Chapter 20: Ada's Mate
Ada
I stare out of the window at the passing scenery as we drive back. I cannot look at Reese. For the life of me, I cannot get the sheepish grin off my face, and I feel silly about it.
I had my first org*sm, and it was awesome. Even better, this was my first real romantic encounter with a man and it exceeded my expectations.
When Clyde started his nightly visits, I withdrew from everybody and everything that even remotely resembled romance. I kissed a boy or two over the last decade to find out how it feels, and that is it. Clyde never kissed me on my lips.
I had all these opinions about sex and I could not have been more wrong. What Clyde did was painful and unpleasant. It never aroused me. I was always tense and uncomfortable with him.
But with Reese … oh, dear goddess! I want more.
And he was so sweet about it. Telling me I could say no at any moment, and he would stop. That is supposed to be the norm and even that was new to me.
I never realized how much Clyde screwed up intimacy for me. I am in awe about foreplay. Imagine how much better sex is going to be.
“Are you okay?” Reese asks softly and I turn to him.
“Yup,” I laugh and take his hand. “I’m better than okay.”
“Just checking,” he quickly looks at me before he looks at the road again. “I’m sorry if I went too far when your father called.”
“Reese,” I lean over and kiss his cheek before I whisper in his ear. “Don’t ever apologize for that. I had the time of my life.”
“Well, okay,” he blushes a little and I burst out laughing.
“Ah, hell,” I say as we pull up to the castle and I see Dad. “Father is not happy.”
“Is he always this overprotective?” Reese frowns. “You’re a grown woman and should be able to come and go as you please.”
“Not since the rogues,” I sigh and open my door.
“Which makes sense,” Reese says as he follows me.
“I was worried sick,” Dad storms towards us. “Why didn’t you tell anybody?”
“It’s my fault, Alpha,” Reese steps in between me and Father. “We went sightseeing and I got hungry.”
“But I know the rules and should’ve called,” I step forward and give Reese a warning look. “I helped set up the rules, I should’ve known better.”
“Fine,” Dad sighs and I notice how tired he looks. “I know you’re an adult. But you’re injured and without a wolf and the rogues …”
“I get it, Dad,” I smile and place my hand on his arm. “I’ll be more considerate.”
“Thank you,” Dad wipes his eyes, and I am taken aback at how much this affected him. “You’re my only daughter and …”
“Oh, Dad,” I crumble and throw my arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”
“I need to go,” Dad clears his throat before he turns around and leaves.
“Now I feel bad,” Reese whispers next to me.
“So do I,” I sigh. “I haven’t felt so much like a teenager since well, I was a teenager.”
I have seen Father mad, upset, happy and sad over the years. But never, ever did I even detect a glimpse of a tear. Not even when Mom died. He must have been worried out of his mind and guilt is eating me alive. I was having the time of my life when he worried about me.
“Ada …”
“I’ll see you later,” I cut him off and take his hand in mine. “I’m going to lie down.”
I do not give him the opportunity to respond as I lean over and kiss him before walking to my room.
**
Blake
There is a tightness in my chest that I do not like as I watch Ada kiss Reese and walk away. What is wrong with everyone? Is Cupid running wild shooting arrows left and right? There are life-threatening issues at hand, but everyone seems more concerned about mating.
“You people should get your priorities straight,” I say to Reese when I walk up to him.
“Theo already lectured us, thank you,” Reese glares at me. “I don’t need it from you as well.”
“I bet Theo and I are upset about different reasons,” I grunt and fold my arms in front of me. “I want us to resolve the issues so that we can go home. Theo is concerned about his daughter’s virtue and I couldn’t care less about that.”
“We were resolving those issues,” Reese snorts and tells me about Lola. “Ada was upset and I took her to the diner to calm down before she faces Clyde again.”
“Clyde might not be an idi*t, but he’s a far cry from genius,” I rub my chin while I think. “I doubt he has the ability to build a bomb. Somebody had to help him. We need to get into his quarters. There must be some kind of evidence.”
“Do you think one of the Omegas will help us?” Reese says. “If they hate him enough and we can provide protection, they might tell us everything we need to know.”
“It’s worth a shot,” I nod. “But first we should get our stuff ready for the caves tonight. I was thinking that Cooper should join us. He’s the only one with his wolf and that could come in handy.”
“And leave Ada and Zoe by themselves?” Reese flips his eyebrows.
“Zoe has her wolf, they’ll be fine,” I roll my eyes at him.
“So does Clyde,” Reese says stubbornly.
“Then get Ada to invite all her friends over,” I say with irritation. “We cannot take her with us, and we need Cooper.”
“Fine,” Reese sighs. “But I would still feel better if one of us stayed with them.”
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I frown. “Her friends all have wolves. She’s safer with them than with us.”
“I only …”
“Reese, pull yourself together,” I growl at him. “You’re thinking with your d*ck and not your mind.”
“Dude, you’re out of line,” Reese gives me a warning look.
“Am I really?” I raise my eyebrows. “Don’t think I cannot see the way you drool over her.”
“So what?” Reese explodes. “Just because your mate crushed your balls doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t get it up. And just so you know, I plan on pursuing this. I’m certain Ada is my mate and I’m not going to let her slip through my fingers.”
“I know she’s your mate,” I laugh humourlessly. “I already had mine and I don’t believe in second-chance mates. Cooper found Zoe, and that leaves you. But that’s not the point. Evil things are happening around here but you can only focus on f*cking Ada.”
Reese’s fist connects hard with my jaw, and I glare at him in anger.
“Don’t you ever talk like that about her, you hear me?” Reese hisses at me while his eyes blaze dangerously.
“You’re being stupid,” I say as I straighten my shirt. “She’s going to break your heart the same way June …”
“June, June, June,” Reese mocks and throws his hands in the air. “I wish you can hear yourself. You’re like a bitter old man who got stuck on one person’s betrayal.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt the way I did,” I defend myself. “And she’s …”
“She’s not June!” He shouts. “The same way I’m not like Clyde. If everybody argued like you, there would be no peace and no happiness. Only sad, broken and lonely people. Ada is willing to risk it all despite what Clyde did to her. She’s right, you’re a fool.”
“Then I’m a fool,” I yell. “I don’t care. You don’t know how much it hurts, Reese. Seeing the person you love the most betraying you, leaves you broken and breathless. Your mind rushes a million miles per second, but no coherent thoughts exist. It rips out your soul, Reese. And there is no magic potion to ease the pain. She might not be like June, but believe me when I tell you a mate has the power over you to bring you to your knees and beg for death.”
“A mate also has the power to elevate your happiness,” Reese’s chest is heaving up and down with anger. “Don’t you remember it?”
“I do,” I say bitterly. “It’s those memories that turned me into this cynical and cold b*stard. I don’t want that for you or Cooper.”
“That’s not how life works, Blake,” Reese pushes his fingers through his hair. “Putting our lives and happiness on hold because of a maybe. Maybe we get hurt, maybe we don’t. It’s a risk we’re willing to take. I want to know how it feels when someone looks at me with nothing but love. I’d rather roll the dice and lose than grow old and wonder what could’ve been.”
“Fine,” I hold up my hands defensively. “I won’t stand in your way. But remember I warned you.”
“Duly noted,” Reese grunts as he storms past me.
I sigh heavily as I watch him leave. Ada is not even my mate, but it already feels like she has taken something from me. Reese and I never fought like this before. She better be worth it.