Chapter 47: Ada's Mate

Tyler

I am incredibly relieved to dine with the rogues and not attend the pack meeting. It has been my childhood dream to be announced as alpha. If I had to be there tonight and face the pity in people’s eyes, I might lose it.

“What are you thinking about?” Zayne asks next to me as we drive to meet the rogues. “Ada or Dad?”

“Myself,” I snort. “And missing out on becoming alpha.”

“You do realize that you can still do that?” Zayne quickly looks at me before he focuses on the road again. “You could still find your mate and have kids before the symptoms kick in.”

“I know,” I grunt as I stare at the passing scenery. “But all my doubts and second-guessing evaporated after today. I want to spend my years surrounded by love and harmony, and if I stay, it will be filled with blame, loathing and death. Starting with Clyde.”

“I cannot even think about it without getting mad,” Zayne huffs. “I wish Ada told us, even if Dad didn’t take it seriously, we would.”

“You were ten years old, Zayne,” I snort. “What the hell do you think you could’ve done? Cry Clyde to death?”

“Whatever,” he shrugs. “I just feel guilty for not helping her.”

“So do I,” I sigh heavily. “But I will have my moment with him and Dad before I leave for Greece. That I swear.”

Zayne parks the car, and we walk to the table where the rogues are already seated.

“Are we late?” I smile as I hold out my hand to Gregory. He only looks at me and I lower my hand. “I’m Tyler, Ada’s brother.”

“I’m Zayne,” he looks at Gregory with big eyes. “Also, her brother.”

“Where’s Ada?” Gregory looks suspiciously at us as we take our seats.

“Washing Clyde’s blood from her hands,” Zayne replies nonchalantly. “And I do mean it literally.”

“Did nincompoop finally push her too far?” Gregory grins as he relaxes.

“And then some,” I chuckle as I start dishing for myself. “Is this what they serve every night?”

“Is there something wrong with it? Gregory asks as he looks at the food sceptically. “Isn’t this what you eat at home?”

“Mostly,” I frown as I look at the wine. “But what’s wrong with beer and ribs?”

“Oh, or bangers and mash,” Zayne adds.

“Yeah,” I exclaim. “These foods are for dating. Or do you want to hold my hand?”

I look at Gregory and he shakes his head frantically while smiling.

“I’m afraid I don’t feel the mate bond as strongly as you do,” he mocks me.

“Just as well,” I shrug. “You’re too tall for me.”

“So,” Gregory looks curiously at me. “What did Clyde do to deserve a beating?”

I stiffen a little as he asks the question. Telling the truth is out of the question, but so is avoiding the question.

“You mean, besides bombing her birthday party?” I raise my eyebrows.

“And feed Killian information,” Zayne adds.

“I think that about covers it,” I grin.

“That should be justification enough,” Gregory laughs. “All the females I know take their birthday parties seriously.”

“Ada is no exception,” I smile. “She might be tough, but on her birthday, she’s all about rainbows and unicorns.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re here,” Gregory lifts his glass in a toast. “It’s a nice change dining with people you’re not going to kill in a couple of weeks.”

“I do appreciate it,” Zayne smiles. “I like my head where it is.”

“Duly noted,” Gregory laughs heartedly. “And Ada has an evening to herself to relax.”

“Yeah,” Zayne chuckles. “Ada was in a terrible mood after the funeral.”

“Was she close to the dead Delta?” Gregory asks curiously.

“Never met him,” I shake my head. “But she knows you didn’t kill him as Killian said and she really dislikes lies and dishonesty.”

“Gregory,” I say seriously. “Ada is not responsible for your family’s death.”

“I was right then,” Gregory sneers. “She sent you to sugar me up.”

“Not even remotely,” I say hastily. “In fact, I’m fairly sure she will be less impressed with me talking to you about it. But I will be a terrible brother if I don’t say it.”

“Until she can prove her innocence, I’m holding her accountable,” Gregory grunts. “End of discussion.”

I do not say anything about that and keep on eating. I am not going to waste my time trying to convince him otherwise. He is obviously not interested, but at least I said what was needed.

“Screw it,” Gregory says after a while and puts his cutlery down. “I have nothing against you boys, and you clearly are fond of Ada. So, I will tell you something. Clyde offered to pay Killian to help him take over Moon Shadow. I don’t know how much but it’s enough that Killian agreed to it.”

“Where the hell would he get the money?” Zayne frowns.

“Probably from his father,” I give Zayne a meaningful look.

“Killian told me his father is dead,” Gregory sits back lazily. “That’s why he wants to get rid of you guys so that he can get a pack.”

“We never knew anything about his father,” I answer truthfully. “But Ada figured out something about him recently and he’s alive.”

“For now,” Zayne grunts and stands up.

“What got into him?” Gregory asks softly as Zayne walks away.

“He’s young,” I shrug. “He still needs to learn that life’s not fair. We lost our mother when he was nine. It’s hard on him to imagine that he might lose his sister as well.”

“He better man up then,” Gregory stands up. “Because time is running out for Ada.”

“It was nice meeting you,” I shout as he leaves.

“Likewise,” He yells back. “And organize those ribs and beers.”

Quickly I stand up and rush after Zayne.

“You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, brother,” I warn when I catch up to him at the car. “We don’t know where he’s getting the money from.”

“Where else?” Zayne hisses furiously. “Dad has been pumping Clyde’s offspring with money, why not him as well? Guilty money, hush money, call it what you will. Dad might not acknowledge Clyde as his son and heir, but he will pay him enough to make a luxurious living. And that is going to cost us our pack.”

“Ada is alpha now,” I say in a calming voice as we get into the car. “Dad cannot lay his hands on the pack’s funds anymore and Ada will rather kill Clyde than give him a cent.”

“You’re forgetting about Mom’s insurance policies,” Zayne snorts. “That’s his private funds and he can do with it as he pleases.”

“Again, Zayne, don’t jump to conclusions,” I try to calm him down. His anger is fuelling him to drive way too fast. “Let’s tell Ada and then we can confront Father together. Remember, this is Clyde we’re talking about. He could be lying to Killian and Dad might be innocent in all of this.”

“Innocent,” Zayne snorts. “I’m sorry but I have a tough time looking Father in the eye. There is absolutely no reason or justification for not telling us Clyde is our brother. There would have been so much less stress and grudges if we knew. And I bet Clyde wouldn’t have touched Ada if Dad only acknowledged him.”

“I can’t argue there,” I sigh heavily. I full-heartedly agree with Zayne. Things would have been less complicated and strained if we knew. Still, it feels like it is my duty to stand up for Dad. “But life doesn’t come with a manual, Zayne. It’s easy to look back and say this or that. Dad did in the here and now what he thought best. He made mistakes, but he still is our father and nothing will change that. Try and concentrate on the good he did.”

“It’s just so damn hard,” Zayne complains as he parks the car. “And it scares me. I’m being trained to take over and want to do better. I will make mistakes – like everyone else – and I don’t want them to bite me in the ass. If Dad can f*ck up this badly, how much more will I?”

“You won’t,” I rest my hand reassuringly on his shoulder. “You’re not like him. Dad always says you’re like Mom. And she was kind and forgiving. She knew all of Father’s mistakes and still, she loved and stuck with him. When you make a mistake, admit it and try and fix it. Don’t sweep it under the rug as Dad did. Learn from his mistakes and do better.”

“You should’ve been alpha, not me,” Zayne looks at me with anguish. “You’re so much better at this.”

“That’s funny,” I chuckle as I get out of the car. “I said the exact same thing to Ada.”

“What did she say to that?” Zayne looks at me curiously.

“She told me she’s not level-headed and fair and hates the admin that goes with it,” I laugh.

“That’s bullshit,” Zayne shakes his head. “She’s perfect for the job.”

“Then learn from her,” I pat him on the back. “Ada has been to hell and back and still she’s upholding the pack’s needs above her own.”