Chereads / MY CRUEL MATES / Chapter 7 - Chapter 7

Chapter 7 - Chapter 7

Claire

Flying back to the house wasn't as nerve wracking as flying away. I was still nervous, but Bennett clung tightly to me and for some reason I felt safe in his arms. He helped me off of Rowan's back this time, rather than letting me fall and walked me into the house as Rowan shifted back. Bennett carried my things for me and set them down before walking into the kitchen. I sat quietly on the couch, not sure what to do and not wanting to piss either of them off. Rowan came back in and didn't pay me any attention, simply walked into the kitchen with Bennett. My eyes traversed the living room and looked towards a door that I realized was to the garage. The car keys were hanging on a hook right next to it and a thrill of excitement went through me. I wasn't sure when or how, but I knew that was my only chance at escape. I could never run away on foot, we were too far from civilization for me to make it and I knew they could track me down easier that way. My mind is in contemplation when Bennett walks back into the room.

"What are you thinking so hard about, little one?" He asks curiously.

"Nothing." I say, my heart rate kicking up. Bennett gives me a cruel smirk and chuckles.

"You know we can tell when you're lying, right?" He asks, cocking a brow and I sigh. I try to come up with something, and remember what I wanted to ask him.

"Why did I not want to be away from Rowan? It doesn't make any sense. He's not nice to me." I say and Bennett's eyes look sad for a moment before he pushes it away.

"The mate bond. You being human, you don't feel it as strongly as we do. But the longer you are with us, the more you will crave us. You won't be able to deny it for long, little one. We will never force you to do anything, but your body will." He says with a sinister glean in his eye that makes my stomach drop.

Surely that can't be true? How could my own body betray me like this? Sure, the two men are gorgeous, but they are vile creatures who care nothing for my kind, our suffering. Humankind is going extinct while they use us for labor, for food and for reproduction in my case. I realize Bennett is watching my reaction to his words so I steel my expression, not wanting to piss off his wolf again. In a way, Bennett is scarier than Rowan. At least with Rowan, what I see is what I get. But with Bennett, he's sweet and attentive until I somehow piss him off.

Then he's deadly.

I take a few deep breaths to quiet my pounding heart and try to slow my racing mind. He must not be upset by my reaction as he huffs a little and leaves the room. He calls me in for supper shortly after and I eat what I'm told. I don't particularly like the meals they eat. They are heavy on meat and not many fruits or vegetables. It makes my stomach upset and my body sleepy, but I don't say anything for fear of upsetting them.

After dinner, I'm allowed to sit on the couch and watch TV for awhile. Bennett sits with me, an arm wrapped around me as he plays with my hair and leans over to sniff me occasionally.

I try to ignore him.

Rowan sits in a chair and reads a book and I am struck suddenly by the strange domesticity of the moment. To an outsider we would look like normal people enjoying a quiet evening at home. Not a hostage and her captors.

After a few hours, I begin to yawn. Bennett watches me affectionately, chuckling a little every time I stretch sleepily. After the show we were watching ends, Bennett stands and scoops to pick me up making me squeak in surprise and wrap my arms around his neck.

"Come on, little one. Let's get you tucked into bed." He murmurs in my ear. My heart begins to pound in fear as he carries me to the bedroom they share. Bennett stops just inside the room to look at me curiously.

"Why are you scared?" He asks and I bite my lip, afraid my answer will upset him.

"You meant what you said? That you won't... force me to... do anything?" I ask and he grins a little.

"No. We won't." He answeres succinctly and I nod.

"Does that mean I don't have to sleep in here if I'm not ready to?" I ask quietly and Bennett's chest rumbles with disapproval while Rowan makes himself known by a loud, annoyed growl.

"You sleep in here. End of discussion." He says harshly. Bennett puts me down and hands me some clothes to change into. Too scared to take a shower after what happened last time, I use the bathroom quickly and change before slipping back into the room.

Both men have stripped to their boxers and I gulp as I try not to ogle their bodies. They are perfection. All hard muscle, sharp planes, broad shoulders, chiseled jaws and noses. I had never seen supernatural creatures up close, but knew why humans were still attracted to them despite the horrific way we have been treated. Bennett clears his throat, snapping my attention to him. He's giving me a wide, smug grin and I know I have been discovered checking them out and I feel my face heat in a blush. Bennett points firmly to the bed and I cross the room quickly, lying down as instructed so I don't piss him off. I hover on the edge before Rowan grunts in annoyance.

"In the middle." He says sharply and I huff out a nervous breath before shimmying into the middle of the large bed.

Both men climb in, one on either side of me. Rowan sidles up to my side and tucks his face into my neck, taking a deep breath before skimming his lips over my ear.

"Good girl." He whispers, making me shiver. My reaction makes him chuckle as he skims his hand lightly over the sensitive skin of my belly. My core clenches and my heart flutters. My involuntary reaction to Rowan makes me realize the validity of what Bennett said earlier.

My body wants them, even if I don't.

The truth of that statement reaffirms my plan to escape these monsters and I need to do it quickly.

Tonight.

Bennett wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his side until my head is resting on his chest. He let's out a steady breath and I feel his body relax next to me. Rowan scoots up close behind me, his arm draped across me and his hand tucks into the waistband of Bennett's boxers. Bennett's chest rumbles like he enjoys the contact and I lay there quietly as their breathing evens out. My body begins to sweat from the heat of them both. My skin is sticky and clammy, sticking to the skin of my creatures everywhere we touch. It's a sickening feeling that I try to ignore, but I only get hotter the longer I lay there. I eventually try to peel myself away, moving Rowan's arm and slipping out from under him. I creep towards the end of the bed, only for Rowan's gruff, tired voice to ring out from behind me.

"Where are you going, human?" He asks still half asleep.

"To get a drink of water. I'm sweating buckets between the two of you." I whisper back. He huffs out a small laugh before nodding and scooching closer to Bennett. Bennett moves closer to him as well, nuzzling into his chest as they wrap themselves around each other. It would almost be cute if they weren't both so damn scary.

I pad quietly out to the kitchen and do as I said I would do, get a drink of water since I have no idea when I'll eat or drink again. I take much longer than necessary and sneak back down the hallway to their room. I peek inside and see them both sleeping, eyes closed, relaxed and unnmoving. I take a deep breath and walk back towards the kitchen, gripping the car keys in my hand and slipping out the door and into the garage. I know the door moving up will make noise, as will the car starting, but I don't really have another choice. I try each car until the key unlocks a small black SUV. I've never really driven, I took the class and have my license, but have never owned a car. I make sure my seat belt is buckled before I hit the button for the door. I cringe as the garage door swings up, seeming incredibly loud in the otherwise quiet evening. I start the car up and don't wait to see if the door opening woke them up. I put the car in reverse and punch the gas until I hit the road, then flip it into drive and hit the gas hard, speeding up quickly and driving down the deserted highway.

The highway to freedom.