Page 35 of Pack Scratch Fever
“Is he bothering you?” Avery asks.
Kyle narrows his eyes. “What?”
“Yes,” I answer honestly. “He is.”
I know that Avery will take care of it.
I know Avery will take care ofme.
Kyle looks at me, affronted. “I’m not bothering you.”
My jaw drops at his audacity.
“I believe she said you are,” Avery says, his voice a warning. “I also recall her telling you to leave her alone.”
“Look, I don’t even know who you are, but I’ve been coming here for years,” Kyle snaps. “I’m a customer.”
“A rescue doesn’thavecustomers,” I say. “What are you even talking about?”
Avery takes a step toward him. “I suggest you leave,” he says cooly. “Just like she told you to.”
Avery has a few good inches on Kyle, and it’s hilarious to watch the annoying Alpha have to lift his chin to glare at him.
“Whatever,” he mutters. “This is stupid.”
Then, he turns and leaves, swinging the door open with more force than necessary. Avery watches Kyle until he enters his car and peels out of the parking lot.
Avery clicks his tongue. “Yeah. He shouldn’t be bothering you again anytime soon.”
I can’t help but swoon once his attention is back on me.
Avery stood up for me.
Heprotectedme.
“Thank you,” I say, sighing. “He’s harmless, though.”
“He made you upset and uncomfortable,” he says gently. “I wouldn’t call himharmless,Piper.”
My face flushes.
With that logic, my entire family isn’t harmless, either.
“That was kind of you,” I say. “I appreciate it. He bothers both Blair and me.”
Avery frowns, his full lips thinning. “Next time, I’ll sic Maddox on him,” he says. “Or I’ll have Poe use his legal powers and sue him to death.”
I make a face at the mention of Poe, and Avery notices. “I wanted to apologize on his behalf, by the way,” he murmurs. “He’s not normally like that.”
“What’s he like?” I ask.
He chews his lip in thought and tilts his head. “He’s like…” he shakes his head. “He’s…”
“That’s a ringing endorsement,” I deadpan, and Avery bursts out laughing, showing off adorable dimples.
“Poe’s a good guy, most of the time. He’s just sleep-deprived. He’s my best friend, but lately he’s been a dick, and I’m sorry. You and Blair came to help us, and he treated you poorly.”
I shrug. “He called cats pests,” I grumble, and Avery nods.
