Chapter 27: Ada's Mate
Ada
Well, this sucks. I sigh as I lay on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I am starving; it is nearly lunchtime, and I cannot motivate myself to get dressed and go downstairs.
When Reese sees me, he is going to want to continue where we left off yesterday. And as much as I would enjoy another backseat experience, I cannot. Not after what happened between me and Blake.
Kissing a couple of frogs to find a prince is one thing, but that does not mean I should also spread my legs for them. After my conversation with Reese, I thought it is a done deal that we would end up together. But now Blake is back in the equation.
There is a quick knock on my door followed by Zoe walking in with a tray.
“Lunch is served,” she smiles as she places the tray next to my bed and sits beside me.
“Thanks,” I say absentmindedly. “I was planning on coming down for lunch, but I couldn't decide what to wear.”
“That’s the lamest excuse you’ve ever concocted,” she laughs softly as she sits down.
“Not really,” I smile sourly. “I have to cover my arm and neck and it’s so hot outside, you can bake an egg in the shade.”
“Leave that to me,” she smiles and walks to the closet. “I’ll make something work. And FYI, you look depressed. What’s really bothering you?”
“My mate,” I sigh and sit up. “I don’t know how to face Reese and Blake.”
“It wasn’t a problem before,” Zoe frowns as she walks to my bed with a pile of clothes.
“Before I didn’t kiss both of them,” I bite into the sandwich.
“You also kissed my mate,” Zoe reasons. “And it’s like you’ve said, it was only a kiss.”
“Yeah, well,” I shrug. “Emotions are starting to play a role and it changed everything. Until last night, it was a certainty that Blake would reject me if I were his mate and that leaves me free to ride off into the sunset with Reese.”
“What really did happen last night?” Zoe asks softly.
“Basically what I’ve told you,” I shrug before I fill in the details.
“And why aren’t you marked yet?” I quickly change the subject before she asks how I feel about things.
“And leave you here alone in this mess?” She raises her eyebrows. “You’re my best friend, I told Cooper I’m not leaving you or this pack until you’re safe. If he marks me, I will not be able to mind-link with the pack anymore.”
“And he’s okay with that?” I ask but I am not surprised. It sounds like Cooper.
“Of course,” she snorts. “My mate is awesome.”
“This is way too formal,” I say as I pick up the black silk blouse.
“So you’re going to be a little overdressed for dinner,” she shrugs. “The blouse is perfect with its single long sleeve and pairs perfectly with this skirt.”
“And what about the marks on my neck?” I ask. “A scarf will look ridiculous with this blouse.”
“You’ll wear this,” she smiles triumphantly as she scratches in my jewellery box and holds up my mother’s pearl choker that I inherited.
“It’s dinner, not a ball, Zoe,” I sigh. “My outfit will raise more questions than compliments.”
“Not if I dress the same,” she smiles.
“Fine,” I get up to take a shower. “Does my dad knows about the rogues?”
“Tyler told him,” Zoe nods. “He had to, the food needs to be prepared.”
“How mad is he?” I scrunch my nose.
“He was mad until Tyler pointed out there will be no attacks,” Zoe laughs.
“Well, he’s going to be even more upset when I tell him that I’m joining the rogues for dinner,” I smirk as I get an idea and close the bathroom door behind me.
**
“Is everything in place, Zayne?” I ask as I double-check my list while I am sitting behind my desk in my quarters.
“Yes, sister,” he rolls his eyes at me. “The tables are set as per your order. Tyler and I will oversee everything ourselves and will only leave the area once you arrive.”
“Thank you,” I smile.
“Dad is going to lose it,” Zayne shakes his head as he takes a seat. “He nearly had a heart attack when he thought we were sending forty sandwiches. When he hears you’re serving a three-course meal in the woods, he might lock you up right next to Clyde.”
“And how is our favourite cousin?” I change the subject. Clyde is the last person I want to discuss but the alternatives are tying my stomach into knots.
“Don’t know, don’t care,” he grins and stands up. “And by the way, you look stunning.”
“Thanks,” I smile at him.
“May I ask if you dressed like that for your mates or the rouges?” He smiles wickedly at me.
“It’s all for me,” I smile sweetly, and he walks away laughing.
“Are you ready?” Zoe walks in and I look at her in awe. Her pink silk dress hugs her in all the right places and the diamond necklace sparkles in the light.
“Wow,” I smile and stand up. “Cooper might want to change his mind about marking you when he sees you.”
“Let’s go test your theory,” she winks at me.
I can hear voices as we approach the dining room and I take a deep breath to calm my nerves. Not only am I going to see Reese and Blake for the first time today, but I am also going to face Father. The second we set foot in the room, all eyes are on us as a deafening silence fills the room.
“Zoe,” Cooper is the first to come to life as he rushes to her side. “You’re breathtaking.”
Reese and Blake walk toward me but I quickly move past them towards Dad. I am acutely aware of their frowns as I basically ignore them but I need to soothe Father before I can give them attention.
“You two look amazing,” Father smiles gently. “What’s the occasion?”
“We’re going out to dinner,” I say quickly. “I’m sorry for the late notice, Father.”
“Is it one of your friends’ birthdays?” He asks.
“No,” I state as I lift my chin and intertwine my fingers nervously. “We’re meeting the rogues.”
“Dressed like that?” Blake explodes.
“Do you want to rub it in their faces how fortunate you are?” Dad bellows. “That will only infuriate them.”
“It won’t,” I argue. “I have arranged for clothes for them as well. Tonight, I will give them back their dignity and humanity.”
“You can dress them in pure gold, it will not change who and what they are,” the vein on Dad’s forehead gets thicker the angrier he gets.
“You’re the one that taught us to be kind towards them,” I insist. “To remember that they were once part of a pack and society. I’m merely trying to remind them of that.”
“That was before they started killing our women,” Dad shouts angrily.
“Because our pack is being framed,” my blood is also boiling now. “More specifically, me. Tell me, Father, what would you have done to the people that killed your family?”
“Ada,” Reese steps forward and his eyes are filled with concern. “You do have a point, but I don’t think this is the way to go about it. This is dangerous.”
“What do you propose?” I turn to him. “Dress down to rags like them? Will that be the safer option?”
“Not going is the safer option,” he takes my hand. “They cannot be trusted.”
“Unlike my pack?” I raise my eyebrows as I pull my hand out of his. “The pack that is framing me?”
“Ada, you have no proof ...”
“Don’t be a fool, Father,” I explode and turn to him. “Somebody is putting in a tremendous amount of effort to get rid of me. First, I’m being framed for the fire and then the bomb at my party. How else did they get hold of my clothing? Only a person living here or having access to the castle could be responsible. Someone from our pack. One should argue that I’m safer with the rogues than in my home.”
“I’m going with you,” Blake steps forward.
“Don’t encourage her,” Reese hisses at him.
“She’s right,” Blake folds his arms. “Somebody is out to get her and it’s not a stranger. I will go as an Omega and stay in the background.”
“Thank you,” I say and my heart skips a beat when he smiles at me. I am so used to him grunting at me or giving me a sarcastic grin.
“I’m also going,” Cooper looks at Zoe. “I’m not letting this beauty out of my sight.”
“Fine,” Reese sighs. “So am I.”
“I’m still the alpha of this pack and I say you stay, Ada,” Father says sternly.
“With all due respect, Alpha,” I turn to him, and he is as white as a ghost because I did not call him Father. “You’re not acting in the pack’s best interest. I might be framed, but it’s our pack’s women that are being slaughtered. I am doing this as much for them as for myself.”
“Then I’ll send someone else,” Dad huffs. “Somebody that’s not injured and has a wolf.”
“I am a warrior,” I lift my chin adamantly. “And as a wolf-less warrior to a wolf-less alpha, I’m going.”
I do not wait for his reply as I turn around and walk away.