Page 61 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

I look back at Stone’s body and frown.

Timing has never been our friend.

"Shade. Get her out. Now." Knox snaps into Prime Alpha mode, though his voice is rough with the effort it costs him.

I don't hesitate.

Our Omega is going into heat, and every Alpha near her is being dragged toward rut. The last place she needs to be is in the middle of a political power vacuum filled with armed soldiers. Whatever is about to happen in the fortress next, I have to trust that my Pack can handle it without me.

"Blaze," Knox orders. "Keep those two down."

Blaze laughs, grinning with the promise of violence. "Gladly."

"Viper, with me."

Viper takes one step toward Halley.

Knox catches his arm before he can take another step. "With me."

Viper doesn’t look at him. His gaze stays on Halley, and the bond pulls tight with a need so strong that it nearly drags me into its vortex of desire.

"Go with Shade," Viper tells her, his voice raw with restraint. "I’m coming to you as soon as I can, pretty girl."

Halley whines and reaches for him.

My chest aches because I know exactly what she wants. Her body is calling for her Alphas, and every fiber of them is answering. But my job is already clear.

I get her out before instinct turns this corridor into a slaughterhouse.

Everlyn passes her friend to me, her eyes wide and her face pale. She's in shock, but still has the wherewithal to dig her nails into my hand and warn, "You take good care of my Sparks, okay?"

"I’ve got her, and I won’t let her suffer," I say, trying to be understanding even as possessiveness bristles under my skin. I don’t need anyone outside the Pack to instruct me on how to care for Halley. She’s mine to protect and cherish.

"I’ll do my best to help with the fallout here," Everlyn says. "And I’ll send supplies down as soon as I can."

"Thank you." I nod in appreciation.

We’ll need food, water, and firewood to see us through her heat, but that problem belongs to the next hour. Right now, I have to get Halley behind a locked door before the next wave of soldiers reaches us.

"I don’t think I need to say it," Everlyn says, her eyes flashing with promised violence, "but if you lot don’t finally mate her, I’ll castrate the lot of you. Don’t think it’s an empty threat. I’m a doctor. I know how."

I swallow thickly.

Okay, noted. Don't mess with Halley's best friend. Ever.

Another shout echoes from the corridor bend.

I tuck Halley tight against my side and march quickly toward our den. She goes with me, but she keeps looking back at Viper with longing.

She’s shaking as her body fills with hormones and awakening instincts. She’s pumping out pheromones, desperately trying to entice her three Alphas to come with us. Soon, she’ll lose the capacity to speak in coherent sentences. Her world will narrow to heat, need, knots, slick, and the ache only her Pack can soothe.

Behind us, one of the Alpha guards snarls.

Blaze answers with a sound that makes the Beta assistant stumble backward and flatten himself against the wall.

Knox turns and orders the assistant. "Go. Spread the word. No Alpha comes near our Omega. Seal this wing and send for Prime Alpha Zero."

The assistant squeaks, nods, and sprints off to find Zero.