Page 157 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
I blink at Knox. “Did you just compliment me?”
Viper chuckles. It’s a deep rumble, and it makes my nipples tighten.
“You did well, pretty girl. That was one hell of a long shot you made,” he states, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of hismouth. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I think it might be pride.
“Thanks,” I breathe.
“Now that we have neutralized the immediate threat, we need to move camp. Your heat might be over, but the lingering scent is calling to every unmated Alpha in the region.”
I bite my lip and look down at the blanket twisted in my clenched fists. Yet another strike against me. What kind of soldier puts their whole team at risk?
“Hey. Don’t think like that.” Blaze cups my face, his bloodied thumb rubbing my cheek. “You didn’t do this on purpose, we know that. Let us protect you like you protected Shade. Like you protected us by shooting that Alpha.”
It does little to ease the guilt that burning in my chest, but his touch makes my body sing.
I lean into his hand, nuzzling into it without a care that I’m probably smearing the blood over my face. I just want to be close to him.
Viper scowls, flicking the back of Blaze’s head. “Stop it, you’re messing her up.”
Viper is spotless except for his fists. Not a fleck of blood on his uniform. I think it speaks volumes about their combat style and personalities. Of course Blaze would come back looking like a homicidal chaos goblin.
“I was checking her for injuries,” Blaze says with a pout, dropping his hand from me and getting to his feet.
Viper grunts, grabs a cloth, wets it with the water from his canteen and crouches in front of me.
With a touch so gentle and caring, he slowly wipes the damp cloth over my cheek, cleaning the blood and sweat away. I expect him to stand and retreat after he’s done, but he doesn’t move. Instead, he wets another cloth and starts to wipe at neck and the top of my chest visible in the too large neckline of Knox’s shirt.After sweating through my heat and the attack, I feel sticky and gross. Viper methodically cleans me as the other three watch with hungry eyes.
“You smell delicious, pretty girl. Are you okay after your…” he swallows thickly, “after your heat?”
I look up at him through my eyelashes and wonder what he would do if I told him it’s still a sticky mess between my thighs. Would he clean me down there too?
The intimate moment breaks when Shade clears his throat. “We need to move.”
Viper huffs, drops the cloth on the floor and retreats from the nest, making space for the others to approach.
Moving means leaving my nest. I might not be in heat, but it grates on my nerves to leave it behind.
I try not to let the anxiety I’m feeling show in my face, but a whine of distress slips from me. My irrational brain is hurt by the Alphas’ wish to dismantle my nest. I know it’s not the prettiest nest, but I did the best I could with what I had.
As if knowing what I’m thinking, Shade shakes his head, “No, no, baby girl. You’ve made a lovely nest.”
Viper catches on and adds, “It’s perfect. Such a beautiful nest.”
“You’ve crushed it, Sparkles. It’s smells like all of us.” Blaze nods emphatically.
Viper subtly taps his boot against Knox’s.
He looks down at his boot, then over at Viper, who raises an eyebrow at his Prime Alpha.
“Oh, uh. Yes, Omega Sparks. That’s a very good nest, very… cozy and comfortable looking.” The tips of Knox’s ears flush pink and he licks his lips. There is a bulge in his pants and a wet spot forming.
Oh. He’s turned on by seeing me in my nest, I belatedly realize.
Actually, all four of them are sporting impressive erections. The low simmer of arousal in my belly begins to boil. It’s not theclawing, irrational arousal of my heat. It’s more authentic. True attraction.
Shade’s nostrils flare and he inhales deeply, a rumbling growl vibrating in his chest. “On that note, we need to get moving. Viper?”
Viper comes over, bends down, and effortlessly scoops me up.
