Page 148 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

There is a beat of silence, and then all four of them move, showing off their super-soldier speed. I blink and they're already next to me.

Knox is at my side with Viper crowding in next to him, reaching for my hand. Shade appears at my right, pressing himself against my arm, and I can feel his heart hammering. Blaise somehow wedges himself in too, even though there is very obviously not enough room for that much Alpha around one Omega.

"Oh, good," Everlyn says dryly. "Perfect. I was worried there wouldn't be a stampede of baby daddies."

Blaze points at her with the knife still in hand. "So? Tell us!"

"First put the knife down," Everlyn says.

Blaise blinks at the knife as if only just realizing he's brandishing it. He smiles apologetically and says, "Yeah, fair. That’s fair." He tucks it into the sheath clipped to his belt.

Viper’s palm rubs my back, ducking his head down to frown at me. "Breathe, pretty girl."

"I am breathing," I snap back. Now isn't the time for relaxation tips. Now is the time for answers!

"Barely," Knox mutters.

My head whips toward him. "Excuse me, whose side are you all on?"

Shade lifts our joined hands and presses two fingers to the inside of my wrist. "Your pulse is racing."

I wrench my hand out of his hold, shooting him a betrayed look. "Why is my Pack turning on me right now?"

Shade raises an accusing eyebrow. "Because you look like you’re about to launch yourself across the room and shake Everlyn until the answer falls out."

Blaise brightens. "I think that’s a great plan, actually. Shaking is an underrated torture technique."

Everlyn pins him with a stern glare. "If anyone shakes me, I’m leaving without saying a word."

Blaise gasps. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me, you little stab-happy-nightmare."

The corner of my mouth twitches despite myself, and I exhale. It's probably weird that banter in the form of violent threats and insults is what calms my nerves, but all that matters is that it's working. And they're right. I need to center myself before I hear this news, because either result is going to be like a sucker-punch to the gut.

The air in my lungs still feels hot and jumpy, but with each measured breath, I find myself feeling more grounded.

I reach through the bond, seeking out the feel of each of my mates, and they respond with love and support surrounding me without hesitation. Our bond hums pleasantly as the nervous tension of our little group lowers.

Everlyn glances over the four of them and then looks at me, studying us with curiosity. "Neat trick."

"Okay, I'm ready now," I tell her with a resolute nod.

My fingers curl harder in Viper’s hand, and he matches it, tightening his grip.

"The pregnancy result was clear, and I can tell you that you are—"

A sharp, grating siren cuts her off.

For one stunned heartbeat, nobody moves.

The rising wail from the ancient alert system slices through the silence. It's a horrible, eerie noise that sounds like the fortress itself is screaming.

Every part of me goes cold.

Shade snatches his datapad off the table. The air displaces as Knox moves to the window beside the door swiftly, peering out.

"That’s the outer alarm," Shade says, his voice gone thin and shrewd. "We had more time!"