Page 66 of Pack Scratch Fever
A flicker of rage builds inside me. How could her family do this to her? I’ve witnessed firsthand the passion and joy that radiate from her because of the rescue.
The fact that they would shun her for that is infuriating.
“For what it’s worth,” I murmur. “My parents would have loved you.”
Her smile is small and sad. “That’s very sweet of you to say.”
I can’t help it. I press another kiss to her hair, right in front of the gerbils that stare at us.
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it,” I promise her, my chest rumbling with a comforting purr. She allows me to cradle her head, and I pull her into another full hug, wrapping my arms tightly around her.
No wonder everyone is so protective of her.
She doesn’t even know her own worth.
“Thank you again for today,” she murmurs into my chest, nuzzling me.
She’s marking herself withmyscent.
“Of course, baby,” I whisper. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be helping these cats until I’m a hundred years old.”
She huffs a laugh into my shirt. “Promises, promises.”
She doesn’t understand how enamored I am with her just yet, but that’s alright. I’d rather show her than just tell her.
“I’ll save all the cats in the world with you,” I add, and she looks up at me andgiggles.
That ruins the last of my self-control.
“I’m going to kiss you,” I whisper, my hand cradling her cheek. “Right in front of these damn gerbils, so you know who you belong to.”
Her mouth parts slightly. “Is thatso?” she asks quietly. “That’s pretty presumptuous of you, Maddox. I don’t belong to anyone.”
My thumb caresses her soft skin. “You’re right,” I murmur. “Not yet, you don’t.”
I lean in slowly, carefully.
She could pull away if she wanted to, but she doesn’t.
Instead, she stands on her tiptoes to meet my lips.
It’s soft and chaste, simple and gentle.
My inner Alpha is ravenous, though. The urge to take, claim, and own flows through my veins, but I push it down.
Piper searches my eyes. “You kissed me,” she breathes.
I nod, pressing my forehead to hers. “I did,” I admit. “I’ve wanted to do that since the first time I scented you.”
Her breathing quickens, and I wonder if I’ve made a mistake.
If I pushed her too hard after she was so vulnerable with me.
I let go of her waist and start to step away. “Baby, I’m so?—”
She attacks me.
With a soft growl, her hands tug at the collar of my sweatshirt and yank me toward her, crashing her lips against mine. Her scent explodes around me, sweet lemon mixing with that mouthwatering mint.
