Page 27 of Verses and Blooms
There was no other option but to accept that we were a pack and we couldn’t let our pasts define us. We needed to form a real pack bond, not one forged in trauma and proximity.
A bite.
My capture made me realize that I did want a permanent tie to them all.
“We’re not far,” Ares promised.
The cramps and heat flare ebbed down as the adrenaline faded. With my mind clear, I finally looked around to see that we were in a van of some kind.
“A data center?” I asked as my eyes locked on the monitors across from us.
“It’s a surveillance van,” Ledger explained. “They’ve been trying to get through this operation for a while.”
“Don’t worry,” Ares said. “They’re going to be sending agents in to clear that place. Jameson’s been working on this a long time and this was the exact thing he needed to take them down.”
“If he was already on the inside, I don’t understand why he had to wait to go in.”
“It takes years to gain their trust.”
My stomach turned at the thought. “Years of doing what, exactly?”
Ares grimaced. “I’m not exactly sure, and I don’t want to know right now. I can only be thankful because he brought you back to us.”
I didn’t like the sound of that, or the implications, but I couldn’t agree more. He’d saved me from a far worse fate, and hopefully, if he had any involvement with anything in there, it would soon be rectified.
The rest of the ride was quiet, but my stomach still turned with nerves as we pulled closer to ARC. As soon as the old building came into view, I swallowed hard as bile started to rise. I didn’t want to be back here, but I knew my men were on the other side of those gates.
Ansel and Kane were probably beside themselves. I wasn’t sure how Caspian and Rydell were reacting, either, but I was positive both were tearing apart that place to get to me.
Rydell, especially. If he got his hands on Malik, I had a feeling he’d tear him apart piece by piece until there was nothing left.
Honestly, that was a fitting outcome for a man as terrible as the twisted doctor.
We stopped at the gates, the guards checking the vehicle and everyone inside before letting us in. One put his hand up to his comm to announce our arrival.
“Chief, they’re on their way in.”
Instead of going to the front doors, the van pulled around the building, stopping at one of the outer buildings we never got a chance to explore. They always said these were for shorter-term stays, their stories not as tragic, I suppose.
That or they were already healing. It was supposed to be a transition from the ARC residence to society.
If only they actually cared enough to make use of it. Did anyone even live here? I’d never seen anyone coming and going the entire time I was at ARC.
And I spent a lot of time on the grounds working in the flowerbeds.
“They’re letting us use this house until your heat is over,” Ares said. “It was the best I could do. Once we get inside, we can order some nesting supplies and give you a proper heat, if that’s what you want.”
“Or they can sedate you through it,” Ledger offered. My eyes widened at the thought and I shook my head violently.
Hell no.
“I don’t want to be under any more drugs. I’ve had enough.”
“Do you want us all to help you?” Ares asked gently.
“Yes. And I want to talk about bites.”
Both men blanched in surprise.
