Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Audrey
This was my second time walking into Ash Recovery Center, though it was the first time I was coherent.
Yet, I couldn’t help but feel just as sad and scared as I did that day. I finally had a real taste of pack life, and I wasn’t ready to give it up now.
Director Cross and the chief were waiting for us as we carried our things back into the lobby. Cross tried to smile and greet us, but I couldn’t force myself to be nice.
What had he truly done to make our lives here easier? He had allowed so much to happen on his watch that I’d lost any and all respect for him.
His smile fell quickly, and he let out a breath. “I don’t know what to say other than I’m sorry.”
The man sounded defeated. I had no sympathy for that. Not after looking through the folder and seeing the horrors I was forced to face while he played the compliant director.
“You let Malik do all of this. You allowed him to feel comfortable enough to take me. Not just me, but so many others.”
He sighed heavily, scrubbing a hand over his face. “I know,” was all he could offer.
What else could he honestly say?
“Where are we staying? Is our wing still available?” I asked, ignoring his useless apologies. I’d once respected him and thought he cared. Then I watched him sit by a little too long. I didn’t want to sit here and talk about it. My feelings were clear.
“We’ve convinced the Omega Network that separating your pack would be detrimental to your healing journey,” he said.
“But that also means we weren’t able to choose your therapist. I did what I could, and the woman I’m working with is great so I trust her choice is solid.
Your new therapist, Alice, is moving in today as well.
She’s taking on overseeing the cases Ares took over when he arrived.
We’re doing our best to make this right. ”
I’d heard it too many times before. Never letting us fall into the hands of people like Malik or Seamus would’ve been what’s right.
He let the vulnerable get locked away like this and spent years “observing” until it became a literal hellscape on earth. Working undercover was hard, and it changed you, and I think he let it go just a bit too far.
Then again, what did I know? I was just another delusional omega broken by failed bonds. The same bonds alphas like Malik and the people he worked with every day forced upon us.
“To answer your earlier question,” Cross said, “your wing has been undergoing a bit of renovation and should be nearly ready.”
I blinked at him, unsure how to feel about that. The chief, thankfully, took over, seeing how uncomfortable I was.
“Now that the Alliance is taking over, we’re required to provide each omega with a nest. We’re having to double up some rooms to accommodate, but we’re doing our best to make sure it’s been done properly.”
“Thank you, Chief,” I said, giving him a small smile. I couldn’t exactly call him David now since we were among more Alliance agents. In fact, everywhere I turned, the Alliance was visible: guards at every door, walking the hallways, standing outside the doors.
Funny enough, even with their weapons and authority, they weren’t as intimidating as half the staff.
“So, what about the nursing staff, doctors, and medication?” I questioned.
Ares was the one to answer. “All week we’ve been transferring out the nursing staff and bringing in new ones.
Some of the old were… let’s just say irredeemable.
They were stripped of their licensing the moment we got in contact with the board.
Fired, of course. Blacklisted. The few we could improve were transferred to other sites, ones a little less sensitive.
We need fresh blood here, so we’re bringing in brand new faces.
We’ve got the necessary staff and are adding in the extra support as we can. ”
I let the subject drop as we walked back to our wing, ready to see the changes. A nurse was waiting behind the new nurse’s station just inside the door. It was just a desk and chair with a computer and some of her own personal touches like fresh flowers and pictures. It seemed so normal.
“Larissa,” Ares said, surprised. “I didn’t even know you were a nurse.”
“In a past life,” she admitted, rolling her eyes. “I didn’t enjoy being stuck in a hospital all the time, and home-care just didn’t pay enough. So, I chose to try something new. You know I can never stick to one thing for very long.” She let out a soft, self-deprecating laugh.
I liked her instantly, which was honestly a relief. She didn’t look that much older than us, and I guess that was part of the experience at Arc. We all came from different walks of life, different ages, different experiences… the same fucked-up bonds.
“Well, it seems like I’ve missed out on quite a bit, doesn’t it?” she asked, giving me a grin.
“I guess you’ve already heard that I found my pack,” Ares laughed.
“And two omegas, no less,” she teased.
I’m not sure what prompted me to say it. It’s not like Ansel wanted me to announce it, most likely. But I needed to know that this new nurse was going to respect us and our dynamic.
“One. The pack has two,” I clarified, voice holding a possessive edge that had Ansel’s bond flaring with satisfaction. “He’s mine.”
“Oh, interesting,” she said with a grin.
Her gaze shifted to Ansel, who had moved to my side.
His fingers twined with mine, hesitant to speak at first. Hopefully, the reassurance through our bond reminded him he couldn’t say the wrong thing here.
Whatever he wanted to disclose was up to him and him alone.
He took a breath, then shook his head. “No alphas for me.”
“I get it,” she snorted and gave him a wink. “I swore off of them years ago. More trouble than they’re worth.”
I was sure that would ruffle feathers in a different group, but my alphas just chuckled. They knew what we’d endured. Especially after the meeting with the chief.
“Honestly, you guys are a good-looking bunch, and I’m really excited to get to know you,” Larissa said warmly.
“Like Ares said, my name is Larissa. I’m a registered nurse.
I kept up with my license and took a few extra classes this past weekend.
It was crammed in, but I wanted to be sure I could actually help you guys.
From the reports, you’ve been through enough bullshit, and I refuse to add to it. ”
She had no idea how much I appreciated that. She was right. We’d been through so much in our short lives, I wasn’t sure my heart could take another disappointment.
“Has any of our stuff arrived?” Ares asked. “Someone was supposed to pick it up while we were waiting to be sent back here.”
“It arrived about an hour ago,” she said. “I had them put it in the bedroom. You guys can sort it from there. I figured your omegas wouldn’t want them to handle their nesting.”
I realized that Ansel and I hadn’t talked in a while, but from the discomfort I felt through the bond, I had a feeling, just like before, that he still didn’t want his own nest.
“I think we’ll only need one of the nesting rooms,” I clarified, looking to Ansel for confirmation. The pure relief on his face told me I’d made the right call.
“Only if you want to,” he said, trying to sound nonchalant. I could see right through it.
“Of course, I do. I think I’ve spent enough time alone in small rooms for a lifetime,” I reassured him.
Larissa gave me a sad smile and shrugged. “As far as my orders go, you can do what you want with your spaces. You can always use the other room for an alpha hangout or reading room. Whatever you want.”
“Do you think,” Kane said, looking thoughtful, “that we could get a TV and a game system? That used to be one of my favorite things to do. I haven’t had a chance to play in years. It might make some of the longer days a bit easier. Plus, pack bond, right?”
I looked at Ares. I really had no idea what was allowed and what wasn’t at this point.
“I’ll look into it,” he promised.
With that, we finally walked into our current version of home sweet home. They’d already made it look so much less clinical. There was actual art on the walls, not just generic prints. A large rug lined the checkered tiles that had always been a touch too cold.
Even the furniture was different. Plush and comforting, not just hard and cheap.
The removal of our beds had me pausing, but I tried to keep an open mind.
“Ares?” I asked, glancing up at him and trying not to worry.
“Sometimes change is good,” he reassured me softly, taking my hand and giving it a squeeze.
It was hard to blindly trust, but I held my tongue until I checked the other rooms.
Ares’s office had been left intact, which was probably for the best. His job wasn’t just to watch us, and having a data center at our disposal could come in handy.
His bedroom was also still there, unchanged. My muscles tensed at the sight of him being separate from us like before.
My doubts were definitely creeping in now.
The next two rooms were clearly nests. Bright white nesting mattresses were laid on the ground, and the walls were freshly painted the same clinical white. The fumes were still lingering in the air.
Chief was right, they had made an effort. I just hoped they’d made this effort universally, not just for us, but for all the other omegas here. They deserved it just as much as we did and a plain nest wouldn’t help anyone.
The group moved on, forcing me to follow them into the next room which used to be Kane’s. It was also freshly painted and was now set up for multiple people. I hadn’t realized his old room was this big until I saw all the beds pushed together. Seven in total, forming one giant bed.
It was definitely a tight fit, and they likely expected us to arrange it how we wanted, but I wasn’t upset about that. From the look on their faces, the guys didn’t mind, either. My alphas were one step away from purring and even Kane was smiling.