Page 93 of Petals and Strings
“What?” She glanced around the table then blushed furiously when she found all of our eyes on her.
“What is it? Did he do something? Do you recognize him from…?” Ansel trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud. His voice was a quiet waver but she shook her head and deflated.
“He’s my scent-match,” she admitted. “His scent affects me the same way yours does.”
We were all stunned into silence, blinking at her as we processed this latest mindfuck. I wasn’t going to make a scene, she was clearly already trying to make sense of this.
“That doesn’t mean he isn’t hiding something,” she tacked on. “There’s something off.”
“Honestly, I think we just don’t know how to take someone who looks at us like we matter,” Kane said on a sigh. He pushed his own tray away to look at us. “It’s Wednesday. I have my individual therapy today. I can see if he gives anything away then.”
“We have group first,” I said. “We’ll all do the same. And if anyone isn’t comfortable being alone, take a buddy. He doesn’t seem to be the type to force us and we should absolutely take advantage of that.”
Ansel gave me a grateful look. Audrey was too busy watching our new therapist stalk back to our table, face in a scowl that had everyone moving quickly out of his way.
The man had a commanding presence. I was used to alphas like him. I’d spent years among them, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to trust him. Scent-match to my girl or not. No one ended up working in a place like this without some story behind it.
Men like him didn’t hold that kind of militant strictness and hard demeanor from a soft life.
I just wish I knew what that meant for all of us.
Our conversation fell away as he reached our table. He raised a brow as he realized we were quiet and staring right at him.
“Look, if you guys act all shocked every time I exist nearby, they’re going to think I’m tormenting you,” he tried to joke, though with his growl of a voice it sounded anything but amused.
“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Audrey muttered. That had his jaw clenching.
“Not anymore,” he reminded her.
“You’re not a superhero, Ares,” she sighed. “I won’t hold my breath.”
“That’s fine,” he said evenly. “It won’t change my stance.”
Damn. That was kind of smooth. She snuck a glance at him before turning to Ansel, scooting in closer as they discussed something amongst themselves, dismissing the rest of us.
The rest of dinner was a bit awkward and tense. He was the first to stand, taking his tray up.
“Okay, this is completely childish, but I want to see what he does if we all disappear,” Audrey said. “I need to know he’s not just blowing smoke up our ass. I’m going to the conservatory.”
“I’m in,” Kane grinned. “I have a painting I want to finish and didn’t think I’d get to since he seems to think we need to be together all the time.”
“Go,” I said. “I’ll stay here.”
“I’m going with the omegas,” Rydell said after they reached the door. At least someone was always watching them.
“I’ve got a call with my sister,” Caspian said as he, too, slipped away.
When Ares turned around, only I remained. His footsteps were loud as he stomped over, looking around the room then back at me. Fire burned in his eyes and I waited patiently for him to react.
I wasn’t scared, I met his gaze head-on. Intimidation wasn’t something I was susceptible to. My dad made damn sure of that.
“Where are they?”
I shrugged, not giving him the answer he wanted, which only had the muscles in his neck tensing further. “They had things to do. It’s crazy to expect us to all follow you around like little sheep.”
“I’m doing my best here, Ledger. How do I keep you guys protected if you run like fucking children?” His voice was low and fierce, but it was the worry that shocked me.
“She did call it childish,” I chuckled. “Now, you have a choice. Who are you going to protect first?”
