Page 162 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
“Thank you,” I utter and sit down.
He surprises me again when he sits beside me and hands me his canteen. I mumble another thanks before drinking heartily.
I sit a little stiff, my back straight, as I wait for him to reprimand me. Surely he was softening the blow before he rips into me for letting my hungry, hungry pussy get us into this mess.
He pokes at the fire with a stick, causing little sparks to burst above.
Knox clears his throat. “You can relax. We’re safe here, Halley.”
I whip my head to stare up at him. Even sitting, I only come up to his shoulders.
Did he just say my name? My first name? In a non-condescending tone, no less. He always calls me by my last name or designation.
As I must have looked horrified, he responds with an amused snort. “I can take a break from being Prime Alpha.”
I purse my lips and hum, studying him with narrowed eyes. “So, it’s a choice.”
It’s strange, despite our camp being attacked and the Omega in his care turning into a sex-crazed Omega Commanding lunatic, he looks more relaxed than I’ve seen him before.
I guess it makes sense.
He’s designed for action. Trained extensively in high-pressure situations. Sitting still and playing nice probably didn’t feel natural to him. This is where he thrives. It must feel like a wild animal being returned to the jungle after spending time in a zoo.
Without his permanent scowl, he looks devastatingly handsome. It’s almost a crime how effortlessly attractive the Alpha is. The scar over the bridge of his nose spans across his entire face, and I trace it with my gaze.
The injury looks purposeful and neat, like a blade carefully carved the mark into his skin. It’s symmetrical and suits his sharp features perfectly.
I’m once again struck by a strange sense of familiarity, like I’ve seen or met him before this all began. It’s silly because I certainly haven’t had interactions with any unmated Alphas. My vivid imagination and daydreams don’t count.
“What’s a choice?” He cocks his head slightly, and it gives him an almost innocent quality.
“Being a dick,” I say dryly, watching him carefully for the Prime Alpha persona to return and for him to punish me for my insubordination.
Instead, he releases a husky laugh that makes my toes curl in my boots.
Oh. That’s a nice sound.
“I guess, yeah, you could say it’s a choice,” he nods, running a thumb over his lower lip.
My eyes track the movement, and the hunger builds. Ever since Shade touched me, it has felt as if a dormant creature has stirred awake, ready to spring into action with the slightest trigger.
And the way Knox is acting right now feels like a mighty provocation. It’s doing stupid things to my insides.
If he isn’t behaving like a Prime Asshole, then how am I supposed to resist him?
I shake my head, trying to clear my mind of those thoughts. He doesn’t want that. I mean, sure, he said exactly the opposite yesterday. More like he shouted it, but he was trying to make a point in the wake of my disobedience. He’s made it very clear from the beginning how much of a burden my designation is. I have to keep it in my pants for everyone’s sanity.
An image flashes in my mind – his come spilling over his fist as he comes with my name on his lips. I curse Blaze and his stupid stealth training for providing me with that memory.
I jump to my feet and wipe my sweaty palms against my trousers. The crotch is still wet from my slick, and I know I must still smell like Omega in heat. It’s probably why he’s being so nice to me. It’s his Alpha instincts.
“So, what’s the plan?” I ask, hoping to steer the conversation away from my inappropriate thoughts.
Knox looks at me, his eyes holding a hint of knowing. He definitely can smell the spike in my scent. I can’t hide a single thing from these Alphas.
“Well, we need to lay low for awhile. Give Shade some time to heal up.” His eyes flick to the Beta, who has drifted off to sleep slumped against the tree trunk, jerky still in his hands.
It’s adorable.
