Chapter 13: Ada's Mate

Blake

“My apologies, gentlemen,” Theo says as he takes his place again and gives Clyde a dirty look. “It seems the devil was set loose when that bomb went off.”

“Excuse me,” Clyde mumbles and stands up.

“Mind if I join you?” Reese smiles at Clyde but I know him long enough. There is no friendliness behind Reese’s smile, he wants to stay with Clyde to make sure he does not follow Ada.

“I’m … I’m going to my room,” Clyde looks confused at Reese.

“What for?” Theo asks brusquely. “You’re supposed to supervise the landscape crew.”

“I am,” Clyde says quickly. “I’m just making a detour to my room before the time.”

“I don’t mind,” Reese assures him. “I’m curious to see more of the grounds.”

Clyde grinds his teeth and takes a deep breath.

“Fine, let’s go,” he says to Reese before leaving.

“I need the bathroom,” Cooper excuses himself and gives me a look. I nod in understanding, and he gets up quickly. The days that Ada had to fend for herself, are over.

“Another perfectly prepared meal is spoiled,” Theo sighs. “I truly am sorry. Ada doesn’t normally act like this. I should ask Seth to check again for a brain injury.”

“On the contrary, Theo,” I smile at him. “I don’t think Ada’s outbursts have anything to do with a brain injury. I find her behaviour pretty normal under the circumstances.”

“It’s kind of you to make excuses for her,” Theo shifts uncomfortably in his chair. “But unfortunately …”

“Her cousin violated her privacy when she was at her most vulnerable,” I cut him off. “And she suspects him of foul play. One should ask the question of what he did there at that time of night after she accused him.”

“You don’t understand …”

“No, I don’t,” I cut him off brusquely as I stand up. “If I had a daughter, I would protect her at all costs. Clyde would’ve been a dead man by now.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Theo growls at me through clenched teeth as he raises out of his chair. “But this is my business and doesn’t concern you. You don’t have all the facts and you should refrain from voicing an opinion when you’re not properly informed.”

“Duly noted,” I smile. “But remember, if she’s my mate, this will become my business.”

I give him one last look before I walk out to find Clyde and Reese.

Ada

There is a shuffling behind me as I walk to Aunt Margo’s quarters and I turn around to find Cooper behind me.

“What are you doing?” I ask slightly irritated. Cooper is cute and sweet, but I do not have the energy to deal with him right now. I am angry and might bite his head off, which is the last thing I want to do.

“If you think for one second I’m going to let you do this alone, you’re sorely mistaken,” he says firmly, and I am surprised to see his serious side. “I will not interfere and stay out of sight, but you’re no longer alone in this. Reese, Blake and I believe you.”

My heart flutters when I see the sincerity in his blue eyes.

“Thank you,” I mumble as I throw my arms around his neck.

He pulls me close to his chest and I revel in the safety and comfort. I have not realized how isolated I felt until he said those words. The knowledge that they believe in me and support me, is revitalising.

“I will always be there for you,” he says softly as he pulls away and kisses me gently on my forehead. “Don’t ever forget it.”

“I won’t,” I smile emotionally and nod before I turn around and knock on Margo’s door. Cooper moves to the side and out of sight just as an Omega opens the door.

The Omega quickly looks at me before she lowers her gaze and stands aside so that I can enter. I sigh internally. I have learned over the years that when Omegas reacts this timidly that someone has reprimanded them. The poor girl has most likely done nothing wrong, Margo was just a b*tch towards her because she is mad at me.

“What do you want?” Margo asks brusquely when I enter her living room.

“My father told me to apologise,” I admit and take a seat without waiting for her to invite me. She hates that and I know it. Margo is an*l about protocol and manners. She views herself as the Luna and expects to be treated as such.

“It’s about time he comes to his senses,” she snorts unladylike. “But the true surprise is that you’re finally obeying him.”

“Oh, I’m not,” I smile coyly. “I’m here to inform you that I will expose Clyde for who and what he really is.”

“You’ll have to excuse me,” she gives me a stiff smile. “I have no idea what you mean by that.”

“Clyde is a s*xual predator,” I say directly, and Margo’s facial muscles tighten. “I’m not his only victim and you know it.”

“You are mistaken, I …”

“Cut the cr*p,” I cut her off brusquely. “It’s just you and me and I’m not here to sniff for information. I am telling you. I know about Clyde and his perverse preferences. I was a mere child when you convinced my father that I’m lying. Those days are over. I’m not helpless anymore. I have turned a blind eye to what he’s been doing to the Omegas since he couldn’t get to me any longer and that will stop too.”

“Oh, the beauty of false confidence,” Margo smirks. “Clyde is family. You might not care, but your father does. And with the way you and your friends dress, you’re asking for it. It’s just luck none of you has been rap*d before.”

“My friends and I only dress like that when we’re on a mission and you know that,” I defend us. “But it doesn’t even matter if we always dress like that. He still has no right. And what about the Omegas? Those standard calve-length cleaners’ outfits must really rev his engine. I can only imagine how h*rny he must get by the boring black and white.”

“Every man has needs,” Margo lifts her chin. “And he hasn’t found his mate, it’s only natural for him to satisfy his needs. I don’t know why you’re complaining. He only moved to the Omegas when you cut him off. Or is that the problem?”

Margo throws her head back as she laughs loud and ugly.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” She laughs. “You’re jealous he moved on to the Omegas. Oh dear, you should’ve said something. I’m certain he’ll come back to you if you ask nicely.”

“F*ck you,” I spit the words and Margo goes silent. Her eyes turn hard and cold. “You’re just as f*cked in the head as he is.”

“You don’t get to talk to me like that,” her voice is a mere whisper as she stands up and walks to me. “I am still your superior and you will respect that.”

“Oh, please,” I roll my eyes at her.

“You are nothing to me,” I hiss as I rise out of my chair and go stand threatening in front of her. “There once was a time that I wanted your approval because you’re my mother’s sister but no more. You’re nothing more than an ugly nuisance.”

Margo lifts her hand to slap me, but I am faster and my fingers clamp like iron around her wrist.

“You’re pathetic,” I continue as I twist her arm and she winches in pain. “You’re a lousy mother and a f*cked up excuse for an aunt. I don’t like you, I don’t love you and I sure as hell don’t respect you. I guess I shouldn’t blame Clyde too much for what he turned out to be. After all, he has you as a mother.”

I release her arm and push her against her chest, and she stammers backwards.

“You’ll regret this,” she hisses as she straightens herself. “Your life is about to turn into a living hell and you’ll have to stand there hopeless and watch as I destroy everything you love.”

My blood turns cold as I realize what she is implying. She is not going to come after me, she is going to target my father and brothers.

“I don’t care about this castle and its possessions,” I sneer as I walk towards her, and she takes a step backwards. “But you do. So, burn this place to the ground. It’s going to be worse for you than for me. And I promise you, you will feel it if you harm my family. I will inflict twice that on Clyde for every scratch and hair out of its place. You know I can, and you know I will. If I were you, I would be very careful with what you’re planning. Clyde’s skin can only take so many scares until he’s unrecognizable. You shouldn’t ask how much you hate me. You should ask yourself how much you love your son. Because I hate him enough to harm him.”

“Have it your way,” Margo pulls her shoulders backwards. “You’ll soon enough have your wolf back and then leave here with your mate. With you gone, I don’t have to plan anything.”

We stare at each other with hatred for a moment before she turns around.

“You may leave now,” she says sternly.

“Yeah,” I snort and turn around to leave. “Nice chat.”