Page 194 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
When Knox is satisfied with the decampment, he gives a soft whistle, twirls his finger in the air, and we roll out. They don’t run through the forest like we did when we arrived. Instead, we hike through the forest at my pace. Silence has settled over our troop as we get lost in our heads. Only the sound of twigs cracking beneath my feet breaks the silence. I still haven’t mastered walking in ghost-like silence like they have, but I’m improving under Blaze’s tutorage.
A lump forms in my throat as I realize my training is over. No more stealth sessions with Blaze, running through his odd little missions that make no sense until the end when his grand scheme emerges.
I take the time to drink in each of the larger-than-life figures stalking through the forest at my side. Cataloguing their features and examining my feelings.
And, rut-damn, I have so many feelings for them. I’ve fallen for each one for different reasons.
Shade is so easy to fall for. It’s dangerous. When we talk, even about mundane shit, I’ve never felt so heard. It’s a relief to trust him to guide me like a strong paternal figure. And that tongue ring!
Viper had my heart before I even knew it was gone. He’s my gentle giant. A constant source of stability. There’s so much pain behind his beautiful green eyes that my heart clenches every time he looks at me.
Blaze is the spice of life. The unpredictable force of nature that makes me feel alive and eager. He’s sweet and caring and entirely unhinged. I love his playful nature, but whenever I get a glimpse of his true self beneath the joking exterior, it’s like seeing a sunrise after a long night.
And then there’s Knox. Knox, with his stupid scowl that turns my knees to jelly and makes me want to push his buttons. Knox with his hard exterior and soft heart. I want to peel back each layer until I reach the center and get to know him better.
They’re nestled deep in my heart, but they will never be mine.
When we reach the truck, still tucked away in the foliage, my feet stutter to a halt, and I choke down a sob.
This is it.
“I’m going after them,” I say, soft and breathy.
They keep chatting among themselves, discussing what the next steps will be.
“I’m going after my friends,” I repeat, louder, with conviction.
Four heads snap in my direction, blinking at me in confusion.
“Going where?” Blaze frowns.
“Like fuck you are,” Knox barks, stepping towards me.
“Yes, I am.”
“Omega Sparks,” Knox growls, “it’s not happening. We have a plan.”
Shade steps closer, raising his palm at Knox to stop talking. “Baby girl, we don’t know enough about the situation. It sounds like the whole country is going to shit, and we need to get our orders from command.”
“Orders?” I bite back. “You think I care about orders when my friends have been kidnapped?”
“We can’t do anything to help them if we don’t have proper intel. Let’s go to Headquarters, talk to someone in the chain of command, and figure out a plan.”
The mention of Headquarters makes the hairs on my arms stand up. Headquarters is in the capital. The same place I’ve spent eleven years hiding from. Going to the capital isn’t an option. I have visions of handcuffs slapping over my wrists the moment I step foot into the city, before being dragged offto the Companionship Program. Alphas with greasy hands and nameless faces pawing at my body like it’s theirs to own.
“I can’t and I won’t.” I glare at him, anger boiling through my veins. “If my friends are in Blackreach Province, then that’s where I’m going.”
Blaze flares his nostrils, feeding off my anger and mirroring it back at me. “There’s no fucking way we’re letting you march into the Blackreach Province. It’s a fucking lawless hot zone and massive. You don’t even know where they are.”
I’m shaking with adrenaline and it’s like my emotions have hijacked my body. “I don’t care, I’m going to find them.”
Viper tries to placate me. “Calm down, pretty girl. We’ll figure this out. I promise.”
“You know what?” I growl, feeling rage fill my belly. My blood is pumping and I feel strong. Oddly buoyant, with a shiny spine of righteousness. “I’m done being calm and rational and understanding and patient.”
I take a step forward and the four of them take a step back, as if my presence has pushed them away.
Viper’s fists clench, veins in his forearms straining from the tension. “Don’t. Don’t use your Omega Command, Halley. Please.”
