Page 17 of Pack Fever

The line goes dead.

That cuts deep.

I hang up the phone with a sense of finality. My stomach hurts with how tense I’m clenching it. My heart’s squeezing that she couldn’t show she cares when she knows I’m completely alone with nothing.

I regret calling her now and pray I haven’t made a huge mistake in case her phone is tapped by Nexus.

I pull my jacket tighter around myself against the wind. I’m alone, with nothing but clothes given to me and a fierce desperation to remain free.

On quick steps, I stagger away from the public phone, my chest clenching with the iciness of the news I’ve just received. Jess is being locked up, and she’s all alone, but if I know anything about Jess, it’s that she can get herself out of any situation. Plus, if that news gets out, her dad being in the mafia and all, she might find an escape. I’ve heard that the mafia has some sway over Nexus. I pray that’s the case for her sanity.

My heart’s breaking that I may not see my mom and sister for who knows how long. And until then, what am I supposed to do with no money?

Fear swallows me, but what I know for certain is that I won’t be captured by Nexus and held captive until I reach my heat.

Lost in thought, I’m drifting across a lane when a glint of light grabs my attention. I turn, my gaze landing on a large black van, its back doors thrown open like they’re selling illegal merch to anyone interested. But there, winking up at me from the back tire, is a cell phone.

Any other day, and I would have walked on by, but today, desperation has a grip on me. That phone could be my lifeline, a chance to reach out, track the news at any time, and not be watched by those at the shelter. I dart into the alley without another thought, my heart thundering that I’m doing this. I snatch the phone from where it lies abandoned.

The second I’m back on my feet, a hand clamps around my wrist.

“Thanks for that. I thought I lost it,” growls a deep and smooth male voice. “You’re like a little mouse, finding what everyone else misses.”

I whirl around, my heart in my throat, and my thought evaporates at the man standing behind me, still holding my arm. He’s a mountain of a man, with a mop of dark hair framing a face that’s all hard angles and sharp lines, a strong jawline, and full lips that seem to whisper secrets I want to know.

I tilt my head back to meet the palest blue eyes I’ve ever seen. God, he’s tall. Really tall, like six-four or five. And he’s broad across his shoulders, his chest, his muscles.

The moment the breeze blows up the alley, smothering me in his scent, I almost fall over, recognizing his Alpha side. My legs give out, and he moves so fast, I’m instantly caught in those powerful, strong arms as I float on the most delicious scent of chocolate and blueberries coming off him. It slides through me, making me melt for him, and beneath the sweetness lies his masculine scent, which has my knees wobbling.

The last time I reacted this way was back at the club with that handsome jerk who wanted to judge me. I’ve been around other Alphas, but none have impacted me like these two men.

“Are you okay?” he gasps as if he’s suddenly out of breath, then a smile curls on his lips. “Who are you, little mouse, and why do you smell so good that I could eat you?”

It’s ridiculous that I’m still in his arms, swooning, falling into those deep eyes instead of pulling away from him and running. But I’m stuck in that moment in his gaze.

My breath catches, and for a heartbeat, I forget enclosures, the storm, the crash. There’s just him, this stranger, and the fluttering butterflies in my chest that tells me I want to remain in his arms.

“Have you got a tongue, little mouse? Are you in some kind of trouble?” His grip is firm but not painful, just secure.

I’m hyperaware of the heat radiating from his body. The air between us is electric, and I’m struggling to breathe. Who the hell is this guy?

“I’m a nobody,” I manage to say, then push the phone back into his hand, doing my best not to tremble. “I wasn’t stealing it. I was going to hand it into the lost and found at the community center.”

His laughter rolls out in a rich, dark sound that feels like it wraps around me, almost urging me to laugh with him, but I can’t. I must remember who I am, where I am, and the danger I’m in.

“Are you so sure of that?”

“Yep,” I insist, lifting my chin, but he’s half-grinning, studying me, clearly not buying it.

“Tell me, Omega, how are you out in public all alone like this? Did you get lost from your bodyguards?”

I freeze for a fraction of a second, mustering a scoff. “Don’t you wish,” I answer, smiling carefree. “I’m just a boring Beta, so sorry to disappoint you if you’re looking for your Omega.”

His statement reminds me of the guy at the club and how he asked me a similar question about being an Omega. No one’s supposed to detect my perfume until I start going into heat… and even then, I was told it’s only if they’re my true Alphas, they might pick up on the faint smell before anyone else.

Is that what’s happening now?

My head’s spinning, and I tell myself to get away from him, yet I can’t make sense of my body’s reaction, and I need to badly. I step back, but his hand is on my wrist again, his touch insistent. I glance away, and my heart stops at the sight in front of me.

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