Page 93 of Pack Fever

Footsteps tapping the floor sound from the other side of the door, sending my emotions into a spiral. I’m bouncing on my tippy toes. It’s just after eight p.m., so it’s not too late for them to be awake.

The last time I walked away from this door, I was drowning in tears, being torn away from my family. Now, as I return, my emotions feel just as raw, the tears just as ready to spill over.

The door swings open.

There stands my mom, looking as if she’s just gotten home from work in her blue dress, her hair still pinned up and off her face. Ruby’s peeking from behind her. Their eyes are wide with disbelief, mirroring the shock thundering through me.

I don’t wait for a greeting because I’m crying with a thousand unspoken feelings.

“Mom, Ruby!” I croak, my voice choked with tears as I rush inside, throwing my arms around them. The familiarity of their hugs embraces me, and their sweet and freshly baked bread smell envelops me. God, I’ve missed them so much.

“Danica, you’ve come back,” Ruby manages, her arms clinging to me like she’s afraid I might disappear again. My mom’s hugging me, too, her embrace fierce, trying to make up for the lost time with the strength of her hold.

“I missed you both so much,” I sob, barely a whisper. Behind me, I hear the clack of the front door shutting. I sense Seth’s presence close, but I’m not ready to let go of my sister and my mom. It’s been too long, and I want to imprint every second of them into my mind.

“You have no idea how worried I’ve been about you,” my mom says, her words thick with emotion.

“She cries every night for you,” Ruby adds. “It’s been awful that you’re gone. But you know, there’s only one good thing out of this. I got your bigger room.”

I giggle, which is unexpected, considering how wound up I feel.

We pull apart, but Ruby’s still clinging to my arm. My mom is brushing tears off my cheeks when her gaze moves over my shoulder to Seth.

I take a step back, introducing him with pride and nervousness as, technically, he’s the first guy I’ve ever brought home.

“This is Seth. He’s the Alpha who’s been helping me out and protecting me from Nexus.”

A small squeak spills past Ruby’s lips, drawing a startled look from Mom. But Ruby’s gaze is locked on Seth, and she’s slightly shaking.

“You’re Seth from Fever, aren’t you? Oh my God, you’re in our home. I can’t believe it! Echoes of Silence is literally my all-time favorite song.”

“Fever?” Mom looks between Ruby and me, confusion etched on her face. “What are you talking about?”

I can’t stop smiling at how fast she recognized him… of course she would. She lives with her headphones on, listening to music endlessly. Even at fourteen, she knows every band out there, every top-selling song.

“Ruby’s right. Seth is the lead singer of Fever, a huge rock band. But more importantly, he flew me here to see you both.”

Seth steps forward, that charismatic smile capturing my mom’s and my sister’s full attention. The sight sends a familiar fluttering through me.

“Wonderful to meet you both. I’ve heard so much about how much Danica misses you. I wanted to surprise her with a quick trip here.”

“Thank you,” Mom says. “You are always welcome here, but is it safe that you’re here?”

“I have my man downstairs on guard and more in the front to keep an eye out for any presence of Nexus.”

Oh, that’s news to me. I had no idea he’d arranged that, and when I glance up at him, he gives me that knowing look, as though he’s got my back. I resist the urge to jump into his arms in front of my mom.

He hands the shopping bag he’s been carrying to Ruby. “I heard you’re a fan of peaches.”

Her eyes are the size of saucers at his words, and she eagerly dives into the bag, revealing it’s filled with big fat peaches. Ruby’s cooing, already digging in for one, while Mom rushes to the curtains, pulling them shut and ensuring the locks on the front door are set in place.

I nudge Seth toward the couch, inviting him to sit beside me, feeling a sense of home enveloping me. Glancing over at him, he doesn’t seem uncomfortable, and he’s chuckling at Ruby, who already finished her first peach.

“Coffee, tea, anything?” Mom’s voice carries from the open-plan kitchen.

“You don’t have any of my favorite cookies, do you?” I call out.

“Oh, today is your lucky day, Danica. I just made a fresh batch of snickerdoodles.”