Page 131 of Pack Scratch Fever
I don’t care if she’s contagious. I’ll sit next to her and happily contract whatever germs she has.
Unable to sleep, I surprised Mari this morning an hour before the rescue opened, helping her clean the litter boxes, feed the cats, and administer medicine. Gary made an appearance too, only to glare at me with daggers in his eyes.
His anger is valid, though.
I did what I promised I wouldn’t do and hurt Piper.
Poe showed up later, somehow looking more relaxed than I'd seen him in months.
And now, he’s having a showdown with Mister Whiskers. The cat sits on the floor, eyeing Poe curiously with a scrunched-up furry face. It slowly blinks its yellow eyes at Poe, who does the same thing.
I watch, confused as hell.
“It’s already done, Maddox. All of it,” he says, slow blinking again, mimicking Mister Whiskers.
“And when are you going to tell her?” I demand.
“As soon as I can. Once she’s rested and feeling better.”
He told us about his plan last night, and while I think it’s a good idea, that doesn’t mean it will be well received.
Piper could still tell him to go to hell.
“Whatever she wants to do next is her choice,” he murmurs. “I can’t make those decisions for her, and if any of us tried, it would only push her away.”
“When did you become so wise and emotionally mature?” I snap. “Is the old Poe finally back?”
Tentatively, the furry menace makes a step toward Poe, and I watch in awe.
Poe clicks his tongue, and Mister Whiskers takes another step, followed by more slow blinks.
“I’m dismantling the firm,” he says, once Mister Whiskers sits again, his grey tail swishing and his eyes focused on my pack leader.
It takes me a moment to realize what he said.
“You’re doingwhat?”
“It almost ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to us,” he says, “and I’m done. I don’t want anything to do with that office anymore. Once I finish the current contracts I have, I’m referring my clients elsewhere.”
“Are you serious?” I gape at him. “This is the least Poe-like thing you could ever do.”
Finally, he stops staring at the cat and turns to me. “I’m almost forty. I’m done killing myself for something that gives me nothing back in return.”
“So, you have a plan, then? Another job set up?”
He shakes his head. “No. For once in my life, I don’t.”
Holy shit.
Mister Whiskers takes another step until he’s only about a foot away from Poe’s lap.
“That’s fucking crazy,” I mutter. “You’re fucking crazy.”
“I made a stupid mistake that hurt someone I care about deeply, and in turn, hurt you and Avery, too,” he sighs. “I’ve been an insufferable asshole for a long time.”
I snort. “Okay, but that’s nothing new.”
He glares at me. “I haven’t been the pack leader you and Avery deserve. I let my family down.”
