Page 76 of Alpha Gray

“I’ve got it.”

Fallon

The sound of the door to the squad complex slamming shut gets all of our attention and I whip my head around to see who came out. My heart flutters a little bit when I realize that it’s Gray and he’s got the list in his hand.

Crap. Is he delivering the news to me in person? Is my number finally up?

I rise to my feet, brushing the dirt off of my shorts. All of us trainees have been sitting out here in the arena baking in the sun, waiting for the alphas to finish deliberating our fate. The other recruits scramble to their feet around me and I extend a hand to Shay to help her up.

She takes it, pulling herself to stand and dusting off her leggings.

“You guys ready?” she asks, looking around from me, to Boyd, to Davis, to Connor.

I’m so anxious. My palms are sweaty, my mouth is dry. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” I croak, looking nervously to Shay and the guys.

Some of the other recruits are already jogging over towards Gray as he slaps the cut sheet up on the wall beside the door. He walks away, but he doesn’t head right inside- instead, he lingers on the periphery, watching from a few yards away as the other trainees begin to gather around the posting.

As the five of us make our way over, I see Reilly turning away from the list, tears cutting lines in the dirt on her cheeks.

Fuck. Reilly got cut?! I thought she was doing really well this week! This doesnotbode well for me.

When I reach the clump of recruits standing around the list, I use my shoulder to push my way through to get a closer look. It’s a short list this week- only five names. A wave of relief washes over me when I realize that mine isn’t one of them. I’m in the clear for another week- and so are my friends!

I’m positively giddy- but I keep my composure and contain my reaction. I don’t want to make the trainees that were eliminated feel worse than they already do. I blow out a breath, spinning around and searching for my friends’ faces in the crowd. I find them standing off to the side and jog over, holding back my smile until I’m right up on them.

“We’re all good!” I whisper excitedly.

Boyd throws his arms around me, squeezing tight and leaning back, picking my feet up off the ground. “I knew it!”

He sets me down and I take a step back, grinning. “Damn, that was a close one.”

I turn to Davis, who offers me a fist-bump.

Then I feel a prickling sensation on the back of my neck, like someone’s watching me. Slowly, I turn my head, glancing around.

I lock eyes with Gray. He’s still on the periphery, waiting. He crooks a finger, beckoning me to him.

I’m hesitant at first… I mean, aren’t we keeping our distance, keeping our secret?

I furrow my brow, staring back at him. Is he sure?

He ticks his head a little bit, silently summoning me again.

Fuck it.

I turn back to my friends. “Be right back,” I say, spinning around and jogging off in Gray’s direction before they can ask any questions.

I skid to a stop in front of him, keeping a few feet of distance between us.

“What’s up?”

Gray folds his arms across his broad, muscular chest. “I talked to the guys. You and your friends can use the indoor arena at night to practice.”

I cross my arms, mirroring his nonchalant stance. “Cool. Thanks for doing that.”

“Yeah, no problem,” he breathes. “I’m tied up with pack stuff all weekend, but I can come by on Monday night, work with you guys if you want.”

My eyes fly wide. “Really?” I ask, my voice hopeful. “That would be awesome, Gray.” I pause, reining in my enthusiasm. I don’t want to sound too eager. “I mean… my friends will be stoked.”

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