Page 119 of Alpha Awakened
Slowly, Ice raised his hands high above his head and waited for their next move.
“Number Two. Disarm him. And hurry, those explosives we set off to draw the others out won’t keep them away for long.”
They weren’t using names or call signs. That meant they were determined to make sure he learned nothing about them. Interesting.
Ice stood still as Number Two approached him. The smell of nervousness wafting from the man made his nose twitch. He was tempted to growl, just to scare him but he held back. He didn’t doubt that their leader would put a bullet in his leg if he moved or spoke the wrong way. They wanted him alive. Didn’t mean they needed him whole.
Number Two went through his tac vest and holsters, removing the hand guns, knives, and clubs he carried on his body. He was thorough, leaving nothing behind that Ice could use as a weapon. His radio was taken as well.
Once he was disarmed, Number Two bound his hands behind his back and loosely hobbled his ankles as well. He could walk, but he was going nowhere fast.
“He’s disarmed and restrained, Boss.”
The leader nodded. “Number Four, you’re up.”
Someone at Ice’s rear approached.
It was a little harder for Ice to remain still this time. His hackles rose again, he didn’t like an unknown walking up on him from behind. He tensed as they drew close and his nose caught the smells of metal and something chemical. They were about to give him a shot.
Not a second after he realized what was coming, a needle pricked the side of his neck. When he didn’t black out, he guessed what they’d injected him with. The serum that prevented shifters from changing into their wolf forms. Hewouldn’t be able to shift as long as the agent was active in his system.
This felt targeted. They’d come prepared to incapacitate and capture a shifter. But did they want him specifically? Or would they have done the same to Jax if he’d taken the path to the right?
“Serum administered, sir.”
“Good work. Team! Let’s move out.”
One of the gunmen gripped his arm and led him through the forest with the rest of the group. After about a mile, they reached another clearing where two big vehicles with darkened windows were waiting. He was put into the back of the second one. They failed to blindfold him, so he made sure to pay attention to the direction they took once they started driving.
He was disarmed. Bound. Captured. Ice couldn’t help but wonder if this was happening because he’d changed for the worse. Because he no longer worked as a lone wolf and had become used to having a team along with him on missions. Used to having Dylan at his six. Had his reliance on his squadmates dulled his skills? Made him vulnerable? Or was it his ego making him think that he’d never have been captured on his own?
There was no way to tell. Right now, all he could do was keep his eyes and ears open, learn what he could about his captors, and watch for the first opportunity to make his escape.
Chapter 44
Hazard hopped off the transport truck that had driven him back to base from the commercial airport after his early morning flight. He’d spent the past two days at a camp just for omegas. However, there’d been much more than the sports, crafts, and activities expected at a typical sleep away camp. There’d been guest speakers giving lectures on how to navigate adulthood as an omega, signups for financial aid, and presentations outlining multiple career paths. Hazard had spoken to the camp attendees at large, and then several more times in small groups to allow for discussion and answering questions.
His goal hadn’t been to recruit any of the young omegas for the military, but to instill in them the belief and confidence that they could take whatever life path they wanted because it wastheirlife. He’d actually enjoyed talking to the youths about his career as a soldier, but he was glad to be back to the familiarity of his usual day-to-day.
He made his way to the 448 barracks, hoping the rest of the pack was back by now. He’d heard they’d been sent to bring in a foreign cartel leader, but had received no updates on their progress or return.
After crossing the parade ground, their barracks came into view. He jogged up to the front door, prepared to quickly go in, throw down his bag, and hit the mess for lunch. Those airline peanuts had only made him hungry for real food. He walked inside and saw that the squad had beat him home. Ortiz sat atthe kitchen table and Jax was on the couch. Ice wasn’t in the common area. He must be in his room or somewhere on base.
“Hey, you’re back,” Ortiz said.
“Yeah. The trip was a success.”
Jax gave him a strained smile.
“That’s good to hear, man.”
Hazard nodded but didn’t say anything else. Something was wrong. His packmates were behaving oddly. They were unusually stiff. And when he breathed in, he scented stress and worry on them both. He abruptly turned to the major.
“Where’s Ice?”
Ortiz and Jax exchanged a short glance before Ortiz rose from the table. She came toward him, her expression tense and grave.
Hazard’s heart froze in his chest. No. She wasn’t about to tell him the worst had happened. “Major, where is Royce?” he asked again, this time with a hint of panic in his voice.