Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
Viper
Halley’s strained voice screaming for an Alpha from inside the tent cuts me like a knife. A deep stab wound right in my chest where my heart resides.
“How the fuck has this happened?” Knox is fuming, his face almost feral with rage. Whatever happened in that tent with Halley upset him greatly, except he’d never show anything other than anger. “When the frack did my squad become such a shit-show?”
I do not blame him for his fury. This whole day has been a rut-damned mess from the start.
I feel the same way. My muscles are so tense, my jaw clenches with the urge to destroy something.
I dig my fingers into the dirt beside me where I kneel in the grass, Shade’s blood still drying on the blades.
We wait for Halley to ride out this wave of heat and stop screaming like she’s being torn from the inside out.
My arms are trembling, nerves firing in a familiar way.
Blood Lust sizzles under my skin.
It feels like when I lose control and become a mindless beast. There is no blood or violence to react to, but the sound of Halley in pain is almost worse.
She has a voice that I never tire of. A scent that makes my heart race.
Halley is perfect in my eyes, and she has been the object of my affections since I laid eyes on her.
She doesn’t belong in this camp. Especially for her heat.
She should be in her nest, somewhere soft and safe.
She shouldn’t be anywhere near an unmated male.
Unless they’re me. I shake my head, trying to dispel the image of us together. Of that sweet, strong Omega sporting my claiming bite on her mating gland.
My nails dig into the hard ground, rocks catching under my fingernails. I focus on the stinging tear of flesh.
I don’t want to lose control. Even if I can’t touch her and ease her through her heat, I want to help Halley. I’ll sit right here and protect her while she’s vulnerable.
“Viper!” Halley screams, her voice pitchy as her vocal chords strain against the harsh use.
I snarl and dig my fingers into the stones harder. Blood pools in my nail beds.
She’s calling for me. I can’t ignore her. I stand and stride towards the tent.
A hand slams into the center of my chest, stopping me in my tracks.
“We can’t touch her,” Knox hisses, his eyes flashing in warning as he pushes me back. “She didn’t give consent. It’s my duty, our duty, to stay out of that tent.”
I know he believes in duty above all else, but she’s screaming for me. As if summoned, Halley calls out again.
“Viper, please!” Her voice is softer, closer to a sob than a scream. She can’t come to me, not with her Prime Alpha’s Command holding her inside the tent.
He doesn’t understand. She’s not calling for him.
I shove him back. I’m stronger than him. Always have been, even as young boys training to become killing machines. He might be the Prime Alpha, but I’m the muscle of the team and I’m not afraid to use it to help my Omega.
Mine, my Alpha snarls in agreement.
Shade appears at my side, his hand gripping my biceps in a firm hold. “Viper, enough. Knox is right. She’s not in her right mind and she can’t consent like this.”
“You didn’t deny her when she called for you, Beta.” I spit his designation, my lips pulled back over my teeth in a snarl.
Weak. He’s weak and gave into her demands. I wouldn’t touch her, just be there for her. I’d care for the Omega like she needs. They should be ashamed for ignoring her calls. Omega needs me.
My veins feel like shards of ice are racing through them. A haze descends over my mind. It feels familiar. Heavy. All-consuming.
Rage. Anger. Violence.
Shade tightens his hand and digs his fingers into the flesh, his gaze piercing into me. “Halley needs you to keep your fucking shit together, Viper. You won’t help her if you lose yourself. Focus.”
I close my eyes. It takes every ounce of effort in me to wrestle the beast back inside its cage.
“Vip—” Halley whimpers softly, my name cut off by a sharp inhale of breath.
My control wavers and the red haze creeps across my vision.
“Fuck. He’s losing it,” Shade’s voice clips, his voice sounding distant.
Omega. Omega. Protect Omega. Help Omega. Get to her. Fight off the ones keeping me from her.
I fling my arm backwards, wrenching Shade off behind me.
“ALPHA VIPER! STOP!”
My muscles seize and my body freezes.
An Alpha Command from my Prime Alpha cuts my instincts in two like a sharp axe. My shoulders are up by my ears and I’m still reaching for the tent entrance.
“Turn the fuck around. Get in the back of the truck,” Knox growls, his voice stern and unwaveringly strong. His hand grips my shoulder, the weight of his palm forcing me to turn my body around towards the troop carrier.
I can’t fight. My body does what he says without question. Years of obedience and allegiance to my Prime Alpha snap into place. I march into the back of the truck. Solid metal with no windows.
“This is for your own good, Vipe,” Shade says from behind Knox, his eye swollen, bloodied by Blaze’s fists.
And then the heavy metal door slams shut, plunging me into darkness. Halley’s scent is muted and her whimpers distant.
I can still feel her. Like a thread tugging insistently in my chest.
My Omega needs me and I can’t help her.
I scream my rage, balling my fists, and I slam against the wall. The truck shudders and two dents form under my hands.