Page 163 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
Poor guy has had a rough day too. He had to tend to an Omega in sexual distress, was then forced to betray his team by that Omega, was beaten up by a jealous Alpha for helping, stayed awake all night to protect me from his team, fended off a deranged Alpha in Blood Lust, and then escape the relative comfort of camp to hike into the middle of a forest.
Daddy deserves to rest.
I’ll do my best to wake him every hour or so in case he has a concussion.
Thinking about the sequence of events and how short it’s been since Blaze’s fist slammed into Shade’s face, I frown as I study the yellowing bruise around his eye. The bruise shouldn’t be in that phase of healing yet. It’s odd.
Knox meets my eyes and I know he also sees how abnormally fast Shade is healing. He doesn’t say anything though, and I’m grateful. I think we all need a moment to decompress before we dig into what the hell is going on with our biology.
Something funky is happening with all of us. It’s not just me and my O-space anymore.
The universe isn’t done messing with us.
He picks up a few of the small twigs set beside the small fire and feeds them slowly to the building flames.
“Once we’ve had a good night sleep, we’ll set up the comms and make contact with General Stone. Report in the attack and get updated orders.”
I hum in agreement and look around the clearing. It really is gorgeous here. There is a permanent rainbow hanging above the waterfall where the sunlight catches the mist just right.
“What do we do until then?”
“Well,” he says and clears his throat awkwardly. “I thought we’d enjoy the waterfall and each other’s company.”
I raise a brow at him incredulously. Yeah, something strange is going on with Knox, too. He’s acting very out of character.
Maybe we’re infected with something. I can’t think of too many logical reasons Mr. Stick-Up-His-Prime-Ass would want to spend a day relaxing.
Or, maybe he finally sees you as an Omega and wants to get to know you,my buried Omega provides unhelpfully.
My heart skips a beat at the suggestion.
I try to shrug off the thought, but I can feel my cheeks heating up.
Spending time with him for pleasure feels like an invitation for my body to rebel. I’m not sure I can handle being so casual with the team. While I’m their trainee, it feels like there’s a shield of purpose between us. A barrier of professionalism protecting us from our baser needs.
That barrier didn’t help when Shade was between my legs. My blush is in full force now.
As if sensing my thoughts, Knox turns to me with a smirk on his lips. “Is there something on your mind, Halley?” he asks, saying my name low and huskily.
I swallow.
Does he not realize what that sound does to my body?
“N-nothing,” I stutter, averting my gaze. My perfume fans around me, and I hope the mist from the waterfall keeps it from spreading.
Knox leans back on his thick forearms and a smirk slides over his features. It’s not the usual mocking, mirthless smirk I’ve grown to despise. This is teasing, light, and oh so devastating.
Rut-damn, he’s handsome when he smiles like that.
“That’s a lie, princess. What’s got you smelling so sweet?”
Princess? He’s using terms of endearment now?
Yup. Something is going on. Who is this Alpha and what the frack has he done with Prime Asshole? Did he get a head injury during the fight too?
I gape at him, and the tension between us matches the throbbing heat in my loins.
I can handle Prime Asshole. This smoldering hunk is another kettle of fish.
