Claimed

Chapter 18: Complications

Ben's POV:

I braced my hands against the wall of the shower and let the hot water run down over my shoulders, neck and back. The water dripped around in my face but I didn't care. I kept my eyes shut, thinking about Krystal, thinking about the first time we kissed. While I cared for her deeply the thought had never crossed my mind to kiss her because I just so desperately wanted to get her out of harm's way. I wanted to hold her, sure, but kiss her? Of course I wanted to but I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on her when she understood so little.

My shift was almost up and they couldn't see me sitting next to her by the cell like this. I started to stand and she grabbed my hand. I looked back at her, seeing nervousness in her eyes and I hated that.

"Soon, Krys, I promise," I said, bringing her hand up and kissing her knuckles. "I promise I'll get you out soon. We just want to make sure nothing can go wrong. It's not easy to sneak out of this pack but I swear I'll get you out and no one will ever hurt you again."

"That's not what it is," she said, biting her lip and leaning closer, her head hitting the bars, her eyes looking up into mine.

"What is it?" I asked, bringing my hand up and brushing my fingers against her cheek. Goddess, she would need so much attention to get healthy after this. I would have to figure it out because once we left this pack, all three of us would be rogues.

"Can you come closer?" She asked, her cheeks turning pink.

"Um, yeah," I said, leaning down and trying to rest my forehead against hers through the bar. "Are you okay? Look, I'll try to get another shift with you, I just don't want to raise suspicion and then not be able to come see you anymo-"

I was interrupted by her lips brushing against mine and her hand sliding up through my hair. "I just want to be close to you, Benny."

On days I felt extra crazy, I swear I could still feel her lips against mine. I straightened out and shut off the water since it was starting to get cold and I would no doubt get a scolding from Tess about using up the hot water again. I didn't mean to. I just lost track of time and the shower was one of the few places I felt some sense of peace.

I got out and dried off before walking into my room, looking for clothes. It was then I remembered Sebastian did laundry earlier and it didn't look like he brought it back up. I sighed and went to the bathroom, wrapping the towel around my waist and heading out of my room and down the stairs.

I didn't feel like going through actually folding it and taking care of it like I should so I just took a shirt and boxers and jeans before heading back up the stairs. I stared at the ground and wondered if there would ever be a point in time I could make it more than a few hours without getting lost in my memories with Krystal. Then I felt like a dick because I should want to always think of her. Thinking of her was the only way I had her now. I just...

I felt guilty.

Earlier, after Kane knocked Red down so hard the wind was knocked out of her, we called it quits for the day. She was exhausted, sweat dripping down her forehead and bruises on her body that were already healing. It was necessary, she needed to be trained hard to ensure she'd win the trial, it just sucked.

I sat with her while Darius talked to Kane about strategy for the trial and Ezra ran off to get her water. Every breath she took came with a wince, even more than usual. Kane upped the intensity today and she was feeling it. Everyone was taking turns sparring with her but they got breaks in between, she didn't.

"You wanna try that salve again?" I asked. She sighed and nodded. I grabbed the salve and moved behind her, scooping some out of the jar before rubbing it into her back. She took some as well and started rubbing them over her arms but paused when I hit a certain spot in her back.