Page 21 of Petals and Strings
“Omega.”
The word was a harsh, growled rasp. I flinched as she startled, the book dropping to the floor in front of her.
My alpha shoved me to my knees with force, hitting the floor and shuffling forward to scoop it up with our large hands, before depositing it in her lap again.
This close to her that scent was stronger. Sweet and wild, a slight earthy spice that lingered on the back of my tongue. My cock throbbed angrily, knot aching to bury itself in this sweet little omega.
The shock of ghostly pale skin and mismatched eyes had me locked in, though, they were wide enough that even an idiot could sense her terror.
Hell, it tainted her scent, souring it along the edges.
“I won’t hurt you.”
More gravel-lined words. She let out a breath but didn’t move. It was like I’d set a trap and caught a terrified little rabbit. Her nose twitched as if she was just now breathing my own scent deep into her lungs.
I forced my alpha down and scooted back before standing. Scaring her was the last thing I wanted. If she was here, then she had been through enough.
Fuck, I needed to move before I did something stupid. She didn’t need to know just how close my alpha was to the surface. This was the first scent that had ever caught our attention like this. Had made us want to give into instincts and drown in them, letting them guide us right to her.
No. I had to walk away.
I couldn’t risk harming her further.
“You shouldn’t be out here alone at night,” I bit out as I stalked off. My voice was harsh and I internally smacked my alpha for it. His dominance was unmatched, but it often overshadowed reason and empathy. He was grumpy that he couldn’t taste her, that she was risking herself.
She whispered something, making my steps falter.
Clearly, I underestimated this omega.
“What’s to fear? I’m already in hell.”
Chapter Nine
Audrey
Walking into the conservatory was like stepping into an entirely new world. The green vines and leaves mixed with the vibrant flowers in a breathtaking display.
Bright, warm sunlight filtered in through the glass, heating the room and filling it with life.
It was a contrast to the dim lighting and dark decor inside the walls of ARC. An oasis that called for me to explore it. To walk among the petals and leaves and find something I didn't know I was searching for.
After talking to Ledger and remembering the garden at home, I couldn’t resist coming here. I needed something to bring me to life again.
Something not tainted by trauma and filth.
I tried to remember if I ever helped garden as I grew older, but my mind was too fuzzy. Those memories were too hard tothink about. Everything about my parents was. All I could see now was the version of them after I was found.
The parents who wrinkled their noses as they took me in at the hospital, the ones who talked to me like a skittish deer, who were too afraid to touch me. As if I were tainted.
One look around and I knew where I’d be escaping on late nights I couldn’t sleep.
Especially after that alpha told me not to be there alone.
He startled me, but he didn’t scare me. I’d looked into the eyes of many monsters and that alpha was dominant, large and muscled, but not aggressive.
He smelled incredible, too. Just like with Ledger, my omega stirred at the scent of black plum, violet, paper and ink. It was a strange mix, one that made me curious as to who he was beyond his size.
I took the main path, winding through the towering plants and leaves. Each step let me breathe easier, as if I truly was leaving that place behind.
