Page 23 of Pack Fever

Except how can they be…

“I think she’s lost her voice,” Reed says. “She’s fangirling big time. Are you sure she’s not just a groupie you’ve dragged into our home?”

Blinking at him for mocking me, my shoulders shoot back at his accusation that I faked needing help.

“For your information, I had no idea who you three were, even when I saw your faces. I mean, what do you even sing…” I shrug. “I’m guessing some pop music. Do you do those choreographed dances, too?” I give him a mocking grin because he knows I’m lying, but my insult also strikes.

Of course, I know who Fever really are—who the hell doesn’t—but his words and tone irk me.

Jasper breaks out laughing, slapping Reed in the arm. “She got you there.”

Reed glares back at his friend. “You realize she insulted you, too?”

He shrugs. “Nah, she adores me. I see it in her eyes.” When he glances at me and winks, I melt on the spot, my panties suddenly drenched.

What in the world is wrong with me?

Wearing my bravery, refusing to let these Alphas who’ve let stardom get to their heads affect me, I step out of the bedroom and join them in the hallway.

“So, this is where the famous band Fever hangs out, hey? Interesting joint. A place I’m assuming you’ve kept super-secret from your fans, seeing there’s no mob outside trying to get in or throwing their panties at you?”

Reed’s eyes narrow. “It’s a location that’s saved your ass from those enforcers looking for you, Omega.” He steps in my direction.

Maybe getting close to him isn’t the best idea. His plum and vanilla scent smothers me, leaving me heady and drooling in seconds. Or more like finding myself staring up at how insanely beautiful this man is. It’s disconcerting how easily I’m impacted.

“How cute, she’s trying to be brave,” Reed states sarcastically to Jasper over his shoulder. “But she is clearly dying to squeal with excitement in our company.” He’s grinning too much, enjoying this.

I roll my eyes at him. “Are you really that arrogant? Believe it or not, there are girls out there who aren’t interested in you… including me.”

Suddenly, he’s walking up to me so fast, I back away until my heels kiss the wall. Pinning me there, he stares down at me. My nostrils flood with the overpowering sweetness and masculine sexiness that oozes out of every inch of him.

Why is he impacting me so strongly, too? Please don’t tell me he might be a genuine match because I would rather smother him with a pillow than let him take me to his bed.

“Look, fangirl, I really don’t know what you’re playing at or why in the world you smell like the most addictive lavender and mandarin that’s fogging my head, but how about you come clean on what you’re really doing here?”

“Reed,” Jasper begins. “Leave her the hell alone, bruh. And don’t shove your trust issues on her.”

Gasping for air and fighting the urgency to stop pressing my thighs together to stop the tingling that’s making me needy with arousal, I press my hands to his chest.

“Get off,” I bark. The warmth of his chest bleeds through his shirt, zapping up my arms like I’ve touched a live wire, and I urgently want it curled around me.

I fist his shirt, staring at his disheveled appearance, unable to believe I’m having this conversation with Reed from Fever or that my body is betraying me so brutally. I can’t think of anything but needing him closer, clothes gone, body to body.

“I-I can’t believe this,” he murmurs, a slight shake in his body, and suddenly, the confident Alpha looks taken aback, startled. As if fighting an invisible beast, he rips himself away from me, his shirt torn from my grip.

Stumbling back, he pauses by the railing near the steps, gasping for air.

“Shit man,” he murmurs, his voice darkening, moving over to Jasper. “Not only have you brought a hunted Omega into our home, but one who’s on the verge of going into full-blown heat.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you,” Jasper answers. “She’s in trouble, and we can’t exactly throw her out on the streets.”

Silence blinks between us.

I stare at them, hating how I’m made to sound like a burden. Well, fuck them! I don’t need them, my mom, or anyone.

“Hey, sorry to break up the bromance going on, but I don’t want your help or anything. I appreciate you helping me with enforcers, but that’s where we end. Now, show me the way out.” I move toward the steps, my heart colliding into my ribcage with fear, with an urgency to escape.

Jasper’s in front of me in an instant, blocking my path, hands in his pocket, as though blocking the stairs is something he does every day.

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