Page 56 of Alpha Awakened

“That’s too bad. There’s nothing like a pack run through the wilds of Alaska,” he said wistfully.

“Maybe one day we’ll have the chance to do so.”

Hazard realized the 448 had never run together as a pack. He’d have to suggest it the next time they were all on base during a full moon.

With all of their gear collected, they went down a dimly-lit hallway to a room set up with several folding tables and chairs. They put their gear down on the table, weapons, body armor,and helmets landing with heavy thumps. Then they sat down and got started.

First, Hazard checked the straps on his tac vest to make sure they were all still functional. Next, he ran his hands over his helmet to look for any places it might be compromised. Then he broke his handgun down to clean it.

As he was cleaning the weapon, he looked up to see Ice’s progress. The first thing he noticed was that he’d stripped off his gloves. Watching Ice work, Hazard felt as if he was seeing something sinful. Bare hands. Pale skin. Clipped nails. Silver scars and old, shiny burns marred the flesh. But to Hazard, those hands were perfect. He wanted to know what it would feel like to have those skilled, calloused hands roam all over his body.

Hazard looked up. Ice was watching him, his dark gaze intense. Able to read him easily now, Hazard responded to the question he saw in those eyes.

“Feels like I’m seeing something I shouldn’t be.”

“What’s that?”

“Your bare hands.”

“Should I cover them?” Ice asked with amusement lacing his gravelly voice. “Protect myself from your wicked gaze?”

“Please don’t.” Hazard meant it to be teasing, but it sounded like a plea. He wanted to taste those hands. Clean the gun oil from the pads of Ice’s fingers with his tongue.

“So, Hazard,” Jax said loudly.

Startled, Hazard looked at his teammate. “Yeah?”

“Are your bruises from your fight with that behemoth healing up okay?”

Hazard nodded. “Thank goodness for speedy shifter healing. That fucker got me good before I took him down with a sleeper hold.”

“I bet he was surprised as hell when he woke up in handcuffs.”

“I’m sure he was,” Hazard agreed with a laugh.

Jax and Ortiz started discussing the Alaska op. While they talked, Hazard took out one of the bullet proof plates from his tac vest to check it over for damage and wipe it clean. He tried to pay attention to what Jax and Ortiz were saying, but his attention was drawn right back to Ice.

This time, his eyes settled on Ice’s mouth, on the pink lips visible through the hole in his balaclava. The memory of those lips sliding over his had warmth swirling behind his navel. After a moment, he realized Ice’s lips were moving, shaping words.

“You’re staring,” Ice said.

He definitely was. “Sorry.”

“You’re not.”

Hazard grinned, cheeky and unrepentant. “No. I’m not.”

“Not much to look at,” Ice said gruffly.

Was he kidding? He might not be able to see the alpha’s face, but there was plenty more to catch his eye. Starting with his eyes. He loved how expressive they were, loved the warmth of the deep brown irises. Loved the way they turned intense and hot when they looked at him sometimes. Like now. Because yeah, he was staring. But Ice was staring right back.

Without consciously planning to, Hazard sat up straight. He pulled his shoulders back and slightly tilted his head to the side to show off his chest and the mating gland on his throat. Going by the way Ice’s eyes slowly slid down the line of his throat before rising to meet his again, he assumed that the alpha liked the display. Good. He wanted Ice to look at him and find him attractive.

Hazard dropped his gaze to Ice’s lips. They were fuller than any alpha’s had a right to be. He wondered what Ice would do if he leaned across the table and nipped that bottom lip with his canines. If they were alone, he might just be bold enough to try it.

The captain’s body was a pleasure to look at as well. His shoulders were broad and his arms massive. He wished he could see them without the cover of his sleeves.

His lower half was hidden beneath the table, but he’d seen the captain’s legs enough times to know that his thighs were thickly padded with muscle. And thanks to the barbell squats he did in his workouts, his ass was two round, meaty handfuls. Hazard dreamed of gripping them tight while the alpha was on top of him, thrusting his co—.