Page 25 of Pack Scratch Fever
IwantAvery and Maddox solely because they’re Alphas.
I don’t even know them.
I’m not thinking rationally, and the longer I stay in their home, the less self-control I will possess.
Maddox stretches his arms along the back of the couch, letting out a groan of relief. “I feel so much better,” he says. “We can’t thank you enough, Pipe.”
I shrug, ignoring the use of my nickname. “It’s what we do.”
I’m still unnerved by the way he looks at me. Even when my attention is elsewhere, I can still sense him watching me, his gingery scent warming the room.
The scent that makes my lungs burn and my head spin.
What do you want from me?I want to yell at him.What do you find so fascinating?
“It’s kind,” Avery says gently. “You came all the way out here to help. I’m forever in your debt.”
His words are so earnest that they warm my heart.
“That’s the thing, though,” I tell both of him, having the courage to meet Maddox’s eyes again. “Neither of you owes us anything. We do it because we want to.” I shake my head. “In my eyes, there’s no other option but to do the right thing.”
Avery looks at me curiously. “Some people don’t do that.”
I shrug. “Yeah, well, it’s not a choice for me.”
I’ve had this conversation before with my father, and I remember how he looked at me incredulously.
Like I had grown a second head.
Like helping animals was somehow less important than being rich and successful.
I wait for Avery or Maddox to scoff, but instead, they nod. “Makes sense,” Maddox says. “You have to do what your heart tells you to do. I get it.”
I look at him curiously. “You do?”
“Absolutely, babe.”
I huff. I’m nothatingthe nicknames as much, and a delicious warmth spreads up my spine the longer I talk with them. “Explain it to me, then,” I challenge.
“You think in absolutes, like I do,” Maddox says easily. “It’s either right or wrong. There’s no gray area; there’s no nuance about what should and shouldn’t be done. You have to help the cats because it’s the right thing to do. And good luck to anyone who tries to stop you.” He grins. “I have a feeling you’re just as stubborn as I am.”
My cheeks flush, while Averys smiles softly.
“Stubbornness is an endearing trait,” Avery says softly. “Especially if you’re using it to help others.”
I’m not used to receiving so many compliments from Alphas.
I soak it up, relishing in the praise, ashamed at how much I enjoy it.
It’s as if my mind is split into two different people.
There’s normal Piper, who takes too many suppressants to put off her Heats and pretends to be happy with her cat rescue and friends.
The Piper who seriously refuses to face any problems in her life and has sworn off Alphas because she doesn’t need them.
Then there’s my inner Omega, who is doing backflips and losing her mind while being around Maddox and Avery.
The added fatigue doesn’t help. My lack of sleep makes me more vulnerable, and I smile fondly at both Maddox and Avery, drowning in their scents.
