He wasn’t sure how it worked for genetically engineered mates. Did the cats know they were mates? Fuck, what torment would that have brought them?
He shuddered and pushed the unthinkable to the back of his mind to think about that another time, because right now saving his mates was his top priority. Carefully, he ran soothing hands down the body of the cat who desperately needed him. “I’m going to move you next to our mate.”
Taking a deep breath, he didn’t think about the god-awful smell and met Kylo’s gaze. “On three,” at his nod when his hands were in position, Ben counted, “One,” he tightened his grip, “Two,” he breathed out, “Three.” He lifted and hated that there wasn’t even the barest of whimpers.
There was the sound of feet slapping on the stairs before Nori appeared. His expression grim, as he held the enormous pack on his shoulder, and stared at the cat in their arms. “Do you think it would be better to move them upstairs to the lodge part of the building? Take them away from the constant reminder of death.” His gaze traveled to the other cages. What did it say about his mates when they were the only two hanging onto life.
Ben looked at Kylo who nodded.
“You stay here with the other one. We need some large syringes, no needles, so we can drip water into their mouths.”
He moved the shoulder with the pack on. “I’ve plenty in here.”
At that they slipped past Nori as he dropped the pack and bent to root around in it.
Ben closed his mind to what harm they could do and breathed shallowly as he mounted the stairs up into the main room. The large sectional couch on the far side of the room was wide and long. It was perfect to act as a cat bed for now. “Let’s put him on here. We can put the other one next to him.”
Kylo didn’t argue. Once placed on the soft cushions, Ben was sure he’d caught a sound. He crouched next to the sofa and stroked gently over the back of the cat’s ear. “I’m here and we’re going to look after you.”
“I’ll go get the other one. Nori can help me, you stay here.” Kylo nodded to the cat laying on the sofa. “Give him some water. I bet there’s bottled stuff in the fridge. It might be warm as the electric is out, but it’ll be clean.”
Kylo left before Ben could reply. He got up and went in search of what he could find. The huge refrigerator was well stocked, with all sorts, but it was the bottled water Ben was interested in. They were still cool to touch, and he removed several bottles, shutting the door quickly to leave whatever chill remained inside.
Back at the couch, he placed the bottles on the table that he’d kicked back to give him more room. Unscrewing the cap, he then slid a hand under the large head to tilt it back. “Little one, you need to drink. Smell the water… come on. It’s clean, there are no drugs in it.” At the lack of any obvious response, Ben took another breath, held it, and carefully trickled water in past the vicious-looking teeth.
He was careful. When it dripped out of the corner of the cat’s mouth, Ben stopped pouring, putting the bottle down and moving the cat’s head to encourage the water down his throat. He wasn’t sure how long he was crouched feeding water to the cat before he heard his brothers coming up from the basement, but he’d emptied two bottles of water.
His eyes widened at the large, jagged scratch to Kylo’s forearm. Blood trickled from the cut. Both brothers had a glistening coat of sweat covering their naked bodies and wore wary looks as they came towards him.
The cat held between his brothers wore what Ben could only describe as a frantic expression. It was wild and convinced Ben that if the cat had more strength that neither of his brothers would be breathing. The moment his gaze landed on the cat on the couch he hissed, his teeth bared.
As they got closer, it unsheathed lethal claws. “I’m not hurting him, I swear. Look.” Ben held up the bottle of water as he stood and gave his brothers room to get closer to the couch. “It’s water. You both need food and drink to help get your strength back.”
The sneer was both glorious because his mate was so protective and equally terrifying if he wasn’t able to make the cat see he wanted to help.
“Smell me.” He held out his free hand as his brothers stopped and eyed the cat they held with caution. It became obvious in seconds the cat didn’t have the strength to move the small distance.
Ben motioned to his brothers. “Put him on the couch.”
The moment his brothers eased him next to their other mate, the cat snuggled right in, his nose going into the scruff on the back of the other cat’s neck and purrs filled the room. A ball of emotion lodged in the back of Ben’s throat. He blinked repeatedly, his nose burned with tears.
Nori nudged his shoulder. “They’re fighters, that has to go in their favor.”
“Let’s fucking hope so. I won’t be able to control my panther if they die.” The fatalistic words were the truth. His panther’s frantic need to shift and join the two on the couch was making it hard for him to stop shaking. His gaze never left the two cats as their breathing synchronized.
“I see you got some water into him.” Nori rubbed his jaw. ”Do you wanna try with the other one. He wasn’t happy with Kylo trying.”
Ben once more eyed the large gash on Kylo’s arm. “You need to clean that before it becomes infected.”
“Yes, baby brother.” Kylo’s mocking salute came before he walked off towards the large kitchen area set off to the right. A counter in dark wood separated the big space.
Ben picked up another bottle of water and sank down next to the couch. Neither cat looked at him. “I need you to smell me, know that I mean you no harm.” He held his arm close to both heads and waited for some sign from the cat who seemed to be the more alert.
His patience paid off when whiskers tickled his arm and a dry nose rubbed at his wrist. “That’s it, scent me,” he encouraged in a soft, crooning voice. His own senses were going crazy at the gentle touch.
The touch was barely there, yet it was enough to give him hope. “I’m going to give you some water. We need you both to drink to avoid putting in any needles.”
That got a hiss and a solid thump to his wrist. Taking a risk, Ben put the bottle down at the side of his leg, leaving his other hand where it was. His hand free, he brought it into eye line so the cats could see it. Slowly, he lowered it to where they both touched, going with his panther’s instincts. The second he laid his hand over them both, stretching his fingers wide on their matted fur, sparks flew up his arm. His breathing became as labored as the cats.
