Page 123 of Knot my Alphas

A chilly morning breeze blows past us as we step outside. Pale sunshine shines over us as we walk across the grounds.

“When were these put up?” I ask, staring up at the strings of flags twined between the branches of trees that line the path. They all have the pack’s crest, a large S surrounded by a wreath of leaves and topped with a crown, stamped onto a black background. “I didn’t see them yesterday.”

“They were put up last night,” says Raiden.

“Wait till we’re at the memorial ground,” says Damon. “The whole area is filled with flags.”

Some of my nervousness fades as we get closer to the dorms. Groups of soldiers and young cadets, all dressed in military garb, are saluting each other. A large flag is waving high in the wind, commanding all our respect and reverence.

Gerald and Caleb are soon surrounded by their subordinates.

Damon and Raiden usher me, Julian, and Caroline inside the building and we’re directly led into the dorm’s mess hall.

At first glance, it feels like we’ve entered a sea of black. The rows of tables are tightly packed with men in black uniforms. It’s noisy but the moment Raiden and Damon step in, a hush falls over the entire hall.

Instinctively, I press against Raiden, trying to hide as a hundred eyes fall on me. His arm wraps around my shoulders reassuringly, pulling me against him as he leads me through the tightly packed tables.

“We’re sitting here,” he announces when we’ve reached a long, empty table at the front of the hall.

“Hello, ma’am,” a gruff voice sounds from the corner. “It’s good to see you again.”

Turning around, I see Alistair greeting Caroline. He’s dressed in a fresh set of uniforms and smiling warmly as he talks to her.

“Look at that coot being all charming,” Julian mutters, grinning. “Trying to act like he’s not a rabid dog who’ll bite you in the ass for stealing his cigarettes.”

“Don’t let Dad hear you say that,” Damon whispers urgently. “He loves the crazy geezer.”

“Don’t tell me you really stole the poor guy’s cigarettes,” I say, looking sideways at Julian.

His eyes turn into gleaming slits as he grins mischievously.

“Why would you even do that?” I ask.

Julian shrugs. “I was bored and he was being a pain-in-the-ass drill master.”

Raiden leans into me. “One time, he even stole his prosthetics,” he whispers in my ear.

A loud chuckle escapes me as a vision of him chasing after Julian suddenly erupts in my mind.

That attracts the old veteran’s attention. He blinks and stares before hobbling over to me. “I almost didn’t recognize you, kid.”

An awkward chuckle escapes me. “How have you been?”

“Good, good...” His gaze falls on Julian next and a frown instantly deepens his wrinkles. “Still being a pest, are you?”

“Still being a dawg, are you?” Julian quips, grinning.

“Be respectful!” Caroline admonishes at once.

“Yes, ma’am,” Julian says meekly. Capturing my wrist, he pulls me away from Alistair and takes me to the table.

The others join us and soon the table is filled with dishes like pancakes, scrambled eggs, breakfast rolls, and cinnamon-topped oatmeal. The spread is simple and homely, but it’s served hot and delicious.

Caleb and his dad soon join us.

“Here, have some more eggs,” Caroline says, ladling more scrambled eggs onto my plate. “They’re essential in building up strength for an emerging omega.”

“Enough with the syrup, kiddo,” Gerald calls from the head of the table, his gaze on Julian who’s dowsing his pancakes in syrup and Nutella. “Your teeth will rot if you don’t limit your sugar.”

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