Page 29 of Alpha Infected
Hazard moved to sit on the floor, tugging Ice down to join him on his side of the bars. They talked, Hazard filling his alpha in on everything that had happened after they’d separated. Then Ice took his turn explaining the physical exams and tests he’d been given. His reflexes and strength were returning to normal levels and other than the body aches, he appeared to have no side effects from the bite.
After that, Ice sat quietly while Hazard chatted. Hazard leaned against the cell bars, determinedly holding back his exhaustion in order to keep Ice company while he was locked up.
At precisely thirty minutes into his visit, Sergeant Gallo came to get him. Hazard turned to the beta with a pleading expression, prepared to beg for more time. But before he could say anything, Gallo turned around and walked away.
Ice and Hazard looked at each other. Ice shrugged and Hazard resumed their conversation.
A few minutes later, Gallo returned with a bedroll.
“Can’t let you in there with him, but if you’re going to stay for a while you might as well be somewhat comfortable,” he said as he held out the Legion green bedding.
Hazard accepted the bedroll with surprised gratitude. “Thank you, Gallo. I appreciate it.”
The sergeant waved off his thanks and went back to his station.
Hazard spread out the bedroll and sat back down. A storybook princess would turn her nose up at how thin it was, but it was better than the hard concrete floor directly under his ass.
Ice looked at him, a frown turning down the corners of his mouth.
“You should get back to barracks and sleep in a real bed.”
Hazard shook his head. “Rather stay here with you.”
Ice’s lips curled in a tired but pleased smile.
“In that case...”
Ice got up and went over to his cot. He pulled off the thin, lumpy mattress and brought it over to drop on the floor across from Hazard’s bedroll.
“You need to rest,” he whispered.
Hazard nodded. He did. By this point his eyelids were as heavy as lead weights.
They lay down facing each other. Bars separated them, but he would be able to spend the night near his mate. Satisfied, Hazard finally gave in to his post-mission crash and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 9
Early the next morning, the sound of boots approaching pulled Ice from sleep. He blinked his eyes open to see Hazard still asleep on his pallet outside the cell. Then he looked up to see his doctor from the previous night and one of the military police coming down the hall.
Lieutenant Ecker barked a laugh at the sight of the two of them on the floor. His laughter woke Hazard who groaned and sat up. Ice and Hazard both stood and greeted the doctor.
“Unwilling to separate for even a single night,” Ecker said with a chuckle. “That mate bond is something else.”
“May you be so blessed one day,” Hazard replied as he cracked his back.
The lieutenant grinned. “Hopefully.” He turned to Ice. “We have your blood test results.”
“Am I cured?” Ice asked in a voice thick with sleep.
“Yes,” Ecker said with a firm nod. “However, you do still have the SE RX-2 antibodies in your system. But that’s a good thing. They will protect you from a future infection so you won’t need to be vaccinated along with everyone else.”
Ice sighed with relief. “Can I return to my barracks now?”
“Absolutely, you’re free to go.”
The military police who’d accompanied the lieutenant stepped forward to unlock his cell. Ice walked out and joined his mate. Now the mission was truly over.
* * *
