Chapter 54: Ada's Mate
Ada
Blake and I walk to the courtyard where everyone has gathered. The atmosphere is thick with fear and discomfort. Mothers are keeping their children close to their sides as fathers look around for any sign of danger.
“Is this everyone?” I ask Zayne.
“Yes,” he confirms. “The rest has left the borders to visit friends and family. But there is a group of warriors going from door to door to ensure everyone has left.”
“Okay,” I nod. “Make sure everyone has enough water and food for the night. And comfortable shoes, there’s going to be plenty of walking involved. I have one more thing to do before we move them.”
“I’ll help Zayne,” Blake offers, and I smile gratefully at him before I walk to Reese that is sitting alone at a table.
“Hi,” I say softly as I go sit opposite him. “Are you okay?”
“Ada, if you don’t mind, I really don’t want to talk about it,” he sighs as he sits back and looks over my shoulder.
“Okay,” I clear my throat as I look at my hands and fumble with my fingers. I want to apologise, I want to say something, anything to make things better for him. But my mind draws a blank and I give up.
“Reese,” I finally pull myself together and look at him. “I know this sucks, but I need to know if you’re willing to go to the caves with us and search for Clyde? I’ll understand if you don’t want to, but I need your help.”
“I guess it beats sitting here and feeling sorry for myself,” he sighs and makes eye contact for the first time. “I’ll help.”
“Thank you,” I smile and reach over to take his hand, but he abruptly stands up and walks away.
Well, I tried. At least he is willing to help, and I am going to leave it at that. I take a deep breath and walk over to where Toby and his grandmother are sitting under Violet’s guarding eye. Toby is swinging his legs as he looks bright-eyed at everything. But his grandmother is tensed, and it looks like she has been crying. There is nothing left of the fierce dragon lady I met.
“Violet,” my voice is calm and gentle as I smile at Toby. “Would you mind taking Toby to get a cupcake?”
“What do you say, Toby,” Violet holds out her hand to him. “Do you want to?”
“Yes, please,” he beams and takes her hand.
“I’m sorry about all of this,” I sigh as I take a seat across from his grandmother. “What’s your name?”
“Gladys,” she sniffs once and keeps her eyes on the tissue that she is mangling between her fingers.
“Did you know Lola was going to do this?” I ask softly.
“No,” she looks at me desperately. “I thought she was over him. She told me she’s only tolerating him for Toby’s sake. And now … Grant …” her bottom lip starts quivering and quickly she looks away.
“Alpha,” she looks at me with her heart in her eyes. “Am I going to lose both my children tonight?”
Her direct question rips through me and for a moment I can only stare at her with sympathy.
“I don’t know,” I reply honestly. “But I give you my word that I will do everything I can for them. Unfortunately, they must be held accountable for their actions, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I will do what I can, I promise.”
“I … I understand,” she bows her head and fumbles with the tissue.
“Gladys,” I reach over and place my hand on hers. “You and Toby are family, and I will treat you the same way I would my brothers.”
“I’m sorry,” she sobs. “I don’t know where I went wrong with Lola and Grant. They were good children, I swear.”
“I know,” I squeeze her hand and walk to the centre of the crowd.
“People,” I address them loudly. “I know you’re concerned but please remember this is a safety precaution. So, please remain calm. We are going to transport you to the woods where my dear friend, Gregory, will lead you to safety. He knows these parts better than any of us. He and his group will keep you safe for the night. Once we’re certain it’s safe, we’ll come and fetch you. Any questions?”
“Who’s Gregory?” A man shouts from the back and I cringe. I so hoped I did not have to tell them.
“He’s the leader of the rogues,” I say firmly and maintain eye contact with the group as a loud murmur erupts. “And I trust him.”
“I’m not risking my children’s lives,” a woman shouts furiously.
“Then go home and fend for yourself,” I say angrily, and the crowd goes quiet. “But be warned, the enemy is within these borders. But I assure you, you and your children will be safe with him. Go home and take your chances or be in the parking area in ten minutes. The choice is yours.”
One by one people start walking towards the parking lot and I turn to my ranks and family.
“There’s something about Gregory that you must know,” I say as I look at Dad and he lowers his gaze. “He’s Dad’s son and our half-brother.”
“What the f*ck, Dad?” Tyler explodes.
“Now’s not the time, Tyler,” I say quickly. “My timing sucks and I regret dropping this on you now, but it’s necessary and there’s no time for discussion. I expect all of you to treat Gregory with respect. He is after all one of us and he’s the only one that can save this pack from a total wipe-out.”
“He’s cool,” Zayne nods. “I don’t have a problem treating him like a brother.”
“Dad,” I wait until he looks at me. “I’m sorry, but you can’t join the pack to safety. You’ll have to stay here.”
“Come on, Ada,” Zayne gives me a pleading look. “I know Dad made a mistake, but can’t we look past that for the sake of his safety?”
“She’s right, son,” Dad clears his throat. “I can’t go. If Gregory sees me, he will refuse to help the pack.”
“And you want us to respect him?” Zayne looks at me with anger. “When he refuses to help Dad?”
“Yes,” I say sternly. “As your alpha, I command it. I have my reasons, which I will explain later. If you’re incapable of doing so, tell me now.”
Zayne swallows hard and quickly nods before he looks away. I have never spoken to him like this, and I know it confuses him.
“Dad,” I continue. “There will be warriors with you the entire time. Sweep the castle and ensure there are no bombs. Willow, you and Violet will escort the pack and assist Gregory. Violet, Toby and Gladys are your responsibility. Guard them with your life. The rest of us will search the caves. We can’t risk driving there. So, we’ll take the hiking trail. Understood?”
Everybody seems happy, except for Zayne and Tyler. Which I understand. Telling them now is not my first choice, it was my only choice. The truth is the only reasonable explanation for Dad not joining the pack. And I would rather have them angry at me for bad timing than blame me for not telling them and hear it from Gregory.
There is an awkward silence as we walk to the caves with Reese in front and Blake and me in the back. My hand safety tucked into his.
“Ada,” Zoe mind links me. “Do you realize we’ll soon be sisters-in-law?”
“Oh, yay!” I exclaim. “I didn’t even think about that. It’s going to be so awesome.”
“Not for our mates,” she snorts. “They’ll soon learn how we stick together.”
“Especially when we want something,” I continue.
“Why are you smiling?” Cooper whispers to Zoe.
“Oh, nothing,” she replies and looks over her shoulder to me and we burst out laughing. And just like that, the awkward silence evaporates.
“Let me guess,” Blake squeezes my hand. “You two are having a private conversation.”
“Emphasis on the private,” Zoe wiggles her eyebrows.
“Settle down,” Reese hisses over his shoulder. “We’re nearing the caves.”
Instantly we quiet down and Zoe makes her eyes big at me as if we are misbehaving teenagers that got reprimanded by the principal. I smile at her, but I cannot help but feel a little bad. Poor Reese, this cannot be easy for him, and our bantering is not helping.
The caves are dark and damp when we walk inside and dark tendrils curl around my heart. It feels as if evil lurks around here.
“Fresh prints,” Reese points out and takes off his shirt.
“What are you doing?” Zoe gapes at him.
“Shifting,” he replies as he starts undoing his pants. “How else are we going to see where we’re going?”
“Cooper,” Blake steps forward. “You heard the man. You ladies stay as you are. Clyde is hormonal enough; he doesn’t have to see you naked when you shift back.”
I shamelessly stand there and drool over Blake’s body as he undresses and shifts. I walk closer and stroke his wolf’s fur before I look at Zoe.
“Ready?” I ask.
“Let’s go,” she nods.