Page 24 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
“After your demonstration in the hospital the other day, I have decided to use your innate talents to benefit the military.”
“What demonstration in the hospital?”
The General ignores my question, continuing with his rant. He looks pleased with himself, as if he’s solved a complex conundrum and I should be grateful for his clever decision.
“Blood Lust is one the the greatest threats to our military forces. Lieutenant Viper is one of our most skilled Alphas, with extensive training and invaluable experience, and Blood Lust turns them into mindless beasts. You calmed Lieutenant Viper. Pulled him back from the cliff.”
I shiver at the memory of the deranged Alpha in the hospital – his loyalty evaporated by Blood Lust.
“You’re the answer. The solution. I’m assigning you to our top unit, who will oversee your training as a soldier.”
“W-What? No. Omegas can’t fight. Our instincts won’t let us.”
I’m biologically built for nurturing, not violence. There’s nothing in my genetic makeup that wants to harm another soul. I’m soft, weak, and incapable of defending myself.
“Maybe not. We’re about to find out.” He cocks his head to the side, his chest expanding with an inhale of air. A whimper escapes my lips as his authority surges through the room. His scent, mahogany and cigars, buffets me like a gale force wind. “You don’t have a choice. This is your punishment.”
I don’t trust him.
My instincts are shouting at me to doubt each syllable falling from his lips.
“And if I refuse?”
“The Omega Division will be disbanded.”
I choke on my spit.
He has to be kidding.
My gaze snaps up, meeting his dark orbs as I exclaim, “No! No, you can’t.”
His eyes narrow, the wrinkles deepening with disapproval as his mouth pulls into a frown.
I close my eyes and gather my thoughts.
The Omega Division is my family. They’ve already gone through so much, and there’s no way I’ll abandon them. They’re more my family than my blood relatives ever were.
I swallow. If there’s even a tiny chance that I can save them, it’ll be worth it.
I open my eyes and look up at the General. His face is hard and unforgiving.
“What if I can’t do it?” I feel soft and resigned.
“Then you fail, and I shut The Omega Division down.”
My scent crackles through the air, like a thunderstorm rolling in fast and hard. Waves crashing and breaking against craggy rocks as the howling wind batters the coastline.
I have no other home. Nowhere to go. The panic claws at the walls of my chest and squeezes the air out of my lungs. The thought of my friends being hurt makes me want to weep.
Oh rut-damned. Dazz. Ember. Flicker.
I’m not naïve anymore. I know exactly what will happen if we’re no longer protected by the military. We’ll be ‘saved’ by the Companionship Program. Passed from Alpha to Alpha and used like toys for their pleasure.
My instincts haven’t decided on a course of action. Fight, flight, or freeze. My eyes dart, seeking an escape from this nightmare.
“Calm yourself, Omega Sparks.” An Alpha Command shimmers in his tone, and I’m forced to obey his command. It compels me to take deep, heaving breaths that hurt my chest.
“It’s an unfortunate situation, but the capital has repealed the legislation that The Omega Division is based upon. The only option I see is to increase an Omega’s value to the military. To find a way to validate the ongoing enlistment of unmateable, defective Omegas.”
