Chapter 8: Ada's Mate
Ada
“It’s almost time for dinner,” I mumble as I look at my watch. “They must be in the dining room.”
“Uhm, quick question,” Zoe whispers as we continue down the hallway while I swing the cane. “Can you wait until after dinner before you kill him? I’m starving.”
“Don’t worry about that,” I shrug. “There will be at least three Omegas that will bring you food out of gratitude for killing him.”
“About that,” Zoe frowns. “Why does your father tolerate his behaviour?”
“I ask myself that question every time I see that creep,” I sigh as I suppress the discomfort that wants to surface. This is not something I really want to discuss. “I don’t know if Dad turns a blind eye for Aunt Margo’s sake. But if I ever catch him in the act, I will castrate him.”
“Why doesn’t the Omegas come forward?” Zoe asks softly. “They can mind-link when Clyde corners them and then you can go and help.”
“I did reach out to them,” I sigh and shake my head. “But after Lola was dismissed when she came forward, everyone went silent.”
“We …”
“Not now,” I whisper urgently and shut her up when we reach the dining room.
“Clyde!” I yell angrily and swing my cane as I limp inside. “You have some explaining to do.”
Everybody is already seated, and Clyde jumps up when our eyes lock.
“Ada!” Aunt Margo gasps indignantly. “What’s the meaning of this … this mad behaviour?”
“Put down that stick, before you break something,” Clyde spits at me as I continue towards him, still swinging.
“That’s the idea,” I sneer and enjoy watching him retreat. “I’m about to bash your skull in.”
“Enough, Ada,” Father snaps. “You’re not children anymore.”
“I’m not playing, Father,” I continue forward until Clyde is with his back against the wall. I push the knob of the cane under his chin. “I really, really want to kill him.”
The silence that fills the dining room is deafening and nobody says a word as I continue to pin Clyde to the wall. I apply more pressure and he swallows hard.
“Why did you plant the bomb?” I hiss at him and can feel everyone’s eyes on me. I have absolutely no proof that he did it. In fact, up to a second ago, the thought did not even cross my mind. But he did not carry over the message, which implicated Opal Moon as the number one suspect. Sure, he is stupid enough to merely forget about the message, but he is also a world-class assh*le and perv*rt. He is exactly the type of person that would plant a bomb.
The blood drains from his face and I blink in surprise. Am I right? Does he have something to do with it? Why else would he look so shocked and scared?
“That’s preposterous!” Aunt Margo shouts and jumps up. “Ada, release him this instant.”
“No,” I shout over my shoulder without breaking eye contact.
“Ada,” Dad says with a reasoning voice and clears his throat. “That is a very serious accusation, daughter. Are you sure?”
“Oh, yes,” I smile victoriously when I see the panic in Clyde’s eyes. I am not sure if he planted the bomb, but he knows something about it. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind.
“Theo, please,” Aunt Margo starts crying. “Make her stop. She’s going to hurt him.”
“Unlike him,” I hiss and press harder against his throat until he gasps for air. “I can control my urges.”
Suddenly a soft growl followed by a “sorry” from Zoe breaks the tension. I must bite my lip to refrain from laughing. When she said she is hungry, she meant it.
“Go sit down, Clyde,” I say as I step back and release him. “Enjoy your last supper.”
Aunt Margo jumps up and instantly rushes to Clyde’s side and I look at Father. He gives me stern look, but I do not submit and look down. I stare back at him until he nods. I take my seat which happens to be across from Clyde’s.
“Theo,” Aunt Margo explodes. “Your daughter is out of control. You need to discipline her.”
“Sit down, Margo,” Father growls. “The food is getting cold.”
“I refuse to break bread with her until she apologizes,” Aunt Margo insists.
“Oh, please,” I roll my eyes at her. “If he’s so innocent, why isn’t he insisting on an apology? I insulted him, not you.”
“She’s right,” Father looks at Clyde suspiciously. “Why aren’t you?”
“I … I’m still in shock, Alpha,” Clyde stutters. “It’s not every day that I’m attacked out of the blue.”
“After everything I’ve done for you,” Aunt Margo starts crying again as she points an accusing finger at me. “And this is the thanks I get.”
“Drop the drama,” I grunt. “Trading a flat for a castle is hardly a sacrifice. Besides, I did nothing to you.”
“Enough!” Father shouts and slams his hand on the table so hard that the cutlery rattles. “You will all sit down this instant.”
It is dead silent as Margo and Clyde take their seats.
“Please,” Father smiles at our guests. “Help yourself.”
Nobody says a word and only the clattering of dishes are audible as people dish food. I do not take my eyes off Clyde. He does his utmost best to ignore me, but I can see he has a difficult time swallowing his food. Aunt Margo’s eyes throw daggers at me between each bite, but I do not care. I enjoy my dinner without looking away from Clyde.
“The fillet mignon was exquisite,” Cooper says when he is finished. “Compliments to the chef.”
“Can I interest anybody in some desert?” Aunt Margo asks politely.
“Not for me,” Father says roughly and stands up. “Clyde and Ada, my office.”
“Dad,” I smile sweetly at him. “Tyler needs to be there as well as future alpha.”
“No,” Aunt Margo jumps up. “That’s just another elaborate scheme to team up on Clyde and I will not tolerate it any longer.”
“Margo,” Dad sighs. “Not only are you insulting my ability as a leader, but also your future leader.”
“I’m not,” she lifts her chin. “But they are your children and it’s natural to take their side.”
“Thin ice, auntie,” I make my eyes big at her as Father goes red in the face.
“Then we’ll do it your way,” Father bellows. “Since I’m no longer a capable Alpha. Everybody, sit down – we’re settling things right here.”
“But, the guests,” Aunt Margo gasps.
“The guests will be unbiased, I’m sure,” Father gives her a nasty look. “This is what you wanted, right?”
Nobody says a word as Father settles down in his seat and looks at me.
“Ada, tell us what you’ve learned,” Father orders and I clear my throat.
“This nincompoop,” I point towards Clyde. “Never told us that Killian phoned. They were also attacked by rogues and their Delta, Leon, was killed in the process.”
“I forgot!” Clyde yells and throws his hands in the air. “He phoned just before the bomb went off, and I forgot in all the chaos that followed.”
“How convenient,” I snort. “It’s been two days. Are you truly suggesting that you didn’t remember it once within forty-eight hours? Not even when we discussed it at lunch today?”
“I …”
“You deliberately kept quiet,” I cut him off. “Because as long as we suspect Opal Moon for the attack, you’re in the clear. Isn’t that right?”
Clyde’s black eyes bore into mine and he clenches his teeth.
“And you base your evidence on that?” Margo sneers at me. “A normal human error?”
“If,” Clyde hisses at me. “If that was my plan, I’m the biggest fool around. Naturally, you would learn the truth and well, this will happen. I simply forgot.”
He leans over the table closer to me.
“I’m sorry,” he has the faintest of smiles before pain radiates up my leg.
The bast*rd kicked my injured foot under the table, I realize as I turn white from pain. It is so sudden and excruciating that I cannot stop the tears from filling my eyes. I grind my teeth and breath through my nose to fight for control.
“Ada, are you all right?” Reese asks before he turns to Dad. “Alpha, she doesn’t look good.”
“Ada,” Dad gets up and comes to me. “What’s wrong?”
I want to say nothing. I want to say I am fine, and we can continue the conversation, but the pain is overpowering.
“I’ll get the doctor,” Tyler jumps up.
“No,” I croak and shake my head. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not,” Father insists.
“I’m fine,” I grunt as I take my cane and hoist myself out of the chair.
I want to cry but I will rather die than give Clyde the satisfaction.
“Zoe,” Reese stands up and walks over to me. “Help me get Ada to her room.”
I do not protest as Zoe takes my cane and Reese picks me up and carries me to my room.