Chapter 48: Ada's Mate

Ada

It feels as if my smile is permanently engraved on my face. My facial muscles are hurting, but people keep on coming to congratulate me. Some of them are more enthusiastic than others. Especially the single girls who had hopes of becoming the future Luna. Throughout the entire night, I waited for someone to ask where Clyde and Margo are, but nobody even mentioned their names. I cannot tell if it is because everyone already knows that they are locked up or if nobody even realizes they are not here.

“If I knew I had to smile this much, I would’ve declined the position,” Zoe says as she joins me and hands me a drink which I gladly accept.

“You should enjoy it while you can,” I take a sip. “We will have to attack before Killian does.”

“Especially since he has bombs,” she sighs.

“Ada, can we talk to you?” Zayne and Tyler come to stand with us.

“Did something go wrong with Gregory?” I ask immediately as worry settles deep in my gut.

“No,” Tyler shakes his head. “But we did get more information from him.”

“Zoe is my Beta,” I smile. “You can talk in front of her.”

“Clyde offered Killian money,” Zayne blurts it out and informs us about the rest of the conversation.

“I will talk to Dad, but I don’t think it’s him,” I shake my head. “He might leave him something in his will. If he wanted to pay Clyde, he would’ve done it years ago and not allowed him to stay here.”

“Do you think Clyde will tell you if you ask him?” Zoe looks at me. “I mean, he will tell you everything you ask because of that document he signed.”

“What about Margo?” Tyler asks before I could respond. “Dad surely must’ve given her money over the years to take care of Clyde.”

“The answer to all our questions is how much,” I say. “Margo might have money, but she’s no billionaire.”

“And no alpha would be dumb enough to get involved in this for a million or two,” Tyler agrees.

“Depends on his hatred and determination,” Zayne crosses his arms. “He might even do it for free if he wants Ada badly enough.”

“This is getting ridiculous,” tiredly I wipe over my face. “Thanks, guys. This is helpful information, but I’m going to sleep on it and take it further in the morning. I simply do not have the energy to deal with it right now.”

“One last thing,” Tyler smiles at me. “You were right about Gregory. He’s a nice guy.”

“I’m happy to hear that,” I say relieved. “Because I decided to offer him to join our pack.”

“Do you think that’s wise?” Zayne looks at me with big eyes. “After all the people he killed over the year, do you honestly think the pack will welcome him?”

“I’ll find a way,” I smile softly, but my guts take a dive. Truth is, I have no idea how the pack is going to react once they learn about Gregory’s true identity and what Dad has done. On the one hand, they might welcome Gregory because he is the alpha’s son. But on the other hand, they might hate him for that exact reason.

“May I have this dance?” Reese says behind me, and I jump a little.

“Reese,” I clamp my heart and exhale deeply. “You’re going to give me a heart attack with your sneaking.”

“I wasn’t sneaking,” he looks hurt. “I was …”

“I was joking,” I laugh and take his hand to drag him to the dancefloor.

“I still feel guilty about earlier,” he says sheepishly as he takes me in his arms and starts steering over the dancefloor.

“I must apologise for that,” I look him in the eye. “I was angry at Clyde and took it out on you. You were only looking out for me. I wasn’t being fair.”

“I want to say I’m sorry for following you, but I’m not,” he smiles. “If I didn’t hear those things that Clyde said, my wolf wouldn’t have woken up.”

“Then I’m not that sorry for giving you a hard time,” I laugh as he twirls me around twice before I am back in his arms. “Because I’m jealous that everybody’s wolves returned except mine.”

“Speaking off,” he looks deep into my eyes and everything inside me goes silent. “Cooper’s wolf returned because he kissed you and his wolf didn’t like it and wanted to stop him. My wolf returned when I heard Clyde’s confession and all I wanted to do, was kill him. Ada, I think you’re my mate.”

I come to a halt abruptly and he nearly steps on my foot. I am cautious of feeling hopeful and overjoyed. People are starting to bump into us and he places his hand on my lower back and steer me off the dancefloor.

“Is the idea of being my mate so terrible?” He asks softly.

“Not at all,” I shake my head. “But it scares me. What if you’re wrong? What if we fall in love and then you’re not my mate? I don’t want to break your heart or mine. The very last thing I want to do is to frolic around as Dad did. Look what his thoughtless actions got us into.”

“Ada, there’s nothing wrong with taking a chance,” he gently cups my face. “Humans do it every day. They take a chance with their heart. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. I understand your hesitation, but I would rather take the risk than regret it later. You know that I’ve been drawn to you from the very beginning and I never hid my intentions with you. I want to risk it all. But the choice is yours.”

I rest my hands on his wrists and look at him for what feels like an eternity as memories flood my mind. Reese and I work well together. There is passion, friendship and laughter. There is not one single reason why I should not say yes.

“Kiss me,” I murmur and he slowly lowers his lips onto mine.

His lips are warm and gentle on mine and I feel myself relax as affection for this man grows in me. I am completely caught up in his touch by the time he pulls away.

“Is that a yes?” His voice is warm and soothing.

“I want it to be,” I sigh with my eyes closed. “And for the life of me, I cannot think why not. But I think I should take a moment to think about it. This is huge and I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

“Okay,” he smiles tenderly and steps away from me. “We can talk about this more during our date tomorrow.”

“Yes,” I nod. “We can do that.”

He quickly pecks me on my lips before he turns around and walks away.

Oh, dear goddess, I sigh inwardly as I wipe over my eyes. Why is it easier to deal with rogues that want to kill you than risk your heart? It was easier to decide to marry Killian for the sake of the pack than this.

“Enjoying your party?” Blake asks next to me.

“Not as much as I should,” I admit with a sigh.

“Ada,” he looks at me and I frown a little when I notice the sadness in his eyes. “I think it’s time for me to leave.”

“What? Why?” I gape at him.

“I’ve been selfish and unfair,” he looks at me apologetically. “You and Reese bonded from the very beginning. And I selfishly jumped in the middle when I realized that I care for you. But Reese is my best friend and you have so much to deal with, I don’t want to add to that. I want you to be happy, Ada.”

“But what if you’re my mate?” I swallow the panic that is threatening to consume me.

“Then you can choose to reject me,” he smiles sadly. “And be happy with Reese. I will not stand in your way.”

Dumbstruck I watch as he turns around and walks away.