Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

BEN

Avoidance made Ben stalk away from Kris and Anders and make his way along the lakeshore to the boulders jutting out into the water. He wanted to strip down and swim out to the pontoon where the wolves tended to leave him alone. But that was a coward's choice, more cowardly than walking away from the worried frown on Connor's face.

Ben knew the phone call was about him. Knew it . His blood drummed in warning that the peace he'd somehow found in the Oakford Pack was over. His luck was finished playing nice and returned to its usual fuckery.

He didn't want to face it.

Climbing over the rocks, he slid on the wet-slick surface and made his way into a small, private alcove. He sat on the tiny strip of shore, tucking his knees close to his chest. Waves lapped gently against the nearby rocks, the magical scent of untouched, protected water almost soothing him.

Boots scraped over the rocks.

Connor joined him in the alcove, expression carefully blank. "Ben."

Ben buried his face into his knees, not caring how small and childish he must look. "Whatever you're going to say, I don't want to hear it."

The alpha stood over him for a few minutes, the weight of his gaze pressing down on Ben. Then Connor knelt, his large hand going to the nape of Ben's neck and squeezing gently. "Ben."

"No. You've got your ‘I know best, I'm the alpha' face on. Last time you had that face, you brought me here."

Connor paused for a long moment. "It didn't turn out so badly, did it?"

Ben huffed loudly into his knees. "Don't be smug."

"Sorry," Connor said, humor in his voice.

Lifting his head, Ben studied the alpha's face. The crinkles around Connor's eyes looked slightly more evident. He was unfairly handsome, even when worried. Worried for Ben, which was a marvel. No one cared about him, not for years, especially not as an adult when his luck usually meant lies and manipulation by those who coveted it. Connor didn't seem to give a damn about him being a luckbringer. He wanted Ben to be strong.

"Swim with me?" Ben said, the words coming unbidden.

"What? Now?"

"If you want to." He rose and pulled his shirt over his head, letting it drop onto the pebbled shore.

Connor made a surprised sound.

Not looking at Connor, he kicked off his boots and shucked off his sweats and briefs in one move.

Connor's heated gaze warmed his skin as Ben waded into the water. He looked over his shoulder at the wolf and raised an eyebrow while Connor stared at him open-mouthed. "You going to make me swim alone, alpha?"

"This is avoidance, sweetheart," Connor said.

"It's only fair. You've been distracting me for months," Ben said. He crooked a finger. "So… distract me, alpha."

The wolf moved fast, stripping to reveal beautiful olive skin before Connor splashed into the lake.

"Fuck, it's cold!" Connor gasped, wading out to him.

Ben made a sympathetic noise and wrapped his legs around Connor's waist, pressing their chests together. "I'll warm you up, alpha."

Connor immediately cupped his ass, blue eyes locked on him. "You're trouble," he said, mouth turning upwards. Then Connor brought their lips together, his tongue seeking entrance.

Ben opened for him, letting out a shuddery gasp as Connor gripped the back of his scalp to deepen the kiss. Ben melted, a wild bliss taking hold as Connor carried him into deeper water.

Clever wolf , Ben thought.

The alcove was no grotto, absent of the secret places best suited to pampering his beloved, but Ben would make it worth it. He squirmed, bringing their cocks together. The hand on his ass tightened possessively.

"We need to talk about the call, Ben," Connor said, his tone apologetic.

"Later, please," Ben said. "Whatever it is, please, let it wait."

Connor studied him, blue eyes holding a mix of responsibility and molten desire. Ben held his breath until Connor nodded and kissed him hungrily.

Ben reached down and took both of their cocks in hand. He stroked them together, gratified by the shudder in Connor's breath. The alpha's large hands kneaded his ass, pulling his cheeks apart. A knuckle brushed against his hole, and Ben urgently tried to bear down.

"I don't want to hurt you," Connor said, licking and nibbling along his jaw. "We should go back to the cabin. There's lube in?—"

"I'm a water sprite, Stone. If I can't fuck in my own element, there's really no hope for me."

"You're so mouthy," Connor chuckled. His finger circled Ben's entrance, not quite pressing in, teasing. Ben chased the sensation and made a frustrated sound when Connor didn't oblige him by entering him.

"If you take any longer, I'll fucking drown you, Connor."

The alpha laughed, the curve of his lips against Ben's skin. "Alright, lovely. Wrap your legs tighter around me."

Ben held on with a splash, arms around Connor's shoulders when the alpha breached his entrance. He groaned when Connor curved his finger like a damn pro and found the spot that made Ben's vision spark. The alpha took special care, moving in and out before inserting a second finger. He mouthed Ben's shoulder and scraped his teeth against his throat before inserting a third and scissoring.

"Hurry," Ben gasped, squirming. The water about them rippled and danced, and Ben felt his control slipping. "Come inside me, Connor, please."

"You're perfect. Want all of you, Ben." Connor lifted Ben before lowering him down on the broad head of his cock. Ben made a long, drawn out groan as he sank onto the thick length. Connor reached between them and took hold of his cock, thumb sliding over the tip while Ben got used to the intrusion.

At his nod, Connor lifted him before hammering home. Their mouths clashed, and Ben bit on Connor's lush bottom lip as need took over. The water splashed around them, sending waves to lap against the rocks. It felt perfect, the lake around them and the harshness of the mountains overhead as the alpha gave Ben everything. Passion. Strength. Hope.

Ben faltered when Connor stroked him. Heat coiled in his belly and burned out of control. He came in searing spurts, the water humming with his ecstasy, and Ben instinctively sank his teeth into the juncture of Connor's shoulder to claim what was his. Conor rocked against him, thrusting powerfully before he shouted. Heated flooded Ben, and he clenched tight, wanting to milk every last drop as Connor claimed his mouth and gentled his thrusts.

Ben felt himself go languid, sagging against Connor, his forehead pressed against the alpha's throat as he regained his breath. Connor remained stuffed within him, and he relished the fullness.

"My beautiful sprite," Connor murmured against his hair. He let himself slip free and carried Ben to the shore, lowering him onto their discarded clothes. Connor peppered his skin with kisses until the breeze made him shiver. "I thought sprites didn't feel the cold," he chuckled as he grabbed Ben's shirt.

"The grotto's a hot spring," Ben said. "We can go there next time."

Connor paused from stroking Ben's side. "Intimacy in a grotto—I know it's not taken lightly."

Ben nodded, suddenly solemn. He always thought bringing his beloved to his grotto was a lost dream, but now…

Connor kissed him, long and slow. "Let's get dry, hmmn? I'll fix us something warm at the cabin and we can talk."

Ben briefly contemplated luring the alpha back into the water. Judging by the heat in Connor's eyes, the distraction would work. But he wasn't a flighty, angry sprite anymore. Connor had changed him, for better or worse.

He let Connor help him to his feet, and they dressed in silence. Heading back to the cabin, Ben saw the enforcers waiting for them on the deck.

The call had to be about Vaughn and the hunt Ben set in motion when emptiness and dread consumed him. He wasn't scared of Vaughn—that was never an issue. He knew how to fight to his last breath. His plan was as viable as the day he called Vaughn and dared him to hunt.

If only Connor hadn't given Ben something to lose.