Page 30 of Pack Fever

Yet I’m too busy worrying to the death about Nexus finding me, my friends being safe, and my mom and sister being harassed by the facility after our phone chat.

Seth’s deep-blue eyes meet mine in the mirror, and they’re crinkling at the edges from his grin. “We say you’re our Omega,” he answers without missing a beat.

“And we met at a concert.” Jasper nods from the seat in front of me while Reed is trying to pull as far away from me as possible, staring out the window.

Rude much!

“My family can be intense,” Seth says, catching my attention while navigating through the busy streets. “Just ignore most of what happens tonight and enjoy the food.”

I half-laugh. “Sounds ominous,” I mutter. “Wish I had a big family to enjoy these kinds of functions with.”

“Wouldn’t we all,” Jasper pips in, and something tightens in my chest at his words.

Alright, I’m trying to calm the jitters in my stomach. Despite the pill suppressing my scent, the inferno emanating from these Alphas is affecting me more than I care to admit.

Reed keeps his distance, and despite our small back seat, he’s managed to keep our knees and arms from touching.

By the time we finally pull up to what appears to be a gated community, I’m breathless and more turned on from our closeness than I should be from a simple car ride. I’m dying to get out of this freaking tiny car before I burst. My nipples are so sensitive and tight, if someone touches them, I’ll come completely undone.

I never understood the power of attraction between an Omega and an Alpha until now. Sure, I studied it at school, and we were told what happens, but theory and practise are very different beasts.

Glancing up, I gasp at the sight in front of us. It’s breathtaking. We pass through the gated community gates, then roll down to a sprawling mansion past the second open entrance. We drive through the parting gates as if it’s inhaling us into its embrace.

Immaculate gardens and modern luxury in the stone building with three floors await us. Coming down the driveway, I already spot the glittery lights against the darkening evening in the backyard, the canopy overhead for the function.

Nerves are biting into my skin, and every inch of me wants to leave. I can’t do this. I don’t want to. Especially with strangers who suddenly decide they are going to be good Samaritans and help me out. Except… are they the pack I want to end up with? My initial instinct is yes, but both parties have to want it. And do I want to drag them into my problems and baggage?

I remind myself they’re a band who can never lead a normal life, who are mostly on the road on tours. I almost laugh at the irony of my thoughts. How much I would have died for something like this growing up when I craved to sing, to make a name for myself.

But that’s in the past, and I’m no longer that person. Not after I got my dad killed by putting my dreams before his safety. I tremble, not wanting to think about the past, to not bring back the tears or the shattering ache that’s already ripped my heart in two. The longer I spend with the band Fever, the more I’m reminded of the chaos I caused for my family.

“Alright, party time,” Jasper says sarcastically, which only sets off nerves that nip at my flesh even more.

I glance outside at the sheer scale of the house, the towering columns that frame the front door, and the arched Tudor-style windows. The place screams wealth and status.

Somewhere I don’t belong.

Once we’re parked, Seth and Jasper are out of the car in record time, and as Reed reaches for his door handle, I stretch out my hand to him. My fingers tenderly brush his arm. He pauses and glances back at me, his brow pinched in tight lines.

I drop my hand.

“Hey, you don’t have to be so rude about not liking me,” I say, still hurt by his reaction to sitting in the back seat with me.

“Is that what you think is happening?” he mutters, his expression unreadable.

Part of me is still shocked that I’m speaking with Reed from Fever, and worse yet, he dislikes me. That stings badly. Yet if I learned anything growing up at home, it’s that I may be suppressed by order of Nexus, but I won’t let anyone walk over me.

“Did you see yourself?” I counter, stiffening my spine. “You’d ride in the trunk if it was big enough to get away from me.”

There’s a shift in his face, a darkness consuming his appearance.

“You have no idea.”

“Of course, I do. I can’t read your mind, but I’m good at judging body reactions and mannerisms.”

He sighs, staring at me… no, that’s too soft a word. It’s like he’s peering into my soul with daggers.

“You want to know what I’m struggling with?” He’s almost challenging me now.

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