Page 10 of Petals and Strings
Finally, he finished writing and sat aside the file, informing me I had a treatment plan but giving nothing away.
My head was spinning and I had an array of new meds to try by the time I was wheeled into the dining hall.
It was loud in here. Voices yelling and talking, laughter and yells, everything compounding into a loud rumble that had me cringing.
Nancy stuck with me, feeding me bites of something I barely tasted until I was rolled back into the room I woke up in.
She left me alone then. I blinked at the dark gray walls filled with pictures of plants. The vines creeping over the window outside casting dark shadows in the space.
I had a full size bed with a thick, dark wooden frame, a bookshelf that was empty at the moment, a desk, and a closet.
“They let you add stuff eventually,” a deep voice said. I turned to the alpha with narrowed eyes, waiting to see what he’d do.
“I’m Ledger, my room’s next door. It’s empty when you move in but you’ll fill it soon enough.”
The alpha was casually leaning against the door frame. His arms were crossed and a lazy smile was aimed my way.
His hair was a short buzz and bright silver that stood out in the warm lighting. He had normal clothes on, a black shirt that stretched over his muscled chest, tucked into green camo pants that cinched around a narrow waist.
Vivid, blue eyes were watching me with open curiosity. He was unbothered but not guarded as he stared at me.
“Au-” I started, then had to clear my throat. “Audrey. Fuck this place.”
My head gave a sharp pang and I groaned, hands shifting to press against my aching skull. It was worse now as the meds faded, their hold was in the last desperate stages, as if not wanting to let me go.
“It fades,” he promised, moving closer. His steps were slow and when I didn’t react, he dropped to a crouch in front of me. “Open those eyes for me.”
I did as he asked, though I’m sure they were half-squinting still with pain. The low lighting made a whole lot more sense now.
“You fought, didn’t you?” he guessed easily. “Your pupils are nearly back to normal. Not long now.”
His voice was a low rumble and when I sucked in a breath, my eyes widened and I tried and failed to scramble back.
He smelled good.Too good.
“Don’t worry, omega. I won’t touch you without your consent. We’re all here for a reason, yeah?”
I nodded as his voice soothed me back to calm, though I kept an eye on the man that was scent-compatible.
Bourbon, vanilla, smoky leather, and pine. Strong, masculine, dangerous, but controlled. Nothing like the alphas I had before. The ones who let them take me away.
Of course, my body reacted without thought. Even as bile rose in my throat, threatening to expel everything I’d eaten.
No, I couldn’t have a mate. This shouldn’t be possible. I wanted nothing to do with it.
Fear hit me square in the chest, and he seemed to realize that, giving me a soft smile as he stepped further away.
“I’ll leave you for now, but I’ll be back at dinner, wildling. It will fade, just make sure that fight stays with you.”
He tapped his temple twice before giving me one last look and walking away.
His scent lingered in his absence. Strong enough to fill my room.
I’d never admit it to the stranger, but it was a lifeline in the darkness of this sedative, giving me something to cling to until I could shake this vulnerable feeling of helplessness.
Something I said I’d never let happen again.
Not after…
