Page 5 of Alpha Gray

“I didn’t catch your name.”

As soon as I say it, I regret it. It’s like the smart-ass response slipped out before I could even think. I know he was expecting me to say ‘no sir’, like I was responding to a sergeant, but of course I just couldn’t bite back the sarcasm.

Some of the recruits gasp and there are a few titters of laughter from the crowd.

The guy doesn’t react, though his eyes flicker gold. He arches a brow, then turns on a heel, stalking back over to the other guys. He stops and swivels back to the trainees, and I’m gritting my teeth, waiting for him to tell me to leave.I totally blew it.

“I’m Alpha Gray,” the guy announces loudly, “and this is Jax, Brock, Reid, and Theo.” He gestures to each of the men around him as he names them off.

I suddenly recognize Theo- he’s part of my pack. He looks just like his dad, Alpha Anders. My dad’s close with our alpha. Maybe that’ll save my skin.

Gray continues. “But all of you may refer to us asSir.”

I want to roll my eyes so badly, but I bite my lip to stop myself from reacting.

“Got it?” he asks, and the other trainees around me start mumbling ‘yes sir’.

Gray looks right at me, and I force myself to mouth the words.

“Good,” Gray snaps, folding his arms across his broad chest again. “Now your friend Fallon here has shown me that you all may need a little lesson in discipline.”

Shit. I knew I wasn’t going to get off that easy. I hold my breath.

“So I think we should all start with twenty laps around the track.”

I hear a chorus of groans and feel the sting of eyes on me. My face flushes hot.

Great. Five minutes in, and all of the other trainees already hate me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a flicker of movement as Brooke’s hand shoots up. I whip around to stare at her- about to ask her what the hell she’s doing- when she pipes up.

“Um, sir?” she asks, her voice small.

Gray looks to her questioningly and Brooke steps forward, clearing her throat and pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

“I’m actually here for the IT unit, not training camp.”

Gray nods, gesturing for Brooke to come closer.

“Jax,” he calls over his shoulder, and a blonde guy moves to join him. “Why don’t you take…”

“Brooke,” she supplies.

Gray nods again. “Why don’t you take Brooke over to the IT hub so she can get started.”

“Sure thing,” Jax replies, smiling warmly at Brooke. “Come on.” Jax turns and waves for Brooke to follow and she trots after him.

Once they’re a couple of paces away, Gray turns back to the trainees, scanning the crowd.

“What are you waiting for?” he asks.

Almost in unison, we all break off into a jog toward the track. Several of the other recruits are scowling at me as they pass, and inside, I’m kicking myself.

CHAPTER FOUR

Fallon

My legs are shaky as I climb into my bunk that night. After Gray’s punishment run, Theo put us through circuit training and Brock had us alternating planks and squats until some of the trainees actually collapsed. I’ve been training for years, but I now realize that nothing could have adequately prepared me for the squad’s summer training camp.

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