Page 20 of Pack Fever

The air thickens with tension, the kind I embrace, especially if it ends with me punching someone in the face.

The enforcers stand there, rigid with authority, when the tall one says, “We apologize for the intrusion, but we’ve been informed that a wanted Omega was seen entering these premises. We require immediate access to search the property. I’ve been informed that you, Seth Striker, are the owner of this establishment, right?”

“There’s no Omega here,” I blurt out instead of Seth answering, the words tumbling from me with an angry instinct. “You’re wasting your time. So, you can turn around and fuck right on back to where you came from.”

Their glares sharpen, but I meet them head-on. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Jasper cracking his neck, his shoulders bunching up like he’s ready to nail these bastards to the wall by their balls.

But it’s Seth who strides toward them with the confidence and prowess of a wolf.

“Do you have a warrant?”

The enforcers exchange a concerned look, which answers the question. That’s when the shorter, stockier man weighs in.

“No, but do you really want to go down that path and get the Nexus management team involved? Especially with your… band’s already tainted reputation all over the media.”

A nerve pulses in Seth’s neck, but he’s stronger than me not to slam a fist into his face. Nexus is government owned, giving them more power than they should ever be permitted. Now, the lot of them behave like they’re fucking gods.

Seth’s hatred for Nexus runs deep, carved out of the pain they caused his younger sister.

“Well, you clearly know who we are,” he begins in a mocking tone.

I grin because I love when he gets in these pissed-off moods.

They nod, almost eagerly, showing a flicker of something like admiration in their gazes. It’s sickening to have them fanboy over us while being assholes.

“Then you understand how sensitive our workspace is, how protective we are of our work and IP,” Seth continues, circling them like a predator. “For all I know, you’ve seen the song I’m working on, heard the tune Reed is playing, and will sell it to another producer. Then what happens next?”

“We would never,” one buffoon starts, but Seth cuts him off with a curt wave of his hand.

“I’ll tell you what happens next.” He rubs his chin, glaring at them. “We’ll sue your fucking asses until you’re stripped to the shirt off your back and living on the streets for coming into our workspace unannounced and uninvited.”

“But we?—”

“Zip it,” Seth growls as the enforcers back up, the color draining from their faces.

“You heard him,” I snarl. “There are no Omegas here, just us working, so get the fuck out. Come back if you have a warrant, and be ready to lose everything.”

For a moment, nobody moves, then the enforcers retreat, fury in their eyes. The door slams behind them.

Seth storms off to check the hall, his voice a sharp command to the bar manager to ensure the front doors are locked. No one is ever allowed to enter our premises when we’re working without our knowledge.

I fix my gaze on Jasper, whose casual shrug doesn’t match the tension in his eyes. When Seth comes striding back, his brows are drawn together.

I set my guitar down, then hop down from the stage, saying to Jasper, “Please tell me you haven’t stolen an Omega?”

He rolls his eyes. “More like the little mouse stole my phone.”

Seth’s face scrunches up with confusion, and I’m just as baffled.

“Wait, you brought a mouse into our home? I mean, you’ve taken in so many cats and dogs, nothing should surprise me anymore.”

Jasper heaves a deep inhale. “Come on, let me show you. It’ll be easier because we may have a problem on our hands. And mind you, I found homes for all those animals that needed help.”

My eyebrows raise, and Seth shakes his head.

“When you say problem,” I begin. “You mean, you’re sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, and now it’s landed on our doorstep?”

That earns me one of Jasper’s infamous frowns, the one that manages to scold and mock me all at once.

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