Read Online Strength of the Pack by Kendall McKenna - Free Book Online

stepped forward, stood at his full height, shoulders squared and feet firmly planted. Lucas knew he imagined it, but it felt like waves of heat rolled off of Noah. There was no way Noah could be any warmer than the stifling temperature around them.
     
    “Major Connolly,” Noah called, voice deep and resonate. Lucas shivered.

    The Major’s head whipped around and immediately spotted Noah. He excused himself from his crew and quickly approached Noah. Lucas watched, amazed, as Connolly seemed to shrink as he drew closer to Noah. His shoulders hunched and his head hung low. Connolly glanced at Noah’s face several times but never fully met his eyes.
     
    “You must be Noah Hammond,” the major said.

    “I am,” Noah replied calmly.

    “I’d heard you were coming, sir.”

    The use of the honorific surprised Lucas. It took him several heartbeats to realize their military ranks played no part in this interaction.
     
    “This is Lucas Young,” Noah introduced him.

    “Sir,” Connolly said with a respectful nod.
     
    Lucas had no idea why he, as a human lieutenant, rated such deference.

    “The run tonight,” Noah said, pulling all attention back to himself. “What’s the SOP?”

    “We stage here and run into the desert.” Connolly gestured first toward the ground they stood on then off toward the perimeter barricades beyond the runway.

    “Have you been keeping the head count?” Noah asked.

    “No, sir,” the major replied. “Until this month, there’s only ever been a dozen of us, at most.”

    “Well, that’s certainly changed,” Noah said dryly.

    “So, you’ll lead the run tonight?” Connolly asked, still hunched and not quite meeting Noah’s eyes. “Scuttlebutt says you’ll only be here a couple days at most.”

    “I’ll lead the run tonight,” Noah confirmed. “Lucas will stand Sentinel. And that’s affirmative; we’re stepping off in two days. I’m not going to designate a pack leader, so those of you staying are going to have to settle the hierarchy on your own.”

    “Understood, sir,” Connolly replied with a small smile. “Won’t be the first time.”

    They left Major Connolly to return to his crew. “What does it mean that I ‘stand Sentinel’?” Lucas asked.
     
    “You plan on standing watch with your roster again, don’t you?” Noah glanced at him briefly as they walked.

    “We’re in an unfamiliar country,” replied Lucas. “I think it’s even more important that I be available if any of you run into trouble.”

    “That’s standing Sentinel,” Noah answered simply.

    “I didn’t know there was actually a name for it,” Lucas muttered. “I thought you were just humoring me last time.”

    Noah halted and turned to face Lucas. “I take you very seriously,” he said in a low voice, eyes piercing.

    “As Sentinel, do I have other responsibilities to…the pack? To…to you?” Lucas’ heart raced so fast it nearly stole his breath.

    There was a long pause, and Noah didn’t meet Lucas’ eyes. “The position is pretty much what you make it,” he finally said. “It all depends on your relationship to the pack and to the True Alpha.”

    Lucas knew what his relationship was to the pack. He thought he knew what his relationship was to Noah, but memories of their encounter rushed back with an intensity that nearly staggered him. He’d thought it would make things awkward between the two of them; instead it seemed to have established some sort of deeper connection. Lucas didn’t understand it.
     
    They reached a row of hooches that housed privates and corporals. Noah stepped up and rapped the backs of his knuckles against a door. Corporal Chandler answered.

    “Gather the others and meet us at the main gate,” Noah ordered.
     
    Chandler acknowledged the order.

    Lucas walked along beside Noah as they made their way to the main gate of the base. He admired the slow, long-limbed grace with which Noah moved. Watching him, Lucas had to admit he’d