Page 146 of Pack Scratch Fever
He nods. “Take as much time as you need here. We’ll make sure the rescue is taken care of.”
“Thank you, Poe. For everything.”
He grips my waist tighter. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Buying the entire building is not theleastyou could do,” I argue weakly, looking up at him and smiling.
He smirks. “You’re right. I could do a lot more.”
He opens the door before I can protest, and a rush of scents wafts over me.
Sweet tea. Ginger. Chamomile. Pepper.
Avery and Maddox greet us in the front room.
“You don’t need to swarm her,” Poe warns as Maddox pulls me into his arms.
“Shit, sweetheart, welcome home,” he says into my neck, ignoring his pack leader. “I’m so glad you’re out of there.”
Shivers run up my spine as his breath fans dangerously close over my mating gland, and I step out of his arms before my reaction intensifies.
“I can show you to your room,” Avery offers, taking my hand and linking our fingers. He squeezes my palm reassuringly, and I squeeze it back.
“I know where the room is,” I laugh. “The three of you don’t need to walk me down the hallway.”
“Don’t. Crowd. Her,” Poe warns again, until a strange sound interrupts us.
A distinct grumpy yowl echoes from further inside the house.
Am I hearing things?
“That sounds like Mister Whiskers,” I breathe. “Did the colony in your backyard grow?”
The three Alphas stare at me. Maddox tries to hide a smile, Avery shrugs, and Poe raises an eyebrow.
“You got a cat?” I squint at Poe, confused. “Why is there a cat here?”
And why the hell does it sound like Mister Whiskers?
Poe smirks. “Follow me.”
I allow him, Avery, and Maddox to lead me down the hallway, past the nesting room, until we reach Poe’s bedroom.
There, next to the window, perched high on a magnificent cat tree, sits Mister Whiskers. His yellow eyes gaze at me with curiosity, his broad tail swishing back and forth.
I stand in the doorway and gape at the cat, wondering if I’m hallucinating.
“Hi, buddy,” Poe says gently, walking past me and toward the cat, extending his hand. Mister Whiskers chirps,gives Poe a few slow blinks, and nuzzles Poe’s palm.
I’m going to pass out.
“It’s fucking crazy, isn’t it?” Maddox says behind me. “He’s obsessed with Poe. Avery and I can’t go within ten feet of him or he’ll lose his mind.”
I watch the scene in disbelief.
I knew that Mister Whiskers tolerated Poe enough to clean himself in front of the Alpha, but I didn’t know helikedhim.
“How?” I gasp.
