Page 135 of Pack Scratch Fever
“Oh, honey,” my mother says, her voice feigning empathy. “Are you sure you want to go this route? Dad can make anything happen. Including calling the mayor about your cat rescue.”
I want to believe she’s bluffing, but my father has made awful things happen before with just a few phone calls.
I wouldn’t be surprised if one of his golfing buddies knows someone in Luna County.
“You do what you need to do, and I’ll do what I need to do,” I say, proud of myself for keeping my voice steady.
“That’s a very hurtful thing to say, Piper,” my mother hisses. “You’re making this difficult for all of us.”
“Do you think it’s easy?” my father demands. “Do you know how hard it is to wake up every day knowing my daughter is a disappointment? Do you know how much it hurts your mother?”
Don’t you cry. Don’t you dare cry.
Their words don’t matter.
My father storms over to me, grabs the envelope, and thrusts it in my face. “Sign the papers, you littlebitch,” he hisses, grabbing my hand. He puts pressure on the bandage where the scratch is, and I yelp in pain.
“Step away from her,” a low voice growls, and I turn my head to the open door.
Time slows as my inner Omega awakens.
Catnip. Herbs.
It’s only been days since I’ve seen him, but I drink in his scent like it’s been decades.
My father jumps back, and my mother moves off the bed as Poe enters the room, fury lacing his handsome features. Clean-shaven, I take in the sharpness of his jaw and cheekbones, watching in awe as he squares up to my Beta father.
Dressed in a fitted grey blazer and dark jeans, he looks polished and powerful.
I’ve never been more relieved to see an Alpha in my life.
“And who are you?” my father tries to sound tough, but it’s laughable when he’s forced to look up at the Alpha staring him down.
Alpha is here to save us!my inner Omega screams.
But Poe ignores the question. “A contract is void if it’s signed under duress,” he says smoothly. “And I suggest you don’t talk to her that way ever again.” Then, he looks at me, his eyes burning. “Are you okay?” he asks softly.
There’s so much meaning behind that simple question.
I nod. “So far.”
“Who are you?” My mother demands. “This is a family matter.”
Poe turns to her. “From what I’ve overheard, you don’t deserve to have Piper call you ‘family’ in any way.”
My jaw drops, but I stay frozen in my hospital bed, my mother’s face turning bright pink.
My father, the coward, takes a subtle step back from Poe and sneers at me. “Oh, so you have a boyfriend now? You need someone else to fight your battles?”
“I’m more than capable of defending myself, Dad,” I say cooly, emboldened by Poe’s presence and scent. “And no matter what you say, I’m not signing your damn contract.”
“Then we’re suing you,” my mother hisses. “Good luck finding a lawyer.”
“She has one right here,” Poe says, a smirk pulling at his mouth. “I promise you, this is a fight you won’t win.”
Poe keeps glaring at my father until he turns his attention from me back to my Alpha.
“Do you have something else to say?” he demands.
