Strength of the Pack Read Online Free PDF Page B

anything.
     
    “Similar reaction,” Noah replied.

    Lucas suddenly understood. “Copy that.”

    “Are you really going to sit in your car all night waiting for us to come back?” Noah asked abruptly.

    Why was this so fucking hard to believe? “I’ve got a book, a thermos and a cell phone. If something goes wrong out there, send someone with a message, and I can get help.”

    Noah gave a slight shake of his head. “Are you for real?” he muttered.

    “Excuse me?” Lucas had no clue how to answer, or if he even should.
     
    “The first of us should start showing back up just as it gets light,” Noah said over his shoulder as he walked into the dark, his hips rolling slowly, broad shoulders cutting a defined silhouette.

    Lucas locked down the sudden spike of lust that rocketed through him. “What’s the appropriate thing to say, right now?” he asked, hoping levity would dispel the sudden awkwardness. “Good luck? Stay safe? Play nice with the other wolves, and don’t pick up any strange fleas?”

    Noah stopped in his tracks and slowly turned back. Lucas was sure he’d crossed some sort of line of inappropriateness. He mentally berated himself for openly flirting with an NCO under his command.

    Relief washed over him when Noah suddenly grinned. “I wondered if there was any spirit to go with that brain.”

    Lucas stayed rooted to his spot, speechless, blood thundering in his ears, as he watched Noah walk into the darkness.
    § § §
    His cell phone alarm jolted Lucas awake just as the sky began to lighten. He climbed out of his SUV into the chilly morning air and stretched. Glancing around, Lucas determined none of the werewolves had returned yet. He walked stiffly to the edge of the parking lot and relieved himself.

    Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Lucas leaned against the front of his car, settling in to wait. The first streaks of pale pink were just painting the sky when the first shadow emerged from the dark.

    Lucas retrieved his clipboard and noted the return of a captain from Miramar. The werewolves trickled in slowly at first. He expected squabbles and fogged windows, like Noah had warned him about. Instead, they milled about in the center of the parking lot, speaking in hushed tones and casting surreptitious glances in Lucas’ direction.
     
    The sky was pale gray when a familiar silhouette—tall and broad shouldered—strode into the parking lot. Noah’s eyes were silver and still very wolf-like when he came to a stop in front of Lucas.

    They stared at each other for several wordless moments, Noah breathing heavily between parted lips. Lucas’ heart pounded so loud he was sure Noah could hear.
     
    “You really stayed, Lucas,” Noah finally said, his voice rough.

    “I said I would,” he replied breathlessly, unable to look away from Noah’s intense eyes.
     
    “Yes. You did.” Noah’s amazement seemed to give way to pleasure.

    Lucas shook himself free of this strange spell. “Can you verify for me, who has made it back so far?”

    Noah glanced toward the cluster of Marines in the parking lot. He tilted his head back and inhaled. To Lucas’ utter amazement, he listed each and every Marine who had already returned from the run.

    “That is truly impressive, Noah.” The taste and feel of Noah’s name on his tongue was oddly pleasant.
     
    “Thank you, sir,” Noah replied, hiding behind their ranks again. He shifted his weight slightly, before walking to his Jeep. He retrieved his shoes and slipped them on.

    More and more Marines began to arrive. They all obediently checked in with Lucas and nodded respectfully in Noah’s direction. Some lingered in the parking lot and eventually squabbles broke out. Noah quickly broke them up with what appeared to be little effort. Most simply climbed into their vehicles and drove away.
     
    When the last Marine made it back just as the sun made its appearance, Lucas no longer had a reason to stay. He tossed his clipboard into the