Chapter 52 - Ada's Mate

Ada

I cannot move, I cannot breathe, I cannot feel, I cannot think. I am numb and empty. People are laughing, drinking and dancing, but nothing really registers. It is all just shapes and colours.

Something deep inside me starts to stir, but I still cannot bring myself to come to life. Dad’s words are still consuming every part of me that should function. I blink a couple of times until Blake and Reese come into focus.

From their body language, I can tell they are in a heated conversation, and I sigh internally. Why this, why now? Is there no way I can space or prioritise my problems so that I do not have to deal with everything at once?

The stirring inside intensifies and irritates me. Well then, I guess that is my cue to join – and settle – the drama. I stand up and walk towards them. Someone calls me and I stop to look around, but I do not see anybody looking for me.

“Ada, look out!” The voice calls out and frantically I look around.

“What the f*ck …” I mumble confused until I see a warrior, Shay, running towards Blake and Reese. But I only realize what I am witnessing when the light reflects on a silver dagger in his hand.

“Shay!” I shout as I start running towards him. He looks at me and smiles slyly before he lifts the dagger and throws it at Reese’s back.

“No!” I yell as I throw myself between the dagger and Reese.

I am expecting a blinding pain from where the dagger will collide with me, but I do not feel a thing. Instead, I am standing on all fours, the dagger safely pinned to the ground under my paw.

“Taima!” I exclaim overjoyed. “You’re awake. Thanks for the warning.”

“Yeah, yeah, later,” Taima scoffs. “Let’s go get that motherf*cker.”

Shay looks at me with big eyes before he turns around to run away but with one leap, I’m on his back and I pin him to the ground. The smell of sandalwood and vanilla threatens to overwhelm me, but I focus on Shay. My mate is here, and I know he has already recognised me, but I must first deal with this threat.

“What the f*ck were you thinking?” I mind link him as I growl in his ear. “How stupid are you to think you can harm a guest at a pack party?”

“I’m thinking this is going exactly as planned,” he smirks, and I lift my head to look around. All attention is on us and reality dawns on me – this was only a distraction.

“Violet, Willow,” I link them urgently. “The dungeon NOW.”

“On it,” they reply in unison.

Viciously I bite into Shay’s shoulder, and he screams bloody murder as I drag him to the dungeon. People look curiously, and I wish I could dismiss them and send them home. But nobody will be leaving before I got to the bottom of this.

“Zoe,” I link. “Close the gates and secure the perimeter. Nobody is leaving until I know who else is involved.”

“Yes, alpha,” she replies.

“Tyler, Zayne,” I continue. “Get Dad and move everyone inside. Start interrogations.”

“Alpha,” Violet sounds breathless. “They’re gone. Clyde and Margo are gone.”

“Stay there,” I command.

“Well, that’s no surprise,” Taima snorts. “But they won’t be far. You caught on soon enough.”

“Don’t count on it,” I scoff. “Clyde was in charge of landscaping. Nobody knows the grounds like him.”

Shay is a whimpering and bleeding mess by the time I toss him into the dungeon. I shift back and accept the shirt that Willow is holding out to me.

“Cuff him,” I order. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

I run back to the scene of the crime and pick up the silver dagger. There is not a person in sight, and I am grateful that my brothers managed to get everyone inside so quickly.

“All right, Shay,” I say angrily when I stand in front of him. “I’m not playing. I’m asking a question only once. Lie and you’ll bleed. Who helped Clyde escape?”

“I don’t know,” he gives me a bored look.

Without hesitation I jab the dagger into his thigh and drag it down, tearing his leg open as his agonising screams fill the dungeon.

“I warned you, Shay,” I shout over his cries. “I’m only asking once.”

“Lola!” He squirms. “She unlocked the gate.”

“Who gave her the keys?” I lift the dagger above his other leg.

“She … she stole it,” his eyes do not leave the blade. “Clyde told her where the spare keys are held.”

“Who else is helping him?” I ask.

“Please,” he begs. “I need a doctor. I’m losing too much blood.”

I stab him in his other leg, and he shamelessly starts crying as I rip open his other leg.

“Two Omegas,” he sobs. “Jackson and Grant. I swear, that’s everybody.”

Quickly I mind link Tyler and order him to find out everything there is about Jackson and Grant.

“Lock the door,” I order Violet as I stand up and leave the cell.

“Please send the doctor,” Shay cries. “That dagger is pure silver, I won’t heal.”

“You should’ve thought of that before you brought it to my party and aimed it at my guests,” I sneer. “You can bleed to death, I don’t care.”

“Ada!” his cries follow me as we walk away. “Alpha, please. I beg you.”

“Are you really going to let him bleed to death?” Violet asks softly.

“Yes,” I nod. “I’ve been f*cked around by men for the last ten years and I had enough.”

“Ada,” Zoe joins us. “Everyone is inside, and all exits are blocked. We’re already searching, but so far there’s no trace. They must’ve masked their scent.”

“Okay,” I take a deep breath and wipe over my eyes. “I don’t have time now to tell you everything, but Clyde has a son with Lola. His name is Toby. Violet, go to the house and bring Toby and his grandmother here. Do not harm or frighten the child, but be warned, his grandma is a real piece of work.”

“Oh wow,” Zoe raises her eyebrows.

“Zoe,” I turn to her. “We should search the caves. I bet they’re hiding there.”

“Willow,” I smile at her. “We didn’t spend an entire day installing cameras for no reason. You’re on surveillance. Let me know immediately if you find anything. I’m going to get dressed and will be back in five minutes.”

I dash off to my room without waiting for a response. Of everything that happened, I am mostly disappointed in Lola. After our conversation, I thought she was reasonable and did what she had to do to keep her son safe. I completely misjudged her.

In record time I dress into my warrior’s outfit and run down the stairs to the hall where everyone is gathered. I am dying to know who my mate is, but more importantly, I need Blake, Cooper and Reese’s help. They have scouted the caves.

“Ada,” Zayne comes running to me with big eyes. “I have news. Grant is Lola’s brother and Jackson is his best friend. But no one here has seen either of them tonight. I have sent Simon to Jackson’s house and Roman to Grant’s.”

“I’m impressed,” I smile proudly at him. “Violet is on her way to Lola’s. You and Tyler keep the people calm while we search the caves. I have a good idea they’re hiding there.”

“There’s one more thing,” Zayne looks nervous. “Jackson’s mate is from Opal Moon.”

“Holy sh*t,” I mumble as my mind races to place all the puzzle pieces. “Zayne, triple border patrol. If Killian has in any way had a hand in Clyde’s escape, we could be expecting bomb explosions.”

“Goddess, no,” Zayne looks like somebody kicked him in the balls. “You just got your wolf back.”

“You’re right,” I close my eyes as I think. Even if we find the bombs in time, it does not mean we will be able to defuse them. There might not even be bombs, but I am not taking that chance.

“Gas masks,” I look up at Zayne. “I don’t know how or where, but we need to mask up.”

“Ada, the best I can do now, is my scuba gear,” he rolls his eyes.

“We need to get the pack to safety,” exhausted I wipe over my eyes. “If those bombs go off, we’re trapped.”

“But where should we take them?” Zayne frowns.

“Hush! I’m thinking,” I wave him off as a plan formulates in my head. I will be risking everything, but I need help.

“Okay,” I look at Zayne. “IF Killian plans to bomb us, he will do it the moment Clyde reaches safety. Which means we’re almost out of time. Send everybody home and tell them to prepare for immediate evacuation. They should pack necessities and leave the borders immediately. Those who have no place to go must gather in the courtyard. Remain outdoors, fresh air is now our best friend.”

“Where are you going?” Zayne calls after me as I walk away.

“To get reinforcements,” I shout over my shoulder.

“Ada,” sandalwood and vanilla engulf me, and I turn around. “I’m your mate.”