Page 72 of Petals and Strings
Rydell would go into a rage.
I’d be lost without the others. Having them close, helping them find themselves, had kept me sane this long. They helpedme in the same ways. I felt stronger now, more sure of who I was becoming.
My stomach churned as nurses stood, calling out their groups. Ledger was the first to go. Then Kane and Caspian.
Everyone trudged off in a funeral march, somber faces and slow steps. It wasn’t just our group that was freaking out and shutting down. This could be catastrophic.
We were powerless and this was just another way to prove as much.
Tears streamed down my face as Ansel’s name was called with a new group. He turned to me, refusing to move as he silently pleaded for something to change.
“Stop, this isn’t okay. He needs me!” I yelled out at Cross.
The man I thought I knew just shook his head no and gestured for the guards. The two alphas put their hands on Ansel and I watched the life drain right out of his eyes until there was only dullness left.
He didn’t fight anymore, just retreated as my soul shattered all over again.
My chest was aching fiercely, pain lancing through me as our group was torn apart without a single ounce of empathy.
When it was finally my turn, I refused to look at the director. He tried to say reassurances as I passed but I didn’t give him the time of day.
“It’s for your own good,” he finally tacked on in defeat. That had my blood running cold as I turned back.
“I hope you can’t sleep at night when you see the impact this has,” I said evenly before turning away and refusing to look back for his reaction.
This plan would backfire. Surely, they would all see it happen.
I just had to last until then.
My new room was the farthest wing from the original one. It felt so fucking pointed. Like they knew this would hurt us more.
I pushed open the door and there it was. The same setup, same plain clothes hanging in the wardrobe.
The artwork was different. This room held more reds than greens.
My violin sat on my desk, along with the journal I’d been updating for Kane. Apparently, they didn’t even let him keep that.
Assholes.
This wasn’t home. They were nowhere near me.
I felt vulnerable, like someone was watching me. Running hands over my arms where goosebumps were erupting, I glanced around.
A guard stood outside my door, watching me closely.
“You’re ordered to stay inside tonight,” he intoned as I caught his stare.
“Why.”
“Orders,” he said with a shrug, turning his back on me but standing right there. So close I could scent his alpha musk and bitter scent.
Were there guards outside of all of our rooms? God, Ansel had to be freaking out and feeling so unsafe.
Rage burned within me but I was powerless here.
Instead, I closed the door so I was truly alone and sat on my bed. I pulled open my violin and started a song, hoping to drive them all crazy.
The sad, melancholy melody was loud in this hollow room and I hoped that everyone else could hear it.
