Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

CONNOR

"Let's get this over with," Ben said as he slumped on the couch. Sunlight streamed in through the enormous windows, drawing attention to the firm set to Ben's mouth and the wariness in his bright green eyes.

Connor wanted to pull Ben close and kiss the fear away. His mate deserved to know he was safe. Their coupling, the taste of Ben on his tongue, the soft moans the luckbringer made—it all remained seared in Connor's memory, but beneath it was a hint of fear from Ben, as if he expected to lose every good thing in his life.

Connor would show him differently.

"Craven's on the loose. We have to assume Vaughn is on his way here," he said, ripping the bandage off.

Ben didn't so much as blink. "Okay." He looked between Connor and the enforcers loitering on the edge of the living space. "So, where do you want me to meet him?"

Connor tilted his head. "How do you mean?"

"You'll set a trap for him, right? Somewhere here on Oakford territory. Vaughn won't fall for it unless I'm there," Ben said, as if it was the most reasonable conclusion.

Behind him, Connor heard Anders swear softly. The other enforcers looked equally alarmed and upset.

Anger burned in Connor's throat. "I'm not going to use you as bait, Ben."

"You're not using me if it's my idea," Ben said. "I want to be bait."

Connor's hands tightened into fists against his thighs. He reminded himself to breathe and not let the rage take hold. His beautiful, stubborn mate still needed a lot of healing from his past. It wasn't Ben's fault—he didn't know how to rely on others and didn't believe people wanted to be there for him. Even after everything Connor and Ben shared, his mate still didn't know he was cherished.

"You're not going to be bait," Connor growled.

"Vaughn's coming here. If anyone's hurt, it's my fault," Ben said. He bit his lip. "I never intended for anyone else to get involved."

"What did you intend?" Kris asked, coming to sit on the arm of the couch.

Ben swallowed and looked down at his hands. He shook his head.

"Ben? You wanted Vaughn to hunt you," Seamus said as he and the other enforcers sat down. "Why?"

Ben glanced at Connor, guilt in his forest-green eyes. "Sprites don't leave their clan grotto for long periods—we can leave for a year or two, but not decades. We start to get...unwell."

Connor clenched his teeth, recalling the delicate, savage creature he'd found at the motel with Craven. A new light glowed in Ben's eyes, but Connor worried it wasn't enough.

"Our lifeforce fades. We get weak and confused and easily manipulated." A ghost of a smile touched Ben's lips. "Our luck stays strong, though."

Ben was such a temptation for assholes like Vaughn.

"You felt it happening to yourself," Connor surmised.

Ben nodded. "It starts with an emptiness," he said, rubbing his chest. "I know if I do nothing, someone will find me and take advantage. I'd rather die than let that happen." His expression firmed. "I want Vaughn to pay for what he's done to my clan."

"And he will pay, but not with your life," Connor stated.

"I don't want to die, Connor," Ben said. "I never did. I just didn't think there was another option."

"Well, there is," Connor muttered. Even if it meant locking Ben in a room and keeping him there until it was over. Vaughn was one of the cruelest alphas alive. The asshole alpha was never getting near Ben.

Something must have shown on his face, because Ben subtly shifted, planting his feet on the floor in readiness for a fight.

His wolf watched him proudly. Ben was scrappy, and now he had some skill to back it up. All the same, Connor felt himself responding in kind. His mate might be feisty, but Connor played mean.

Ben's eyes narrowed. "You can't stop me, Connor. And you can't fuck me into agreeing with you."

Jake made a choking sound.

Heat pooled in Connor's groin. He could convince Ben to change his mind if he applied the right kind of encouragement. His mate deserved to be pampered, not scared of an evil alpha hunting him down. It didn't matter that Ben had pulled on the wolf's tail… it ultimately brought Connor and Ben together.

"Maybe this is a conversation you two want to have in private," Seamus said. "Freya's already got sentries along the border, and Grayson will be here before anything goes down. We have time."

Ben folded his arms. "Vaughn's known about me for months. He'll move quick."

"He's never faced the Oakford Pack before. It's a mistake Vaughn will make only once," Connor said.

Nothing in Ben's expression showed hope or relief.

Connor would feel insulted if he didn't know how long Ben had been alone. Trust didn't come easily, and Ben didn't yet realize Oakford could be his home if he wanted. Still, what Seamus suggested held merit. More time with his mate could only be a good thing.

Connor moved quickly, grabbing Ben's wrist and hauling him up from the couch and over his shoulder.

Ben squirmed. "Connor! What the hell!" He attempted to knee Connor in the throat.

Connor smacked his ass and headed for the stairs, ignoring the grinning smirks from his enforcers. He kept the wriggling, yelling sprite in place as he opened his bedroom door and tossed him on the bed.

Ben bounced once and rolled, his green eyes murderous. "Don't even think about locking me in here, Connor."

"But I like you in my bed," Connor said, crawling over to kiss him. It was the first time Ben was in his bedroom, and he fully intended for it to happen over and over again. Permanently, if he had any say.

Ben angrily matched his kiss and grabbed a fistful of his shirt to push him back. "I need to end Vaughn. Why don't you think I can?"

Connor sighed and leaned forward to press their foreheads together. "I know you're capable—more than ever."

"Because you and the others trained me. It's the whole point of the last few months, right?" Ben waited for Connor to reluctantly nod. "So why are you getting in my way?"

"It's too soon," Connor said. Sighing, he leaned back and admitted, "I'm not ready."

" You're not ready?"

Connor smiled humorlessly. "I need you safe, Ben. My wolf is wild at the thought of Vaughn so much as scenting you."

Ben watched him, his expression contemplative. "You actually like me."

This poor sprite. How could he not know?

"Wolves don't choose lightly, Ben."

A vibrant glow returned to Ben's forest-green eyes. "Neither do luckbringers."

Connor slid his fingers along Ben's jaw, tilting his face to kiss him gently this time. Ben pressed close, deepening the kiss. Connor wanted to lose days doing just this, with the scent of his mate tangling with his own on the bedsheets.

When they finally pulled apart, Ben stroked Connor's hair and examined his face. "I need you to remember I'm you're equal."

Connor's heart stuttered. More than anything, he wanted Ben to be safe. But taking measures without Ben's consent was no better than caging him… and Connor already skirted a fine line there. With an effort, he nodded. "I know you are."

Ben sat back, smiling softly. "Good." His expression hardened with determination. "So, what's the plan?"