Page 72 of Pack Scratch Fever
I still can’t believe it was real. It was the best release of my life, and Maddox wanted nothing in return.
And it all happened on a fluffy pet bed.
Afterwards, he took me to dinner, then kissed me goodnight.
I spent that night a needy, slick-covered mess, his scent lingering on me.
My bedroom is nothing but a nest now, a giant fort of blankets and pillows for me to lounge and burrow in.
I haven’t seen either Avery or Maddox since then, and the anticipation has been killing me. They’ve texted me though, and we’ve created a group chat for sending me cat memes and flirty texts.
It’s endearing, and I find myself grinning at my phone more than I imagined.
But tonight is dinner with Poe, and an insecure part of me wants to cancel on him.
No, the hell you’re not,my inner Omega snaps.We haven’t tastedhimyet.
The suppressants are doing their job, but barely. I’m not losing my mind, but I’m in a mild state of arousal most of the time.
Even thethoughtof Poe makes my core clench.
“I’m not worried about the dinner,” I say. “And we don’t even know if it’s a date.”
Blair stops walking and gives me an unimpressed look. “Sure. You’re still going to get ready at my place, right?”
“Yup.”
I know it’s her way of making sure I don’t bail, but I don’t mind.
Blair’s apartment is a lot nicer than mine. It’s roomier, with two bedrooms and two twin tuxedo cats, Marlin and Mervin.
She’s offered to be roommates, but I keep turning her down.
My self-isolation as punishment is a habit that’s hard to break.
“And the hand? How’s that doing?” she asks.
“Oh.” I look at the scratch I received from the Mister Whiskers earlier, an ugly pink jagged line. “Eh. It’s fine. It still hurts, but I cleaned it. We’re good.”
“Put a bandage on it, just in case. Keep it protected.”
“Okay, Mother, geez.” I roll my eyes, and she snickers.
“I have some cute ones at home. I’ll make sure it matches your outfit.”
“You have cute bandages?”
We enter the front office of the rescue, and Alvin meows excitedly when he sees me. I scoop him into my arms and hold him close.
“Of course, I do. You can’t have a cute outfit for the bar unless you have matching medical supplies to go with it.”
I gape at my best friend. “Are you serious?”
“Of course I’m serious. Alphas can be stupid as hell. Someone tipped me an extra twenty bucks because they thought the pink bandage was cute. I literally wore it because I cut it on glass from a broken bottle. Twenty bucks for cutting my finger.”
I make a face at her. “Shit.”
“Like I said. Most men are stupid.”
