Page 92 of Petals and Strings
I’d only been here a day, heard the stories of just six of the patients, and I couldn’t agree more.
My phone buzzed as I was unloading boxes in my bedroom, and I knew I couldn't ignore the Chief. The only one who’d be calling me. Even if it was hours early.
Closing the door gently, I answered the call.
“Hey, Chief,” I said. “Already swept and safe.”
“Good,” he grouched. The man always sounded so gruff. “Update.”
Every word was a harsh demand but I knew not to take it personally. I’d been around long enough and done enough missions to see his merit.
“As bad as we thought. I’m going to be staying full-time in my ward, standing in as live-in surveillance due to their recent behaviors."
“And the real story?” he demanded, seeing right through my fake reasoning. I wasn’t going to admit what Audrey was to me, what they all were. Instead, I went with the detached truth.
“The doctor has been changing and increasing meds as a means of control. They described last med change the entire building was affected like some kind of mass drugging. Setbacks, more trauma, triggering the patients. None of it sounds good,” I admitted. “And another patient went missing only a few weeks ago.”
Something crashed, then the tense silence was filled with his heaving breaths as the alpha tried to control himself.
“I’ll be sticking with this group. They’re receptive to me already because I treated them like humans. I think I can do some good work while also gaining intel. My presence here and my dedication will be irrefutable.”
“I know it will,” he said, letting out a breath. “I can’t stress enough how important this is, Ares. I’ve been after this corruption for years. They took my daughter, and I’m going to burn this fucking place to the ground.”
“It deserves it. The female omega in my unit was the one in the news. She was taken for ten years into an omega breeding ring, released, then once she got here, they just added to that hell. I won’t stand for it.”
“Then we’re on the same page. Next check in is on Friday, I’ll call at five and seven, answer whichever one you can. Just make sure you answer one.”
“Done.”
He hung up without another word and I tucked my phone away after seeing the time. The group was due back for group therapy in ten minutes. Then dinner. If I was going to be their shadow, then I was going to make my presence known.
Taking care of the wing today was necessary but I refused to let them out of my sight more than I already had.
Especially with their visits to the doctor. He was top of my list, along with just about every fucking staff member here.
Even Holden was questionable at this point. To his credit, he was the monkey dancing for the board, he had to be or he’d be out. We needed a man on the inside. I just hated this version of him.
I preferred the brother that was at my back during our early years. Out in the field with me, breaking up the very rings that sent half of these patients here.
Life was fucking wild sometimes.
Soft chatter announced my pack’s arrival.
When they walked in, I took in the six people I’d be risking my life and position to save, and I knew I made the right choice.
They deserved more than this.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ledger
“Something is off about that guy,” I hissed at the group as we sat down to dinner. Our now-constant shadow was getting himself a tray now that we’d all done the same.
“He’s hot and then cold,” Caspian agreed as we all watched him.
Audrey shifted, pushing her pasta around her plate with her fork. She’d retreated since he arrived. At first, she fiercely defended Ansel, then… she shut down. During our time working in the conservatory she’d retreated outside before we could say a word or follow her. Val gave us his reassurance he’d watch over her before disappearing and leaving the rest of us to some of the other gardeners.
“Wildling.” She startled, head popping up to look at me.
