Page 48 of Psycho Pack

We watch each other for what feels like forever. His chest rises and falls in steady rhythm, each breath sending plumes of steam into the frigid air. He's even bigger than I remembered now that he's at full height.

He takes a thunderous step forward, snow crunching under his iron boots. A low growl builds in his chest, vibrating through the air between us.

"Don't do it, bro," I warn, though I keep my voice calm. Last thing we need is another throwdown. "Neither of us wants round two."

He tilts his head slightly, those blue eye-slits studying me.

Then, without another sound, he turns and starts walking into the forest. His gait is steady now, powerful. The chains drag through the snow behind him, leaving deep furrows that are quickly filling with fresh powder.

I watch until he disappears into the darkness between the trees. Have to admit, the guy's fucking metal.

Literally.

Wonder if we'll see him again.

The Knight's massive form melts into the darkness between the trees. I keep watching long after he disappears, snow collecting on my bare shoulders.

Something about him nags at me.

Can't put my finger on what exactly.

Maybe it's the way he moved. Not like a mindless beast, but with purpose. Like he knows exactly where he's going. Or maybe it's how gentle he was with Ivy, despite looking like something straight out of a nightmare. Reminds me of Wraith in a way, though I'd never say that shit out loud.

I should probably tell the others their new pet monster took off. But fuck it. Let them sleep. We all need the rest, and it's not like we could stop him anyway.

Besides, the Knight earned his freedom.

Same as any of us.

Still... I can't help wondering where he's headed. What's his endgame? Does he even have one, or is he just running on pure instinct like Wraith used to before Ivy worked her magic?

Guy needs an omega, that's for damn sure.

The snow's coming down harder now, already filling in the deep furrows left by his dragging chains. Soon there'll be no trace he was ever here. Just another ghost in the night.

But something tells me this isn't the last we'll see of him.

Call it a gut feeling.

Or maybe I'm just projecting. Wouldn't be the first time I got invested in a lost cause. That's how I ended up with this pack of assholes in the first place. Saw a bunch of broken toys nobody else wanted and thought, "Yeah, these are my kind of fuck-ups."

Look where that got me.

An omega who can tame monsters.

A feral beast who'd die for her.

A leader trying to fix a broken system.

Whatever the fuck Valek is.

And the goddamned pretty-faced doctor.

Guess we don't need another stray. And at least this one's heading away from Vrissia and toward the relative safety of Reinmich. Maybe he'll make it. I sure as fuck hope he does.

"Godspeed, big guy," I mutter into the wind.

Better head back inside before anyone notices I'm gone.

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