Chapter 53 - Ada's Mate

Ada

“Blake,” I breathe as I stare at him in awe. My heart flutters and butterflies go insane in my gut as I look into his piercing blue eyes. He always has been gorgeous but at this very moment, he is the most beautiful person I have ever seen in my entire life.

All the terrible things I have been dealing with, fade away. Nothing matters besides the man standing in front of me. I want to jump into his arms and kiss him. I want to rip his clothes off and touch him all over. I want to whisper sweet nothings to him, but my body is not functioning. I am in too much wonder about the magnitude of the moment.

He steps towards me and suddenly life returns. I run towards him, and he catches me when I jump into his arms and wrap my arms and legs around him.

“I’m so happy,” I sigh ecstatically into his neck, and he pulls me closer.

“Not nearly as much as I am,” he places his hand behind my head and kisses me tenderly. Sparks ignite and I cling desperately to him.

“Wow,” I sigh dreamily as I pull away. “You kiss so much better now that you’re my mate.”

“I could say the same about you,” he grins as I unwrap myself.

“As much as I would like to debate that, I must go,” I kiss him quickly before I mind-link Violet and ask her to send me Eric’s number.

“I’m coming with you,” he says adamantly as he follows me. “I need you to keep me safe.”

“Okay,” I agree after a moment. “But I need to make a phone call and there are things you must know which I will tell you on our way.”

“That sounds ominous,” he frowns.

“It is,” I sigh as we jog towards Tyler’s Jeep while I phone Eric.

“Where are we going?” Blake asks after my quick conversation, and I pull away at an alarming speed.

“To find Gregory,” I reply before I tell him everything.

“Holy sh*t, Ada,” Blake looks at me in astonishment. “No wonder you collapsed on the bathroom floor.”

“Thank you for telling me,” he reaches over and places his hand on my knee.

“Just don’t say anything, please,” I glance at him. “I need to tell my brothers before this becomes public.”

“Okay,” he agrees. “How are you planning on reaching Gregory?”

“Eric,” I reply as I park the Jeep and get out. “I asked him to send Gregory here.”

“Did I hear my name?” Gregory steps out of the darkness towards us.

“Thank you for coming,” I smile relieved. “I need your help.”

“Why in the world would I want to do that?” He bursts out laughing. “You’re already indebted to me. You might get spoiled.”

“Because you’re my brother,” my words are clear and steady. “And that’s what siblings do – help each other.”

“So,” his smile turns upside down. “The old man finally confessed.”

“You don’t know half of it,” I roll my eyes. “Clyde’s also your brother.”

“Damn,” Gregory raises his eyebrows. “The man was busy.”

“Gregory,” I say urgently as I take a step closer. “Please, time is of the essence. You’re the only one that can help me now. I think Killian is about to bomb Moon Shadow and I need to get the pack to safety. I’m not asking for me, it’s for the pack.”

“Ada, I’m not getting involved in your and Kilian’s business,” he shakes his head. “And just out of curiosity, why are you asking me and not Theo? He’s the alpha, it’s his problem.”

“I’m the alpha,” I pull my shoulders back and he looks at me with shock. “I forced him to step down after he confessed about you and Clyde. He treated you poorly and I want to rectify it.”

“Too little too late, sis,” he sneers. “You can’t bring back my wife and child.”

“No,” I say softly. “I can’t, but I can bring you face to face with the man who killed them.”

“Who?” He growls and his eyes blaze.

“I won’t tell you until you help me,” I shake my head.

“Then I will kill you all,” he bellows.

“Do it!” I shout angrily and take a threatening step closer. “Go ahead, wipe out Moon Shadow. Make the deliberate choice of killing innocent people. That would make you a bigger monster than the person that accidentally killed your family. See how that would help you feel better.”

“You have no idea how it feels to lose everything,” he shouts.

“F*ck your feelings,” I yell beyond myself. I had enough of men and their vengeful egos. “You think you’re the only one that hurts? I have lost more than I care for and I’m about to lose more. The universe doesn’t give a f*ck about your hardships and feelings. Life goes on with or without you. You either tag along or you stay behind. Are you really so caught up in your own sorrow that you’re willing to let other people die? If everyone argues like that and lives for revenge, there will only be death. How would your wife and daughter feel if they hear you now?”

“Don’t you f*cking dare!” He pushes his finger under my nose. His chest is heaving from anger. “You didn’t know them, and you have no right.”

“They were my family,” I gently take his finger and pry open his hand to intertwine our fingers. “I had a sister, and I never knew. It breaks my heart that I never got to know them. But you … you still have me, Tyler and Zayne. You do have the opportunity to be part of a family again. Please, brother, I need you.”

For the longest time, he only looks down at our tangled fingers. When he finally looks at me, he has tears in his eyes.

“What do you want from me?” He croaks and pulls his hand away from mine.

“I need you to lead and protect our pack outside of our borders,” I say softly. “You know this area and hiding places better than anyone. Keep them safe while I take care of Killian and Clyde.”

“Okay,” he nods after a while.

“Thank you,” I sigh and spontaneously throw my arms around his waist and hug him tightly. He is as stiff as a board in my arms but after a moment his arms go around me, and it warms my heart.

“I’m sending them right away,” I smile as I pull away. “Thank you.”

“Ada,” he calls me as I walk to the Jeep, and I turn around. “You’re just going to trust me like this? With all those lives?”

“Of course,” I shrug. “You’re my brother.”

He only smiles and nods at me as I climb into the Jeep and speed away.

Blake does not say a word as we drive back, and I am grateful for it. My mind is too occupied to pay attention to him now. I am just relieved this mate business is over and … oh, dear goddess, I forgot about Reese. I feel like a worm for not checking in on him after Taima returned. To be fair, Blake came to me – I was too focused on the pack’s safety.

“How’s Reese doing?” I ask.

“Okay, I guess,” Blake shrugs nonchalantly. “He was piss*d off at me even before your wolf returned. Naturally, I’m the last person in whom he would confide. I figure it’s safe to say he’s disappointed. He really did believe you’re his mate.”

“I feel terrible,” I admit. “He’s really a great guy and the last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt him.”

“Ada, I’m sorry to say this, but I warned him,” Blake grunts.

“I know,” I grin as I recall our fights. “You were fighting this mate scenario from the very beginning.”

“Once he finds his mate, he will look back at this and realize this is for the best,” Blake replies.

“I just hope he’s still willing to help us,” I sigh as I park. “I know it’s a lot to ask from him, but you guys scouted the caves and I need all the help I can get.”

“I’m certain he’ll help if you ask him,” Blake says as we climb out. “And I’ll do my part and stay far, far away when you talk to him. I’m the last person he wants to see now.”

“That’s terrible,” I stop dead in my tracks and look at him. “You’re best friends, this shouldn’t get between you.”

“You’re cute when you’re upset,” Blake grins as he folds me into his embrace. “And Reese and I will be friends again when he’s ready.”

“I hope you’re right,” I smile as I push my worries aside for a moment to enjoy his presence.

“I’m always right,” he grins before he captures my lips.

The world spins as I indulge his touch.

“We’ll have to see about that,” I murmur against his lips before I take his hand and walk to the castle.