Page 55 of Pack Fever

Jasper howls, setting his food down, and bursts into a display of air drumming, humming the tune to a song with infectious enthusiasm.

I haven’t heard the song, but I already know I’m going to love it just by his tune.

“Fucking love that song,” he states. The three of them are chatting wildly now, hands all over the place, while Reed suddenly leaps over the coffee table.

“This calls for a celebration.” He vanishes into the kitchen and returns seconds later with four glasses and a bottle of whiskey under his arm.

I’m caught up in their hype, already on my feet, cheering with them, a huge relief washing over me that they won’t be sued. Whatever guilt I experienced earlier is gone.

Reed unscrews the bottle top.

Jasper’s standing near, watching me like he’s going to pounce on me any second now.

Then Reed pours our glasses haphazardly, spilling some all over the floor and some on my bare feet. He grins at me, knowing he did that on purpose. Then he raises a glass.

“To the start of a fucking amazing new album, a kickass tour, and us hitting number one on the charts!”

I’m cheering with them, caught up in the moment, clinking glasses, and feeling like, somehow, I’m special too just by being in their company.

I sip my smooth, strong whiskey and hiss through my teeth as it rushes down my throat. Reed and Jasper are miming using their instruments, booming with the song’s tune. Reed’s up on the coffee table, and Jasper’s hopping up on the couch.

Seth grins, the tension I’d seen on his face since yesterday melting away. He strides over to my side, raising his glass to me in a silent toast.

“Are you still okay to do this, then? Go on tour with us?” he asks, the intensity behind his stare as powerful as his touch. “We’ll ensure you’re safe, so no one will even know you’re in your heat cycle. I’ll give you my word.”

I blink up at him, appreciating his words. I try not to let the arousal simmering inside of me show, especially with how he’s now placed his hand over mine. Fire unleashes up my arms, and I swallow hard, keeping my gaze locked on the corded muscles of his neck. How much I want to reach over and touch them, to kiss them.

“Of course,” I finally answer. “You have no idea how ready I am for this, for a change in my life, to do something other than sit indoors.”

“Good.” He squeezes my hand, and there’s a tightness in my chest I can’t ignore. “Tours can be insane, and fans are crazier. Girls will be all over us, and to help disprove the rumors, we have to be seen embracing their attention.”

There’s a twinge deep in my gut at his words. “That’s fine,” I say with a wavering voice, not liking the sound of that.

“It’s all for show,” he adds, clearly seeing my discomfort.

Except, we’re not exactly a confirmed couple, and in truth, I don’t know what’s going to happen between us, so I shouldn’t be jealous.

“All good,” I assure him. “I don’t own you three. You’re doing me a solid by protecting me from Nexus and helping me with my heat cycle…” My voice trails off as a heaviness settles inside me. My thoughts drift to my heat cycle and how it will make me crave them, make it unbearable… Am I sure I want to do this?

“Danica,” he murmurs. “There is so much more between us. You realize that, right?”

I’m unsure how to take that, but then Reed and Jasper join us, howling the song.

I’m wearing a brittle smile, but I can’t back down. I need them as much as they do me, so I’ll worry about everything else later. First, survive the upcoming tour.

Jasper

The buzz of my phone disrupts the hum of the car’s tires as we rush down the freeway. It’s evening, and I’m in the back of the SUV, being taken home by our driver. Reed and Seth are still at the interview at the TV station. I couldn’t take it any longer, so I left it to them. There’s only so much prodding and fake smiles I can take.

Plus, I miss Danica and want alone time with her.

Glancing down at the message on my buzzing phone, it’s from the bar manager who runs our rooftop bar for private events.

“Jas, your new guest is up here for a meal, but she’s having a problem with one of our guests. Want me to kick him out, which may mean we lose this account?”

Danica! She’s taken to grabbing meals on the rooftop bar, which serves warm meals. Most of the time, it’s empty, but occasionally, we have events. It completely didn’t cross my mind that we had a booking today. Fuck! I should have told her.

“Tod,” I bark out at the driver. “Step on it. I need to be back home yesterday!”

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