Page 141 of Psycho Alphas: Part Two

She’d paid it.

I didn’t deserve any of this. Not her affection or her trust, not when I’d been so stupid…

Tears tumbled down my cheeks as I carefully ripped the paper. My fingers were shaking as I pulled out the alcohol swab.

It was another thing she shouldn’t wake with.

I took her wrist in my hands and finally looked at the faded red heart I’d drawn on her skin.

It felt as if, with every swipe of the swab,myheart was being squeezed. I could barely breathe, tears so thick the world was underwater. For a moment, I imagined the little scars I had left across Ace, Rogue, or Knox’s skin, all swimming away too.

Thistle dissolving in the blink of an eye.

Never there.

Never mattered, just like Dan promised.

By the time it was done, I was shaking so hard my bones might have been rattling in their sockets, but the mark I’d left was completely gone from Bambi’s skin.

It had not just been a claim: it was a promise. One that had led to blood and scars that would never wash off like the marker had.

Dumb, stupid, Omega, never with the right instincts, always fucking things up—but the thought cut off as Bambi’s grip around me tightened, dragging me closer against Bunny and her, as if she didn’t hate me at all.

THIRTY-EIGHT

THISTLE

I woke to the sound of a crackling fireplace, and the strip of light from beneath the heavy curtains. My eyes were sore from crying, though I couldn’t remember why.

There was no Alpha in here with me.

That was odd.

Instead, the scent of sugar dust and sunstone hung in the room.

It was new, and not Alpha at all.

It took me a second to orient myself to where I was, but when the events of the previous day returned, they tumbled in all at once.

I blinked awake, fumbled in the sheets, and found Bambi curled up at my side. She was clutching Bunny close. She stirred, blinking groggy eyes open. The dressing on her face stuck across her cheek and nose, but I could see her bright eyes clearly.

Shit.

I cleared my throat.

“Are you feeling okay?” Was that a stupid question? Of course she wasn’t… “The doctor worked really hard to make sure there was as little scarring as possible.” My voice cracked, eyes scanning the dressing. “And we have meds so it doesn’t hurt much. You have to wait a bit before you can shower with the dressings, but I can help with anything you need until then.” The words spilled out in a mad ramble, and she was still staring at me.

That was okay. She didn’t have to talk if she didn’t want to.

I fumbled at the side table, sorting out her morning meds, then grabbed the glass of water. When I made to fetch breakfast, though, she let out a whine, eyes darting to the closet and curtains as if someone was waiting there to jump out.

Luckily, I didn’t need to leave. I could already smell the coffee from the hallway, and sure enough, I only had to crack the door to find a tray of breakfast waiting.

I grinned, grabbed it, and returned in a blink.

She was still looking around the room like it might hurt her.

Oh dear.