Page 28 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

"Don’t you dare tell me what is and isn’t possible, Beta Specialist Shade. Not when I just came back from the rut-damn dead."

He holds my stare, searching for something as his eyes dart between mine.

I don’t look away.

At last, his grip loosens on the rifle. He lowers it with a rough, shaking breath.

"Fuck it," he says. "What’s one more miracle after a resurrection?"

Viper roars behind me.

I don’t turn around.

He wouldn’t want me to see him like this, and I don’t need to because I know exactly who he is. He's a fighter. If he can come back from this, he will. He just needs some help.

"How did I stop him last time?" I ask. "Back in the hospital?"

Shade was there with his ever-watchful eyes, and I know he analyzed the scenario in excruciating detail.

"It was like you locked onto each other. Completely. You called for him in some primal way, and he answered."

Viper takes another lunging step forward.

We’re running out of time.

"Give me a theory, Shade. I know you have one."

His gaze flicks to Viper, then back to me. "Your bond was containing the Blood Lust. Even when you left us for those months, it stayed connected enough to hold him back. Weakly, but enough."

He swallows, and his voice drops.

"When you died, the bond broke. The containment shattered with it."

I swallow and nod.

"But they’re back," I say, pressing a hand over my heart. "Shade, they’re right here. I can feel all of you."

I reach for the faintest thread, damaged and unstable but still tied to me.

"Even Viper."

Shade holds my gaze. "Then remind him."

Knox shouts a warning, but the word barely reaches me before his Command breaks under Viper’s resistance.

Finally unhindered by Knox's Command, Viper launches.

His black eyes are locked on me, and there is no trace of the Alpha who calls me pretty girl.

He doesn’t see me. He doesn’t see his Omega, his mate, his heart.

So I have to make him remember.

Chapter Eight

Halley

"Let’s dance, ya oversized gorilla!" Blaze hollers.