Page 36 of Alpha Brock

“Now that’s settled, why don’t you run on home and leave the fighting to those of us who are trained for it?” Theo adds, still mocking the poor kid. Something tells me those two must have a history.

“But…” Chase protests, trailing off when Gray lifts a hand.

“Sorry, Chase. I’m not gonna have your old man after me because I let you join the squad at seventeen and go risk your life in Denver,” Gray says, his expression stoic. “My hands are tied.”

“This is fucking bullshit,” Chase mutters under his breath, turning his back and gesturing to his friends. “Let’s go, guys.”

I get to my feet as the six of them take off across the field, heading for the gate. Watching after them for a moment before I step closer to Brock and set a hand on his arm to get his attention.

“Wasn’t that a little harsh?” I ask quietly.

He looks down at me, his eyes stormy. “No.”

Brock looks away and I tug on his sleeve like a little kid. “But I…”

I’m about to tell him about what I saw, about the vision I had of Chase and the real reason he may be out here acting reckless and seeking a purpose, but Brock looks down at me and shakes his head. In his eyes, I can practically see his walls slamming back up.

“This is squad business,” he murmurs. “Just let us handle it.”

I drop my hand from Brock’s arm and he steps away, toward the other guys. Muttering something about Chase being a punk.

And I give him the cold shoulder for the rest of the day.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Astrid

It’s after dark by the time I return to the packhouse that night. I stayed late working with the IT unit and Quinn was kind enough to give me a ride back here afterward. I was so busy all afternoon that I didn’t have much time to think about Brock or how dismissive he was on the practice field this morning, but it returns to the forefront of my mind as I make my way up the front walk and twist the knob on the front door to let myself in.

When I push the door open, my eyes immediately land on Brock.Damnit.He’s straight ahead in my field of vision, lounging on a couch in the great room in a t-shirt and a pair of grey sweats. And of course, as soon as my eyes land on him, he looks up and our gazes lock like magnets.

I quickly look away, stepping over the threshold and pushing the door closed behind me with a hip, toeing off my gym shoes and sweeping them aside under the bench. I can still feel Brock’s eyes practically burning a hole through me and, much to my surprise, when I look up at him again he mumbles “hey”.

“Hi,” I reply, both because I’m caught off guard and because it’d be rude not to.

I start to head in the direction of my room when Brock speaks again, stopping me in my tracks.

“Late night with IT?”

I peer over at him curiously, trying to read his expression. From what I know of Brock, he isn’t much of a conversationalist, so the fact that he’s suddenly trying to engage is surprising in itself. And yeah, I’ll bite.

“Mhmm,” I hum, changing course and strolling toward him. “What about you, where are Jared and Brent tonight?” When Brock’s hanging out in here in the evenings, at least one of the other two guys are usually with him.

Brock runs a hand through his hair, so casual as he looks up at me. Like he didn’t even notice the silent treatment I gave him all morning on the practice field and in the dining hall after. “Out at the bar chasing tail.”

“You didn’t go with them?” I ask, arching a brow as I slow to a stop in front of him.

“Nah.”

Short and sweet. Typical Brock.

I stand there awkwardly for a moment before I blow out a breath, rolling my eyes. “Well I’m just gonna go shower…” I say as I start to turn away.

“Hey,” he growls, reaching out for me. He snatches my wrist, pulling me closer, then grabs me by the waist, yanking me down onto his lap so I’m sitting sideways on one of his thighs, my legs dangled between his own. The gesture takes me by surprise, and it happens so quickly that I’m a little dizzy as I turn my head to peer at him.

“What’s wrong?” Brock asks, his eyes swirling with golden shimmers.

I blow a loose curl out of my line of sight, crossing my arms over my chest indignantly. “You completely dismissed me earlier when I tried to tell you about the vision I got from that Chase kid.” I’m not one to beat around the bush- might as well get right to the point.