Page 134 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

Nobody else prompts me to answer what happens after that because no one else has an answer either. A room full of Prime Alphas, decades of experience in combat and leading troops, and not one of us can see a way we come out of this.

By the time I step out of the command room, I am wound tight with stress.

I find Halley in the courtyard near the piles of supplies being sorted into each vehicle to ferry down the mountain to the front line. She's speaking to Jason with a datapad ledger tucked under one arm. Every instinct in me narrows on her.

'Mine.'

The word slips from me and down the bond before I can stop it. Halley perks up in response, instantly scanning the crowd. When her eyes find me, they light up.

I'm drawn in by how vibrant she looks compared to the bleakness of the fortress, and I cross the space quickly to reach her. My hand comes up to the back of her neck, fingers spreading there and squeezing lightly, thumb brushing the soft edge of her hairline.

Fuck, she's so beautiful. She's far beyond anything I could have dreamed of for a mate. Her brown hair is plaited into little braids at her temple, and it makes her look more severe, like a pretty war maiden ready for battle. It makes my cock throb.

Her purple eyes search my face. "You okay?"

I don’t lie. I've learned that hiding anything from my Omega isn't worth the damage it does to our connection. "Not really."

Jason’s gaze flicks between us. He mumbles something about checking the inventory, then makes himself scarce.

The courtyard is packed, soldiers and supply runners moving in both directions with crates, rifles, and shouted orders. Far too many prying eyes and ears for my taste. I keep my hand on the back of Halley’s neck and steer her away from the flow of traffic, down a narrow side corridor just off the courtyard.

There’s a recessed alcove cut into the stone beside an old storage closet no one uses. It sits deep in shadow, hidden from the main path unless someone steps right into it. I guide her into the space, then move in after her, backing her gently to the wall and planting myself in front of her so my body blocks her from view.

Only when I’m sure no one passing will catch sight of her do I let some of the tension ease out of me. I brace one forearm on the wall above her head and lean in, crowding her with my body.

"Hi," I murmur, smiling down at her.

"Hey," she breathes back.

My gaze drops to her mouth just in time to catch the quick flick of her tongue over her lower lip. Heat rolls through me, and I don't bother holding it back.

I kiss her, slow and thorough, reveling in how our bond sings at our touch. She arches into me almost immediately, lips parting in silent invitation, and satisfaction cuts deep through my chest.

Mine.

I can touch her like this now. Kiss her whenever I want. Hold her without restraint and know that she will accept me as I am.

I draw in a steady breath as the alcove fills with her scent, lavender and lightning threaded through with the unmistakable trace of our Pack. The bond gives a soft, hungry quiver in response.

"What’s brought this on?" Halley asks when I pull back.

I keep one hand at her jaw, my thumb stroking over her cheek. "I wanted to kiss my Omega. Is that wrong?"

She hums, though the sound carries more suspicion than amusement. Her head tips slightly as she studies my face, taking in far more than I want her to.

"You’ve all been looking at me strangely all morning."

"Strangely?"

"Like you’re thinking about snatching me up and hiding me in one of the fortress towers."

Bullseye.

That is exactly what I’ve been thinking of.

I spent a lifetime doing my duty without a single selfish desire getting in the way. Now I want to be selfish. I want to sweep her into my arms and lock her behind a set of thick, heavy doors until it's safe for her to come out.

The urge is so ridiculous that it almost drags a smile out of me.