Page 254 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

I turn the datapad toward him.

"But leadership means knowing which fights are mine to take," I say, meeting his eyes. "And which ones I trust someone else to carry."

I let that settle, then give him the truth of it.

"I trust you."

He's the right person for this mission. I know he is. Zero has proven himself to be trustworthy and valiant time and time again.

I turn to Riot, who looks as though he’s fighting his usual urge to fidget. "Both of you."

"Me?" he asks in surprise.

I smile. "You."

"But she's a…"

"Yes, Riot. She’s an Omega, and I care about her deeply. I trust you to treat her with the same kindness and respect you’ve always shown me."

Treating Riot’s Blood Lust has given me the chance to know the young Alpha beneath the soldier. He has a goofy sense of humor that can shock a laugh out of me even on the worst of days. He also often reminds me of Viper. He’s capable of terrible violence when the situation demands it, but that isn’t all he is. Despite being raised as a child soldier, Riot still looks for reasons to believe people can be good. He notices beautiful things, laughs easily, and wants a life beyond the regiment that shaped him.

He’s never had the freedom to discover who he might become outside it.

This mission will give him that chance.

I trust Zero to find Ember and bring her back safely. He’s one of the most capable soldiers we have, and I wouldn’t send anyone less qualified after her. But he’s also a Prime Alpha, and I know better than anyone how confronting meeting one for the first time can be.

My Ember is fiery and has no tolerance for arrogance, so I'm hoping Riot’s patience, humor, and open nature might help her feel safer while they earn her trust.

"Ember was last seen by your men at a settlement on the far edge of Blackreach," I say. "Your job is to find her, ensure her safety, and bring her home."

My voice cracks on the word home. It's been too long since my friend and I shared a home, and it finally feels like it might be a possibility once more.

I turn the datapad so they can see the map, the coordinates, the route Viper marked earlier.

"This needs to be handled delicately. She will be distrustful of you at first, so patience will be your main weapon. Don’t take risks you can avoid. I want her alive and not traumatized by Alphas who don't understand the word gentle."

Zero’s eyes track the screen, then lift back to me. They're a striking, luminescent brown, ringed with gold. They glow, even now, in this office, the same way they do on the battlefield.

My Pack doesn't intervene or offer their own orders. They're leaving this up to me completely, simply offering their support.

This mission is mine. It always has been and it always will be until the day I bring all three of them home.

"Do you understand?" I ask.

Zero and Riot straighten.

"Yes, ma’am."

Zero’s brow furrows as he looks down at the datapad. His gaze loses focus, and after a moment, he shakes his head.

"No," he says, the refusal strained. "I can’t accept this mission."

"And why not?"

His eyes lift to mine.

"Because I failed you."