Page 34 of Pack Fever

“I-I don’t think this is right. What about another Omega in the family? They deserve this, I don’t.”

“Hush now.” She clasps both her hands over mine, stopping me. “My son picked you, and I have been keeping this aside only for his Omega because his grandma wanted it to go to his love interest.”

My throat is scratchy, and I hate how emotional this is making me.

“I love that you’re so passionate and care deeply,” she murmurs. “It’s exactly what Seth needs in his life. I want to spend more time with him, but he just never has free moments. And his father isn’t exactly encouraging me to do that.” She gives me a lopsided grin, wipes a small tear from the corner of her eyes, and takes my hands, pulling me to my feet. “Well, I have taken up enough of your time. Come, let’s join the party.”

“I really liked our chat, and thank you for welcoming me,” I say, trying to swallow down my discomfort. “I’m sure Seth is going to love that you gave me the ring.”

I don’t know why I said that… the part of me that wants to see his mom smile and not look ready to burst into tears, to give her hope? But we’re playing pretend, right? So, he’ll have to be fine with the ring, and I’ll return it to him soon enough.

Heading downstairs, the kitchen is empty, and we find everyone in the yard. Seth’s throwing back a drink while Reed’s in a corner, watching everything unfold as if he’s judging the others. Jasper’s the only one mingling with a group of females, all gaping at him like they’re barely holding back from mauling him.

Jealousy slithers through me, fire blazing in my chest.

I eye the girls, who must be nineteen or twenty, and they are definitely not all Seth’s family but friends of the family. Part of me wants to go over there, except what the hell will I say?

“Hey, stop flirting with the Alpha I just met today and have no rights over. Oh, and I am contemplating leaving as soon as I can, but you know, stop flirting with the hunk?”

I’m not jealous of him. He can sleep with a hundred women, and I won’t bat an eye.

Yet the longer I watch him laughing, the hotter I get, and the more my chest constricts.

Suddenly, I catch Reed looking my way, studying me with that mocking grin.

Hell!

My heart slams into my rib cage, and I twist around quickly, walking right into someone.

Chapter

Eight

DANICA

Iwalked right into someone.

Someone with a solid chest, who grunts in response.

I glance up and come face to face with Seth’s father, and a knot forms in my gut. My mind instantly recalls the strained fight I overheard in the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize quickly, trying my best to diffuse the awkwardness strangling me.

He stares at me without a smile.

“Ah, finally, we meet Seth’s Omega,” he mutters, his tone more of a low grumble than a welcoming comment. “I guessed he’d never settle down in favor of his music. Maybe you’ll talk some sense into him about what his focus should be in life—family being a priority.”

I swallow hard, not expecting to be cornered and for Seth’s dad to fly right into a lecture, making me feel like I’m five years old. It’s also impossible to ignore the similarities between him and Seth. They have the same strong jawline and intense eyes, right down to their color.

“Your son has done extraordinary things,” I explain, thinking I can steer the conversation to something positive. I really hate the tone he uses when speaking of Seth. It reminds me too much of my mom—her distance, her lack of emotion toward me, her not accepting that I can do anything good.

The man’s nose creases like he’s going to sneeze. Instead, he mutters, “I didn’t realize you were one of his…” He glances into the air for a moment as if he’ll find his answer there. “Groupies, that’s it.”

His words hit me hard, and I flush at his accusation. How can he speak so disrespectfully about his son, who’s probably in earshot?

His mother joins us in an instant with a loud, forced laugh as she clings to her husband’s arm. “Oh, hun, don’t harass the girl. Let her be,” she chides gently.

But the man isn’t smiling. He turns away to speak with other guests, and his wife gives me a sympathetic shrug before following him.

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