Ada's Protective Mate

by Jo Palmer

  “You’ll pay for that—”

  “You will go now, quickly, forgetting all that occurred here tonight and in future only treat Ms. Gerritsen with courtesy and respect.”

  Ada felt the heat of a large hand closing over her upper arm, the strength behind it far more than that of a brownie. She watched as Carl, under Nico Romano’s vampire thrall, walked away without a backward glance, his features relaxed.

  It was like fate had suddenly gone against her. Until Remi’s distress call, the evening had been going exactly as Ada liked. Work was being taken care of, and everything was coming along nicely with how she would crush the werewolves in court. Then, like a tidal wave, fate flicked her finger and Ada was left to deal with the mess.

  “Your interference is not needed, vampire.” It was best not to encourage these creatures. “Let go, dog.”

  Nathaniel Le Garde leaned his dark head down, sniffed her hair, and growled softly in Ada’s ear. For some unknown and completely irrational reason, the soft growl had Ada’s heart racing even more than it already was from fear for Remi. There was also a strange new heaviness in her breasts and between her thighs she wasn’t going to think about too closely. Nor how her arm tingled from the contact of his hand.

  As this had never happened to her before Ada, put it down to some form of magic or the fear and upset she was currently feeling over Remi’s situation. And these two creatures untimely, and unwanted presence.

  Yes, definitely unwanted she told herself firmly and pushed aside the tingling as best she could. Which she was finding to be very difficult, and that only annoyed Ada further. Her spine stiffened as she looked at the werewolf fully.

  Fates damnation, there was something about this man that set off all Ada’s warning bells and attracted her more than anyone else. While he had been a little unkempt earlier, tonight, he was a modern, strong male with a subtle undertone of wicked. She couldn’t deny his virility and all those muscles now hidden beneath a green blazer was a huge turn on, or that she found his barely concealed civility appealing in a primitive way. It frightened the hell out of her and at the same time, made Ada ache with turbulent desire.

  Rugged, stunning, his sharp chiseled features were so well formed he could model on the cover of a high-priced magazine! And those bright green eyes made her lose her thoughts. This man was deadly on so many levels.

  “I see your nature doesn’t improve away from the law rooms, brownie.” The werewolf tightened his grip, not painfully, just firming in a warning not to attempt anything.

  It was a reminder that he was stronger and more powerful on the creature hierarchy. Normally this type of attitude would wipe out any thoughts of attraction for Ada. Unfortunately it did nothing to take the edge off sudden raging desire and attraction.

  “Ma’am? Should I call the police?” Simon, the doorman, asked uncertainly.

  “No need, return to your desk.” The vampire again mesmerized another human.

  Oh, she really wished she had that power. Simon leaving reminded Ada she still needed a taxi, and she quickly glanced toward the busy street once more. Spotting a cab, she put out her hand.

  Hell, what had she been thinking, staring at the werewolf like that? And lusting after him? The vampire must have used some type of mind play on her. Ada returned her attention to the problem at hand, determined to ignore the two big creatures beside her. She had no time to pit wits against them, and currently, no desire to. And she wasn’t even going to think about her sudden interest in the crown prince of the werewolves!

  “Brownie—”

  “Werewolf, I do not have time for any ridiculous negotiations over land disputes right now. Call the brownies and make an appointment—Fates damnation!” Ada swore loudly as the hailed taxi shot past and back into traffic.

  “You seem troubled, Ada. Is there anything we may help you with?” The vampire asked solicitously.

  Good Lord no! She wasn’t stupid enough to accept “help” from a bloodsucker.

  “No, thank you.” She managed to get out through a clenched jaw and tugged her arm that the werewolf held, still fighting the tingling sensations and her body’s reaction to the creature.

  “Let’s put it this way.” The werewolf jerked her arm, spinning Ada around to face him. She blinked up at him, startled by the abrupt move and the hand gliding down her back. “You have two seconds to decide whether you want to talk to me in your apartment, or take the chance I won’t toss you into my car—”

  “Car? You have a car here?” Ada’s full attention was now on the scowling, snarling man. He, in turn, looked stunned to have her full attention, then extremely suspicious.

  Huh, he was smart as well as frigging hot.

  “Si, a very nice car. It is parked across the road. Perhaps now you are interested in our help?” The vamp smiled charmingly.

  It showed how desperate she was to even consider accepting their offer. These creatures suddenly had a redeeming quality between them, Ada decided and gave in gracelessly.

  “There are conditions. One is that you take me directly where I want to go as fast as possible and without interfering with or harming me in any way. This includes—”

  “We get the picture, honey.”

  Every second counted, and at present getting to Remi was more important than outlining her exact conditions. She ignored the honey remark and eyed them warily. Not taking the time now with this pair was going to come back and bite her, literally, she just knew it. After all, vamps were big biters and werewolves certainly weren’t any better.

  “Let’s go.” The wolf pulled her along the pavement. “On the way you can tell us why you’re in such a hurry. That is one of my conditions.”

  “Whatever.” Ada rolled her eyes. “Just get me to the car and where I need to go.”

  Unfortunately, considering the unusual predicament she was in, there wasn’t much choice, and now all she had to go on was bravado, wits, and smarts. And Ada was going to need all of the above just to deal with her sudden, and ever increasing, lust for the Crown Prince of the Werewolf Clan.

  How bloody inconvenient.

  Nate glanced around briefly. He had a feeling things were just heating up, and not only between him and his mate. Something, or someone, was out there. He could almost touch their malevolence.

  He climbed into the backseat of the black Mercedes after his brownie, Ada spurting off an address in a clipped tone and instructed the vamp driver to get there fast.

  The tone he found a big turn on. Actually, he was finding pretty much everything about Ada a turn on. She wasn’t as stiff now as she had been today, and that showed in the contrast from uptight tweed suit to the cream, tailored pants, high heeled sandals and thin maroon turtle neck jumper she wore. There was nothing uptight about them, the pants hugged her hips and curved her rounded bottom and the jumper molded full round breasts, leaving Nate trying hard not to salivate.

  Destiny had been exceedingly generous giving him such an exotic, sultry mate. But what he saw tonight showed there was more beneath the surface with his brownie. He’d seen flashes of anger and worry. What he’d liked most was the way her body reacted. He could smell her passion, her body reacting to him and what was between them was just waiting for him to ignite.

  “I don’t take orders from brownies, no matter how hot they are.”

  Nate saw red, his hand turning to a big, lethal wolf claw that would tear out the throat of anyone who disrespected his mate. Nico beat him to it, much more subtly.

  “If you wish to live, Samuel, you will apologize to Ms. Gerritsen and become her most trusted and loyal servant. Now place the car on the road, drive as fast as Ms. Gerritsen deems necessary and pledge your service to her.”

  Samuel, a young hot-headed vamp, obviously saw beneath Nico’s calm, soft voice to the very deadly creature lurking and did what he was told.

  “That behavior won’t happen again,” Nate growled, both to reassure Ada he wouldn’t allow it, and as an order to Samuel.

&nbs
p; “It is a prime example of how brownies are treated by you bloodsuckers and dogs.” Ada had the chilly quality back in her voice.

  “We treat all creatures and humans the same, cara.” Nico said reasonably.

  “Rubbish!” The brownie’s perfect nose went in the air. “Brownies are considered the workers. They are builders and office clerks, and they do not have royalty like other creatures. If a brownie walked into one of the exclusive restaurants in Galdorcwide, they would be immediately shuffled to a corner in the worst section or told to apply at the staff entrance for a job. This is not equal treatment. Drive the car, bloodsucker, and one more comment like that, and I will take pleasure in tearing you to shreds in Galdorcwide court.”

  It appeared he did not have to defend his mate, Nate mused, she could do it well enough herself with that sharp tongue. As a werewolf with the need to protect and take charge, this disposition of hers could be a bother, but instead, Nate found Ada grew more intriguing by the minute.

  His mate would never bore him. It made Nate hard, and the urge to take her and mark that elegant grove between neck and shoulder was damned hard to fight. But first he must gain some ground with his mate, and he knew he’d enjoy every moment of the mating call. Nate was modern despite his four hundred-odd years and liked the challenge and meeting of minds, and bodies.

  “What is the rush in aid of, cara?” Nico asked from the front passenger seat.

  A sudden rise in heart rate pricked Nate’s ears, and the distinct smell of fear he would normally enjoy rose from the brownie beside him. He found he did not like Ada to have fear. He enjoyed that she was a strong, resourceful woman, and fear did not seem to be an emotion she’d normally allow. Most considered fear a weakness, but Nate was relaxed about it. Fear gave him an adrenaline rush, and that was great in a fight. Even now she was battling it down, covering it with determination and cool thinking.

  Nate looked her over, eyes lingering for a moment on glorious raven hair pulled back in a conservative bun. He wanted to take out the clips and band and run his fingers through the silken strands. Hopefully her hair was long so he could bury his face in it as he buried his body deep inside her.

  His gaze drifted down and lingered on slim shoulders that were rigid with tension. The turtle neck was annoying as it hid her slender neck from view. He looked lower to the generous swell of rounded breasts, hoping the tips were ruby red like her plump lips.

  Nate licked his lips, wanting to tear off the maroon sweater and explore the mounds that tormented him all through the meeting this afternoon. Nate growled low, impatient again to ravish his mate.

  She would be glorious beneath him, and he was well pleased she wasn’t a skinny little nothing. Instead, she had the curves of a woman that he could grip, though a bit more weight wouldn’t go amiss. A bit more for him to fondle and enjoy. Oh, he was going to enjoy playing with Ada Gerritsen, thawing out the ice to get to the passion beneath.

  Eyes trailing up his mate’s delectable body, he ignored the demands of his own body and the swell in his jeans. Instead he focused on putting her to memory. To him, Ada was stunning. Her face was narrow, her eyes an unusual sherry color that were surrounded by thick inky lashes, and her skin was as pale as the moon. With a stubborn but feminine jaw, those plump ruby red lips he wanted to taste and devour and a straight, perfect nose, she was very feminine but also strong.

  There was a lot of strength in the woman that impressed him over everything else. Nate was used to strong werewolf females, and to have a mate with such a sharp mind that could match him was something to be very proud of and pleased about.

  What was it that caused the fear and worry then? Whatever it may be, Nate would deal with. His mate should never be upset in such a way.

  “Just get me across town.” Ada snapped.

  “My condition was you tell me. Should I have Samuel change direction, brownie?” He thought he heard her say scum in the brownie language under her breath and gave a lazy smile, enjoying their sparring. “I’ve been called worse, honey.”

  “I’m sure you have, werewolf. With good reason, I bet.” The brownie tilted her chin up, nose in the air.

  “Shall we change course?” Nico asked with amusement.

  Ada smiled sweetly and like on command, Nate’s balls tightened, and his cock shot up and throbbed hard. He wiped a hand over his mouth, eyes locking on ruby red lips.

  “I do not see why we would, Your Highness. After all, did you not have the bloodsucker driving pledge his services to me? Oh, and of course, go where I wish as fast as I want.”

  “Ah, si, very true, beautiful Ada.” Nico chuckled. “It is fortunate I hear thoughts then, is it not.”

  The sweet smile vanished, but Nate’s hard-on was far more difficult to quash. The woman was going to drive him crazy. Every glance from those intelligent eyes, every smile, look, and challenge would keep him on edge and needful. That was the way it was said to be between mates, destiny drawing and entwining them together and making them irresistible to one another.

  Without destiny’s hand in the choosing, Nate knew he still would have gone after the brownie. Her seductive scent, intelligence, beauty, and personality—decidedly prickly at times then frigid cold at others—was intriguing and drove him crazy, heating up his body and temper. There were not many creatures who could stir him in so many ways, and that made Ada Gerritsen incredibly special. From this point on, every move he made would have to be precise and careful. Ada was not the type of woman to make careless mistakes with, she could, if felt offended, turn from him, and Nate was beginning to see, be wounded over.

  Treading lightly was not Nate’s usual way. He tended to be confrontational, hard at times and jumped into any situation feet first. But he wasn’t all male werewolf aggression and toughness. He had a softer side and knew how to have fun; he could be cheeky and liked to relax. Nate smiled. He was going to enjoy every moment of this pursuit. The brownie was a challenge all right, and he was a born brawler, ready to take on whatever was put before him and win. And he was definitely going to win.

  “Fill me in.” He said cheerfully.

  “I would rather not.” Nico shrugged elegantly.

  “But you will, Nico,” Nate commanded. The vamp was being difficult again, not a usual occurrence.

  “I realize you two are close, I did my research, but when do wolves, even a prince, command a vamp prince?” Ada was again trying to call someone on her cell phone.

  Since getting in the car, she had tried at least a half dozen times, and after each, her distress vibrated through to him and made him tense and edgy, wanting to tear the place apart and subdue her, mark and wrap up safely. Then go hunt down what, or who, was causing the upset.

  That was the nature of the werewolf beast, male or female, though the males were always more territorial, protective, and aggressive with their mates and those they considered theirs. To a werewolf, anyone who crossed their mate or friends was immediately considered enemies. There were rarely shades of gray, only distinct black and white. Werewolves believed very much in right and wrong, a very rigid line between the two. And a werewolf’s wrath at being crossed was said to be worse than a demon on a rampage or an offended vampire, though less volatile than an immortal sorcerer in a rage.

  “I’d suggest you brush up on your research skills, brownie.” Nate decided that the best way to reduce the distress she felt was to engage in conversation and irritate, for when he did, the scent of fear and worry lessened, as it did now. “Afraid of the big bad wolf? In need of a rescue?”

  He was interested to know if the fear and worry he smelled were because of him. He didn’t want fear from her; he wanted passion. Ada tossed him a dismissive look which pretty much answered that question and raised Nate’s hackles. Yeah, he didn’t want her fear, not his mate, but some form of respect and acknowledgment wouldn’t go astray.

  “She calls the imp lawyer we met today, worried this woman has been harmed by a warlock who has attempted to break into the imp’s
home,” Nico said lightly.

  The brownie was worried about someone? Nate was surprised. The imp he barely noticed, was that the one with Ada at the land meeting today? This was very uncharacteristic brownie behavior. Yes, they loved and cared about others, but mostly their own kind. It was rare they showed any loyalty and caring outside their family and kind, and even more, it was amazing the fact Ada was rushing to aid her friend.

  He contemplated Ada, absently running one large paw over the bristles along his jaw. It appeared there was still a lot more to be discovered about his sultry brownie. And she was his.

  Nate leaned forward in the seat. “Cut across here, Samuel and take the next left. Put your foot down flat.”

  One thing about werewolves was they protected. Fiercely. His mate was upset for a friend, the brownie was his to take care of, and as such, he extended his protection to who she cared for. But also, werewolves did not let young imps be harmed if they could prevent it.

  “Ah, it is an admirable trait of the werewolf, Nathaniel, to protect those in need.” Nico spoke into Nate’s mind. “Truthfully, I did like the imp; she has a certain quality under the flirting and mischief, a strength and caring like your brownie.”

  Unlike vampires, werewolves weren’t gifted with the ability to hear others’ thoughts or speak mind-to-mind. But vampires had the power to project their thoughts to anyone, and to read anyone’s thoughts in return.

  “I did not notice. As my mate cares and shows a side of a brownie not often seen, one which I wish to encourage, I will assist her and the imp.”

  “This is good, and will score points with the brownie.”

  Nate had not even considered that, his first impulse was to protect an imp from attack and take away what caused his mate’s upset. If this scored points with Ada, as Nico said, so be it. He was more interested in keeping an imp safe from a greedy, mercenary warlock.