Strength of the Pack (15 page)

“Lieutenant Young!” Lieutenant Colonel Santos shouted, expression severe. “Would you care to explain why you ordered the Alpha were to take the entire Pack out on a mission without clearing it first?”

Lucas’ mouth went dry, and his heart leapt in his chest. “I beg your pardon, sir. I had no idea that was going to happen. I apologize.”

Santos’ severe expression didn’t change. He stood directly in front of Lucas as he addressed him. “Well, what exactly did you think was going to happen when you ordered Sergeant Hammond to take out the enemy?”

“I had thought only the weres in my own platoon would follow him out, Lieutenant Colonel,” Lucas replied hastily. “I wasn’t aware he would call out every shifter in the battalion. I obviously didn’t make my orders clear enough for Sergeant Hammond, and I’ll be more precise in the future, sir.”

“Dammit, Lieutenant,” the lieutenant colonel stepped into Lucas’ space, just like a drill sergeant. Lucas fell back on OCS training and stared at a spot just past Santos’ ear. “You’re wielding a very powerful weapon, and you cannot be reckless about it.”

“All due respect, Lieutenant Colonel Santos,” Captain Madison’s voice was calm and quiet, “Lieutenant Young hasn’t received the advanced course on commanding werewolves in battle, sir. He’s doing pretty fucking spectacular on just what he learned in the basic course we all get in OCS.”

A tense silence settled around them, and Lucas didn’t dare to breathe.

“How is it that the Marine Corps’ True Alpha werewolf was put under the command of a First Lieutenant who
has not
received advanced training on commanding werewolves?” Santos’ voice was hard and cold.

From several feet away, Lucas heard Captain Stanley answer. “Lieutenant Young was supposed to receive advanced training before our deployment, sir, but when the date was moved up, that became problematic.”

Lucas wanted to shout
liar
at his company commander. He’d been denied access to additional training, despite repeated requests.

“Lieutenant Colonel, sir,” Madison’s voice once again broke in soothingly. “Sergeant Hammond is experienced enough with junior officers; it seems to have balanced out Young’s lack of knowledge. I suspect Hammond wouldn’t have called the Pack for any other officer.”

Lucas’ blood ran cold. He’d wanted to shoulder the blame for what had happened. He’d wanted Noah shielded from the lieutenant colonel’s anger. Madison had just sold Noah out.

“Are you implying that Sergeant Hammond offered to call the Pack in order to stop the attack?” Santos demanded, turning on Madison.

“That’s my understanding, sir,” Madison replied, turning toward Lucas. “Lieutenant Young?”

There was something encouraging in Madison’s expression. It almost appeared as though he found humor in the entire situation. Lucas took a chance.

“Sergeant Hammond suggested a course of action utilizing the werewolf pack, sir, but I issued the order for him to carry out that mission.” It was the precise truth.

“Even if Captain Stanley had gotten Lieutenant Young the training he needs, Lieutenant Colonel, sir,” Madison continued, casually adjusting his body armor, “or even assigned Hammond to a more experienced platoon commander, we’d probably still have ended up in the same situation.”

Lieutenant Colonel Santos studied Lucas for several long moments. Lucas returned his gaze and forced himself not to look away. He didn’t understand what was happening, but he and Noah didn’t seem to be in danger of being disciplined any longer.

“Captain Madison, are you saying Sergeant Hammond has voluntarily submitted to Lieutenant Young?” Santos asked.

“That’s how it appears, sir,” replied Madison, matter-of-factly. “Lieutenant Young seems to be a natural at dominating werewolves.”

The lieutenant colonel sighed heavily. “Lieutenant Young, the next time there is
any
shifting taking place, put it out on comms.”

“Yes, sir,” Lucas replied quickly, still trying to absorb this turn of events.

“A suggestion, Lieutenant Colonel,” said Madison. At Santos’ nod of permission, Tim continued, “One of my platoon commanders and I have been through the advanced training. We can share our knowledge and experience as time allows, in an effort to make up for the oversight in Lieutenant Young’s training.”

Lucas didn’t miss Madison’s choice of words. He imagined the lieutenant colonel hadn’t either. He didn’t dare glance in Stanley’s direction.

“See to it, Captain Madison,” Lieutenant Colonel Santos replied with a nod. “Dismissed.”

Lucas turned sharply on his heel and didn’t dare look back when he heard Santos bark, “Captain Stanley, stay right where you are.”

When they were out of earshot of the command tent, Vince gave voice to Lucas’ thoughts. “What the fuck just happened?”

“I have no idea,” Lucas replied. “Captain Madison?” He glanced askance at his fellow officer.

“I just made sure the record got set straight,” the captain said, one corner of his mouth lifting in a grin.

“I thought sure I was going to get NJP’d.” Lucas used the common acronym for Non-Judicial Punishment. “I still don’t understand why it matters that Hammond volunteered instead of me ordering him.”

“We humans like to pretend we have command and control of other people, but we don’t,” said Madison. “We issue orders, but if someone doesn’t want to physically comply, we don’t have the ability to force them. Sure, there are consequences for non-compliance, but that’s not the same.”

Vince snorted a laugh. “There are some PFCs who have been dragged out of their racks after reveille that would argue that point.”

“Dragging someone out of their rack is not the same as being able to compel them to get themselves out of their rack.” Madison pointed a finger at Vince for emphasis. “Sergeant Hammond has the power to compel other werewolves to physically comply with his wishes.”

Realization hit Lucas like a .50-cal round. “So when you say he called the Pack to assist him on his mission, you’re saying he forced them all to shift and follow him into a battle.”

“That’s exactly it,” Madison said with a nod.

“But why does it matter that No—Sergeant Hammond volunteered for the mission, rather than being ordered?” Lucas asked.

“Only True Alphas have the ability to compel the Pack.” They were drawing closer to the platoon so Madison came to a stop and turned to face Lucas. “It’s not something their culture takes lightly, either. True Alphas don’t offer up their Pack as cannon fodder. We human officers can request the assistance of the Pack, but we can’t demand it or order it. The Alpha has to choose to cooperate.”

Lucas knew he was still failing to grasp something significant. “But I didn’t ask; Sergeant Hammond offered.”

“Yes, he did,” Madison replied perfunctorily, lifting both eyebrows for emphasis.

Before Lucas could inquire further, the battalion’s comm came alive. They were all ordered to stand fifty-percent watch.

Madison glanced toward the platoon. “Shifting without the full moon is difficult for the younger weres. Regardless of your standing rotation, all the pack members need to come off of duty and get some sleep.”

Lucas was once again surprised by this information. “Vince.”

“I’ll adjust the duty,” McAlister responded immediately. “Hammond, too?”

“Hammond especially,” answered Madison. “This means you as well, Lucas.”

“Me? Why me?” Lucas was too surprised to hide his confusion.

“Hammond’s exhaustion will affect you, too.” Madison settled his Kevlar on his head but didn’t fasten the chin strap. “You’ll eventually figure out how to manage that connection on your own, but for now, better to be cautious.”

“I caught a couple hours earlier so I’m good to go,” Vince said. “Sounds like you actually need to crawl into your grave, sir, instead of dozing off inside the Humvee.”

“Listen to your Gunny, Lieutenant,” Madison said, squeezing Lucas’ shoulder. “We’ll talk more when you’ve had some rest.”

“Thank you, sir,” Lucas answered, chagrined to realize that others were aware of this strange connection he and Noah shared. It felt like something intimate, something personal that he didn’t want the entire world to know.

Lucas turned in time to see Noah striding purposefully toward them. His expression was thunderous.

“What did they do to you?” Noah demanded, coming to stand just inches from Lucas.

“Nothing,” he answered quickly. He gave himself a mental kick for not realizing Noah would have sensed his earlier anxiety. “At first I misunderstood what I was being asked. That’s all.”

“Did I cause trouble for you?” Noah asked quietly.

“Sir, I’m gonna go explain the new orders,” Vince said hastily, barely waiting for Lucas’ agreeing nod before he quickly walked away.

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Lucas assured him. “In fact, I’m going to get a little more training on how to be an appropriate officer for your Pack.”

“You’re doing just fine in that regard,” Noah’s reply was decisive. “Sir,” he added, as if only just remembering he needed to show proper form.

“I’m stumbling around in the dark,” Lucas said with a shake of his head. “I’ve managed to get lucky so far.”

“If you’d feel better with a little more training, it can’t hurt.” Noah took a step back and Lucas could breathe again. “But I’ve been hearing our stories told my entire life, and even I’m figuring some of this out as we go.”

Lucas continued walked toward the platoon, Noah falling into step beside him. “Stories? Like Joan of Arc and her pet werewolf?”

Noah chuckled. “We’re nobody’s pets, sir.”

“I’m well aware, Sergeant,” Lucas said with a smile. “But you’re most certainly very powerful allies.”

Lucas expected a witty rejoinder and was surprised by Noah’s silence. All he could think to do was wait.

“Is that what I am? An ally?” Noah asked quietly.

Denial was on the tip of his tongue. His already strong feelings for Noah were growing by the day. Before he could speak, Lucas was overwhelmed by a sense of disappointment and just a hint of sadness. He realized Noah’s emotions were spilling over. Lucas couldn’t distinguish between Noah’s feelings and his own.

“This entire thing is complex and complicated.” Lucas stopped walking and brought Noah to a halt with a hand on his arm. “Yes, we’re allies, but there’s also a hell of a lot more going on here. You know that better than I do.”

“I know a lot about history but not so much about the present,” Noah replied enigmatically, but Lucas felt less sad and more encouraged.

“Do you have a story you could tell that doesn’t end in the werewolf’s death and his commander being burned at the stake?” Lucas asked, genuinely curious.

Noah’s eyes roamed over him as if he was gathering intel and reformulating a conclusion. “Maybe that wasn’t the best story to start with. It was just the first one that came to mind.”

“Why don’t you tell me your favorite one?” Lucas canted his head to the side, hiding his eagerness for Noah’s reply.

Noah smiled broadly, and Lucas’s mouth went dry with desire.

“That would be Kali and Shiva,” he said without pausing to consider. “But that might not be a good one to tell you either. Kali represents darkness and death, and you are a bright shining light.” Noah skimmed his fingertips over Lucas’ cheekbone.

Lucas flushed and was grateful for the darkness. “I’m also a man,” he said dryly. “Kali also represents creation. So, are you telling me Shiva was a werewolf?” he asked incredulously.

“That’s what I’m telling you.” Noah hooked a finger in Lucas’ vest and tugged him closer. “Humans tell the story of Kali defeating demons on the field of battle. We tell the story of Shiva and his Pack helping Kali defeat another rabid and rampaging pack.” He lowered his head and Lucas heard him inhale deeply.

“Does this mean I get to stand with my foot on your neck, a sword in my hand, each time we win a battle?” Lucas really shouldn’t be flirting with a man under his command. He needed to take a step back, put some space between the two of them.

“If, like Kali, that’s what it takes to keep you calm and focused,” Noah answered easily. “I prefer the benevolent and maternal Kali, though. The one who breast feeds her consort.” He smiled brilliantly.

Christ. Noah was flirting back. Heat flooded Lucas’ system as he watched Noah’s eyes flare blue fire.

“Lieutenant Young.”

Lucas jumped at the sound of Vince’s voice, oddly disappointed when Noah’s hand fell away from his armor. “Yes, Gunny,” he answered, hoping the breathless quality of his voice wasn’t obvious.

“The pups are all tucked in, sir,” Vince replied.

Lucas took a deep breath to steady himself. “Thank you. Sergeant Hammond and I are just about done here.” He just
knew
Noah was laughing at him silently.

When they were alone again, Lucas turned back to Noah. “I’ve been advised that you and I both need to sleep after this evening’s events. It seems I’m ordering you to get some sleep, Sergeant.”