Chapter 28: Ada's Mate

Ada

My entire body is trembling as I walk away. Never in my twenty-five years have I disobeyed Father and I cannot say that I am enjoying it. Dad and I always had a great relationship and it breaks my heart that I might have ruined it.

I know he is only concerned for my safety. But everybody is somebody’s child. The danger remains the same for whomever he sends. It might as well be me. It makes sense that it should be me. I am the target.

“Ada, wait,” Reese runs after me and gets hold of me by my shoulders. “I haven’t seen you all day and …”

“We need to talk,” I sigh and look over his shoulder to Blake who is coming our way. Followed by Zoe and Cooper.

“Give us a minute,” I smile at Zoe and she nods.

“In here,” I open the door to Dad’s office and motion for Reese and Blake to follow me.

I close the door behind me and turn to face them.

“You’re cupcakes,” I say directly and Reese frowns as Blake gives me his notorious amused smirk.

“Because we’re sweet like cupcakes?” Reese looks at me as if I have lost my mind.

“No,” I shake my head. “You two are like vanilla and chocolate cupcakes and I must choose one. And when presented with a choice of which one I would like, I don’t go licking and nibbling on each until I make up my mind. In other words, gentlemen, until I know which one of you is my mate, there will be no more frolicking.”

“I guess you’re vanilla,” Blake smirks as he looks at Reese. “Because you’re blond.”

“What?” Reese gives Blake a baffling look before he shakes his head. “Why would it matter which cupcake I am?”

“Because vanilla is boring,” Blake laughs heartedly as he leaves the office.

“Ada,” Reese walks to me. “I understand, but you and I …”

“Might not be mates,” I finish his sentence.

“You can reject Blake,” he looks so hurt when he takes my hands in his that my heart pulls painfully. “At this point, I honestly don’t care about the mate bond anymore. I only want to be with you.”

I must fight the urge to throw myself into his arms when he lifts my hand and kisses my palm. I close my eyes as memories flush my mind of our intimate moment together.

“I must go,” my voice is hoarse as I pull my hands free and leave the office.

As much as it pains me, I cannot make promises to Reese. I have never had a mate before. I have no idea how I will feel when I find my mate.

**

Nobody says a word as we travel to the woods, but I am intensely aware of Blake and Reese looking my way every now and then. Tyler and Zayne wave at me before they get into their vehicle and leave. My poor brother, now they must deal with Dad’s mood when they get home.

“You guys are not allowed to interfere,” I say sternly when we get out of the vehicle. “I need them to trust me.”

“What if they attack?” Reese asks with a voice as dark as his mood. He is clearly unhappy with our conversation from earlier.

“We’ll call when we need help,” I reply. “Not a moment before then.”

“You can join the Omegas over there,” Zoe points out to the group. “They’re serving us.”

“The things I do for love,” Cooper sighs before he quickly kisses Zoe and walks over to the Omegas.

“Don’t spill anything,” I laugh softly.

“Yes, milady,” Blake winks at me but Reese only scoffs before he joins the group.

“You broke Reese,” Zoe whispers as we walk to the table. “What have you said to them? I’ve never seen him grumpy before.”

“I only said no more kissing,” I snort. “It’s not the end of the world.”

“Maybe not for you,” Zoe gives me a sympathetic look. “But he might go home with a broken heart.”

“Please,” I whine softly. “Don’t make me feel worse than I already do. It’s going to be much worse for him if we continue a physical relationship and then he’s not my mate.”

“I know, I …”

“What is this?” Gregory grunts as he walks to us with a cloud of thunder on his face.

“Hello, Gregory,” I smile friendly. “I thought it could be fun getting to know one another.”

“Do you think I’m an idi*t?” He grunts as he crosses his arms. “Making things all pretty and nice just to poison us.”

“Urgh, dear goddess,” I grunt under my breath as I walk to the table and take a seat, leaving the head of the table open for Gregory.

“Waiter,” I call towards the Omegas and try to keep a straight face as Blake steps forward. “Please bring us a sealed bottle of wine.”

Zoe takes a seat next across from me as Blake walks away to get the wine.

“My pack is not dressed for the occasion,” Gregory sneers sarcastically.

“There are clothes over there if you want to change,” I point to a tent that has been set up. “Or stay as you are. We don’t mind.”

“Your carefree attitude doesn’t fool me,” Gregory snorts. “It’s just an act to put us at ease.”

“Look,” I turn to face him as Blake comes to stand next to me with the wine. “I’m not going to force you or convince you of anything. You’re free to believe whatever you want. But I’m starving. So, you either join us or you can watch us eat.”

I nod at Blake and he opens the bottle of wine and fills Zoe and my glasses. For a moment Gregory only watches as we sip our wine.

“Fine,” he grunts and takes a seat at the head of the table between me and Zoe. Quickly the rouges take a seat but they do not say a word.

I ignore Gregory as I wave at the Omegas and they quickly walk forward with the starters.

“Oee, capellini,” Zoe exclaims excitedly.

“Bon Appetit,” I smile at Gregory as I take a bite. I can feel the rogues’ eyes on me and Zoe. I know they are dying to eat but I sense that they will not touch a thing until Gregory gives them the green light. After my third bite, Gregory picks up his fork and soon the air is filled with noises of appreciation and cluttering of cutlery.

“So, Gregory,” I look at him as he eats. This man grew up in a decent household and not in the woods. His table manners are on par. “How old are you?”

“I’m not going to share any information,” he grunts through bites.

“Yes,” I roll my eyes at him. “Because your age will crack this case wide open.”

“This was not part of the deal,” he snaps at me. “I said food, not food and entertainment.”

“And I figure that you and I can help each other,” I reason as the Omegas take away our empty plates and start serving the main course. “We don’t have to be friends but together we will get our answers faster than alone.”

Gregory gives me a dirty look before he empties his wine glass and I sigh heavily. I knew it was not going to be easy, but does he really have to be so stubborn?

“I’m thirty-two,” he surprises me with his answer and I smile politely.

“And I know you know my wolf is dormant,” I say softly. But not apparently not soft enough because I can hear Reese growl at me for disclosing this sensitive piece of information.

“I heard the rumours,” he nods. “After the explosion.”

“Yes,” I nod. “But it’s only temporary, the wolves are starting to return.”

“Why are you telling me this?” He asks and this time his tone of voice is stripped of aggression. “I can use the information against you.”

“I haven’t said anything that you don’t already know,” I shrug.

“Touche,” he smiles at me and for the first time, I get a glimpse of the person he used to be before he went rogue.

“It also means that you’re on speaking terms with Clyde or Killian,” I say softly and he stiffens.

“Killian,” he confesses after a moment of silence. “We reached an armistice.”

“Approximately twelve months ago,” I nod as the puzzle pieces start falling into place. “That’s when your attacks shifted towards us.”

“After the fire,” his voice is filled with pain. “I killed his mate.”

“What?” I gape at him. “I thought she died in her sleep from a mysterious illness.”

“Not everything is as it seems, Ada,” he smirks. “After the fire, we set out to destroy everything in a twenty-mile radius. When I killed his mate, we made a deal. He gave us a piece of his land where we can stay. In exchange, we’re not allowed to attack Opal Moon. I was about to decline when one of my people came running in with your clothing proving it was you that attacked us and not them.”

“But it wasn’t me,” I say urgently.

“Until you prove otherwise, I don’t believe you,” he shrugs.

I am stunned and do not say a word. My mind is racing and I hardly taste the dessert that everybody seems to enjoy. Killian’s marriage proposal is suddenly making more sense to me. His truce with the rogues puts him in a position to guarantee our safety against the rogues. He can just tell Gregory to back off. Plain and simple.

“Does Killian knows you’re suspecting me?” I frown.

“No,” he grins. “It’s never a good thing to reveal all your knowledge.”

“But you told me,” I say confused. “Why?”

“Thanks for dinner,” Gregory smiles as he ignores my question and stands up. “We’re looking forward to tomorrow night.”

“You’re welcome,” I say softly.

“And Ada,” he turns to me and I look up at him. “Don’t mistake our cease-fire as peace or a token of trust. After all of this, I will kill you.”

Ominous tendrils curl around my heart as I watch him walk away.