Page 123 of Pack Scratch Fever
The idea of her suffering and believing that we’ve betrayed her is enough to consume me.
Judging by the look on Maddox’s face, he feels the same way.
Maddox is my packmate for a reason. He’s dealt with loss greater than I can imagine, and he hides his loneliness well. He may be a bit unhinged, but he also has an empathetic side that I appreciate.
So, I know this is killing him too, even if he manages to maintain his composure with a smirk.
“We’re going to make it right, Mari,” he says. “She just has to let us. No matter how much time it takes, I’ll be there when she’s ready. I can be patient when I need to be.”
The older Omega places her hands on her hips. “I hope so. That girl is as stubborn as a mule, but the way to her heart is through the cats.” She tilts her head thoughtfully. “You’re also abetter choice for her than Kyle. I don’t think she likes him very much.”
Maddox narrows his eyes. “Who is Kyle?” he asks lowly.
Mari turns to me. “My nephew. He mentioned meeting you the other day,” she chuckles. “I guess you two didn’t get along.”
It takes me a moment to realize who she’s talking about, but once it clicks, I let out a soft growl, startling both Maddox and Mari.
Kyle, that foul-smelling Alpha that made Piper uncomfortable.
Was Mari trying to set Piper up with him before she met us?
Absolutely not.
“We didn’t get along well,” I confirm. “With all due respect, Mari, I hope your nephew would know better than to try to interfere with scent matches.”
Mari’s eyes widen, and she nods, delighted. “Scent matches! Oh, that’s wonderful. I knew you two were special. Keep up the good work, and you won’t be on my list anymore. Just keep those litter boxes clean, and Piper will love you again in no time.”
Maddox raises an eyebrow but doesn’t say anything.
Love?
I’d be happy for Piper just tolikeme again.
I’ll take whatever scraps of her heart she wants to offer me, because I’ve become a lovesick, hopeless romantic.
Just a whiff of her scent could get me by.
“Let me get my purse, and you two can walk me out,” Mari says, heading to the back room.
When she’s gone, Maddox looks to me. “Do I need to kill him?” he asks quietly. “This Kyle guy?”
I consider my answer.
“Not yet,” I say. “One thing at a time.”
Blair doesn’t sendword that Piper is alright.
I end up nervously pacing in the living room that evening, anxiety eating away at me.
She’s fine. She has to be fine.
Blair also didn’t respond to my texts.
“I have an idea,” Maddox says, staring at his laptop while I pace. “We pay the rent.”
I keep pacing. “Yeah, that was my thought, too.”
“We could make it an anonymous donation for a year. It would be easy.”
