Page 42 of Petals and Strings (Broken Melodies #1)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Rydell

T wo months passed in a blur of well-practiced routines, side glances from the staff who weren’t Nancy or Ares, and staying vigilant.

We didn’t part ways, didn’t separate. Even during therapy we tended to do it together as a whole. Not one of us wanted to face the ghosts of our past without the pack by our side.

It meant we were learning more about each other every day, but if there was anyone equipped to handle our demons, it was our group.

Cross arranged for meals to be sent to our wing and I knew from the whispers in the halls that the other patients speculated something was wrong with us. That we were dangerous.

I didn’t give a single fuck what stories they concocted about us. It meant they kept their distance.

Sleep didn’t come as easily anymore. The others slept around me but I couldn’t bring myself to leave us vulnerable.

Audrey was, apparently, having the same issue. Despite watching over us silently, she stirred. Restlessly shifting in bed between Ansel and Kane.

It felt like every day that passed without an incident was just adding more fodder to the pile of drama resting around us.

Finally, Audrey jolted upright. Her eyes drifted around, taking stock of us all before finding me sitting. Watching.

“Hey,” she husked as she carefully extracted herself from the bed and stumbled my way. I’d taken a chair to the side so I could see the door, despite it being locked.

She settled in my lap, snuggling into my chest as my arms snaked around her.

I held her close, my nose resting in her hair.

She smelled like our pack, the other scents fading with sleep but her omega sweetness and fresh rain, rose, and sandalwood scent was there.

A calming breeze on a hot day, refreshing and nurturing all at once.

“If you want to sleep here, I can hold you,” I told her gently.

She sighed, but shook her head. “My nightmares are coming back. I don’t want to sleep.”

I stood, keeping her in my arms, and walked us to my old room. There was still a bed inside, but it was one of the only ones here after dragging the others out to the main area.

She didn’t protest. Her face was still buried in my chest. This felt a little bit too right. My alpha was right there at the surface, calling to our omega.

It wasn’t often that Audrey showed her vulnerable side. It made us want to protect her even more.

Despite what everyone always told me would happen when I found a scent match, I wasn’t out of control right now. In fact, I’d never felt more grounded.

“This place makes me feel like a kid,” she said when I sat us down on the bed, laying her on her side in front of me. She immediately rolled over to face me, her eyes not meeting mine, instead watching as her fingers traced over my skin.

The touch was feather-light. Goosebumps erupted on my skin and a soft purr started without thought. She smiled softly before she started speaking again, the words erasing all amusement.

“It’s hard to feel like we’re nearly thirty when we have every aspect of our lives dictated for us. Until you stepped up, we didn’t even get to make a single choice for ourselves. Those monsters stole my entire young adulthood, and now it feels like they still have that control.”

“I get what you mean,” I said. “From the time I took that mandatory dominant test, and got marked as half-feral, it’s been like that.

I’m too dangerous for normal life, most jobs wouldn’t accept me, and my dad’s feral reputation made that all even harder.

He was big in fight rings and the professional boxing world.

I didn’t want that life but he assumed I’d have no other choice.

That school I went to was mandatory and I didn’t really make it out.

This is no different, just less aggressive alphas around. ”

“When I got here, I needed to be here. But why aren’t we released when we’re stable?” she growled. The anger made her voice even deeper and I ran soothing strokes down her spine, trying to bring her back. That anger wouldn’t serve us now.

“They make money off of us. Malik can test out his medications,” I guessed. “This is a stepping stone, one that delivers accolades. If they didn’t charge Theo then he’ll look like he survived working in one of the toughest facilities around. It’ll look good on resumes.”

“That’s fucked up,” she said, shaking her head. “I just want to leave."

“I promise you that we’ll get out of here,” I told her. “Ares is going to make that possible where we couldn’t.”

“But what will this place take before that happens? My omega is still half-suppressed despite the dangers of long term use. Our meds are a hot mess and I don’t even know if I should still be taking them.”

“Mine suppresses my alpha,” I admitted. “With you it feels like we’re normal, he’s here but not out of control.”

“I just want to feel like an omega. To embrace the softer side of life I was denied. To reclaim the parts of me they stole without my consent,” she said, finally meeting my eyes.

Was she saying…?

“Touch me, alpha. Take me. Give me my first knot that isn’t forced,” she pleaded. Her voice wavered and I didn’t want this moment to be tainted by fear or desperation, but when she looked up at me I saw clarity in those gorgeous, mismatched eyes of hers.

She didn’t just need this.

She needed me.

“Are you certain? Once my knot is inside you there’s no going back,” I said gently, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.

"Help me erase that place, alpha. It haunts my dreams and makes me feel like my body isn’t my own. Show me it’s not just mine, but yours, too.”

“Mine,” I agreed on a growl as my alpha surged forward. He had her consent, her desperation, and he was happy to give her everything she ever wanted.

She was under me now, my arms caging her in. All that vulnerability had faded, slowly melting away so only her lust was left behind. Her scent sweetened even more, flourishing under my nose as I ran it along the column of her throat. It was stronger here against her warm skin.

Perfect.

I nipped at the flesh there, my hand moving up to ghost over her side and up to her hair, tangling in the wild, blonde strands.

Her gasps were quiet but so fucking delicious as I kissed my way down her neck. Pride flushed through me as her hips rocked forward, pressing into my painfully hard cock where it was locked away behind these uncomfortably small sweatpants they issued. None ever truly fitting my large frame.

I was happy to take my time. To savor my omega.

She disagreed. With a huff she tore off her shirt and kicked off her pants. Her bra and panties were next so she was naked under me.

The need to see all of her had me resting back on my knees, still holding my weight off of her legs so I could see her.

She was perfect. Her hair was spread around her on the mattress, a soft smile peeking through even as she had her lip trapped between her teeth. A pretty flush colored her cheeks under my stare.

Her freckle lined skin was pale and creamy in the moonlight that spilled into the room. My hands flexed with the need to knead her perfect fucking tits. Full and soft, hard nipples standing at attention and I just knew they were aching for my touch.

Her waist was slender, flaring out slightly at her hips. She wiggled her legs free, spreading them around my legs so they were forced open. A rumble echoed from my chest as my gaze trailed down to the blonde hair that glistened with her slick.

I shifted my hands from her hips to her shoulders, my tan skin stark and inked against her pale tone. Moving slowly I teased down her body, soaking in the feel of her soft skin under my fingers as I moved.

She moaned, pushing her chest into my hands as I reached her nipples. A slow smirk spread over my lips as I gently rolled them between my fingers, watching the way she whimpered and writhed for me.

Fuck, I was ruined. It was only Audrey for life.

Every moan, sound, and the way she looked up at me with those wide, sweet, mismatched eyes? I was ruined in the best fucking way.

I’d give my life for this omega. For now, I’ll make sure she has one she gets to live.

On her terms.

“Anything you don’t want me to do?” I asked as I trailed lower, parting her legs more, soaking in the sight of my gorgeous, sweet smelling omega.

“Just don’t hurt me,” she whispered.

“Never,” I promised her. “No one will ever hurt you again.”

She didn’t protest, but I could see it in her eyes that she wasn’t sure I could deliver that promise.

“I mean that, Audrey. I will always protect you, always find you. We’re forever and I will kill anyone who tries to come between us.”

She melted a little at my words, her expression softening.

Satisfied that she was listening this time, I moved, sliding lower on the bed so I could bury my face between those gorgeous thighs of hers. Her scent was stronger here, tinted in omega sweetness I wanted to devour.

She snagged a pillow, burying her face in it to keep quiet as I slid my tongue through her slick, humming and purring as the taste hit my tongue. She was sweeter than she smelled, a hint of spice that was all her. It was fucking delicious.

After one taste, I let my alpha take over. He surged forward again, pushing my face in that wet pussy, tongue lapping up every drop of slick then chasing it to the source, spearing into her core as deep as I could manage.

Her cries were muffled and just for me. Fuck if that didn’t have my cock aching even more.

“I need more of that slick, baby,” I urged as my thumb found her clit, alternating between slow strokes and pressure, her hips bucking and pressing that perfect pussy into my face.

She squeezed her thighs around my face and I wasn’t sure if it was too much until she was begging me through her whimpers for more.

“Please, alpha. I need to come,” she gasped out. I moved positions, my mouth latching onto her swollen clit as I pushed two thick fingers into her needy core. I curled my fingers slightly as I pumped them in and out of her, teasing that spot my knot would be filling out soon enough.

Her fingers pulled hard at my hair. I groaned, the feeling nearly making me come in my pants like a fucking amateur. Her scent, taste, and the way she was demanding I give her everything… fuck , I was spiralling out of control.

But my alpha had us. He was here, present, and soaking in everything. Giving her what she needed on pure instinct alone.

Slick flooded my mouth and I greedily drank her down. It was even sweeter now, my omega so turned on that it just kept coming.

Or maybe that was my fault for being unrelenting.

She eventually shoved me away, dropping the pillow. Her whole face was flushed, lips parted as she panted.

“No more, alpha, please. I need your knot.”

“It’s yours,” I promised, rolling over and putting her on top. “You’re in control, baby. Take exactly what you need.”

She swallowed hard and nodded as she straddled my legs. Our size difference had her stretched wide so her wet heat was driving me wild.

Audrey didn’t hesitate for long. She slowly wiggled lower, lifting up and letting me line my tip up at her core. I couldn’t resist slowly running the head of my cock through her slick, adding her natural lube and teasing her sensitive pussy.

Her soft whimper was fucking adorable. I loved the way she unraveled for me. Took everything I gave her and was still desperate for my knot.

The moment I held my cock right at her entrance, she dropped down. There was no easing in, she split herself on my cock, her cries echoing in the room before she slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes watering.

I’d be worried if she wasn’t wiggling her hips as her head fell forward. I pushed her hair out of her face, desperate to not miss a single expression.

She didn’t take long to adjust to my size. Her pussy was hot and tight around me, squeezing me and she hadn’t even taken my knot yet.

Fuck.

“Help me move,” she begged, her voice strained but her eyes blissed out. I gripped her hips, lifting her slowly before impaling her again.

Fuck, this was the best fucking sight I’d ever taken in.

Her body was perfect, tits bouncing with each movement, hair wild around her and eyes rolling back just from feeling me fill her core.

Mine.

Mine, my alpha echoed.

I slowly picked up the pace, moving a little faster until she was literally bouncing on my cock, her whimpers and cries no longer contained as I fucked her hard and fast from below.

I’d promised control, but she wanted me to have it.

Trusted me.

I wouldn’t make it anything less than mind-blowing for her.

My knot swelled, making it so she had to take over, nails clawing at my chest as she swirled her hips around, teasing and sinking me just a little deeper as she worked the knot in further.

Fuck, she was perfect.

My brain was solely focused on her and the pulse of pleasure coiling through me. My muscles were tight, strained, as I held back. I’d love nothing more than to fuck her into this mattress but that could wait for next time.

We were locked together now, nothing left but to fill my omega with my cum. To feel her clench around me, milking me for every ounce of cum I had to give.

“Touch yourself, baby. Come for me.”

She slid her hand between us, fingers moving jerkily over her clit as her breath came out in quick little pants. Her face contorted, lips falling open as she came. Her body clenched around me, pulsing around my cock so I had no choice but to follow her.

“Audrey,” I gasped as my orgasm punched the air from my lungs, hips canting forward one last time as cum filled her tight core. She clung to me, desperate now as she laid herself over me, my knot holding every drop deep in her pussy where it belonged.

Fuck, she was everything.

I’d get her out of here no matter the cost. I wanted to have her, free and care-free. To fill her with my cum as often as possible.

To make her mine in every single way.