A powerful, ancient pull.
Whatever it was, it felt like a lot like a promise.
Chapter Five
Halley
It feels strange to be back in my military fatigues, almost like putting on a costume to act in a performance. They’re not the special ones Knox made me that fit me perfectly, those will stay hidden. Instead, I get a set that swims on me to hide my curves and roll up the sleeves.
The brakes squeal as the truck descends from the mountaintop and Blackgate Fortress disappears into the fog.
“This is a peace keeping mission,” the Prime Alpha in the seat across from me barks, his eyes an intriguing luminescent brown ringed with gold. They glow from beneath his combat helmet, and I find myself unable to make eye contact without shivering. He’s a true predator if I’ve ever seen one.
There are ten of us squeezed into the back of the troop carrier, and the bench seats are as unforgiving on my ass as the last time they hauled me away in one of these trucks.
Our merry band of rebels consists of the Prime Alpha, two Alphas, six Betas, and me, an Omega who has no right deploying to a war zone.
I wince as I run my finger under the firm leather of my bite collar. It’s never left my neck, and while I know it protects my mating gland from Alphas swept up in the heat of battle, I still hate how it makes me feel like a prisoner.
Because, no matter how I twist it, that’s what I am. Once again, my choices have been stripped from me. I’m a tool General Stone created to use against his enemies. I have no other place to go, at least no safe place.
There is another reason it remains around my throat, one I’ve been avoiding like the plague.
Knox gave it to me.
It’s plain and simple.
I can’t take it off because it would mean losing that connection to him.
“Our mission is to evacuate all occupants of Rheamont, with their cooperation or not.”
That is what the General needs me for.
To make the unwilling, willing.
Except, it’s not going to work. I haven’t used my Omega Command since I arrived at the fortress, but he seems determined to test drive his new weapon.
“Protecting the asset is the highest priority,” the Prime Alpha continues.
The asset. That’s me.
We hit a pothole and I’m battered between the broad shoulders of my Beta seatmates. I wince, and one of the Alphas scoffs. “What the fuck is an Omega doing here, anyway?”
A metallic tang fills my mouth as I bite the inside of my cheek.
My thoughts exactly.
“Following orders, just like the rest of us,” the Prime Alpha answers swiftly, with a poignant glance at the foulmouthed soldier.
I brace myself against the jolts of the truck, but it doesn’t help. The helmet on my head, two sizes too big, slips over my eyes.
The Alpha snorts when I right it, and I glare at him.
I know I look ridiculous. I don’t need him pointing it out.
"The Fathim forces have established a defensive perimeter at the town's border and are currently holding their position. However, their capacity to repel the enemy's advances is limited. We have until 1900 hours to execute the civilian evacuation.”
The others nod in understanding, but it’s hard to keep up with the rapid-fire info dump. What is 1900, again? Right. Seven PM in military speak. I’m out of practice, and Knox would be disappointed in me.
