And Then There Were Four
Chapter 23

Ivy POV

"I overslept, Kate."

My mumbled words into the phone expressed how exhausted I was. Never in my life had I overslept for school and this was a first. My exhaustion though was due to the all nighter I had pulled in order to submit papers on time, and also to study for my upcoming final.

"I will get all your work, don't worry girl. I was just worried when I didn't see you this morning or in Lani's class. I would advise not missing her class next week. She has been in an evil mood lately, and our exam is coming up."

groaned in protest thinking about the exam. Lani's class was the agricultural economics class that was taking with Kate, and the old woman was a brute when it came to the work she assigned. As much as I wished, I didn't have to be in her class. I knew that it was important for my degree.

"Yeah, I know! I will come by this weekend, and get everything. Maybe we can get coffee on Sunday or something." Considering Thad slept the day away, I had missed all my Friday afternoon classes. "Sounds good. I will text you Sunday morning."

Hanging up the phone, I stared at my ceiling wondering once again what James and Hale were doing considering! had not heard anything from them. It was the start of another long weekend, and even though Damian had been keeping his distance, I could still feel him watching me.

"Ivy." My father's voice called, followed by a knock on my front door. I wasn't too sure why he was here, but the fact that he came to visit me instead of just texting me to come to the main house didn't make sense. Sliding from bed, I pulled on my robe and walked to the door opening it.

"Hey. Sorry I'm just getting up. I replied with a smile as I stepped aside and let him in.

"Are you feeling okay?"

I watched as he moved towards the sofa, and took a seat. "Uhm, yeah. I'm fine. Is everything okay?" "Do I need a reason to visit my daughter?" He chuckled as his eyes watched my every movement. "No, but I just didn't expect you to come here."

Hesitating for a moment he nodded, "yes I can understand why you would think something was wrong then. In all honesty, I just wanted to come check on you since I was notified you didn't attend school today." "Oh-" I replied shocked, "yeah, I pulled an all nighter and was exhausted this morning."

There was an uncomfortable silence between the two of us before he stood again. I wasn't sure if his reason for coming was actually truthful, but something about him at that moment seemed off.

"I understand things here are different for you, Ivy. But I want you to remember that no matter how difficult things may seem, you can always come talk to Allison or I about it."

The mention of my step-mother made me scoff, and my father's eyes widened in shock and unhappiness due to my response. "I will not tolerate disrespect towards her."

"I wasn't being disrespectful, but I will have to admit she isn't being very kind in order for me to like her." I replied quickly, crossing my arms over my chest as I watched him.

"Ivy, enough. You will learn to like her one way or another, and I would rather you do it sooner than later. She is your mother."

"No, she isn't!" I snapped back harshly, unable to believe he would say Allison was my mother. "She isn't, and will never be anything other than your wife."

I hadn't expected the slap to come, but I should have. The noise echoed through my tiny cottage, and as it did my hand instinctively went to the side of my face where he had hit me. My eyes wide staring at my father in shock, and sudden realization filling him. "Don't you dare ever speak that way of her again! Do you understand me?" He growled, and the silver spark in his eye showed the true nature of my father...

He was one of them.

Before I could say another Word, my father stormed from my cottage, leaving the door wide open. I wanted to cry more than anything, but at the same time, I couldn't bring myself to do it. My father had struck me over his mate.

All because I refused to see her as my mother.

"Ivy-* Talon's voice called from the front door as he stood panting, staring at me as if he had run all the way here. 'Are you okay?

"I'm fine."

You don't look fine. He replied, stepping closer towards me. "Did he hit you?"

"Does it honestly matter?" snapped back, "there is nothing that can be done "You are our mate

Spinning around, I stared at him, he lam James and Hales' mate, Talon. You don't even want me, and neither does Damian. I am nothing to either of you."

The moment the words left my throat, I felt guilt over saying it. I didn't mean to lash out at Talon or to make a statement that would make him feel like he was nothing. But in my moment of anger, I did, and the hurt was evident on his face. "Talon-"I replied softly stepping towards him, "I didn't mean it-" "Oh, no. You made yourself quite clean, Ivy."

Spinning on his heels, he turned and walked off towards the woods like he always did. Tears threatened to spill, but not because I was sad. But because I was angry and frustrated. I hated how things were becoming, and more than anything, I wanted to be happy with them.

However, that seemed impossible anymore. I could barely get to really know them because I was so caught up in trying to hide things from Damian. Quietly. I stepped towards the door and closed it. A million and one things flowing through my mind. I need to talk to Hale and James.

Grill

As my fingers played with the chain around my neck, I pulled out my phone, and tried to text Hale and James again. 'Hale... James.. I need you.'

The group text I made with them had me praying that things would work out, and they would reply. But as the minutes counted on, I felt doubt in my ability to speak with them. 'Ivy... what's wrong?' Hale finally replied, causing me to let go a sigh of relief.

'Everything. When are you guys coming home?'

Tomorrow. Did something happen?'

I sighed thinking of how to tell him what happened, but I didn't know how to begin to explain it because what I said to Talon wasn't fair and I was in the wrong.

'My dad hit me. We were arguing and he slapped me!

No reply came, but a howl in the distance resonated and sent worry through me. I wasn't sure where it had come from, but something inside me was telling me it was nothing good.