“Correct, LT.”
Behind Knox, a strangled sound escapes from Blaze as Shade shoves two fingers past his lips.
“Not a word out of you,” Shade murmurs, voice dangerously calm. “Or I’ll gag you on more than my fingers.”
Not much of a threat when it comes to Blaze, judging by the garbled, “yes please, Daddy,” he manages around Shade’s digits.
Knox doesn’t react to the exchange. He’s too far inside his own head, locked down.
And suddenly, the full picture stretches before me.
His reluctance to be with Halley isonlyabout being too rough. It’s notjustabout fear of hurting her. He’s been holding back because he doesn’t know how he’ll react to sexat all.
‘I’m a failure,’he growls across the bond, frustration laced with self-loathing.‘What kind of Prime Alpha doesn’t know how to fuck his Omega?’
The shame hits like a gut-punch, but I hold steady.
I think back. Years and years of shared history flashing through my mind. The bar on base, the way soldiers would flirt, throw themselves at him like he was their idol. All the chances. All the attention and temptation.
He never gave in. Not once.
His self-discipline never cracked.
Not until Halley.
Fuck.
‘You’re not a failure,’I tell him, urging him to keep going. To not stop now.‘You’re just inexperienced. So stop spiraling and focus on your Omega. Not the bullshit in your head.’
In front of him, Halley’s shy smile stretches into something cheeky. Her nose crinkles, playful and sweet.
“I really like that I’m your first,” she says, voice light but full of warmth.
Knox’s eyebrows shoot up. “Yeah?”
“Mmhmm,” Halley licks her lips and nods enthusiastically. "I didn't know my Omega was so possessive, but I’mveryhappy you're all mine."
‘See?’I encourage.‘Not a weakness. Sounds like it’s a strength.’
Shade laughs under his breath, still knuckle-deep in Blaze’s mouth. “Well, fuck. Now I wish I’d saved my V-card for you, baby girl.”
Knox exhales, his whole body softening. His shoulders drop as if some invisible weight finally slips free.
He draws in a breath through his teeth, glancing between Halley and me.
“So…” he says, voice rough with nerves. “Would you two mind being this rookie’s instructors?”
I can feel the discomfort rippling off him, sharp and anxious. Knox isn’t used to being behind. He’s always the first to master a skill, the one setting the pace. Not the one asking for help.
But here he is, offering up control. For her.
Across the tent, Shade has his hands full with Blaze, who’s squirming in his grip and one bratty comment away from ruining the mood entirely. The last thing Knox needs right nowis the Pack idiot shouting out obscene sex advice like we’re in the middle of a damn locker room.
I clear my throat, keeping my tone steady as I duck my head until Knox meets my eyes.
“Listen to me, boss,” I say, firm but quiet. “You follow my lead, and you’ll have her screaming your name in no time.”
That earns a spark behind his eyes.
