Page 104 of Petals and Strings
“Wait, what?” I said. “I’ve been given multiple shots.”
“Me, too,” Ansel tacked on. “For years. I thought it was standard.”
Ares burst in after us, locking the door behind him. He was shaking as he stalked toward me, not stopping until we were standing toe to toe.
“Did he hurt you?”
“No,” I breathed out, my voice quiet. The tension didn’t drain away when he had my answer. His fingers traced over my face softly, not stopping until he was holding onto the side of my neck.
I moved forward, resting my forehead against his. His scent sharpened, amber and spice wrapping around me like a gentle caress, reassuring me silently that my alpha had me.
He came for me. For us.
It felt like the first time in my life I could truly trust someone to keep me safe. The rest of my pack would try and I appreciatedtheir efforts. But Ares was different. He was in a position to put that sentiment into action.
“Get me out of here,” I whispered. “Save us before he makes another move.”
“What happened in there?” he demanded, stepping back to stare at us all to make sure we knew he wanted every detail.
“He locked us in, then as they stepped out, he pumped something into the room,” Ledger said.
“It smelled sterile, not like it had drugs in it. I think it was a warning,” I said. “Telling us that he can still get to us, that your protection won’t help us. Neither will our freedom from the bracelets.”
“I hate that I gave him that chance,” Ares said, starting to pace. His combat boots slammed down with a thud each step he took, red hair flying out as he spun around to pace the other way. He looked like he was ready to go to war.
For us.
“He said he was making sure you had no say in our ‘treatment,’” Rydell told him as he air quoted the word. Because it was hardly based ion true medicine.
No, I had a feeling this was some sort of experiment. Or at least, testing out ways to keep us compliant. It wouldn’t be the first time he’s done it.
Those syringes still haunted me. What the hell was in them? Would he have used them if Ares hadn’t shown up?
I doubted our peace would last. The truth was Ares couldn’t be everywhere at once or he’d blow his cover.
In the end, I had to hope he’d get us out of here, but I wasn’t naïve enough to think it would be simple or quick.
We had more to endure before we’d seen the last of these halls.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Rydell
Two months passed in a blur of well-practiced routines, side glances from the staff who weren’t Nancy or Ares, and staying vigilant.
We didn’t part ways, didn’t separate. Even during therapy we tended to do it together as a whole. Not one of us wanted to face the ghosts of our past without the pack by our side.
It meant we were learning more about each other every day, but if there was anyone equipped to handle our demons, it was our group.
Cross arranged for meals to be sent to our wing and I knew from the whispers in the halls that the other patients speculated something was wrong with us. That we were dangerous.
I didn’t give a single fuck what stories they concocted about us. It meant they kept their distance.
Sleep didn’t come as easily anymore. The others slept around me but I couldn’t bring myself to leave us vulnerable.
Audrey was, apparently, having the same issue. Despite watching over us silently, she stirred. Restlessly shifting in bed between Ansel and Kane.
It felt like every day that passed without an incident was just adding more fodder to the pile of drama resting around us.
