Chapter 12

Chapter

Twelve

CONNOR

It was time to teach Ben how to fight, something Connor both looked forward to and dreaded. Ben had courage and vindictiveness in spades, but he lacked the knowledge to bide his time, instead throwing himself into fights he couldn't win. Sadness clung to him like a cloud, while loneliness gleamed in Ben's eyes whenever the pretty sprite thought no one watched.

But after a week of chasing Ben up the mountain and reminding him how stealth was the ally of the small and quick, Connor knew they needed to move to the next stage.

He kept his expression carefully smooth as Seamus squared up opposite Ben on the pebbled beach. The sprite appeared breakable compared to Seamus, but Ben met the huge enforcer's gaze with unflinching determination.

"Slowly at first," Connor ordered, nodding in satisfaction when Seamus projected a hit towards Ben's chest. Ben slapped the wolf's fist away. "Nice try, but move like so," Connor said, showing Ben how to direct the punch to the side. "You could try to block with your elbow, but given most of your opponents will be bigger than you, your best option is to duck in low, hit quick and hard, and get out of there before they can grab you."

Because most wolves would attempt to grab and subdue the sprite, mistaking Ben's size and delicate features for easy prey. Instead, Connor would ensure Ben became a formidable adversary.

"I know how to be quick. That's how I got the best of Craven," Ben said.

Seamus said, "Was that before or after he managed to crack your skull open, pretty boy?"

Ben scowled. "He got lucky."

"No, Craven didn't," Connor said, knowing the truth in his bones. "You're sloppy, so it's easy to take advantage of you."

Scowl deepening, Ben said, "I can take care of myself."

"Prove it," Connor said with a shrug.

He nodded again to his enforcer.

Seamus moved in and grabbed a fistful of Ben's shirt, yanking him forward to unbalance him, but Ben twisted and sank his teeth into the enforcer's wrist.

"Hey!" Seamus pushed Ben loose, sending him skidding across the beach. "No biting!"

"Fine," Ben said and launched right back in, using his speed to climb the wolf's torso and attempt to gouge his eyes out.

Seamus caught Ben by both arms and threw him several feet into the lake.

Ben splashed out of the water with an angry roar and went for the enforcer again, kicking and trying rapid, mean jabs that Seamus easily fought off.

Scooping the raging sprite up in his arms, Seamus walked into the water's edge and vaulted him further into the lake. "Cool off, pretty boy, before you hurt yourself."

Ben looked ready to launch again but settled back into the water, remaining mostly submerged. His forest-green eyes seemed to glow as if his glare alone was enough to knock Seamus off his feet.

Seamus looked thrilled.

"Go get Ben a towel," Connor said to Seamus, giving the enforcer's shoulder a squeeze.

"He's a savage, boss," Seamus murmured happily as he turned toward the cabin. "We can work with that."

"I know," Connor said. Walking to the water's edge, he squatted to be more level with Ben. "Staying calm in a fight is a skill. Seamus could have wiped the floor with you several times if he wanted."

Ben's expression tightened before he huffed out a sigh. "Yeah, I figured." He remained in the water, his face relaxing in slow increments.

Tilting his head, Connor asked, "When was the last time you spent time underwater?"

A hunted look flashed across Ben's face before quickly disappearing. "I'd planned to swim at the lake before you snatched me."

"Near the diner? Connor snorted. "That lake is more like a swamp."

"All the same?—"

"Cut the crap, Ben. How long has it been?"

The pretty sprite hunched in on himself. "A few years," he admitted softly.

Connor nodded, unsurprised. "If you'd like a proper swim, we can inflate the floating pontoon this afternoon."

Ben raised his eyebrows, unable to hide his pleasure. "Really? But it'd be easy for me to swim to the other side of the lake."

"Sure, and then you have to tackle the mountains, and that's my domain."

Ben watched him contemplatively, the water lapping under his chin. "Okay, I'd like the pontoon. Thank you."

Connor simply nodded, ignoring the triumphant howl from his wolf at his mate-pampering skills. Sitting on the pebbled shore, he kept quiet company while Ben soaked in the water. It was easily the most pleasant interaction they'd shared, and Connor resolved to have more of them.

Seamus dropped the towel beside Connor before going off in search of his mate, who was probably in the little studio behind their own cabin. Connor resigned himself to the pair returning later in the day smelling of guns and sex, but seeing Jake's look of contentment made the inconvenience worth it.

Eventually splashing out of the water, Ben moved to sit beside Connor and let him wrap the towel around his shoulders. A new brightness filled Ben's eyes as he looked over the water.

Connor nodded in understanding. "There was a time when I stopped seeing this place for what it is. I wanted amongst the noise and hustle of dull-sensed humans with their skyscrapers blocking the sun."

Ben looked at him in surprise. "You left your pack?"

"I became alpha before I was ready, and I lost myself for a while," Connor admitted. "I thought I didn't need the mountains and streams."

"What brought you back?" Ben asked.

Connor smiled slightly. "Seamus and Kris found me in a dive bar, so drunk and my senses so deadened I didn't even scent my packmates. They knocked me on my ass and brought me home."

"As easy as that?"

"Hardly. I was in no state to be anyone's alpha, and we all knew it. They stayed on my ass and made me walk the length of Oakford territory over and over, telling me to choose." Connor stretched out his legs and contemplated the lake. "It took me months to relearn the trees, rocks, and waterways before I stopped here on this shore."

Connor smiled, remembering how, for the first time in a very long time, he hadn't wanted to leave.

"What happened?" Ben asked softly.

"I wanted to be the person my pack believed I was." Connor picked up a pebble and skipped it across the water's surface. "So Kris and Seamus helped me build the cabin, and then I helped them each build their own. Somewhere along the way, I figured out how to lead."

"It must be nice to have people believe in you no matter what."

"No, that's not how it is. Leadership is conditional. Pack loyalty should never be blind. I accept the guidance of my people, and they give me compassion and strength, otherwise I don't deserve to be the Oakford Pack's alpha."

He felt Ben's eyes on him, the silence spreading.

"You're not like other wolves, Connor," Ben said eventually.

Because I'm yours , Connor wanted to say. But it was too soon, and he couldn't stand to break the fragile peace growing between them.

Ben smiled slightly, returning his gaze to the glittering lake. The sprite seemed stronger, his scent carrying a new sweetness that coiled around Connor like an embrace.

They sat quietly together, and Connor dared to hope.