Page 56 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
“Nuh-uh. They were more like…” Blaze’s lips curl into a wicked smile as he leans back, waves his raised hand as he searches for the right phrase. “Hide-and-seek buddies.”
Shade scoffs at Blaze, the tension from the day slipping from his shoulders. This is familiar. Teasing and roasting one another after a hard day’s work. “And these buddies were guests at your bonfire cookout?”
Knox rolls his eyes. “More like theywerethe bonfire cookout. Still can’t get the smell out of my nose.”
A dark shadow passes over Blaze’s pale eyes. “Those rogue Alphas deserved it for what they did to those civilians.”
I suppress a shiver, the memories of the horror we encountered during that mission flashing through my mind.
Yeah. Those rut-damned fuckers deserved to burn alive.
Like a snap of his fingers, the lightheartedness returns to Blaze’s eyes. “Besides, they failed the game of hide-and-seek, and that was their punishment.”
“Shefailed,” Knox says humorlessly, gesturing at the sleeping Omega still snuggled in my embrace. “You gonna find a creative way to kill her too?”
A moment of silence follows as his words sink in.
“Dude!”
“Bruh!”
“What the fuck is wrong with you, man.”
The animal inside me, desperate for blood, paces restlessly at Knox’s threatening words. The mere idea of her being hurt, let alone killed, makes my inner creature howl with anger. I hold her tighter, careful not to hurt her with my larger size.
She entrusted me, the Alpha she had seen lose control and become violent, to protect her. The insistent thrum of pride and devotion within my heart ensures not a single hair on her head will be harmed under my care.
Her purr is magical.
A lilting, musical sound that smooths the sharp edges of my mind. The spiky parts of me which indiscriminately cut and tear at my enemies, my teammates, and even myself. It allows me to think clearly and evaluate my feelings before they become unhinged.
It’s not just me who is affected by her purr.
I see the effect it has on my brothers-in-arms.
Shade’s focus is removed from the depths of his tablet. He’s engaging with us and the world outside of data and numbers.
It’s possible Knox doesn’t realize his frustration is being suppressed, but I know the sound is a calming balm for his explosive indignation.
The biggest change in behavior is Blaze. In all my years knowing the quirky Alpha, I’ve never seen him so grounded. His thoughts are ordered and less erratic. The simmering malicious energy which usually fizzles below the surface has mellowed. He’d even been sweet with her during the obstacle course. I haven’t seen the Sergeant provide comfort to another being that wasn’t a ploy to lead a victim into a false sense of security.
In the short time she has been here she’s already made a positive impact on each of us.
“By the way, she didn’t‘lose.’She did the complete course and all of the measured tests we needed,” Shade says.
“That,” Knox scoffs, pointing at her trembling form, “is not a win.”
“The fuck it ain’t,” Blaze asks, chucking his chin in the direction of the course. “You were watching the whole time, weren’t you? Sparkles didn’t stop even when it hurt.”
“She might not have the physical capabilities of an Alpha, but she’s got the heart of a fighter,” Shade agrees, and I can see the gears in his head working. He’s figuring out the best way to train the Omega so she becomes an asset, not a liability.
“She’spurringin Viper’s arms,” Knox sneers, gesturing at us. “This is not normal soldier behavior.”
“She’s not a normal soldier, you fuckin’ asshole. She’s an Omega,” Blaze says.
“Trust me, I’m aware,” Knox snarls.
“Then stop bein’ a prick.” Blaze is frustrated with Knox, and he’s not the only one.
