Page 3 of Psycho Pack

"Any idea how far down we are? Or how to get out?"

Another shake of his head. But he taps his nose again, then points ahead.

Following the scent trail, then.

It's not much of a plan, but it's all we've got.

We continue on in silence for what feels like hours. The caverns seem endless, twisting and turning in a dizzying labyrinth. Sometimes we have to backtrack when a passage dead-ends or becomes too narrow for Wraith's bulk to fit through.

My stomach growls loudly, reminding me that I have no idea how long it's been since I last ate. Wraith's stride falters for a moment, and he looks down at me, his brow furrowing in concern.

"I'm okay," I assure him. "Just hungry. And tired. And sore. But okay."

He doesn't look convinced. His pace quickens, eating up ground with long strides. I want to tell him to slow down, toconserve his energy. But the determined glint in his eyes tells me it would be useless.

Of course he's worried about me being hungry.

So instead, I focus on staying alert, scanning our surroundings for any sign of danger—or escape. But there's nothing. Just endless rock and shadow, broken occasionally by clusters of glowing fungi.

Until suddenly, thereissomething.

"Wait," I say, tapping Wraith's chest. "Do you hear that?"

He stops, cocking his head to the side. A faint rumbling reaches us, barely audible over the sound of dripping water. It's rhythmic, almost like...

"Machinery," I breathe. "There's something mechanical nearby."

Wraith nods, his expression grim. He sets me down gently, then crouches beside me. His hands move in a flurry of signs.

Danger. Trap? Escape? Choose.

I bite my lip, weighing our options. It could lead us straight into the hands of our captors. But it could also be our best chance at finding a way out. If there's machinery, there have to be people operating it.

And where there are people, there are exits.

"We have to risk it," I say finally. "We can't wander down here forever."

Wraith nods, though the exposed sinew and muscle of his jaw clenches with tension. He stands, offering me his hand, still trying to keep his head turned so I can't fully see his face. It's strangely endearing for such a huge, powerful alpha to be so shy. I take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. My legs are steadier now, the rest having done me good.

I lean up and kiss the side of his jaw. "Thank you."

He rumbles in confusion, giving me wary side-eye.

Fuck, how is this huge, terrifying alphacute?

I really have lost my mind.

We move forward cautiously, following the sound. It grows louder with each step, until it's a steady thrum vibrating through the stone beneath our feet. The passage we're in starts to widen, the rough-hewn walls giving way to smoother surfaces.

We skirt the edge of the passage, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. My heart pounds so loudly I'm sure someone will hear it. But it seems like we're the only ones down here, and we make it to the other side without incident.

Above us, the rumbling continues, off and on. It's clear the chaos has died down somewhat, but whatever Wraith did to this damn building affected its structural integrity.

I catch myself wondering if the Ghosts are okay. I know they're here. It goes beyond just knowing they would move heaven and earth to get to me.

I can feel them here.

Sense their proximity in my very bones.