“Besides, you’re going to need correct gear for today’s training.”
I don’t know what they’ve got planned, but I’m guessing it’s not going to be fun.
I can hear the smugness in his voice. Like he knows something I don’t. It’s unnerving, and I look over at Viper instead.
The big guy averts his gaze and fusses with the full pack at his feet, effectively ignoring me.
I puff my cheeks out and exhale awkwardly.
The other two watch me closely, their eyes assessing my every movement. One with careful measurement, the other with a burning heat.
“Omega Sparks, your performance yesterday was… satisfactory,” Knox says, his nose wrinkling slightly and his voice strict. “But losing consciousness isn’t acceptable.”
I want to tell him it wasn’t a choice, but I’m not insane. I know what backchatting gets me: a fracking hole to dig. Instead, I nod and tilt my chin up in acknowledgement.
He scowls at me like I’m a blister on his foot, and I bite my chapped bottom lip against the tense silence.
Shade interjects, breaking the tension. “The data we collected yesterday was useful. We know what your fitness baseline is, so now we can to work on improving it.”
“Thing is, Sparkles,” Blaze steps forward. He’s using a small sharp knife to clean underneath his nails, and I stare at the action with fascination. He has perfect control of the blade, like it’s an extension of himself. “There ain’t no point in training you up if you’re gonna conk out each time. It’s a technicality, but soldiers have to be lucid to fight.”
Blaze shrugs, and I can’t help my eyes darting over to Viper. He wasn’t lucid the first time we met. He doesn’t meet my eyes.
Does that mean they’re sending me home? Is that why Knox told me to pack my things? Panic wells within me, fast and hard. I gulp down the cool air, spluttering as it catches in my throat.
“N-no. Wait. I can do better.”
Knox’s eyebrows furrow in disapproval.
“Omega Sparks—” he begins to reprimand, but I’m already spiraling.
I barely made it a couple of days. I’ve completely failed my Omega family. My sweet Flicker, strong Ember, and Dazz. My wonderful, bright, brilliant Dazz.
“—going to figure out what the trigger is today.”
My thoughts screech to a halt. “What?”
Knox sighs in exasperation and repeats in a condescending tone, “Before we can move onto the rest of your training, we need to ascertain whether this is a solvable issue. We’re going to figure out what the triggers are for your… episodes.”
I blink.
It’s so rational.
They want to problem-solve the issue. They’re not kicking me out at the first roadblock. A swell of affection rises in my chest, and it’s so sudden I can’t stop it.
A bright smile blooms on my cheeks and a small giggle slips past my lips.
“Sparkles. Did you just giggle?” Blaze chuckles.
“I, uh.” I clear my throat, looking down at my shuffling boots. “I appreciate the effort.”
Knox bends over to tighten the straps and zippers on his pack, but I swear I catch the smallest crease of amusement at the corner of his mouth.
Shade catches my eye and gives me a nonchalant shrug. “We’re not ones to run from a problem.”
He may not think it’s a big deal, but it is to me. Everyone I’ve ever relied on has abandoned me when I became a problem.
Viper swings his pack onto his wide back. It looks small on his enormous frame. The straps are extended to their limits to fit. It makes my pulse flutter, and a sneaky thought blows through my mind.
