Alpha Knotting: Two Alphas A Steamy Omegaverse Book 5

The scent of sweat and cheap cologne filled the old gym of the military compound. It was well past working hours, and most guys were away, save for me and my partner, who was currently hitting the punching bag. It always amazed me how easily Hawk made these brutal workouts seem like a piece of cake.

The bags rocked back and forth, the chains creaking under the brutal beating they were being given. This was usually the only thing that could keep Hawks’ mind clear and calm. He was known to be a hothead. When he was training or on missions, this was when he was at his calmest. His body felt like it was on autopilot as he unleashed his fury on the punching bag. The only other person he could say he tolerated was his partner, me. I didn’t say anything, only silently watching as his muscles flexed each time he threw a punch.

I just finished a set of pushups and stood up, brushing my fingers through my raven-locks, drenched in sweat and the occasional splash of water in between the sets.

Hawk and I have been partners on missions for a month. There was a deep contrast between us, both in looks and skills.

Hawk had platinum blonde locks and icy blue eyes, and his immense build and height had dubbed him the bulldozer of the compound. He was around 6′8 and the tribal tattoos covering both his thick arms and spreading over his dauntless pectorals made him look more like an animal. Meanwhile, I had black hair and equally black eyes, and a smaller build than his. I was an Alpha but of average height, 6′1, and balancing on the leaner, athletic side.

I was a sniper and operated more from a distance while Hawk was on the front line, charging like a bull, with me having his back covered from all angles. Both of us were Alphas, with the only difference being that Hawk was a purebred one.

There was no doubt in anyone else’s mind that Hawk was a purebred alpha. The man was a giant, and he had the attitude to go along with it. He was stubborn, brash, and a bit of an arrogant ass. Despite the frown that he always seemed to wear, he was reliable. He took his job very seriously. While he might be a pain in the ass to deal with sometimes, he was loyal, and he was extremely protective of the people he cared about.

“You done with the pushups, pipsqueak?” He snorted, glancing briefly at me.

I rolled my eyes. In his eyes, every other Alpha was a shorty. “Two more sets,” I replied.

Hawk couldn’t help the icy smirk that formed on his face as he watched me continue my pushups. “You really should invest some more time in weightlifting instead of cardio work.” He muttered, his Danish accent thick. He was right, of course. I was fit, definitely more than your average Alpha, but next to Hawk, I may as well have been a beanpole.

I ignored his comment and finally finished the push-ups, getting up and wiping the sweat from my face with a towel. I could feel Hawk’s gaze on me, analyzing me. He had a natural, yet annoying, habit of trying to critique everything.

“You’re still too small.” He grunted as he continued to pound the punching bag. “What are you, anyway? Six? Six foot one?” His question didn’t surprise me.

He was still an ass, but so far, I had managed to get along with him the longest compared to his former partners. The last one got both his wrists broken.

I rolled my eyes again at the thought of his former partners. They could only last a week at most with him before they were fed up with his attitude. I was the only one who could handle his bullshit… for now, anyway.

“Six feet one isn’t that small.” I retorted. “I’m above average.”

“Average Alpha height. Nothing impressive.” Hawk retorted, cracking his knuckles.

I huffed out a breath, trying my best to stay calm. It was bad enough being constantly criticized by this bastard, but to add insult to injury, he never seemed to have a problem pointing out my size. “And how tall are you then, jackass?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

Hawk smirked, stopping his relentless attack on the punching bag. He stretched his arms, his muscles flexing. “Six foot eight.” He replied smugly. “You’re almost two heads shorter than me, pipsqueak.”

I gritted my teeth, my blood beginning to boil. “Don’t call me pipsqueak, bastard.” I practically snapped at him.

The smirk on his face only grew wider, clearly enjoying the little game. “Why? Is pipsqueak getting grumpy?” He taunted, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

The tension was crackling between us. Both of us were Alphas, and the urge to dominate was crawling underneath both of our skins. The air between us felt almost electric. Even though I didn’t want to admit it, Hawk’s scent was driving me insane. I could feel my inner Alpha getting agitated under the surface.

“Don’t underestimate me just because I’m smaller than you,” I growled, my eyes narrowing. “I am a snipper. I don’t have to be a giant.”

Hawk let out a bark of a laugh at my words. “Sniper, huh? Impressive.” He retorted sarcastically, his smirk growing wider. He took a step closer to me, his gaze almost predatory. “What can you do with that little gun of yours, hmmm? Hit the target, sure. A hundred yards, two hundred yards, hell, even three hundred yards. But in hand-to-hand combat? You’re a dead rat.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I was the one who always had his back. In the last mission, someone shot the three men who were ready to stab him from the bushes. That someone was me. But I held back from rubbing all this in his face.

My jaw clenched, my patience growing thin. I hated it when he treated me like I was some weak little pup. I was a capable alpha, damn it! I didn’t need this giant to remind me that he was bigger and stronger.

“I can hold my own.” I retorted through gritted teeth. “I don’t have to be the biggest and the strongest to be a threat.”

Hawk’s smirk only grew wider at my words. It was obvious he was enjoying this little banter. “Oh, really?” He chuckled, taking another step closer to me. “You think you’re a threat to me? A little runt like you?”

The air was practically crackling with tension, our hormones running rampant. Our inner Alphas were getting agitated by each other’s presence.

I narrowed my eyes, glaring up at him. “Whatever. I am done here.” I hissed and grabbed my water bottle and towel.

“Awww, is pipsqueak running away?” Hawk’s voice was dripping with sarcasm, his smirk still plastered on his face. “Too afraid to face a real alpha?”

I gritted my teeth, my hands clenching into fists. I knew I should just walk away, but the bastard knew how to get under my skin. Still, I didn’t turn around to face him. If I were back in high school, I might have exploded, but I was 28. I wasn’t some junior Alpha who let his emotions get the best of him.

“Enjoy the rest of your workout and have a good night,” I said in a neutral voice.

Hawk’s smirk faltered slightly as he watched me walk away. He was used to people reacting aggressively to his provocations, but I was different. I always managed to keep my cool, and it was pissing him off.

“Good night, pipsqueak.” He called after me, his voice carrying a hint of irritation. “Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”