Page 2 of Shades of Scars

Mr. Madden hadn’t indicated the dress code in the email, but I know enough about the position I’m applying for to dress the part. I glance at the alarm clock on my night stand and then quicken myself. In record time, I throw on some light makeup and run a flat iron through my blonde waves so they don’t look so wild. Thank God I keep it shoulder length, otherwise it would’ve taken a hell of a lot longer to style it.

Before I slip out of my room, I stuff my feet into a pair of simple, black, four inch heels, and turn myself towards the full length mirror in the corner. I grimace at the mark on myshoulder, but there isn’t enough cover up in the world to hide the angry, mottled scar.

A reminder, that while I may be safe inside the boundaries of Black Tide Valley, I will never befree.

I rip my gaze away from my reflection and leave my room, forcing the awful memories that plague me out of my head.For now. Kate seems to be finished making her smoothie, and I inwardly groan when I catch her arched eyebrow aimed in my direction while she watches me from her spot against the kitchen counter. She has her long, chocolate curls pulled back from her face now, but she still has on the same pair of ripped skinny jeans and dark green cable knit sweater from earlier.

I move to my purse perched on the kitchen table and dig around inside until I find the dreaded packet of pills I really don’t want to have to take. Kate finally speaks up. “If you keep blocking your scent every time you go out, you’re never going to find your scent matches.” I love how she doesn’t mention the seared bond mark already branded on my shoulder.

Perhaps she knows exactly why I never bring it up. Because it’s apparent that I don’t fucking want it there. That I’d do literallyanythingto have it removed from my skin.

It just makes me remember exactly why I canneverfind my scent matches. Life is already difficult enough. The rules cannot be broken.

“I don’t want mates.” I shrug as I toss the suppressants down my throat and swallow them dry. She says nothing while I toss my phone in my purse and grab my favorite leather jacket off the hook by the front door. There had been one time, right after I’d moved in, when she’d asked me about the scar on my shoulder.

She doesn’t bring it up anymore.

“Be safe, Scar,” is all she murmurs to my back as I slip out the door. I try not to stumble on my way out at the sincerity there.

I cannot afford to make friends. Not now. Not ever.

2

Scarlett

Life on the Tide Valley Parkway is entirely too wild for my tastes. It’s why I enjoy living on the outskirts of the city, and as far away from other people as I can possibly get. I only make it a point to come down to the heart of the city if I need essentials.

Now, I’m willingly volunteering for a position at the Parkway’s newest and hottest club.

So many fucking alphas.

It’s seven in the evening on a crisp Saturday night, and the line to get insideRavenis already miles long, wrapping around three blocks with no end in sight. I feel eyes on me while I walk straight through a gap in the line and beeline for the side employee entrance where I’d been instructed to go via email when I arrived.

Predictably, two hulking betas are standing outside the side door when I approach, and my hand immediately slips inside the pocket of my leather jacket to grasp the small pocket knife I keep stashed there for emergencies. The one on the left has his arms crossed over his puffed up chest, and he narrows dark green eyes at me at my sudden appearance.

“Employees only.” His scent hits me at the same time as his words, and it takes all of my willpower not to wrinkle my nose indisgust. There’s something pungent about it. Like rotten leaves and mildew. My attention shifts towards the second beta, and he doesn’t appear nearly as imposing as the other. He smells better, too. It reminds me of campfire smoke and early morning dew drops on blades of grass. A much better combination.

“I have an interview with Mr. Madden. He told me to come in through this entrance.” I reached for my purse slung across my shoulder to get out my phone in case they needed to see the email, but the nice smelling beta holds up a hand to stop me.

“Miss Reighn?” He tips his head to the side as he studies me, and I dip my head. “Mr. Madden informed us you’d be coming. Follow me.” I swallow hard, refusing to look at the mammoth beta still glowering at me when the other leans forward to open the sealed door.

The moment he opens it, the heavy thump of music spills out into the night air. He gestures for me to go in first, and I have no choice but to slip past hulk 2.0 so I can get inside. Thankfully, the asshole stays outside when the door shuts behind us. They must not think two are needed to escort the weak little omega.

“Just ahead to the right will take you backstage.” The beta calls over the pounding music, and I shuffle forward until I reach the doorway he’d mentioned. He follows me through, up a few steps, and past a curtain that obscures the insane set up on the other side.

Four people are busy setting up sound and equipment when we step through, and I pause to let the beta security guard take the lead. One of the guys fiddling with an electric guitar glances up at his approach and offers the bouncer a smile.

“Ant, this is Miss Reighn, the beta vocalist Mr. Madden wants to hire. She’s here for a working interview.” My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline at that, and Ant peers over the bouncer’s shoulder at me still standing by the side entrance to the stage.

Deciding that I don’t want to appear timid and weak, I step forward until I’m a fair distance away from the two, and give a slight dip of my chin. “Scarlett Reighn. Sorry, I was unaware I’d be performing tonight.” My heart rate kicks up in my chest when Ant lets out a knowing laugh.

“Wren’s a sneaky bastard. He probably didn’t want to scare you off. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to sing the set with us.” With so many scents whirling around back here, I can’t pick up Ant’s, but I know he’s an alpha, anyway. I can just tell by the way he holds himself. I’m not sure how I feel about that.

Sucking in a breath, I shake my head. “I don’t mind. I dressed for the occasion, just in case. I have to warn you, I might be a little rusty. I haven’t done a show in a few years.”Understatement of the century.Ant just smiles at me, and the beta bouncer takes a step back from us.

“If you have her handled, I’ll head back to my post.” Ant dips his head to him, and then he turns back to me. “Good luck out there.” I offer him a simple nod. I don’t usually smile at people, and he doesn’t seem put off by my seemingly abrasive attitude.

Who the hell smiles at strangers, anyway?

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