Page 12 of Knot my Alphas

Usually, a committee hearing took place before a suspension was made final.

Nox Callahan turned the case into an urgent matter, ensuring that no other military official got involved. Using his rank and reputation, he forced Dad to sign my suspension.

Raiden and I met with Dad, demanding to see the proof Callahan submitted against us. As we’d expected, there was none.

We argued our case with Dad, making him see reason.

“I’ll accept my suspension if Callahan can prove I attacked him without any provocation,” I told Dad. “It is unfair to punish me or any other officer without going through proper procedure. I demand you cancel my suspension until Callahan is ready to present proof.”

Dad looked pleasantly surprised after my tirade.

“I was disappointed when you simply accepted the suspension,” Dad said later.

“It came fromyou,” I replied.

He shook his head. “Don’t bend before injustice no matter who commits it.”

“We’re back in the investigative committee regarding the Black Widow attack,” Raiden says, jerking me out of my thoughts. “I have a feeling Callahan wanted to keep us out of everything on purpose.”

“I’ve been thinking the same,” I say, taking a sip of my wine. “He knows about the struggles we faced trying to free Damon from their clutches. We have a personal vendetta against them. Any other officer would be glad to have us on their team.”

“Exactly. Callahan’s hiding something.”

I let out a long exhale and lean back against the couch. The wine has lit a mellow warmth in my belly. It feels good to relax, knowing I’d be seeing Iris tomorrow morning. Just thinking about her fills my senses with the addictive scent of blooming roses.

A sliver of anxiety curls around my chest. Disturbed, I sit straighter and look around the room.

Raiden sits opposite me, munching on salted pistachios. He looks completely relaxed. So, why do I suddenly feel so uncomfortable?

My thoughts turn toward Iris again.

I feel a tug in my chest. Taking another sip of wine, I try to relax but it’s becoming impossible. An unexplained anxiety erupts within me each time I think of Iris.

Unable to take it any longer, I decide to call Damon.

“Who’re you calling at this hour?” Raiden asks.

“I need to know whether she’s safe.”

“What’re you talking about?”

“I want to talk to Iris,” I say. “I want to know she’s safe.”

“She’s at home,” Raiden says in a soothing tone. “Of course, she’s safe.”

“I don’t know...I just have this feeling...” Unable to explain myself, I dial Damon’s number.

“I was about to call you,” Damon says the moment he picks up the call.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Everything.” Damon’s voice is heavy with pain.

My anxiety ratchets up. “What do you mean?”

“Put him on speaker,” Raiden says, gesturing toward my phone.

I place the phone on the coffee table between us and lean in.