Page 97 of Alpha Awakened
They’d just reestablished their friendly working relationship, their attraction pushed back behind a barrier. But he’d smashed through that barrier the moment he’d knocked down Hazard’s door.
So where did that leave them now? Spending a heat together was one thing. But becoming lovers was another thing entirely. He needed to leave Hazard alone. Except, what if he couldn’t? His previously silent Instinct was fully awakened now, urging him to claim Hazard as his own, to take him as his mate. He wished he could give in to that urge.
How was he going to remain on the 448 if he couldn’t silence his desire for the corporal? Maybe he should transfer out, go to another squad where solo ops were the norm. Working on his own is what he was used to. He had more experience as a solo operator than he did working on a team.
But the moment he thought of leaving, of leaving Hazard, his Instinct flared red hot in his chest, rejecting the idea. Fuck. He didn’t want to leave Hazard. Which meant he had nochoice but to go back to what they were before Hazard’s heat. Squadmates. Partners. Nothing more.
Ice cursed and flung another knife at the target. He didn’t know if that would work. But for now, that was the only option he had. He might not be able to claim Hazard, but he refused to leave his side.
Chapter 37
Hazard stuck to his word. He didn’t tease Ice. Didn’t flirt with him. In fact, he was quiet in general. He put his energy toward being the best team member he could be. And he was certain that quiet focus was the right way to accomplish that.
He was leaving his bedroom after a post workout shower when the barracks phone rang. Jax was at the kitchen table closer to the phone, but he was occupied resewing his name badge to his uniform so Hazard hustled over to answer it. “Corporal Dylan Mitchell speaking.”
“Corporal Mitchell. Your unit leader wants to see you and your team in Strategy Room Six asap.”
“We’re on our way.”
Hazard hung up the phone. “We’ve been summoned,” he said to Jax.
“Want me to let the captain know?” Jax asked as he rose from the table.
Hazard shook his head. “I’ve got it.”
He went over and knocked on Ice’s closed door. Ice’s deep voice came though the wood panel.
“Come in.”
Hazard opened the door but didn’t go inside the room. Ice was at his desk, his large frame testing the integrity of the chair he sat in. He held one of his wolf masks, touching up the black paint with a small brush.
“Major wants to see us in the strategy room,” Hazard said.
The alpha silently nodded.
After passing along the message, Hazard closed the door. Jax was ready to go, so the two of them headed for HQ together. As he left the barracks, he noted that it felt strange not to invite Ice to walk up with him as he always had before. But they didn’t need to be buddy-buddy and walk everywhere together, especially since putting distance between them was a vital part of his plan to get over the captain before his next heat.
“You alright?” Jax asked as they walked past a unit marching and calling cadence and support vehicles driving across the base.
“Yeah. Why do you ask?”
“You seem a bit off. You were quiet on our last mission.”
Hazard shrugged. “We were on surveillance stakeout. Of course I was quiet.”
“Bullshit. You’re normally yapping it up on comms, driving Ortiz up a wall and making Ice grind his teeth into dust behind that wolf mask. But you barely said anything more than,Yes, Major, the entire mission.”
“I was keeping it professional.”
“Huh.”
Jax made the noncommittal sound as if he didn’t quite believe Hazard’s claim, but he didn’t press. They entered headquarters, where the halls were as busy as always.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I missed your chatter.”
Hazard looked up at his squadmate in surprise. He hadn’t expected his decision to cut down on his talking to get more than a passing notice from his teammates. But there was a hint of real concern in the alpha’s gaze.
“Don’t worry,” Hazard assured him. “I’ve never been able to stay quiet for long. Just ask all my former teachers and drill sergeants.”