Page 123 of Alpha Awakened

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“What the fuck are you looking at?”

“You,” Ice calmly replied.

He’d been watching Number Two for a few minutes, taking mental notes as he readied himself to escape. He had to do it now while he was down to one guard. Especially since his guard had grown sloppy. Two was rocked back on the two rear chair legs, head resting against the wall, rifle loose in his grasp. Ice was judging whether or not he’d be able to break himself free of his restraints before Number Two was able to get himself sorted and shoot him. Probably. But there was an easier way.

“Well stop,” Two snapped in annoyance. “Creepy fucker,” he added under his breath.

Ice lowered his head as if he was cowed.

Satisfied, Number Two returned to his lazy pose. He even let his eyes drift shut this time.

Ice stayed quiet for only a few seconds before he spoke again.

“I have to piss.”

Number Two cracked open one eye. “Wait until Three gets back,” he said before closing his eye again.

Ice cursed under his breath. He’d wanted Number Two to release the tape around his wrists and ankles first and a bathroom break was the only time he would do it. Unfortunately, that was a no go. But a little duct tape wasn’t going to stop him when he only had one guard to get past — and a lax one at that.

He tensed to make his move but at that exact moment, a howl echoed through the building.

Ice went still. He recognized that howl. He’d heard it desperate, heard it playful. And now, he was hearing it filled with fury.

Hazard was here.

That could only mean that his team was on site to get him out. Ice smiled behind his mask. He raised his head and looked at his guard. Number Two was alert. He’d put all four chair legs on the floor and turned to look at the door. The howl clearlyhad him on edge. Ice had a very small window of opportunity to utilize the element of surprise while Two was otherwise occupied.

He leaned forward and raised his bound hands as high as he could. Then, he yanked them down, slamming his wrists against his lower back. At the impact, the tape binding his wrists ripped apart, freeing his hands. He stood up from his chair. Just as Number Two caught wind of his movement and turned to him, Ice dropped down in a sharp squat. He shoved his arms between his knees at the same time, forcing the tape around his ankles to break as well.

Number Two gaped at him. “What the fuck are you doing?” he stupidly asked.

“Leaving.”

Before Two could get his gun up, Ice sprang forward. At the height of his jump, he pulled his fist back, punching Two directly on the jaw when he landed. The single blow knocked him out cold. Number Two flew back against the wall, then slowly slid out of his chair to fall in a heap on the floor. Ice went over and took his rifle from him.

Somewhere in the building, Hazard howled again. This time Ice threw his head back and howled in return to let his partner know where he was. It wasn’t long before he heard both boots and paws running down the hall.

“Ice!” Jax shouted from the other side of the door. “You in there?”

“Yes.”

“Get clear!”

Ice moved to the side. Seconds later, the door exploded off its hinges. A familiar black wolf was the first to enter his prison. Hazard’s head swung around when he caught the scent of the guard in the room. His lips pulled back from his teeth in a snarl and he took a step toward the guard.

“Down, boy,” Ice ordered. “I already took care of him.”

Hazard backed off. He padded over to Ice and rubbed his muzzle against his leg, whining softly in greeting. Smiling fondly down at the wolf, Ice scratched the top of Hazard’s head, his fingers sliding through short, black fur.

“You mobile?” Jax asked.

“Affirmative.”

Jax nodded. “Then let’s move out.”

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