte has a lot of cartel connections, and Jadiel is likely involved with them. They don’t play games, so if we find out there are cartels involved here, we need to let this all go. You can’t mess with the cartel and their money.”

Hearing her be so quick to judge Jadiel, I decide it’s best for now to keep my mate a secret. There’s no need to cause drama over that right now, and besides, I don’t plan on keeping him as a mate for long. I’ll figure out how to get him to reject me… eventually.

“While I was in his head, I found a memory that could perhaps help us narrow down how Jadiel got a hold of our land and the hotel,” I say, trying to remember the name that popped into my head. “Mami, who is Celeste?”

Valentina pauses for a moment to think, her eyes widening when she finally recognizes the name.

“Celeste was my mother’s older sister,” Valentina explains. “She was the Alpha of the Orozco Clan.” She pauses to stand up and pace as she thinks aloud. “She was also one of your mother’s closest advisors. Your mother must have given her the will… but why on earth would Celeste give away the rights to your property? It just doesn’t make sense. She wouldn’t betray Sofia like that.”

“Well, do you know where she is? Maybe she had a reason, and she can explain herself to us.”

“We have to go to Cuidad Mante,” Valentina sighs. “The Orozco’s live there.”

The thought of finally getting some answers excites me, but I also fear what those answers may uncover. What if we can’t take back our land at all? I don’t think I can cope with the thought of Jadiel and the Estrella del Monte wolves actually winning the war— not after all of the sacrifices my parents made for us.

With nothing else to share at the moment, we agree to set off in the morning for Mante to find out more about the will. I order dinner in my room as I do not want any more runs in with Jadiel or his family, and curl up in bed to watch a movie. Finally alone, I think about how to convince Jadiel to reject me.

Why don’t you at least try to get along with him? Sarahi asks. Perhaps he’s not so bad once you get to know him…

Are you insane? I mutter back. Absolutely not. There’s no way in hell I’m staying mates with that insufferable man. I would quite literally rather die.

You didn’t like Javier at first either, Sarahi mutters.

That was different…

How so?

Are you trying to forget Javier? I snap, growing annoyed with her pestering questions.

No, she whispers softly. I’ll never forget him. I just think we should wait before making any decisions. I’m not ready for a new mate either, but that doesn’t mean I’ll never want one again.

Well, I don’t want another mate. Ever! I snap. One was enough, and he’s gone now. I don’t need a replacement, especially one as inconsiderate, irritating, manipulative, and as horrible as Jadiel!

Sarahi says nothing else, blocking out our connection and settling in the depths of my mind. But I meant what I said: After Javier, there could never be another. I’m not willing to give another man my heart, only for it to be torn to shreds in something as meaningless as a car accident.

***

Morning couldn’t come sooner, and I’m up before anyone else, eager to get on the road to Mante. Knowing everyone is probably still asleep, I grab my purse and head downstairs for breakfast, grabbing a seat by the window with an ocean view and ordering some chilaquiles. As the waitress brings my food, a familiar aroma fills the room, and I look across the restaurant to find Jadiel walking in with a beautiful young woman, both of them wearing workout gear and glistening with a little sweat.

I was smart enough to put on my medallion before leaving my room today, so I do my best to blend in with the restaurant, covering my face with a book from my purse and turning away as they walk past me.

Their scents linger around me as they make their way to a booth, and I realize the woman is human.

What is Jadiel doing with a human this early in the morning? I wonder, watching the two settle in and order food.

“Jealous?” a voice whispers beside me, a hand flying to my mouth to muffle my scream of fright.

“It’s just me, mensa {dumbass},” Aurora chuckles, still remaining invisible.

“Aurora!” I hiss, my sister snickering to herself. “What the f**k are you doing here?”

“Hiding.” She giggles.

I roll my eyes at her as she confesses.

“I had a nightmare,” she sighs. “Oliver was asleep, and I didn’t want to wake him, so I went upstairs to Jadiel’s suite to snoop.”

“Snoop?”

“Yup,” she laughs. “I went through his desk while he was asleep. There’s a lot to unpack.”

“Well spill,” I snap, wanting to know everything this creep has to hide.

“I don’t even know where to begin, but I’ll start with the most important item on the agenda: the will. A certain Celeste Orozco signed over the rights to the Hotel Reyes chain to Jadiel Navarro, so yes, Jadiel legally does own this hotel.”

“Celeste is Grandma’s sister apparently,” I interrupt. “She was one of Mom’s advisors and the Alpha of one of the Silver Wolf clans, the Orozco clan.”

“Ohhhh,” Aurora breathes. “Well that sucks. I’m no lawyer, but everything looked very legit, which concerns me even more. At least the Navarros seem to have no idea what we’re here for. They think we’re trying to rebuild Sol de Oro and take down Estrella del Monte, which I find hilarious.”

“Well, don’t you want to?” I ask, growing worried when her response isn’t immediate.

“Why don’t we just focus on finding the will?” There’s a hint of nervousness in her voice as she answers. “We can worry about the kingdom much later. Okay?”

I groan at her response, but I know we have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment.

“Anyway, I should tell you, Lorena is having us followed, but that shouldn’t be too hard to handle. I’ve seen some of her goons around— they’re not exactly geniuses,” she laughs. “Now, I looked over a lot of his financial records and property taxes, and it looks like Jadiel is slowly buying up all the property belonging to former Sol de Oro packs and clans. He also owns the hacienda, but it looks like he doesn’t own the land surrounding it. He’s made an offer though to several of the owners, including the Orozco’s, so the intention is there.”

“And?”

“That’s it. I didn’t get to read more before he got up to go work out with that girl over there,” she says as I take a chance to glance behind me to where Jadiel and the woman are sitting, completely immersed in a conversation.

“Who is she?” I mutter, turning back to my food.

“I don’t really know much about her. He just called her, and she was here within minutes. They chatted for about an hour… Just the usual stuff, ‘How are you? What have you been up to for the last year? How’s the family?’ My guess is they haven’t seen each other in a while but they were pretty close at one point.”

I find the tinge of jealousy, simmering beneath the surface, really annoying as a question flies out of my mouth before I can stop it.

“Are they dating?”

“Vaya, así que eres ladrona, mentirosa, y esquizofrénica {Wow, so you’re a thief, a liar, and a schizophrenic},” Jadiel says, holding out a finger for every insult he numbers off. An arrogant smirk curls on his lips as he leans over the table so that his scent is all I smell. “Are you perhaps following me, chaparrita {shorty}?”

I scoff at his condescending tone and ignore him, Jadiel chuckling to himself.

“Are you ignoring me, Inca?” he asks, tilting his head to the side innocently. “Have I upset you?”

“What’s that?” I gasp, Jadiel raising an eyebrow in confusion. “You want me to kill him? No, I can’t— too many witnesses,” I mutter under my breath, Jadiel bursting into laughter.

“You’re cute when you’re mad,” he murmurs.

“Your sister didn’t think so,” I retort, Jadiel smirking with amusement. “How is she this morning? Is her ass sore?”

His grin widens as he leans in closer and caresses my bruised cheek. “Faring better than you, it seems.”

I flinch away from his touch, not wanting to feel the sparks of our bond.

“How interesting… Such a powerful wolf, and yet, you heal like a human.” There is a threat in his voice as he steps back and winks at me before turning on his heel. “...And to answer your question, Inca: yes. Her name is Alejandra.”

It takes a lot of willpower for me to not hop out of my chair and stab him in the throat with a fork, but I remind myself that we’re in public, and murder is still a crime— even if the i***t deserves it. Sarahi growls under her breath as he bends over and kisses Alejandra on the cheek, the woman laughing and playfully pushing him away while smiling giddily.

Aurora cups my cheeks and heals my wounds, apologizing for not doing it sooner and I grow worried Jadiel now knows one of my limitations as an Ivory wolf. It’s a mistake I’m sure Aurora and I will both regret.

“I think he likes you,” Aurora whispers, the thought of Jadiel fawning over me activating my gag reflex.

“That’s not even funny,” I mutter, shaking my head at her. “We can’t stand each other. He’s just trying to rile me up, but I’m not going to stoop to his level. He can kick rocks.”

Sliding out of my seat, I storm out of the restaurant, my sister trailing behind me, all the way up to my room. Anger festers in my chest as I wait for everyone else to get ready to leave for Mante, and I quickly grow more annoyed with myself when I start wondering about this strange woman and what she means to Jadiel.

How long have they known each other? Does she love him? Does she know what he is? Do they share secrets? Have they kissed before?

That last question almost makes Sarahi feral, but I ignore her rage, forcing myself instead to focus on the intel Aurora gave me.

By midmorning, we all gather at the hotel entrance, and wait for Oliver and Evan to return from the nearby car rental dealership when, once again, Jadiel’s rich scent fills my nostrils. He walks out of the lobby with Alejandra, draping his arm around her waist and keeping her close to his side. He does not acknowledge us as he walks past us, fully immersed in his conversation with his new girlfriend. The valet brings out a red sports car, Jadiel opening the door for the woman before rounding the car and getting into the driver's seat, smirking at us as he speeds off.

I seriously want to wipe that stupid smirk off his face.

Oliver and Evan finally return with our cars and we hop in for a two hour car ride to the city of Mante. Aurora holds my hand the entire drive there, the crowded road giving me severe anxiety.

Mante is quite busy, with people zooming past us in small motorcycles as they travel to and from work. We make a quick stop at the plaza for pictures, and Evan begs us to go to the paleterias (ice cream shops), challenging himself to try out all the flavors. It boggles my mind how this asshole never gains any weight being the glutton that he is.

We then head to the outer rim of the city, the paved road becoming bumpy the further we travel away. Buildings give way to large, open fields until the road disappears entirely. Danny drives carefully down the dirt path to avoid potholes, halting the car in front of a large gate at the end of the road.

“Welcome to the Orozco Clan,” Valentina murmurs, taking in the sight herself. “This is where my mother grew up. It hasn’t changed a bit.”

Two guards appear at the gate, each of them armed and ready to shoot.

“Who goes there?” one of the guards shouts, aiming his gun at the car.

Valentina steps out of the car with her hands above her head, taking slow steps around the vehicle so she stands right in front of it.

“M-my name is Vale-Valentina Altamirano,” she stammers, her voice cracking slightly as she speaks. “My mother… was Valeria Orozco… And I-I’ve finally come home.”

The two guards exchange looks, their eyes fogging over as they report back to their superiors. We wait several minutes with our hearts in our throats before we hear the pounding of feet running towards the gate, a group of people peering back at us on the other side.

An older woman pushes through the crowd, her eyes welling up with tears when she sees my mom.

“Valentina?”

[A/N: sorry I was late!]