Page 63 of Alpha Awakened
They were running a course in a new shoot house setup. But as they cleared each room, they were out of step. Ice was either so far ahead of Hazard he couldn’t properly watch his six or Hazard was so close he nearly stepped on the captain’s boot heels. Hazard couldn’t seem to stop questioning the captain’s orders. And Ice instantly rejected even the smallest suggestion Hazard offered without considering it. Like now.
Unbelievably, they’d stopped to argue in the middle of the shoot house after Hazard suggested they scale the exterior wall and go in through an upper window to rescue the mock hostages instead of facing the enemy team head on.
“Are you having trouble following orders, Corporal Mitchell?”
“No sir,” Hazard bit out from between clenched teeth.
“Then quit being insubordinate and do as I command!”
“I’m not being insubordinate! I was simply pointing out —.”
“Soldiers!” Ortiz yelled, interrupting Hazard as she stormed into the room. “Cut this shit out!”
Trying to calm his anger, Hazard sucked in a breath through his nose and slowly let it out. “Yes, Major.”
“Go back to the start and run the course again. That’s an order.”
In cold silence, they stiffly obeyed the major and returned to the start, footsteps discordant and out of sync on the wood floor. When given the signal to go, they ran the course again. Their second attempt was successful. But their time was much slower than it should have been. And they didn’t achieve a perfect rating.
Ortiz was waiting for them at the end of the course. She gave them a long look before she spoke. “Dismissed.”
The back of Hazard’s neck burned at the curt dismissal. He knew they’d fucked up. Ignoring the captain, Hazard made his way to the armory to gear down. He hated the feelings churning in his gut — annoyance at his shitty performance, embarrassment at disappointing his CO, and upset over the situation with Ice. The last had him the most out of sorts. He’d never let personal conflict interfere with his work before. Why was it happening now?
“You okay?” Jax asked from his seat on the bench in the ready room. The alpha had run the course earlier with Ortiz and was already geared down.
“Yeah. Just need some antacid,” Hazard said, rubbing his stomach with a grimace.
“We have some back at the barracks.”
“That should help.”
Jax stood and slung an arm over his shoulders. “C’mon, let’s get you some Pepto.”
Hazard was grateful for the casual embrace. The physical contact from a packmate helped soothe some of his agitation.
Back in their barracks, Jax got him the Pepto Bismol.
“Want me to spoon feed it to you?”
Hazard laughed. “Shut up, fucker. Give me that.”
Jax grinned and tossed him the pink bottle.
Hazard took two spoonfuls of the medicine, gagging a little at the chalky taste. “Thanks.”
He rinsed the spoon off in the sink. Then, they separated to go shower.
Once Hazard was clean and dry, he started to reapply his blockers out of habit. He looked at the spray bottle in his hand, then set it back down. He wasn’t in the mood to block himself off right now. He needed to fully take in his own emotions, rather than locking them away under the empty smell of scent blockers.
Still naked, Hazard stretched. His wolf half was antsy, wanting to be let out, but he didn’t feel like going for a run. It was cold and rainy outside. “Fuck it.” Hazard opened his bedroom door then shifted into wolf form. On four paws, he padded out to the common area where Jax was on the couch.
Hazard went over to him. He could speak telepathically, but he knew puppy eyes would be more effective. He looked at Jax, then at the couch cushion next to him, then back at Jax.
The alpha laughed. “Fine. But you’re vacuuming up the fur later.” He patted the couch cushion.
With a happy chuff, Hazard jumped up beside him. He lay there sprawled out. Even as a small omega wolf, his front legs still hung down over the side of the sofa. Feeling bold, he went a step further and put his head on Jax’s lap.
“Are you serious?”