Page 157 of Pack Scratch Fever
She darts a worried glance at her friend, then motions for me to follow her to the front of the lobby, where Alvin perches. “She’s been through a lot,” she says quietly, after she’s sure Piper isn’t paying attention to us. “I’m sure you know some of it. Yousawsome of it with her parents.”
I nod.
“But she’s also never been treated right with Alphas,” she adds. “Ever. You three are the first time she’s even experienced a pack.”
That’s insanity. Piper should have Alphas throwing themselves at her feet and begging for just a moment of her time.
It’s a crime against humanity that she hasn’t been treated like the queen she is.
“Well, I guess everyone else is just fucking stupid,” I bite out, and Blair smiles.
“Something like that. Just be gentle with her.”
I cock an eyebrow.
It’s a little too late for that, isn’t it?
“Not like that,” she hisses, as if reading my mind. “Be gentle with herheart, dummy.”
“She already has mine,” I admit. “She’s had mine since the first day Avery and I walked in here.”
“Good. Did you tell her that yet?”
I shake my head. “Not in those words. The last thing I want to do is scare her away.”
Blair motions to my all-black outfit. “You’re already a bit scary in general, and she hasn’t run away yet.”
I grin. “Yeah, that’s true. I did annoy the shit out of her the first few times I saw her, though.”
She shrugs. “Not anymore. This is the happiest I’ve seen her. So, I guess what I’m saying is that if I ever have to drag her drunk out of a bar because of something you or your packmates do again, I’ll kill you.”
“That’s valid.”
“No, I mean it.” Her eyes darken. “I’ll kill you.”
I raise my eyebrows and nod. “Noted.”
“Great!” she says. “Now get my bestie out of here, please. Her face is flushed, and it’s either because she’s going into Heat orshe’s not feeling well, and neither of those options is good when you’re surrounded by cats.”
But Piper is already leaving the cat playroom with Avery and Poe when she heads over to us, rubbing Alvin on his chin.
“I’m tired,” she admits in a quiet voice, staring at the feline. “I really need a nap. Mind giving me a ride back?”
She’s more exhausted than she’s letting on, judging by her admission. Even Blair looks surprised at what her best friend says. But I simply wrap an arm around Piper’s waist while a subtle purr of contentment leaves my throat.
“Of course, baby.”
It’smidnight when Piper makes an appearance in the kitchen.
The three of us tried to give her more space, each of us avoiding the urge to peek through the door and watch her sleep in the nesting room.
We’re not stalkers.
Well, at least Avery and Poe aren’t.
Me? I pace back and forth near her door like a psycho, finally giving up to go into the kitchen and be productive.
Maybe she’ll be hungry when she wakes up.
