Page 62 of Pack Scratch Fever
“I would do anything you wanted just to see you like this,” I admit, and her brow furrows. “Any. Fucking. Thing. You. Want.”
Her pupils widen, and her mouth parts slightly. “I have to go,” she breathes. “I have to talk to the lady?—”
She doesn’t even finish her sentence before she power walks out of the aisle past Mari, lemon bars and sugary bliss wafting behind her.
I go to follow her, but the older woman stops me. “She’s a good girl,” she tells me, blocking my path and touching my arm gently.
I nod. “I know.”
“She’s been hurt before. She’s fragile.”
My eyes narrow. “I’m aware, and I don’t have any plans of hurting her, Mari, I promise you.”
“That last boy—” she sighs. “Well, I shouldn’t tell you this…”
I could betray Piper’s trust right now. It’s obvious that this woman wants to tell me everything she knows, and I would love to know who treated Piper so terribly.
I shake my head. “She’ll tell me when she’s ready.”
Mari pats my arm. “I hope so. That girl bottles everything up. She just needs someone to be patient with her. I wanted her to date my nephew, but no matter what I do, she doesn’t seem interested.”
A growl rumbles in my chest, but thankfully, Mari doesn’t notice.
“Your nephew is going to have to get behind me in line, Mari,” I state, and she laughs.
“She seems to like you, though. Are you coming back to help us again? The cats love you as well. We can always use volunteers.”
“Of course. As long as she’ll have me.”
Mari looks delighted. “Oh, it better work out with you two, then!”
I smile. “I plan on that happening, don’t worry.”
My plan is to follow Piper around like a damn cat if I have to.
I can tell Mari still wants to talk, but I’m engrossed in watching Piper speak with Darlene’s new owner. She’s all smiles as she kisses the grey tabby cat goodbye.
Am I jealous of a cat?
Yes, I am.
Avery would die laughing if he knew.
“I need to head out, sweetie,” Mari adds. “But it was so nice to meet you. Please take care of our girl.”
“I’ll make sure we do,” I promise her. “My packmates and me.”
Mari’s grey eyes widen. “Oh, a pack! How wonderful for Piper!”
I laugh, and Piper shoots a look my way, narrowing her eyes.
I simply wink at her, and she looks away, blushing.
“Be good, honey,” Mari says. She heads over to Piper and whispers something in her ear, and my Omega buries her face in her hands in embarrassment.
I snicker and busy myself with picking out more food to purchase for the cats. I can sense Piper’s eyes on me as I pay for my donations at the register, and when I hand her another massive bag full of cat supplies, she shakes her head and smiles.
“Okay, Maddox,” she says. “You really don’t have to do all of this.”
