Page 206 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

I sniff. "I was aware."

She grins, giving my collar a tug harder than necessary. "Liar, you were not."

I arch a brow. "You seem very confident for someone correcting a superior officer."

She simply rolls her eyes, then pats the front of my jacket once before nodding in approval.

Before she can draw back, I catch her wrist.

Her pulse jumps beneath my thumb, and I turn her hand, pressing my lips to her knuckles.

Since the end of the battle, I haven't been able to stop touching her, and I have no intention of stopping. I feel touch-starved, which is probably an accurate diagnosis considering I went the first few decades of my life without a hint of intimacy.

Halley pauses for a moment, then softens and relaxes into my touch. Possessiveness curls low in my chest, and I can't help but nip at her skin so that it leaves a pink welt. I want my marks on her where others can see. The pink flush on her cheeks tells me she likes it too.

My claiming bite is hidden beneath her jacket, but even thinking about the white semi-circle scars of my teeth imprinted on her forever gets my blood pumping.

A movement in the hallway pulls my attention to the still-open sliver of doorway. One of the junior aides passing by glances in, sees us, squeaks in alarm, and scurries off.

It's not from fear or judgment at our open affection, but because with our Pack, there is no telling how fast things can escalate between us. I want her constantly and obsessively, and I feel the same desire from her pulsing through the healed bond.

I let her hand go by degrees, more because I have to than because I want to.

"The briefing starts in three minutes," I say.

Halley’s eyes lift to mine, bright with mischief and entirely too pleased with herself. There is a promise in that look. Not now, but soon. The knowledge of it settles low in my body and stays there.

She rolls her shoulder, flicks her ponytail back, and settles at my side with easy certainty.

The difference in her still captures my attention.

When I first met her, she stood out for all the wrong reasons. She was an Omega trying to force herself through military training in a place that did not want her there. She had no confidence then, only stubbornness and the refusal to quit. Every step forward cost her something, but she kept paying anyway. At times, it was difficult to watch, while at others, I couldn't look away.

Now she looks entirely at home in my office, standing beside my desk like she belongs in the middle of decisions that affect the whole future of our people. She has earned that place, and everyone in Blackgate knows it, me most of all.

Her eyes meet mine, bright with intent. Whatever she started between us a moment ago is not finished. It's only waiting for the meeting to end.

"I think someone should formally acknowledge in the meeting minutes that I just spared Blackgate the scandal of its General attending a command briefing looking rumpled."

"Your heroism has been recorded for posterity."

Her smile widens. "Good. I’d hate for my service to go unrewarded."

She bends just enough to bring her mouth near my ear, her voice warm and low and meant only for me. "You can thank me properly later, sir."

Heat strikes through me, and I choke on my next breath. I picture her lying on our nest, her ass on the edge of the mattress and her thighs spread wide, held open by my shoulders as I feast on her dripping cunt.

She straightens as if she didn't intentionally plant a dirty image in my mind, and faces the door with an innocent expression.

Brat.

The first of the officers steps into the room before I can answer out loud. I swallow the response that wants out and let it travel the only path available to me instead.

'You are in an extraordinary amount of trouble, princess.' My heated promise flashes down the bond.

Halley doesn't turn around, but her mouth twitches and satisfaction curls through the bond from her all the same.

The rest of the room fills quickly after that.