Page 174 of Psycho Alphas: Part Two

“Don’t touch her.”

“So protective.” He sounded amused.

“She’s not yours,” I snarled, the wall of pillows and blankets behind me squishing beneath my weight. I tried to shift some to cover Bambi.

Before I could flip the blade, or do anything, Carrion seized me by the shoulder and threw me aside with ease. I collided with the wall in a burst of pain and a whimper, air driven from my lungs.

I blinked the world straight in time to see Carrion reaching into the burrow.

Bambi!

Feral rage stole me from time itself, and the world flashed, red bleeding in. I’d moved, a snarl rolling up my chest. I reached them, but he reacted too fast. Pain exploded on my temple. I was on my side, breathing heavy, body reacting too slowly…

Where was Glade’s knife?

It wasn’t in my hand anymore.

I dragged myself upright, chest tight, lungs not working, but before I reached him, he was standing up, and what he held wasn’t Bambi at all.

The bright pink Bunny I’d scent-marked for Bambi was hanging from his fist. Then he was turning away from the burrow.

Something loosened in my chest.

I searched for her, and found the slightest movement amongst the pillows. Clouded honey eyes were wide with terror and fixed on me, and her hand was clamped over her mouth.

Stay there…

I couldn’t say the words, and my lungs felt like they had imploded. But all that mattered was that she stayed hidden. Even as footfalls drew closer, and there was a painful jolt in my hair as I was hauled upright.

I needed to get it together, but I felt like my heart was a blown fuse, slamming blood through my veins as if I was still watching him reach for Bambi…

Where were we?

I tried to get my bearings as the Alpha dragged me along. We were at the doors that led to the main ballroom.

They’d left the Misfits’ quarters…

That was good…

I felt rough hands on me, tugging my jacket down, and pulling Bunny from my fist. I snarled, lunging, but I was held still by another. Bunny was gone…

Then their hands were on me, patting me down. The bracelet—I tried to curl my fist against my chest, but I felt it rip from my wrist, and then the sound of it hitting the marble, sharp and echoing in the vaulted space as it clattered to the floor.

Fuck…No!

I needed that…

Too late, though. I was being shoved through the doors, the guards finally letting me go.

I felt vulnerable without Bunny. Without Ace’s protection. I was in my hoodie, shorts, and fluffy slippers I’d put on before I’d dashed down to Bambi’s nest.

She was safe, though.

That made everything easier.

I had to sort myself out. My Alphas weren’t here. Every instinct screamed at me to stall, to last until they arrived. I looked up into the dark eyes beyond the bone mask, my throat raw as the words dragged out.

“What do you want?”