Page 163 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

This is eleven years in the making, and fate has me exactly where it wants me.

I can feel the Pack stirring from whatever emotion I am funneling down our bond.

They must know too. Surely they can feel it in the air, sense it in their marrow, that we're at the end. Or the start. Whatever the reason, it's all come down to this, and it's time to fight the final battle.

Shade is the first one to say it.

"We need to use your Omega Command in this next attack, Halley."

I feel the whole Pack react through the bond at once, instinct and fear crashing together, but nobody argues.

They all know Shade is right.

The problem is how to use my Omega Command.

"We start small," Viper says, strain wavering in his voice. "We isolate one soldier, drag him in close, let Halley issue the Command, and see what happens."

Blaze nods immediately. "Yes, let's start small with an infantry soldier. We make it fast and simple so we have a warmup before we gamble on anything bigger."

Knox's expression stays tight, but he's nodding in agreement. "It'll give us data. A way to gauge her range and reaction time under active combat conditions."

They look to me for approval. My Alphas, fueled by protective instincts, want to take this slow.

I meet Shade’s eyes, and he gives one small shake of his head.

He knows what I know.

"We don’t have time for that," I say.

Blaze and Viper growl, and Knox crosses his arms, looking like he's about to argue.

I take a step closer to my Pack before he can speak.

"We don't have time for practice."

Blaze’s jaw clenches.

Knox starts, "Halley."

I catch his vest before he can pull rank on me, my fingers locking in the straps of his plated armor.

"Listen to me." I look at each of them, making myself hold every gaze. "You trained me for this. Every time you made me get back up when I wanted to stay down, it was for this."

My throat tightens, but I keep my fist in Knox’s vest.

"I know you want to keep me from the worst of what's about to happen and that you want the guarantee of a safer plan." I swallow and force the next words out while the gunfire around us picks up pace. "There isn’t one."

Viper’s face shifts, and I see how badly he wants to say my name and beg me to let him find another way.

There is no other way.

Shade steps in beside me, close enough that his sleeve brushes mine. He says nothing, but his support in the bond is solid and clear.

"I need you to stop protecting me from the battle you trained me to fight," I say firmly, raising my chin higher in what I hope looks like confidence. If I fake it, maybe my bravery will come back.

I keep my eyes on Knox.

"I need my Pack to trust me."