Command My Heart ~ Book 2 - The Royal Blood Collection

Chapter 1

Thumping to the ground, I looked around at what everyone called hell. It was a frostbitten nightmare that was yet to be drowned in snow but that was only a matter of time if the temperature was anything to go by.

The base bustled with activity, trucks moving, people scuttled in and around the buildings. Someone gave the back of my shoulder a friendly slap, I turned to the man beside me. We'd talked briefly on the back of the truck. It was all rather general, as it usually was. No one wanted to get close because life in the army was always short. I hoped to break out of that ominous future and be the first vampire to live beyond his first tour in the north.

"Good luck,"

"You too, I have a feeling that we're going to need it."

He chuckled and nodded, walking away. Hitching my bag over my shoulder, I walked through the base.

"General Livingstone?"

The guy stopped and pointed to the building at the far end of the path.

"Through that door there."

"Thanks."

He nodded and kept going. Inhaling sharply, I pushed on. The cold wind curled around me, ensuring that I knew that being underdressed in this environment was unwise. I'd come from the south where it was warm, we didn't need a heavy jacket or thermals. I was freezing cold.

Feeling the frostbite hard at my back, I was relieved to delve into the warmth of the CO's office even if it was temporary.

Dumping my bag at my feet, I raised my arm to salute.

"Sir, Captain Oliver Beaumont,"

His eyebrow raised, taking the papers from me. A heavy frown pressed into his brow as he read the document. Flicking to the next one, the General huffed.

"Why did they send you to hell, Beaumont?"

"I was advised that my skills would be used better at the front, sir."

"At ease, soldier. I'm not your CO."

I frowned as I looked around his office and to the door, wondering if I'd stumbled into the wrong office.

"Aren't you the commanding officer for this posting?"

"I am but you're not a part of my team here."

General Livingstone stood from his desk, walked around it and flicked his head.

"This way, son. You're about to learn what cold really is."

Picking up my bag, I looked at the cold world outside and grimaced.

"Perhaps a detour through supplies first?" Livingstone asked with a smart ass smirk on his face.

"I've never known a cold like this." I murmured.

Livingstone nodded.

"Yeah, I found my first winter rough. It hasn't started to snow yet, we're expecting it in the next couple of days. Once it gets here, you'll wish for this to come back."

I followed the robust figure out the door and along the breezeway in front of his office. A short walk from the heavenly warmth of his office and I was faced with the supply office.

"Two lots of lookout gear," Livingstone said gruffly to the young man that was seated behind the high desk. "You need to add him to your books, Captain Oliver Beaumont, lookout division."

The young man nodded, typing something into the computer before sliding off the chair. He rummaged through the shelves, stuffing things into a basket. Livingstone turned back to me, flicking his head at the door to the side.