Chapter 44: Ada's Mate

Ada

“What are you doing?” Tyler whispers as I want to sit down for lunch. I took a shower after beating up Clyde and I feel a bit better, but my anger is still simmering underneath the surface.

“Right now?” I frown. “I’m going to have lunch, I’m starving.”

“Yeah, but that’s not your chair anymore,” he grins at me.

“Oh,” I feel a slight blush as I go sit at the head of the table.

“This feels weird,” I mumble and everyone bursts out laughing.

“You better get used to it,” Tyler says.

“But don’t get too comfortable,” Zayne smirks. “It will soon be mine.”

“Only when you can beat Ada in a fistfight,” Tyler teases.

“Please,” Zayne snorts. “You can’t even beat her.”

“What did you expect?” Father smiles as he walks in and takes a seat. “She used to be the lead warrior.”

“Oh, Ada,” Zoe says as we start dishing. “I took the liberty to get Seth and have him look at Clyde and Margo. I hope you don’t mind.”

“I’m glad you did,” I smile at her. “Thank you.”

“Why did they need the doctor?” Zayne frowns.

“We had a conversation,” I mumble.

“But …”

“This chicken pie is delicious,” Dad cuts Zayne short.

“We’ll talk about it later, okay, Zayne?” I smile gently at him, and he nods.

The rest of the meal consists of friendly conversation and bantering, and I relax a little.

“The ranks are here,” Zoe informs me as I put my cutlery down.

“Let’s go,” I stand up and walk to the office.

I wait until everyone has settled before I welcome and thank them for coming.

“I know my taking over is sudden,” I look at Dad’s ranks. “And dismissing you after years of duty would be unfair. Especially since I will step down when Zayne is ready.”

“That being said,” I look at Willow, Violet and Zoe. “You girls have been by my side since forever and we’ve been investigating the rogues together. There’s nobody that I trust more than you.”

“This was no easy decision,” I sigh. “But I believe I’m acting in everyone’s best interests. I’m appointing Zoe as my Beta. Simon, you will keep your title as Beta, but you will be assisting Father in training Zayne. Oh, and there will be no pay cut. Violet will take over from me as the lead warrior and Willow will be my Delta. Roman, the same rules apply to you as Simon. You will keep your title as Delta, but your main focus would be training new warriors.”

“So, basically there will be two sets of ranks,” Dad frowns. “Are you sure that’s wise? That could lead to friction among them.”

“Valid point, Father,” I nod. “That’s why I divided the duties. The girls and I will focus on the rogue situation while your ranks will assist you in training Zayne. We have a lot to do with limited time.”

“People, if you have any objections, please speak up,” I smile. “I won’t toss you in the dungeon.”

“Can I retire if I want to?” Simon asks. “I mean, I was going to anyway when Tyler was going to take over.”

“Sure,” I shrug. “I’m not forcing this upon you or giving an ultimatum.”

“I would appreciate it if you stayed,” Zayne adds. “I’m going to need all the help that I can get.”

“Okay,” Simon sits back. “I accept but I would like to retire once you no longer require my services. My wife will be less thrilled. I promised her a cross-country trip and she already picked out an RV.”

“Oh goddess,” I laugh softly. “Please tell your wife we’ll double your bonus on retirement for doing us this favour.”

“That she’ll love,” he grins.

“If it’s all the same to you, I would like to take an early retirement,” Roman says. “I’m sorry, Alpha, I do respect you and I will remain loyal to this pack and its alpha. But I want to explore my new hobby with wood crafting.”

“Thank you for your service, Roman,” I smile. “I accept your resignation.”

“The changes will be announced tonight,” I continue. “Girls, please ensure that the gathering runs smoothly. Zayne, I must discuss the rogues with you. Everybody else is dismissed.”

I watch everyone leaves. except for Zayne and Tyler that is standing in front of my desk as if they are in the principal’s office.

“We want to talk,” Tyler says seriously.

“What’s on your mind?” I smile.

“We want the truth,” Zayne looks at me. “We all dislike Margo and Clyde but beating them up and tossing them in the dungeon is a bit far-fetched.”

“And you’re always compassionate and understanding,” Tyler adds. “This is out of character. So, what’s the deal?”

For a second, I consider weaselling myself out of answering them, but then I decided against it. Was I not the one going off on Dad for keeping secrets? It will make me a hypocrite if I do the same. I want to protect them and their relationship with Dad, but they will find out eventually. They will blame me the same as I blame Dad.

But I cannot tell them about Gregory and the fire just yet. Not before I know exactly where the puzzle pieces fit. Plus, I have a plan with Gregory which I am keeping to myself for the moment.

“Sit,” I sigh tiredly and rub over my eyes. “There is more than one aspect to what’s happening. I won’t lie to you, but there are things that I cannot talk about right now. There are also things that Dad must tell you himself. For now, I will tell you about Margo and Clyde.”

I start with Clyde’s first visit to me when I was fifteen and end with Toby and Ruby. The more I tell them, the angrier they get and by the time I am done, they are both fuming.

“I swore Dad to secrecy,” I conclude. “And I expect the same from you. Not a word about this to anyone.”

“They need to be exposed,” Zayne explodes. “This shouldn’t be kept a secret. Keeping them in the dungeon isn’t punishment enough.”

“I’m begging you not to say a word,” I look at him pleadingly. “Not for their sake, but for mine. Do you know how ashamed I am about this?”

“Ada, you have nothing to be ashamed of,” Tyler says passionately. “You did nothing wrong.”

“I know, but that doesn't change how I feel,” I smile weakly. “I don’t want people to look at me and know what he has done. I haven’t even told the girls and you know we share everything.”

“Okay,” Zayne nods. “I understand, I won’t say a word.”

“Same here,” Tyler sighs. “But I still want to get my hands on them.”

“Thank you, guys,” my eyes tear up as I look at them. “I appreciate it.”

“Is that why you took over?” Tyler looks at me in surprise. “To keep Clyde from becoming alpha?”

“No,” I shake my head. “Dad isn’t objective anymore in his decision-making. That’s why I took over. He should’ve told you about your condition years ago and started to train Zayne. He still wouldn’t have told you if I didn’t push the topic.”

“Now,” I sit upright. “Let’s get back to current affairs. Zayne, you’re dining with the rogues tonight while I attend the pack meeting.”

“No way,” he looks at me with big eyes. “What if I f*ck up and ruin all the progress you’ve made?”

“Can I go with him?” Tyler surprises me.

“Sure,” I smile brightly. “That would be brilliant.”

“What do you want us to do?” Tyler asks eagerly, and for a moment my heart reaches out to him. He might say otherwise, but I know he wanted to be alpha.

“You’re going to have dinner with him like he’s your best friend,” I smile. “You can talk about anything non-pack related. He dislikes Clyde the same as us, but please don’t reveal that we’re more than cousins. And whatever you do, don’t tell him I’m the alpha. Keep him under the impression that Dad still holds the title.”

“Sounds easy enough,” Tyler smiles as he sits back.

“Gregory is an intelligent and pleasant person,” I continue. “Treat him with respect and he will do the same.”

“But he’s a killer,” Zayne frowns. “A heartless monster. He doesn’t deserve respect.”

“He’s a grieving father and husband,” I reason. “You were ready to kill Clyde – who is related – because he touched me. What would you do to strangers if they killed Tara?”

“Fine,” Zayne sighs. “Point taken.”

“Thank you,” I nod.

“Come on,” Tyler taps Zayne on his shoulder. “Let’s start with your duties and leave the alpha to hers.”

I smile proudly as they leave. They have turned out to be fine young men, and it kills me to know that soon their lives will be disrupted when I tell them everything. I have no idea how they will react when they learn Gregory is their brother. That is why I want them to first meet and get to know him a little.

What happened to Gregory is not fair. I can only imagine that he grew up with a path set out for him to follow in his father’s footsteps. Not only did that idea crumble, but he was also kicked out by the only father he knew. And denied by his birth father. Not to mention, the only people who stuck with him through all of it, died.

Clyde, on the other hand, knew exactly what is happening. And he chose to take his anger out on me. He does not deserve compassion or mercy. And it is time for him to answer my questions, I decide as I pick up a pen.