Just as I’m about to retrieve my winter coat from the bunkhouse, a soft fabric drapes over my shoulders. Shade shoots me a wink, crosses to the other side of the fire and sits down.
I bite my lower lip to hide the big smile threatening to spread across my flushed cheeks. Squad Daddy strikes again.
I might be frustrated with his lack of communication, but the Beta always makes me feel seen.
I shrug on the coat and settle onto the log.
Part of me wants to confront them about the results of our ‘experiment’ in the forest. Accuse them of discussing it behind my back and demand to be included in the conversation. Yet, I swallow the words. This is still the military and I’m still a subordinate.
Tiny bubbles appear in the water as steam curls up and mixes with the smoke.
Most days I feel like the steam, blending in with something I can never be. Steam will never be smoke.
Viper lumbers from the shower, mercifully dressed and not wrapped only in a towel like Blaze does, and sits beside Shade. His skin is pink from the cold water, and droplets splatter into the fire with a sizzle as he scrubs a towel through his hair.
His shirt hugs his shoulders and the glow of the fire illuminates the deep dents and shadows of his muscular physique. His cheeks look sharp, and I imagine how terrifying it’d be to see him emerging from the dark on the other side of a battlefield.
“What’s on the menu, chef?” Shade lifts his chin at the stew.
I shrug and grimace. “Mystery meat.”
He cringes but plays the dutiful peacekeeper. “Nothin’ wrong with field rations. You never know when you need a good stew in your belly.”
“Field rations? Gross!”
I squeak in alarm. Blaze chuckles and slips from the shadows to sit on my other side.
“I love making you scream for me, Sparkles.”
All four of us groan and I roll my eyes, a grin sliding over my features. There’s amusement dancing on Knox’s face, too.
He’s still stirring the stew with more concentration than I suspect is strictly necessary. We’re sitting close, his thigh an inch from mine. His masculine scent, ink and spices, counteracting the odd smells coming from the stew. I find myself inhaling, letting it relax my body. I’d come to depend on all of the team’s scents to calm my Omega. He might be a cockwomble most of the time, but Knox’s scent helps me feel grounded.
Right now, he’s not being a cockwomble. In fact, he’s taken over the task of making dinner.
Blaze and Shade chat idly while we wait for the water to boil, and Viper relaxes his posture. I smile fondly, watching him from the corner of my eye. I’ve missed his steady presence.
When the water in the pot begins to boil, spluttering dramatically, Knox takes it off the coals. He pulls a plastic bag from his pocket and tips the entire contents into the water. It turns a rich brown and a sweet scent fills the night air.
I raise my eyebrows in surprise. “Is that… hot chocolate?”
“Affirmative.” Knox grunts and produces another spoon and lovingly stirs his creation.
I look at the others, silently asking for an explanation.
“Don’t question it. Our Prime Alpha has an affinity for chocolate. When he’s in a good mood, he’ll share his stash and make us a damn good cup of hot chocolate,” Shade explains.
A warm, happy feeling slides over me.
Is Knox is a good mood? Did… I do that?
I peek at Knox as he works, stirring furiously. There’s a pink dusting high on the top of his cheekbones highlighting the white scar slashed over his nose. It’s from the heat of the fire because there is no way Prime Alpha Knox is blushing. No way.
He raises his eyes for a moment, catching mine, and holds them for a beat. I dart my gaze away, feeling shy, like I’ve witnessed something personal.
So what if the guy likes hot chocolate? It doesn’t change how I view him.
Except it does. It totally does.
