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change in deployment.”

    Coming from Noah, the words were reassuring. “I like to think so, but I still want them to get as much time on the Trainer as possible.”

    Noah replied smoothly. “You’ve done the best you can for your men, and you’ll continue to do the same.”

    “It doesn’t feel like it’s enough,” Lucas said, his agitation rising again.
     
    “It is. And you’ll put a positive spin on the new deployment date. That’s all they need from you.” Noah’s shoulder brushed casually against Lucas’ as they walked.

    “I hope so, Sergeant.” Oddly, Lucas was reassured by Noah’s words.
    § § §
    Vince and Lucas were the only ones left in the gym. Lucas had dismissed the platoon after Noah had subjected them all to severe beatings.

    Lucas winced inwardly and immediately corrected himself. Sergeant Hammond. He needed to get out of the habit of using his TL’s given name.

    The closer they got to shipping out to Afghanistan, the less Noah held himself back when sparring with the platoon. Except, he still held himself in check when it came to Lucas.
     
    They’d secured the discarded pugil sticks, and now Vince and Lucas were just beginning to neatly stack the mats.

    “I’m telling you, Lucas,” Vince said. “There’s something about you he likes.”

    Lucas snorted. “Sergeant Hammond does not like me. He tolerates me.”

    Vince shook his head to emphasize his point. “When he’s around, you’re always so involved in trying to control him, you don’t get to step back and just observe him like I do. He’s quit standing like he’s got a steel bar running up his spine when you’re around. Now he only does it around other officers.”

    “So, he’s not challenging my command because he’s decided I’m the lesser of many evils?” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Yeah, thanks, Vince.”

    “Give yourself some credit; you’ve done more right than you have wrong,” Gunny said with finality.
     
    “I just know he sees me as prey,” Lucas said on a sigh.

    “You know how male lions lay around in the sun and wait for the lionesses to bring back dinner for them?” Vince asked suddenly.
     
    “Yes, but what’s that got to do with this?” Lucas glanced at Gunny to make sure he wasn’t losing his mind.

    “Alpha wolves don’t do that,” answered Vince. “They go with their pack and lead the hunt. They eat first, but they make sure their entire pack gets food. They lead the pack when it’s on the move, and they coordinate all its members.”

    “I still don’t see the point.” Lucas folded the heavy mat onto itself with a little more force than necessary.

    “You don’t order your platoon to hump twenty miles in full pack while you sit at your desk doing paperwork. You strap on your own ruck and run with them. You lead the way on the trail, and when everyone comes back, you make sure your men are fed and hydrated before you see to yourself.” Vince paused, giving Lucas a shrewd look. “You’re already more Alpha wolf than you realize.”

    Lucas shook his head in denial. “How can I hope to dominate him when he can out run me, out climb me and has to hold himself back to not kick my ass in hand-to-hand?”

    Vince chuckled. “That’s your problem, Lucas. You’ll never dominate him physically, he’s a fucking werewolf! You gotta get inside his head and figure out what it is that’ll make him submit to you. It’s all mental.”

    Lucas’ response was forestalled by Noah entering the room, the door banging loudly against the wall. He still wore the olive-drab T-shirt and black shorts of the PT uniform they all wore. Noah’s eyes were blue, but they were hard and intense. If he saw Vince, Noah made no indication. He looked right at Lucas as he stalked across the room.

    Aware of Vince tensing beside him, Lucas pulled himself to his full height and lifted his chin. So far, he hadn’t hidden behind his rank, so he wasn’t going to hide behind Vince