Page 75 of Pack Fever

He glances at me, balling up the rubbish from the bandage.

“Plastic surgery might be able to help so you feel more confident… even though to me, you’re gorgeous.”

I blush, then roll my eyes. “Then why didn’t you get your scar fixed?”

A wry smile spreads over his lips as he tugs my shirt back up my arm, covering me up.

“I decided to keep it as a reminder of how low I let myself get. How I let my fucking need to gain my father’s acceptance almost ruin me.”

I stare at this beautiful man with a face that has grazed so many screens that sometimes, when I stare at him, I’m convinced I’m dreaming. But the longer I spend with him, the more I’m starting to see him differently. Not as the rock star the world goes crazy over. But the Alpha who desperately wants love from his family. A man living with rejection and trying not to suffocate in it.

“Your dad has no idea how talented and spectacular you are… well, actually, he does know,” I reply with a small smile. “Except he’s too stupidly stubborn to admit it after all this time.”

“Maybe you’re right,” he answers, not saying much more.

I hate that he can’t put aside what his dad thinks. I remember growing up how desperately I wanted to make my parents happy. What if nothing I ever did gave them that satisfaction? What if they never praised me, never supported my decisions?

Chest tightening, I stare at Seth with his confidence exuding from every inch of him, yet on the inside, he’s as broken as I feel on the outside. A perfect pair we make.

“Forgot to tell you the other day, I loved that song you were playing in your room.”

His grin is infectious. “Is that why you ran away from me soon afterward?”

With a lopsided smile, I reply, “That was me afraid you wouldn’t…” I glance down at my covered arm and back. “That you wouldn’t accept me as I am.”

“Well, you were wrong.” He lifts my chin with his fingers, making me meet his gaze. “And I prefer when you smile.”

I shrug. “Me, too.”

“Then we’re going to have to fix that.” He climbs up and takes my hand, lifting me to my feet. “So, we have a deal, then? Okay?”

I think back to him wanting me to take out my hurt and pain on him. I could never bring myself to do that, yet just knowing he’s truly on my side, not judging me, chips away more of the heaviness encasing me.

“Deal,” I answer. “I promise to try.”

“That’s all I ask for. Now, how about something to eat while we wait for the rain to stop?”

“I would love that.” We enter my bedroom just as Reed and Jasper march in to join us.

“What’s the holdup?” Reed asks, his gaze on my face. Can he tell I’ve been crying?

Jasper approaches me quickly, taking my hand. “Little mouse, who hurt you? I’m going to destroy them.”

I chuckle, which is a nice change from crying.

“Pretty sure Seth’s got it,” Reed butts in. “But seriously, we waited forever down there?”

Seth raises his attention to his band. “We’re going to grab some food and head off once the rain slows. Okay?” There’s firmness in his voice.

Jasper’s hand squeezes mine, then he kisses the tips of my fingers and leaves me buzzing.

Reed’s expression takes me by surprise. Here I expect him to be an asshole about me delaying them, but he’s grinning.

“Sounds like a plan. I hate driving through rain, anyway. I’m ordering pizza. I’m fucking starving.”

Chapter

Eighteen

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