Oops! Still Your Mate

Chapter Twenty Two

Days passed after Ivy heard of Zeke's fever. She hadn't gone to bother him, keeping to herself. Tessa had noticed and asked about it but she had given a backhanded reply that was laying in the space between true and false.

It was the last week of Darius' visit and he had arranged a pack dinner. The chefs and kitchen staff were on their tiptoes, putting everything in order. And finally, the time for the dinner arrived.

Tessa and Ivy walked into the hall, sitting beside each other when Lucas walked in. Instead of the usual cheerful greeting and flirting with Tessa, he avoided their table and avoided Ivy's eyes.

“That's strange,” Tessa pointed out.

“Something is wrong and we are going to find out today,” Ivy sighed.

Everyone rose in greetings as Zeke and Darius stepped in, in flowing royal regalia. Ivy's eyes lingered a little bit longer on his body.

“Girl,” Tessa shoved her lightly and chuckled.

“The garment looks good on him,” Ivy commented and looked away.

“What doesn't look good on him?” Tessa sighed exaggeratedly.

Her mouth moved. The word “Fever,” sitting at the back of her throat. How could the pack not notice? He was looking pale, with shaky lips and bloody red eyes that couldn't concentrate on something. His eyes landed on her and her throat constricted for a minute before he looked away.

“Pride,” She turned to Tessa and said.

“What?”

“Pride doesn't look good on him,” Darius motioned them to sit down.

Halfway through the meal, Zeke dropped his cutleries and cleared his throat. “I have an announcement to make,” he stood up, trembling a little.

Ivy's mind raced. Was he going to speak about his fever? Or what?

“I'm having an alliance with the Ashwood pack from the north.” The hall erupted into noises. “Everyone,” he roared for silence. “Enid Ashwood would be coming to stay for a while, so treat her well. She's my guest,” he added. That was it. Everyone immediately knew the type of alliance he was talking about.

Ivy felt a familiar burn in her hand, one that is still as scorching hot as ever. Her eyes fell to her arm where the blue fire burned brightly.

She heard gasps around the hall and she snapped her head to Zeke. He was still standing and talking but no one was paying attention. His arm was burning, but he didn't acknowledge it. Didn't acknowledge the bond. Ivy suddenly couldn't breathe.

Darius watched on in wonder and he was not the only one. Heads snapped simultaneously towards her arm and back to his arm, just to make sure.

Two could play a game. If he was going to act like he didn't care, then she could too. She arranged her facial expression into something steady and placed her burning arm on the table before concentrating on her food. Tessa reaches for her hand underneath the table and she lets her grab it.

After dinner, the gathering dispersed slowly, some still staring at her, while others were in a haste to get outside to gossip about what just happened. Only Darius's stare had the ability to get under her skin. Lucas still wasn't looking at her and then she knew why. She wasn't going to get mad at him, she knew he liked her and also knew Zeke could get crazy at times.

She was pulled away by Tessa, whose eyes were overflowing with pity.

“Don't look at me like that,” Ivy rolled her eyes and Tessa looked away, adjusting her gaze.

She leaned in and planted a kiss on her forehead. “How are you feeling? Do you want to be left alone?” She asked and Ivy nodded. She wanted to wallow in pity but she couldn't with Tessa's presence.

“I'm going to chop off Lucas's head.” She grunted angrily.

“It's not his fault and you know it. Zeke can be stubborn at times. He's trying to run away.” Ivy chuckled. She could see no other reason why he decided to get married to Enid and announce it publicly if he wasn't hoping she would agree to break the bond.

If he knew her, he would know she would never and now with the news of his fever, she wouldn't dare. She wasn't about to live without a mate.

What did her parents do that was so unforgivable that he was ready to lay down his life instead of getting married to her.

“Alright,I would be around, anytime you need me.” Tessa smiled and walked away.

Ivy increased her pace till she was inside her room, slamming the door against her. She allowed her body to slide to the floor before burying her head inside her palms.

Her body shook as sobs spilled from her lips. What offence did she commit? He was ready to die? She really needed to know. She allowed the fire burn in her arm and watched it fizzle out before she stood up and climbed into her bed.

Enid Ashwood. What a mistake! Hell would be preferable for her and she was going to make sure of it.