Page 139 of Alpha Awakened

“Of course not. But I hoped that you’d be willing to at leasttryand figure out a way you could have both. Our relationshipandyour career. Guess I’m not important enough to you for you to even consider that.”

“Damnit, Hazard! It’s not like you’re a civilian. It’d be different if—.”

“It’d be different if I was a soft, sweet omega waiting on you at home,” Hazard cut in with anger glowing in his pale green eyes. “You had your fun with the big, muscular freak of an omega. But now you’re off to find a proper one to mate and help you advance your career.”

The knot in Ice’s chest tightened even more. It hadn’t once crossed his mind that he needed to leave Hazard because of the way he looked. Ice couldn’t let him think there was anything wrong with him. He took a step forward. “Hazard —.”

“Fuck off.”

His face set in cold, hard lines of fury, Hazard brushed past him and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Ice stood unmoving, fists clenched, every muscle tense. The scent of Hazard’s anger lingered after his departure. Beneath it, Ice detected the smoky smell of hurt. Ice was hurting too. But he was sure that he’d made the right decision.

So why was he fighting the urge to run after Hazard and take back everything he’d said?

Chapter 51

Hazard lay in bed, his dry, gritty eyes watching as gray dawn light began to edge around the blinds in the window. He hadn’t slept a wink. Instead, he’d laid awake all night, thinking about his break up with Ice. He understood that being promoted was important to his former lover. He truly did. But like he’d said during their argument, he’d hoped that Ice cared enough about him to at least try and find a way for them to stay together. No matter where the Legion sent them.

Because even though he hadn’t dared say it, had barely even thought it, he’d started to feel as if Ice was his mate. And mated shifters would never allow anyone to permanently separate them. When they mated, it was for life. But the way Ice had so easily cast him aside when offered a promotion meant that clearly he didn’t feel the same way. He remembered what Ice had said the day Ortiz had benched them - his life wasn’t about feelings. Apparently, that was more true than Hazard had realized.

Someone knocked on his bedroom door. Hazard’s heart leaped into his throat and he quickly sat up. Foolishly hoping that it would be Ice, there to tell him he’d changed his mind and he was going to stay, he jumped out of bed and rushed over to the door. Heart pounding, he yanked it open. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Ice standing on the other side. Ortiz stood there, looking serious.

Hazard deflated, all the hopeful anticipation instantly draining out of him. “Good morning, Major,” he said, trying to keep the disappointment from his voice.

“I don’t know that it is.”

Hazard frowned. “What’s going on?”

“The shifter council has been taken hostage.”

Hazard’s eyebrows shot up in surprise at that news. “The entire council?”

Ortiz nodded. “All of the head councilors, yes.”

“Fuck.”

“Exactly,” Ortiz grimly agreed. “Get dressed. I’ll wake Jax.”

Hazard couldn’t help but wonder if Ice was going to join them. The question popped out before he could stop it. “Is Ice going on the op?”

“No. He’s up at HQ prepping for his transfer.”

Sadness shone in the major’s brown eyes for a brief moment before she turned to go and get Jax.

That answered that. Ice had already moved on to the next stage of his career, leaving him and the 448 behind. Hazard’s heart twisted with pain, his Instinct making him want to curl up and howl for his lover to return to his side.

Steeling his spine, Hazard shoved his heartbreak down and moved to get dressed. He’d mourn the end of his relationship later. Right now, he had a job to do.

* * *

The three remaining members of the 448 were dressed and in the briefing room in record time. Colonel Gibbs was there waiting for them and the mission briefs were already on the table. They took their seats. The chair where Ice usually sat was empty. It hit Hazard how strange it felt to go on an op without him.

“Here’s what we know,” Gibbs began as soon as they sat down. “At approximately oh-three-hundred hours, the thirteen councilors were abducted in a simultaneous strike. No one else was harmed or taken.”

“Cortez?” Jax asked for clarification.

“Yes. The Vengeful Claw pack left their calling card at each residence — their symbol painted on the walls. At this time, we don’t know where the councilors have been taken. But reconnaissance and intelligence are out in force tracking down leads.”