Page 253 of Psycho Pack

The sight of Wraith and Ivy's tender exchange makes my heart clench painfully in my chest. This simple gesture contains more raw emotion than I normally allow myself to feel.

Should I tell her too?

Should wealltell her we love her?

That she's not only saved us, she's given us something worth dying for?

Worthlivingfor.

Everything is barreling toward its inevitable conclusion. The proverbial shit is about to hit the fan in spectacular fashion. It's all coming to a boiling point. And I know with absolute certainty that every single one of us would die to keep her safe.

And some of us might.

It's likely, even.

But fear holds my tongue. I remember all too clearly how she told me in no uncertain terms that love wasn't something she was interested in, not long before Valek's betrayal sent everything spiraling into chaos. It feels like it's been an eternity since that conversation, but it really hasn't been long at all.

And she might never be ready.

She might never even be ready for our marks.

Or has that changed?

Now that she's chosen to stay with us, now that she's embraced being part of our pack... does she feel differently? Or would telling her now just add another burden to her shoulders? Make her feel pressured to reciprocate feelings she might not be ready for?

I don't know.

But now, I have even more on my mind.

And I'm not the only one. Valek is hovering around near the door, looking like there's something he very much wants to tell her, but he holds himself back.

For once.

I suppose if evenheknows it's not the right time…

Ten minutes later, we're heading out. Ivy looks like any other Surhiiran traveler in her long hooded cloak, concealing her fiery red hair, the white fabric edged in delicate gold filigree. The style suits her, though I can tell she's not entirely comfortable with how formal it is.

"You sure about this?" Whiskey asks as we make our way to the vehicle we'll be taking. It's simple, but armored. "I mean, your track record with family reunions isn't exactly stellar."

I shoot him a withering look. "And your track record withtactis nonexistent."

"Just saying," he grumbles, but there's no real heat in it. He stops to open the passenger door for Ivy, and she places her smaller hand in his massive one, letting him help her up into the front of the vehicle. He hauls himself into the back seat after, setting into the middle where he can drive us nuts the whole time we drive. I already know that's exactly what he's going to do.

I take the wheel and waste no time putting distance between us and the base once everyone is in. I notice Ivy's barely contained excitement as she looks out the window, eagerly drinking in the scenery that passes.

She's always been like this.

Drawn to adventure no matter the risk.

It would be concerning if it wasn't so endearing.

"Would you stop that?" I growl, swatting away the big meaty hand that keeps reaching between the seats to fiddle with the dials on the control panel. "I'm trying to drive."

"Just wanted to put on some tunes," Whiskey argues, leaning forward to fill the space between our seats. "How long before we get there?"

"Long enough," I snap. "And it'll be longer when I dump your ass out and make you follow us on foot."

Ivy snickers.