Oops! Still Your Mate

Chapter Fifteen

The pack cafeteria was crowded at this time of the day but Ivy knew just where to find her, and immediately she stepped her feet into the cafeteria, she caught sight of her. Tessa had only just recently dyed her hair purple, claiming it sat well with her.

The hair stood out in the midst of the normal black and auburn haired werewolves.

“Tessa,” Ivy yelled. Eyes snapped towards her and she could hear Tessa groaning through the pack's mind link.

Tessa swiped her head towards her, approaching with a tray of food. “Gurl,” She grinned as she drawled the syllable. “It's been damn long I saw you and you're still the same, drawing attention anyway you step into,” She said, dropping the tray on the table before settling into the seat opposite Ivy.

“Well, I can't help it, can I?” Ivy forced a hollow chuckle as she grabbed a handful of fries.

“What's wrong, Ivy?” Tessa asked, raising her eyebrow.

“A lot of things,” Ivy breathed out and Tessa's face went grave serious. “I've been reassigned to the kitchen by Zeke,” She said.

“What the hell is wrong with Zeke? Who does he think he is,” Tessa half-yelled before Ivy shut her down.

“What's wrong with you?” Ivy whispered, looking around the cafeteria. “He's the alpha, do you want to die?” She shunned.

“You've been giving him all your time to the extent that I'm even unable to see you for weeks and that's how he pays you. He's a prick,” She grumbled.

“About time you notice,” Ivy smiled. “Well, that's not why I'm here Tessa,” Her face resumed it's serious expression.

“Then why? Spill it,” Tessa urged.

“I want to know everything you know about my parents,” She finally said. Tessa looked away from Ivy's penetrating gaze, looking down at her feet, hidden under the table.

“Tessa,” Ivy called with a strained voice. “Start talking now,” She said, but her authoritative voice came out as a broken plea.

“Okay,” Tessa sighed. “I don't know much about them as we weren't allowed to be present when the adults were talking about them,” She started.

“Your parents were known as normal, ordinary wolves but the story was that they got involved in something way above them. My guess is that they pissed off people.

We were told that they betrayed the Alpha family leading to the death of Zeke's parents. They were outcasted and shunned by other members of the pack. They were judged and punished by the then acting Alpha, Darius. The punishment was payment with their lives. Death.

Thinking about it now, the investigation and punishment was quite swift. All within a week. I could remember mother crying when she heard the verdict. I also remember your mother countenance when she visited my mum the last time and told her to take care of you.

Ivy, no matter what anyone says, know that your parents were quite good people.

When you mother left, I heard my mother crying and she said your parents were used. Used for what was what I don't know.” Tessa explained with a sigh. When she raised her head at Ivy, she realized that her eyes were down casted, trained at the floor.

“Ivy,” She called and Ivy raised her head, with eyes filled with tears.

“It's alright. I know, they paid for their ways and that's their punishment,” She said and placed her hands on her thighs before smiling at Tessa.

“At the kitchen, I was told that the lady that spread the rumors about my parents hit a fortune recently and she had relocated away.” Ivy said.

“Sounds suspicious,” Tessa bit her lips and Ivy nodded.

“I've been thinking of investigating more into the death of the alpha couples, or what do you think?”

“How do you intend to go about it?” Tessa asked, an excited grin spreading across her face.

Ivy shook her head in amusement and leaned closer into Tessa's space. “Breaking into the pack archive,” She smirked.

“Dangerous and enticing,” Tessa hummed. “I might have a way through it though,” She added.

“I'm definitely counting on you,” Ivy patted her on her arm and sat upright.

Her eyes looked past Tessa and landed on a figure leaning on a desk, staring at them while trying and failing to be subtle about it.

“How's Lucas?” Ivy asked suddenly, throwing Tessa aback.

Tessa's eyes widened, colour rising in her face. “What about Lucas?” She mumbled.

“Who's he to you?” Ivy pressed on.

“The pack's beta,” Tessa said with a shrug.

“That's who he is to everyone in the pack and yet he's different with you. Just you. You can't fool me Tessa.” Ivy smirked teasingly.

Tessa bit the inside of her lips while intertwining her hands together and looking away.

“He checks up on you,” Ivy said quietly. The words settled into the silence between them before Tessa shot her head up like she just realized something. “He's behind me?” She asked in panic and Ivy erupted into a hearty laughter.

“Ivy!”She called in a warning tone.

“You're nervous and your heart is beating so very fast and he's just a beta, really?” Ivy asked, tilting her head to the side.

“It's nothing,” Tessa rolled her eyes.

“Alright then, I would be leaving now.” Ivy winked and stood up.

“Ivy, don't you dare!” Tessa grunted.

“Alright babe, I'm with you in this,” Ivy said and sat back on the chair.