Page 34 of Alpha Gray

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Brooke says.

I smile inwardly.I couldn’t agree more.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Fallon

It sucks that I’m assigned to patrol the night we get back. The bus doesn’t arrive back at the squad complex until dusk, so I basically have to hop off and report. I’m a little panicked when I get off the bus and see that the patrols are already grouping up- I don’t want to be late and keep them waiting.

I feel a little bit of relief when I see Vienna getting off of her bus because at least I won’t be the only one holding up our patrol. I head Vienna’s way and I’m intercepted by Connor, who offers to take our bags in to the barracks for us so we can head right over to our group. Such a nice guy.

Vienna and I hustle over to where Brock and Casey are standing, and I can’t help but notice that Brock looks a little irritated for being kept waiting. Then again, the guy has never been very warm and fuzzy.

“Ready?” he asks as we approach, and Vienna and I both mumble in the affirmative. Without another word, Brock starts leading the way toward the gate and Casey, Vienna, and I follow.

“Welcome back!” Casey chirps to Vienna and me as we walk. She’s always so cheerful- especially in contrast to her quiet patrol partner, Brock. “How was home?”

Vienna grins. “Great! Our pack’s full moon run is always epic.” Brock glances back at her, a little smirk on his face. “Don’t you think?” she asks him. I nearly forgot that they were from the same pack.

“Definitely,” Brock agrees, and just from his expression and one-word answer I can see how proud he is of his pack. I’ll bet he’s going to make a great alpha when he steps in at the end of the summer.

“How was your run?” I ask Casey, and her face splits into a huge grin.

“Amazing,” she breathes.

Brock rolls his eyes. “Casey’s all googly-eyed because she found her mate.” There’s a hint of bitterness in his tone.

Vienna and I both gasp, snapping our attention to Casey. She’s absolutely beaming. The four of us stop walking, turning to one another- this conversation is worth stopping for.

“Really?!” Vienna squeals, overflowing with excitement. “Who is it?!”

Casey sighs dreamily, clasping her hands in front of her. “His name’s Davis, and he’sperfect,” she gushes. Then adds, “I’m sure you guys know him, he’s a recruit.”

I’m so caught off guard, I swear my heart stops for a second. “No way,myDavis?”

“YourDavis?” Casey bristles, and I choke back a laugh. Wolves are notoriously protective of their mates, especially when the mate bond is first activated.

I throw up my hands, shaking my head. “No, no… I mean, I grew up with him, is all. He’s just a friend of mine.”

My explanation seems to satisfy Casey and her shoulders relax a little.

“Wow, you and Davis,” I muse, grinning. “I’m so happy for you guys, truly.”

Casey smiles, clasping her hands together in front of her. “Thank you. I’m so happy, too. He’s just the best.” The girl looks love-drunk- Vienna and I exchange glances and giggle.

“Alright, come on,” Brock urges, rolling his eyes again and turning around, starting back down the path through the forest. The three of us follow, chatting all the way about Casey’s newfound mate bond. I’m really excited for them- I’ve always thought Casey was cool, and Davis deserves someone great. I can’t wait to ask him all about it after we get back.

We hit the familiar fork in the path by the clearing and go through the usual routine of undressing, shifting, and splitting up. My wolf’s still tired from the moon run, so it takes a little coaxing to call her forward. Once I do, though, she’s happy to be back out in the forest with the earth under her paws and I’m just as satisfied, totally in sync with her.

I pace the stretch of trees along the clearing on the border of the territory, and as usual, nothing’s out of the ordinary. The hours slip by as Brock checks in regularly through the mind-link and we report back that all’s well. This part of squad life sure isn’t exciting or glamorous.

When I’m out there alone on patrol all night, I have a lot of time to think. Of course, my thoughts immediately drift to Gray- those dark brown eyes, that perfectly tousled hair. The delicious orgasm he wrung from my body the last time we were in this forest together. The anticipation of being alone with him again is eating at me; my body practically aches for his skillful touch.

I think about Casey’s news, too, and of how happy I am for Davis. I’m genuinely glad for them- they’re both so deserving of love and happiness and now that I think about it, they really are a great match. They’re both so damn kind and genuine. I’m a little jealous that they found their mates and don’t have to go on living in limbo and wondering about the future, but that doesn’t dampen my joy at their news.

I don’t let myself think about what the mate bond could mean for Gray and me. Things between us have just started, and I don’t want to get ahead of myself contemplating their inevitable end. Maybe things with him are just a nice physical distraction until I find my mate. With what he’s shown me he can do with his mouth and his hands, I definitely don’t mind the distraction.

I’d guess it’s about midnight when I find myself out on the periphery of the territory, circling back, and I suddenly grind to a halt. Something just feelsoff. Call it wolf’s intuition, but I can tell that something isn’t right- I feel it in the pit of my stomach and my hair stands on end. I raise my nose to sniff the air, then a feeling of dread washes over me as I realize that something smellswrong.

---