Ada's Mate

2_Human

Tyler

The hysterical screaming is the first thing my stupefied brain registers. With a groan, I push myself up and look at the chaos around me.

People are scurrying around searching for their loved ones or trying to find a way out. There are dust and mayhem all around.

“Ada,” I croak as my eyes search for her, but she is no longer there. Frantically I look around until I notice a golden bundle trapped underneath the chandelier.

“Ada,” I shout and get up in a hurry. The fright of seeing her pinned down is enough to clear my mind and I rush towards her. I reach her at the same time Father does.

“Help me get this thing off her,” Dad demands with panic in his voice.

I do not need to be told twice and grab hold of the chandelier.

“Let us help,” one of the men that were accompanying Dad says as all four of them join me. Carefully we lift the chandelier and Dad instantly picks up Ada.

“Is she alive?” I ask as worry consumes me.

“Her pulse is weak,” Dad’s voice croaks at the last word. “Doc Seth is one of the guests. Order him to Ada’s room.”

I mind-link the pack doctor, but nothing happens.

“Dad,” I swallow in my panic. “I cannot mind-link him. He might be dead.”

“Simon?” Dad calls his Beta and for the first time, I realize he is not by Dad’s side.

“Over there,” I shout and run towards an unconscious Simon.

“He’s alive,” I yell over my shoulder as I feel his pulse.

“I’ll take him,” one of the men with impossibly blue eyes steps forward. “Go find medical personal.”

“Who are you?” I ask irritated because he has the audacity to order me around.

“Blake,” he replies bluntly as he picks up Simon with little effort. “Now go find help.”

For a split second, I consider arguing with him about his manners, but I decide against it and rush to the hall. Blake is right. They do not know our pack members; I am the only one capable of getting help. I try to mind-link the doctor again but he still does not reply. I try the Delta and when he does not reply, I try my brother, Zayne but still I am greeted with silence.

“What the f*ck is going on?” I mumble to myself when I see Zayne helping his crying mate, Tara, to her feet.

“Zayne!” I shout as I run towards him. “I have been mind-linking you. Why aren’t you responding?”

“So have I,” he gives me a scolding look. “I’ve tried everybody, but no one is responding.”

“F*ck,” I push my fingers through my hair as the realization dawns on me that somehow, nobody can mind-link. “Have you seen Doc? It’s Ada.”

“Over there,” Zayne points out. “Is she okay?”

“I don’t know,” I shout over my shoulder as I run towards the doctor.

“Come with me,” I order the doctor as I get hold of his arm. “Alpha’s orders.”

“I need help,” Seeth looks at me pleadingly. “There are too many injured and I cannot reach anyone with mind-link.”

“Nobody can,” I grunt. “Get to Ada’s room. I’ll phone the clinic.”

I fish my cell phone out of my pocket as I watch Seth run upstairs. The phone rings only twice before someone answers. I order all available personnel to get to the castle and quickly explain what happened before I run off to find Roman, our Delta.

Warriors are running outside frantically securing the perimeter and I grin cynically. Too little too late. The damage is done.

“Roman!” I shout when I spot him giving orders. “What the f*ck is happening?”

“I don’t know,” he shakes his head, and he seems close to tears. “All I could figure out so far is that a bomb went off in the castle. Nobody that was inside can mind-link.”

“But everybody outside still can?” I ask to be sure.

“Yes,” Roman nods.

“That’s better than nothing,” I sigh as I wreck my brain. “Here’s what you do. Send warriors that can mind-link inside and let them report to the medical personnel. They’re all on their way but it will save time and lives if they know what they’re working with. And I need someone to come with me that can mind-link.”

“Shay!” Roman shouts over his shoulder. “Get your ass over here.”

A young redhead with freckles comes running towards us.

“And Roman,” I say softly for his ears only. “If there are more bombs you need to find them immediately or I’ll have your head.”

“Ye … yes, sir,” he stutters before he takes off.

“Follow me,” I order Shay as we run to Ada’s room.

**

I order Shay to wait by the door. I have no idea what is waiting for me and I do not want him to see or hear anything that he is not supposed to. Ada’s eyelashes are dark half-moon circles on her too-pale face and my heart sinks. She does not look well at all. Seth is still busy examining her and I swallow my fear.

“Father,” I say softly when I go stand next to him. “How’s she doing?”

“We won’t know until she wakes up,” Father says, and he looks ten years older since I last saw him. “She has cracked ribs and broken bones. There doesn’t seem to be internal bleeding, but we don’t know about brain damage.”

“And Simon?” I ask softly.

“He’s fine,” Blake says next to me and points to a chair where Simon is sitting with closed eyes. “Mild concussion, that’s all.”

“Blake, right?” I ask stiffly. It irks me that this man is so comfortable giving orders and being part of our conversation without invitation.

“Alpha Blake from Silver Moon,” he smiles politely and holds his hand out in a greeting.

“Tyler,” I accept his hand and shake it. “Future alpha from Moon Shadow. Thank you for helping with my sister and Simon.”

“Don’t mention it,” he nods. “You would’ve done the same.”

“I’m sorry,” Dad apologises and shakes his head. “With everything I forgot you weren’t introduced.”

“This is my younger brother, Cooper,” Blake introduces a man with similar features as himself, but his eyes aren’t such a vibrant blue as Blake’s.

“I’m Reese, alpha from Black Moon,” the blond man with brown eyes introduces himself. “And that is my Beta, Parker.”

“I’m sorry to meet you under these circumstances,” Parker’s green eyes are sympathetic. “I have a sister at home and such a thing will drive me insane.”

“Thank you,” I smile weakly. “I was under the impression you’re all from Silver Moon.”

“We share a border,” Reese explains. “And we’re friends. It only made sense to ride together.”

“Father, with your permission, I would like to share some disturbing news with our guests,” I turn to him anxiously. I am not alpha and it is not my call, but I believe it is only fair that they know what is happening. This involves them.

“If you feel it’s appropriate, go ahead,” Father nods.

“Gentlemen,” I sigh as I look at them. “I don’t have a full update yet, but there’s evidence that a bomb is responsible for this situation. The impact caused that nobody can mind-link. Everybody inside the castle is affected.”

“That hardly makes sense,” Blake frowns and crosses his arms. “People outside would’ve felt and heard the explosion as well. Why aren’t they affected?”

“I don’t know the answer yet,” I keep eye contact with him. “As you know, I hardly had time to investigate but my men are on it. Right now, I’m only sharing the facts.”

A rapid knock on the door interrupts us and Roman enters cautiously when he receives the order from Dad.

“Alpha,” he walks straight to Father. “I have information about the explosion.”

“Then speak,” Dad orders him. “Everybody in this room has the right to know.”

“It was a chemical bomb,” Roman explains. “The bomb wasn’t manufactured to injure or kill, but to release a mixture of wolfsbane and propranolol. It’s not lethal but can lead to amnesia in humans and our case, render our wolves dormant. Everybody that came in contact with the chemicals is for all practical purposes wolf less.”

“That’s why no one can mind-link,” I murmur as his words register.

“Yes,” Roman nods. “And from what I can tell, you won’t be able to shift either.”

“That could be the reason why Ada is taking so long to respond,” Seth looks at us. “Her wolf’s dormant and she’s healing like a human.”

“What’s more,” Roman sighs. “Zayne says the mate bond shattered. He knows Tara is his mate and he still loves her, but the trades like the smell and instant connection are gone.”

“Of course,” Dad growls. “With his wolf latent, he cannot shift, heal, mind-link or sense his mate. He’s basically human.”

“Not he, Dad,” I give him a meaningful look. “We. We all are human right now.”