Chapter 58 - Ada's Mate
Gregory
Killian is surprisingly fast for an injured wolf, and he has the advantage of knowing the caves. But Tyler and I stay on his heels. More than once, Tyler or I misjudge a corner and we skid into the walls, but we are up instantly and stay on Killian.
I am right on Killian’s a$s; I jump forward and bite into his tail. Killian yelps quickly and jerks his tail out of my mouth as he increases his speed.
Suddenly we are out of the caves and onto the beach. Tyler pushes past me with incredible speed and jumps in front of Killian. He stops abruptly and dives nose-first into the sand. He sits up and shakes his fur before he shifts back as Tyler and I circle him.
“Enough,” Killian is clutching his bleeding side. “Let’s talk about this.”
Tyler is the first to shift back and he goes to stand tall and proud in front of Killian, and I follow.
“There’s nothing to say,” he growls. “You and Clyde tried to wipe out my family. You must pay for it.”
“That’s Clyde, not me,” Killian spits the words. “And I already killed him. I did you a favour.”
“But you’re the one that wanted to kill Ada,” I add.
“I didn’t want her dead in the beginning,” Killian huffs as he stands up. “I wanted a mate. But she changed her mind and I had to adjust accordingly.”
“It doesn’t matter how you justify it,” Tyler says angrily. “You threatened my family.”
“Why can you forgive him and not me?” Killian points a finger accusingly at me. “He actually killed your pack members.”
“Because he came to his senses, and you didn’t,” Tyler sneers. “He’s the one protecting us against you, and he’s my brother.”
Killian opens his mouth to say something, but Tyler grabs him by the hair and pulls him up.
“Come on,” Tyler starts dragging him. “We have a pretty room in our pretty dungeon just for you. Our alpha would love to have a word with you.”
“What’s wrong with the two of you?” Killian struggles against Tyler’s hold. “Why are you allowing Ada to be alpha? Doesn’t it pi$s you off that a woman took your job?”
“My word, Gregory,” Tyler looks at me with big eyes. “Killian is a neanderthal.”
“Just when I thought I couldn’t dislike him more,” I chuckle.
Ada
Margo is looking at me with big, fear-filled eyes as I stalk closer.
“You are the absolute worst,” I mind link her. “Of all the despicable things Clyde has done to me, nothing compares to what you have done. You were supposed to protect and guide me. Instead, you tossed me aside and allowed him to humiliate and taint me. You lied and discredited me with Father. You failed me.”
“I never came here to raise you,” she shouts hysterically. “I did what every mother would do – fight for her child’s rightful place.”
“And how did that work out for you?” I link. “You and Clyde could’ve stayed here in luxury until the end of your days. But you were greedy and now you have nothing.”
“Ada, you need to calm down and think,” Margo reasons. “You might be alpha, but what would your father say when he hears you killed me?”
“You would’ve already been dead if I didn’t stop him,” I sneer, and her eyes go wider. “I told him everything, Margo. He knows what you’ve done.”
“Ada, please don’t,” Margo whimpers as my face is only inches from hers.
“Do you have any idea how many times I said that to Clyde?” I claw her from the side, and she falls to the floor. “Night after night. Over and over, I begged him to stop, but he didn’t.”
“I’m sorry,” she sobs, and I put my paw on her throat.
“I don’t care how sorry you are,” I apply pressure with my paw, and she frantically gasps for air as she tries to remove my foot. “Sorry will not restore my innocence. Sorry will not dry my endless tears.”
Margo squirms and wiggles desperately to free herself, but I add pressure. Emotionless I watch as she gets weaker until her eyes flutter into the back of her head and she stops breathing.
I remove my paw and stammer to the side before I go sit down. Blake quietly comes to sit next to me, but I hardly notice it. The chamber reeks of blood and death. I look at the bodies that are scattered around and it saddens me. All of this could have been prevented if Dad did not neglect his duty as alpha.
“Are you okay, Ada?” Zayne mind links me.
“Yes,” I reply as I stand up. Zayne must never know how much this affected me. He needs an example of a strong alpha. “It was unpleasant, but it needed to be done.”
“Ada?” Zayne looks at me with sad eyes. “Did you have to kill Margo?”
His question breaks my heart and I swallow hard.
“Yes, Zayne,” I pull myself together. “You were the only one she liked, and she would’ve played that card over and over until you gave in and let her out of the dungeon. Do you and Tara really want to raise your children with her around?”
“I guess you’re right,” he hangs his head.
“Let’s go,” I sigh with a heavy heart as I lead the way.
Zayne has a long way to go and toughen up to do before he can take over as alpha. If he does not, he will repeat Father’s mistakes.
When we reach the entrance of the caves, I shift back and put on Blake’s t-shirt. Nobody says a word as they get dressed.
“Zoe,” I mind link. “What’s the status on Lola?”
“She’s safely tucked in the dungeon,” she replies.
“Thanks, we’re on our way.”
Blake’s arms go around my waist from behind and I turn towards him. I inhale his scent deeply and concentrate on his presence until I am calm again.
“You did good,” he whispers in my ear, and I kiss him quickly.
“Where’s Tyler’s clothes?” Zayne asks as he looks around.
“Over here,” Tyler shouts from outside the caves and we follow his voice.
Killian looks miserable as he sits on the sand while Tyler and Gregory guard him. Tyler is wearing his pants while Gregory has wrapped Tyler’s shirt around his hips.
“Well then,” I plaster a huge smile on my face. “I will let Willow and Violet know it’s safe to bring the pack back and go to bed. It’s been a long day.”
“Oh, and Gregory,” I turn to him. “That includes your members. You’re all welcome to join our pack or just stay for the night. The choice is completely up to you.”
“Tsk, Killian,” I give him a pitiful look. “Unfortunately, we are out of beds but don’t worry. There’s plenty of room in the dungeon.”
“Just kill me and be done with it,” he grunts.
“I’m too tired,” I suppress a yawn. “Maybe tomorrow.”
“Come on, big boy,” Gregory helps him up but Killian swings at him and hit him solid on the nose before he turns around and runs in the opposite direction.
“Allow me,” Gregory grunts as he wipes the blood from his face before he follows Killian.
“Shouldn’t we help Gregory?” Zayne asks worriedly.
“We’ll be there when he needs us,” I reply, and I do not take my eyes off Killian.
But I do not need to worry, Gregory is twice as fast, and he easily catches up and tackles Killian.
Killian fiercely tries to fight Gregory off, but it is useless. Gregory is straddling his chest and launches one blow after the other. I was about to step in and stop the fight when Gregory gets off Killian and walks to the ocean to wash his hands.
Killian is as unsteady on his feet as a newborn deer when Gregory helps him to his feet once more. Gregory is grinning from ear to ear as he pulls Killian towards us.
“You motherf*cker,” Gregory bellows as Killian bends over and bites him on his arm.
“Get off,” Gregory yells, but Killian refuses to budge.
“Killian, stop it,” I shout as I run closer.
“Let. Go.” Gregory hisses as he jams his fist into Killian’s throat.
Instantly, Killian lets go and drops to the sand.
“F*ck, that hurts,” Gregory complains as he holds his bleeding arm. “He nearly took a chunk of flesh.”
“Help me to secure his arms,” I say to Blake as I kneel with my knee on Killian’s back.
Blake twists Killian’s arms around his back and pushes his wrists upwards.
“Ada,” Blake says my name softly as he looks at me and lets go of Killian’s arms. “It’s over.”
“Wha …” My words dry up as the meaning of Blake’s words dawns on me.
I remove my knee from Killian’s back and turn him over. His lifeless eyes stare at the sky and his mouth is half open. I place my finger against his neck to feel for a pulse, but there is nothing.
“Gregory,” I say softly as I look at him. “Do you realize what this means?”