Page 148 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
“If he gets a whiff of Halley, he’ll try to take her,” says Viper. “We can’t let that happen.”
Blaze gives me a mischievous smile. “Then let’s keep him entertained.”
A wet snarl comes from behind a cluster of boulders as a hulking figure emerges, teeth stained crimson. It’s not Frank anymore, but a monster. He’s entirely consumed by Blood Lust, driven mad by a disease triggered by violence that eats away at the host’s brain until they’re only capable of the most primal of urges – killing.
“This is your last warning. Leave or die,” I growl, my voice deep with the power of a Prime Alpha.
The Blood Lust Alpha growls in response. Yeah, didn’t think that would work.
Blood and viscera soak his torn shirt, and old scars mar his chest. He’s taken bullets and knives before. Definitely an experienced soldier. This complicates things. It isn’t going to be easy if he’s trained like us, but I’m hungry for the fight.
I raise my sidearm pistol and shoot, aiming for his head, and he dodges the bullets with ease.
Hand-to-hand combat it is then.
I unsheathe my knife from my utility belt, the steel glinting in the growing sunlight, and grip the handle tightly.
“Let’s fucking dance, big boy,” Blaze mocks from beside me, dropping into a defensive position.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Halley
I can smell blood.
My mind is hazy and wrung out from artificially triggering my heat to end, but I’m alert enough to pick up the signs of a vicious battle happening down the mountainside.
Without the scorching heat radiating from my core, the cool mountain air nips at my exposed skin. I snatch up one of the shirts I stole to build my nest and pull it over my head.
It’s Knox’s.
I’d recognize his scent anywhere. It might as well be imprinted on my soul at this point. Despite myself, I inhale deeply and his scent fills my lungs.
Shade’s feet shuffle outside, and his shadow moves beneath the tent door. His radio crackles and I faintly hear the tinny sound of a voice speaking through his earpiece.
“Roger. Getting into position. Over.”
Shade paces away from the door, and I strain my hearing. He slings something onto his back and breaks into a jog. It’s a rifle. He’s joining the fight.
My heart hammers in my chest to the beat of my overbearing guilt. I’m the reason there’s danger. The scent of my heat has lured intruders to us like a beacon, and the squad is fighting to keep me safe.
A wave of panic-fueled nausea roils in my belly.
I can’t bear the thought of the squad being injured because of me and my stupid biology.
No matter how hard I try to block them out, my thoughts continue to spiral, despite my closed eyes and clenched fists.
I shouldn’t have left The Omega Division. Why did I think I could be more?
I couldn’t resist the idea of being useful for once. The possibility of finally having a purpose that could make a difference. My desire for adventure had blinded me completely.
I need to face the truth. I’m not a soldier. Frack, I’m not even a proper Omega. I’m defective with no business being here.
I’ll ask Knox to call General Stone so I can tell him I’m ready to accept the consequences of my failure.
A piercing crack – a gunshot – halts my noxious thoughts.
The sound echoes repeatedly, bouncing off the rocky cliffs and reverberating through the forest.
