Strength of the Pack by Kendall McKenna Page A

and unresisting. Lucas used the wipes to clean the drying come from Noah’s hand and cock. By the time he was finished, Noah was already half-asleep.
     
    Lucas unlaced Noah’s LPCs and slid them from his feet. He helped Noah to shrug out of his blouse then tugged down the bedclothes. Lucas encouraged Noah to lie down and pulled his trousers over his hips and down his thighs.

    “Thank you,” Noah sighed as Lucas tucked the covers around him.
     
    “You’re welcome,” Lucas whispered in reply, an unfamiliar affection and possessiveness welling up inside of him.

    He carefully folded Noah’s uniform and left it for him on a chair. With one final glance over his shoulder to reassure himself that Noah would sleep peacefully for several hours, Lucas left the hooch and locked the door behind him.
     
    When he reached his own billet, Lucas gathered up what he’d need for a shower. Their showers were timed; the need to conserve water was more than obvious. As hard as Lucas was, he wouldn’t need more than a minute or two of privacy.

    If he jerked himself off to the memories of what he and Noah had just done, it could very well be over in a matter of seconds.

CHAPTER SIX
    Farah Province, Afghanistan

    Lucas stood in the battalion’s command tent. Lieutenant Colonel Santos, the battalion commander, and Major Allen were briefing the Echo and Fox company commanders and their platoon leaders. Lucas clenched his jaw and struggled to keep his expression smooth. Their mission was pointless. It would serve no purpose other than to drive a wedge between themselves and the local villagers.

    To compound the sheer idiocy of the current plan, they were expected to move from village to village out in the open, in Humvees. They were going to be nothing more than moving targets in a carnival shooting gallery.
     
    When they were dismissed, Lucas was the first to exit the tent. He strode angrily in the direction of the motor pool. His men were going over their assigned victors, ensuring everything was in good working order.

    “Lucas.”

    Turning in surprise, he saw Captain Tim Madison walking toward him. Madison was the Echo company commander.

    “Yes, sir?” Lucas had no idea what Madison could want from him.
     
    “Let’s keep walking,” he said cryptically.

    “Is there something I can help you with, Captain?” Lucas fell into step with Madison.
     
    “I think you and I are going to need each other’s help as this mission progresses,” the captain replied.

    Lucas was puzzled. “I’m not sure how much help I can be to you, sir.”

    “Watch my back when the time comes,” said Madison. “I’ll feel better knowing it’s you and not one of the idiots who surround us.”

    Lucas barked a surprised laugh at Madison’s blunt response. “I’m flattered, sir.”

    “Just telling the truth.” The captain smiled slightly. “You’ve surprised command with how well you’re managing Sergeant Hammond.”

    “Beg your pardon, sir?” Lucas’ heart nearly stopped.

    Madison didn’t seem to notice Lucas’ distress. “It’s common knowledge that he usually humors officers, so no one expected that he’d submit to you.”

    “They know about that?” Lucas felt physically ill.

    The captain nodded. “It’s clear to see he has respect for you, Lucas. We can count on one hand the number of officers he’s respected in his career.”

    Lucas relaxed slightly in relief. They were discussing Sergeant Hammond submitting to Lieutenant Young’s authority. Noah submitting to Lucas was still just between the two of them.

    “I don’t treat him differently because he’s a werewolf,” Lucas explained. “It seems treating him just like every other Marine in the platoon works.”

    “I’m sure there’s a little more to it, but whatever you’re doing, it’s working.” Madison glanced around them as they walked. “I know Stanley hasn’t done anything about getting you any training on how to handle a shifter of