Chapter 65: Ada's Mate
Ada
“Are you sure?” Petra looks sceptically at me. We are lazily stretched out on beach chairs under an umbrella, enjoying the sun as the men play beach volleyball. “I mean, I don’t even know them that well. I don’t want to spoil your evening out.”
“You’ll do no such thing,” I snort. Petra has met my friends briefly, but she has never joined us when we spend time together. Even though I have invited her every time. “And you were the one who said it sounded like fun when I told you of our escapades.”
“Ada, I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m a shy person,” Petra looks down at her hands. “I might be a drag.”
“You won’t,” I reach over and squeeze her hand. “And they all like you. Please come?”
“I’m as big as a bus,” she looks down at her stomach. “It will crank your style.”
“Goddess, please,” I burst out laughing because of the phrase she used. “So is Zoe. You’re both eight months pregnant and I know for a fact that she’ll love having a fellow mom-to-be.”
“But …”
“You’re coming and that’s final,” I raise my eyebrows at her. “Even if it means I must carry you there.”
“Fine,” she huffs. “But if they don’t like me, I’m calling Tyler to come and fetch me.”
“Deal,” I smile satisfied as I lean back and close my eyes.
“Ada,” Petra looks at me after a moment of silence. “Is it normal for the woman to sacrifice her dreams for her man?”
“What do you mean?” I frown.
“Well, you’re giving up the alpha title to be with Blake,” she shrugs. “Doesn’t that bother you?”
“Not in the least,” I answer honestly. “I was never meant to be the alpha, remember? I only helped out.”
“But you’re so good at it,” Petra argues. “I watched your pack at the Christmas party. They all worship and love you. What you did for the children that night was so amazing. You brought them so much joy. You were born to do it, why give it up?”
“I’m not giving up anything. I’m upgrading. Trading a title for my mate is not a sacrifice,” I smile as I look at Blake who is joking around with Tyler. “Petra, I can have both the title and my mate if I chose to. Blake will step down in a heartbeat and let his brother take over. But that’s not what I want, I want to work with troubled children and help them through tough times so that they can become strong and self-sufficient adults. And I cannot do that when I’m the alpha.”
“You’ll be great at that,” Petra smiles.
“Why are you asking me this?” I look at her curiously. “Do you feel that you sacrificed things for Tyler?”
“Not at all,” she chuckles. “If anything, it’s the opposite. He gave up on the idea of travelling to be with me. And I was the one that convinced him to have a baby. Sometimes I’m afraid I trapped him and made him give up on his dreams.”
“Are you kidding me?” I laugh. “Tyler always wanted to be a father. He just decided against it because he doesn’t want to carry on the disease. You didn’t trap him. If anything, you made his dreams come true.”
“Thank you for saying that,” Petra sniffs and I look at her in surprise.
“Don’t mind me,” she waves at me. “I cry when I’m happy.”
“Come on,” I stand up and hold my hand out to her. “Let’s get you back inside so you can rest before tonight.”
**
The foyer of the hotel is classy and sophisticated with its gold and cream décor.
“Alpha,” a short, little man smiles as he walks up to me and Petra. “We’re delighted to have you.”
“Thank you,” I smile.
“Please follow me,” he motions towards wooden and glass doors. “The rest of your party has already arrived.”
In silence, we follow him but the second he opens the door the quiet shatters.
“Ada!” Zoe shrieks as she waggles towards me with open arms as fast as her belly would allow her.
“Dear goddess, Zoe,” I chuckle as I hug her. “We saw each other last week.”
“What’s your point?” Zoe raises her eyebrows and I roll my eyes at her.
“So, what’s the occasion?” Zoe asks after Petra, and I take our seats and ordered a drink.
“What do you mean?” I smile innocently. “We get together like this all the time.”
“Yeah, at home,” Willow snorts. “Never in such a fancy place.”
“Okay, fine,” I roll my eyes. “I brought you to hear to ask if you’re willing to be my bridesmaids.”
“Hell, yes,” Willow raises her glass.
“You shouldn’t even have to ask,” Violet chimes in. “We’ll always be there for you.”
“But I can’t,” Zoe’s bottom lip quivers. “I’m pregnant. You don’t want a pregnant bridesmaid.”
“You’re not going to be pregnant forever, Zoe,” I lay my hand on hers. “And the wedding is in four months, and you’re due in three weeks.”
“Four months?” Violet nearly chokes on her drink. “That soon? How will you ever get everything done by then?”
“Easy,” I shrug. “Everything has been arranged already. It’s just our dresses and then I’m good to ‘I do’.”
“It’s true,” Willow smiles. “I should know, I helped with everything.”
“Why didn’t you ask me to help?” Violet pouts.
“Because you’re Opal Moon now,” Willow snorts. “Traitor.”
“I’m not,” Violet protests indignantly. “I …”
“I’m kidding, geez,” Willow rolls her eyes.
I only smile as I look at them. Willow will never admit it, but she misses Violet terribly. They were inseparable and best friends. Now, Violet moved on and accepted her mate. She resigned from Moon Shadow and is now Gregory’s lead warrior. Willow and Violet see each other as often as they can, but it is not the same.
“Girls,” I call them to order. “Can I count on the four of you for my big day?”
“Four?” Petra frowns. “Me too?”
“But of course,” I laugh. “You’re my sister. And I’m not so cruel to bring you here just to exclude you from everything.”
“I would love to,” Petra starts waving her hands in front of her face to dry the tears. “Sorry, hormones.”
“I know,” Zoe sniffs and daps a tissue against her eyes. “Me too.”
“Oh, dear goddess, spare me,” Willow grunts and downs her drink.
“Willow, I order you to slap me if I cry when I’m pregnant,” Violet whispers and Willow holds up her pinkie as a promise.
“Great,” I clasp my hands together. “I was thinking princess colours for your dresses. Pink, purple, silver and blue.”
“Really?” Violet gapes at me with big eyes. “O … okay, sure.”
“No!” I burst out laughing. “But you’re a great friend for agreeing. I’m going with sage green.”
“That I can work with,” Violet sighs relieved.
“Now,” I pull out my folder and lay it open on the table. “Let’s talk fabric and styles.”
The evening sweeps by as we decide on dresses, designs and accessories.
“Who’s your maid of honour?” Willow asks when we are done with the dresses. “I mean, somebody has to organize your bachelorette party.”
“I was hoping you would do it,” I look at Zoe.
“Me too,” Willows adds.
“Me three,” Violet raises her glass.
“Are you guys voting?” Petra asks baffled.
“Force of habit,” Willow laughs.
“I would love to,” Zoe tries to reach over to hug me, but her stomach gets in the way, and she gives up and settles to squeeze my hand.
“Then it’s settled,” I smile. “And it works out perfectly because Cooper is the best man.”
“Who’s the other groomsmen?” Willow asks curiously.
“Tyler, Zayne and Reese,” I smile.
“Holy sh*t,” Violet gapes at me. “Reese?”
“That’s going to be so awkward,” Willow pulls her face as she shares a look with Violet.
“No, it’s not,” Zoe steps in. “Reese is over his infatuation with Ada and his friendship with Blake is back to normal.”
“Are you sure?” Violet raises her eyebrows sceptically.
“Yes, she is,” I say adamantly. “I see Reese all the time when I visit Blake. And Reese’s mate is a lovely girl.”
“Why didn’t you lead with that?” Willow huffs. “Now it all makes sense.”
“Oh, cr*p, Ada,” Zoe looks at me in shock. “You forgot about Tara. She will be offended if you don’t include her.”
“No, she won’t,” I smile wickedly. “She and I already talked, and she declined. She’s going to be way too pregnant.”
“Tara’s pregnant?” Zoe shrieks excitedly.
“Yes, but keep it quiet,” I hush her. “They’re keeping it a secret for another two weeks until she’s in her second trimester.”
“Don’t you dare get pregnant,” Willow points a finger at Violet. “Not until after the wedding. I’m not in the mood for non-alcoholic champagne.”
“I hear you,” Violet high five Willow.