Chapter Ten

Taking a sip of her coffee before answering, Blythe thought about what she wanted to ask first. She didn't want to start out too heavy because she was afraid he wouldn't answer her, and then he might leave. Then she wouldn't get any answers out of him.

"I guess my first question is how many floors does this building have?" Blythe asked, sipping her coffee. “I never got to see the outside. I was unconscious on my way inside.”

"Well, that's definitely not what I was expecting," Tristan told her. He smiled and then answered her. "There are five floors. The guards patrol the first floors and have sleeping quarters there, though I’m not sure if they even use them. I’ve never been down there to see. The second floor is where you are now. The third floor hosts the feline shifters. The fourth is for the canine and the fifth floor has the bird shifters."

"Are there a lot of you?"

"The bird shifters are the smallest in numbers. They were killed off easily before we were placed in here because they were shot out of the sky and aren't as great fighters as the natural predators." Tristan took a drink of his coffee before continuing. "The rest of us are pretty close in numbers. They have other facilities, so they only keep a certain number at each facility. They’re afraid if they put us all together, we’ll rally together and fight back.

"Do you guys ever get to see sunlight? I've noticed there aren't any windows. How do you even know what time it is?"

Blythe seriously hoped that she was going to see sunlight again. She loved the natural light and the warmth from the rays. Her skin was too pale to keep out in the sun for long, but she still enjoyed it.

"No, we don’t get to see the sunlight. The only way for us to see it is if they would take us up to the roof, which I’m sure they won’t do in case we decide to jump. With shifter healing, we’d survive the fall.” Tristan shrugged. “As for telling time, we normally go by the rotations of the guards or when we eat. The guards rotate at midnight and noon. And it's like clockwork. We also eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at the same time. Some of us are lucky enough to have a clock."

"Seth mentioned that each floor has its own cooks and doctors; is that true?"

Tristan nodded. "Yes, that's true. We don't trust the doctor from a different species to care for us when we're hurt. Plus, our anatomy is a little different if they’re dealing with a shifted shifter. Human form, we’re the same. It’s just easier that way."

"I’ve noticed a lot of hostility between the species. Why are you guys so against each other? I mean, you're all trapped here and are dealing with the same things! Why not help each other?" Blythe really wanted to know. Coming here and seeing the different species reacting the way they did to each other was shocking. Even some shifters of the same species didn’t get along.

Tristan growled. "Just because we’re all shifters doesn't mean we have to get along! Look at humans. You're all the same species, but do you all get along? No! You have the rich that think they're better than everyone else and then the poor that wishes to be better. We have similarities, sure. But don't expect us to get along. You’re just getting here and don’t know all the backstories behind the hatred and hostility. Just think about your basic house pet. Would a cat and a bird be friends? No. What about a cat and dog? Again, no. It’s animal hierarchy too."

Blythe saw his point. “How do you know so much about humans?”

“My parents weren’t always imprisoned. They were one of the first shifters to actually be locked away. I was born here, but they shared their knowledge with me.”

Sensing his mood, she moved on to another topic.

"Are all of the shifters losing their young due to lack of medical supplies? Or does one floor get more than others?"

"All of our supplies are the same," Tristan replied, downing the rest of his coffee. Blythe had almost forgotten about hers and took another sip. Hers wasn't that hot anymore and was growing cold. She quickly took a few more gulps and then rested the empty cup on the bed beside her. “At least they’re supposed to be. It’s not like we go looking to see if another floor is getting treated better. In the eyes of the humans, we’re all animals.”

Tristan grabbed her cup and walked toward the bathroom. "You have a lot of questions," he called.

Blythe heard him turn on the water and assumed he was washing the cups.

"Thanks again for answering them for me. I'm sorry, but I've always been curious about things. And we didn't have a television so I don't know anything about this place. I didn't even know what it was called. My letter to be in the Running was sudden and very unexpected. I still can't believe it even happened."

"At least you’re willing to make things work. Most girls would fight this all the way. I've heard some of the other girls from this Running haven't been so understanding or placid. They're causing problems."

Tristan came back into the room, but leaned up against the wall and watched her. Blythe felt a little uncomfortable under his watchful gaze, but she trusted that he wouldn't hurt her. He seemed like a man of his word, and he'd promised she'd be safe.

"Well, I'm sure you can understand how that doesn't surprise me. They were taken from their happy lives and thrown into a new place and expected to mate with you guys and give you kids."

"Not kids; sons. We can't have female offspring."

Blythe was shocked at first. Yes, she hadn't seen a female shifter so far, but surely they existed?

"So, there are no female shifters?" she asked, not believing it.

"No, there are a few. But they have been turned."

Blythe gulped. "Turned?"

"Yes, after they had a son or two, their mate turned them and they became a shifter."

"That's truly possible? How do you do it? Does it give them all of your abilities?" Blythe was filled with even more questions. How could she possibly get all the answers she needed?

"Yes, they are gifted with all of our abilities. And we do it by releasing a toxin in our saliva when we bite them. It's different than the marking because we have to bite deeper and get the toxin in their blood. It hurts, but most wait and do it during sex so the pain and pleasure mix together. It normally happens an hour or so after being bit. It's a painful transformation because all of your bones will break and then re-mend."

"Why would anyone want to go through that?" Blythe asked, disgusted with the thought.

"Because it's safer. They can defend themselves and their young. It also fights off sickness and death. We live longer."

"I don't know... I don't think I could do it," Blythe shook her head. "It sounds painful and I'm not a fan of pain. Do all the women wait to be turned after they have the children? Don’t you have to bite the children, too?"

"You'll probably change your mind," Tristan commented. “No, the males are born shifters. They inherit the father’s genes. Most of the women wait. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure why. I mean, you can be claimed by a male, and not be turned. So I guess that’s why it happens like that. Who knows? You’d have to ask them. I figure I’ll turn my female right away. That way she’ll be strong and can defend herself.”

"I doubt I’ll change my mind," she argued. “I think I’ll have kids first. I’m not sure I ever want to be turned. Ever!” Just then a yawn escaped her and she struggled to hide it from Tristan.

"You're tired," he stated.

She shook her head. "I have more questions."

"It's late. Why don't you sleep and you can ask me more questions later?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm done for the night. I'm tired too," he told her. Blythe sighed and admitted defeat. She was truly exhausted.

"Fine. Good night."

As Tristan started out the bedroom door, Blythe heard footsteps running down the hall. Tristan cracked the door but remained in the hallway.

"What's wrong?" he called.

"It's the bear doctor. Seth is down here," the man replied.

Tristan glanced back at her. "Blythe stay here and lock the door."

"No! If it involves Seth, I want to be there. He's here to see if I'm okay. Don't hurt him!" She threw off the covers and jumped out of the bed. She was out the door before Tristan could reply or tell her she couldn't go again.

Tristan glanced at her and shook his head. He turned back to the other shifter and said, "Lead the way."

They hurried back down the long hall and stopped outside the room where Killian was being kept. Blythe pushed her way past both men and into the room. Seth whipped around with a growl, placing himself in front of Killian.

His growl cut off short when he realized who it was. "Blythe! You're okay!"

"Yes, I'm fine. What are you doing here?" she asked, moving toward him.

"I came as soon as I woke up. My bastard of a brother knocked me out. I was worried about you and whether he got to you," Seth pulled her into his arms. Blythe turned to look at Tristan and noticed his curious looks.

"Seth, this is..."

"Yea, I know who it is. Tristan," Seth snapped, eyeing the bigger man.

"Well, apparently you guys know each other," Blythe commented.

"We go way back," Tristan smiled. Seth growled. "You can't be here. You need to leave."

"I have a right to be here. I'm a bear, you dick," Seth snarled. He quickly moved to place Blythe behind him.

"You live with the cats. So get your brother and leave." Tristan moved aside to allow them to leave. The men still at the door looked at each other and then made to leave. "You two, stop. Don't you dare go get my brother. I'll kick both of your asses and lock you pussies up."

The men stopped, not looking happy about it. Seth turned to look at Blythe. "Are you ready?"

"I wanted to tell Carrie goodbye."

"You can come back and visit her another time. Right now, all of you need to get out of here," Tristan commanded.

"All right," Blythe sighed. "Let's go."

"Killian, get your ass up," Seth demanded. Killian struggled to get to his feet.

"Why is he still so weak?" Blythe asked, biting her lip nervously. Even after earlier, she couldn't help being worried about him. She was a sucker for lost causes. She wanted to change his mind. Killian could learn how good love was, she’d show him.

"I'm not weak," Killian's head jerked up and he stared at her. Blythe took a step back despite the knowledge that Killian wouldn’t hurt her, and Seth growled.

"Stop being an ass," he snapped.

"Let's get out of here," Killian gasped after taking a step.

"Come here, you bastard," Seth jerked Killian's arm around his shoulder and basically dragged the bigger man into the hallway. The two bear shifters growled when Seth approached, but moved after a look from Tristan.

Blythe was surprised when they made it to the stairwell with no problems. She held the door open for Seth and Killian and then looked back for Tristan. She caught his eye and mouthed, "Thank you." He nodded back at her and she followed after Seth.

The door shutting was loud in the stairwell and made her jump. Blythe yawned and hugged her arms around her waist. She was kind of chilly. As she walked, she thought back to what she'd learned today. There was a lot she still wanted to know, but at least she had some answers. Tristan had been helpful. No one else seemed to want to explain things.

"Hey, Seth," she called.

"Yea?"

"You guys need to make a rule that all shifters that get a mate in the Running have to explain how things work around here. I came here knowing nothing and feeling scared out of my mind. There could be a lot more girls like me that don't know exactly what they're getting into."

Seth hesitated a moment and then kept going. Killian was basically a dead weight, but he wouldn't humiliate his brother by carrying him in his arms. His brother wouldn't forgive him and his pride would be forever wounded.

"That's a very valid point. I'll mention it to some people and they can tell the Council."

"Why can't you tell them?" Blythe asked. "Is it because you're a bear?"

"Yes. They don't trust me," Seth admitted.

"But they let you be the doctor?" Blythe didn't understand it. "They'll let you heal them but not have your input on how things work around here? That's dumb and seems selective in what they trust you with. It's not right!"

"Thanks for defending me, but they still won't allow it. I'm just a means to an end. I help sick people and people that get into fights. I hardly ever see a Council member. We heal fast. Mainly, I deal with the omegas and the weaker pack members. Every blue moon I get a pregnant girl and have to monitor her frequently."

"There are a lot of things that are not right about this place. I wish someone would have the courage to speak up and change some of it," Blythe muttered. "I'm definitely not brave enough. You guys scare me."

"You'll get used to us. We're not all bad. I'm just a big teddy bear," Seth smiled over his shoulder at her. They were at their floor and he waited patiently for Blythe to open the door. Killian seemed to be sleeping, but Blythe saw one eye open to look at her as she passed by to open the door.

Opening the door, Blythe said, "I'm sure if there was something or someone you cared about being threatened, you wouldn't be just a big teddy bear. You have a lot of inner strength and you're smart. You just need to see that and quit letting people pick on you and boss you around."

"Thank you. That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Maybe one day I'll live up to your expectations!"

"I'm sure you will. I'll try to keep reminding you, too," Blythe teased. She felt comfortable around Seth. He made her feel safe and she loved how he treated her. Blythe hoped one day his mate was as good as he was.

"Where are you sleeping?" Killian's voice startled them both. Seth almost dropped him and Blythe jumped.

"Umm..." Blythe didn't know how to answer that.

"Why wouldn't she sleep with you?" Seth asked, looking between the two. "Didn't you two make up? Or am I missing something."

"I don't want a mate. She can stay with you. You want her anyway. Now you can have her. I can walk, so let me go," Killian growled, jerking free from Seth. He almost fell flat on his face, but he managed to get his feet to move. He walked on down the hall, leaving them to look after him. Another pang went through Blythe and she pushed back the tears. She turned and smiled at Seth.

"Well, guess I'm rooming with you."

Seeing the look in Seth's eyes made her lose it. She fell apart and let the tears fall for the third time that day. She was surprised she wasn't all cried out. Blythe felt Seth's arms come around her and then she was being picked up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his chest. Blythe closed her eyes and tried to stop crying. She didn't even know what she was crying about.

Blythe realized too late that they were following behind Killian. She stopped crying, sobering up quickly. “What are you doing?”

“I’m tired of this. You guys have to figure this out. My brother is right. I want you, but I want a mate in general. You’re beautiful and a really nice girl, but you belong to my brother. I wouldn’t take you away from him. My turn will come eventually. He needs you and you’re going to mend this.” Seth set her on her feet and then pointed at Killian. He had just disappeared into his room. “Go.”

“You can’t be serious!” Blythe was surprised after the way Seth had acted before.

Seth turned and started back down the hallway. Blythe followed for a moment before he stopped and she slammed into his back. “I mean it, Blythe. Go back to Killian. You’re his mate. He won’t hurt you.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because you’re just what my brother needs. I’m tired of seeing him like this. Please, Blythe, do this for me.”

“I don’t even think he’ll let me in the door.”

“You’d be surprised. Did you see the way he watched you when you walked by him? He was checking you for injuries and to see if Tristan’s scent was on you. My brother and I had a quick chat before you showed up. Give him another chance. He likes you, but he’s afraid of commitment and what it means. He’s afraid to end up like our parents. He’s afraid you’ll abandon him or come to hate him. He needs your love. Once you give it to him, you can’t take it back or he’ll be lost forever. You have to commit to him. I’m just warning you. Don’t break his trust. My brother won’t forgive you and will probably go rogue. He’ll start killing people and we’ll have to lock him up for good or end him.”

“You ask so much of me,” Blythe cried. How could he push this responsibility on her? It was too much to ask. She couldn’t do it, could she? Didn’t a part of her already care for Killian? He’d been a complete ass to her, but she remembered him holding her after her nightmare. He’d been sweet to her. She also remembered caring for his wounds and touching his skin. The moment they’d shared during him marking her would forever be engrained in her mind. There was something there, she couldn’t deny it, but was it worth the risk? She wasn’t perfect. What if she messed up? Killian would never forgive her. She was scared.

“You can do it. I have faith in you. Now hurry before he goes to sleep. Then he’ll be cranky because you woke him up.” Seth turned and walked off, leaving Blythe to ponder what he said.

Taking a deep breath, she walked the few feet to Killian’s door. She raised her hand to knock, but then dropped it again.

She looked down the hallway to where Seth had disappeared. He wouldn’t let her stay, so where else did she have to go? She was afraid to be alone with so many unmated males around. The door next to Killian opened and a young man stepped out. He saw her and looked surprised before smiling at her.

“What are you doing out here?”

“Honestly, I was pondering what to do next.”

“Are you here to see Killian?” he asked, motioning toward the door. Blythe nodded. “Does he know you’re coming?”

“No. He told me not to actually,” Blythe bit her lip sheepishly. This guy seemed nice, but she didn’t trust him. “Who are you?”

“My name is Kale,” he replied. “What is your name?

“I’m Blythe,” she told him.

“Would you like me to knock?” he smiled. “Are you afraid?”

“I got this. Thank you, though,” Blythe dismissed him. She was hoping he’d go about his own business and leave her alone.

“Good luck,” he called as he walked down the hall. She didn’t reply, but watched his slender form disappear. He was cute, but on the young side. He looked to be in his early teens. Did his parents live in the same room? Or was he living by himself? Not wanting to get into any unwanted drama with Killian by asking, Blythe decided to forget his neighbor.

Raising her hand, Blythe knocked. The door immediately opened and Killian glared down at her. “Done talking to all my neighbors?”

Before Blythe could respond, he grabbed her arm and jerked her into the room. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Since you stopped outside my door. I could smell you. What do you want?” he glared at her. He sat on the bed and she realized that he wasn’t wearing a shirt. His wounds were almost completely healed and it didn’t even look like he’d been in a fight. Had he been playing them on the way out of the bear’s floor?

“Seth wouldn’t let me stay with him. He told me to come here,” Blythe answered. “I have nowhere else to go.”

“I’m sure if you walk back and forth down the hallway for a bit, someone will invite you to their bed,” Killian mused angrily. Blythe’s mouth fell open and she glared at him.

“I didn’t ask for this!”

“Here we go again. You being the selfish bitch you are and complaining.”

“Fuck you,” Blythe spat. Killian was in front of her, hands on her arms in seconds.

“Is that an offer?” he purred, his hips pressing firmly against hers. He backed her up until her back pressed against the locked door. His head dipped down to her neck and he pushed her shirt aside to see his mark. He kissed it and then placed his mouth beside her ear. “I can hear your heart racing. Is that in anticipation or fear?”

“Like you don’t already know,” she mumbled, trying to be brave. Would Killian hurt her? She closed her eyes and clenched her fists. She gasped when she felt his lips against hers. Her eyes flew open and she froze. His hand slid up her arms and to her neck as he traced her lip with his tongue. He held her head firmly in place as he pried her lips open with his tongue. He dominated her mouth and she felt her eyes slide closed. Her legs grew weak and Blythe found herself kissing him tentatively back. She was still new at this, but she had the idea. She touched her tongue to his and heard his moan. It made her feel powerful.

Growing brave, Blythe bit his lip and then sucked the sore skin into her mouth. Killian growled and thrust his hips forward. Blythe felt his erection pressing against her and panicked. She jerked her head back and then placed her hands on his chest.

“Killian, stop!”

“You were enjoying it,” he told her.

“Please, stop!” Blythe was breathing hard but it was because she was frightened. She didn’t know how to handle Killian when he did this to her. She was scared. No one had told her how to react in a situation like this.

“What are you afraid of?” he asked.

“I don’t know what to do. I’ve never been in a situation like this.” Blythe hid her face, knowing it was red.

“You are such a virgin.” She felt Killian take her hand. He placed it over his erection and rubbed. “This is my dick. It won’t hurt you. It would blow your mind if you wouldn’t keep freaking out all the damn time.”

“Get away from me,” Blythe cried, jerking her hand free and turning away from him. She buried her face against the wall and felt more tears prick her eyes. She would not cry. She wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.

The room grew quiet and then Killian turned off the light. She heard him get into the bed and then sigh loudly. “Get over here.”

“No. I don’t want to sleep anywhere near you,” Blythe snapped. She was shaken and her mind was still reeling over what had happened. She’d opened up just a little and actually tried to do what Killian wanted. Then he’d taken it too far. She wasn’t ready for this. It was happening too fast. She could still feel her heart racing and she sank to the floor. She curled her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She lowered her head on her knees and rocked back and forth.

After a few minutes, she heard Killian move. She couldn’t see him so she cried out when his arms came around her. He picked her up and she screamed. She struggled in his grip and screamed again when she went flying through the air. She gasped as she landed on the bed. She started to scramble off of it, but Killian grabbed her legs and jerked her backward. He flipped her on her side and yanked her back firmly against him. His arm around her waist kept her held in place. She froze, knowing she was no match for his strength.

“Let me go,” she begged.

“Go to sleep,” he commanded.

Blythe lay there for what felt like an eternity. She was exhausted, but scared. She didn’t want to go to sleep lest Killian try anything. Finally, exhaustion won out and she drifted into a restless sleep.