Page 89 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

How did I get here? How does someone who has lived my life, done the things I've done, have this happy ending?

That isn’t even the best part.

The best part is that Halley wanted my mark. She wanted Shade’s too. She wanted all of us written into her skin, not because the bond demanded it, or heat made her helpless, or war forced another choice out of her.

She wanted us.

My bite is on my Omega’s shoulder, linked with Shade’s, a twin to Knox’s claim, and from this day onward, Pack Scorch isn’t a promise waiting to be finished.

It’s real.

Chapter Twenty-One

Halley

I come awake slowly, cradled against a hard chest with warmth beneath my cheek and a scent I know before I understand where I am.

Ink and spice.

The scent is Knox.

My Alpha is here. My mating gland throbs, reminding me that he claimed me as his. He's my mate. Mine.

I nuzzle closer, breathing him in until the ache under my skin lessens.

There are voices around me, low and careful. One of them belongs to Shade. I know that much because my body recognizes my Beta even when my thoughts won’t stay clear.

"She needs to stay hydrated," he says.

The words reach me slowly. Hydrated, fluids, sweat, and slick. It all sounds practical and distant, a problem for someone else to solve.

Knox answers him, and Shade says more. Then Knox grunts, "Affirmative."

The voices fade after that.

Knox shifts me higher against his body, trying to sit me upright, and I fight him because upright is wrong. Upright takes his weight away from me and leaves space between us, and every part of me needs him as close as possible.

"Alpha, no," I whimper, twisting in his grip.

"None of that," Knox growls near my ear. "Alpha has you. Alpha will take care of you."

What an odd thing for Prime Asshole to say. Surely his form of care involves a hundred sit-ups and a lap around the training yard?

The thought fades before I can hold it.

My bones feel liquid. My skin is slippery with sweat. When I try to grab him, my hand slides over muscle and skin, and the sound I make is needy and pleased because he is right here. He is solid and hot and mine.

I fight his careful hold harder, trying to wiggle closer and closer, but Knox tightens his arms, and the pressure makes me moan because it feels good but still isn’t what I need. I need more of him. I need his weight, his mouth, and his cock inside me until my empty, aching pussy finally stops hurting.

"Need you," I tell him, panting as I try to shove my hand between us. "Please, Alpha."

Thick fingers curl around my jaw. Something cold presses against my lips.

I turn my head away, and metal clicks against my teeth.

"Drink it," he orders, holding my face still.

I try to squirm free, and he pins me beneath him with terrifying ease. I don’t want water. I want his cock. I want him inside me, filling the ache that keeps twisting tighter with every breath.