Page 1 of Petals and Strings (Broken Melodies #1)

Chapter One

Audrey

“ S top fighting us, bitch," the beta cop hissed, tightening his hold on my bicep.

It took both him and his beta partner to drag me to the back of the waiting patrol car. They were rough, forcing me to stumble beside them. Which only pissed them off more, so they were lifting my feet off the ground until I was kicking out as they carried me to my impending doom.

I landed a solid kick to the back of the asshole's knee and his hold momentarily faltered, causing me to crash to the ground. My legs, no longer willing to take the abuse, gave way and my feet were simply dragged behind me as their grips tightened even more.

That's definitely leaving a bruise... or ten .

Fucking dicks. I’d gouge out their eyes if I had the chance, but with my hands cuffed, all I could do was flail and fight as they tossed me in the back of the cruiser.

Hours, or maybe only minutes, passed as the outside whirled past the window.

It wasn't long until we arrived in front of an old building featuring gothic architecture, creeping green vines, and worn stone.

We had barely come to a full stop when my door was wrenched open and tweedle-ass and tweedle-dick were dragging me into my new home.

Ash Recovery Center

Such an unassuming name for the facility waiting for me. The wrought iron gate creaked behind us as the security guards closed them. Being dragged across the gravel drive gave me just a minute to take in the monstrosity ahead of us.

It looked more like a boarding school than a recovery center. I almost expected crows circling above and ghosts peering through the windows. A cuter name for what it truly was. A mix of a psych ward and a care home for broken souls.

They roughly dragged me past the large wooden doors and stopped in the lobby. The moment my eyes landed on the barred windows and security gates, I fought harder.

Nothing about this place felt right. Too dark and imposing.

Not with my pack. Where the hell were they? Why were they allowing this?!

An icy breeze blew past, goosebumps chasing it as it passed. It was too fucking cold in here. The lobby was dim and terrifying, shadows lurking in the corners and the low lights above reflecting along the polished black and white marbled floors.

Wrong. It was wrong.

I had to leave.

I couldn’t smell them .

“Let me go back to my pack! They were waiting for me!” I screamed, jerking back and forth as I tried to dislodge their bruising holds. “It’s wrong to tear an omega away!”

Shouts echoed out, mixing with my own but I didn’t register a word, my focus on the gaping wound in my chest. The space where I should feel them but couldn’t.

Was I too far away now?

“Audrey, listen to my voice. I need you to calm down or I’ll be forced to sedate you for your own safety and ours. We can help, and we’re here to listen, but you have to calm down,” a smooth voice urged.

It was gentle, placating. It fucking grated on my nerves. And for some reason it stood out among the angry growls of my two guards appointed by the court.

I’d blocked out most of that ordeal, all that remained were brief flashes of cold courtrooms, an attorney that smelled like spaghetti and sadness, and the judge’s loud gavel as it sealed my fate.

No one would help. No one would listen to me.

“Audrey. Calm,” he urged again when I didn’t relent, tears now streaming down my face as reality tried to settle in.

There was no escape.

“Everyone needs to stop fucking talking down to me!” I screamed, the yell ripping out of my throat in a painful rasp. “I’m not a fucking child.”

“Then stop acting like one.” His words were blunt enough that I finally focused on the man standing in front of me.

He was all business, in dark dress pants, a polo with the ash tree logo on it, and a large, gold watch. His face was clean-shaven, blond hair combed back, and his gray eyes were oddly warm.

I hated that he settled me. He had that caring air about him. Maybe it was my trauma talking, but it wasn’t often I encountered people who gave off safety instead of setting me on edge.

Until he opened his mouth and that grating voice was back to talking me down like I was the fucking problem.

“My name is Holden. Holden Cross. Director here at Ash Recovery Center,” he explained in that same fucking tone.

The one that said ‘calm down, you’re being irrational. You’re crazy.’

Cute coming from someone working with the assholes kidnapping me and forcing me away from my pack.

Their faces flashed in my mind, a blur of corporate smiles and soothing scents.

Another memory hit me next. An omega, fluffy, black hair and terrified eyes, hands resting protectively over her stomach.

Confusion poured into me. Who was she? How did she fit into the mix?

They were mine.

MINE.

Not hers!

“No!” My scream was for her, not them, but it didn’t stop the disappointed sigh that responded. My stomach twisted, as if I cared about this alpha’s opinion of me.

Something cold snapped onto my wrist, small bumps along the inside poking my skin. I looked up at the director and jerked my arm away with a snarl.

He said something, but I ignored it, gripping at the brace and trying to rip it off of me.

It wouldn’t budge.

Too late. They had me.

A cold, metal beacon that said there was no way out.

The cops released their hold on my arms. With a twist, a click, and the cold slide of metal, my hands were free of the cuffs they had me in.

It was stupid on their part. I’d been running for too long. I was half adrenaline and all instinct and there was a still-open door behind me.

Anything to get back to my pack. They were looking for me. Needed me.

I couldn’t let them win. I’d been beaten down enough. This was my only chance.

My flight instincts were already rising and I saw the moment Holden clocked it. His eyes narrowed, something frustrated but unsurprised lingering there, taunting me.

But I’d already turned away.

My legs pumped hard and fast as I launched myself toward the door, frantically trying to shove them open and flee. Heart pounding, pulse thundering loudly in my ears and muffling everything, eyes laser focused on the freedom of the grounds.

There were guards, tall, iron fences, and a large gate I couldn’t possibly climb, but it didn’t matter.

One chance was all I needed.

Strong arms snatched me around the middle and I was hit with a sharp, acidic scent that burnt my nose. The musky undertone was all alpha.

“Let me go!” I yelled, looking up and almost sagging in relief at the sight of my pack ahead of me. “Tell them to let me go, alpha!”

My alpha was moving forward now, but still too far away to touch. He seemed wrong. Off, somehow, as he stumbled forward.

“You said you were coming for me!” I yelled at him, desperate as tears flooded my eyes. “Why aren’t you doing anything? Save me, alpha! Don’t let them keep me here!”

Something sharp pricked into my wrist from the bracelet he’d stuck on me. Cold flooded my veins, quick and consuming as the sedative he threatened to use on me slithered through my body.

Fuck.

My pack blurred, like a mirage on a hot day. They were solid for a moment longer, wobbling strangely before fading altogether, leaving an empty yard glistening with rain, the overcast skies opening up as the rain picked up.

Or maybe those were my tears.

Darkness crept around the edges, the voices blurring together into a strange sound that I couldn’t possibly decipher. My screams slowly died into pathetic whimpers.

Then it was over.

They won.

I was trapped. Again.