Chapter 15: Ada's Mate

Cooper

“We need to check it out,” Ada says as she stands up and I can see how painful it is for her.

“No,” I smile at her. “You stay here, we’ll do it.”

“But …”

“But you’re going to take forever with that foot,” Blake grunts and I sigh inwardly. He is my brother and I love him, but honestly, sometimes I want to kick humanity into him.

“Come on,” I walk to her. “Get on my back.”

“Thank you,” she smiles at me before she gives Blake a death glare.

I pick her up with ease and piggyback her into the caves.

“I count at least six different tracks,” Reese says.

“Keeping the tides in mind, they aren’t older than eight hours,” Blake frowns.

“Which means they were here at night,” I state.

“Or early morning,” Ada adds from behind me. “And I would’ve known if the border patrol picked up anything.”

“They came and left,” Reese sighs. “I don’t think they’re still here.”

“But there could be people still deeper inside where the water doesn’t reach,” Blake looks at Reese. “We should check it out.”

“Let’s go,” I start walking with Ada and lead the way.

She leans forward and her silky hair falls forward against my face.

“Your hair,” I wiggle my nose. “It’s tickling me.”

“Sorry,” she laughs softly and moves her hair. She plants her palm against my nose and rubs it.

“Better?” she asks.

“Thanks,” I grin and am acutely aware as she moves her hand down to my neck.

“I agree this place is the perfect hideout, but I doubt it,” she says as her fingers start curling the hair on my neck. I have no idea if she is doing it deliberately or absentmindedly, but her touch is creating havoc with my insides. “I mean, with the tide moving in and out, they cannot come and go as they please. Plus, it’s cold, damp and dark inside. Not the ideal conditions. Especially during winter.”

“Blake,” I shout over my shoulder. “Will you use your cell phone’s light, please? It’s getting too dark.”

“Sure,” Blake turns on his cell phone light and takes the lead. “We don’t want more broken limbs.”

Reese also turns on his phone’s light and walks next to me.

“I think Ada’s right,” Blake shouts from the front. “It doesn’t seem that anybody is living here.”

“You two wait here,” Reese orders. “Blake and I will go in deeper and confirm there’s no one. We shouldn’t risk any more injuries.”

“Put me down,” Ada says as Reese walks away and leaves us in complete darkness. “There’s no need to exhaust yourself by holding me in the air while we wait.”

I lessen my grip on her legs and she cautiously slides down onto the sand. Once her feet touch the ground, I turn and take her hand.

“How’s your ankle?” I ask softly and try and ignore the yearning that is building for her. We are alone in the dark and my senses are overwhelmed by her presence. I was struck with her beauty the moment I saw her in that extravagant golden dress. She gets my sense of humour, and I can be myself with her. She is everything I want from my mate.

“I manage,” her voice is soft and melodious.

“Ada,” I slide my hand up her arm until I cup her cheek. “I find you enchanting.”

The atmosphere between us changes into a thick anticipation.

“I know I’m taking a risk saying it,” I continue as I step closer and put my arm around her waist. She rests her palms against my chest, and I can feel my heart beating faster. “I just need you to know.”

Still, she does not say a word and I take the opportunity to kiss her. I am elated when she does not pull away or stiffen and I pull her closer to my chest as I increase the kiss.

Her hands glide over my chest and curl behind my neck and I sigh in delight. Her lips are soft and willing underneath mine. My hand glides down her cheek, over her collarbone to her breast. She moans softly when I massage her breast and she pushes closer to me.

Without warning, a blinding pain jolts through my head and I abruptly let go of her. The pain is so overwhelming that it brings me to my knees.

“Cooper, what’s wrong?” She asks concerned as she kneels next to me.

“My head,” I grunt as I press my fingers against my temples. “It feels like it’s about to explode.”

“Blake!” She shouts as she stands up. “Reese! We need to go back.”

“You’re shouting is not helping,” I complain as I apply more pressure to my head.

“Goddess, I’m sorry,” she whispers. “We need to get you to a doctor. Can you walk?”

“No,” I am on the verge of tears. “Movement makes it worse. Everything makes it worse.”

“I must go find Blake and Reese to help us,” she says urgently. “I’m not strong enough to carry you on my own.”

“No,” I clamp her hand in mine. “It will go away, just give me a moment.”

With a sigh, she sits down next to me and pulls my head into her lap.

“I have no idea what I’m doing,” she says nervously. “But I hope this helps.”

With strong, hard movements she starts messaging my head and I relax a little.

“It helps,” I say with closed eyes. “Thanks.”

“Has this ever happened before?” she asks softly.

“Never,” I sigh. “The closest I ever came to this feeling was before my first shift. But this is way worse.”

She does not say anything as she continues rubbing my head and the pain eases enough for me to open my eyes.

“Kissing you blew my mind,” I joke.

“You must be feeling better if you can talk nonsense,” she laughs softly.

Lights followed by footsteps are coming our way as Reese and Blake return.

“What’s wrong?” Blake rushes to me when his phone’s light falls on me.

“I don’t know,” I grunt. “My head wanted to explode.”

“We need to get him to the doctor,” Ada says softly. “He says it’s too painful to move.”

“Take this,” Blake hands his phone to Ada. “I’ll carry him.”

“Please, no,” I protest. “Just give me a moment, it’s already better. A few more minutes and I’ll be good to go.”

“What were you doing when this happened?” Blake asks as he goes to sit next to me.

“Talking,” Ada answers quickly and I am not sure if I am amused or annoyed with her answer. Is she ashamed about our kiss or just shy?

“Some women’s rambling has that effect on men,” Reese chuckles.

“I wasn’t rambling,” Ada hisses. “I was …”

“I’m joking,” Reese interrupts her as he sits down. “It’s the perfect setting for a misogynistic joke. You cannot hold it against me.”

“Sorry, Ada,” I grunt. “Reese is right, it’s the perfect joke.”

“Fine,” she sighs theatrically, and I swear if it were light enough, I would have seen her blushing. “At least now Cooper will understand one day when his wife tells him no because she has a headache.”

“Touche,” Reese laughs softly, and I cannot help but smile.

“I think I’m ready to go home,” I cautiously sit up and turn to Ada. “And I’ll only understand if she recovers as quickly as I did.”

“That will depend if you’re as good as me with messaging of the scalp,” she laughs.

“Lean on me,” Blake says as he helps him up.

“And I’ll carry you,” Reese turns to Ada.

“Aren’t you scared that I will also break your brain with my rambling?” She asks as he picks her up.

“It’s a risk he’ll have to take,” Blake snorts as the four of us starts walking back. “I don’t want brain damage.”

“You can’t damage what you don’t have,” Ada sneers at him.

“Ouch, that’s mean,” I chuckle.

“Well, what did you expect?” Ada asks indignantly. “The three of you are teaming up against me. It’s only natural that I will defend myself.”

“Don’t sweat it, brother,” Blake laughs, and I look at him in surprise. He has not laughed this carefree in years. “It’s a good thing she’s a brain breaker and not a ball breaker.”

“Yes,” Ada snorts. “Because that’s what a woman wants. Our lives are incomplete without a brute with big balls. All of us opt for balls instead of brains.”

“The two of you should rather not sit together,” Reese chuckles as we reach the Jeep. “There’s been enough injuries.”

“Fine by me,” Ada smiles as she slides off Reese’s back and climbs into the back of the Jeep.

“How are you feeling now?” Blake looks at me concerningly.

“Much better,” I say honestly. “I don’t know what it was, but it’s almost gone. I’m still a little lightheaded.”

“Let’s get you to the doctor,” Blake frowns as he helps me into the backseat next to Ada.

Ada takes my hand and wraps it in her own as she smiles at me. I return a smile as my heart starts to feel warmer. I have no idea what the hell just happened, and right now I do not even care. She reached out to me, and it feels good.

I lean back into the seat as we drive back in silence. The only person talking, is Ada giving Blake directions to get to the doctor. My head is still spinning like a merry-go-round, but at least the pain is gone.

“Is that Zoe?” Reese asks when Blake parks. “What’s she doing here?”

“Her mother is a nurse,” Ada explains as we get out. “She probably came to see her.”

I stumble a bit when I close my door and Ada is instantly by my side.

“Cooper,” her voice is filled with concern as she cups my face. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I nod.

"Seems you guys need help," Zoe says as she approaches us. I look over Ada's shoulder to Zoe and suddenly the pain is back.

“No,” I groan as I grab my head. “It’s back. The pain is back.”

“Move,” Blake orders brusquely as he pushes Ada aside and pulls my arm around his shoulders.

I grin on my teeth not to scream as Blake drags me into the clinic.

“Mate,” my wolf shouts in my mind.