Chapter 34: Ada's Mate

Ada

“Are you ready to go?” Zoe asks as she knocks on my door.

“Coming,” I shout as I pull the brush through my hair one last time.

“You look tired,” Zoe says as I join her.

“I am,” I suppress a yawn. “Willow and I have been installing cameras all afternoon.”

“Why didn’t you tell me to come and help?” She asks. “I might not be tech-savvy like Willow, but I am pretty good at following instructions.”

“I didn’t ask Violet either,” I hook my arm around hers as we descend the stairs. “The fewer people, the better. I’m not taking any chances of Margo seeing and running to Clyde.”

“Ada,” Zoe turns to me and gives me a concerned look. “This morning you picked Zane and now Willow. Don’t shut me out, okay? I’m still your best friend and here to help you. My mate can wait.”

“I know,” I say touched. “And I’m sorry I made you feel excluded. It wasn’t my intention. I had a thought concerning Zayne, that’s all.”

I keep my voice soft and low as I inform her of everything I have learned and decided. Now that I know about Lucy, there is no reason to keep it from her.

“I’m so sorry,” she looks at me apologetically.

“What for?” I laugh.

“Ada, I knew about the rumours about your father,” she says softly and tells me about all the women he has been associated with.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” I hiss. “You are my best friend and …”

“Because it was aeons ago,” she cuts me off. “When your father married your mother, he changed. He hasn’t touched another woman since he met your mother. Not even after she died. Why would I hurt your feelings about stuff that happened even before you were born?”

“You’re right,” I say after a moment. “Let’s drop it and go dine with the rogues.”

**

I do not say a word as we drive to the woods. I am too wrapped up in my own thoughts. Hearing those things about Father was disturbing. It feels like my entire life is a lie. And sure, it is not like he has killed someone, but the disillusion is a lot. I thought I knew Father better than anyone. Turns out everybody knew more than I did.

“I shouldn’t have told you,” Zoe whispers next to me. “I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad,” I take her hand and squeeze it softly. “I’m disillusioned and it’s hard, you know. My dad has been my hero. Learning about his past rattled me. It feels like I don’t know him at all.”

“Just remember that’s whom he used to be,” Zoe says urgently. “He’s not that person anymore. Don’t hold it against him.”

“You’re a good friend,” I smile at her.

“The rogues are early,” Blake says from the front seat. “They must be hungry.”

“At least I don’t have to beg them to eat this time,” I force myself to laugh as I get out of the car. It is time for me to suck it up and put on my big girl panties.

Zoe and I walk to the rogues and greet them friendly before we take our seats.

“How was your day, Gregory?” I ask as I signal the Omegas to start serving.

“Boring,” he smirks. “There’s not much to do since we’re no longer allowed to attack you.”

“A problem that will be rectified by the next full moon,” I laugh softly.

“I’m going to miss these dinners though,” he laughs heartedly as he takes his first bite.

“You know you can always keep me alive, and keep enjoying these dinners,” I smile sweetly.

“Betraying my family for a platter of food?” He shakes his head.

“It’s not a platter,” I pretend to be offended as I grab my heart. “It’s a three-course meal.”

“Duly noted,” he laughs.

“I found the person that dropped my piece of clothing,” I look at him and he looks at me with surprise. “But she didn’t set the fire.”

“It must be frustrating,” he pushes his empty plate aside. “Finding answers but still not solving the problem.”

“Tell me about it,” I sigh despondently. “I’m back at square one with zero clues.”

“Is this your way of hinting at an extension?” He eyes me suspiciously.

“No,” I huff and roll my eyes. “If I want something, I’ll ask. Hinting is a waste of time.”

“Good,” he picks up his fork to start with his main course. “Because the answer is no.”

I do not respond and keep enjoying my food. I am pretty certain my next question will upset him which could lead to the end of dinner, and I do not want to waste this delicious meal.

“So,” I look at him when my plate is empty. “How do you know my father?”

He jumps a little in his seat but quickly recovers before he looks at me.

“I don’t,” he grunts.

“Liar,” I say softly as I reach for my wine glass.

“If you’re so certain of your facts, why don’t you ask him?” He asks brusquely as his eyes blaze with anger.

“I have,” I lie smoothly. “But I have learned there is always more than one version of every story. I’m interested in yours.”

“When I left my pack, I ended up here,” his voice is strained and he avoids eye contact. “Then your pack build that shed and I thought, ‘Man, that alpha is kind and reasonable’. So, I went to him and asked to become part of Moon Shadow and he declined.”

“Oh, wow,” I murmur as I look down at my desert. “Did he say why?”

“Yes,” he growls. “But he can tell you himself.”

“Okay,” my fingers are slightly trembling as I stick my spoon into the chocolate mousse. Two questions jump to my mind. Why did Dad refuse Gregory? And what did Gregory do that caused him to leave his pack? That reason might very well be why Father denied him.

I am dying to know more, but I do not want to overplay my hand. And I want so much more information from him. I want to be prepared when I face Killian tomorrow.

“How do you know my cousin?” I ask.

“Who’s your cousin?” He frowns.

“Clyde,” I reply nonchalantly.

“Clyde is your cousin?” He gapes at me before he sits back in his chair and bursts out laughing. “And here I thought I knew everything.”

I am speechless as I put my spoon down. This is the last reaction I expected.

“I don’t know the nincompoop,” Gregory chuckles.

“Then how do you know he’s a nincompoop?” I raise my eyebrows.

“I'm sorry, I know he's blood-related, but please don’t tell me you like him,” Gregory almost seems like he is begging. “From what Killian tells me, that dude is one evolution away from a h*rny rabbit.”

"Like Mother used to say, you can pick your friends, but not your family,” I laugh awkwardly. “He gives me the creeps.”

“I’m starting to like you, Ada,” Gregory is still laughing as he stands up. “It’s a pity that I will have to kill you.”

“You don’t have to,” I shout after him as he disappears into the woods.

“Well, that was interesting,” Zoe murmurs as we get up and walk to the car.

“This confirms your suspicions,” Reese says as he and Blake join us. “Killian is in the centre of this.”

“Tomorrow’s funeral is going to be so much more interesting,” Blake grins.

“I know,” I sigh as I climb into the car. “Let’s go home.”

The information I gathered tonight counts as a victory, but I cannot enjoy the moment. I hate to admit it, but this thing with my father is weighing heavy on my shoulders. And it will continue to do so until I talk to him.