Chapter 35: Ada's Mate

Ada

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I greet everyone as I get out of the car.

“But it’s still early,” Reese protests. “I thought we could do something fun.”

“Maybe tomorrow,” I smile stiffly and turn away.

“Ada,” Reese gets hold of my elbow and holds me back. “What’s wrong? Tonight was a good night.”

“I’m going to see my father,” I say determinately as I pull my elbow free and walk away.

“Ada, wait,” Zoe calls after me, but I keep on walking. They do not understand, and frankly, I do not care. This is between me and Dad.

I find Father reading a book in his office.

“Dad,” I say hesitantly. “Can we talk?”

“It sounds ominous,” Dad makes his eyes playfully big at me as he closes his book. “Have a seat, you know I always have time for you.”

I take a deep breath as I take a seat across from him and intertwine my fingers. I am suddenly a nervous wreck and do not know where to start.

“What’s wrong, Ada?” Dad asks tenderly and that undoes me.

“I’m sorry,” I desperately wipe the tears from my cheeks. “It’s just … I heard things about you and … I don’t want to believe it, but …”

“Oh, goddess,” Dad sighs heavily as he stands up and pours us a whiskey.

“I don’t know what you’ve heard,” Dad hands me a glass and I take it. “But I guess it's no good if you’re crying.”

“Those women. Tell me your side, Daddy,” I plea to him.

“Ada, I don’t have excuses or explanations,” he sighs as he looks at me. “I liked women and they liked me. I didn’t do anything they didn’t allow me to. But I didn’t want to commit and the second they started hinting in that direction, I broke things off. I didn’t care that I got a reputation as a womaniser.”

“But … the alpha’s wife?” I whimper. Frolicking with single women is one thing, married women are something else.

“It was at a wedding. Alpha Craig and his Luna, Beatrice also attended. Beatrice was a beautiful woman and extremely unhappy with Craig,” Dad looks at his glass as he swirls the amber liquid. “She came onto me and I figured what the hell.”

“I heard you drugged her,” the disgust lies thick in my throat.

“That’s utter bullshit,” Dad looks at me with fury in his eyes. “I didn’t have to drug anybody or force myself onto anyone. All my s*xual endeavours were with mutual consent. Beatrice drugged her husband, Ada. She put sleeping pills in his drink so that he wouldn’t wake up when she comes to my room. But someone saw her and rumours quickly started spreading and the truth distorted. I didn’t correct it then, because I had nothing to gain and she had everything to lose.”

I lower my gaze as I overthink his words. I grew up with this picture perfect of happily married parents. I never gave it a thought that he and Mom might have had other relationships before they met. Which is ridiculous, of course. I am being unreasonable and should get over this. And I am certain I will, I only need to get used to the idea that there were women before Mom.

Mother … if this information upset me this much, how much more did it upset her? Could this be the reason why she killed herself?

“Did Mother know about all of this?” I ask hesitantly.

“She did,” he answers patiently. “We had no secrets between us.”

“Then why did she commit suicide?” I ask softly.

“Ada, I ... after your mother died, I couldn't bring myself ... I,” he looks at me with so much pain that my heart pulls. “Your mother was sick. She was diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. There’s no cure for it and when the first symptoms presented, she chose to end it.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” My voice is nothing more than a whisper. “We had the right to know.”

“You were only babies,” Dad’s voice cracks and he wipes his eyes. “And you were all so sad and ...”

“Dad, I don’t get it,” I frown. “I get that Zayne was too young to understand, but Tyler and I were old enough. Don’t you think it would’ve been easier for us if we knew why she did it instead of wondering? For heaven’s sake, Father, I basically insinuated that you were responsible for her death.”

“Ada, Huntington’s is incurable,” he wipes tears off his cheeks. “And it’s genetic.”

“You mean …” the blood drains from my face as his words sink in.

“We tested you and your brothers after she was diagnosed,” Father cries openly. “And Tyler has it. Your mother didn’t want you to know because she didn’t want people to treat Tyler differently. And she didn’t want him to know; she wanted him to have a normal life without a death sentence hanging over his head. I promised her not to tell until Tyler starts showing symptoms.”

“But he has the right to know,” I explode. If it were me, I would want to know. “You have no right keeping it from him.”

“It was your mother’s choice, okay?” He bellows. “She was the one that was diagnosed and knew how it feels to hear the words, not me. Who am I to tell her what’s better? I know I’m not the best father, Ada. The goddess knows how much I have f*cked up and failed you. But I was the one that lost the love of my life and live with the knowledge that there will come a day when I must watch my son die. I’m only human, dammit. Why do you think have I not trained Tyler? The knowledge of his fate has created fear and it’s consuming me. Every day that I wake up, I wonder if today is the day that I will see the first signs of my son dying. Do you get that?”

“Yes,” I shout as I jump up. “I get that you’re hurting and that you’re stuck between reality and a promise you made to Mom. But it’s not fair, Dad. Tyler must know so he can decide for himself what he wants to do with the life he has left. Goddess, Dad, at the very least you must start training Zayne so he can take over. You’re not going to live forever and you cannot wait until Tyler starts showing symptoms.”

“I don’t know,” Father sobs and buries his face in his hands. “I’m trying not to think about it. I don’t want to bury my son.”

“Daddy,” I say sympathetically as I go stand by him and rub his back. “I’m sorry. I know you’re doing the best you can. But you cannot hide this from him. We must tell Tyler and support him. Ignoring this will not make it go away.”

“My boy,” Dad wails. “My beautiful baby boy.”

I bite my bottom lip to contain my tears, but it is useless. My heart is breaking not only for Tyler but also for Father. I have been judging Father for not training my brothers. I should have talked to him instead. At the very least, I can help him carry this burden. He has been carrying this pain alone for years and it is not fair.

“What’s wrong?” Tyler asks with concern as he walks into the office. “Did something happen at the rogues’ dinner?”

“Tyler,” I sniff and wipe my eyes. “Sit down, we should talk.”

“Ada,” Dad looks at me pleadingly. “I can’t. Not yet please.”

“Then I will, Daddy,” I smile tenderly at him.

He looks at me for a moment before he nods.

“I’ll pour us a drink,” Dad sniffs as he stands up and at that moment I can see every one of his fifty years.

“Tyler,” I go sit next to him and take his hand. He looks at me with fear and anticipation and for a moment I want to back out and not tell him. Now I understand why Father postponed it for so long. This is going to be the hardest thing I ever have to do.

“I have bad news,” I clear my throat and gather my thoughts before I look at him again. “You’re sick, Tyler.”

“No, I’m not,” he looks at me like I have lost my mind. “I don’t even have a cough.”

“I’m sorry,” I gently stroke his cheek. “You inherited Mom’s condition.”

His eyes move quickly from me to Dad and I grab his hands tightly into mine as I explain everything to him.

“I … I need time to think,” he is deathly pale as he stands up.

“Are you sure it’s wise to be alone right now?” I ask softly.

“Don’t worry,” he grunts. “I won’t do something stupid like jumping off a cliff.”