Chapter Sixteen

Blythe felt powerful as she began exploring Killian. She fully believed that she was no longer afraid of him. She understood him better after hearing about his past and what he’d endured. And it further concreted her faith in him when he’d stopped and known that she was reliving Diego trying to rape her. She’d been so scared that he was going to do the same, but he’d stopped. He’d shown control and that he cared enough about her to stop. It showed her another reason why she was falling in love with him. She’d been here for two days now, or, if it was after midnight, it was three. So much had happened in that short time.

Sitting by his side, Blythe ran her hands over his chest. He was so strong. She could feel the muscles in his chest and abs. She licked her lips and heard him groan. He was watching her and it made her nervous. She leaned down and kissed his lips. Not liking the angle she was at, she straddled his abs. Killian’s eyes darkened and his chest rose and fell quickly. His hands were clenched at his sides and he was obviously fighting for control.

A part of Blythe wanted to make him lose control, but she also feared the consequences if he did. Ignoring his struggle, she leaned down and kissed him again. This time she bit his lip and then sucked it into her mouth to soothe it. She kissed his chin and then down his neck to his shoulder. She scraped her teeth against his neck and felt his hips jerk up into her. She did it again and this time she felt him purr. The vibrations from his chest traveled up her legs and straight toward her clit. She gasped, wanting more.

Blythe moved to his chest, trailing kisses over to his nipple. Would it affect him the same way? Only one way to find out. She licked her tongue around the tip and then sucked on it. The purring increased and a growl slipped past Killian’s lips. His hands gripped her thighs and then he started rocking her. Every time she moved, her clit rubbed against him. She bit her lip and tried to focus on her task. He was trying to distract her and it was starting to work.

“Blythe let me make love to you,” Killian voiced.

“I’m not done yet,” she responded, nipping his chest. He jerked and his hands tightened, increasing the speed.

“I’m not going to last much longer. I’m going to flip us over and sink into your heat if you’re not careful. You’re not ready for that yet. Let me prepare you.”

“I want to keep exploring,” she pouted.

“Another time, when I’m not about to lose control,” Killian promised. There would be plenty of time in the future. He planned on making love to her every night as long as her body could handle it.

Blythe mulled it over. If she kept pushing him, he’d lose control and possibly hurt her. If she let him have control again, he’d prepare her and make it easier. Sighing, she gave up control to him.

“Okay. Another time.”

Not wasting any time, Killian flipped them. The motion sent Blythe’s hair all over the place and almost knocked the breath out of her. She pushed her dark strands out of her face and looked up at Killian. He was staring at her breasts. Feeling slightly brave and a little less innocent, Blythe slid her hands up her stomach and cupped her breasts. She saw Killian suck in a breath and then his hands covered hers and together they massaged and played with her breasts.

After a moment, he slid her hands up and then pressed them against the bed. Killian leaned down and sucked a nipple into his mouth, rolling his tongue and scraping his teeth against it. Blythe moaned and her hips jerked. He released the aching bud and went to the neglected one. When he was done, he started to kiss down her stomach. She could feel the tension start to build again and she wanted to wiggle. He released her hands to spread her legs wide. He stared up at her and then kissed right above her sex. He then ran a finger through her curls and dipped into her heat. He found her wet and swirled her juices around her clit. He pulled his finger out and placed it in his mouth. He kept his eyes on her as he sucked on his finger and then pulled it out with a pop. He watched her suck her lip into her mouth and nibble on it. Her eyes were shining with the throes of passion.

Killian pulled one of her legs over his shoulder and then the other. He buried his face between her legs and breathed in her scent. He growled and then spread her wide. He licked up along her slit and then around her clit. She gasped and her legs clenched around his head. He slid a finger into her, pumping in and out as he teased and played with her clit. When he thought she was ready, he slid another finger in, stretching her in preparation for his cock. He knew the first time was going to hurt, but he’d take it slow and together they’d get past this.

Blythe felt the tension again in her nether regions and couldn’t wait for her release. She had her fists clenched in the sheets, her head tossing back and forth as Killian pleasured her body. She would never grow tired of this and was sad that she’d been so hesitant about it at all. Her core longed for something to fill it and she knew that soon she’d have Killian’s cock deep inside of her. The thought still gave her butterflies in her stomach.

Just as Blythe thought Killian was going to let her come, he stopped. She whimpered from the loss as he started moving back. Was he really going to leave her like this? It was pure torture.

“Are you ready?” Killian asked. Blythe took a deep breath and nodded. She was as ready as she’d ever be. There was no going back now. But if it came down to it, Blythe would rather be mated to Killian than anyone else. They barely knew each other, but this was how their world worked. The Running threw people together and it was up to them to make the best of it.

Blythe felt something prod her entrance and knew that this was it. Killian slowly slid into her, stretching her wider than she thought was possible. She felt him meet resistance and knew what this meant. He would have to push through her skin that indicated that she was a virgin, and it was going to hurt. Taking a deep breath, Blythe met Killian’s eyes and nodded. With one thrust, he breached the barrier and sank all the way into her. Blythe gasped and tears pricked her eyes.

Killian leaned over her, cupping her face as he braced himself on his knees. He kissed her tears away and let her breathe for a moment. Slowly he started moving, watching her face. Blythe expected pain and winced, causing Killian to stop.

“I’m all right,” she whispered, smiling slightly at him. The pain was going away and now she could feel the pleasure returning. He moved again and she moaned as he hit a sweet spot. He pulled almost completely out before slamming into her again. He used his arms to brace himself near her face and thrust his hips in and out. She gripped his arms and her body started moving with him. She would meet his thrusts and arched her hips to send him in at a different angle. She could feel his cock against her clit before it would fill her each time he thrust. It was causing the tension to build once more and this time Killian was going to let her come.

He increased his speed and soon Blythe felt stars explode behind her eyes and she screamed her release. Killian pumped into her several more times before squirting his seed deep inside of her. Her inner muscles contracted around his cock, keeping his orgasm going. He cried her name and then bit into his mark. Blythe cried out as she was thrown into another orgasm. She wasn’t sure her body could take any more.  Finally Killian released her neck and collapsed against her. His cock twitched one last time as his orgasm finally released him.

Killian rolled over and pulled Blythe with him. He pushed her hair off her face and studied her. They were both breathing hard. He traced her lips with his fingers and then kissed her. “You’re so beautiful.”

“You’re not that bad yourself,” she teased. She knew it was really late and exhaustion slammed into her. She yawned, feeling sated and tired.

“Let’s get some sleep. In the morning, we’ll shower and then go get some breakfast,” Killian told her. He pulled her into the spooning position. Her ass pressed against his cock and her back against his chest. He draped an arm over her stomach and let her use the other as a pillow. He knew immediately when she was asleep. It didn’t take long. Tomorrow was going to be a new day and Killian was afraid. He never wanted this night to end. There was a lot he was afraid of. He was afraid that Blythe would be just like his mother. She’d find someone else and try to leave him. Then another thought hit him. What if she was pregnant? What if he’d impregnated her? He’d have a son. Would she take him away from his father?

Finally, exhaustion claimed Killian and he fell asleep, dreaming of nightmares and things that could happen.

***

“Blythe!”

Blythe looked up from the bowl she was holding and stopped mixing the ingredients together. That voice sounded familiar, but she couldn’t believe that she was here. It’d been a week since Killian had finally claimed her. They’d woken up the next morning wrapped in each other’s arms. Killian had taken great care of her in the shower, not even taking advantage of her being naked. He’d washed her and taken great care to be gentle around her sex. She’d definitely been sore and had been horrified to find blood on the sheets. Killian had told her not to worry and had quickly changed them, leaving to dispose of the dirty ones.

She was pulled out of her memories when someone came barreling into her. She almost dropped the mixing bowl and flour flew into her face. She turned, her face completely white, and smiled at Carrie. Carrie was covering her mouth with her hands but even Blythe could hear her laughing.

“Was that necessary?” Blythe asked.

“I’m so sorry! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you! Walker finally let me come visit. He was too busy dealing with a problem, so I’m here with Tristan,” Carrie explained.

“Where is he?” Blythe looked around, trying to find the giant of a man.

“He’s outside sampling some of your cooking. I’d heard that one of the mates was cooking meals, but I didn’t know it was you!”

“I enjoy it! Working at the bakery really helps. Shayne is helping me with some of the main courses, but I normally stick to breakfast and desserts.” Blythe found a towel and wiped off her face. When it didn’t all come off, Carrie dipped the towel in water and helped her out.

“Do you have any idea how hard it’s been since I told Walker about the baby? He’s been overbearing and has locked me in our room. I’ve gotten so many clothes made and can’t even trade or sell them. It’s ridiculous. I’ve made Walker two shirts, some baby things, even a huge baby blanket. I’m going stir crazy! I know he’s worried, but so am I. I’m not going around acting like it though,” Carrie rolled her eyes. “I was seriously going to sneak out if he didn’t let me come see you.”

“Well I’m glad that you did. I can’t believe it’s been nine days since the Running. I feel like I’ve been here forever.”

“What are you making now?” Carrie asked, looking into the bowl.

“Blueberry muffins. Would you hand me the blueberries behind you?”

Carrie turned to find the bag of blueberries on the counter. She handed the bag to Blythe after opening it. “How did you get blueberries?”

“The guards have been ordering special ingredients to be brought here so I can make stuff. Can you believe they even brought steaks as long as I made them dessert every day?” Blythe was so happy. She’d been wanting to ask the guards for different supplies when all of a sudden they’d shown up. Shayne couldn’t believe it either.

“They’ve only been doing it on this floor. I think Tank has made lasagna every day this week. We’re running low on supplies and the guards haven’t sent us a shipment this entire week. They also definitely don’t get us blueberries or steaks,” Carrie said wistfully. “Any chance you can make us some desserts and breakfast one time?”

“I don’t know if Killian would let me go down there without him, and I never see him in the mornings. He’s back to training the younger kids. I’m not sure what exactly he’s teaching them, but at least he’s staying busy.”

“He’s teaching them to fight and protect themselves. He’s also helping them shift and how to fight in their animal forms. Most of the kids can shift by age seven. Some even shift when they’re babies. They’re so cute in their animal forms. But there have been some kids born that show traits of an animal form, but can’t shift. They have a rough life,” Carrie explained.

Blythe’s eyes widened. “That would be terrible! I bet the kids would make fun of them. What kind of traits do they show?”

“Well, they can still hear very well and also smell things we can’t. Some can shift their vision into an animal form, but that’s about it. They also may resemble their animal but in human form. Like, there was this one kid a while back, Casey, who had white hair that resembled the polar bear, but couldn’t shift.”

“That’s crazy!”

Blythe was pouring the batter into a special muffin pan while she talked. She managed to get some on the pan and wiped it off with her finger. She licked the batter off, finding that it was perfect.

“I know! Poor kid.”

“You know what I’ve been wishing for?” Blythe asked suddenly.

“What?” Carrie asked. She stuck her finger in the batter as Blythe was pouring. Blythe swatted her hand when she tried it again. She licked it off her finger and moaned in delight.

“I want to see daylight. It’s been nine days since I’ve seen the outside. I’m dying.”

“Good luck with that,” Carrie replied sourly.

“Is it really that hard?” Blythe asked.

“Let’s just say that I’ve been here over a year and have yet to see the outside. I wish they’d install windows, at least in the cafeteria. They could make them thick enough like bulletproof glass to withstand a shifter.”

“Maybe we should ask someone. Some of the guards talk to me and seem to have warmed to me. Want me to ask them about getting you guys some supplies and also about the windows? Maybe even a trip outside?”

Blythe finished filling the tray and then walked it over to the oven. She carefully placed it inside and turned on the timer. She stuck all her dishes in the sink and began washing them. Carrie helped her dry them and then watched as Blythe started pulling out ingredients again.

“Now what are you making?” Carrie asked.

“I’m going to make you a cake. I’m betting you didn’t get one on your birthday last year and I want to keep baking. It helps me stay busy,” Blythe answered. “And you didn’t answer me about talking to the guards.”

“Won’t Killian get mad?” Carrie asked.

“He won’t care as long as they don’t touch me and I don’t touch them. We’ve come to an understanding.” Blythe cracked an egg and started beating it in a separate little bowl. Then she did another one. “He’s not complaining about the extra supplies. I think he ate ten cinnamon rolls the other day. Not even kidding.”

“You don’t have to bake me a cake,” Carrie said softly.

“But I want to. When’s your birthday?”

“It’s hard to keep track of days in here. I ask the guards every now and again, but it’s hard to tell. I think it was over a month ago, but could have been longer,” Carrie shrugged. “Who knows...”

“We need to get a calendar. And damn, I’d kill for some paper to write to my family.”

Just then the timer for the muffins went off. “Will you keep stirring this together and get all of the lumps out of it while I take these out to the men?”

“Sure,” Carrie replied. She took the bowl and whisk from Blythe and began working on getting the lumps out of the batter.

Blythe pulled the muffins out of the oven and then set about getting them out of the tray. She finally had two-dozen blueberry muffins on a huge platter. Carrying it out into the cafeteria, she glanced around to see who was waiting. It was breakfast time and a lot of the guards had started wandering in. They all lit up when they saw the muffins. Blythe had already set out some fruit and some bread to toast. She’d also gotten out plenty of different jams. She’d been excited when she’d gotten some in the last shipment.

She was headed back into the cafeteria when she remembered she’d wanted to ask them some questions. She looked for Carter, the man responsible for saving Killian. He was nowhere to be found, but Ben was sitting by himself. He’d already helped himself to a muffin and was buttering it. She sighed, debating about whether or not to talk to him. He hadn’t been too friendly with her since Killian attacked him. She could see the cast he had on his arm, a bitter reminder.

Throwing her shoulders back, she marched over to him.

“Hello, Ben,” she said politely.

“What do you want?” he eyed her suspiciously.

“Are you enjoying the desserts and breakfasts I make?” Blythe asked him.

“Yes,” he admitted. He took a bite of his muffin and his eyes widened. “This is amazing.”

“Thank you. I was wondering if I could ask you a question.” She sat down across from him.

“What?” he asked warily.

“Is there any possible way that me and a friend could go up to the roof to see the sunshine and get some fresh air? Don’t I deserve a reward for all the hard work I’ve done?” Blythe asked.

“I don’t have the authorization for that,” Ben replied instantly. “You’d have to talk to Carter or Finley.”

Blythe shuddered at the sound of Finley’s name. He was always staring at her and creeped her out. He was also the one that beat Killian to a bloody pulp. She wanted to wring his neck.

“I think I’ll ask Carter.”

“Good luck with that. He’s gone for a week to visit his family. Bout time he took a vacation,” Ben told her.

Her face fell and she felt disappointed. Ben glanced up at her and sighed. “Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll call Carter and see what he says. I’ll let you know tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you!” Blythe was so excited she almost hugged him. It was Ben who jerked away from her before she could. Her eyes widened and she realized her mistake. “I’m sorry.”

“Yea, well, I don’t want your mate to kill me,” Ben shrugged.

“That was my fault. I got excited.”

“I’ll let you know tomorrow.”

He was obviously dismissing her and she hurried off before he could change his mind. She hoped that he’d keep his word. She hurried back in to find Carrie pouring the cake batter into a pan.

“Thank you! You didn’t have to do that,” Blythe told her.

Carrie shrugged. “You were taking a while.”

“Guess what?” Blythe said excitedly.

“What?”

“One of the guards is going to ask his supervisor if he can take us to the roof!”

“Are you serious?” Carrie asked. She was so excited she almost dropped the bowl into the cake pan. “Please tell me you’re serious!”

“I’m serious. He’s going to let us know in the morning. You have to come back in the morning and we’ll both find out together,” Blythe told her.

Carrie’s face fell.

“What is it?” Blythe asked.

“We haven’t asked our mates. What do you think they’re going to say? We’re going onto a roof with a guard. Alone. There’s no way Walker will let me,” Carrie sighed.

“We just won’t tell them,” Blythe shrugged. “There’s nothing that could go wrong. We can defend ourselves. Killian’s been teaching me some moves every night. I’ve gotten pretty good at getting out of chokeholds.”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like a good idea,” Carrie bit her lip.

“Well, we don’t even know if we can go,” Blythe reminded her.

“True.”

“I guess I can tell him I’m visiting you again,” Carrie muttered.

“This is so exciting.” Blythe walked over to the oven and pushed the cake in. She turned to Carrie with a smile on her face. “I can’t wait.”