Page 125 of Knot Your Fated M.U.S.E.

Require this grounding touch.

The response unsettles me. Years of conditioning taught me emotional distance and trained me to focus solely on survival or elimination. These new nerves, this fresh uncertainty – they'd label it weakness at Ravenscroft.

Perhaps that explains their determination to keep us packless. Emotional connections threaten perfect weapons and compromise lethal efficiency. The shadows hum in agreement, recognizing the truth in this revelation.

Atlas releases me with evident reluctance, moving to Vale with fluid grace that defies his supposed limitation. I marvelat his precise movements and the way he navigates space as if darkness holds no power over him.

A deeper realization strikes as I track his motions – I can smell them.

Not all alphas, not the general musk should trigger omega responses, but these two specifically. Their unique scents bypass years of careful programming, awakening instincts I thought were permanently destroyed.

Atlas's pine and leather.

Vale's mountain air and rain.

Both burn through carefully constructed walls.

The shadows whisper possibilities, theories about compatibility and fate I dare not examine too closely. Yet their song carries notes of approval rather than warning –recognition of significance I cannot yet grasp.

Atlas crouches beside Vale, movements economical and precise as he prepares to lift him. The entire situation feels surreal – these alphas who've shattered my worldview in mere moments, this escape that promises freedom rather than deeper chains, these emotions I shouldn't be capable of feeling.

The facility's alarms pierce through my contemplation, reminding us that time races forward despite this bubble of connection.

Atlas rises smoothly, Vale secured across his broad shoulders with dignified efficiency that speaks of practice at managing his pack mate's condition.

"Ready?" Atlas's final query carries weight beyond mere confirmation as if my agreement forges an unbreakable contract.

"Yes, Alpha," the response flows naturally, drawing a barely contained growl rumbling through his chest. The sound ignites fresh awareness, omega instincts preening at such visceral reaction to mere words.

Power lies in that response.

Validation blooms from his restraint.

Truth crystalizes in perfect clarity.

I guess this means I’m not defective after all.

My body was simply waiting for the right pack to awaken dormant instincts.

The revelation settles into my bones as Atlas launches into motion, his initial pace clearly restrained for my benefit.

"Full speed," I urge, conviction ringing through my voice. "I'll keep up."

He responds instantly, doubling his pace without hesitation. My enhanced abilities match his stride for stride, feet barely touching the ground as we race through sterile corridors.

I should be thankful to be able to run this fast, the training through fields, tunnels, and competitive tasks that revolved around life and death serving its purpose now that I can use it for my own benefit rather than those observed for leisure.

The alarms escalate to a piercing crescendo, their warning manifesting in brutal reality as metal barriers crash down behind us. Each thunderous impact seals another section, cutting off all possibility of return.

Atlas spoke the truth – abandoning Vale would have condemned him to a fate worse than death. My stomach roils at images of fresh experiments, new tortures visited upon those useless legs. The thought feeds determination, pushing me faster as I scan our surroundings with a predatory focus.

The cool night air hits my face as we burst through the final doors, freedom tantalizingly close. But survival instincts override the urge to celebrate this first taste of outside in countless years.

Gunfire cracks through darkness, bullets whining past with lethal intent. Recognition floods my system as I analyze our route, memories of countless "training exercises" paint a clear picture of the danger ahead.

"This leads straight to them," I call out in warning.

"What do you mean?" Atlas doesn't break stride despite the question.

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