Chapter 24: Ada's Mate

Ada

“Look on the bright side,” Willow says as we near the castle. “Now we know how many there are and why they’re targeting us.”

“But we don’t know how they know my name and got hold of my clothing,” I frown.

“Finding out your name isn’t hard,” Zoe reasons. “They could’ve tortured the name out of one of their victims.”

“Or just ask someone,” Violet adds.

“The person that gave him the hoodie could’ve told him,” Willow shrugs.

“No,” I shake my head. “Nobody handed him that. He said he saw me run away and then I dropped it. Someone pretended to be me and deliberately left my hoody to lead them to me.”

“Margo and Clyde hate you enough to do such a thing,” Zoe shrugs nonchalantly.

“Or Clyde could’ve blackmailed an Omega to do it,” Violet says.

“I can’t blame an Omega, I would’ve done it as well if it meant he would leave me alone,” I agree. “And am I the only one that thinks Gregory knows I cannot shift? I mean, he didn’t even say a word when Willow shifted to protect me. Or that I’m using a cane.”

“Yeah, that is suspicious,” Willow agrees. “You taunt him the entire time. He would’ve challenged you to shift and fight him.”

“Come to think of it,” Zoe looks at me. “Killian’s reaction about your ankle was suspicious as well. Telling him you’re wearing a boot because your father is overprotective. He’s not that naïve to believe it, is he?”

“Told you he and Clyde are in cahoots,” I shrug.

“This puzzle will be solved so much faster if we knew the why,” Violet says as we enter the castle.

“I’m going to talk to Tyler, you guys go upstairs,” I smile at them. “He needs to know about my agreement with Gregory.”

“I’m going to call Cooper and hear how they’re doing,” Zoe takes out her phone.

“You’re just h*rny,” Willow teases her and dashes up the stairs when Zoe gives her a dirty look.

I laugh at their shenanigans as I walk to Tyler’s quarters. He is properly sleeping but this cannot wait till morning. Father will be furious when I tell him what we have done and I will need Tyler’s support.

Quietly I open his bedroom door and I can hear him snore lightly. I pull a chair closer to his bed and take a seat before I probe him with my cane.

“What the f*ck?” He jumps out of bed, ready to attack and I laugh softly.

“Dammit, Ada, you’re going to give me a heart attack,” he grunts when he recognises me.

“You’re young,” I laugh. “You’ll survive.”

“Why are you pestering me at this hour?” he turns on the lamp and gets back into bed. “And what’s on your neck? Did anybody …”

“Calm down,” I hush him.

“I did something,” I pull my face and tell him everything. “So, our grocery budget went up a bit.”

“Dear goddess,” he groans, pushing his fingers through his hair. “Dad’s going to skin you alive.”

“And he’ll get over it once he sees the bigger picture,” I state with false confidence. Dad’s reaction from earlier is still fresh in my mind. He worries about me. “More importantly, I now have the proof that somebody is out to get me. And that somebody is from this household.”

“As much as I agree with you that it’s Clyde, Dad won’t see it that way,” he says seriously. “Clyde is blood and Dad doesn’t want him to be the bad guy.”

“I know,” I stand up. “That’s why I’m not going to accuse Clyde. As far as Father is concerned, all he needs to know is that I’ve struck a deal with the rogues. I can get plenty of information from them until the next full moon. And peace for a couple of weeks will take some stress off him.”

“You should’ve been alpha,” Tyler says as I leave. “Not me. You’re better at this than I am.”

“Nonsense,” I turn around and smile at him. “Great alphas are level-headed and fair. I’m not. Besides, I hate the admin that goes with the job.”

“I love you, sis,” Tyler smiles at me.

“I love you too. Good night,” I pull the door closed behind me.

Blake

“Well, that was a waste of time we’ll never get back,” I grunt as we walk to the castle.

“Not entirely,” Reese argues. “We found evidence of regular activity.”

“You will find that in every park,” I roll my eyes. “So what if people visit the caves often? It only means there are plenty of h*rny teenagers.”

“You two can argue about that,” Cooper says. “I’m going to see my mate.”

“I’ll join you,” Reese says quickly. “Not to see your mate, but Ada.”

“Enjoy,” I snort and shake my head. It is hard to believe that I once felt like that about another person. “I’m going to bed.”

I take the stairs two by two as I walk to my room. There was something odd about the caves that caught my attention. And that is how deep the trail went. We followed it until we were caught by the tide and we still have not reached the end. Would teenagers really go that far inside?

A movement catches my eye and startles me for a second until I recognise Ada. Instantly, I am irritated. I am being irrational, I know. But I cannot help it. Every time I look at her, I am caught off guard by her beauty. Her determination and strength impress me. She is independent which I find refreshing. She is the perfect mate for any alpha, which irks me. I am envious of Reese finding such a perfect mate while the goddess cursed me with a backstabbing b*tch like June. I hate that I am jealous.

“Hello Blake,” she greets politely and it stings. If it were Reese or Cooper, she would have been friendly and not polite. “Did you find anything in the caves?”

“No,” I shake my head. “We went in as deep as the tide allowed us, but we never reached the end of the trail. Is it normal for people to go in that deep?”

“No,” she frowns. “Quite the opposite.”

“Then we’ll have to check it again,” I sigh.

“What’s up with your neck?” I ask as I fight the anger that is stirring in me. Somebody touched her and I want to know who.

“Oh, that’s nothing, the girls and I were training and I’m human, remember?” she smiles. “Good night.”

“Ada,” I grab her wrist as she walks past me and she looks at me questioningly. “Are you sure Reese is your mate?”

“Why?” She asks and I can feel her stiffen.

“Because he is my best friend and I don’t want to see him get hurt,” I answer as I let go of her.

“I did smell my mate,” she says softly. “And it’s not Cooper. That leaves Reese.”

“What about me?” I ask amused as I cross my arms in front of my chest.

“What about you?” She lifts her chin.

“I could be your mate,” I smile.

“Are you bored?” She squints her eyes at me. “Because if my memory serves correctly, you’re not interested.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m not your mate,” I reason.

“If I’m your mate, you’ll reject me,” she smiles sadly. “And it’s going to suck for both of us.”

“You’re right,” I smirk. “Still doesn’t mean I’m not your mate.”

“Cut it out, Blake,” she sighs heavily. “It’s late and it has been a rough night. So, let’s cut the cr*p and get to the point. You’re not interested in me or any other mate. For crying out loud, you don’t even like me. And that’s fine, it’s your right. If you turn out to be my mate, I’ll accept your rejection and you can happily continue your life in misery. And regarding your concerns about Reese – like you, he’s a big boy and fully informed. He knows the risks. I’m not playing him or leading him on.”

“Do you feel sparks when Reese touches you?” I ask and take a step closer to her. The urge to touch her is suddenly greater than my urge to stay away.

“Do you feel anything when I touch you?” My voice is hoarse as I softly stroke her cheek. Slowly I bend over until our lips are only inches apart. I can hear her breathing becoming more erratic.

“Good night, Blake,” she steps away but I roughly pull her against my chest.

“What are you doing?” She gapes.

“What if I change my mind?” I ask quickly. “What if I want you as my mate?”

“You son of a b*tch,” she pushes me away. “Is this a game for you?”

“I’m not playing a game, I’m proving a point,” I say angrily. She never pushes Reese away and it angers me that I care. “You and Reese have no idea how much a mate’s betrayal can hurt. You’re all lovey-dovey with each other but you don’t think of the consequences.”

“You egotistical prick,” she takes a step closer and shoves me. “You think you’re so f*cking special because your heart was broken. Let me educate you. Physical pain is when your cousin puts his d*ck in your mouth and slaps you when you don’t do it right. Emotional pain is when you need comfort from your mother but she is dead. Betrayal is when your father turns a blind eye to what’s happening under his roof. Rejection is when you realize you’re nothing but an annoying pebble in your aunt’s shoe when she’s supposed to fill in for your mother. Everybody has stuff to deal with, Blake. You’re not that special. Grow up.”

Furiously she swings around and walks away. Leaving me in shock and ashamed.