Page 67 of Verses and Blooms
Caspian grinned. “Okay, now I can see it. And I’m not mad about having all these alphas around.”
I snuggled closer, resting my nose against his chest and breathing in his scent. Sage, honey, and cedar, a calming scent that felt like home as much as being in his arms did.
“There’s too much to look forward to for us to freak out now,” he said gently. “We’ll get out of here and tell our stories to the world. Make sure no one else gets caught in their web.”
“You want the world to know?” I asked. The thought unsettled me. Everyone had already seen me at my worst right there on national news.
“I do,” he said firmly. “Our lives were stolen from us here. If it happened here, what’s to say there aren’t other facilities just like this one? I know the alliance is looking, but I’d like to join them, help them find places just like this and weed out the abuse. No organization is infallible, and the Omega Network proved that.”
“They did,” I agreed. “I just don’t know if anyone would believe me after my face was plastered all over TV.”
“I bet most of them have forgotten,” Caspian said. “The news always moves on to something new. I’m sure there’ve been plenty of scandals since you were sent here. And with the new information, that scandal will make more sense. You were never crazy,”
“It was never my fault in the first place,” I said quietly, anger and hurt creeping back in. “Now, I don’t even know if I was sent there on purpose.”
I still couldn’t believe I’d found my parents in that book. They might’ve thought I missed it, but I knew Ares was still looking into whether they were truly my parents. No one had gotten back to me yet, and I was almost afraid of the answer.
It could mean my life was even more insane and complicated than I already knew.
But it could also mean that I had family out there somewhere, one that wanted me. A good home I was taken away from.
If not, it would be fine. I had a new family in my pack. With Lilly, and Sarah, and whoever else we met once we were finally free of this place, I’d have plenty of love to surround myself in.
Caspian was right, we had a lot to fight for. I wanted to experience life. Play music. Explore the world. Getting out of here was just the first step.
“All of that comes tomorrow,” Caspian said. “And we’re going to face it all together. Now close your eyes, omega. You need sleep.”
It wasn’t a command, but my body reacted as if it was. My eyes drifted closed as I snuggled into his warmth, breathing him in, and finally, I let my mind drift off to sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Audrey
My stomach was still churning with nerves as I waited outside the therapist offices. Vance and Cooke were both standing vigil in the doorway, a constant reassurance that I wouldn’t be facing this alone. I appreciated their presence, especially after being taken, but it didn’t help calm my growing anxiety.
The door finally opened, and a woman stepped out. She was tall and had more muscle tone than I could ever dream of. They were showcased under her pencil skirt and short-sleeved blouse. A dainty bow was tied at her throat, a soft contrast to the intensity she exuded. She radiated more alpha energy than most alphas I knew.
“I’m ready for you, Audrey,” she offered. Her voice was husky, and if I wasn’t secure in myself, I might’ve worried about my men getting a little too close with her. Still, she was definitely the no-nonsense type, and I had a feeling she might be good for all of us.
She gestured for me to follow her, and I did, even as my heart beat wildly hard in my chest. As I stepped into the office, I glanced around, trying to control my breathing.
This was where I had met Theo. I don’t know how this was what shook me more than being captured, but I suddenly felt far too vulnerable.
She glanced back and noticed my hesitation right away.
“Is it something about the office?”
“The last counselor I had before Ares told me to get on my knees for him,” I said flatly, not bothering to hold back.
“What the fuck?” she snapped. “Why would nobody tell me this? No, absolutely not. We’re going somewhere else.”
She gathered her things and ushered me out of the office. “We are absolutely not triggering you. That’s going to be theoppositeof our goal here.”
Vance and Cooke looked alarmed when she stormed out with me on her heels.
“Did nobody feel the need to tell me about her previous counselor? We were just going to gloss over the fact he tried to force himself on her?”
They both looked stunned, eyes wide.
