Page 1 of Petals and Strings
Chapter One
Audrey
“Stop fighting us, bitch," the beta cop hissed, tightening his hold on my bicep.
It took both him and his beta partner to drag me to the back of the waiting patrol car. They were rough, forcing me to stumble beside them. Which only pissed them off more, so they were lifting my feet off the ground until I was kicking out as they carried me to my impending doom.
I landed a solid kick to the back of the asshole's knee and his hold momentarily faltered, causing me to crash to the ground. My legs, no longer willing to take the abuse, gave way and my feet were simply dragged behind me as their grips tightened even more.
That's definitely leaving a bruise... or ten.
Fucking dicks. I’d gouge out their eyes if I had the chance, but with my hands cuffed, all I could do was flail and fight as they tossed me in the back of the cruiser.
Hours, or maybe only minutes, passed as the outside whirled past the window. It wasn't long until we arrived in front of an oldbuilding featuring gothic architecture, creeping green vines, and worn stone. We had barely come to a full stop when my door was wrenched open and tweedle-ass and tweedle-dick were dragging me into my new home.
Ash Recovery Center
Such an unassuming name for the facility waiting for me. The wrought iron gate creaked behind us as the security guards closed them. Being dragged across the gravel drive gave me just a minute to take in the monstrosity ahead of us.
It looked more like a boarding school than a recovery center. I almost expected crows circling above and ghosts peering through the windows. A cuter name for what it truly was. A mix of a psych ward and a care home for broken souls.
They roughly dragged me past the large wooden doors and stopped in the lobby. The moment my eyes landed on the barred windows and security gates, I fought harder.
Nothing about this place felt right. Too dark and imposing.
Not with my pack. Where the hell were they? Why were they allowing this?!
An icy breeze blew past, goosebumps chasing it as it passed. It was too fucking cold in here. The lobby was dim and terrifying, shadows lurking in the corners and the low lights above reflecting along the polished black and white marbled floors.
Wrong. It was wrong.
I had to leave.
I couldn’t smellthem.
“Let me go back to my pack! They were waiting for me!” I screamed, jerking back and forth as I tried to dislodge their bruising holds. “It’s wrong to tear an omega away!”
Shouts echoed out, mixing with my own but I didn’t register a word, my focus on the gaping wound in my chest. The space where I should feel them but couldn’t.
Was I too far away now?
“Audrey, listen to my voice. I need you to calm down or I’ll be forced to sedate you for your own safety and ours. We can help, and we’re here to listen, but youhaveto calm down,” a smooth voice urged.
It was gentle, placating. It fucking grated on my nerves. And for some reason it stood out among the angry growls of my two guards appointed by the court.
I’d blocked out most of that ordeal, all that remained were brief flashes of cold courtrooms, an attorney that smelled like spaghetti and sadness, and the judge’s loud gavel as it sealed my fate.
No one would help. No one would listen to me.
“Audrey. Calm,” he urged again when I didn’t relent, tears now streaming down my face as reality tried to settle in.
There was no escape.
“Everyone needs to stop fucking talking down to me!” I screamed, the yell ripping out of my throat in a painful rasp. “I’m not a fucking child.”
“Then stop acting like one.” His words were blunt enough that I finally focused on the man standing in front of me.
He was all business, in dark dress pants, a polo with the ash tree logo on it, and a large, gold watch. His face was clean-shaven, blond hair combed back, and his gray eyes were oddly warm.
