He’d find out soon enough if Bennett carried it as well, and then—then they’d have some sort of tie.
Maybe.
What he wouldn’t give for a sample of Ryan’s blood, but no way would Dirk allow that.
Ryan would have his own say, but Kane refused to go around Dirk’s back and ask his mate.
And if his studies of the past few weeks led nowhere, well, they could only hope their type of healing magic would continue to work.
Kane passed Bennett the ball, and he caught it with ease. “Know how to dribble?”
“It’s not as if I’ve spent twenty-three years in total isolation. I’ve touched a ball before.” The wind ruffled his red-blond hair, and Kane’s chest grew tight.
“Yeah? Prove it.”
Bennett took a few laps around the court, dribbling, before he drew up and shot. The ball slammed off the backboard but didn’t make the hoop. Kane shoved in front of Bennett to rebound it.
As expected, his shot was precise. He held a finger up. “One point. But who’s counting?”
“That was a warm-up.”
“I’ll agree to that.” Kane nodded, too aware of how close he and Bennett stood. They were of the same height. Kissing him would be as easy as breathing.
His balls clenched with desire, so he moved away a few steps. Bennett shot forward, dribbling, only a bit unsteady. The exercise would do him good, and working that muscle would carry healing blood to his thigh wound.
Kane jumped in front of him, blocking shots. A sweat broke out on his forehead, and he welcomed the exertion. Since Bennett had been in the Sanctuary, Kane had wanted nothing more than to take the man to bed.
In the past few days he’d jacked off so often to fantasies of Bennett, he felt as if he could trace the lines of his body in his mind’s eye.
Hard as steel at his thoughts, he faced away from Bennett so he didn’t notice the bulge in his athletic shorts.
Bennett whipped to the side, and Kane threw out an arm, striking him in the chest. The air whooshed from Bennett, and remorse flooded Kane.
“Oh hell, I’m sorry, man.” He grabbed Bennett’s shoulders to steady him, bringing their faces close.
So close.
Kane couldn’t have stopped himself even if Bennett’s former mate had been standing on the sideline. He leaned in and very gently pressed his lips to Bennett’s.
Heart throbbing in his ears, he drank in the shifter’s flavors. A growl of desire lifted in Kane’s throat, but he bit it off.
Curling his fingers, he drew Bennett closer until their chests bumped.
Pain seared through his lip, and he felt blood welling from his flesh and slicking his chin. He clapped a hand to his mouth and jumped back. “Ow! Dammit!”
Bennett’s glare struck him like a bolt of lightning. The shifter clenched his hands, chest rising and falling as though he’d just escaped a war party. “Don’t do that again,” he said through gritted teeth.
Kane ran his tongue over the wound on his lip, the blood coppery on his tongue. “What the hell kind of shifter are you?”
“A mated one,” he bit off.
“Not anymore,” Kane responded in an icy voice. With a snap of his jaw, Bennett came after him.
Kane sidestepped just in time.
Bennett roared.
Kane’s instinct to fight welled in his gut, but he tamped it down. This wasn’t who he was anymore—he used his brain before his fists. He turned and walked away, though everything in him urged him to stay and see the confrontation through. Fact was, Kane had overstepped the boundary by kissing Bennett, and the shifter had a right to be pissed.
When he faced Bennett from several feet away, his breath stuck in his throat. The man was beautiful. Glorious. The breeze ruffled his hair, and it shined red in the sun. Out in the open, his shoulders seemed broader, and Kane longed to wrap him in his arms.
“I don’t like the way you’re looking at me.” An agony crossed Bennett’s face, knotting Kane’s heartstrings.
He took a step closer. Bennett stood his ground, and hope rose inside him. Spreading his hands, he said, “I’m sorry I kissed you.”
Bennett swung away, but not before Kane recognized the confusion etched between his brows. “That’s not it,” he muttered.
Moving closer, Kane strained to hear. “What was it then?”
When Bennett spoke, his voice was reedy, a wisp on the wind. “It’s the way the kiss made me feel.”
Kane’s heart cartwheeled. He closed the gap between them and settled a hand on Bennett’s shoulder. The muscle rolled under his fingers but he didn’t pull away. “How did it make you feel?”
Bennett’s gaze glittered with pain, and he doubled forward. “For a minute it made the quaking stop. But the quaking is the only thing I have left of Raphael.”
-Chapter Seven-
Kane bowed his head into his hands, thinking again and again of that kiss, reliving it until he shook inside with pure, raw, primal need. But he’d done enough damage.
Knowing what he now knew from the tests…
He heaved a sigh.
“You sound weary, my friend.” A hand came down on his shoulder, and he raised his head to see Dirk.
His expression hardened. “What’s happened?” the doctor asked in a sharp tone.
Without a word, he handed the report to him.
Dirk’s eyes skimmed over the sheet and finally came to rest on Kane’s. He gave a nod. “Congratulations. It seems you might have discovered a link.”
“Doesn’t feel like a victory. Besides, like you said, it could be something passed down through clans. I wouldn’t know for sure unless…”
Dirk seemed to know exactly what he was asking for. His mouth tensed into a hard line. Finally, he gave a brisk nod. “I’ll ask Ryan as soon as I return to our quarters. Have you spoken to any other shifters in this situation under our care?”
“Not yet.” God, he felt so dead inside, so wounded. No way could he have Bennett now, not with a chance that two wrongs would make a very wrong. He could even end up killing him if they were mated and the urge came over him.
Dirk squeezed his shoulder. “You don’t know yet. You’re on to something, I agree. But just what is still in a very gray area of study. I’ll speak to Ryan immediately.” He turned to go but Kane reached out and stayed him with a hand on his arm.
“What else has happened?” Dirk asked gently.
“A… a kiss. I kissed Bennett and now… Hell, I can’t think of anything else but driving into him, taking his body for my own. Tasting him all over and sinking my jaws into his neck after we’ve shifted together.”
He buried his head in his hands again, shaking with the agony of his own kind of withdrawal.
He looked up as Dirk sank to a chair and templed his fingers, contemplating Kane. “I’ve been there, friend. You will survive it. But what happened after the kiss? Or during?”
His hands shook as he gripped the edge of the desk. “Bennett admitted that it stopped his shakes.”
Dirk blinked.
“And that he didn’t want that to happen, because the shakes are all he has left of his mate.”
The torture in Bennett’s face when he’d spoken Raphael’s name… it made him want to smash his fist through something, to shift and destroy everything in his path.
Dirk nodded slowly, ingesting the statement. “It makes sense. Yet I believe Bennett, as with Ryan, will come around. Don’t give up on him.”
His head snapped up and he met Dirk’s gaze fully. “You don’t believe I should let it go, knowing we both carry this malfunctioning chromosome?”
“I don’t believe so. After all, true love overcomes all. At least that’s what the ancestors said in the old stories. Right?” He got up and squeezed Kane’s shoulder. Then he left him sitting in the silence of the lab, alone with his thoughts.
And more than one throb of hope inside his aching heart.
* * * * *
Kane stuck his head around Bennett’s door. His d
ark gaze drank in Bennett’s disheveled state. “Get dressed and meet me on the court in ten.” Then he disappeared.
Bennett stared at the place he’d been, annoyance hitting his system. Damn high-handed bear, ordering Bennett around.
But an undeniable flutter sank low in Bennett’s stomach. As he sat on his bed another minute, he analyzed the feeling. Was it anger? No, it was far from anger, and that was what scared the hell out of him.
It felt too close to what he’d first felt with Raphael before he’d claimed him as his mate. He’d only known Kane for a short time, but somehow they’d become friends.
Somehow, he’d come to rely on him.
Leaping off the bed, he rushed to the chest of drawers containing everything he owned, which had also been provided by the Sanctuary. He owed so much to this place.
No. He couldn’t betray his mate.
An ache was beginning to form in his chest. Maybe he shouldn’t follow Kane’s orders and go to the court. What good could come of it, anyway?
A kiss.
That flutter was back in full force.
What mate? He pushed me away. Hurt me. Kane wouldn’t do that, not ever.
He threw on his clothes, his T-shirt one with the Sanctuary logo of trees and the letters forming a bridge. Kane had this shirt in a midnight blue that made his skin glow.
Bennett grunted at the images forming in his head of Kane’s broad chest barely contained by the cotton. “Yep. This is a really bad idea,” he whispered, but headed out anyway.
The Sanctuary was still at this time of day, the commons area empty. He hadn’t made friends with anyone since arriving but there were a few people he acknowledged after passing them countless times in the corridors. Right now most residents were involved in group activities or group therapy—something Bennett refused to attend. He didn’t see the point in confiding to strangers his innermost feelings.
He lengthened his strides and pushed through the heavy wooden doors. The air was fresh—it had rained earlier that morning. Droplets spangled every branch in sight, and the weak sunlight painted the world more beautiful. The browns and russets of the tree bark seemed enhanced, and the scents were amplified.
But when he rounded the stand of pines and spotted Kane, head bowed, shoulders slumped, his heart squeezed.
At the sound of Bennett’s step, he looked up. From ten paces away, their gazes caught. That flutter grew in intensity, but Bennett twisted away to break the connection with Kane. He couldn’t bear to see the longing in his gaze.
Kane cradled the ball between arm and hip. He let it bounce, then dribbled five times before passing to Bennett. “Warm up first.”
He dribbled, switching hands, and moved around the court, happy that his muscles weren’t as stiff now. He also slept better. The one time he’d awakened in the night covered in a sick sweat, Maureen had asked if he wanted Kane but he’d refused.
He couldn’t admit to himself that having Kane in his room helped in any way. But he was lying to himself.
Kane snagged the ball from his hands and rushed across the court. Bennett’s innate sense of competitiveness surged, and he sped after him. They circled the court twice, stealing the ball from each other.
Finally Kane stopped moving, ball between both palms at chest-height. When Bennett charged toward him, Kane took the shot.
Whoosh.
Bennett rebounded and did two layups in a row before Kane knocked the ball from his hands. Before Kane could tighten his hold, Bennett hurled himself over the ball.
Kane fought for control of the ball. He half rolled onto Bennett, pinning him. Bennett threw both arms over the ball to protect it. Kane’s breath rasped near his ear.
A brand new type of ache swelled inside him and he started to shift. “Nooo!” he roared, claws erupting from his skin, fur sprouting on his nape.
Instead of rolling off, Kane firmly planted himself atop Bennett. When he snaked his arm around Bennett’s midsection, more fur burst from the follicles.
“Dammit, no. No.” He panted for control, but his inner bear was disturbed. It didn’t understand why Kane was touching him the way Raphael would.
Kane buried his nose in the fur and dragged a shaky breath into his lungs.
With a wild shove, Bennett hurled Kane off him. He hit the ground with a grunt, and Bennett launched to his feet. The ball rolled away and stopped in a shallow puddle.
Bennett snapped his hands into fists, feeling the sting of his claws in his palms. The pain helped him focus and he got hold of himself.
As he returned to his human form completely, he glared at Kane. The man was still sprawled on his back, staring at Bennett with wonder.
With all his willpower, Bennett fought his need to turn into Kane’s arms and ease the quiver of withdrawal forever.
He started to walk away, self-loathing mingled with the renewed sense of loss over Raphael.
When he reached the edge of the basketball court, Kane’s voice reached him, strong and hoarse with desire. “I can ease that ache forever, Bennett. I want to.”
Bennett swallowed hard against the lump of emotion Kane’s words raised. “I need to think,” he said without turning around.
As he returned to his room, he could think only of Kane. He owed the shifter so much. Kane had brought Bennett to the Sanctuary. He’d personally attended him, feeding him when he was too weak and saying healing prayers over him. Bennett owed his life to Kane.
The longing in Kane’s eyes was undeniable, and a part deep inside Bennett wanted to see him happy.
But Raphael… he was Bennett’s world. If he walked back into his life right now, Bennett would run into his arms.
Would I?
His mate had wounded him emotionally and physically. He’d caused more pain than any amount of pleasure he’d given.
Bennett strode past the open door of the library. As he did, his gaze met Ryan’s. With a jerk, he stopped.
Ryan closed the book he’d been reading and drifted toward the door. “Did you want to speak with me?”
Bennett braced a hand on the doorjamb, his stomach roiling. “I’m not sure.”
“Is this about Kane?”
A jolt went through Bennett. Was there any use in denying it?
“Come sit down.” Ryan led the way into the library, and Bennett followed. Vaulted ceilings with soaring bookshelves provided a backdrop for intimate seating groups and decadent furnishings.
Ryan took a seat in a plush leather armchair. When he rested his hand on his knee, Bennett noticed a ring on his left hand. “That’s elk tooth.”
A smile teased Ryan’s lips. He smoothed a forefinger over the shining orb. “A gift from Dirk.”
Bennett sank to a seat across from him and searched his face. Kane had told him Ryan had also lost his mate. Would he be open for questioning? He had to try. “How long ago did you come to the Sanctuary?”
“A few months ago.” Ryan’s golden brown eyes adopted a faraway expression. “After my mate shoved me away, I came here and they healed me.”
“But it was really Dirk—I mean Dr. Dreyer—wasn’t it? He healed you when he claimed you as his own.”
Ryan nodded. “The last thing I expected was to fall in love. But there was a connection between us that went deeper than friendship. And deeper than my first mating, because it wasn’t just chemistry.” He cocked his head. “Are you feeling that with Kane?”
Bennett stared at his hands. “I don’t know.”
“Has he touched you? A kiss, maybe?”
Bennett’s gaze snapped to his.
“And his touch stopped the withdrawal quake.”
Pushing out a breath, Bennett asked, “How did you know?”
Ryan smiled. “I know.” He leaned forward. “I want you to think hard about that ease Kane brings you. Is it something you can live without?”
Bennett shrugged.
“You will make it through this transition without Kane. But do you want to? Think on it.”
Le
aning back in his chair, Bennett stared up at the wooden ceiling beams. How to answer these questions Ryan had raised? Maybe he only felt things for Kane because he longed for that peace so much.
“Do you believe you and Dirk were fated?” he asked.
Happiness claimed Ryan’s features, giving him an inner glow. “I do. Who knows why my mate turned on me? Dirk believes it’s some cosmic power disrupting our ways, but he and Kane are exploring some chromosomal link. But does it matter? I was meant to leave that clan and come here. I was meant to be claimed by the man who healed me.”
Maybe I am too.
He stood, his legs slightly unsteady. But he quickly steeled his muscles and made his way to the door. Since the moment Kane had entered the cave and challenged Bennett, he’d been intrigued by him.
Raphael was gone from Bennett’s life—and he would never take him back after what he’d done. But Kane was gentle and strong, and when his lips had touched Bennett’s…
I’ll go to him. Tonight.
* * * * *
“My God, Kane. I think you’ve found it.”
Dirk’s words didn’t comfort him, not one bit. Sure, Ryan’s blood had revealed the same chromosomal anomaly as the his, Bennett’s and the few shifters he’d managed to sample since their last discussion.
The discovery made him feel as hopeless as he had the moment the shifter he loved and didn’t think he could live without walked away from his plea to try.
He looked up at the doctor, his expression probably as bleak as he felt inside. “What’s next?”
Dirk eyed him. “For you or the study?”
“Both,” he said hoarsely.
Dirk tapped the paper. “We need more specimens. We must travel and find other shifters who have suffered.”
“They won’t be easy to find. They’ll be in hiding if they’ve even survived.”
Dirk nodded. “Yes, but we must try. I’ll send Jonas right away. He’s been longing for an adventure anyway, and he’s well-trained in collecting blood.”
Kane sat quietly for a minute before saying, “And for me?”
Clearing his throat, the doctor came to lean against the desk, hovering over him. “You know my thoughts on the matter. It comes down to you, Kane. Are you willing to fight for what you feel? If not, how can you push Bennett to move forward while you’re too afraid to take that step toward happiness yourself?”
Trusting the Bear Shifter: A MM Shifter Bonding Alpha Mates Romance (Primal Roar Series Book 2) Page 6