Page 76 of Pack Fever

SETH

The world passes by in a blur through the bus window. The rain is gone, and Danica’s joined us on the tour. Sure, now we’re behind schedule, but the show’s not going to start without us.

On our first-ever tour, the three of us were naïve and anxious. We were fucking terrified, having no clue what we were doing, but once we were up on stage, we blew their minds. We were unstoppable in the whirlwind of excitement.

The stage changes you, makes you believe you’re a god!

Now, I’m reclining on the couch in the bus, enjoying the quiet. We’ve been traveling for the past two hours, making our way to Madison Square Garden in New York, where we will arrive tomorrow. Jasper’s lying in one of the beds, watching TV, while Reed’s across from me in one of the leather seats, quietly strumming his guitar.

My gaze settles on Danica, who’s been especially quiet, sitting near the kitchen in the booth section. Insisting on doing something to get her mind off things, she is triple-checking all the merch to ensure it’s been delivered and what’s outstanding at each location. We’ve got ten stops on the tour, keeping it short, but each concert will be held at the largest venues we could book in each city.

We’re completely sold out at each. I’m fucking ecstatic about our latest song release still at the top of the charts, and I know things will become hectic. I just hope Danica can cope.

She’s got her legs folded under her, fully immersed in her work. I can’t tear my gaze away. Even when she glances up from the laptop, catching me staring, her cheeks blushing as she quickly glances back down, I just smile. Fuck me, what has she done to me?

The image of her crying in the bathroom, cutting herself, is seared into my brain. That sheer panic on her face from the rain, from me finding her… even the way she trembled filled me with a raw terror.

That dull ache still lingers in my chest. What happened to her? My fists clench involuntarily as anger flares through me, an anger directed at what caused her such pain. But with it comes an overwhelming sense of protectiveness, that innate desperation to shield her from anything ever harming her again.

Meeting an Omega I connected with so intensely wasn’t something I anticipated.

Things are going to get manic on this tour. I know… we all fucking know, that when her heat flares up again, we have to be there for her. We will make this work. She’ll stay close to us at all times.

I make a vow to myself that I will find out the truth of what happened to her. And I’ll make her life so incredibly perfect, she’ll forget about the pain from her past.

The hum of the tour bus engine lulls me into a relaxed state. Most of the day had been dragging, the road to New York endless.

Except now, I’m in one of the tiny bedrooms on the bus, the layout designed for all our comfort needs. There isn’t exactly a lot of privacy, but enough insulation to block out the other two guys’ snoring at night.

The moment Danica steps into the doorway, my attention spins to her. She’s framed by the sliding door, the rest of the bus dim, and the low light from my lamp throwing shadows across the walls and her gorgeous face.

Her presence eclipses all my anxiety for the upcoming tour. I lean over from the bed, blankets up to my lap, and set aside my guitar.

“I’ll sleep on the couch if it’s easier,” she offers, all while studying the queen bed with crisp white sheets.

She doesn’t know, can’t possibly know, how desperately I want her here with me, on this tour, in my room. I asked her to join me tonight before the other two got the chance.

My lips curl upward at her question. “You really haven’t been paying attention to me if you’re asking me that question. And with only three beds, we’re gonna need to share.”

“Are you sure?” Her voice is soft, almost a whisper, yet she steps into the room as if she needs to hear my confirmation that she’s welcome.

I bark out a laugh. “I’ve never been more sure of anything. Now, haul your ass up here before I caveman throw you onto the bed.” I pull back the blanket on her side. “Oh, and shut the door before Jasper appears and steals you away to his room.”

There’s that cute grin on her lips as she pulls the door closed. No locks, but that’s all we need for privacy.

The bus rumbles on a few times, giving slight wobbles. She scrambles up on the bed in leggings and a loose top, her breasts swaying beneath. It’s impossible not to notice. As she slides in under the blanket, staring at my bare chest, grinning, I have no idea if I’ll get any sleep tonight.

“You better not be naked under there,” she asks, sticking to her side of the bed and tugging the blanket up to her chest.

She’s studying me with anticipation on her face, the kind that tells me she wants me naked. Of course, she craves me as much as I want her, but my want has morphed into a need… one that has me starving to taste her mouth again, to strip her down, to kiss every inch of her. I told myself I’d take my time until she’s ready, especially when her heat doesn’t control her, but my cock’s already pulsing at having her so close to me.

It’s impulsive, and all I can think about is having her naked, her back arching, legs spread, and me cradled between the softness of her inner thighs. To hear her cry my name.

Truth is, I absolutely adore her, and when I’m close to her, I come undone.

“And what do I get if I am?” I tease, turning on my side to face her, balancing on a bent arm.

She laughs at me, then rolls those pretty eyes.

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