Page 102 of Alpha Awakened

The hard length of Ice’s cock pressed against him. Hazard shivered. Ice was hard for him. He wanted the alpha’s cock. Wanted his hands on it. His mouth on it. Wanted it inside him. But he couldn’t have it. Couldn’t have Ice. They weren’t lovers. And they were there to do a job.

“We...we have to stop,” he managed to get out.

Ice growled, the sound sending another shiver down Hazard’s spine. But he stopped. He pressed his forehead to Hazard’s and drew in a ragged breath.

“Fuck. I’m sorry,” he said roughly.

Hazard closed his eyes, breathing in the alpha’s scent. The combination of warm cedar and arousal had his senses buzzing and his body going languid with the expectation of sex. He stiffened his shoulders and fought back the feeling. “It’s okay. I got a little lost there too,” he admitted.

After taking a few seconds to gather themselves, they straightened and stepped apart. Moving quickly, they went the final few steps to Vaughn’s office and slipped inside. The room was dark. They left the lights off so as not to draw attention to their presence, relying on their natural shifter night visionto navigate the unfamiliar room. Hazard stood watch while Ice quietly rifled through the desk drawers.

“Found it.”

Hazard looked over his shoulder to see Ice holding a typed list of names. He folded the paper and tucked it into his shirt. “Good work, sir.” Hazard cracked open the office door and peered out into the hall. There was no one there. “Clear.”

“Let’s move.”

* * *

They had what they came for. But they didn’t immediately leave. Instead, they waited until a few guests began to trickle out first so that they didn’t raise suspicion for leaving too early. Once Ice felt it was safe, he led them outside.

A small group of guests were queued up on the gray slate steps. Hazard and Ice joined the line, waiting for the valet to bring their car around. Ice tipped the valet, receiving a grateful smile in return.

Once they were inside the luxury car and had driven off the property, Ice retrieved the radio they’d stored in the glove box.

“Ice to Ortiz. How copy?”

“Solid copy, Captain. What’s your status?”

“Mission complete. Guest list obtained. Leaving the premises now.”

“Good job, Captain. Head out and the team will join you to ride as escort once you’re three klicks out. We’ll debrief as soon as we’re back on base.”

“Roger that.”

Ice put the radio down in the center console.

Silence landed thick and heavy once Ice was finished reporting to Ortiz. Darkness surrounded the Cadillac, the car’s headlights and a sliver moon the only light in the heavily wooded area. Hazard stared straight ahead through the windshield,watching the gray road rush up before disappearing beneath them.

“You did good tonight.”

Hazard was surprised at the compliment. Surprised that Ice had spoken at all. He continued staring out the windshield when he responded. “Thank you, sir. We both did.”

Another round of silence fell, quiet but not at all comfortable.

“About that kiss.”

Hazard shifted once in his seat. He didn’t need to hear Ice say the kiss didn’t mean anything. He already knew that it didn’t. “It’s okay. You —we— did what we had to do for the mission.”

Ice huffed a short laugh. “For the mission,” he repeated.

That’s all it was, right? Hazard inwardly wondered.

“Hazard.”

“Yes?”

“I didn’t kiss you for the mission. In fact, the mission was the last thing I was thinking of in that moment.”