Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

BEN

The wolves had done something to Ben's luck.

Another fortnight passed with every escape attempt thwarted by bad timing, poor weather, or on one occasion, his own shoelaces tripping him on the stairs. The floorboards tormented him with random creaks, a hawk shrieked at him when he wandered too far from the deck, and Connor was everywhere.

As if knowing where his mind lay, Connor slept every night in the chair by the door in Ben's bedroom, with his arms folded and stupidly handsome face relaxed, his eyes snapping open whenever Ben let so much as a pillow hit the floor.

In the daylight, the enforcers watched Ben with bemused fondness like a pup stumbling over his feet. They joined Connor in chasing him up the mountain, sometimes shifting into their wolf forms and seeking to ambush him until Ben learned to recognize the distinct patter of large paws in the soil.

And now they started running at night.

The darkness brought a new richness to the wild scent of crushed pine needles, wet rock and moss. Ben's eyes adjusted quickly, mapping out mushrooms under a rotting tree and the twinkling stars between the branches.

Climbing a small escarpment, Ben pulled himself over the stone ledge and immediately rolled when a shadow pounced. He quickly recognized Kris as they exchanged sharp, rapid hits, with Ben blocking the strikes targeting his bruises and aching muscles. Panting, he kicked out and swept low, knocking Kris's legs out from under him.

But Anders was already on him with a flurry of punches that forced Ben to duck and weave towards Seamus crouched in the shadow of a boulder. The big enforcer grabbed Ben from behind and lifted him off his feet, but Ben used the momentum to flip himself over his head and kick Seamus in the back of the knees. Seamus twisted, far more flexible than his size warranted, catching Ben again and driving him into the ground.

Crushed, Ben wheezed, his lungs feeling a third of their normal size under the enforcer's weight. Ben could hardly see the man's face in the darkness.

"Not bad, pretty boy," Seamus said.

"What did you do wrong?" Connor asked from where he sat comfortably atop a fallen tree with Jake. Moonlight backlit him like he was a chosen alpha.

Ben tapped Seamus to get the wolf off him.

Seamus eased back, white teeth flashing in the dark.

Ben rolled onto his hands and knees, sucking in deep, pained breaths. "I let Seamus get close," he rasped.

"That was your last mistake. Your first was to not check your surroundings. You should have known Kris was waiting for you to reach the top," Connor said.

Ben used his sleeve to wipe his sweaty face.

Connor jumped off the boulder, landing with wolfish grace. He strode to Ben and offered his hand, helping him upright. His gaze felt intense against Ben's skin even in the darkness. The alpha looked over Ben before nodding. "You're only halfway up the trail. Keep going."

Ben groaned in frustration, all of his aches letting themselves be known. "Come on, it's nearly midnight."

"And we can keep at it until daylight if that's what you'd prefer," Connor said.

The wild thing was that Ben knew Connor was right. He could run and fight until dawn if forced. He never thought such endurance was possible, but somehow Connor figured out the right balance of rest, feeding and physical torture.

All the same, the sooner Ben reached the trailhead, the sooner he could crawl down to the cabin and into bed, listening to the water lap against the shore.

Brushing past Connor, he chose the thin trail that cut through a stand of pines before leading higher up the mountainside. From daylight runs, Ben remembered a few tight areas that would make his small frame an advantage in a fight, though he doubted the wolves would give him that much of an advantage.

The enforcers shifted, chuffing and yipping behind him before crashing through the undergrowth to get ahead. One snuck up behind Ben, a white wolf with bands of grey around its muzzle and ears— Jake , he knew—and barreled into his hip to knock him off the trail. Ben tumbled into a white-flowered bush with a frustrated yell.

Jake danced on his paws, pale eyes bright in the starlight, before bolting after the others.

The enforcers kept at it along the trail, with Ben having brief warnings of either a flash of fur or the blur of a naked chest or ass before he was tumbled, thrown or pushed off the trail.

After rolling some fifty feet into a gully, Ben finally lay in the dirt, too sore and exhausted to move. He stared up at the gleaming cliff face high overhead, figuring there was another two miles before he reached the lookout where he could finally turn around and stumble his way back home.

Connor crouched beside him, fully clothed and far too amused. "You did good, Ben."

"Don't lie to me, Connor," Ben muttered, pushing himself onto his elbows. He felt sticky with sweat, his muscles trembling.

Satisfaction gleamed in the alpha's eyes. "Just a few weeks ago, running this far was beyond you. Now you can spend the whole way fighting." He smiled. "You did good. And we're done for the day."

Ben sagged back with a relieved groan. "Thank the stars," he sighed.

Connor stood and motioned with his hand. "Nope, you stay still for too long, and you'll spend the night on the mountain. Get up and keep moving."

The sound Ben made was part whimper, part despair. The alpha was right, damn it, and Ben took the offered hand and let himself be pulled to his feet. He bumped into Connor, unbalanced and wavering on his feet, and Connor steadied him.

Connor squeezed his shoulders. "Okay?"

"I am," Ben said truthfully, even though his body felt like one big ache. Strength lay within his exhausted limbs, and the world somehow seemed brighter, his senses waking up due to the continual bombardment of clean water, crushed pine needles and the rich cedar smell of Connor's cabin. Even his bed sheets carried a soft, soothing scent that woke him from peaceful dreams.

Instead of leading him back down the trail, Connor cut a new path between the shadowy trees. They traversed in silence for a few minutes, skirting boulders and gullies, before they came upon a dirt road.

"What—?" Ben started, stumbling when he spied a quad bike in the darkness. "You're such an asshole, Stone. You've been making me run the trails, and this whole time you're taking the easy road!"

Connor swung onto the quad bike and arched his eyebrow. "I'm not the one who needs to build endurance. You're welcome, by the way."

Ben scowled, but the anger wouldn't take hold. Connor was right; everything about himself just seemed… better. Not that he would thank Connor for it—the asshole was still his kidnapper.

But the old outrage felt empty now. He liked the Oakford enforcers, even though they enjoyed grinding him into the earth or throwing him into the lake during a fight. And Connor took a lead role in Ben's dreams every night, much to his mortification in the morning when he hurried to the bathroom under Connor's piercing gaze.

"You coming or not?" Connor asked, eyebrow raised as he sat all handsome and clean-smelling. The alpha would still look gorgeous even after hours spent sweating his way up the mountain.

Frustrated with his thoughts, Ben climbed behind Connor for the ride back to the cabin. He resolutely ignored the heat radiating off the alpha and how the muscles in Connor's back and arms flexed as he steered them down the winding dirt road. And if Ben pressed his face into Connor's spine and sagged with contentment, he wasn't going to own it.

The cabin glowed in the darkness, little deck lights guiding the way to the back door.

Connor turned off the quad bike, the silence suddenly ringing in Ben's ears.

Ben figured he had thirty minutes before the enforcers jogged back down the trail. It was an ideal opportunity to overwhelm Connor and finally make his escape on the quad bike.

But pressed against Connor's warmth, Ben couldn't muster the urge to try.

"Come on, little one," Connor said.

Bones creaking, Ben struggled off the quad bike as his muscles seized up from overuse. "Ugh, I feel like an old man."

"You move like one," Connor chuckled before helping Ben up the three steps and through the door. "You heal faster each day, but a hot shower will help."

Ben groaned at the thought of climbing the stairs to his bedroom.

Connor outright laughed before slinging Ben's arm over his broad shoulders. He took most of Ben's weight as they passed the dimly lit kitchen towards the stairs, the alpha carrying him up to the landing. Not pausing, Connor half-carried him into Ben's room and then into the bathroom.

Suddenly released, Ben swayed on his feet. He hissed when Connor turned on the light. He contemplated how much effort he needed to stagger to the bedroom and faceplant into the pillows.

"No, shower first," Connor said, catching the back of his shirt and tugging him back.

Ben grabbed the hem of his shirt and resisted a shudder at its dampness. Large hands helped him pull it over his head, and he let the shirt drop to the tiles. With a groan, he bent and undid his laces before kicking one boot under the sink and then the other. He wavered as he worked to loosen his belt.

"Will you let me help?" Connor asked.

Ben blinked up at him. His breath suddenly caught in his throat when he realized Connor stood so close. Ben stared up at the alpha's long eyelashes and piercing, gold-flecked blue eyes, and fought the urge to brush his palm over the coarse hint of a beard along Connor's jaw.

Exhaustion made him stupid.

"Yes, Ben? Or is it no?"

Ben tried to recall the conversation. "What?" he croaked.

Connor huffed a laugh. "You can get in the shower with your pants on, but I don't recommend it."

Ben glanced down at the black pants streaked with dirt and bits of twigs and leaves stuck to his knees. Fumbling with the button, he pulled them and his briefs down so that they gathered about his ankles.

Heat pooled in Connor's eyes as he used the tip of his boots to press the clothes to the tiles so Ben could work his feet free.

Ben stumbled slightly and grabbed onto Connor's arm to steady himself.

"You really are a menace, sweetheart," Connor said. His fingers twitched like he wanted to touch Ben's skin.

It awoke a craving that grew increasingly familiar with each passing day. Connor might be demanding and so damn confident he was right about everything, but his confidence and the way he cared for his pack was undeniably sexy. The way he seemed to like Ben's growing strength made Ben want to grab and bite.

He moved slightly and brushed his naked hip against Connor's fingers. The alpha's eyes dilated.

"Ben…" Connor said, his tone deepening with warning. "You're too tired to really consider starting something right now."

It might be true, but his mouth tingled with the need to discover the alpha's taste.

"Just let me take care of you," Connor said, grabbing Ben's naked shoulders and guiding him towards the shower.

Ben sighed in irritation. Typical. The alpha always got in his way.

Connor turned on the water, testing the heat, his brow furrowed in concentration. Once steam billowed throughout the bathroom, he nudged Ben under the water and pumped the liquid soap into his hand.

Ben raised an eyebrow as he leaned against the tiled wall. "You start rubbing me down, Stone, and I'm gonna need you to take care of something else." He glanced pointedly at his dick, which began to stir with interest.

Connor's mouth quirked as he stripped down and stepped into the shower. "I might take you up on that, if you weren't half asleep on your feet." He scrubbed Ben's shoulders and chest, his movements practical.

Ben leaned into the touch and sighed heartily. "You never do what I want."

Connor grabbed Ben's wet hair, slanting his face up. "I think you like it, Ben."

Heat flooded Ben's cheeks. He leaned in, lips brushing Connor's throat. The alpha swallowed against Ben's mouth, Adam's apple bobbing like a treat.

Fingers scraped against his scalp.

"Ben… please," Connor murmured, his breath brushing against Ben's ear. "Let me take care of you."

Ben made a soft sound of assent, eyes closing and head tipping back as hands ran over his body. His dick grew thick and long, but Connor, the damn tease , left him untouched. Ben hissed in frustration as Connor turned him about to face the wall, his dick brushing against the cold tile. Connor continued to wash him down, taking his time as if mapping Ben's body with his hands.

Ben felt superheated as the washdown turned into a massage. Strong, nimble fingers worked into the joints of his shoulders and followed the knobs along his spine, working over his ass and down his legs. Ben sagged against the tiles, drifting in the luxury of rushing water and powerful hands.

"Connor, please, yes," Ben murmured, leaning back against a heady wall of muscle. "Don't make me wait any longer, Connor."

"Very well, sweetheart." Connor mouthed Ben's neck, sucking on the tender skin just under his ear.

Then, finally, finally , Connor reached around and cupped his balls.

Ben tilted his head back, chasing Connor's lips and was rewarded when their mouths collided. Electricity jolted through Ben, making him arch up as Connor's tongue swept inside, exploring him. A needy little whimper escaped as teeth scraped his bottom lip.

"Holy fuck, Connor," Ben moaned. This couldn't be real. It was everything and not nearly enough.

Connor licked and sucked, his hand tugging and massaging Ben's balls in the best way. The alpha knew how to set him alight like they'd done this a million times. Except Ben could barely hold himself together, his cock throbbing as pressure built at the base of his spine.

Connor moved to palm Ben's cock, sliding from root to tip, his large hand still slick from the soap used to wash Ben. He stroked in a steady rhythm up and down Ben's cock even as his silken tongue dominated Ben's mouth.

Connor's other hand found Ben's left nipple, rolling it between his fingers before squeezing hard.

Ben spilled unexpectedly, hips jerking as he coated the tiles in long spurts. " No! " he wailed in dismay. He couldn't believe he'd come like a teenager after barely the first touch.

Connor chuckled breathlessly against his skin.

"Fuck you, Connor," Ben growled, twitching as he came down. "This is what happens when you make me wait!"

It only made Connor laugh harder. "Sorry, sweetheart, I didn't realize." He turned Ben around, finding his mouth again, and Ben resentfully climbed him and wrapped his legs around Connor's waist.

"Take me to bed, Connor. We're not done."

"So demanding," Connor said, flecks of gold brightening his eyes. He turned off the water and grabbed a thick, fluffy towel.

Ben surrendered to more touching, with the alpha drying him off with gentle efficiency. Then he was hefted up and dropped down into his bed, the scent of the sheets reminding him of the taste of Connor's skin against his mouth.

He moaned happily and pressed his face into the sheets. If he hitched up his ass, presenting it to Connor, well, he was just being clear about his needs.

Connor's breath stuttered. He grabbed a handful of Ben's butt cheek, kneading it in his large hand. "Are you sure, love?"

"There are better uses for your mouth right now than asking questions," Ben grumbled, wriggling.

"You make a good point," Connor chuckled before spreading Ben's cheeks apart and suddenly licking him from balls to rim.

Ben's body turned to liquid as he moaned. He'd meant wanting another kiss, but fuck Connor knew what he was doing. Connor swiped his tongue over his rim again, circling and tasting until Ben felt blood fill his cock once again. Then Connor speared his tongue inside Ben, making him shout.

Connor paused, reaching the bedside table and pulling out the lube bottle to slick his fingers. He slid one finger inside, smooth as silk, and stroked Ben's inner walls. Ben arched his spine, half-smothering himself in the sheets as wild need took him. Connor inserted a second finger, taking his time to stretch Ben before inserting a third.

"You're taking too long," Ben gritted out.

"Hush," Connor said, concentration thick in his voice. "I need you ready for me."

Ben could call out Connor for being arrogant about his size, but he'd seen the alpha's long, heavy cock swinging in the breeze. He wriggled impatiently, earning a warning slap on the cheek as Connor loosened him up before squirting lube on his cock.

The blunt head finally pushed against his rim, and Ben moaned as fire ignited along his spine. He arched back, wanting the full length of Connor seated in him. Connor reached around to stroke Ben's cock as he pushed in to the hilt. Ben could hardly breathe, turning his face to the side where Connor's mouth found him, locking him in a heated kiss as he rocked into Ben.

A large hand gripped Ben's cock and stroked him slow and hard, matching every thrust. Connor angled his hips to send pleasure rushing over Ben like a wave, making his toes curl. His body tightened around Connor, making the alpha groan, and Ben found himself at the edge in no time.

"I'm close again," Ben said, trying to smack Connor's hand away. He wanted it to last.

Connor crushed their mouths together, slamming his hips against Ben. "Come for me, Ben."

It was like he lacked control, his vision blackening as his orgasm hit hard. Connor rocked against him, riding him out and groaning as he spilled inside Ben.

Ben slumped back down into the bed, his muscles turned to mush. Connor chuckled, his elbows bracing his weight as he pulled out. He left to get a washcloth, cleaning Ben and getting no resistance.

"You're adorable," Connor said even as Ben burrowed his head under a pillow.

Ben made a vaguely rude gesture. He wasn't adorable. He was an alpha's worst nightmare. Or he would be tomorrow when his energy returned.

Chuckling still, Connor tumbled Ben over and pulled the blankets around them.

Ben snuggled into the warmth of a muscled chest, sleepy and safe.

A hand swept over his back, a mouth pressing against his bare shoulder, and then Ben was gone.