Page 62 of Knot Their Soldier: Part One
I realize my ill-fated masturbation session was probably prompted by sleeping in what is, effectively, an Alpha den. Their pheromones are messing with my mind and body.
I’m not oblivious to the effect my scent is having on the Alphas either. My sweat has nullified the scent-canceling soap and suppressants. Besides, they didn’t give me time to shower this morning, so the strength of my pervasive funk is their fault.
I run a finger underneath the leather bite collar, adjusting it so it doesn’t pinch from the pressure of the backpack. I’m not hating the collar anymore. Not because I’m worried they’ll bite me without warning, but because I might ask them to.
In the center of the open space, the four of them stand, their voices mingling together in easy conversation.
I watch silently as Knox puts Blaze in a headlock and the two play wrestle. It takes years off Knox’s harsh features. The morning light filtering through the trees softens the sharp planes of his cheekbones. It makes me wonder how the effects of war have aged him.
Viper is standing with Shade. His full mouth, which is usually pulled down in a permanent sad expression, is hitched at the sides. A faint, amused smile on his bearded face as he watches his two brothers-in-arms mess around.
Shade has his arms crossed, and his head tipped up, soaking up the rays of the sun like Knox had done earlier.
On their own, they’re handsome.
Together, they’re devastating.
Seeing them at ease humanizes them, and I release a sigh through a soft smile.
Four sets of eyes snap towards me.
Oh.Whoops.
They straighten immediately. Knox’s carefree demeanor disappears, replaced by the overpowering presence of Prime Alpha Knox. Drill instructor extraordinaire, and witness to my latest indiscretion.
He shoves Blaze away from him so hard the Alpha stumbles briefly before gaining his balance and flipping a rude gesture at his commanding officer.
“Omega Sparks, report for duty,” he barks. It’s not an Alpha Command, but my body reacts the same, feet darting across the grass and rocks.
I clench my teeth together to keep from berating him for his harsh tone, but I’m also mortified that my Omega has decided she likes when Knox orders us around. Stupid, stupid hindbrain instincts begging me to submit to his authority.
I’m not ready to evaluate my increasing attraction to the flaming dickwad. My plan is to make it through whatever torturous training they have in store for me today.
I take a deep breath.
“Good morning,” I say in a cheerful voice, at odds with my emotions and the raspiness of my raw throat.
“Good morning, Omega,” Shade purrs, his warm brown eyes tracing over my body. “Nice to see you in our squad uniform.”
I fidget under their scrutiny, the press of their gaze feeling heavy against the curve of my breast where the crest is stitched. They linger longer than is acceptable, taking the excuse of admiring the new uniform to stare at my chest.
It’d be nice to be admired so blatantly by the team, if it didn’t ratchet up my already rampaging libido. The place deep in my belly pulses.
“Uh, yeah. Thanks for making this uniform for me, it’s really thoughtful.”
Shade grins like he has a juicy secret and can’t wait to blurt it out. “Baby girl, it wasn’t me. Our fearless leader stayed up all night adjusting his spare kit.”
My eyebrows skyrocket and my mouth pops open with a surprised, “Oh.”
I assumed it was Shade because he seems the most thoughtful of the squad. The last person I expected was Prime Alpha Knox. Imagining him with a needle and thread, amending his own clothes to my exact measurements, makes me soften towards him.
Feeling strangely shy, I look through my eyelashes and say softly, “Thank you, Prime Alpha.”
There is a brief moment where he looks like he wants to say something kind back, when his mouth settles into his usual stern slash. He shrugs and looks away from me. “You needed clothes. Your old ones stink.”
And there go the warm, happy feelings.
Cockwomble.
