Page 2 of Petals and Strings
I hated that he settled me. He had that caring air about him. Maybe it was my trauma talking, but it wasn’t often I encountered people who gave off safety instead of setting me on edge.
Until he opened his mouth and that grating voice was back to talking me down like I was the fucking problem.
“My name is Holden. Holden Cross. Director here at Ash Recovery Center,” he explained in that same fucking tone.
The one that said ‘calm down, you’re being irrational. You’re crazy.’
Cute coming from someone working with the assholes kidnapping me and forcing me away from my pack.
Their faces flashed in my mind, a blur of corporate smiles and soothing scents.
Another memory hit me next. An omega, fluffy, black hair and terrified eyes, hands resting protectively over her stomach.
Confusion poured into me. Who was she? How did she fit into the mix?
They were mine.
MINE.
Not hers!
“No!” My scream was for her, not them, but it didn’t stop the disappointed sigh that responded. My stomach twisted, as if I cared about this alpha’s opinion of me.
Something cold snapped onto my wrist, small bumps along the inside poking my skin. I looked up at the director and jerked my arm away with a snarl.
He said something, but I ignored it, gripping at the brace and trying to rip it off of me.
It wouldn’t budge.
Too late. They had me.
A cold, metal beacon that said there was no way out.
The cops released their hold on my arms. With a twist, a click, and the cold slide of metal, my hands were free of the cuffs they had me in.
It was stupid on their part. I’d been running for too long. I was half adrenaline and all instinct and there was a still-open door behind me.
Anything to get back to my pack. They were looking for me. Needed me.
I couldn’t let them win. I’d been beaten down enough. This was my only chance.
My flight instincts were already rising and I saw the moment Holden clocked it. His eyes narrowed, something frustrated but unsurprised lingering there, taunting me.
But I’d already turned away.
My legs pumped hard and fast as I launched myself toward the door, frantically trying to shove them open and flee. Heart pounding, pulse thundering loudly in my ears and muffling everything, eyes laser focused on the freedom of the grounds.
There were guards, tall, iron fences, and a large gate I couldn’t possibly climb, but it didn’t matter.
One chance was all I needed.
Strong arms snatched me around the middle and I was hit with a sharp, acidic scent that burnt my nose. The musky undertone was all alpha.
“Let me go!” I yelled, looking up and almost sagging in relief at the sight of my pack ahead of me. “Tell them to let me go, alpha!”
My alpha was moving forward now, but still too far away to touch. He seemed wrong. Off, somehow, as he stumbled forward.
“You said you were coming for me!” I yelled at him, desperate as tears flooded my eyes. “Why aren’t you doing anything? Save me, alpha! Don’t let them keep me here!”
