Page 19 of Alpha Awakened

But Hazard. The little playful, impatient firecracker wanted to see his facenow. That wasn’t going to happen, but he found he didn’t mind Hazard’s light hearted attempts to get him to explain why he wore it. There’d been no malice or derision behind the request, only teasing and genuine curiosity.

Maybe one day he’d show his face to his teammates, but for now he was content to deflect Hazard’s teasing questions with non-answers that he knew frustrated the corporal. In fact, he was amused by Hazard’s attempts to get him to remove the mask. But he’d never admit it to anyone other than himself.

Over the past few weeks, he’d learned a lot about Hazard. He’d thought that he would find Hazard annoying at best and infuriating at worst. The omega wolf talked more than anyone Ice had ever been partnered with, he continued to be relaxed, as he called it, in his relationship with rank and authority, and he had a playful air that had changed the vibe of their team both in the field and at home in their barracks.

Those were all traits that should have set Ice’s teeth on edge and have him demanding that Ortiz give the corporal the boot. But they didn’t. Hazard was a wolf with charm and charisma, and apparently Ice wasn’t immune to them.

However, that charm wouldn’t have mattered if Hazard couldn’t keep up in training or in the field. But the corporal more than held his own. He was skilled, fast, followed Ice’s orders like he was connected to him through a mind link, and he was smart. When Hazard had taken out the gunman hiding in the wall with minimal fuss and maximum accuracy, Ice had been impressed enough to fully accept him onto the team.

Jax already liked Hazard. Ortiz obviously did or she wouldn’t have recruited him. And with Ice’s acceptance, it was settled that Hazard was there to stay.

Still, Ice wouldn’t go so far as to say that he liked Hazard. They weren’t there to be friends with each other after all. He did like Hazard’s presence on the team. But no matter how many times Hazard asked him to take it off, the mask was staying on.

Chapter 8

Hazard pushed his body back and forth in smooth, gliding motions. His skin burned hot, his thighs strained and trembled, and sweat dripped down his back. He was nearing the end of his work out on the leg press. The 448 didn’t have any missions or training today, so he’d elected to spend his morning in the gym.

His breath puffed out in controlled pants as he counted down the second to last set of reps. He had three more to go when the door opened and Ice walked in. The two of them made eye contact. Hazard nodded a greeting which Ice returned.

The captain went over to the corner to warm up with jump rope and stretches. Hazard watched him in the mirror from beneath half-lowered lids. He didn’t want to be caught staring but he didn’t want to look away either.

Today Ice was dressed in gray sweat pants and a snug-fitting black Legion T-shirt with a thin, black, long-sleeved tee beneath it. Instead of his usual combat boots, he had on black and white athletic shoes. And he wasn’t wearing the wolf mask, only the black balaclava. The outfit was nothing special. But the way Ice filled it out certainly was.

His body was thick with muscle. They weren’t pretty, sculpted muscles for show, but solid, conveying strength and hard work. They could crush an enemy or carry a wounded comrade to safety with ease. The military should take a picture of him and slap it on a recruitment poster to show the ideal alpha soldier.

Hazard knew he would never look like that no matter how much he worked out. Even though he wasn’t built like a typical omega, he still had omega genes, which meant he’d always be small compared to alphas and most betas. But he didn’t mind. In fact, he liked that alphas were bigger than him. Unfortunately, many alphas were uncomfortable having an omega partner of his unusual size. He wondered what Ice preferred. Did he only like small, delicate omegas? Hazard cursed under his breath. The answer to that question shouldn’t be of concern to him. But he was suddenly desperately curious to know.

Ice finished his warm up. He’d come in with his hands taped. Now, he pulled on a pair of black boxing gloves. By that point Hazard was done with his own workout. To cool off, he did standing quad stretches while sucking back his bottle of water. When Ice moved to the sandbag and started working it, Hazard slowly ambled over to join him.

At first he only watched, eyes tracking the swift and brutal punches that thudded into the heavy bag. Some of the combinations the captain threw were definitely ones he must have learned beyond the basic skills the military taught during initial training. Hazard didn’t interrupt his captain’s workout, but as soon as the other man paused to take a water break, he opened his mouth.

“If you’re tired of punching something stationary I’d be happy to spar with you.”

Ice lowered his water bottle, a slight smile quirking up one side of his lips. They really were full and pink.

“You think you could keep up with me?” His dark eyes slid down the length of Hazard’s body then back up again. “Little thing like you?”

Hazard ignored the shiver that raced down his spine from that look and being calledlittleby the big alpha. He pushed hisshoulders back and puffed out his chest. “First of all, I’m not little. I’m taller than average.”

“Taller than the average omega you mean.”

Hazard sensed that Ice was about to turn him down. But he really wanted to spar with the captain. And there was a part of him that didn’t want to spar only for the competition. He wanted to have the captain’s attention on him. Wanted to show off for the alpha. Later, he would have to figure out where that urge was coming from, but right now he needed to make the match happen. Thinking quickly, he switched tactics, trying an approach that would be likely to get the alpha to say yes.

“Don’t tell me you’re one of those alphas who won’t spar with an omega because you think we’re too delicate. Trust me. I can hold my own.”

Ice stared at him. Hazard stared right back. He held his breath, waiting to see if Ice would take the bait.

“Fine.” Ice pulled off his boxing gloves. Get your hands wrapped and let’s go.”

Success. “Yes, sir,” he said with a cheeky salute.

Ice waited for him to tape his hands and wrists. Once he was ready, they stepped onto the blue sparring mats.

“Hand to hand sparring. We go until one of us makes the other submit,” Ice directed as they tapped their knuckles together to signal for a good, clean fight.

“Yes, sir.” Hazard shook his limbs out, sizing up the captain as he did so. He was huge. Hazard knew the alpha was fast as well. And he’d seen the punches he could throw. But Hazard had skills of his own. The speed of an omega, training, and a slight mean streak that only came out when he was fighting.

“What do you say we add a wager to this?” Hazard asked as they started to circle each other.