Page 57 of Alpha Brock

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Brock

“So we’re looking at a week to ten days,” Reid sighs, cracking his knuckles in front of him and leaning back in his chair. “Meaning we should’ve already sent the first half of the squad down there.”

The five of us squad leaders are gathered in the conference room at the complex, and the tension in here is so thick that it’s almost suffocating.

“So let’s send them in the morning,” Theo suggests. “We already split ‘em up, told them to be ready at a moment’s notice…”

“We’re gonna have to,” Gray agrees.

A grim silence settles over us, because this right here, this moment, is when it becomes real. We’re sending off our warriors, knowing full well the real cost of war. That some of them won’t be coming back.

It’s a reality that, fortunately, our squad has never had to face until now. As the leaders, all five of us feel responsible for the squad members, so the thought of taking casualties is a heavy one. We’re all stressed. Anxious. And hoping we’re doing the right thing by joining Denver in this fight.

I slide my elbows on the table in front of me, resting my head in my hands. “So the first half tomorrow, the rest this time next week?”

“Let’s say Tuesday for the second half,” Reid murmurs, unfocused eyes staring blankly across the room. “And then we’ll shoot to head out Thursday, so long as the timeline holds.”

Gray grunts in affirmation, nodding his head. “Everyone’s familiar with the battle strategy since we’ve been collaborating with Denver for the past couple weeks. So all we’ll need to do is familiarize ourselves with the terrain.” He glances over at Jax. “Fallon and Quinn can stay back and travel in with us.”

I see Jax’s jaw twitch at the mention of his mate. I’m sure neither of these guys are thrilled about their mates putting their lives in danger to fight alongside them. I’ll bet Theo’s thankful that Brooke’s an IT girl rather than a warrior right about now…

Reid straightens, looking from Gray to me. “We should pack our bags, keep them here or in our vehicles so we’re ready.”

“We’ll get them together too, just in case,” Jax says, nudging Theo, who nods in agreement.

Another long pause, the tension in the room still palpable.

“We’ll break the news to the squad this afternoon, then,” Gray mumbles, staring down at the table. Then his eyes lift, drifting to each of us. “You guys ready for this?”

“We have to be,” Reid says somberly.

Gray sighs, pushing up from his chair. “Let’s all plan to meet out there early tomorrow, see them off.”

We all grumble in agreement, following Gray’s cue and rising from our seats around the conference table.

~

Later that evening, I’m still feeling numb after the meeting with the guys. This shit is heavy, hanging over us like a dark cloud. There’s so much riding on this battle in Denver- if we lose, we can kiss the six-pack goodbye. Everything we care about; everyone we care about.We can’t lose.

Jared and Brent tried to get me to go out to the bar in Stillwater with them to take my mind off of things, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I stayed back and packed my damn bag for Denver. I threw it by the door, walked over to the couch, and I’ve been glued to this spot since. The TV isn’t even on, I’ve just been sitting here, tormenting myself with my own thoughts. Leaning over with my elbows resting on my knees, my head in my hands.

And then I smell peaches.

My head jerks up to see Astrid strolling into the room, her alert brown eyes instantly coming to mine. She’s dressed in loungewear- a pair of white cotton shorts and a faded blue cropped t-shirt that skims across her midriff. Showing just enough skin to make my dick twitch in my sweatpants.

Her eyes leave mine to roam- presumably looking for Brent or Jared. I watch her gaze land on my packed duffel by the door, then she looks back to me, tilting her head. “Going somewhere?”

My throat works as I swallow hard. “Denver.”

Astrid’s eyebrows shoot up. “Already?”

I give a little shake of my head. “We just have to be prepared. Gotta keep a bag on hand.”

Her mouth forms an ‘o’ and she nods, glancing back to the bag, then to me again. “Should I do that, too?”

“Maybe,” I shrug.