Page 9 of Psycho Alphas: Part Two

“Victor?” The male voice on the other end was a low growl. “Thank fuck—!” Then he cut off.“Victor?”

My fingers shook, rage burning down to my bones as I took Victor’s fist, the one still curled around the gun, and lifted it. He’d lost too much blood, and he stood no chance of stopping me as I pressed the barrel against his chin. He hadn’t lost enough to pass out, though, so he understood what I was doing. He shifted beneath me, but I moved my weight, pinning him easily as the sticky, bloody phone lay silent, the call still ongoing.

An image flashed in my mind.

This Alpha, with his fist at Knox’s neck as they’d tortured him and Thistle.

Another guttural vibration rolled up my chest. My finger closed around his, threatening the trigger.

I could feel her in the bond, trying to hide away. I’d felt her every moment. I’d felt the shame and terror they’d forced upon her.

Victor let out a strangled sound. In his eyes, I saw that same terror, terror I knew every member of his pack would feel.

That’s what I needed.

They’d brought this war to me, and I would make sure their regret would eat them alive.

His struggles were weak, eyes bulging as he strained to get away. The low, desperate whine was the sound of an Alpha who knew just how close death was.

“Every member of your pack will know what happens when you touch what’s mine.”

I moved his finger, pressing it against the trigger.

He knew right before it happened. That visceral realisation must have shot through the bond like a lightning strike, because I heard it through the phone.

“Wait—!”

BANG!

With a jolt, I found release as my fury poured free, and the world came back into view. The call had cut—I’d picked up the phone and cracked it in my fist.

I returned to the closet, knowing I’d already spent too much time up here. If Bella’s pack returned, I needed to be downstairs.

Withmypack.

I stared down to find Knox where I’d left him. His eyes still blinked sluggishly as if he could see the shift in the shadows. His skin, which was usually a rich tan, was ashen, and he was shivering.

Numbness prickled along my skin, across my body. My mind was quiet now.

In the bond, Thistle had finally calmed.

Ace had done his job.

I knelt down beside Knox, hearing his breathing pick up.

His scent shifted, ink and antique wood charring more than it already was.

I stood, hefting his body in my arms and glancing down as I felt his chest heave. I shouldered the door open, his fury and fear shifting to utter panic. Head lolling back, I could still see the glint in his eyes, constricted pupils fixed on me as I carried him down the hallway.

It wasn’t until I was through the door to the basement with it locked behind me that I finally uncoiled. The tense, alert partsof my brain began to unwind, but I was on shaky ground that I knew would crumble once the silence died.

What happened tonight would collect its dues.

But I wasn’t ready.

I reached my room and laid him down on the bed, limp and still.

I don’t know if it was her scent, fresh in the room, or hearing the basement door click shut behind us, but finally, Knox’s eyes shut. His scent was calmer in the air, and he passed out.