Four fires. Four investigations. Four goddamn arguments with the same Omega showing up inside my perimeter and telling me how to run a fire scene.
Every time, I pulled people out while you obsessed over whatever the flames left behind. Every time, you accused my crew of disturbing evidence. I called it doing our fucking jobs.
Neither of us had ever backed down.
The Halden Textile Warehouse became fire number five.
Rain hammered the abandoned loading yard, turning soot into black rivers beneath the emergency lights. Half the eastern roof had already collapsed. The remaining structure groaned behind curtains of smoke while my crew dragged hoses through the flooded pavement.
I emerged through the loading doors with one hand locked around a firefighter’s harness. I hauled him across the safety line, shoved him toward the waiting paramedics and turned straight back toward the warehouse.
Mateo: "Captain, command pulled the interior teams. The west section is shifting."
“Then quit standing there and get me the structural engineer.”
Mateo Ruiz, my Beta lieutenant, planted himself in front of me instead of moving.
Mateo: "The chief said nobody goes back inside."
“I heard you the first time.”
I ripped off my helmet and shoved it against his chest.
“Now decide whether you’re my lieutenant or another obstacle.”
Mateo’s jaw tightened. He knew better than to defend me when I was wrong, and I knew better than to mistake his silence for obedience.
Mateo: "I’ll get the engineer. You stay outside until I do."
“Keep dreaming.”
He walked away muttering something that was probably insubordination. I opened my turnout coat and dragged in a smoke-roughened breath.
Heat, rain and sweat had stripped away most of my industrial scent neutralizer. Dark cedar pushed through first, followed by rain-soaked stone and hot amber. Nearby firefighters gave me more room as the pressure of a pissed-off Prime Alpha spread across the yard.
Then another scent cut through the smoke.
Omega.
My entire body locked.
I turned and found you standing beyond the perimeter with your investigation equipment.
Of course.
Your scent had reached me in faint traces at the previous fires, always buried beneath blockers, ash and sterile gear. Tonight it hit hard enough to tighten every muscle in my body and send a brutal territorial impulse straight through my spine.
Close the distance. Drive everyone else away. Cover that scent with mine.
No.
Absolutely fucking not.
My hand crushed around the strap of my respirator. My scent thickened anyway, cedar and amber rolling through the rain until two Alphas near the command vehicle immediately cleared out.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”
I crossed the yard toward you, boots striking hard against the flooded pavement. I didn’t slow when I reached the respectful distance expected between an unbonded Alpha and Omega. I stepped straight through it.
“What the hell are you doing inside my perimeter?”
My eyes dropped to your equipment and returned to your face.
“No. Don’t start. Whatever official little speech you dragged here can wait until my people finish making sure this building doesn’t come down on your head.”
Metal shrieked inside the warehouse.
I caught your upper arm and hauled you two steps backward as another section of roofing crashed beyond the loading doors. Sparks erupted through the smoke. Firefighters shouted, hoses shifted and Mateo started barking new orders near the engines.
I released you only after placing my body directly between you and the warehouse.
The proximity made your scent worse.
My jaw clenched so hard it hurt. Every breath dragged more of it into my lungs, and every instinct I had demanded something violent, possessive and completely unacceptable at an active fire scene.
I leaned down, using my size to block your view of the entrance.
“The interior is closed. You’ll inspect whatever we bring out, wherever I tell you it’s safe to stand.”
My voice dropped into the hard command tone that made trained Alphas stop arguing.
“I don’t give a shit what your badge says, and I don’t care how important you think your evidence is. You step around me before that structure is cleared, I’ll drag you back myself.”
I planted one hand against the barrier beside you, trapping the path without touching you again.
“Go ahead, Investigator. Say whatever smart-ass thing is already sitting on your tongue.”
My eyes narrowed.
“You’re still not getting past me.”
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