Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

BEN

He spent the next few days in a strange waiting pattern, where he found himself napping in the sun chairs on the deck and stuffing himself full with meals the wolves all took turns cooking. Ben regularly slept in until laughter and noise downstairs roused him to search for breakfast, walking companionably alongside whichever enforcer had been watching him on nightshift. The wolves let him settle, never harassing him, although someone always stuck close by.

Connor enjoyed chasing Ben up the mountain each morning, pushing him to run faster and longer. Ben wanted to be resentful, except he felt the strength slowly returning to his limbs with each passing day.

Today, Connor mixed it up by getting Ben to run between the trees on the edge of the mountain clearing and attempt to slip past the alpha unseen.

"I thought sprites are sneaky," Connor said after striding unerringly to the pine tree Ben hid behind. "What happened to all the old stories about sprites pulling on the tails of unsuspecting wolves?"

"I can do it just fine in a city," Ben muttered as he pushed away from the tree and met Stone at the edge of the clearing.

Connor nodded. "Tell me about it."

Ben hesitated, wondering if the alpha would use the information against him. "Crowds are easy to predict. They flow like water, the current changing depending on the obstacles—traffic lights, rubbish, fights." He smirked slightly. "Tourists."

"Sounds like wolves hunted you even in the cities," Connor said, folding his arms as he leaned against the rough bark of a pine tree.

Ben shrugged. "There aren't too many wolves who like urban areas, so they don't stick around for long. Quick to hunt, but quick to give up."

Connor nodded. "Your scent is like a forest, like sunlight on a stream. Wolves can't help but notice."

He'd never heard of his scent described in such a way. It caused a little spark of happiness that Ben quickly pushed down. "Craven said I smelled like money."

"That's because Craven's an asshole."

Ben laughed despite himself.

Connor straightened. "Try sneaking past me again, but imagine flowing between the trees like a river."

Tilting his head, Ben said, "That's not a bad idea, Stone. It's like you actually want me to escape."

Connor tapped the side of his nose. "I will always find you, Ben. I intend for no one else to, unless you choose it."

It didn't make sense, but Ben couldn't figure out an ulterior motive.

Unless…

"Me being indebted to you has no bearing on how my luck treats you," Ben pointed out. "I don't get a say."

Connor nodded. "I know. It's how you lost your clan."

Ben felt a sudden cold rush through him. The memory of poison flooding into the grotto gripped tight, clawing his breath. He remembered his cousin lifting him out of the vile water and throwing him between the dying trees before she turned to attack the wolves who watched the murder of his clan with grinning faces.

"What?" Ben croaked.

"Vaughn killed everyone he could find when he took over your territory. He earned himself a lifetime of bad luck." Connor studied Ben, blue eyes gentle. "Accidentally killing the last clan of luckbringers is a messed up way for Vaughn to get what he deserves."

"His bad luck hasn't happened yet," Ben spat, his eyes burning with unshed tears. "I'm going to kill him."

"If there's anyone who has the right to kill him, it's you," Connor said.

Ben laughed bitterly. "Then why are you stopping me?"

"Because more than killing him, you have the right to live . You seem to think the latter is optional."

Ben looked away. "I don't want to die," he murmured. He just wasn't sure he could survive his encounter with Vaughn.

"I'm glad. Now, try to flow between the trees," Connor said as he turned his back. "You have twenty seconds."

Ben stared at the alpha's broad shoulders as a confusing mix of overwhelm and determination gripped him. It was almost like Stone wanted him to grow strong again. He still didn't quite understand why the alpha would take the risk, not when it increased Ben's chances of finally getting the upper hand.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped backwards into the forest, letting his awareness expand as he sensed the rise and fall of the terrain and the flow of air between the pines. He moved upwind by a few dozen feet before silently swinging himself up into the branches with scarcely a shake of the leaves.

Connor kept his back turned for several more moments before he turned. He tilted his face as if sniffing the breeze, taking his sweet time.

Ben peered between the branches and let himself stare at the alpha's strong cheekbones and furrowed brows. His gaze tracked over Connor's body, knowing what lay beneath the black t-shirt and pants. Ben licked his lips as he thought of Connor's cock and the pleasurable mess it'd make of him. He internally smacked himself to get a grip on his thoughts.

Dark blue eyes flecked with gold met his gaze between the leaves.

Connor smiled. "That's better, sweetheart."

The heat in Ben's belly turned molten.

"Let's do it again."