Page 167 of Psycho Alphas: Part One

Fuck…

Something was up.

I collected the gun from the floor, and the bloody knife Thistle had left on the bedside table. Instead of taking the main stairs or the outdoor exit, I slipped up the narrow stairs built for the staff.

I was careful, pushing the door open, when I reached the second floor, peering out into the hallway beyond, but it was deserted.

Still, I could feel her in the bond, and her terror hadn’t waned at all. Each spike sent adrenaline through my system, keeping me alert despite how exhausted I was.

When I turned down the next hallway, I spotted movement.

I ducked back around the corner, then rechecked the gun was loaded before creeping out.

I found my gun pointed at the back of a familiar, slender figure with dark skin and cropped hair.

Vance was at the end of this hallway, gun in his own hand as he craned his neck to see what was past corner before him. Beyond it was the second-story balcony that overlooked the ballroom.

I could hear the faintest sound of voices, but I couldn’t make out who or what they were saying.

As I stepped up, Vance spun, eyes wide, gun training on me, then froze. He swore under his breath, lowering it as I closed the distance between us.

“What thefuckis going on?” I asked in a hiss.

“They’re in there.” Vance nodded toward the ballroom. “Bella Morgan and her whole fucking pack. They have Knox and Thistle.”

Shit…

Bella?

This was about Knox, then.

I craned my neck around the corner, but we weren’t close enough to look down into the ballroom.

“No one’s up here,” he went on. “I think there’s a few out in the hallway downstairs, but that’s it. She has nine Alphas, but I count seven in there, and movement outside two of the doors.”

I turned back to him with a frown. This wasn’t his fight. The stupid kid shouldn’t be here in the first place. “Go to the safe room. Let the others know to get inside.”

“They’re already locked in,” he said. “And I’m not going anywhere?—”

“This isn’t your business.” I jabbed him in the chest. “I’ll deal with it. Go back to the east wing and hide until they can let you in.”

“Are you joking?” He was staring at me in shock.

I tucked my gun into my belt. Stubborn little fuck. “Knox will off meinstantlyif I watch any of you get hurt.”

“I’mnotgoing—!” But he cut off, as I grabbed his wrist with the gun, then seized him by the shoulder, shoving him face first against the wall, and easily trapping him in a headlock.

He let out a grunt, but the gun slipped, and I grabbed it. Then I slammed my hand over his mouth as I squeezed his neck, cutting off his circulation with ease. Quickly, his struggles died, and when he went limp.

I lowered him to the ground as quietly as I could, checking his gun was loaded. Couldn’t have too many if what he said was true.

FORTY-FOUR

KNOX

What Bella didn’t know, and what she couldneverknow, is why I would never bite her. That I’d caught her scent upon that cold forest floor, when mine was hidden.

They’d smothered our scents before letting us run—not wanting to risk a scent match. But that day,I’dcaughthers.

---