Chapter 61: Ada's Mate

Gregory

I am awake even before the first sunrays peek through my window. It does not matter that I am laying on the most comfortable bed I had in years. My mind would not shut down.

This would have been easier if anyone other than Theo killed my family. I went to him for sanctuary for my family and in answer, he killed them. I do not care if it was an accident. They are dead and he did it. I cannot help to think that if I did not go to him and told him that I am his son, they would have been alive today. And that makes it worse. I have been on a seesaw the entire night between blaming myself and blaming Theo.

I want to get up and march to the clinic to kill him. But what will that help? He is unconscious and weak. He would not even know that I am aware of his doings and killing him.

There is a knock on my door, and I get up. I am surprised to Ada, all well-rested and smiling at me.

“What are you so happy about?” I grunt and roll my eyes when she blushes slightly and looks at the floor.

“Never mind,” I sigh. I remember my first night with my mate, I also could not stop smiling. “Why are you here so early? Shouldn’t you cuddle with Blake?”

“It’s time for you to meet your pack,” she avoids my questions and pushes a bundle of clothing into my hands. “It’s Tyler’s. Get ready and let’s go.”

“Fine,” I sigh and rub over my face. “I’ll meet you in fifteen minutes. Make sure there’s coffee.”

I do not wait for her response and close the door in her face. Since I went rogue, I had to learn to go without small luxuries like a cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Now that I am alpha, it will be the first thing I rectify.

I indulge in the hot water running over my skin. Just one more thing I had to do without. Clean, hot water and fresh clothes. It was worse for my beautiful wife than for me. She always took pride in her looks and personal hygiene.

Tyler’s clothes fit perfectly and longingly I scratch over my chin. I wish I had a razor, but at least I have the prospect of having one soon.

The tantalizing aroma of fresh coffee hits me when I walk down the stairs and I follow it to the living room where Ada is sitting frowning at her phone.

“Have you seen your office?” I ask as I help myself to the coffee.

“Not yet,” she sighs and puts her phone down. “It’s not something I’m looking forward to.”

“Yeah, it’s not pretty,” I finish the cup of coffee and pour myself another. “Damn, this is good. Is Theo still alive?”

“Yes,” she says softly. “But he’s still unconscious.”

“Thought so,” I nod and put my empty cup down. “Let’s go.”

In silence, we walk to an Aston Martin DBW.

“Impressive,” I whistle as I admire the luxury SUV. “Yours?”

“Since I’m the alpha, yes,” she smiles brightly as we get in.

“Let’s see if you can drive as well as you can fight,” I tease her as I buckle up.

“Please,” she snorts. “As a lead warrior, you’re required to take advanced driving lessons and I passed with flying colours.”

“Are you still going to prosecute Theo once he wakes up?” I ask directly and Ada’s knuckles turn white as she clenches the steering wheel.

“Yes,” she grunts.

“Do you want to?” I ask and she nearly breaks her neck as she jerks to look at me.

“Of course not,” she explodes. “What kind of f*cked up question is that? We talked about it last night and you know exactly how I feel.”

“Eyes on the road,” I say firmly. “It’s been bugging me the entire night and I still can’t decide what I should do about it.”

“Well, I can tell you what not to do,” she replies through stiff lips. “Don’t tell anybody about it. No one knows besides you, me and Blake. So, if you can keep it to yourself until my brothers know, I will appreciate it.”

“You haven’t told anybody?” I gape at her. “Are you trying to find a way for him to get away with it?”

“I didn’t do it for him, I did it for myself,” she huffs indignantly. “How was I supposed to deal with everything at once? Clyde, Killian, my dad, you. Everybody was out to get me. I have one dying brother and one scared sh*tless and completely out of his depth. The last thing I needed was the pack panicking or worse, rioting against us. So no, Gregory, I’m not protecting my father. I’m protecting the pack.”

For a moment I am speechless after her rant, and I stare out of the window as guilt gnaws at me. In the beginning, I was sure she was responsible for the fire, but after getting to know her, I knew she was innocent. I knew all along about Killian and Clyde’s dealings and still, I did not help her. Granted, I had no idea exactly what she was dealing with, but I could have helped her, and I did not. Nothing she did was for herself but for her pack. And after what she and I have been through last night, I should know better than to accuse her of being selfish.

“I’m sorry,” I say after a while and look at her. “I was out of line.”

“It’s fine,” she shrugs. “It’s normal for you to second guess people’s motives after all the disappointments you’d have to endure.”

“When are you going to tell your brothers?” I ask softly.

“I don’t know,” she sighs. “I guess when I get back home. There’s no more reason not to tell them.”

“How about this,” I turn in my seat towards her. “Order Theo to tell them himself. If he does, I promise not to challenge him. If he refuses, I’m going to challenge and kill him.”

“Dammit, Gregory,” she rubs her forehead as if a headache is developing. “Why are you complicating this?”

“Simple,” I shrug. “If he tells your brothers the truth, I know he has remorse, and I will walk away. If not … well.”

“Fine,” she sighs heavily. “It doesn’t really matter because I wanted him to tell them himself anyway. I’m hoping they will go easy on him if he tells them.”

“See?” I grin at her. “It works both ways.”

“Sure,” she replies absentmindedly as she parks the car in front of the packhouse.

“What the hell is going on here?” I look at the hundreds of people that are gathered at the house.

“I’ve sent them a message that their alpha wants to speak to them,” Ada says as she climbs out and I follow her.

People are curiously looking at us as we walk to the door and suddenly, I am eternally grateful for Ada. I am supposed to be the older and wiser sibling. The one that was trained for this, but she is the one that took charge as if she has been doing this her entire life.

“Alpha Ada,” a woman walks to her. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“Hello, Mary,” Ada embraces her. “You look great.”

“Are you here to announce your engagement to Killian?” Mary whispers concerned. “Nobody has seen or heard anything from him or his ranks and we’re all dying to know what’s happening.”

“And you will,” Ada smiles wickedly as she walks to the stage that has been put out for the announcement. She winks me over and I join her.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” she greets them. “

For those who don’t know me, I’m Alpha Ada from Moon Shadow. I’m afraid I’m the bearer of sad news. Last night, alpha Killian and his men attacked us.”

“No way!” A man exclaims followed by a loud uproar and sharp intakes of breaths.

“Unfortunately, it’s the truth,” Ada lifts her chin and pulls her shoulders back.

“Are you here to enslave us?” A woman asks with panic in her voice.

“Alpha, please, we had no idea, we’re innocent,” another shout.

“Please remain calm,” Ada holds up her hands. “Opal Moon is safe from attacks from us. But Killian and his followers didn’t survive. Since Killian had no heir, the title naturally transferred to the person that challenged and killed him.”

There is a buzz in the air, and I tap into the mind link. I am surprised to pick up excitement and not fear and sorrow. Killian might have been alpha, but his pack hated him.

“People of Opal Moon,” Ada continues. “Please welcome your new alpha – and I’m proud to say my brother, Gregory.”

Cautiously they applaud me as I take a step forward. The word rogue features over and over in the mind link and I smile lazily at them.

“Yes, I was a rogue,” my voice carries over the crowd and they go silent. “But it was only temporary until I found my sister, Ada.”

“But you tried to kill her,” Mary shouts angrily.

“What can I say,” I shrug. “All siblings fight.”

Ada laughs heartedly and puts her arm around my waist.

“What he said,” she looks up at me and smiles before she turns towards the crowd. “Mary, I give you my word that there are no hard feelings between me and Gregory. He is my brother, and not only did he save my life last night, but he also led the entire Moon Shadow pack to safety. You’re in good hands.”

“Welcome, alpha Gregory,” Mary smiles as she mind links me.

One by one, the pack members congratulate me and after I answered all their questions, they went home peacefully.

“Well then, Alpha,” Ada turns to me. “I wish you all the luck.”

“Thank you,” I hug her tightly, as I close my eyes and thank the goddess for a second chance at happiness.