Page 31 of Connected

“Oh, Zak… Shit. How the hell could you be so dumb?” he sighs. “All right, look don’t worry about it. You’re right, she should know. Trust me, it’s gonna be fine. I’ll make sure it’s okay.”

“Yeah, well, I hope he thinks it’s fine, cos the last thing I need is him pissed at me.”

“Hey, guys… chow time,” Bud calls them for food.

“Come on, let’s get something to eat. Zak… I said don’t worry.”

Everyone gathers eagerly—seating themselves on the horseshoe of logs that QT and Oz set out. The enthusiasm for food soon wears off though as they look at the unappetizing small portion of pasta they’ve been given. But with their hunger as it is, they say nothing; just grateful for something to eat.

Having not eaten since their incarceration, Kat and Zak finish theirs before the others even get the spoon from their bowl.

“Here, take mine.” Digby offers his portion to Kat.

“No. No, eat. You need something too.”

“No, really, take it. I ate before.”

“Uh-uh, you shifted, you need it. Digby just eat the goddamn pasta. I’m good, thanks.”

He smiles and kisses her gently on the lips, his hand stroking at her neck—careful not to touch the silver band around it. “Fuck,” he curses in frustration. “We need to get this damn thing off you.”

“Hey…” she leans forward and kisses him full on the lips—the pair almost forgetting everyone watching, “I’m good. Ryan, really. Now just eat.”

“Kat, I want you to know somethin’. I was so lost without you. The thought of losing you—both of you—I couldn’t’ve lived with that.”

“Well, you didn’t—lose us. We’re still here and we’re fine,” she flinches, wincing in pain as the collar rubs against her skin.

“We will get this off.” Digby gently strokes her cheek, reassuring her.

“I know.” She looks up and can see Darius watching them. He paces back and forward and Kat stares, giving him a long intense glare. “So, Darius, you’re not eating with us?” she asks snarkily.

“Sorry, what?” he cocks his brow, confused by her question. “Oh um, no. No, I got Bud to share mine with everyone. I wasn’t hungry. Everyone needs it more than I do.”

“Really? Now see, I’d have thought you would be hungry by now?”

“No. Really, I’m fine.” He stops pacing and stares—unsure of her point—he dismisses her.

“Hey QT…. QT, what the hell are you doin’ man?” Zak stands up—dropping his empty bowl to the ground as he quickly follows his smaller sniper companion, who moves swiftly towards Alvarez. “QT, stop! Stop right there. Hey… hey, don’t go near him! Shit, what is it with you? You need to listen, he’s dangerous, and I said to stay away.” Zak pulls at his shoulder, shoving him back.

QT snarls and glares at Zak as he moves back in front of their prisoner and focuses his eyes on him.

Everyone swings around from where they’re sitting as they watch what’s going on. Zak positions his large muscular frame between the pair and his deep blue eyes stare deep into the bright firelight-amber of QT’s.

He frowns, reading the omega’s desperate look as he tries to say something. “All right QT, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“L-l-look…” he points at Alvarez. “The… the k-k—” He stammers nervously, struggling more than normal to get his words out.

“The… what?” Zak frowns. Turning around, he looks at Alvarez and his eyes scan the shifter’s naked body. All he can see is the healed scars of old wounds—gunshots, knives, and beatings from his past life—and the numerous brightly colored tattoos that adorn his body. “QT what… What can you see?”

“The… the k-key!” Finally, he spits out the words and makes a grab at the crucifix that hangs around Alvarez’s neck. He pulls it, snapping the chain—immediately he drops it as the metal unexpectedly burns his hand.

QT’s hesitation as he scrabbles to grab up the silver jewelry gives Alvarez an opportunity, and he lurches forward. Using his knee, he brings it up, smacking QT in the head, knocking him off balance. As he drops, the gold-toothed shifter kicks him hard in the ribs, and QT groans with a loud oomph as he topples sideways onto the ground.

Zak snarls angrily and leaps forward, yelling. A fire of hatred rages inside the wolf and he roars swinging his fist hitting Alvarez full in the face. It’s so hard, it stuns Alvarez, sending him back to a seated position on the ground.

“You fuckin’ asshole!” Zak screams. “You touch him again and I will fuckin’ kill you myself. Now you sit the fuck down before I put you down… permanently!”

Alvarez sneers a huge grin on his face, watching as Zak helps QT to his feet. The rest of the team is now up protectively surrounding the pair.

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