Page 41 of Psycho Alphas: Part Two

Because Thistle was—at this moment—a beacon of joy.

TWELVE

KNOX

I thought Ace would lose it again.

He looked on the edge of it. His scent was charred with madness. To my surprise, though, he didn’t move. His eyes fixed on mine, remaining present.

Looking closely, it was clear how worn he was. His skin was pale, but I could see the traces of sunburn along the edges of where the mask had been. His hair was a bit too long, there were bags beneath his eyes, and his cheeks were hollow.

When was the last time he’d eaten?

I had no pity for him, though. He deserved to feel like shit. He didn’t deserve to be awake at all. Or bonded to her—when I wasn’t.

He’d caused her nothing but pain.

I knelt by Ace’s side, holding onto the metal rod so he couldn’t move while I fixed the muzzle onto his face. He fought me for a moment, fingers grappling at my shirt and pants, but he got nowhere.

I made Rogue put on his own muzzle. It took weeks before he did it, but eventually the prospect of spending another moment in this cage had beaten out his pride.

That had been at the start.

It had been easier after that.

I didn’t have leverage with Ace… yet. It was a different kind of debasement, though, forcing it on him.

After the muzzle, I fixed a different black metal collar around his neck. Then I released the clamp at the end of the rod.

It was pure instinct that had him sitting up the moment I’d stepped back. A defence of his pride, which was good news.

I couldn’t destroy what wasn’t there.

I leaned against the cell wall, crossing a foot over my ankle, watching.

He didn’t stand, instead straightening where he sat and leaning his head against the wall.

From beneath shaggy raven hair, his eyes left me, and slid to the open door of the cage. He didn’t move, but I could see a million calculations in his gaze. Finally, he glanced at my hand, which was tucked in my pocket.

His smile was bitter. “I assume the collar isn’t for show.”

I grinned, thumbing the small silver device I had tucked away. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“What do you want?” he asked. “You’re not pack. You’re not her mate.”

It took every ounce of self-control I had to rein in the fury that surged at his words. Jealousy was an understatement. I wasn’t stupid enough not to clock that. This piece of shit wasn’t just her mate. He was her soul match.

There was nothing in this world I wouldn’t give to have that with her.

“She won’t see you without my go-ahead.” I didn’t know if I had that sort of leverage with Thistle, to be honest. But Acedidn’t know how very wrapped around her little finger I was, and even if that was true, I wouldn’t let her near him if he was going to hurt her.

“That would be rather unpleasant for her, I would imagine,” Ace mused.

“I don’t think so. You’re heat bonded. It’s her call when you come and go. I don’t give a shit how much time you spend with her when you’re brainless.”

Ace regarded me, running his tongue along his teeth. “Why did she bring me back?”

“I’m guessing she thinks you can help.”