The hair at the nape of my neck prickles as I realize the severity of the situation.
‘Easy, pretty girl.’
Sensing my distress, Viper steps closer, pressing me between Shade and his warm, comforting chest. The encompassing pressure calms my Omega almost immediately.
I know that I'm protected and safe between my mates.
"You wanna know who we are?" Knox asks as his red eyes glint in the sunlight. His face twists into a terrifying grin. "I'm Prime Alpha Knox and this is Scorch Squad. Have you heard of us?"
The Alpha stiffens and his breath catches.
"Ah, so youhaveheard of us." Knox nods, his smile falling, and the Alpha flinches. "Good. Then you understand when I tell you that you've made a big fucking mistake today. Huge."
Unexpectedly, he crouches down to the injured Alpha’s height, hands hanging loosely between his knees like he has no care inthe world. It’s a mocking position, showing that he sees him as no real threat.
“I’ll give you one chance to be useful,” Knox says, his voice quiet and cold enough to freeze bone. “Go tell the others. Any Alpha who so much as looks at her will be flayed alive. I’ll string up their twitching, skinless body in the courtyard for the crows to feast. And when they finally stop screaming, I’ll come for you next. You’ll answer for it. Every time. Do you understand?”
I swallow. Frack.
I shouldn't like that.
It’s… it's deranged. Disgusting. Insane!
More slick spills from me, a rivulet passing my knees.
Viper inhales, his lips smacking as if he can taste the scent of my arousal, and a low rumble comes from his chest.
“Dirty Omega,” he whispers in my ear and I shiver.
Knox’s victim nods vigorously, clutching his mutilated arm. It’s still not healed.
Unsatisfied with the answer, Knox tilts his head.
"I asked you a question, soldier. Answer me." His voice lowers with an added vibrato."Do you understand?"
It's an Alpha Command. A strong one.
A small whimper slips from me. His pulsing authority, even when not directed at me, makes my neck bend in submission involuntarily.
My blood feels like it’s on fire, and I crave Knox’s attention. I want him to turn that intensity on me.
"Yes!"
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, Prime Alpha Knox,” he cries.
It reminds me of when we met, and Knox demanded I use his rank when speaking to him. Back then, I was frustrated and irritated, but never afraid. Only now do I realize he’d been holding back. Being gentle in his own way.Thisis how he usuallytreats insubordination. I hadn’t seen how terrifying he could be, how much control he truly commands.
The sharp stench of ammonia hits, and I wrinkle my nose. The Alpha has pissed himself in fear.
“Disgusting. Leave us.”
The Alpha scrambles upright, head still bowed in submission to my Prime Alpha, and turns to flee.
Relief floods me. It’s over. I start to exhale, only to choke on a scream.
Blaze lashes out.
