CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Vamp coffee was the best. Taking a deep sip and sighing appreciatively, Ada noticed that a young-looking werewolf was staring at her and raised her dark brows in response. He wiggled his and loped over, all werewolves seemed to lope—not stroll, not gracefully walk, not amble.
“Hey, do you have a Nana Mae? ’Bout yea high?” He held up a hand to his collar bone. “Short red hair, big sherry-colored eyes, real pointed ears? She’ll never get to the Outside without covering those with magic, unlike you—you have real pretty ears, Counselor Ada.”
Ada had stiffened at the words Nana Mae, the rest was just noise. She glanced around for a means of escape and spotted a door.
“Nah, that door just leads out into the hall that curves around to the main courtroom,” the werewolf said.
“Windows?”
“Well sure, but they’re pretty high off the ground, and I’ve seen the brownies we toss from the roof land real hard; they don’t have the spring in their legs like us wolves, and I don’t think Nate will be impressed if ya break your legs.”
“Hmm. No, I do not have a Nana Mae. Put her out the front gate, and anyone else with her.”
The young werewolf’s eyes widened in shock, and his mouth fell open. “B-but…she has a similar scent, so she’s family, and she’s got the same kinda eyes… You’d have your Nana Mae tossed out?”
“Without missing a sip of her coffee, Duncan.” Nico wandered in, took a seat beside Ada, and poured his own cup. “Perhaps have the brownies removed, without tossing, tripping, hitting, and threatening them.”
The young werewolf was still gaping at her, his hands waving about expressively as he talked. “B-but you respect elders! That’s your Nana Mae, you’ve gotta see her.”
Ada rose and patted the taller, younger werewolf’s chest without any real sympathy. “Kid, do you have any werewolves in your family who’d take a chunk out of one of you, or trick you?”
“Hell no! We werewolves are real loyal, you don’t have to worry about that!” He grinned. “Hey, don’t worry, we won’t harm your family, they’re yours, we’ll treat them like they’re ours too.”
Nico grimaced. “Poor brownies.”
“Can it, cousin,” the werewolf snapped, then gave her a dopey grin. “See, family.”
She sighed. “Do I smell like I’m worried?”
He took a sniffed and frowned. “No… You smell real good, sooo frigging good…” He sniffed again, nose nearly touching her neck. “Oh, you smell kinda exasperated or something like that. I wasn’t gonna touch her, Nico, put the talons away.”
“Then back away from my brownie, boy,” Nico said in a reasonable tone.
Stepping back, the young werewolf scratched his head as Ada took a sip of her coffee. After a moment the kid spoke in werewolf to Nico, who gave a few sighs, shrugged, and finally held a hand up to silence the barks and growls.
“We are all different. Every type of creature has their own nature and ways. It is a lesson to be learned and not forgotten, but at the same time, understand the dynamics and never underestimate the heart. The brownie said show them off the property, not toss them out. There is a vast difference.”
“Oh, OK,” the werewolf said. “Like sometimes you can’t be bothered speaking with your family, so you say you’re not here when you really are.”
“Exactly.” Nico paused. “My family is not here, are they?”
“Nah, just our brownie Ada’s. Your cousin Emelda is very hot.”
Ada nodded. “She is also our best thief and uses whatever tactics she deems necessary, which may include bodily harm and poisons.”
“See? My Ada protects you. Now heed her warning and remove the brownies, and do not tangle with them.”
The werewolf walked away shaking his head. Nico and Ada smiled at each other and returned to enjoying their coffee in silence.
“Stop calling me ‘my brownie’ and ‘my Ada,’ Nico,” she said after a lovely five minutes of silence. Usually with Remika or her family, Ada had to threaten them to make them be quiet. She selected a pastry.
Nico shook his head.
“No?” she asked.
“It has blood in it, a delicacy for vamps, which even werewolves enjoy. But I think not brownies.”
“Ick.” She dropped the pastry and waited till he pointed at one that she would like. She sniffed it cautiously. “You don’t put blood in coffee, do you?”
“Personally, no. Some vampires do, it is not in the coffee, individuals add their own if desired. And no, I shall call you mine, my, and ours when and if I like. I read your thoughts, cara; you are well aware the wolf is yours, and he has been giving you time to adjust and feel this pull between you.”
Ada didn’t deny this. “Then you know how I feel.”
“Si. Queen Stephanie is astounding.”
“Amazing…I don’t think I have ever been so stunned by anyone. Are all the female rulers so…in charge?”
Nico smiled. “Oh, yes, wait till you meet my mother and the demon sultana. Here comes our wolf.”
Nate burst through the door covered in dirt and growling about it. “Bloody brownies. Your relatives want to see you; I had my wolves chase them off. We’ll invite them over to snack another day.”
“We’ll see. Did that boy not tell them I wasn’t here and to go away?”
“Sure. They didn’t believe him. Apparently brownies know when others lie. I didn’t know that.” He grabbed a blood-filled pastry, kissed her soundly, then gobbled it down.
“We do not know when others lie.” Ada rolled her eyes. “Obviously brownies are very good liars. Impressive.”
“Dammit, I like honesty and truth!” He grabbed one of the big coffee mugs and poured a cup, smirking at both Ada’s and Nico’s pained looks. “Great, now I’ve got two of you going at me. Anyway, we’ve got a council meeting after that drama last night. Man, Div went off!”
“That he did. I do regret not seeing the ancient fairy. I must admit I have never seen her.”
“She’s real small, all delicate, feminine, frigging blinding and dazzling and hotter than a wet dream…” Nate stopped and sat up, looking at Ada. “Not like you—I mean…well hell.”
Nico was laughing, and Ada just stared mildly at the werewolf, who looked trapped. She had seen the fairy, knew the creature was exquisite, and wasn’t jealous for she knew that mates never strayed. But it was good to see this tough, confident male squirm.
“You were saying?” she asked icily.
“Nathaniel!” A roar came from down the hall.
Nate winced, scrambling out of his seat. Nico put aside his coffee and took Ada’s as King Tomas stormed into the room covered in dirt, dust, and twigs.
“Why were those brownies given trinkets and not tossed out of the compound? They had the nerve to cover me… Brownie Ada, uh…”
“They are brownie Ada’s family, Pop.” Nate began dusting his father off. “They did this?”
“They think we kidnapped your Ada and will come back with pitchforks and flaming torches, as if this were the middle ages! My dear, perhaps you could speak to them? I don’t want my wolves harming your little brownie family.”
“Oh, very well. Gracious Moon Goddess, they are ridiculous.” She sighed. “King Tomas, why don’t we discuss this land allocation—”
“Give it up, brownie,” Nate said. “We werewolves are not letting those brownies in to measure anything.”
Ada dropped her eyes to his groin. “Nothing?”
He grinned. “OK, I’ll negotiate if you will. Got a tape measure?”
“Hey, Nate, you’ve got a sentinel meeting in three minutes,” another young werewolf announced from the doorway. “Some dude with a real bad rumble just called. Think it was Ruine, but his throat sounded messed up.”
“How many cousins do you have?” Ada exclaimed.
Nate shrugged. “Who the hell knows. This one’s my youngest brother, Malcolm.” He turned to the young werewolf at the door. “That better not of been you sneaking out of the compound this morning, boy, you know the rules.”
“No one lets me out of here!” Malcolm exclaimed loudly, hands turning to werewolf paws. “If you’re so loyal to pack and family and all that shit, why don’t you make them let me out? I’m only allowed out with twenty guards, and the rest of the time I’m kept locked up like a princess in a tower.”
“OK, OK, calm down, don’t have a hissy fit.” Nate winced as his younger brother went off in a bit of a shrillish fit. “Pop, calm your little pup down, he’s getting all squealy.”
“Mal, we’ve been over this. Your mate has seen you and insists on having you, but—”
“I can take care of myself and make my own decisions!” The kid, such a fragile-looking boy who coughed and turned red as he yelled, stomped his foot.
“You must stop teasing him,” the king said. “He’s feeling very unsettled with all the attempts creatures have made to get him and deal with the immortal. Come on, son, let’s take a walk.”
“Malcolm’s unwell?” Ada asked as the king and Malcolm left the room.
Nate sat and shrugged, not saying anything. Nico nudged his foot. Nate frowned, and there must have been some type of mental communication between then, because Nate, his gorgeous features troubled, leaned forward and smiled at her.
“Mal was born without a creature’s natural ability to heal, and without a werewolf’s ability to scent. He’s fine, just stressed at the moment. Blaine heals Mally if ever there’s a need. The problem is, my brother has had a few creatures swear he’s their mate. Without being able to scent, Mal can’t tell who’s being truthful or not.”
Ada was shocked. “Creatures would actually lie about that?”
“Of course, cara.” Nico nodded. “Malcolm is quite a catch. He is a member of the royal family, a position others may covet, and he is a gorgeous little creature that attracts a lot of attention from both sexes.”
Ada huffed out an annoyed noise and a brownie oath. She grabbed her tablet and got onto the Galdo Council website.
“What are you doing?” Nate growled. “This is werewolf business—”
“Don’t be ridiculous! You think this hasn’t happened to brownies too? We do not sense our mate immediately, so are at a disadvantage. Plus, we are weaker magically and sometimes physically, which leads you bigger, stronger creatures to think you can waltz in and snatch us like we were some sort of possession or bag of loot.” She paused, flushing. “We are living, thinking creatures, not loot. Is Mal able to use other senses to identify his mate?”
“We’re trying to sort that out. I’m inclined to think it’s the immortal, but until we know for sure, we can’t take any chances.”
“Well a court order stopping any creature from approaching Malcolm might assist in giving him some breathing room and provide time for your family to come up with a way of identifying who is his mate. Who is the immortal by the way…not Divij or Severo? Oh, why can Severo not tell who is Mal’s mate? His gift is to know who mates are, you said.”
“No, it is neither Divij nor Severo. Unfortunately, we have discovered, Severo’s gift does not work with family. This situation could have been resolved so easily but for that. Tienn has become impatient, but I feel a court order will calm him down for a short time.”
“Wait.” Ada’s eyes widened. “Tienn? The immortal Emperor is Malcolm’s mate?”
“Well, yeah.” Nate frowned. “Didn’t you know he was gay?”
“If you recall, my wolf, our brownie has not spent much time in Galdo, nor taken much of an interest.”
“Huh.”
“Hmm, this is an issue. I believe we should lodge the court order with the Judges, bypassing the royals. This way the matter is dealt with fairly and swiftly.”
Nate began to pace, still dusting off some dirt. He looked at Ada a few times then zoomed over to her, tossed her computer aside and hugged her close, nuzzling her neck, licking a little bit. He rumbled deep in his chest.
Hot, flustered, and about to turn into a pool of wetness as his hand grazed her breast, she cursed as King Tomas stormed into the room. Funny how she held no embarrassment or vexation about Nico being near them when Nate did this. It was peculiar.
“Ah, Nathaniel…hmm—”
“Our brownie has come up with a wonderful idea to help Malcolm, Tomas. I will show you if Nathaniel has not broken her tablet.” Nico rose, collected the tablet, tutted over the broken screen, and steered Tomas out, closing the door behind them.
Nate grinned, cupped her face, and nibbled her lips. “Brownie, you just keep surprising me—”
“Sentinel meeting, now.” Ruine, who did have a very croaky voice, appeared, crossing big arms and taking up a ready to fight stance.
Nate groaned, and then growled, glaring at the demon. “Why? Well? Why the hell do I have to go? Why can’t I just have the day off—?”
He had risen and stormed toward the demon who flipped the werewolf over onto the floor and planted a big foot on his chest.
“Cool down, werewolf, or we go round.”
“Gentlemen, is this really necessary?” Ada smoothed down her skirt, and collected her handbag, briefcase, and coat. “I must get to the council chambers, and I wouldn’t mind sitting in on the meeting as I would like to know the latest.”
The big demon pulled Nate up who grumbled and pulled her close, sniffing her.
“What’s up with your voice, spawn?”
The demon’s top lip curled. “Divij froze my fire. He’s paid.”
Nate winced and patted Ada’s butt. “We’ll wait for Nico.”
“Watch where you put your paws, werewolf—oh!”
Stephanie tossed Ruine out of her way with one hand and engulfed Ada in a hug, lifting her off the ground to do so. She did that weird werewolf rumble deep in the chest, sniffed and kissed Ada’s cheek and placed her on her feet, smiling indulgently.
“I will enjoy having a smart lawyer at my disposal. Aidan has become soft since acquiring a mate. We should take him to the back forest and torment him until he gets his edge back, Nathaniel.”
Nate grinned toothily. “Happy to. The wiener whines like a toddler these days. More a lap dog than a wolf. My girl’s pretty ruthless.”
“I just adore her.” Stephanie kissed Nate, hugged Ada once more and on the way out, and smiled toothily at Ruine, patting his big thick arm.
Ruine winced. “She’s got a wicked throwing arm.”
Ada’s eyes narrowed. “Q. S. I know those initials. Oh! Queen Stephanie! She’s ahead in the brownie tossing, passing Blaine’s record by six inches…land dispute! Oh! I am going to slaughter you and your wolves in the court, Nathaniel Le Garde.”
With her nose in the air, Ada stormed out of the room and down the hall, Nate scrambling after her.
“Honey! Ma and the rest of the family won’t toss your family off the compound anymore, just the rest of the brownies.”
Squealing in brownie outrage, she shoved Duncan out of her way, tossed dust and dirt at the rest of the werewolves who jumped quickly away from her and speed off to the council chambers.
“Oh hell. Ma! Stop tossing brownies off the roof of the compound!” Nate hollered.
Every creature in the sentinel meeting was cautious and quiet in the beginning, and the imps were extremely wary of Divij who simply chose to ignore them. There were approximately twenty-two sentinels, four of them imps, the rest a mix of demons, immortals, werewolves, vamps and only three fairies. Ace, Dareios, and a female fairy who all the males seemed to fawn over, annoying the imps because they were being ignored.
The two female vamps ignored the byplay without interested, too self-involved to care.
As previously when she attended a sentinel meeting, Ada sat along a wall away from the long oval conference room table and beside Penny whose phone had been confiscated by Chase the moment they entered the room. There were a few other creatures she did not know, and some she did, who also sat behind the powerful sentinels. She was surprised they allowed others into private, important sentinel business. She would have asked but knew she’d be shushed, as this meeting seemed very tense and controlled.
It wasn’t Divij or Chase in the speaker seat today, surprisingly it was Lucio who fielded the hundreds of questions and made some plans, along with Nate who kept everyone quiet when necessary and in order.
“I’d heard of a demon called Etienne, didn’t know he had anything to do with that ancient fairy.” A demon rumbled. “Big guy. I was just a young spawn when he rumbled into the castle one day, and the sultana and sultan greeted him as a friend, not a foe. That’s all I know about him.”
“Did he look like the fairy?” Ace asked.
The demon shrugged. “Can’t remember. Light hair, dark eyes.”
“She’s the same. So we need to find out what happened to him, bring him back and reel in the ancient fairy, otherwise Grydern and this partner of his may overpower her, and that could lead to disaster if they get their hands on her powers. The alternative is we set a trap and capture her ourselves.”
The fairies in the room hissed at that idea. Fairies did not like to be trapped. No creature did.
“We know, we get it.” Nate calmed his fellow sentinels. “Have to think of her safety. Look, she’s revered, we understand, and she’s powerful. But can you three capture her? With our help, if you need it? It’s for her own good.”
The fairies were quiet, then Ace spoke seriously.
“There is a purpose to what she is doing, one we are only touching the surface of. Until we know fully, staying back may be the best option.”
“It is not. Too dangerous.” Lucio was firm. “We will have a show of votes.”
“Just wait!” Ace exclaimed. “See, our Parissa, she’s usually just happy and in her own little world making tea and coming to parties occasionally and hibernating the rest of the time. She woke with purpose and has brought all this about, so this is the time, here and now, that something big is going to happen. We have a viper, we need to find it and cut its head off.”
They argued, but in the end put the decision to vote, and when it was everyone against three, Ace stormed out of the room. Ruine watched him go and rumbled a growl. Ace tossed up a middle finger and slammed the door so hard the windows shattered. Thankfully someone intervened and repaired the glass.
After that, sentinels were assigned tasks, and that’s when the nonsense began and continued for over an hour and gave her a headache. They squabbled, argued, and carried on until she could have kissed Nate senseless when he finally disbanded the group.
Immediately she went to her new offices and spent the afternoon, with Nate, Blaine, Ruine, and Chase’s assistance setting it up organizing staff.
She thought Nate would wish to spend the night with her so had booked herself into the vampire vortex for a night of luxury. This seemed to have the opposite effect though and pissed the werewolf off. He stormed out of the office and had two of his werewolves follow her around. Nico joined her for dinner and suggested speaking to Nate first before making arrangements, that this may have been considerate. Ada just didn’t get that, and he muttered something about having to do a lot of mediating.
“I do not see why. If he wishes to carry on like this—”
“Cara, he feels you have not felt the mate spark. Perhaps if you declared you have, this would be eased.”
Ada fumed. “Me? The werewolf is keeping it a secret! I understood for the first thirty-six hours, now I am beginning to think he has something to hide. Does he, Nico?”
The vamp rose, kissed her forehead, and glided to the hotel room door. “We all need a little…affection, and to know we are wanted for just who we are. Werewolf, vampire, brownie, there is no distinction with love, is there?”
Ada thought that over later in bed. She felt she had shown Nate she was accepting and ready to navigate through their relationship. Why did the dense werewolf not see?
Huh! He was a werewolf, that’s why he didn’t see! She was being subtle, whereas those creatures needed a neon sign and a plank of wood to the back of the head to make them see what was right in front of them.
Fine. She had some calls to make, then the werewolf was going to see just how sneaky, underhanded, and tricky brownies could be. This brought a sinister, happy little smile to her lips. Teasing a werewolf and pulling his tail was going to be so much fun.
The next morning Ada was invited by Penny to join the sentinel meeting being held about updates on capturing the fairy and trapping Revmiras, but Ada declined.
After sitting through two sentinel meetings, Ada decided she had attended enough of them to warrant a reasonable absence, say a decade or two. Yes, the knowledge gained at the meetings was phenomenal, but the logistics, politics, creature rivalry, and all round bitching gave her a stiff neck.
They performed an immeasurable service and did amazing things, but they squabbled more than a pair of toddlers over a toy. Honestly, she didn’t know how they could stand it. Nate got into the thick of things, Nico added a comment here and there just to keep tempers fueled, his cousin doing the same, Ace laughing, Ruine arguing loudly, and the rest were just the same.
A bunch of children.
With the last folder neatly placed on the wide, antique bookshelf, Ada stood back and studied her new office. Satisfied, she picked up her telephone and made a few calls. An hour later she had an office manager who guarded her door vigilantly, and an hour after that, a guard dog who guarded her office vigilantly. She had organized the office manager, not the guard dog. That came courtesy of Nate.
Tapping a pen against the top of her polished antique desk, she mused over just how to fix the situation. So far the werewolf was being his usual protective, offbeat, charming self, yet he still had not addressed the whole mate issue.
Ada herself had come around to creature ways, why was the wolf still remiss in mentioning their relationship?
Not one for this type of behavior, she had put a few plans into action and was awaiting a response.
It sounded like she didn’t have to wait any longer, Ada smoothing her smile and putting on a displeased expression. The wolf in question charged through the door of her office, nearly taking the door off its hinges and making the brownie office manager, her second or third cousin, who knew which, squeak in alarm.
“Really, Nathaniel, do you have to make so much noise? We are in the council chambers. There is a certain level of—”
“Who is he?” The werewolf bellowed, hands turning to claws, teeth elongating.
“Who is who?” Ada pondered if she had gone too far in stirring an announcement from the werewolf. “Be careful of my desk, it is…” A large clawed hand smashed a side panel. “An antique.” Miffed, she turned up her nose. “Was that really necessary?”
Snatched out of her chair and held above the ground, she squeaked as his features became much more wolf-like.
“Nathaniel, take a moment to think clearly.” OK, she may have gone just a touch too far.
Werewolves were highly possessive, and apparently very sensitive.
Who knew!
He was panting in a very aggressive way. “Who is he? I’ll kill him!”
“Well, that is just a bit too dramatic—”
The werewolf let out an ear drum shattering howl then snapped sharp fangs at her. Ada caught a glimpse of Nico hovering in the doorway, brows raised in interest. Nate jerked her against him. He was overheated and hard everywhere. Throbbing.
“You are my mate! You do not date anyone but me!” He snarled in her face, even going as far as to nip her neck a little.
This of course turned her into a puddle of goo, and she momentarily forgot the conversation.
“Get out, Nico.” He snapped at the vampire.
Nico continued to lounge nonchalantly against the door frame, amused expression on his stunning face, eyes watching her.
That stunning creature, so elegant and amused, was waiting on her. How did he know she had stirred the situation up? Or was he carelessly watching their tussle for kicks and giggles? She glared at him, he merely raised his brows and flicked a look at their werewolf, who was still vibrating with anger and now sniffing her deeply. Umm, perhaps the vampire was ensuring their werewolf did not go overboard. He did seem nearly as protective as Nate over her.
Well, whatever the reason, she had a man to set straight about a few issues before they could move forward.
“Yes, I am your mate, and as such, I would expect you to know each and every one of my relatives.”
The werewolf stilled a moment then she found herself thrust back from him. All this being thrust around was quite exhilarating, a bit of a novel event, but it was also giving her another neck kink. She pursed her lips at him in query.
“You do know who my relatives are, do you not, darling?”
The werewolf slowly lowered her to the ground, gently, reverently. He rubbed the bristle on his chin, shuffled his feet a bit, even flushed and peered at her.
“Uh, you know?”
“That we are mates? Of course, I knew after the first twenty-four hours of our meeting. It has taken you quite some time to mention this, perhaps you care to tell me why?” Ada gave him a stern look, when really she wanted to pull him down to the floor and strip him. Ooh, yes, she had some rather wild ideas concerning this male. “And you must have found out about my cousin, he was at the land dispute meeting, after all.”
The werewolf flushed, then gave a broad grin. “Got me, love. Damn, you’re a smart one. I’ll be watching my step from now on.”
“Unfortunately, our wolf here even forgets who he is related to, and in what order. I will let you two…chat.” Nico left, smiling.
“You forget who you’re related to?” Ada was surprised. He was the crown prince; he should know all his relatives.
“Hell, have you seen how many werewolves there are?”
He had a point. There were hundreds of the fast-breeding creatures. Ick.
Suddenly, she was on her back on the desk, the werewolf laying on top of her and licking her neck, body heating up. Ada wrapped her arms around him and nipped Nate’s thick neck and sniffed him.
The big werewolf arched into her, growling in pleasure. “Wanna get out of here? I’ve got a real nice apartment—”
“Not the werewolf compound, Nathaniel, you werewolves don’t know anything about privacy, always walking in on each other, interrupting, slobbering and humping—ahh.”
He nipped her neck and licked it. “I have an apartment down the road, real quiet, magically locked—”
“Let’s go!” She gave a shove, toppling the werewolf off her, then grabbed her coat, his arm, her bag and dragged him out of her office. “I’ll be back…not today, Nina! Hold all calls, and I’ll see you tomorrow.” She glanced at the grinning werewolf. “Maybe. Let’s go, big boy.”
“Sure thing, sultry mate, you’re in charge.” He picked her up and dumped her over his shoulder, caressing her bottom as he did so. “For one or two tussles, I get to be on top for the rest.”
Nate’s bachelor pad was only a few cobbled streets from Ada’s office, and once there he didn’t give her any time to look around and provide decorating tips. As soon as they were inside, he slammed the door, took a minute to lock it then picking her up went straight into the main bedroom.
There he slowed down and slowly, reverently, lowered his beautiful, smart, sultry mate to her lovely feet.
He kissed her quick when those sherry colored eyes narrowed suspiciously on the bed.
“No one else, just you, only you. I promise. Nico set it up a few days ago, got rid of my old apartment.” He nibbled the corner of her mouth, savoring her sweet taste. “Want you, my Ada. Need you.” He sighed and touched her lips with his, hands raising her head so their eyes met and held. “I love you, Ada Mae Gerritsen Le Garde.”
She smiled, a true, wide, happy smile and tugged a clump of his hair. “I love you, Prince Nathaniel Le Garde of the werewolves. And no, I’ll remain Ada Gerritsen.”
Smirking, he nodded. “Sure, sure, I’m sure Ma’ll be fine with that.”
Laughing at his mate’s huffed sigh, Nate proceeded to show his beautiful brownie just how very much he revered her with every seeking touch and every gentle caress. He kissed and loved on his sassy brownie.
She wasn’t shy or reserved, meeting his seeking touches with her own, stroking his naked skin whenever a piece of clothing was removed. Normally his liaisons were either heated and rushed, or hot and heavy. This was all of it mixed together. Hot, heavy petting, but lingering and lavishing of needs and exploring with hands, mouths, tongues.
Ada was beautiful in her responsiveness, and when she touched him, Nate wanted to howl and show her his belly, let her command him, rule him for always. Those beautiful hands tipped with red nails scored him, caressed, learned and mapped his entire body, conquered him with their care and needs. And he returned the same attention, needing to have her, know every inch of her, feel and see what she liked and wanted.
When they tumbled to the bed, raven hair free and scattered across the forest green silk duvet, Ada opened her arms to him, accepting him fully. Nate groaned as his body shook with need and emotion.
Nico touched on Nate’s mind, obviously feeling the overwhelming, raw emotion via their link. Nico’s touch was light; Nate could feel the vampire’s loving smile, a gentle caress, and then he was gone, leaving Nate with control and happiness.
Long nails lightly caressed his biceps. “I am yours to claim, mate.”
Nate smiled. “And I am yours to claim, my mate.”
The caresses became more frantic, longer, sweeping every inch. Nate lavished attention on Ada’s beautiful full breasts, the dark nipples against creamy skin, he mouthed and tongued, sucked and nuzzled as one hand mapped her curves and legs. He loved her soft skin and the passion she put into everything she did. She was more than he could ever have imagined, ever dreamed off.
Her neck fascinated him. He wanted to sink his canines in and leave his claiming mark, but he loved the slender, pale column and couldn’t stop licking and nuzzling. Nate made his way down her slender, curved body finding lots of places that had his brownie gripping his hair and breathlessly crying out, like the swell of her stomach, her right hip just below the hip bone, and her inner thighs.
And she wasn’t passive, stroking every bit of his flesh she could reach, pulling him up for kisses when she wanted, and man, he could drown in her lips!
When he tasted her deep inside he growled at the distinct delicacy, lapping and enjoying the squeal and moans he elicited, the tugs on his hair, long nails digging into his shoulder and scalp.
His brownie rewarded his talents and attention by coming for him, Nate lapping her up and enjoying every bit of feminine juice she gave. Nate crawled up her body and shared her juices with her, loving how she arched up into him, long arms wrapping around him and holding close.
Then he growled in approval as she moved their bodies, wrapping her legs around his hips and positioning him at her entrance.
He sunk inside her tight heat, muscles bunching, straining at the pressure, the exquisite hot silkiness that sucked him and squeezed him till he could barely move. It was the most amazing experience he’d ever felt.
Panting, restraint lost, he eased inside, watching Ada’s flushed face, her head flung back, that silky, dark hair scattered like a halo around her. He stopped, stunned by this beauty beneath him, the one the Fates had given him. She was spectacular. Amazing. He was one fortunate son of a bitch.
Then he felt it. A tingling that overtook his body, shaking him, vibrating through him. Ada gasped and their eyes locked.
“Now, Nate, move.”
Hell yeah! He did, moving fast and deep inside, groaning and grunting, the tingling sending him higher and higher, both moving together, feeling what the other did, connecting on levels unknown. Every thrust and movement brought them closer to their peak, the tingling filling every molecule of their bodies, binding them and when they came, it was together, Nate snarling and sinking his aching canines into that slender neck he adored. Ada cried out, her fingers clutching him, body convulsing around him and shocking them both into a second release.
Finally, what felt like hours later, they separated, Nate licking his mark closed. He flopped onto his back but kept a hand on his brownie.
“Holy shit,” he managed.
“Hmm…” Ada panted softly. “That was…spectacular.”
Grinning, he rolled onto his side and cupped her cheek. “Mate, what was that tingling?”
Laughing, truly laughing, her entire face lighting up, she gently scraped long nails against his hairy chest.
“Well, darling, that is the brownie mating tingle. Only brownies and their mates are fortunate enough to experience it. We are true mates, soul mates. Our bodies have connected fully, we will experience what the other feels—”
“No, not if I’m fighting, right?” He didn’t want his mate hurt if he got injured fighting.
“Yes, but you can close the connection, as can I. We cannot hear thoughts or mind control, but brownies connect emotionally.”
“OK…so, every time we make love we’ll get that tingling?” He wiggled his brows enticingly.
“Yes. Again, we can block…or enjoy our connection, feel what the other feels.”
“I’m voting for leaving our connection wide open.” He pulled her close, tangling his fingers into her long hair. “You feel how much I love you, right? How I see you?”
“I do, my protector wolf. And you feel this from me.”
He did, and it was amazing. He was blessed on so many levels. He had a great family he’d always protect and be there for. He had a great bunch of comrades, friends he considered family, and his vampire, his companion whom he loved more than a brother.
And now he was blessed with this amazing creature in his arms. He’d cherish and protect, follow her, stand by her, admire and run like hells when he was in trouble.
His hand brushed over a beautiful breast. His brownie sucked in a breath and moved restlessly against him, tugging him closer. He scented her desire, he felt her need. Then felt her hand firmly grip his ass.
“Yeah, I got ya, my brownie, give you whatever you need.”
And he would. Forever.