Page 14 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
The doctor retaliates, but it’s a futile struggle. It isn’t a fair fight. The demented Alpha is a seasoned frontline warrior, and fueled with the rage of Blood Lust, the doctor doesn’t stand a chance.
I’m going to watch someone die,I numbly acknowledge.
A gunshot cracks, and I drop to the floor. Through my hands pressed against my ringing ears, I hear the agonized roar of a wounded creature.
My heart is pounding, and there’s an insistent instinct tugging at my navel, dragging me forward. With unsteady steps, I lurch towards the scene of utter chaos.
“Lieutenant,” the Beta soldier croaks, clears his throat, and then plants his feet wide. “Viper. I don’t want to do it, man. Don’t make me do it.”
A metallic click reverberates through the room as he cocks a hefty pistol and aims it at the Alpha’s head.
A gaping hole in the back of the Alpha’s uniform exposes the shiny pink of a freshly healed wound. A bullet lays at theAlpha’s feet, the deadly steel warped from its meeting with an immoveable force.
The Alpha roars, dropping the limp body of the doctor to the ground and spins to face the Beta. Blood drips from his fists, his uniform issued shirt soaked crimson.
“Viper, I don’t want to do this and I know you don’t want to hurt these people. I know you’re in there. You’re still holding on. Come back.”
I swallow, flicking my eyes towards Jason’s room, and spot Everlyn’s terrified face. She’s gone through so much already. This is already the worse day of her life and this incident is only making it worse. All of these poor nurses, doctors, and patients. They’re here for treatment and to help others. They should feel safe here.
And then there is him.
The Alpha stalks towards the Beta.
Killing him will spare these people pain and suffering.
Something inside me clenches viciously at the thought.
This Alpha is sick. It’s not his fault.
Blood Lust only afflicts an Alpha when they see so much violence, it settles in their blood like an infection.
This hulking Alpha, with his close-cropped black hair and his enormous muscles, must have been fighting for a long time to get to this state. He’s hurting because he’s been out there, fighting for us, seeing and doing horrifying things to keep our people safe.
Is it right that at the moment he needs us, the best we can do is put a bullet in his head?
Before I realize what’s happening, my feet are moving.
One step, two steps, three, four, five, and then I’m standing between the Alpha and the soldier.
The Alpha snarls, his teeth glistening with saliva. A growl builds in his chest, a deep, primal sound. He steps forward, but I hold my ground despite my wildly beating heart.
I force myself to make eye contact and swallow my whimper of horror. He looks more beast than man with his crazed expression, the pulsing red veins, the bloodshot eyes, and his flared nostrils.
“Halley!” I hear Everlyn calling my name. I don’t look away. I know if I break eye contact, this won’t end well for anyone.
And then I see it.
Glimmering behind the glazed rage in his eyes is the deepest shade of green. Flecks of gold shimmer with keen intelligence and pain.
He’s still in there. He’s fighting against the disease.
I’m trembling so badly that my teeth chatter, but I know I can’t give up on him. My instinct sings, encouraging me, telling me I’m on the right path.
Slowly, I extend my hand between us and hope he doesn’t kill me.
The Alpha doesn’t flinch. He doesn’t blink. But he doesn’t attack either. His nostrils flare as he inhales deeply, scenting me like a cautious dog.
“Hey there, big guy,” I whisper, my voice shaking.
