Chapter 17: Ada's Mate

Reese

“I’m going to tell Father about Zoe and Cooper,” Ada says as she gets out of the car and walks away.

I lean with my back against the Jeep and cross my arms in front of my chest as I watch her leave. Her jeans fit perfectly, and my hands are itching to touch them. Truthfully, I am over the moon that Cooper found his mate and that it is not Ada. Now it is just me and Blake. And there is June.

Blake never told me exactly what happened between them after he caught her in bed with her bodyguard. What I am certain about, is that Blake will never accept a mate ever again.

“I’m surprised you haven’t announced your departure,” I say to Blake when he comes to stand next to me. “Now that you know Ada will be my mate, there’s really no reason to stay.”

“I would if I could,” Blake snorts. “Think about it, Zoe is not going to leave Ada high and dry to deal with all this drama by herself. Especially not after she witnessed Clyde in Ada’s room. Zoe will stay until all of this is resolved. Zoe stays, Cooper stays and so I am staying.”

“I’m sure Cooper won’t mind if you go,” I frown. “You’re the alpha after all and have your own pack problems.”

“You know me better than that,” Blake glares at me. “I’m not going anywhere until I get to know Zoe better. I will kill her myself if she does to him what June did.”

“You’re like a broken record,” I sigh as I push myself away from the Jeep. “Not every female is June, Blake. Deal with it. I’m going to check out the tides.”

“I’ll join you,” Blake says as he follows me inside.

**

Ada

I swallow the painkillers hastily and go lay on my bed. I need to get my weight off my ankle.

I must contact the girls; I decide as I throw my arm over my eyes. We must plan for the funeral and to get Violet’s mate away from Opal Moon. And somehow, I must find proof of Clyde’s connection with the bomb. Also, since I am busy with him, I might as well expose him for the p*rvert he is. The Omegas will be grateful. The bigger issue is the rogues and the visitors to the caves. Oh yes, I should not forget to get out of my engagement with Killian. I guess it is not really my business why he killed his Delta. But I can also argue that I am – sort of – engaged to Killian and that makes it my business. What kind of woman wants to marry a murderer?

That is a lot at once, I sigh inwardly. Is it possible that everything is connected? Is it not too much at once to be a coincidence?

I get up and walk to my desk and take out a notebook to draft a timeline. Starting from when the rogues first appeared all the way until today. It does not matter how I look at it, nothing ties up. It does not seem related.

I take out my phone and ask the girls to meet me after dinner. Hopefully, Zoe will be less “bedazzled” by her mate, and she will concentrate on business.

I put my notebook away, comb my hair and take my cane. The second note of business I will be able to handle by myself.

I am halfway down the stairs when Reese sees me.

“Where are you going?” He asks as he takes the stairs two by two to help me down.

“Out,” I say softly. “To see an old employee.”

“And I take it you don’t want people to know,” he whispers.

“Why would you say that?” I avoid eye contact and keep my gaze on the stairs.

“Because we’re whispering,” he chuckles.

“Well, it’s not a secret, but I would appreciate it if you could keep this between us,” I look at him pleadingly. “Please?”

“There’s only one way I will play by your rules,” he gives me a charming smile and my heart skips a beat. Dear goddess, how can anyone resist that smile?

“I’m too afraid to ask,” I roll my eyes and fight my hormones.

“I’m going with you,” he says adamantly. “That way I know you’re safe and you’ll know I won’t tell anyone. It’s a win-win.”

“Fine,” I sigh as we walk to the front door. “I need somebody to drive anyway.”

**

“What is so special about this employee?” Reese asks as he follows my directions.

“Her name is Lola,” I smile at him.

“She was a showgirl. With yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there,” Reese starts singing and I burst out laughing.

“Not bad,” I laugh. “But no, she’s not a showgirl. She used to work in Clyde’s living quarters. Margo caught Clyde and Lola in bed and reported Lola to my dad. Clyde and Margo said she seduced him, and she was fired.”

“Fired?” He frowns and looks at me. “Why? It’s not like he cheated on his mate or wife.”

“Margo,” I sigh. “A mere maid is not good enough for her little crown prince. Margo convinced Dad that Lola sleeps around and could spread an STD and that it’s for everybody’s health and safety best if she leaves.”

“Damn,” Reese shakes his head. “It sounds like Margo has your dad by his balls if she can call the shots like that.”

“She did come live with us to help him raise us after Mother died,” I shrug. “They agree that he owes her.”

“Okay, so why the sudden interest in Lola?” Reese asks as he parks in front of her house.

“To get to the truth and expose Clyde,” I say as I climb out.

“Obviously,” Reese sighs as he follows me.

In silence, we walk and wait after we knocked on the door. An older woman opens the door and from the poisonous look she gives me, I guess it is her mother or aunt.

“Hi,” I greet friendly. “Is it possible to see Lola, please?”

“Why?” The woman asks suspiciously. “Haven’t you ruined her life enough?”

“Actually,” Reese steps forward and gives the woman his most charming smile. “I would like to see her. May I?”

“Y … yes,” she blushes under Reese’s stare and opens the door wider.

I bite my bottom lip not to tease Reese about his charms as we follow her through the house to back.

The back porch is like the house – small but neat and tidy. I recognise Lola who is working in what seems to be a vegetable garden.

“Lola!” The woman shouts. “You have guests.”

Lola turns around and I stand behind Reese so that she does not recognise me. If this woman hates me, she will hate me even more.

“Would you like some ice tea?” The woman asks Reese.

“No, thank you,” he says politely as he flashes his smile once more.

“What are you doing here?” Lola asks angrily when she reaches the porch and sees me.

“Hello, Lola,” I smile. “Can we talk, please?”

“Fine,” she sighs heavily and motions to us to take a seat.

“It’s okay, Mom,” Lola says to the woman, and she leaves. “Now, what do you want to talk about?”

“Clyde,” I say softly as I intertwine my fingers. “I feel you were treated unfairly, and I want to help.”

“I don’t need your help,” she snorts and rolls her eyes.

“Please,” I look at her pleadingly. “It’s not fair that you’ve lost your job. I understand if you don’t want to come back to the castle, but maybe I can help you get a job elsewhere.”

“You don’t know, do you?” She looks at me for a moment before she bursts out laughing. “Don’t let the simplicity of our home fool you, Ada. We don’t have financial troubles. Your father pays me royally each month.”

I am stunned and I cannot do anything but stare at her. If my father pays her monthly, then he must know Clyde was wrong and he is silencing his conscious with hush money.

“You see, Ada,” she gloats. “Clyde didn’t force himself on me. I love him.”

“Why … I mean, you do?” I croak. I never thought a woman could love that creep. Especially if she knows about the other women.

“Yes,” she gives me a bored look. “And yes, I know about the Omegas … and you.”

“And that doesn’t bother you?” I ask irritated as my senses return after the initial shock. “How can you love him when you know what he’s doing?”

“What is it to you and why do you care?” She asks brusquely.

“Because I hate what he did to me,” I admit. “I want to stop him, but the Omegas are scared. If you’re willing to come forward and fight this, they might too and we can stop him together.”

“And give up all of this?” She laughs humourlessly. “There are very few opportunities for me as an Omega. Why would I want to give up my life of luxury because of others? I don’t have to work ever again. I’m not giving up my financial freedom.”

“I will ensure that you still get paid monthly,” I say urgently. “You can keep your lifestyle and help the other girls.”

“I …”

“Mommy, Mommy,” a voice interrupts us, and I turn towards the sound.

A little boy runs to Lola and holds his hands out to her.

“Look,” he says excitedly. “A frog.”

“Good work, my boy,” she says lovingly. “But Mommy have guests now. Ask Grandma to help you take care of it.”

“Okay,” he turns away from her and for the first time, I can see his face clearly. I can feel the blood drain from my face when I stare into his black eyes.

“Is he ...?”

“Yes,” Lola whispers. “That Clyde’s son.”