Page 34 of Psycho Pack

And the Council thinks omegas are supposed to be the weaker class? Everything in those books I've been studying and notating was complete and utter bullshit.

"Left," Plague calls out, his voice cutting through my thoughts. "The tunnel widens ahead."

We adjust our path, chains creaking as we maneuver the Knight's bulk through the narrow passage. His mechanical arm scrapes against the wall, throwing off sparks. More black blood drips from the holes where a few of his iron rods used to be, mixing with the water below. The others dig grooves into the stone, sparking and smoking.

Wraith's head snaps up, blue eyes blazing. He signs one-handed, keeping his grip on the chain.

Guards above. Moving fast.

"How many?" I ask.

He shakes his head. Too many to count.

Great.

An explosion rocks the tunnel, closer this time. Debris rains down, forcing us to press against the walls. Ivy stumbles and five alphas lunge to catch her. But Wraith's already there, his massive frame curled protectively around her smaller one.

The sight sparks something in my chest.

Pride?

Fear?

Both?

This isn't the feral alpha I grew up with. The one who needed constant supervision, who could snap at any moment.

This is... more.

Better.

She did that.

Our fierce little omega with her heart of steel and endless compassion. She saw past the monster to the man beneath. Past all our darkness to something worth saving.

We're all monsters, really, even if we don't look the part.

And despite his appearance and violent temper, Wraith might be the least monstrous of us all. He's the only one who didn't sign up for this shit. I may have been groomed for violence and bloodshed, too, but Iwantedto fight for my ideals—for our father's ideals, which are apparently complete bullshit, too—from day one.

But not Wraith.

All he wanted was a home.

A family.

They had tomakehim that way.

Make him into a bloodthirsty killer.

And I helped.

Wraith lost himself, and Ivy found him.

Not me.

Ivy.

What kind of brother am I?

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