Page 38 of Petals and Strings (Broken Melodies #1)

Chapter Thirty-One

Ledger

“ S omething is off about that guy,” I hissed at the group as we sat down to dinner. Our now-constant shadow was getting himself a tray now that we’d all done the same.

“He’s hot and then cold,” Caspian agreed as we all watched him.

Audrey shifted, pushing her pasta around her plate with her fork.

She’d retreated since he arrived. At first, she fiercely defended Ansel, then…

she shut down. During our time working in the conservatory she’d retreated outside before we could say a word or follow her.

Val gave us his reassurance he’d watch over her before disappearing and leaving the rest of us to some of the other gardeners.

“Wildling.” She startled, head popping up to look at me.

“What?” She glanced around the table then blushed furiously when she found all of our eyes on her.

“What is it? Did he do something? Do you recognize him from…?” Ansel trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud. His voice was a quiet waver but she shook her head and deflated.

“He’s my scent-match,” she admitted. “His scent affects me the same way yours does.”

We were all stunned into silence, blinking at her as we processed this latest mindfuck. I wasn’t going to make a scene, she was clearly already trying to make sense of this.

“That doesn’t mean he isn’t hiding something,” she tacked on. “There’s something off.”

“Honestly, I think we just don’t know how to take someone who looks at us like we matter,” Kane said on a sigh. He pushed his own tray away to look at us. “It’s Wednesday. I have my individual therapy today. I can see if he gives anything away then.”

“We have group first,” I said. “We’ll all do the same. And if anyone isn’t comfortable being alone, take a buddy. He doesn’t seem to be the type to force us and we should absolutely take advantage of that.”

Ansel gave me a grateful look. Audrey was too busy watching our new therapist stalk back to our table, face in a scowl that had everyone moving quickly out of his way.

The man had a commanding presence. I was used to alphas like him. I’d spent years among them, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to trust him. Scent-match to my girl or not. No one ended up working in a place like this without some story behind it.

Men like him didn’t hold that kind of militant strictness and hard demeanor from a soft life.

I just wish I knew what that meant for all of us.

Our conversation fell away as he reached our table. He raised a brow as he realized we were quiet and staring right at him.

“Look, if you guys act all shocked every time I exist nearby, they’re going to think I’m tormenting you,” he tried to joke, though with his growl of a voice it sounded anything but amused.

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Audrey muttered. That had his jaw clenching.

“Not anymore,” he reminded her.

“You’re not a superhero, Ares,” she sighed. “I won’t hold my breath.”

“That’s fine,” he said evenly. “It won’t change my stance.”

Damn. That was kind of smooth. She snuck a glance at him before turning to Ansel, scooting in closer as they discussed something amongst themselves, dismissing the rest of us.

The rest of dinner was a bit awkward and tense. He was the first to stand, taking his tray up.

“Okay, this is completely childish, but I want to see what he does if we all disappear,” Audrey said. “I need to know he’s not just blowing smoke up our ass. I’m going to the conservatory.”

“I’m in,” Kane grinned. “I have a painting I want to finish and didn’t think I’d get to since he seems to think we need to be together all the time.”

“Go,” I said. “I’ll stay here.”

“I’m going with the omegas,” Rydell said after they reached the door. At least someone was always watching them.

“I’ve got a call with my sister,” Caspian said as he, too, slipped away.

When Ares turned around, only I remained. His footsteps were loud as he stomped over, looking around the room then back at me. Fire burned in his eyes and I waited patiently for him to react.

I wasn’t scared, I met his gaze head-on. Intimidation wasn’t something I was susceptible to. My dad made damn sure of that.

“Where are they?”

I shrugged, not giving him the answer he wanted, which only had the muscles in his neck tensing further. “They had things to do. It’s crazy to expect us to all follow you around like little sheep.”

“I’m doing my best here, Ledger. How do I keep you guys protected if you run like fucking children?” His voice was low and fierce, but it was the worry that shocked me.

“She did call it childish,” I chuckled. “Now, you have a choice. Who are you going to protect first?”

I raised a brow as I sat back, running a hand along my buzzed hair and realizing I needed to see one of the nurses to buzz it again. I hated when it was longer. It was used against me once and I refused to let it grow out again.

He was gone before I finished that thought, storming out of the room and leaving me to clean up everyone’s mess. Something I’d absolutely give them shit about later.

Knowing Ansel and Audrey, they’d apologize before I could.

When I finished cleaning up, I started toward the gym. That was one thing I’d miss about this place when we left. There weren’t many buildings where we could have everything all of us needed in one spot. Art studio. Gym. Conservatory.

Though, maybe I could use some of my inheritance to make it happen. Find a place that was like this, just without all the bullshit. A community that was of our making, not somewhere we were treated like burdens.

If my father didn’t take it from me.

Shoving that dark thought away, I changed into gym shorts and stretched before heading for the treadmill. It didn’t take long before I was sweating, muscles burning, and my mind calming. It was one of the only ways I was able to truly let go.

To give my body the burn it craved. Especially since sparring and weapons training was obviously out.

This place stripped away so much of my old life that I felt like a different person. Like that person had died.

Yet, there were some things I craved.

Freedom.

Weapons.

Fighting.

Top-shelf booze.

The beeping of the treadmill next to me caught my attention and I glanced over, surprised to see Caspian.

He nodded once, but clearly, wasn’t interested in talking. Fine by me. It was nice to see him doing more than turning into a ghost, his body fading right along with his presence.

Muscle would do him some good.

Caspian didn’t say anything as he set his treadmill and started running, long hair tied up and a muscle shirt on unlike my bare chest.

When I moved, he moved. From running. To weights. I adjusted my routine, knowing he couldn’t sustain it. We’d start smaller and work our way up.

When I nodded at the locker room he was red-faced, drenched in sweat, but grinning back at me.

“Thanks, Ledger,” he said, shaking his head as we walked toward the showers. “Though, eventually, I’ll be ready for your real level. Don’t think I didn’t notice you dulling it down for me.”

I snorted. “Observant, Caspian. I’m not used to that.”

“It’s about fucking time for a change. Tatum would kick my ass for the last few years.”

“It wasn’t all a choice, my friend. We aren’t here because we had some run of the mill mental illnesses. We’re here because of broken bonds that wrecked our biology and our minds.”

“How the fuck do you stay so… steady? Normal?”

“Practice,” I admitted. “My dad prided himself on raising a strong, Russian boy. From childhood all I knew was keeping emotions locked away and pushing my body past its limits. I trained, fought, and killed for that man. My mind couldn’t break as easily when I wasn’t as invested.

My bond was arranged. Forced. It’s different. ”

“Fuck him,” Caspian said, shaking his head. “For what it’s worth. I’m sorry you had to endure that.”

“I was just thinking how I missed the fighting and sparring. The weight of weapons in my hand,” I said. “I can’t say I didn’t leave unscathed.””

“What happens when you’re released? Will he come for you?”

“I’m part of the mafia, Caspian. I’ll never truly be free. Though, if he disowned me, that would be my only chance. I haven’t spoken to him, but he pays my bills. I suppose that’s enough claim to keep me as a weapon.”

He soaked in my words, not reacting outside of a deep frown. “When we leave, we’ll be leaving together. Help me get stronger so you aren’t the only alpha that can stand between what’s out there and our omegas.”

“Omegas,” I said, raising a brow. “Honestly, I was curious how the rest of you felt about two omegas, but only one that’s ours in the direct sense.”

He pulled the band out of his hair, shaking it out as he thought it over.

“I don’t have romantic interest in Ansel.

He obviously doesn’t in us. But he’s still one of us.

I’m protective over him, but in the sense of like…

a little brother. I care for him and want him safe and protected, want to give him what he deserves, but I want nothing in return. ”

“That’s how I view it,” I agreed. “He’s mine in the ‘pack’ sense of the word.”

“Exactly,” Caspian said, pushing his way into the shower stall next to mine.

Our heads were visible, the short walls and half-door the only real privacy we got in here. They didn’t trust us enough to be secluded away. Not to mention, the guards oversaw the feed from here and the gym, meaning they weren’t really here to stare at our bare asses, just keep us from fighting.

I adjusted the water and started washing my body. The barely-scented soap cleared away the sweat and warm water loosened my abused muscles.

“How are things with your sister?”

“She wants to come for a visit. I’m not sure if I should let her,” he admitted.

“She doesn’t trust this place and I don’t want her to try and fight for me to get out early.

Though, she did put into my file, as my legal guardian, that she is to be made aware of medication changes. That’s a fucking relief.”

“When I get out of here, I’ll find the men who ruined your life, Caspian. I’ll repay the favor.”

He glanced up, shocked at first. Then I saw the truth behind it. The flicker of vengeance that burned within this alpha. We were protectors and he’d been forced to endure a situation he couldn’t control.

“Thank you,” was all he said, not trying to talk me out of it.

“Going to do the same for the others. It helps to have something to look forward to,” I said, flashing a grin that was dripping with every ounce of malice that ran through me. I may keep my mask calm, but inside, I burned with the need for violence.

For ensuring that no one could touch what was mine. My alpha and I knew that this group was all mine.

Caspian and I finished our shower, changed, and walked to the conservatory where we knew Audrey had to be.

The music swelled in the air as we entered. I followed the siren’s song to the back wall to find her. She opened her eyes as if she sensed us, a smile playing across her pretty face as we stood side by side. Amusement flickered in her eyes and she glanced to the side.

Ansel and Kane were sitting on the pathway. Behind them was our new shadow. His stance was rigid but he was as captivated as we all had been the first time she played.

“Sing for us,” I mouthed to her. I knew damn well it would only draw him in more. She truly was a siren, and we were willing to drown for this omega with smiles on our faces.

He would be no different.

The more invested he was, the safer she would be.

When her soulful voice joined the melody, the words were foreign to me. She sang them with ease, as if they were pulled from her very soul just for us.

I watched the others, smirking at the devotion shining on all of their faces.

The song came to an end and she rested her instrument in her lap, taking a breath. Ares cleared his throat.

“Come back to the wing. We have some things to discuss.”

He turned and walked away, but the door never opened. He was waiting and ensuring we didn’t run away again.

We shared a look as we helped Audrey pack, then walked toward our new warden.

Time to face the music.