Page 8 of Verses and Blooms
Ares nodded. “We have eyes everywhere.”
“Ledger,” my name echoed down the hall. I knew that voice.
I was out of the conference room in seconds, searching out the omega calling for me.
Ansel was flying down the hall, face pale, eyes wide and frantic. He was nearly hysterical as he crashed into me, fingers fisting into my shirt and holding on. It was the first time he’d touched me like this and I held my shock at bay only because I was worried.
“What happened?” I demanded, steadying him with a hand on each shoulder. My first instinct was to purr but I didn’t want to startle him when he was already worked up.
“I went to sit in Audrey’s favorite place and there was movement behind me that caught my eye and I saw him. Malik is out there.” It was a jumble of rambled words all strung together. His chest was heaving from the effort
“By himself?” I questioned. “Was she with him?”
“No, not by himself. There were two others with him. No Audrey,” he said, body deflating at the admission.
“I bet they laid low in the bushes until they were sure no one saw them disappear. Just enough time for the other guard to join them. The timestamp was only twenty minutes ago,” Ares bit out. “They were right there. So fucking close.”
“He’s out there now,” Ansel said, urging us to move. “I watched them walk towards the shed out back.”
“The gardening shed?” I questioned, looking at Ares. “I don’t think there’s anything out there. It’s overgrown as hell.”
“Well, we’re about to fucking find out,” he said, pressing his hand to his ear. “We’ve got a reported signing of Malik heading towards a shed at the south wall of the property. Just past the greenhouse. I need a team heading that way, and we will be joining you.”
Ares was already moving down the hall. I had one hand on my holster, my arm around Ansel as I led him. The omega was shaking like a leaf. “You need to get back to Kane. Stay safe for Audrey and me..”
“Kane went to help Rydell and Caspian. I’m coming with you.”
I stared down at him. His hysterics seemed to fade in an instant and only determination was left behind. He wasn’t backing down and I didn’t want to waste time arguing.
“Alright,” I agreed, “but you stick by me.”
The way that Ansel looked up at me, his eyes full of trust, had my alpha perking up. I knew what his trust meant and I loved Audrey enough that I was gonna do everything I could to keep her omega safe.
Chapter Four
Rydell
Isearched every inch of this godforsaken office too many times to count. Yet, we were no closer to answers. I had no idea how Malik was getting in and out at this point. I was starting to doubt myself, but something told me she was here.
I could feel it… feel her.
“Okay, this might seem a bit crazy,” Caspian said, turning toward me. “Turn off the lights.”
“I’ve got them,” Kane said as he walked in.
“Wait, where’s Ansel?” I asked, realizing we were one pack-member short now. The omega shouldn’t be alone.
“He’s in Audrey’s spot. He didn’t want to move, but I couldn’t sit there anymore. There’s a guard out there with him. One Ares had vouched for earlier.”
“Thank you,” I said, letting out a breath. “Hit the lights.”
I wasn’t sure where Caspian was going with this, but I wasn’t about to doubt him now. If he had a lead, any lead, it wouldn’t hurt to follow it. I was getting nowhere myself. Every second Audrey was gone, my alpha was beating at the bars of his cage.I kept him down with sheer will alone. If I let him out, he’d be ripping the cinderblock straight out of these walls.
With a click, darkness fell over us. At first no one moved, eyes adjusting to the sudden change. It took a few moments before I could see again. My sharp senses were a benefit of my dominant status and right now it was coming in handy.
That might be the first time I’d given my alpha the credit he deserves. I could feel his presence swell, not to fight me but to almost agree.
“Move to the edges of the room,” Caspian ordered. “Look for any light filtering through. It might be easier to spot hidden doors or false walls this way.”
