Strength of the Pack (4 page)

Noah continued to show initiative in his position as Team Leader. He suggested training exercises and then wrote up necessary plans. Lucas confidently supported those efforts.

Today, he broke the platoon into teams and each one would be dropped blind somewhere on Camp Pendleton. They had a day to navigate back to the parade ground and the first team back would win a day of leave.

Lucas assigned himself to accompany Noah’s team in order to observe and evaluate. He could have observed Sergeant Fowler’s team, but Lucas told himself he needed to become familiar and comfortable with his new Team Leader’s strengths and command style.

“I don’t require a babysitter on training exercises, Lieutenant,” Noah replied tightly when Lucas informed him.

“I’m only observing, Sergeant,” Lucas said calmly. He swallowed hard when Noah’s eyes darted from his, down to his mouth and back again. “I need to get a feel for how the platoon works as individuals as well as in teams.”

“Gunny McAlister and I can give you any assessment you need, sir.” Noah’s eyes dropped to Lucas’ throat, his eyes shining a brighter blue.

“I make my own assessments,” Lucas said sharply. He had to push firmly against Noah’s challenge. “I’m shadowing your team on this mission, Sergeant Hammond. You’ll just have to make do.”

“Aye aye, sir,” Noah said stiffly.

Lucas suppressed a sigh of relief when Noah backed down.

Days later, on the night they practiced making entry into hostile structures, Lucas steeled himself for the challenge he knew was coming. The platoon was on the range deep inside of Pendleton, and Lucas ordered Noah to lead a team through the exercise. He assigned the most junior Marines to Noah.

When he looked in Noah’s direction, his heart raced at the sight of Noah’s eyes turning silver. Lucas gave a slight inclination of his head. Noah fell into step beside him as Lucas lead them out of earshot of the platoon.

“Sir, I’d like to add a few of the more experienced men to the team,” Noah said as soon as Lucas turned to face him.

“If this was a real mission, you would need a team with established skills and experience,” he replied quickly, directly addressing Noah’s concern.

“Agreed, sir,” Noah said, shifting his weight subtly, his eyes roving over Lucas just like they always did.

“But this is training. You and I have the luxury of allowing these men to make mistakes. We’ll use those mistakes to formulate lessons for the entire platoon.” He kept his voice low and conspiratorial, needing Noah’s cooperation in this. Noah towered over Lucas, his sharp features and square jaw distinct, even in the dark. The sight of Noah’s silver eyes glowing in the darkness nearly made Lucas lose his train of thought. “I don’t need you to be perfect, Sergeant. Just lead by example and share your knowledge and experience.”

“Copy that, sir,” Noah answered in a low voice, the line of his shoulders dropping slightly.

They turned to return to the platoon. Lucas was immeasurably relieved that Noah had so easily capitulated. Lucas was fully aware that Noah could make things difficult if he wanted.

An idea suddenly occurred to him. “Before we get started, why don’t you lead an experienced team through the exercise? It’ll serve as an example of the level of skill we want them to achieve.” Lucas dared to smile slightly in Noah’s direction. “We don’t want your sharp edges smoothing out, do we?”

Noah didn’t quite manage to hide his surprise at Lucas’ words. After several heartbeats, he smiled. “It’ll take more than a few training exercises to diminish my level of competence, Lieutenant.”

“Excuse me, Lieutenant. Do you have a moment?”

Lucas’ head snapped up at the first sound of Noah’s voice. Marines were stealthy motherfuckers, but Noah was preternaturally quiet, and it was unnerving at times. Lucas’ heart rate kicked up in pace, and his palms began to sweat. He swallowed hard as he was assaulted by thoughts of the two of them, naked, slowly grinding against each other.

He blinked to clear his mind of the searing images, shifted in his chair to ease his confined cock. Lucas couldn’t let Noah know what he was thinking. Something in Noah’s expression made Lucas think he already knew.

“Certainly, Sergeant. What can I do for you?” Lucas motioned for Noah to step into the office.

“The full moon is next week.” Noah stood in front of Lucas’ desk, a sheaf of papers clutched in one hand.

“Yes, it is. Do you need to make special arrangements?” Lucas had read up on Marine Corps recommendations and guidelines for the handling of the mandatory once-a-month shifting of the werewolves.

“Yes, sir,” Noah replied, handing Lucas the papers.

Lucas stood as he took the sheets from Noah. Flipping through the stack, he saw precisely what he’d expected, until he reached the list of participating personnel. He gave a low, appreciative whistle.

Glancing up at Noah, Lucas said, “I didn’t realize we had this many shifters here.”

“That’s a combined roster for both Pendleton and Miramar,” Noah replied hastily.

Lucas glanced over the sheets again, reading more closely. Now he saw, not only the MOSs, military operational specialties, but also ranks. He chewed on his bottom lip as he contemplated the list.

Noah broke the extended silence. “There are a very high number of newly arrived Marines at both bases for whom this is the first full moon at this duty station. Logistically, it just seems easier to utilize the range here.” Noah’s explanation was freely, even eagerly, given.

Lucas was intrigued by Noah’s sudden verbosity, even as he was grateful for the information. “Agreed,” he said, leaning over to sign the paperwork in the necessary locations. “Outline your general plan for me.”

Noah seemed strangely pleased with Lucas’ curiosity. His eyes were deep blue. “We’ll stage at the eastern parking lot an hour before sundown. As everyone shifts, they’ll head out onto the range, which has a wide variety of prey for us to run down. As morning approaches and everyone shifts back, they return to the vehicles, check in with me, and we all head home.”

Lucas nodded his understanding. “Good plan. I’ll be sure to bring a good book and a large thermos of black coffee.”

“Sir?” Noah’s brow furrowed.

Lucas was sure Noah assumed he’d misunderstood, at the same time he was hoping he hadn’t. “I’m sure I’ll nod off a few times, but I’ll do what I can to stay occupied and awake until you all come back,” Lucas explained. He braced himself for the argument he knew was coming.

“There’s no need for you to be there, Lieutenant,” Noah said tensely, his posture rigid as he looked down at Lucas.

“I’m confident there won’t be any problems, but I want to be there to provide assistance if something does happen to go wrong.” He fisted his hands on his hips, hoping it made him appear larger.

“I’ll be able to handle any problems that might arise.” Noah’s tone was deceptively even.

“I know that. There’s no question about your level of competence. But I’ll be there to provide you assistance if something doesn’t go right.”

“This isn’t your responsibility, sir.” Noah’s spine straightened slightly, and he squared his shoulders.

Lucas could almost feel Noah’s rising agitation like a physical thing. “
You
are very much my responsibility, Sergeant. Being the Alpha of a pack this large has to be challenging. I’ll provide you with whatever help and support I’m capable of.”

There was tension in every line of Noah’s frame. “This isn’t the first run I’ve led,” he persisted, though it seemed half-hearted.

“I would imagine not,” Lucas said lightly, forcing himself not to look away from those shrewd, piercing eyes. “Is there anything else, Sergeant?”

“No, sir,” Noah replied stiffly.

Lucas turned away and sat down in his chair. “Dismissed,” he said with a calm he didn’t feel.

When he could no longer hear the tread of Noah’s boots in the hallway, Lucas released an explosive sigh and let himself relax against the back of his chair.

§ § §

Lucas pulled his SUV into the parking lot. The sun blazed orange and hung low over the ocean, streaking the sky with shades of red and purple. Lucas estimated it was about forty-five minutes before sunset. There were several vehicles already parked, but Lucas knew there would be many more rolling in.

Noah was easy to spot, leaning against the spare tire of a Jeep, legs crossed at the ankles. A thrill ran the length of Lucas’ spine as he took the parking place beside the Jeep. Stepping out into the still warm evening, he realized he wouldn’t need the jacket he’d brought.

“I will admit, Lieutenant,” Noah said by way of greeting, “I didn’t think you’d actually show up.” His eyes were glittering silver.

“I said I would, Sergeant,” Lucas replied. “Why would you doubt it?”

“Not a mistake I will make again,” Noah drawled laconically.

Lucas knew there was more meaning behind that statement than was immediately obvious. He held out the clipboard with the roster of werewolves expected to show tonight. “Do you already have one of these?”

Noah glanced at the list and back up into Lucas’ eyes. “I won’t need that, sir. But if it makes you feel better to use it as a back-up, by all means.”

He knew Noah was laughing at him, and Lucas bristled. “You can keep track of exactly who shows up tonight and if they make it back in the morning, without writing anything down?”

“Yes, sir, I can.” It was a simple statement of fact, devoid of any arrogance.

“Since we’re off duty, we can set rank aside for the evening,” Lucas said, wondering at the wisdom of his words even as he spoke them. “Explain to me how you keep track of such a large group of shifters.”

“Yes…Lucas,” Noah replied. His face was expressionless, but his voice was laced with humor. “At the end of the night there will be two distinct scent trails for everyone who turns out for the run. If there’s any trail that goes out but doesn’t return, I’ll use that to track down the missing werewolf.”

Lucas ignored the tug of attraction he felt at Noah’s subtle amusement. “Does that happen often?” he asked brusquely.

“No, Lucas. Not very.”

Lucas suppressed a shiver at the husky, suggestive way Noah said his name. It had to be due to his impending shift into wolf form. He watched as Noah’s nostrils flared slightly.

“When it does,” Noah continued. “It’s usually a case of someone misjudging how far out they’ve run. Occasionally, I have to deal with trapped legs or lacerated paw pads.”

Lucas thought of how Noah always seemed to be scenting him. “Is that how you all keep track of each other?” He silently chastised himself for hoping he was something special.

Noah’s eyes narrowed as he studied Lucas for several seconds. “Are you asking if every werewolf is able to differentiate between over a hundred individual scent trails and identify the age of each trail?”

Not really. “Yes.”

“No.”

The abrupt answer took Lucas by surprise. He waited for Noah to elaborate but quickly realized he didn’t intend to.

“So it’s a skill unique to Alphas?” Lucas persisted.

“Having the ability to monitor several different scent trails contributes to an Alpha being able to successfully lead a pack.”

Lucas forced himself to be patient. It was like pulling fucking teeth. He decided to meet Noah’s silence with his own.

Finally, Noah pushed off from the Jeep and said, “True Alphas can track and monitor larger packs. It manifests naturally; we don’t have to develop it.”

Lucas nodded thoughtfully. That was a hell of a useful skill to have.

“Listen up,” Noah suddenly shouted, causing Lucas to jump. “Everybody check in and out with my Lieutenant, here. He’s standing Sentinel, so make it easy for him.”

Lucas looked around, abashed that the parking lot had begun to fill up while they’d stood there talking, and he hadn’t noticed. How such a large group had remained so quiet baffled him.

As the Marines passed by, each one called out his or her name. Lucas checked the first box for each one on his alphabetized list. The entire process went quick and smooth. As the group checking in dwindled, Lucas turned to find Noah kicking off his shoes.

“Now what?” Lucas asked, surprised at his own informality.

Noah opened the back of the Jeep and pulled out several plastic tarps that he handed off to other Marines. “We walk out into the setting sun, get naked and shift into wolves.”

Lucas’ mouth went dry at the mental picture of Noah stripping himself naked. “And the tarps?” he asked distractedly.

“Nobody likes putting on clothes that have lain in the dirt all night.” Noah’s grin made Lucas’ chest tighten.

“Of course,” Lucas replied, wondering when he’d lost the power of deductive reasoning.

The large group had almost all moved out into the growing dusk. “I should warn you; some of us are going to show back up in different states of…arousal,” Noah said, looking like he was avoiding meeting Lucas’ eyes. “There could be squabbling. There will definitely be some fucking. It’s typical. Just ignore it.”