Page 96 of Psycho Pack

Her words dent the walls I've built around myself. I want to believe her. Want to see myself through her eyes. But the weight of responsibility pressing down on me is suffocating.

"How can you have so much faith in me?" I ask, hating how vulnerable I sound. "After everything that's happened?"

Her lips curve into a small smile. "Because I've seen your strength," she says simply. "Not just physical strength, but the strength it takes to lead. To make hard choices. To keep going even when everything feels hopeless."

I shake my head, unable to reconcile her words with the doubt gnawing at my insides. "You don't understand. I shouldhave seen this coming. Should have known Plague was hiding something. A good leader wouldn't have?—"

"A good leader trusts his pack," Ivy interrupts gently. "And learns from his mistakes. You're not perfect, Thane. None of us are. But that doesn't mean you're not a good leader."

Her words wrap around me like a balm, soothing some of the jagged edges of my self-doubt. I want to believe her. Want to see myself the way she seems to see me. But years of conditioning, of burying my emotions and shouldering the weight of command alone, make it hard to accept her reassurance.

"I don't know how to do this," I admit, the words barely audible. "How to lead us through... whatever this is."

Ivy shifts closer, her thigh pressing against mine. The contact sends a jolt of warmth through me, grounding me in the moment. "You don't have to do it alone," she says softly. "That's what pack means, right? We support each other. We face challenges together."

All I can do is stare at her.

She gives me a little grin. "Guess that's why I put up with being stuck with all of you. There are good things about being part of a pack."

I let out a shaky breath, her words hitting me harder than I expected. How long have I been carrying this burden alone? How long have I convinced myself that showing any vulnerability would make me a weak leader?

"I'm not used to... this," I gesture vaguely between us. "Talking about... feelings. Doubts. It was always drilled into me that a leader has to be strong. Unshakeable. Brave."

Ivy's hand finds mine, her small fingers intertwining with my larger ones. The simple gesture nearly undoes me. So does the little smile she offers me. "It's only bravery if we're afraid. Otherwise, it's just recklessness."

I stare down at our joined hands, marveling at how such a small touch can make me feel more anchored than I have in years. The walls I've built around myself, the carefully cultivated image of the stoic, unflappable leader, begin to crumble.

We sit in companionable silence for a while, the gentle hiss and rumble of the train fading into background noise along with the muttered argument between Whiskey and Valek about what the stuffed grape leaves are called. For the first time since we boarded this gilded prison, I feel slightly less like we're about to plunge into absolute and utter chaos.

Slightly, but I'll take it.

"Thank you," I say finally, my voice rough. "For listening."

"Everything's going to be okay," Ivy says softly, leaning up to give me a kiss so gentle, it hurts. "We've always figured things out. And we'll do it again."

And somehow, I believe her.

Chapter

Sixteen

WRAITH

Stalk through the too-perfect train.

Need to find Plague.

His sharp clean scent is easy to track.

Easy to pick out from the incense and spices.

He knows I'm following him.

Has to.

But he doesn't try to lose me or confront me.

Just keeps moving through the train.

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