Page 50 of Petals and Strings
He sat back in his chair, dark eyes watching me like I was his prey. The smirk curling his lips made my stomach churn.
That was a look I was uncomfortably familiar with. The one that sized me up, found something they desired, and was going to intimidate me into collecting what they felt like they deserved.
Hell no. Maybe running into Cross was a blessing.
Theo leaned forward, eyes roaming over me one more time as he waited for me to respond. I recognized him for what he was. I’d met assholes like him before. Ones who wanted to control others, got off on it, and felt they were untouchable.
“H-how?” I asked, voice shaking, even with Holden Cross standing just out of view. I felt his scent swell slightly, a reassurance that he was here watching. Just enough it only reached me.
I’d never seen anyone control their scent like that before. If I was in any other situation, I might have asked about it and marveled at the skill.
“I have an array of methods. Withholding meds, isolation rooms, the list goes on. Or… we can take the easy route, Audrey. You can come over here and get on your knees, omega.”
His voice changed then, from sharp to slippery smooth. The slow slide of his zipper filled the air, making his intentions completely clear.
I might just vomit on his floor for principle. I’d also bite off his dick if he tried to whip it out.
I willneverbe put in that position again.
My stomach soured and I stumbled back. That had him ripping off his glasses, a grin stretching across his face at the prospect of chasing me.
“Don’t worry, I like a chase. I can explain away every scream with a well timed ‘she’s just hysterical’. Plus, I have this.”
He waved the button at me as I retreated further, falling on my ass as I backed out of the room. Theo followed with slow steps as he lovingly traced the button that controlled my bracelet.
My name was there, marked on a tag hanging from it.
Taunting me.
He was prepared.
Just as he reached for me, my gaze shifted to the side. Theo froze, face paling and eyes widening as his breath caught in his throat.
Director Cross was furious. He snatched me from the floor and put me behind him, crossing his arms. The beta nearly smacked into him, stumbling back and falling against the wall.
“Oh, Director Cross. Wh-what can I do for you?”
“Oh, now you want to appear innocent?” I scoffed, disgusted. How many times had he propositioned omegas here? Defenseless, broken omegas who had no way to fight back.
Not all of them held the anger I did.
The fire to never be forced on her knees again.
“Go back to your room, Audrey. Therapy is cancelled today, please share that with the others,” Director Cross said.
His voice was low and icy and I shivered, but was smart enough to listen. I backed away to the door, hurrying out when I reached it and not stopping my half-run until I was back in the common room.
My breath started to stutter, coming too hard and too fast as realization dawned on me. Tears blurred my vision, falling too fast to contain as my entire body shook.
I was here to heal. Not to be attacked.
He wanted to force himself on me, use me.
Just like they did
Stale coffee and cigars wafted in the air, conjured straight from the darkest parts of my memories.
I dropped to the floor, gripping the edge of the chair in front of me that I couldn’t quite make it to. My fingers clutched frantically at my chest as pain blossomed from my shallow, erratic breathing.
