Page 1 of Alpha Hunt
Chapter 1
Casey
“Good drill, Stone.” Barrett slaps me on the shoulder as he heads out of the team room.
I give him a curt nod, acknowledging the compliment. Across the room, Tarkin grins at me as he racks his weapon.
“Nice moves out there, Casey. You almost had me that time.”
I snort. “Almost? I had you dead to rights, Redburn.”
He chuckles and holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I yield to the master.”
“Damn straight.” I allow myself a small smile at that. I stow my gear with quick, efficient movements, my mind already moving ahead to the rest of the day’s duties.
As wolves, we’ve never set much stock in arming ourselves; weapons seem unnecessary when you have teeth that can rip off an arm or claws designed to disembowel. But after Jagger learned that we were up against an enemy who had embraced human weapons, he decided we needed to boost our skill set. Now, I’m comfortable with a full arsenal of killing implements.
Things like that come naturally to me.
As I stride through the command center, I catch sight of my reflection in the polished metal of the equipment lockers. I resist the urge to smooth a stray auburn curl into my sleek ponytail as I make eye contact with my own ice-blue stare. I look every inch the alpha wolf, the consummate professional, sharp and assessing.
I’ve worked hard to get here, to earn my place on the security team.
Earn my place? I own it!
As a female in a male world, I’ve had to be faster, stronger, smarter. And I am. I’ve proven myself time and again in training and in the field.
I enter the team room, where Gage and Callum are already gearing up for their patrol. They both look up as I approach, nodding in greeting.
“Anything I need to know?” I ask briskly, scanning the duty roster on the wall.
Gage shakes his head. “All quiet so far. But we’ll keep our eyes open.”
“Good.” I turn to face them fully, my expression serious. “The Leadmills bastards have been quiet since we took out Rack…too quiet.”
“Maybe because we kicked their asses.” Tarkin comes up behind me, setting his kitbag on the floor beside one of the chairs set around the room. The place is sparsely furnished, the concrete floor teamed with bare walls broken only by maps that have been stuck to the white paintwork. There are a couple of tables dotted here and there where we sometimes sit to eat or plan drills. It’s simple and uncluttered. I like it that way.
I turn a cool look in Tarkin’s direction. “Don’t be a dick, Redburn. You know where that kind of thinking will get us.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’ll get us dead. But we haven’t had contact in months. Do you really think we need to stay on high alert all the damn time? “
“Yes.” I won’t discuss it further. He knows how I feel about this. We’re the first line of defense for the pack, the ones who stand between our people and whatever dangers lurk beyond the borders of Steel Lakes. The ones who stand between survival and…loss. That will never happen to anyone who lives here…not if I can help it.
I turn my attention back to where Gage and Callum are doing a final check before heading out on patrol. “Let me know if you see anything out there.” It’s an unnecessary request; of course they will. Besides, Tarkin’s right. There’s been no activity from Leadmills since they lost their leader – thanks to a surprising turn of events where Gage’s new mate took the guy’s throat out. I would never have believed it if I hadn’t seen the body myself. She seems so freaking sweet.
“We’ll be back by nightfall,” Gage tells me as they head to the door. I watch them leave before reaching for my bag and making my way to the showers.
“Gotta get cleaned up,” I aim over my shoulder at Tarkin. The drills we run outside are meant to push us to our limits. I’ve worked up a sweat, and my tank top is clinging to my damp skin.
“Tell me if you need a hand scrubbing your back.” Tarkin bobs his brows.
“Redburn, if your hand is ever in the shower with me, it’ll be because I chewed it off at the wrist.” I leave the room to the sound of his laughter.
I’ve had more than my share of innuendos since I joined the team ten years ago. Then, I was still wet behind the ears and easily spooked – most of their taunts would end in the sparring ring, with someone bleeding. That someone was seldom me. Now, their bullshit rolls off my back. Besides, I give as good as I get. And Tarkin’s harmless.
I drop my bag on a bench and peel out of my clammy shirt, then unlace my boots and kick them off before stepping out of my fatigues. I release my hair from its ponytail on the way to the cubicle and turn on the faucet. The water on my bare skin is bliss after the hours we just spent in the sun. I wash away dust and grime, lathering my hair until the water runs clean.
“Hello?” a female voice echoes through the room, mingling with the sound of running water. I poke my head out of the cubicle.