Chapter 42: Ada's Mate
Violet
I keep my back towards Killian and Milo, but keep my ears pierced for every word. The hair on my neck stands up and goosebumps spread over my arms as I listen to their plan.
“Vi,” Zoe mind-links me. “It’s time to go. Where are you?”
“In the bar,” I reply. “And I’m going to need a moment. Killian is here. If I just walk out of here, and he recognises me, he’ll know I’ve eavesdropped.”
“Do you need a distraction?” Zoe asks.
“Nope, I’ve got it covered,” I say as I order a beer from Eric. “If I’m not there in twenty minutes, you can send help.”
“Be careful,” Zoe warns.
“Always,” I wink Eric closer.
“Whatever happens, do not get upset, okay?” I whisper to him. “Do not try to help or interfere. I’m only a drunk stranger, got that?”
“Sure,” he looks at me doubtfully.
“Here goes,” I mumble as I stand up.
I pretend to lose my footing and stumble forward. I wipe over my hair and carefully put one foot in front of the other with concentration like a drunk person would do when they are acting sober. Deliberately I stumble and mess beer all over Milo.
“What the f*ck?” He jumps up yelling.
“My bad,” I hiccup and clumsily wipe over the stain.
“Wait,” he frowns as he looks at me. “Aren’t you …”
“Are you my boyfriend?” I cut him off and stroke his cheek as I take another sip of beer.
“Get off me, b*tch,” he slaps my hand away.
“Kisshhh me,” I lean forward and stumble again.
“Ada and her f*cking females,” Killian bellows. “The same thing happened when they were here last time. Get her out.”
Two warriors came running to me, and I giggle before I fake a hiccup and take another sip from the beer.
“Are you my boyfriend?” I ask as one of them tosses me over his shoulder, and the other grabs the beer out of my hand.
“Oee, pretty asssshhh,” I slap the warrior on his butt and he jumps a little.
“Ba-bye,” I wave to the people. “Ba-bye, ba-bye.”
“F*cking imbecile,” Killian growls and Milo shakes his head as he takes his seat again. I look at Eric and wink at him before I am carried outside.
Ada
“How long has it been?” I ask as worry builds in me.
“Ten minutes,” Zoe replies, and I grunt in frustration.
“Here she comes,” Blake whispers next to me and I swing around.
“Dear goddess,” I mumble as we watch warriors walking towards us. One of them carrying Violet. Even from a distance, we can hear her.
“Just call me angel of the morning, angel,” she sings while slurring the words. “Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.”
“Go, Vi,” Zoe chuckles next to me. “Another outstanding performance.”
“Oh, yeah,” for the first time today, my smile is genuine. “She went for gold.”
The warrior puts Violet down in front of us and turns away.
“Call me!” She shouts after them and I must bite my lip not to burst out laughing.
“Let’s go, people,” I order and get into the car.
“I’m riding with you,” Zoe says hastily as she squeezes into the backseat with me and Violet. “You don’t mind, do you, Cooper?”
“Not at all,” he chuckles.
“That was fun,” Violet laughs as Reese pulls away. “We should do it again.”
“You girls are something else,” Blake says with what sounds like admiration. “My scouts would’ve fought their way out.”
“Violence is never the answer, dear,” I pout pretentiously, and Zoe and Violet burst out laughing.
“So, okay,” Violet pulls herself together. “You’ll never believe what I’ve just heard. Killian has no idea you’re the alpha. He thinks Tyler is.”
“Which I deliberately let him believe,” I nod.
“And he believes that you found your mate,” Violet continues.
“That would be me,” Reese grins from the front seat.
“Don’t be so smug about it,” Violet rolls her eyes at him. “You’re now their target. Killian is going to arrange with Gregory to kill you, and if he refuses, you’re going to be kidn*pped by Opal Moon for ransom.”
“Let me guess,” I sigh. “When we pay the ransom, Reese and I will be killed.”
“Yup,” Violet nods. “And Gregory.”
“Interesting,” I mumble as my mind starts working on ideas and plans.
“We should warn Gregory,” Zoe suggests.
“Not yet,” I shake my head. “We don’t know how much Gregory trusts Killian. He might confront Killian and he will only deny it. We will lose our advantage and Gregory’s trust.”
“So,” Violet looks at me. “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing for now,” I smile. “We still have time before the full moon. We should use it and strengthen our bond with Gregory.”
“How did it go with Eric?” Zoe asks.
“Look,” Violet proudly touches her necklace. “He gave this to me.”
With half an ear I listen to her going into full detail about their conversation.
“The man has a point,” Blake says.
“Yeah, I understand that,” Reese agrees. “He feels inferior in every aspect. You’re higher ranked, have higher status and have higher income. You don’t need him and a man wants to feel needed.”
“He wants to be the one that does the rescuing,” Blake continues. “He doesn’t want to be rescued.”
“You don’t need him for anything,” Reese adds. “You’ll probably kick his a$$ in a fight.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?” Violet pouts. “Pretend to be a damsel in distress?”
“That won’t work,” Blake laughs.
“He already knows who and what you are,” Reese chuckles. “And trust me, he’s proud of you and your accomplishments. Just give him some space. Allow him time to figure out how to get out of this mess himself.”
“But that could take forever,” Violet huffs. “And times have changed. Many men are staying at home while the women work.”
“Those households made the decision together,” Blake replies. “And Eric feels that he doesn’t have a say in the matter.”
“Don’t you want to feel needed and worthy?” Reese asks. “You don’t want to be a man’s slave or maid. Neither does he and right now, that’s how he feels. You want him to give up everything and follow you, end of discussion.”
“But his pack is horrible,” Violet protests.
“And he knows that,” Blake says patiently. “But allow him to make that choice, Violet.”
“Tell him you’re willing to go to Opal Moon,” I say softly and Violet’s eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.
“Are you insane?” She gasps. “Do you want me gone?”
“No,” I laugh softly and take her hand. “But proof to him how much he means to you. Tell him you’re willing to go to Opal Moon if that’s what it takes. It shows that you’re willing to give up all that you have achieved to be with him.”
“But what if he accepts?” Violet seems close to tears. “I don’t want to go.”
“Then you must choose to follow through or break things off,” I say.
“It won’t come to that,” Blake comforts her. “If Eric is the man you think he is, he will make the right decision for you as a couple. Once he knows how much you’re willing to sacrifice for him, he’ll feel worthy and make the right choice.”
“It’s still your choice, Vi,” Zoe adds. “If you truly want to be with him, you would give up Moon Shadow.”
“I’ll have to think about it,” Violet pouts. “Giving up Moon Shadow means giving you up.”
“Are you kidding me?” I look at her in astonishment. “Even if the four of us are on the corners of the world, we’ll always be there for each other.”
“Yeah,” Zoe agrees. “There’s not a man or a pack strong enough to break us up.”
“I love you guys,” Violet whimpers and we end up group hugging.
“I’m starving,” Reese splinters the moment. “It’s a good thing lunch is only an hour away.”
“That reminds me,” I look at Zoe. “Please arrange a meeting after lunch with the ranks and you three should also attend. And Violet, arrange a pack meeting tonight. We need to announce Dad’s retirement.”
“What about the rogue’s dinner?” Zoe frowns. “They won’t touch the food if you’re not there. And we need them on our side now more than ever.”
“Don’t worry,” I smile. “I got that covered.”
“Are you going to tell us what happened this morning?” Zoe asks softly.
“Not yet,” I smile sadly as the memories come swirling back. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, I’m just not ready to talk about it. It wasn’t pretty and I’m still trying to come to terms with it.”
“We’re here when you need us,” Violet takes my hand. “Whenever you’re ready, just snap your pretty little alpha fingers.”
“Thanks,” I smile emotionally.
Reese parks the car and I go straight to the office. I must find a way to be around Dad and act normal if I want to keep his secret.