Page 116 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

We have two weeks to wait, and then afterwards, once we have our answer, we will know whether to freak out, so I just have to stay busy in the meantime.

Knox shifts beside me, the nest giving under his movement, and I realize he hasn’t been asleep like the others. His eyes are open, fixed on the surveillance screens, and he’s been keeping watch over the room while we rest.

Prime Alpha protects our Pack, my inner Omega purrs with desire.

He notices me looking.

"Hey," he says, voice rough, quiet enough that it doesn’t wake the others.

His gravelly voice makes my stomach flip pleasantly, and a smile tugs at my mouth before I can stop it.

I love this. Sleepy moments before wakefulness fully takes over and life starts tumbling back in. I love the way he's looking at me, like I'm the most precious thing in the world. I love that the Pack stayed with me through my panic and took care of me when my mind retreated into O-space.

Knox’s jaw tightens, his head whipping back to the screens. I see the flicker of movement, a shape coming down the icy path to our stone cabin.

The footsteps wake the others because they're soldiers to the core, and they never truly switch off.

The scent of the intruder hits my nostrils, and I relax at its familiar notes.

"Hi Jason," I call loud enough to be heard outside.

There is a grunt, and then a response, "Hey Sparks."

"Who are you looking for?" I ask, but I already know the answer.

"Prime Alpha Knox."

Yeah, that makes sense. The outside world doesn't stop trying to combust just because I have a meltdown. They need him out there.

Jason, Shade, and Knox have been working together on a plan to gain control of this army.

It's insane and I'm proud of my Alpha for stepping up, even if that means I have to share him with others.

Knox starts to climb out of the nest, careful not to jostle me. His face rearranges into his firm, no-nonsense expression, as if he’s donning armor and preparing to go into battle alone.

My fingers catch his wrist. He freezes, eyes dropping to my hand, eyes flicking back to mine. I don't like the thought of Knox facing the backlash from the fortress without Pack support at his side.

"I’m coming with you," I say, jutting my chin in determination.

"Halley, it won't be safe."

"I'm always safe with you," I say, picking Blaze's heavy arm off my middle and dropping it on his face to wake the drowsy Alpha up properly. He curses loudly and creatively, and it makes me giggle.

"I can handle this. You should get some more sleep, princess," Knox replies, shaking his head.

Jason knocks on the door again, more insistent this time.

I swing my legs out of the nest and start getting dressed, matching Knox piece for piece. Underwear, socks, pants, shirt, jacket. He watches with furrowed brows, but it shows his development as a partner when he doesn't immediately order me to stop.

When he reaches for his boots and I grab mine, he finally sighs.

"Please, Halley. You've just had a shock, and this won't be easy."

I’m not looking for easy, and right now, I’ll take all-consuming problem-solving over being stuck with my own thoughts.

"You’re not doing this alone, Knox. Besides, Pack doesn't abandon Pack."

His gaze locks on mine, protectiveness and frustration twisting together as he studies me.