Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Chapter 21

TESSA’S POV

A contract. The word echoed in my mind leaving behind tons of questions.

I turned on my heels and walked away before Adrian could say another word. I needed some time to brood over what I just decided to do.

There was relief that the pack would certainly be safe under my medical care but beneath that emotion, lay a flicker of something else, something I couldn’t define yet. Was it a twisted sense of satisfaction?.

No, not that but probably Vengeance. I hadn’t forgotten about that, I was here for Will. The contract was an excuse to lengthen my stay here and expose Will. Two years undercover, playing tricks on the role of the savior while secretly dismantling Will’s perfectly constructed lies. The idea was intoxicating.

Pushing the door to the med bay shut, I had left Adrian standing outside, a worn-out Alpha seeking redemption. A smirk played on my lips, I wasn’t the same weak Luna he had thrown out, I was the one begging years ago and now it was the opposite.

Once inside, Gia looked up at me, the initial apprehension in her eyes at Adrian’s arrival had dissipated and left a curious

gaze.

The Alpha rarely comes here, what did he say he wanted?” Gia asked innocently while cleaning some materials in the

comer.

“Nothing much, it was just something personal,” I said sitting down on the bare wooden floor and crossing my legs.

Gia’s shoulder slumped slightly and I found myself staring at her- I knew everyone in the palace but not her.

“Gia, how old are you?” I asked

She looked up and gave a toothy grin

“18,” She said and I felt my mouth form an ‘o’- That was pretty young for someone already in the royal med bay

“Do you remember me from years back?” I asked curiously, my hands busy with mixing some herbs together.

She stopped what she was doing and sighed.

“Im not from here” She muttered.

I looked up at her and dropped the bowl in my hands on the floor silently.

One of the patients groaned and turned in bed and I looked at the person and stood up.

“Cia, come over to the back briefly” I motioned her over, going to the back of the med bay where was a small compartment.

I got in and shut the curtain and door after Gia walked in.

“Yes, Healer Tessa?” She asked.

I poked the insides of my mouth with my tongue.

“Where are you from?” I asked.

She looked at her feet.

“Well, I..got lost when I was 16 years old and I was attacked by rogues and this pack took me in, I had severe injuries to the head and Medic Will said I had memory loss but it’ll come back after a while,” She said.

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I reached out to her and patted her small head.

“You’re really strong and brave…” I wanted to continue my speech when suddenly, a thought clicked in my head.

“Wait! When I arrived, you addressed me by my name, how did you know my name? If you weren’t a member of the pack and No one knew I was the healer then…” I asked looking suspiciously at her.

She bit her lip.

“Actually, Medic Will had spoken about you…” She said.

“To you?” I cut in.

She shook her head and picked her fingernails gingerly.

“No, the Luna usually came here after visiting hours and they would speak and during one of these visits, I overheard Will tell.” She paused uncomfortable.

“Gia……..” I said. “Gia, I have to know. I’m risking everything by being here so I deserve to know, don’t be scared. I won’t let anything happen to you” I assured.

Her look seemed distant.

“I’m not worried about what’ll happen to me….. Fine, I heard him and Giselle talking about you coming to treat the wolves, I didn’t hear anymore cos I was discovered” She said.

The puzzle pieces just weren’t fitting – Will had orchestrated my coming back to the pack, how had he known that I was still alive? Why did he want me to come back? What if I’m actually the one Falling into his trap? I felt goosebumps.

“Thank you, Gia,” I said, getting my voice back.

d bay.

She tugged at the hem of her dress and I walked out back into the med

There were a lot of things to brainstorm and think about. Why had he wanted me back? The children?! I was scared of the thought of Will harming them and as if on cue, the med bay pushed open and Kai came in with a frown on his face.

Gia was out and she smiled cutely at Kai who returned it with a missing tooth in his mouth.

I led Kai outside wondering what he wanted-there was a daycare where other children were and the triplets and Ria were to stay there till I finished every day but now it seemed that he was restless and had to come to see me. Either way, I couldn’t let him disturb the patients so I led him out of the med bay and closed the door behind me.

Sky had a disgruntled expression on his face.

“Mama, I’m hungry” He declared, dramatically throwing his arms around. “And Ty keeps hogging all the toys” He complained.

I felt a headache rise in my feverish head it was barely 7am yet he was already whining.

“Alright Kai, I’ll go check what’s in the pantry,” I said ruffling his hair

Usually, a maid would take care of the children’s meals, but a part of me rebelled against the idea of relying on anyone here. just myself

As I entered the kitchen, the head chef, a plump woman with a knack for gossiping scurried towards me. I didn’t like her, she was there that night I could hear her voice in the crowd claiming I deserved to be punished, she was a total gossip and I had a feeling that she wasn’t here to ask about my well-being.

“Medic Tessa” She began trailing behind me. “It’s been many years, we are all so shocked to see you back. Thank the goddess you’re safe” She said following me into the pantry.

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I kept mute and looked around the kitchen.

“How did you become a skilled medic? We thought you died when we didn’t hear anything from you for years” She blabbered.

I stopped in my tracks, the question felt like a barbed arrow aimed at me – a part of me wanted to lash out at her but the other part held back. Information, not confrontation was my weapon now

“That’s none of your concem I replied curtly, my voice like chips of ice.

Unfortunately, she didn’t get the message and still pressed on.

“We’ve been wondering, are the triplets really the Alpha’s Because you were in an affair before you were banished..” She said, her eyes wide with curiosity.

My jaw clenched and I felt anger rise within me, hot and volatile

“Why are you so concerned about my children I countered, my voice sharp and dangerous. “Is it your place to gossip about my life?

She shambled back flustered

“Of course not. Medic Tessa. It’s just that rumors travel fast and I didn’t let her finish.

“They start because of people like you who don’t mind their own business.” I said angrily

She trailed off her voice barely a mumble. I could practically see the gears in her head, the insatiable need for gossip churning in her head.

Giving her a withering look. I continued speaking. “Look, it’s my personal life, all of it is off limits to your speculations so why dont you focus on your job and stop meddling in my business?” I said.

She hurriedly stammered an apology. Taking a step back, she scurried away, her starched uniform rustling in her haste. A small victory but a victory nonetheless

I scanned the kitchen for any available food while the maids in the kitchen curtsied to me in silent respect.

“Is there any food?” I asked the maid nearest to me.

“The food for the royal house isn’t quite ready yet,” She said.

“There must be something.” I said exasperated knowing I was in for a treat if Kai didn’t see any food.

The maid gestured to a platter of fresh cheese and a basket of fresh bread.

“Please, help yourself to it. Medic Tessa” She said…

I smiled at her and took out a plate to serve some food on

“Making yourself at home?” I heard a sly voice behind me whisper making me jump slightly

The maids on sighting who it was quickly bowed and left the kitchen leaving only Giselle and me

Giselle let a sly smile sprawl across her face what is it with this lady and moving like a ghost?

Giselle sat on a high stool, her slim long legs crossed while she stared at me with those venomous eyes.

“Seems you’ve ended quite comfortably in my old quarters” Ensted, grabbing a knife and slicing some cheese.

She snorted, a haughty air around her.

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“Your quarters? Please, darling, those were hardly fit for a Luna. had to redecorate it to my taste, I would have invited you over to see it but. You’re a mere medic now” She snorted

I rolled my eyes refusing to be baited into an argument. There was no point in engaging Giselle on her level.

Enjoy your stolen luxury,” I said placing cheese and adding a few slices of bread on the plate. “It won’t last forever”

A flicker of anger crossed her face but before she could reply, I walked out of the kitchen. I didn’t have time for this horseplay.

Back in the med bay, Sky devoured the food with gusto occasionally grunting a word of thank you between bites. I looked over at Ria, Kai, and Ty who were already in the med bay with Ga.

“Are you guys also hungry?” I asked concerned.

Ria shrugged.

“No, we’ll wait for the official breakfast,” she said to me.

I looked at Gia.

“When will you have your breakfast?” I asked her.

She looked at the Sky who had finished eating then at Ria and the others

al

“The breakfast will be ready in a few minutes so we’ll go to the kitchen and get served,” She said.

1 motioned for Ria and the triplets to get up.

“Gia, why don’t you guys go get some food, I’ll stay behind with the patients,” I said smiling.

Gia nodded and left with the children- of course Sky still followed them jubilating for a second round of food.

I turned back to look at one of the patients whose eyes were fluttering open,

Hurrying to his side, I checked his temperature and he seemed quite okay.

“Who…..” He said weakly

“Take it easy. I’m your medic” I said rushing to get a cup of herbs,

“Is Will here?” He asked struggling to get up. I could note the fear and nervousness in his voice.

I forced him to drink the herbs.

“No, you don’t need to worry. He’s not here. Why are you scared of him?” I asked.

The man’s eyes rolled over and he clasped my hands.

“Don’t let him get to me” He muttered weakly before falling unconscious.

1 gently laid him back on the bed to rest-why was he so concerned about Will. He seemed to be recuperating so I expect him to be awake in a few hours.

The door to the med bay creaked open and a gruff voice boomed “Tessa, are you there?!”

I turned round in time to see someone walk in Elder Williams a man whose wrinkled face held a lifetime of disapproval. I hated him, he was one of the pack elders who had fueled the suspicions against me.

I stood up and curtsied

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“Elder Williams, it’s been a while,” I said.

His

eyes stayed on me for a while.

“We need to talk,” He said.

I felt a sudden urge to tell the old man to get out but I didn’t..

“Why?” I simply asked.

He didn’t answer the question instead he pointed a finger to the door. Now, Tessa! I don’t have much time to waste” He snarled.

I felt my patience snapping fast.

“I refuse to be led away without a proper explanation” I objected

He moved closer, his gaze piercing like a thousand needles.

“Tessa! If you want to survive in this pack, you have to listen to what I have to say” He said in a hard tone.

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