Chapter 39: Ada's Mate

Ada

“Zoe,” I walk to her where she and the rest are waiting for me to go to the funeral. “There’s one more thing that needs to happen before we go. Please gather everyone in Dad’s office immediately. Simon as well.”

“Sure,” she replies with a look of anticipation. She glances quickly at Cooper before she scurries away, and I notice that everybody else is also looking at me like I am an alien.

“Violet,” go help her, I order as I walk to the nearest bathroom.

My heart nearly stops when I look at myself in the mirror. Holy hell, with this face I can scare people into a new religion. My makeup is smeared, and my eyes are red from all the crying. Quickly I rinse my face and wash the makeup off before the sourness of betrayal and heartbreak pushes up in my throat. I reach the toilet just in time before my body convulses and I bring up my breakfast.

My body is weak and trembling by the time I am done. I curl into a ball on the floor as sadness consumes me and I cry my heart out. How could Dad do that? How can he be so loving one moment and evil the next? What is wrong with me that I did not realize what he is capable of?

“Ada?” Zoe calls softly as she walks in.

“Ada!” There is fear in her voice as she kneels beside me. “Are you sick? Do you need a doctor?”

I want to tell her that I am fine, but I am crying so hard that I can hardly breathe let alone talk.

“I’m getting the doctor,” she jumps up and runs away.

I can hear voices in the distance before the door opens again and Blake picks me up.

“You’ll be okay, I got you,” he whispers.

“Put me down,” I squirm and he slowly lets go of me.

Without thinking twice, I throw my arms around his waist and take deep breaths. Gently he strokes my hair and back while holding me tightly. By the time I am calm enough to function on my own, I am emotionally and physically drained.

“We should go,” my voice is hoarse as I pull away.

“Only if you’re ready,” Blake smiles down at me.

“I need to brush my teeth,” I mumble as I turn around and go to my room.

I avoid looking into mirrors as I brush my teeth and redo my hair. I do not bother with makeup. Nothing can cover the damage on my face.

Everybody is gathered in the office and all eyes are on me when I walk in. Dad looks at me with so much sorrow that my bottom lip starts quivering again, but I bite on it and go stand behind him.

“Thank you for coming,” Dad clears his throat. “I’m going to do this quickly so that you can make the funeral in time. I’m stepping down as alpha, effective immediately.”

There are gasps for air followed by whispers, but I do not say or do anything but keep my eyes fixated on the floor.

“Tyler,” Dad’s voice cracks. “I’m sorry, son. I should’ve told you sooner. You would’ve been a great alpha, but I respect your decision to explore, and I wish you all the best. Just remember where home is, okay?”

“Thanks, Dad,” Tyler walks over and hugs Dad for a moment.

“Zayne,” Dad continues. “You’ll be trained as alpha immediately. But you’re too young to be alpha just yet and I … I cannot continue under the circumstances. Ada will be taking over from me until you’re ready.”

There is a shrill shriek followed by a thud and I look up to see Margo has fainted.

“Urgh, for goddess’ sake,” Dad growls. “Seth, please attend to her.”

“Yes, Alpha,” he rushes over and for the first time since I walked into this office today, I feel like smiling.

“Ada,” Dad turns to me. “Let’s get this over with.”

I only nod as Simon comes closer for the ritual. I hardly register anything that is said. I reply appropriately and do what is expected of me, but my mind is stuck on what Dad has done. I had a niece and a sister-in-law. I always wanted a sister.

“Congratulations, Alpha,” Dad smiles at me and holds out his hand.

The very last thing I want to do is accept but if I want to keep up appearances, I must play along.

“Thank you,” I shake his hand.

“This is so cool,” Zoe shrieks as she hugs me, and I am grateful that I do not have to look at Dad anymore.

“Congratulations,” Simon smiles. “What’s your first order of business?”

“The funeral,” I reply stiffly as I march out of the office.

**

“Are you going to tell us what happened?” Reese asks softly as he drives up to Opal Moon. He and Blake are sitting in front while Violet and I are in the back. Zoe, Cooper and more warriors are following behind us. My entourage has increased significantly since I became alpha ten minutes ago.

“No,” I reply directly. “I’m not ready to talk about it.”

“I don’t care how it happened,” Violet chirps. “This is the best thing ever. We never had a female alpha before.”

“It’s only temporary, Vi,” I smile at her enthusiasm. “Zayne will take over once he’s trained.”

“I don’t care,” she smiles brightly. “You’re alpha now and we’re friends. I cannot wait for the rest of the pack to hear about this. Especially that b*tch, Daphney.”

“She’s your sister,” I laugh softly.

“Exactly,” she rolls her eyes. “She can take her straight A’s and trophies and shove it up her a$$. Nothing beats being friends with the alpha.”

Violet keeps on babbling about the advantages of being friends, but I tune her out. I guess the only bright side to this day is that we are going to a funeral, and I do not have to pretend that I am happy.

“Let’s get this over with,” I sigh as Reese parks, and I put on my sunglasses.

Blake opens my door and I smile softly as I accept his hand. He and Reese makes a silly bow and holds out their elbows for me.

“Such gentlemen,” I sigh theatrically before I accept the gesture and rest my hands on their arms. Together we walk as the rest follow us.

“Glad to see you can still make a joke,” Blake says softly.

“Yes,” Reese agrees. “Whatever happened between you and your father, wasn’t good. You’re hurting.”

“Can we not talk about it?” I swallow the threatening tears.

“Absolutely,” Blake nods. “We only want you to know you’re not alone.”

“I appreciate it,” I say hoarsely.

“So,” Blake looks at me with mischief in his eyes. “If I’m your mate, does that makes me your Luna?”

“Aww,” Reese coos. “You’ll be the prettiest girl at the ball.”

“I know,” Blake flips his hair. “I’m prettier than you.”

“You’ll both make perfect Lunas,” I laugh softly. “You know how to support your alpha in her hour of need.”

“Yeah, but I’m still the prettiest,” Blake wiggles his eyebrows, and I must stop myself to burst out laughing.

“Don’t make me laugh,” I clear my throat. “It will be inappropriate at a funeral.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Blake winks at me.

“Is that Killian?” Reese asks as we join the gathering. “He’s shorter than I imagined.”

“And his hairline is receding,” Blake says. “He won’t be a pretty Luna.”

“That’s him,” I confirm as our eyes meet, and I nod in acknowledgement. Killian does not look happy as he looks at the men at my side. He must hate the competition and he has not spoken to Clyde in a while. He has no idea whether I have found my mate or not.

I keep my eyes on the people in attendance. Everyone seems genuinely sorrowful about Leon’s passing. He must have been well-liked. A woman starts crying hysterically as the coffin starts lowering and I bite hard onto my bottom lip.

I want to turn around and run away, but I hold on harder to the men’s arms. It feels wrong to be here. That woman’s pain is real. She is burying someone she loved, and we are using this opportunity to find answers.

The woman’s wailing continues, and a man catches her just in time before her knees give in. Her pain-filled cries cut through me as people turn around and walk away. I let go of Blake and Reese and walk to her.

I do not care what people think or if this is even appropriate. She has lost someone dear to her and I know the devastation all too well.

“I’m sorry,” I put my arms around her. She is so grief-stricken that she does not even care that a stranger is holding her. “This is unfair and I’m sorry.”

We hold on tightly to each other as we both cry. I cry for my brother and my mother. But mostly, I cry about losing my father while living.