Still, I can’t stop the quiet thrill that keeps running through me.
So yeah, suck it, old man. I’m not alone anymore.
“Fine,” General Stone growls. “You’ll have proof of life by the end of the week. But in the meantime, you can’t stay here at Blackgate. I won’t have my soldiers ripped apart just for glancing at your unmated Omega the wrong way.”
I hate the way he talks about me, like I’m some feral mutt with fleas about to infest everyone around me. But he’s not entirely wrong.
Since the incident on the balcony, the air inside the fortress has been thick with tension, edging into outright hostility. The attack seems to have opened the floodgates, and the Alphas of Blackgate Fortress aren’t holding back their interest anymore. Leaving now, while things are still volatile, might be the smartest move we’ve got.
"Where do you propose we go?" Knox asks, his jaw clenching. He's not happy about the idea of being away from a secure location. In his eyes, the squad did nothing wrong. If you ignore the dismemberment, it was simply a Prime Alpha correcting the behavior of a soldier out of line.
"Phase two of my plan has begun. Displaced civilians are being exfiltrated from the evacuation points in Fathim to camps within Blackreach Province. We need to ensure they are properly processed and escorted through the Blackreach Mountain Pass quickly."
I sigh.
'That fine with you, pretty girl?'Viper's voice rumbles in my mind.
'It'll be good to have an objective again,'Shade adds.
I agree. Sitting around waiting hasn't been good for any of us. I'd much rather be helping people than fending off violent advances from fellow soldiers. Besides, it'll be good to get out from underneath the General's thumb.
‘Fine.’
They relay my approval to Knox.
Our Prime Alpha crosses his arms and widens his stance, dried blood still in the creases of his hands.
"Fine. We will assist with the exfil, but you’ll supply the loadout of our choice. I won’t be taking our Omega into a hot zone without proper equipment.”
“I can’t authorize that.” Stone narrows his eyes, his brow twitching in dissatisfaction. He doesn’t like it when someone else is calling the shots.
“Find a way,” Knox snaps, his tone sharp.
Heat spreads low in my belly.
I think I have to face the fact that Knox being a commandeering bastard does something to me. Something that makes my core ache with need.
Chapter Forty
Halley
When Knox asked for equipment, I didn't expect this.
A truck with full armor plating rolls to a stop at the gates of the fortress.
“This is absolutely overkill for a simple mission,” I say, hands on my hips. “We’re not going anywhere near the front lines.”
Towering over me, Knox arches an accusatory eyebrow.
“Probably, but our Omega is a troublemaker. I ain’t fucking around with her safety,” he says and strides off to bark orders at a Beta he caught staring at me for a second too long. My arms drop to my sides, and I allow myself to feel the shiver of primal satisfaction curling in my belly. Being cherished is a wonderful feeling.
The truck is loaded with an obscene amount of guns, ammo, refugee relief packs, camping supplies, and surveillance equipment. I've carefully created an extensive supply manifest and checked it thrice. Inventory management is my wheelhouse, and I’ll be damned if I don’t use my skills.
Shade spots a small reconnaissance drone and emits a sound suspiciously like an excited squeal.
'That was cute,'I say down our bond, barely holding back the laugh bubbling in my chest.
'Not a word from you, sweetheart, or I'll have to take you over my knee later,'he replies with a raised brow.
