Page 136 of Pack Scratch Fever
Poe nods. “What’s your daughter’s favorite color?”
I frown, and so does my father.
“What?” he snaps.
“Her favorite breed of cat? Her favorite movie?” Poe presses, taking a step closer to him. “Do you know her fuckingbirthday?” When my father doesn’t respond, he turns to my mother. “You know, don’t you? This is yourdaughter. What’s the name of the rescue she runs?”
Both of my parents remain silent, both fuming and offended.
“Just as I thought,” Poe murmurs. “You don’t know the first thing about her.Nothing. Yet you come in here and have the audacity to call her a disappointment while she’s in the hospital.”
I almost smile. Poe’s gaze meets mine, fond and soft. “Piper is strong, independent, and smart. She’s driven as hell and a genuine, wonderful person. I have no idea where she gets it from, because it sure as hell didn’t come from the two of you.”
My almost smile turns into a full grin.
My father has the decency to look chastised. “This isn’t your business. This is a family matter,” he grumbles. “I don’t even know who you are.”
“He’s family,” I say, and Poe’s eyes widen. His catnip scent fills the room, earthy and herbal, and a heavy weight lifts from my chest.
Poe matters to me, even after everything he’s done.
He’s speaking the words I could never say to my parents.
He’s defending me from my tormentors.
No one has done that for me before.
“You both are terrible people,” Poe says simply. “If you try to go after Piper, I’ll hit you back with so many lawsuits your head will spin.”
My father laughs bitterly. “Do you know who I am? Who I know?”
“I could give a fuck less,” Poe says cooly.
“This guy could ruin your life,” another voice says, and Maddox strides into the room. “I wouldn’t mess with him.”
My inner Omega screams with excitement.
My Alphas are here!
I take in his black clothes, piercing blue eyes, and sharp features, and realize how much I missed him.
“So, you have to have bodyguards to defend you?” my mother says, her voice shaky. “That’s pathetic, Piper. You seem to forget that we provided for you for eighteen years. You owe us.”
“That’s your job as parents,” Maddox says. “At least as good parents. Which you clearly aren’t.”
I should probably put a stop to this, but it’s satisfying as hell to watch someonefinallystand up for me besides myself.
The tension in the room grows thick, and suddenly my parents aren’t as powerful as they think they are.
“We paid for your car,” my mother snaps. “It’s in our name.”
“Then she can use mine,” a third voice says. It’s gentle, but firm.
My eyes widen when Avery steps into the room, his usually sweet face scowling. Chamomile tea swirls around me, and I inhale his scent greedily. “Piper is the best person I know,” he says. “It’s a shame you’ll never know who your daughter truly is.”
He shoots me a quick smile, and I stay silent, stunned.
“Like my packmate said, I think you should leave,” he continues, turning his attention to my father.
