176: Nik's POV

176: Nik's POV
It was dark by the time we’d all returned to the cottage and begun to settle. Ada had started a fire after Darius had given the all-clear for the chimney. The warmth radiated through the quaint living room, kitchen, and breakfast nook. Phoenix had prepared rations for each of us, and we were all sitting by the fire enjoying them. No light conversation filled the air—only the sounds of the fire crackling and each of us chewing.

We still hadn’t been able to talk. There was plenty for us to address. Some topics were going to be easier than others. I hope at least half of what we needed to talk about feels more like giving or receiving a report. A recap of sorts. It was the other parts that I was uneasy about approaching in a cottage where the walls were so thin, and we were surrounded by enemies-turned-into-forced-allies.

Someone clearing their throat yanked me from my anxieties. Paul, one of the scarred Lennox brothers, popped a piece of jerky in his mouth and nodded at Ada, “Tell us about whose cottage this is.”

She shrugged, tossing a small stick into the fireplace. Ada was careful to avoid meeting mine or my brother’s gazes. Her voice was soft, “He’s dead now. There’s not much to say.”

Darius sighed as Phoenix rested a hand on Ada’s shoulder, giving a light squeeze. My older brother simply stated, “Adrian was a good man.”

“Did he die in battle?” Felix cocked his head to the side, studying Ada’s expression.

My mate met his gaze, stating flatly, “I got him killed.”

“We killed him,” Phoenix motioned to me, Darius, and himself.

Paul nodded slowly, eyes flickering to Bryant. “Anything to add?”

“He used to visit Ada when we’d effectively exiled her,” Bryant spoke, causing Ada to go stock-still, staring at him with wide eyes. “He thought I didn’t know, but he’d take her food, bring her books. I think he was her only friend left before I sent her to Oberon Castle.”

Felix arched a dark eyebrow, “Why didn’t you put a stop to it?” Bryant’s eyebrows furrowed. His lips parted slightly as he stared into the fire. Felix shot him a sympathetic look and patted him on his knee. “Perhaps you fought whatever spell was cast on you harder than you thought, old man.”

My eyes were locked on Ada. She sniffled, wiping beneath her nose with the back of her hand before standing up. Her eyes met my dark ones. Pain was swimming in them. Exhaustion was present in every curve of her face. Without saying a word, she walked away from everyone and started toward the bedroom in the back. I could tell from the way Blade’s shoulders stiffened that she was saying something to him mentally.

A fiery hot ball of jealousy took root in my stomach. Before I could even form words, Blade nodded at Dagger. “I’m first shift, and you’re second tonight.” he climbed to his feet. “Sleep on the couch, and I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

Our eyes met as he started toward the door. A knowing smirk crossed his face. He dipped out the door to the cottage without another word.

Darius sighed and stood up, looking at Phoenix and I. “It’s probably time to get this all over with.”

Phoenix ran a hand through his cropped hair. “I’m actually going to go join Blade,” he leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Try and remember that she’s had a lot of things forced on her lately.”

“Yeah, like two new mates,” Darius grumbled, a bit too loudly.

Dagger, who had already booted the Lennox brothers off the couch, smirked. His half-asleep voice sang out, “Don’t be jealous. Our mate bonds don’t work the same as you wolves.”

“Certainly leave more of a mark,” Phoenix retorted, heading out the front door to join Blade.

I stood and made my way to the bedroom Ada had disappeared into. Darius sighed as he matched my stride. Ada was waiting for us when we entered the room. She had pulled a throw from the back of the chair she was sitting in and enveloped herself with it.

The room was hers. It was easy to tell. A worn quilt lay over the small bed in the center of the room. Where she was sitting was in the corner. There was a petite reading table with a flickering oil lamp on it beside her. The furniture itself was quaint wooden furniture, a matching set of nightstands and a dresser. Rose-patterned wallpaper was beginning to peel off the walls. Oil lamps were present on almost every flat surface, the only source of light in the room.

It wasn’t until I’d taken my time looking around this room that I realized Ada would never forgive herself for Adrian. She may shove it down and not think about it or him. But she would hold herself responsible for my brothers killing the man who’d brought her to this cabin. Who’d given her a safe home, even temporarily.

As if she could hear my thoughts again, she sighed and pulled her feet up onto the chair, bringing her knees to her chest. She angled her head and rested it on her knees, watching Darius and me approach. I took a seat on the bed, wincing as the mattress springs squeaked beneath my weight.

Darius chose to lean against the small dresser, crossing his arms over his chest. Cicadas serenaded us from the surrounding forest. It was my brother who decided to join their song:

“What do we do, Ada?”