My Verboten Mate

9. Better than most of us

ADAM POV

Had I known I would still be accused of something I didn’t do. I would have jumped in the second I saw Angela being cornered. The last thing I wanted to do was leave her for even a second. When I mind linked Robbie, I knew he was minutes away. When he asked me to go around the building I hesitated, they were already putting their filthy hands on her. It boiled my blood, but I let my fear get the best of me.

It pissed me off that, instead of stopping them as soon as I saw what was happening, I began to think of what everyone would think. Would they think I was in on it, accomplice to the two douche bags? Or like Brian tried to sell it, the attacker while they were the saviors. It shouldn’t have mattered. I could have taken both of them easily.

Yet I waited for back up. Waited for a witness to the fact that I was only trying to help. When her safety should have been the priority. I hated myself for letting anything happen to her. We grew up together and it was all our jobs, Dev, Robbie and mine, to protect our younger siblings and friends. Still, I hesitated because I knew Brian would believe I was to blame. Maybe even convince her of that.

I would like to think she knew me better than that. She was part of our group after all, but was I sure? Angela is the apple of Brian’s eye, and he did nothing but speak ill of me. What if she believed him? Because of that, I had to be cautious, and it did not sit well with me one bit. They should never have had the opportunity to lay one finger on her.

Because of me, they were able to put their disgusting hands on her and, even worse, they could have killed her. Throwing her into the wall like a rag doll. I knew what it looked like to her when I left, she thought I was going to walk away and let her get raped by those idiots. Maybe Brian is right. I am bad blood. I was more worried about myself than her.

I’ve spent so many years making sure I never put myself in a position where Brian and anyone else could put my character into question. Even when the shewolfs in school want to sneak around and hook up. There is no way I’m going to mess around with them in secret and then be accused of assaulting them in any way.

My mom stood up and walked over to me. “You hesitated because of people like Brian.” I finally looked up to see her turn and glare at him. He turned away but didn’t look remorseful. “Adam, can you please walk Angela back to the infirmary? I would like them to make sure she’s okay. Dr. Lawrence mind linked me. He was worried as well.” Gamma Jerry asked, and shot a worried look at Angela.

Brian tried to stand up, but Gamma Jerry was quick to place his hand on his shoulder and force him back down. I knew it was killing him that I would be walking Angela back to the infirmary. What did he think I would do to her? She is four years younger than me. I’ll admit that since she hit puberty she’s gone from cute to gorgeous, but I would never take advantage of a young girl.

Angela got up and I followed her out. Gamma Jerry patted my shoulder as I walked out. “I’m proud of you.” He mind linked me, shocking me. I wanted to tell him that I didn't have anything to be proud of. A bigger part of me wanted to get out of that office, I was tired of Brian’s baseless accusations. We began to walk down the hallway when I noticed she was swaying a little. I rushed to her side and wrapped my arm around her waist. I needed to get her back to the infirmary fast.

ANGELA POV

When I felt his arm wrap around my waist, it startled me. I looked up and Adam’s sad eyes looked down at me. “Thanks.” I said and looked down. “Not just for now, but for… for helping me back then.” I felt so ashamed for letting that one doubt led me to believe everything bad I had ever heard about him. “That should have never happened to you. I should have stopped them straight away.” He said with a frown.

I wanted to tell him that I understood, but before I could open my mouth, he picked me up in his arms. I was so dumbfounded and shocked that I couldn’t speak. “You should have stayed in the infirmary.” He scolded me. My face heated up. I had never been held like this. I should have been embarrassed but it felt good to be in his big strong arms.

I know I’m acting like what I am, a stupid teenage girl. Pero es tan guapo (but he is so handsome). It took everything in me not to sniff his shirt. I may not have a wolf, but that doesn’t mean I can’t admire his manly scent. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I enjoyed the short trip to the infirmary. He laid me down on the bed and smiled one last time before he walked out the door.

His mate is going to be so lucky. Sadly, whoever his mate is will have to be strong. She would have to believe him and ignore everyone’s prejudgments. Basically, she will have to be way better than me. It didn’t take much for me to join the mob of mindless wolves that was led by my grandad. My father would be so upset with me, he always says “Cree la mitad de lo que ves y nada de lo que escuchas. (Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.)”.

Being in the infirmary alone gave me time to think. I love my grandfather with all my heart, but he’s always been so unfair to Adam. Going as far as telling all pack members he’s an enemy spy. I do have to admit that part of the reason it was easy for me to believe he didn’t intend on helping me was because of my grandads’ constant warnings.

Some pack members ignore Adam, not because they believe my grandad, but because they don’t want to have to deal with him. As soon as he sees someone warming up to him, he shows up with a sermon. He never tires of recounting his version of events from the battle. Even though he was safely hidden in the bunker the entire time.

My father likes to remind him of that every chance he gets. Pointing out how his stories are the echoes of the true warriors who fought that day. Oddly enough, my father never speaks about the battle. Luna Becky always teases him, signing his praises. Because he didn’t even have a wolf and he was a big part of the reason our Luna survived, and our pack members were kept safe.

None the less, grandad continues to use stories from the warriors to help his narrative. Making all the bad things Alpha Adam did somehow part of Adam’s past and future. For whatever reasons, some pack members believe him and even join in, and sometimes help in spreading rumors.

He has always looked after all of us, since he’s the eldest. Whenever my grandfather warned me to stay away from him, I would nod my head but pay him no mind. That’s probably why when I thought he was letting Vince and Raymond have their way with me I felt hurt and betrayed. I’m glad I was wrong, that he’s a better person than everyone believes him to be. Better than most of us.