Chapter 62 - Ada's Mate

Ada

Tyler and Zayne are waiting for me when I stop at home, and my stomach dives. I do hope there is no more drama waiting – I had enough to last me a lifetime.

“Where have you been?” Zayne jerks my door open before I can do it. “Dad’s awake.”

“That’s great,” I smile weakly as I climb out of the car. “I’ll go see him in a minute.”

“Why not now?” He looks disappointed.

“Because bodies are decomposing in our caves, Zayne,” I say patiently. “I need to make arrangements about that. You can go, you don’t need to wait for me.”

“Fine,” Zayne grunts and walks away.

“Ada,” Tyler falls in next to me as I walk home. “I will postpone my flight to Greece and help you wrap up everything before I leave.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” I stop and turn to him. “You can postpone your flight for any other reason, but not for that. Everything is fine now; Moon Shadow is fine. You should do what makes you happy.”

“What about you and Blake?” He raises his eyebrows. “Aren’t you in a hurry to go with him and be his Luna? Things were different when Dad was healthy. With him sick, you or I must stay until Zayne is ready to lead.”

“Oh, Tyler,” I smile sadly as I hug him. “You’re the best brother of all.”

“But you should go,” I step out of his embrace and look at him. “I found my mate and happiness. Now it’s your turn. Blake and I will work things out. There’s no rush for me to join his pack.”

“Are you sure?” Tyler looks intensely at me.

“Yes,” I make my eyes big at him. “I’m sure. Now come on, I have work to do.”

**

The stench of death hits me solid between the eyes when I enter the dungeon. Oh, dear goddess, I forgot about Shay last night. Not that I was going to get him medical attention, but I could have at least arranged for his body to be removed. Quickly I run to his cell and sigh when I look at his body.

I mind-link Zoe and ask her to arrange for Shay to be removed and his cell to be cleaned before I continue to Lola. She is laying on the bed, curled up in a ball with tear marks on her face.

“Get up,” my words are firm and harsh, and she quickly sits up and looks at me with fear and uncertainty. “You need to get cleaned up before you see Toby.”

“You’re letting me go?” She asks hopefully.

“No,” I scoff. “But I’m not going to emotionally scar my nephew because his parents are idi*ts.”

“What are you going to do to me?” Lola’s voice is small and weepy.

“You’re going to get a fair trial,” I reply as we walk to the castle. “And you’re going to remain locked up here until the verdict.”

“But Toby …”

“Don’t even think about playing the sympathy card,” I hiss at her. “You didn’t think of him when you joined forces with Clyde. Don’t pretend to care now.”

“That’s where you’re mistaken,” she sniffs. “I did it for him. I wanted us to be a family.”

“Clyde f*cked everything with a pulse,” I huff. “You were a fool to think that he would change. He only used you so he could escape.”

“What’s going to happen with Toby?” She asks softly.

“That’s what we’re going to figure out now,” my tone is kinder as I reply.

I take Lola to my room to take a shower and I give her my clothes before we meet Toby and Gladys in Margo’s quarters where they have spent the night.

“Mommy!” Toby yells happily as he rushes into her arms.

She picks him up and holds him tightly against her and I must fight my emotions. This is so unfair. Lola might be a fool for following Clyde, but she is a good and loving mother. By punishing her, I am also punishing Toby.

“Olga,” I turn to the Omega that is quietly standing in the corner. “Will you show Toby the playground in the backyard, please?”

“Certainly, Alpha,” she nods and takes Toby by the hand.

An awkward silence fills the room as Lola looks at Gladys.

“Mom, I’m sorry,” Lola whispers as she goes to stand in front of Gladys. “I …”

The sound of Gladys’ open hand against Lola’s cheek is defeating.

“How could you?” Gladys cries. “And you dragged your brother into this. Now he’s dead! Do you hear me? Dead!”

“Okay,” I quickly step in between them. “Let’s focus on Toby for now. Lola’s not going anywhere and the two of you can discuss this at a later stage.”

“You broke my heart,” Gladys says to Lola before she sits down and grabs a tissue to mutilate between her fingers.

“Please take a seat, Lola,” I say as I sit down, and wait for her before I continue. “We’re here to discuss the matter of Toby’s guardianship.”

“I want my mother to raise him,” Lola clears her throat. “It would be the least disruption for him to grow up in the house that he knows.”

“Gladys?” I ask softly when she does not reply.

“What’s the alternative?” She looks at me. “Welfare?”

“Mother!” Lola exclaims. “You can’t do that to him.”

“Don’t you tell me what to do,” Gladys snaps at her. “You’re the one doing this to him, not me. His father was a bastard and a pig. Now you’re expecting me to care for him when looking at him is a reminder of what I’ve lost.”

“He’s more than just Clyde’s son,” Lola argues. “He’s mine too and you’re grandson. Don’t take your anger out on him. He’s innocent.”

“You’re no longer my daughter,” Gladys says through tight lips. “And he’s no longer my grandson.”

“Mother, that’s cruel,” Lola gasps, but Gladys ignores her and looks at me.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Alpha,” Gladys stands up. “I will return home now. This matter no longer involves me.”

“You’re welcome,” I stand to face her. “And if you change your mind about Toby, feel free …”

“I won’t,” she says adamantly and lifts her chin. “But I would appreciate it if you could return Grant’s body. I want to bury him.”

“Sure,” I nod.

“Mom, please don’t do this,” Lola begs and grabs Gladys’ hand, but she jerks away as if Lola’s touch is burning her.

“And don’t bother keeping me updated about this one,” Gladys sneers before she storms out.

“Mom, pleeeeeeeeease,” Lola sobs and I pull her into my embrace as she weeps. I hold her tightly and stroke her back until she is calmer.

“Lola,” I help her to sit down. “Toby will be fine.”

“No,” she shakes her head. “He will grow up in foster care and …”

“He won’t,” I say firmly. “He’s my nephew and I won’t allow it.”

“But he’s Clyde’s son,” she sniffs and wipes her eyes. “And he was horrible to you.”

“That’s not Toby’s fault,” I snort. “That poor boy hasn’t done anything wrong, why punish him for his father’s sins? Toby will grow up here in this castle and he will be raised as part of the alpha family. He will be loved and cared for; I promise.”

“I don’t want Toby to know what I’ve done,” she looks at me with devastation and sorrow.

“Trust me,” I sigh as I get up. “You should tell him. Stuff like this tends to creep up from behind and bite you in the ass. If you don’t tell him, somebody else might. And then it will be so much worse. Don’t let history repeat itself.”

“Okay,” she sniffs, and I sigh internally when I look at her. From what I have seen, Lola does not make the best decisions and I doubt that she would tell Toby.

“You can spend the day with Toby,” I say. “But you’re not allowed to leave this quarters. There will be guards around the clock. Spend the time wisely, you’re going back to the dungeon tonight.”

She only nods and I turn around and walk to my office. I groan out loud as I look at the chaos that was once an office. I step over the debris and pick up a framed photo. The glass is shattered, but the picture is still intact. My eyes well up as I look at the laughing faces. Mom, Dad, me and my brothers. It is hard to believe that was once us.

“Ada,” Reese’s voice is soft, and I turn around to face him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I smile through the tears. “It’s just … things could’ve been so different.”

“I’m sorry,” he puts his arms around me, and I hold on to him.

We remain like that until I regain my composure.

“I’m sorry things didn’t work out for us,” I gently pull away from him.

“So am I,” he smiles despondently. “But I’m not sorry I tried.”

“Neither am I,” I take his hands. “We had good times together.”

“That we did,” he smiles wickedly, and I cannot stop the blush that is creeping up my neck.

“You and Blake?” I ask cautiously.

“Are still friends,” he shrugs. “I was hurt and disappointed and lashed out. He gets it.”

“I’m so happy to hear that,” I smile relieved.

“Anyway, I’m only here to say goodbye,” he smiles. “I’ve been away from home too long.”

“Thank you for staying and helping me get out of this mess,” I motion to the chaos around me.

“I’ll see you around,” he smirks as he turns around.

“I hope so,” I sigh as I watch him leave.