Page 26 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
General Stone doesn’t hint at the ulterior motives, instead launches into our orders.
“Prime Alpha Knox will take command of this team. His leadership is not to be questioned. Do you understand?”
“Sir, yes, sir,” we chorus, the response automatic.
He pins Blaze with a particularly stern stare and waits until the pale-eyed Alpha lowers his chin in a submissive gesture.
“Specialist Shade will be your support officer.”
His mouth thins into a line.
I blink and nod, covering my surprise.
Being on this covert squad is surely some kind of mistake. Why would they assign me to an elite team?
Sure, I can fight better than any Beta I trained with… but I’m not an Alpha.
I’m slender in build, and only five foot ten, while most Alphas are a solid six foot five with stone-cut muscles. They heal fast and can take an absolute beating before going down. I’m tougher than a human, but a liability nonetheless.
“From now on you are to live, sleep, shit, piss, and breathe together. I want you to move and think like one machine. Do you understand?”
“Sir, yes, sir.”
“You will be referred to as Scorch Squad and I am your commanding officer. You report to me and me alone.”
“Sir, yes, sir!” we bark, saluting with firm gestures.
Viper’s expression’s unreadable, the massive Alpha sitting ramrod in his seat. Knox is watching the General, and I can see plans forming in his head. Blaze is swinging on the two back legs of his chair with his head cocked. He’s staring right at me with an amused glint in his eyes. I fight against a shiver that begs to run up my spine.
“Any official records will never have you recorded as a team.” The General continues, “In the eyes of the military, you will remain as the individual soldiers under your callsigns Blaze, Viper, Shade, and Knox. This is a project we’re keeping closed and quiet.”
My eyes dart around the room, studying my new teammates with a different lens. I don’t know what the future holds, but from this moment on, it’ll be beside them.
“Well then, fellas, it seems we have fun times ahead,” Blaze chirps. His fingers flick and, almost out of thin air, a lighter with an orange flame appears.
A shiver climbs up my spine.
And just like that, Scorch Squad is born.
Chapter Nine
Halley
I watch the slow crawl of the waxing moon as it illuminates the inky night sky. It’s late, and I’ve been waiting in the crisp night air for hours.
The vehicle bay is empty, with no sign of my transportation. I should be frustrated, but nerves and excitement keep me rooted to the spot. My feet ache in my new combat boots, the leather stiff and unforgiving.
My heart pounds against my chest as I prepare to take my first steps beyond the confines of Barkrood Military Base in eleven years.
This is it. I’m about to embark on an adventure I’ve secretly dreamed about for years.
How many times have I lain in my nest and imagined traveling to far-off places?
How many times have I wished for a chance to become more?
Countless.
The two armed Beta guards stand at my side. They won’t talk to me, yet I catch their curious glances in my direction.
