Chapter 20

Chapter

Twenty

CONNOR

Two days later, Connor watched Ben grip a knife tightly in his fist, green eyes darkened with concentration. He didn't hold the knife with any real skill, though Connor recalled the pretty sprite's propensity to turn even a set of car keys into a weapon, and wondered at the intelligence of handing over a blade.

Ben sat on a stool beside a workbench the enforcers set up on the lakeshore, with Anders sitting opposite him and whittling away at a block of cherry wood.

Drawing closer, Connor saw Ben wearing protective gloves as he scraped and carved a shape into the wood that might, at a great stretch, be a rabbit.

"Remember to go with the grain," Anders said, the brave, stupid man not even looking up when Ben's grip on the whittling knife tightened even further.

"I don't know what that means," Ben said, caged violence in his voice.

Connor fought back a smirk. Ever since the grotto, a new wildness blossomed within Ben. His delicate features were now radiant, with strength and predatory grace showing in the way he moved and fought. Whoever said sprites were shy, quiet creatures had never seen one coming into their own. Connor felt like an infatuated fool, unable to look away and constantly being caught staring by his smug enforcers.

Anders hopped off his stool and came around the bench, showing Ben with his knife as he pared away at his own creation—a stunning, carved sunflower destined for Kris's collection of thoughtful gifts. "Make sense?"

"It does," Ben said, still frowning like he meant to stab the poor bunny. "This isn't as relaxing as I thought it'd be."

"The point is to take your time, meditate while you work, be all mellow and present and shit."

Ben looked at Anders like he'd grown a second head. "Mediate? You?"

"Sure. Connor taught me," Anders said.

"He was a bit of a murderous bastard when we first met." Connor finished his approach and peered over Ben's shoulder. "It's not bad for a first attempt," he complimented. He saw where the hesitant chiseling grew more confident around the chest and paws.

He watched color glow in Ben's cheeks.

"Thanks," Ben muttered, glaring down at the bunny.

"He's got potential, so long as he doesn't throw the knife at my head," Anders said dryly.

"At least knife throwing is a useful skill," Ben muttered.

Anders gave Ben a look like they'd had this conversation before.

Connor ran a hand down Ben's flank, seeking to soothe the agitated tension in his spine. "Not everything needs to have a purpose, Ben. It's okay to have fun."

Ben relaxed against him, tilting his head slightly so Connor gained easy access to scent beneath his jaw. It was such a wolfish, mate thing to do that Connor's breath caught in his throat. He gave the pretty sprite a brief nuzzle, entirely sure Ben didn't know what he was doing.

Anders raised an eyebrow but thankfully said nothing.

"How did you two decide on this little hobby?" Connor asked.

Ben shrugged, lifting the rabbit and carefully examining the deep grooves on the underside. "I thought about the grotto and how someone etched those markings in the rocks. I know wood and rock aren't the same, but it's something my ancestors did." He shrugged again. "I want to learn."

Connor pushed down the flare of pleasure. He didn't think Ben realized he was thinking of the future and a life that went beyond his vendetta with Vaughn. "Any idea what the markings mean?"

Ben shook his head. "I was a dumb kid and didn't give a damn about the old ways." He thumbed the carving's rounded haunches. "Freya says she has a fae book that mentions sprites. Maybe it has something useful."

If the book didn't have what Ben needed, Connor knew he'd scour the entire planet looking for a way to help his mate. He stroked his thumb against the column of Ben's throat. "It's good to want to know more about your heritage. We'll help you any way we can."

"Thanks, Connor." Ben smiled up at him, green eyes vibrant.

Connor felt a powerful urge to kiss him, despite the audience. Fuck it , he thought, his wolf wriggling in approval. He thumbed Ben's chin, tilting his face upwards so their mouths slid together. Closing his eyes, he relished the eager press of Ben's body against his. Ben even tasted like summer.

Someone wolf-whistled behind him, and Connor turned to see Kris striding down from the cabin he shared with Anders.

The enforcer gave Ben a wink. "Looking good, Ben."

Ben raised his middle finger but didn't pull away from Connor, much to his wolf's delight.

Kris promptly ignored them both and went to Anders. "What did you make me this time, mate?" he asked, then clutched his heart in a swoon when he spied the long-stemmed sunflower. "You spoil me in the best way."

Anders looked as put out as Ben, not liking his loving gestures to be called out for what they were. He fussed with the sunflower, sanding down a rough edge.

Kris snatched it from him. "Nuh-uh, I've got just the place to put it," he said, running his fingers up and down the stem suggestively.

Connor's eye twitched. Sometimes, he knew too much about his enforcers.

Ben made a gagging sound.

Anders sighed deeply. "Careful, Kris, or the sprite will figure out how to use magic on you," he warned.

Kris only looked interested. "Do you think there's a lubricating spell?—"

Anders clapped a hand over Kris's mouth. "I'll show you lubricating," he threatened.

Kris's eyes twinkled.

Connor was distracted from the rest of the conversation by his phone ringing.

Recognizing the number, he stepped away from the group and walked up the lakeshore. "Grayson, what's up?"

A heavy pause came from the other end of the call. "How's your territory, Connor?" Grayson asked, his voice gravelly like he was partially shifted.

"Secure," Connor said. Freya and her hunters patrolled the border. There'd been more strangers in town, wolves claiming to be passing through, though no one at Oakford believed it.

"Good to hear, since I've got bad news, I'm afraid," Grayson said. "Craven's escaped."

" What? "

The three at the workbench looked at him, and Connor quickly turned his back. He pinched his nose and reminded himself to breathe. "What happened?"

"We're hunting him now, but he had help," Grayson muttered. "He must have convinced one of the servers he knew how to force a luckbringer and promised them big money."

"That's not how Ben's luck works," Connor gritted out. "How long ago did Craven escape?"

"Last night," Grayson muttered.

"And you're only warning me now ?"

"I hoped to have better news," Grayson admitted. "Craven must be out of my territory by now. There's no sign of him."

"He'll go straight to Vaughn and tell him who has Ben," Connor said.

"I'll bring with my enforcers, Connor," Grayson said. "Granier Pack has let you down, but you're not alone."

Connor shook his head. "You did me a favor keeping Craven locked down for as long as you did. Vaughn was going to figure it out eventually."

"All the same, we'll be there by tomorrow night," Grayson promised.

"Thanks, old friend," Connor said, knowing the might of the Granier Pack was no small thing.

They discussed the logistics of Grainer Pack's arrival before ending the call. Connor sent a message to Freya to triple the sentries and start a tight rotation. If so much as a leaf fell in the forest, he wanted to know about it.

He turned back to his mate and enforcers. Anders and Kris attempted to distract Ben by enticing him with a knife-throwing game, but the sprite didn't take his turn and instead met Connor's gaze immediately. A frown creased Ben's brow, green eyes darkening.

Swallowing hard, Connor feared it was too soon. He'd only just started to gain Ben's trust. The spark between them was such a fragile thing, so easily broken. Connor didn't want to tell Ben about Craven and Vaughn, not when the risk of Ben running remained so high. But he didn't have the right to stop Ben, not when he'd spent the last precious months building Ben's strength and skills. Ben deserved to decide his own fate.

His wolf whined.

Connor sighed. He'd ensure everything was in place to protect Ben and his territory. Then he'd tell his mate.

And hope the consequences didn't destroy them both.