Chapter 9: Ada's Mate
Reese
Ada is deathly pale when I gently lay her down on the bed. I take a moment to appreciate her breathtaking beauty. She has not spoken a word when I carried her to the room and it is clear to me it is because she is fighting her tears.
“Ada,” I say softly as I go sit next to her. “Be honest, is it just the pain or is there something else?”
“Just the pain,” she croaks through closed eyelids. “Promise.”
“She’s telling the truth,” Zoe hands me a glass of water and two pills. “Ada never misuses the word promise. She doesn’t use it often, but when she does, you can take it to the bank.”
“Good to know,” I smile. “Lift her a bit, please.”
Zoe goes sits down next to Ada on the other side and lifts her shoulders.
“Here are your pills,” I say softly.
Ada opens her eyes and takes the pills from me before I put the glass against her lips. She eagerly swallows before Zoe lays her back down. I was expecting Ada to resist me but she allows all of this like a ragdoll and it concerns me. She is always full of spirit and fight. I scoot down and take off Ada’s moon boot.
“It’s swollen,” I turn to Zoe. “Can you get an ice pack, please? It will help with the pain and swelling until the medication kicks in.”
“I’m on it,” Zoe jumps up and leaves.
“Ada,” I take her hand in mine when the door closes behind Zoe. “Is my assumption correct that Clyde hurt you just now?”
She does not look at me but I know my suspicion is spot on when she bites her quivering bottom lip. Instantly, I am furious. What kind of low-life assh*le would hurt a woman? Even worse, hurt a woman who is already injured?
She looks so vulnerable right now and not at all like the fearless warrior I witnessed a moment ago. Everything inside me pulls together in an overwhelming urge to protect her. I want to pull her onto my lap, cuddle her to my chest, and shield her from the world. Instead, I bring her hand to my lips and place a tender kiss on her fingertips. Her eyes fly open, and she looks at me with a mixture of uncertainty and fear.
“I’m sorry,” I smile awkwardly. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I just … I couldn’t resist. Clyde will pay for what he did just now, I promise you.”
“Thank you for believing me,” she gives me a faint smile before she closes her eyes again and I am delighted that she does not attempt to pull her hand away.
Wait a minute … thank you for believing me? Does that mean Clyde has hurt her before and people did not believe her?
“Ada,” I clear my throat as I try and find the right words. “Clyde has hurt you before, hasn’t he?”
She does not answer and only turns her head away.
“You do know that your silence is also an answer?” I smile as I kiss her fingers again.
“He hasn’t touched me since I got my wolf,” she whispers. “It doesn’t matter anymore, and I don’t talk about it.”
“And that’s why you became a warrior,” I stroke her cheek gently as the puzzle pieces start to fall into place. “To kick his ass.”
“Maybe,” she shrugs and looks directly at me for the first time. “I’m good at it, chances are I would’ve chosen that route in any case.”
“Did you tell Margo what happened, and she didn’t believe you?” I pressure her softly.
“If only,” her mouth pulls into a bitter line. “She caught him red-handed in my room molesting me and blamed me for seducing her son. She told Father her version and he believed her over me.”
My blood boils as I listen to her. I am now ready and capable of storming downstairs and ripping everyone apart.
“It’s hard to think your father didn’t believe you,” I say through clenched teeth. “He always seems so protective over you.”
“Sometimes I think he did believe me,” she smiles sadly. “But it’s easier to deal with mutual h*rny teenagers than s*xual harassment. But after that, my father never allowed Clyde to be alone with me. He even had warriors stationed at my door at night for a while.”
“Ada, I’m …”
“Here’s the ice pack,” Zoe bursts through the door and I curse under my breath about the interruption.
“Thank you,” I mumble as I let go of Ada’s hand. Gently, I place the ice pack on her ankle.
“Zoe, I know it’s not my place but can I ask you a favour?” I give her a serious look. “I need you to tell Alpha Theo that Ada asked that you spend the night with her. I don’t care what you say or how you do it, but I don’t want her to be alone tonight. Clyde is a b*stard …”
“And she called him out and he’s enough of a di*k to try something when she sleeps,” Zoe smirks and crosses her arms in front of her. “Reese, I don’t know you, but I like the way you think. Stay with her until I get back.”
“Thank you,” I smile relieved that she understands.
“Are you still awake?” I ask softly when Zoe is out of the door.
“I don’t want to be,” she moans. “I want to sleep so that the pain can go away.”
“May I try something to distract you?” I gently stroke her cheek.
“I’ll try anything,” she sighs.
I place my hand against her cheek, bend over and rest my lips on hers. I do not move a muscle. I do not want to frighten or upset her. This must be a good memory, not a traumatizing event. For a few moments, we stay like that. Then she starts moving her lips and I deepen the kiss. She sighs contently as her fingers curl around my neck.
My muscles are tight with anticipation as I restrain myself from touching and caressing her the way I really want to. I have kissed many women before, but a mere kiss never turned me on like this.
“No wonder my wolf liked you,” she smiles as she pulls away.
“Excuse me?” I frown confused.
“The four of you were walking up to me and Tyler when I smelled my mate,” she explains. “And my wolf told me she liked you.”
“Do you think I’m your mate?” I ask hopefully. Honestly, I hope it is me. Ada is beautiful and strong. I would be the luckiest guy in the world if she is mine.
“I don’t know,” she mumbles before the medication takes over and she drifts off to sleep.
I sigh heavily and push my fingers through my hair in frustration. This is absolute torture. She is everything I want and just-just out of my reach. I cannot stop looking at her and I realize I am treading on dangerous grounds. I am ready to kill and die for her and if she turns out not to be my mate, I will be devastated.
“It’s done,” Zoe enters the room again. “An Omega is on her way with a mattress and linen for me. Alpha wanted me to stay in another room and Clyde backed him up. Fortunately, Tyler stepped in. He told them it was Ada’s wish and that it’s better if I share the room for when she needs immediate attention. Oh, and the doctor is on his way.”
“The doctor is wasting his time,” I sigh as I take off the ice pack. “She would’ve been fine if it weren’t for that f*cker Clyde.”
“Why would you say that?” Zoe looks at me suspiciously.
“She told me,” I nod towards the sleeping beauty next to me.
“Reese,” there is a serious note in her voice that catches my attention. “Ada doesn’t trust many people. If she admitted that to you, she trusts you. Don’t destroy that. Her trust is rare.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I smile and stand up to leave.
“One more thing,” Zoe stops me. “Be careful of how much you tell Alpha Theo. He’s a good guy, but Clyde and Margo have some kind of hold on him. Or at least, that’s my suspicion. That’s the only thing that explains Alpha’s patience with them. I never told this to Ada, but sometimes Alpha would do things that give me the impression that he’s forced into it.”
“Why haven’t you told Ada?” I look at her with new interest. With her big, brown eyes and blond curls, she is gorgeous. She seems to be a true and loyal friend and that is why it concerns me that she would keep secrets from Ada.
“He’s her father,” Zoe gives me a pained look. “And he’s a good father. He’s always been her hero. I don’t want to ruin that for her. Especially since it’s only a suspicion. She went through hell when her mother died when she was fifteen. Alpha Theo thought he did a good thing to bring Margo here to help, but it wasn’t for Ada. She was still grieving her mother and suddenly she had her aunt here trying to take over that role.”
“You’re a good friend, Zoe,” I squeeze her shoulder. “Good night.”
“Good night,” she says softly as I close the door behind me.