Chapter 66 - Ada's Mate
Ada
“Wow, Ada, you look beautiful,” Gregory looks at me with admiration and my insides tingle with satisfaction. “Blake’s one lucky guy.”
“Thank you for saying that,” I smile and hug him tightly. “And thank you for doing this. I always thought Dad would …”
“Don’t cry,” Gregory says hastily. “You’re going to ruin your makeup.”
“I can’t help it,” I inhale deeply to calm myself. “I miss him so much and …”
“Ada, please,” Gregory places his hands on my shoulders. “You’re an ugly crier, don’t do this.”
“Jerk,” I snort but his words had the right effect and I manage to keep my emotions under control. “But thank you.”
“That’s what big brothers are for,” he smiles gently.
“Ada, are you ready?” Zoe bursts in unannounced.
“Good, you’re not crying,” she sighs and places her hand on her heart. “Because if you cry, I will cry and then I’ll start lactating.”
“Why would she cry?” Gregory gives Zoe a warning look, but she misses it completely.
“Because of her dad, what else?” Zoe huffs.
“Will you shut up?” Gregory growls at her and she nods eagerly when she finally catches on.
“Yeah, okay. Anyway, everybody’s here and in place,” she gives me her brightest smile. “All that’s missing, is you.”
“If you want to change your mind, now is the time,” Gregory smiles wickedly.
“Not in this lifetime,” I laugh happily as I accept his arm and follow him downstairs.
**
I swallow hard when I look at the number of people waiting for me to walk down the aisle. What were we thinking inviting so many people? It is not that I am shy to walk past them, but the aisle seems a mile long. It is going to take forever to get to Blake, and I cannot wait to be with him.
We initially wanted a small wedding. But Blake is an alpha, and I used to be one. So, we invited both packs and all the surrounding pack’s alphas. And Petra’s family came to visit when little Adeline was born, and it only felt right that they should stay for this. Not that they care if I get married or not, but it is more time with little Addy.
“That’s our cue,” Zoe says excitedly when the harpist starts playing the wedding march.
“It’s too late now,” Gregory takes my hand and warps it around his arm. “You should’ve run when I told you to.”
“Oh, I want to run,” I grin. “But towards Blake, not away.”
“We shall keep a respectable pace as expected,” he says with a pretentious voice as we start walking.
I am vaguely aware of people reacting as we walk down the aisle, but it is nothing more than white noise to me. All I see is Blake’s handsome face and his piercing blue eyes holding mine. My heart rate quickens, and I want to walk faster, but Gregory holds my hand tightly and I must follow his lead.
Blake takes a step towards us and anxiously I turn to Gregory.
“Go and be happy,” Gregory cups my face and kisses me on the forehead. “You deserve it.”
“I love you,” I mumble as I throw my arms around his waist and tightly hug him.
“I love you too, little sis,” he says with misty eyes when I pull away and turn to Blake.
“You’re gorgeous,” Blake whispers with a hoarse voice as he takes my hand.
“Take care of her, she’s precious to me,” Gregory smiles before he turns away and takes his seat.
Blake leads me to our spot, and we take our places. But the entire ceremony is wasted on me. I have no idea what is being said, I only have eyes for Blake. I repeat my vows and we exchange rings but before we could be declared as husband and wife, my arms are around Blake’s neck, and I kiss him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the priest continues. “I give you – a very eager – husband and wife.”
**
“How long do you think until we can leave?” I ask Blake as he steers me over the dancefloor. “I want to do things to you.”
“We haven’t even eaten yet,” Blake chuckles and twirls me twice before I am back in his arms.
“Food is for the weak,” I bat my eyelashes at him.
“Then I’m weak,” he laughs. “Because I’m starving.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “I don’t want you fainting on me.”
The song ends and we fight our way to our table through the endless people coming to congratulate us.
“Congratulations, Blake,” a man that I have not seen before holds out his hand and Blake accepts it. “And to your beautiful bride.”
I smile politely as I accept their wishes but something unpleasant stirs in me as I look at them. Why do they seem uncomfortable? Or unhappy? I cannot place my finger on it, but there is definitely something off about these two.
“Ada,” the woman glances nervously at her husband before she looks at me. “Why did Gregory walk you down the aisle and not one of your brothers?”
“Excuse me?” My fingernails dig into Blake’s hand as I try to keep calm. Who the fuck is this woman implying that Gregory is not my brother? “Who are you?”
“My apologies,” the woman blushes. “I forgot that we weren’t formally introduced. I’m Beatrice and this is my husband, alpha Craig.”
I cling to Blake for dear life to keep upright. I know we invited all the neighbouring alphas. But that was Blake’s department and I never asked – or looked – at the names. If would never have invited them if I knew. And I cannot blame Blake. I never told him who Gregory’s parents are. This is entirely my fault and I need to fix it quickly before Gregory finds out. I do not want to upset him.
“Gregory is my brother,” I hiss as I straighten my shoulders and look her dead in the eye. “And he means the world to me. I think it’s best if you leave now.”
“The audacity,” Craig scoffs and looks at me as if I crawled out of the trash.
“Put a cork in it, old man,” I glare at him furiously. “Before I really tell you what I think about egotistical pricks like you that kick out their children like a pair of old shoes.”
“Please, you don’t understand,” Beatrice tries to calm me down.
“What’s there to understand?” I raise my eyebrows. “You’re the one that fucked up and your innocent child had to pay the price. Now leave before I have you removed.”
“It’s okay, Ada,” Gregory says behind me, and I swing around.
“Gregory, I’m so sorry,” I look at him apologetically. “It’s my fault, I accidentally invited them.”
“Relax,” he smiles at me. “It’s fine.”
“Hello Mother,” he nods. “And Craig.”
“See?” Craig smirks as he looks Gregory up and down. “You were worried for nothing. Your precious little boy found a pack.”
“Is Becky here?” Beatrice looks hopefully at him. “I would love to see her.”
“She’s dead,” Gregory replies in an emotionless monotone. “So is my wife.”
“No,” Beatrice’s eyes fill with tears, and she presses her fingers against her trembling lips.
“What’s wrong with you,” Craig grunts. “Couldn’t you at least break the news to your mother with tact?”
“Like you when you kicked me out?” Gregory raises his eyebrows.
“Greg, honey,” Beatrice reaches out to him, but he takes a step back.
“His name is Gregory,” I say firmly as I look at him and he smiles at me. “Alpha Gregory to be correct.”
“But I thought Tyler is alpha?” Craig frowns confused.
“He is,” I reply coolly. “Gregory is alpha of Opal Moon, which is one of the strongest and richest packs, all thanks to him.”
“Gregory, please,” Beatrice pleads. “Can we talk for a moment?”
“About what, Mother?” His voice is filled with ice.
“I … I worry about you,” she says softly.
“You shouldn’t,” he says brusquely. “As you can see, I’m doing just fine on my own.”
“I love you,” she starts crying openly. “I want to make things right.”
“There’s nothing to fix, Mother,” Gregory’s eyes are shooting flames at her. “What’s done, is done. I accepted it and moved on. I suggest you do the same.”
“You’re my son,” she sobs.
“And you chose him over your son,” he replies.
“But if makes you feel any better, I forgave you a long time ago,” he continues as he looks at me and I can see the anger draining from his eyes. “Thanks to my sister who told me that without forgiveness, there will only be death.”
“What a load of crap,” Craig snorts.
“I don’t care about your opinion,” Gregory laughs. “You’re a childless alpha and you’re not ageing well. Stay, go home, I don’t care. I’m only here to ask my sister for a dance.”
“It would be my honour, Alpha,” I smile brightly as I accept his hand and walk to the dancefloor.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask as we glide over the floor.
“Oh, this was perfect,” he chuckles. “This was just what I needed to finally put it behind me. I could tell my mother I forgave her and stick it to Craig.”
“I’m glad,” I smile relieved. “And I’m really sorry for inviting them.”
“I’m not,” he laughs.