Page 27 of Pack Fever

“What the hell do you want, Jasper?” he snarls. “Ever heard of privacy?”

I chuckle, pushing myself up from the bed, sitting on the edge.

“Just here for a friendly chat, man.” Reed and I have been through hell and back, especially when Seth went off the rails with his addictions. Something we had to unite over to help him before we lost him. The band almost imploded, but if there was any silver lining, it brought Reed and me closer.

“I know why you’re here,” he says gruffly, throwing the towel onto the bed with a dismissive flick of his wrist. “And I’m not interested in settling down. But, hey, no one said you can’t take an Omega.”

He pulls on a black shirt from our last tour with our Fever logo with flames behind it, trying to act like none of this phases him. He’s not kidding anyone, especially when I catch the tension in his shoulders. Then there’s his out-of-the-blue anger at Danica.

“There’s a problem with that,” I say, waiting for his reaction.

He glances my way, his expression guarded. “What problem?”

“If she’s going to be only mine, I sure as fuck don’t want you jerking off in the shower thinking about her.” I give him a pointed look and a grin that’s impossible to suppress.

He shrugs casually. “You’re projecting your own jealousy, my friend. She’s all yours and Seth’s if he wants a piece.” His voice is cool, detached, and there’s an edge to it that anyone else would believe.

I stand, eyeing him. “So, you’re going to step back, huh?”

“I have enough on my plate without adding an Omega to the mix,” he explains, casually running his fingers through his still-wet hair.

“Alright, man. Just making sure. But remember, we’re in this together.”

I head out of the room, knowing full well he’s lying to himself, but he’s a stubborn enough bastard not to admit it until it hits him in the face.

“Jasper,” he calls, and I glance back over my shoulder. “Before you get your hopes high, make sure what you want is something she desires as well.”

Reed’s last words play on my thoughts and echo in my ears. He doesn’t want to claim Danica, yet I should check what she wants. The thought gnaws at me. Ever since I inhaled her scent, there’s been an irresistible pull to her, an instinct that demands she’s mine. No questions, no doubts.

I know as much as the next Alpha that in this world, we end up with either a random Omega from Nexus or one we find ourselves. But to meet someone who you share off-the-charts attraction with from the get-go is like winning the fucking lottery. It’s primal, animalistic, and starved… everything I’ve craved.

I’ll make her see she’s meant to be with us. Of course, she’s frightened, given her situation. It’s not every day someone bumps into a man who will become their forever Alpha.

Grinning to myself as I navigate the corridors of our hideout, I weave my way up to the main living area, knowing she’s in a lot more danger out in the world on her own.

I’ve put behind me memories of leaving home at sixteen, the sting of my father’s fists, the fights that left me scared. But I’m no fool. I know it’s shaped me in ways I can’t ignore.

My asshole father ripped away any chance of me experiencing a real family life. Maybe that’s why my interest in Danica feels so intense, so urgent.

I prefer to think it’s because we’re destined.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. It’s the bartender who works at the bar in our building, saying there’s a delivery in the front for Seth.

Curious, I head to the main entrance to the building, past the main locked door that leads to our apartment, past the bar, and around to the front glass doors, where the sun pours inside.

I find half a dozen shopping bags from some of the biggest brands sitting there with a note. I check it, and it’s an order for Seth.

Grabbing the bags, I peek inside to find colored fabric, silks, which I assume are dresses and not for himself. Especially seeing there are two boxes of shoes from Jimmy Choo, and that’s not Seth’s brand.

He’s ordered clothes for Danica, huh? For the party tonight, no doubt.

Carrying the bags, I head back upstairs. As our lead singer, he knows as well as I do that if we leave her alone at our place tonight, she’ll slip away. And Seth doesn’t want her to leave, either. This much is obvious.

Back in our apartment, Seth’s on the phone in the main living room, and behind him is the wrap-around balcony from upstairs. So, not bothering him, I hightail it up the steps.

Knocking on Danica’s door, I call out, “Hey, it’s Jasper.”

“Come in,” she answers tenderly.

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