Viper takes the lead, and Knox and I flank her. Blaze disappears behind us, tailing our movements from afar to ensure we’re not being followed. It’s very unlikely. We’re so far into the remote mountains, there isn’t even a radio signal. The Alphas who attacked would have a tough time figuring out where we went.
We’re taking the path that’s easiest to traverse, but we’re still climbing a rut-damned mountain. It’s slow going with Halley on foot, and sure we could have carried her like yesterday, but she’s still in training. She’s made leaps and bounds with her fitnessand endurance. This is just another opportunity to train our Omega.
It’s midday and we’ve stopped for a break. Halley is drinking heartily from a canteen, while the rest of us snack on ration bars.
Knox is playing around with the radio when it emits a buzz, and his face lights up with a grin. “There we go,” he announces. “We have contact.”
He begins searching for the correct secure channel to reach General Stone.
Halley sighs in relief as she massages her right calf. I reach over and haul her legs over mine, digging my thumb into her aching muscle.
She groans and tilts her head back, wincing as I find the offending tight muscle.
“How are you holding up, baby girl?” I ask.
“Just peachy,” she replies dryly, but then smiles up at me. “I’m fine. Honestly, I’m more worried about you.”
“You don’t have to worry about little ol’ me,” I say, waving her concern off.
She takes another swig of the canteen, a droplet of water sliding down her chin.
“You nearly died yesterday, Shade,” she says quietly.
I don’t agree or disagree. The situation was definitely out of my control, but I’m not sure if I was close to death. My brothers have had my back in the past, and they would have come to my aid again, I’m sure. Instead, this time it was our gorgeous, capable Omega who saved me.
“Have I thanked you for coming to my rescue?” I ask.
She blushes a light pink. “Maybe after this radio call, you’ll have the green light to show me that tongue ring again.”
I tilt my head back and laugh, giving her a clear view of the silver ball sitting on my tongue.
She stares at it with hungry eyes and licks her lips.
“Sure, baby girl.” I chuckle and continue massaging her calf, my finger trailing along her shin to the delicate ankle.
She has a delicate everything.
It’s one of the things I love most about her. How can someone so small be so strong willed?
And itislove. How could I not fall for her?
Knox tunes the radio into the correct frequency, and punches in the code to clear the encryption.
“Barkrood Base secure transmission. This is Scorch Squad-1. Do you copy? Over.”
Static stretches through the silent forest.
“I repeat. Barkrood Base secure transmission. This is Scorch Squad-1. Do you copy? Over.”
More silence.
“Is that the General’s direct line?” Halley asks.
Knox nods and runs a hand through his hair.
“He’s usually quick to respond,” Knox says, his brow furrowing in annoyance.
“He didn’t respond after you radioed during Halley’s breakthrough heat,” Viper points out.
