Page 16 of Shades of Scars

Kars looks around at all of us, clearly not liking being left in the dark, but I could honestly give two shits less about what he thinks. The only thing that matters is his ability to help our omega.

He gives a curt nod, and I release him after a moment so he can slide between Caito’s and Lark’s hulking frames to return to the couch. He kneels again, deliberately keeping his gaze off the offending bond mark my omega had tried to sear away from prying eyes.

I grit my teeth and clench my hands into fists while he pokes and prods her arms, neck and chest, steering clear of her breasts. He then moves on to her legs, doing the same thing. His hands slide underneath the back of her head and twist her neck gently from side to side, peering at every angle as he does.

After about ten minutes of his examination, listening to her heart and breathing, checking her vitals, he rises back to his feet to start returning his gadgets back to his bag. “My initial diagnosis would be a pretty severe concussion. Did she pass out after the attack?” He directs this question to the whole room.

“Not immediately after. About fifteen minutes later. I was helping her out of the car, and as soon as she was upright, she passed out.” Caito responds with cool, biting words.

Kars nods. “I think she might have a bone fracture somewhere either in her clavicle or acromion.” He gestures to the shoulder that isn’t sporting a bond mark that shouldn’t bethere, before continuing. “There is a lot of swelling and it’s already got a nasty bruise. I won’t be able to tell you for sure unless I can get her into an X Ray. When she wakes, I suggest bringing her down to the clinic so I can give her a scan. If she’s got a broken bone and the damage is extensive, she might need surgery.”

Anger floods through my system at this entire situation, and I turn away from them so I can get my bearings before I lose my fucking shit. Those assholes are lucky Caito’s already beat the life out of them, otherwise I would immediately head to finish the job. No one hurts my omega and gets away with it.

And as soon as I find out who put that mark on her skin without her permission, I’m going to end him, too. Nice and slow. Draw it out until he regrets the day he put his filthy fucking mouth on her.

“We will bring her down to the clinic as soon as she wakes.” Wren vows. He’s now turned back to our little group with his massive arms crossed over his chest. He reminds me of a viking war general preparing to head into battle with just his fists and brawn. Bastard’s scary as hell when he gets that glint in his eye.

He knows how to get shit done, though. That’s why he’s our pack lead.

“Call me if anything else comes up.” I can tell the words pain Kars to say, but he offers them anyway. He doesn’t wait to be dismissed, and Lark stalks after him, most likely to make sure he leaves without getting sticky fingers.

Desperate people do the most foolish things sometimes.

Once he’s gone, and Lark returns, Wren squares his shoulders. “Come on. Let her rest. We have much to discuss, and I don’t want to disturb her.” His eyes soften when they land back on the little omega on our sofa, but he resists the urge to snatch her up. I can tell he’s feeling the need, because it’s the same feeling hounding me right this second.

I hate to leave her like this, but the discussion that needs to happen can’t wait. So, I follow after my pack, even as the hollow pit deep in my gut expands with each step taken away from her.

10

Scarlett

My head feels like it’s been split open when I finally come to. I can feel my pulse thrumming hard in the back of my skull. I let out a soft groan, my eyelids fluttering open slowly. The next thing I register is the throbbing pain in my shoulder, and I reach over to tenderly press my fingers against the spot that hurts the most.

“Son of a bitch.” I hiss, dropping my hand back down to rest across my abdomen. I have to squint against the pain to take in my surroundings. The first thing I lay eyes on is the crackling electric fireplace off to the West side of the room.

There’s a coffee table a few feet away from the massive sectional I’m laid out on, and it holds a decorative bowl with remotes and gaming controllers inside of it. The space around me is cavernous, and nothing at all like my dingy little apartment.

It also smells like I’ve died and gone straight to heaven.

The scents of my alphas swirl around me, comforting me in ways I haven’t been in so long. There’s the scent of Caito–Winter evergreen and decadent dark chocolate–and then there is Mr. Madden that I recognize from his office. Freshly picked, ripe oranges and spiced brandy that warms my soul from the inside out.

There’s also the strange mix of gunpowder and whiskey, as well as sandalwood and coconut.

Four powerful, alluring scent matched alphas.

The next bolt of pain that rockets through me has nothing to do with my head or my body.

My eyes water when I look down at myself. The sweatshirt I’d pulled on before I left is draped over the couch, but there’s no point in panicking to pull it back on. I know they must’ve already seen the blatant violation to my body.

Is that why they aren’t here? Are they repulsed by me now? Certainly, if they are, they definitely would’ve kicked me to the curb by now.

Ever so slowly, I shift my body until I’m partially propped up against the back of the arm rest and the pillow I’d been laying on. It gives me a better vantage point to take in the rest of the unfamiliar room I am in. This has to be their living room.

Above the electric fireplace built into the dark gray painted wall, is a massive mounted TV. On the mantle below are several gaming systems all lined up. In every corner I look, I’m greeted with all the masculine touches of bachelor alphas.

I hate to admit it, but I’m relieved by the revelation that it’s obvious they don’t have an omega living here with them. I mean, I wouldn’t have blamed them if they did. There are a lot of packs and omegas alike that never find their scent match, and they often settle with partners that are at least compatible with them in every way other than scent.

I don’t want to think about the desperation of alphas who never find their scent matched partners.

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