Page 77 of Pack Scratch Fever
By the timedinner is ready, her scent is almost unbearable.
It’s heady, delicious, and everything I didn’t know I needed.
I haven’tyearnedlike this in ages.
I originally wanted to eat outside because it’s more intimate and the night air is the perfect temperature.
But it also helps that I won’t be confined indoors with Piper’s scent.
I’m acting as if I’m in my twenties.
I yearn.
I want.
This scent match is unlike anything I’ve experienced, and knowing that my packmates already tasted her makes this even more torturous.
My inner Alpha fights to break out of its cage and take over.
Piper and I sit next to each other on the cushioned bench with our plates on the glass table.
I wait with bated breath as she takes her first bite of fish, hoping that I’ve finally done something right for her.
“That’s exquisite,” she breathes, closing her eyes. “Wow.”
My Alpha roars in triumph.
I provided for her.
I fed my mate.
My internal monologue becomes more primal every moment I’m with her.
“I’m glad you like it,” I tell her. “Again, one of many ways I intend to make up for my behavior.”
At that, she smirks. “We’ll see,” she says. “It’s going to take a lot more than a plant and some dinner to make up for you calling my favorite animals pests.”
Her face is playful, but I’m reminded of how rude I was to her. “I insulted your work,” I murmur. “I’m sorry for that again.”
“It’s fine, Poe,” she says, placing her fork down. “I’m just teasing you. You’ve more than made up for it. Besides, you wouldn’t be the first person to say that. Like I said when we met, you weren’t even the worst encounter I’ve had.”
She says it doesn’t bother her, but her warm eyes are guarded as she speaks.
It doesn’t sit right with me.
“I’ve envied you,” I admit to her. “Since the first day we met.”
That seems to startle her. “Why the hell would you do something like that?” she asks sharply. “What do you mean,youenvyme?”
“You love what you do. It gives you a purpose,” I say. “That first day, you called me out for being a jerk and assuming that you would take care of the cat problem we had. The rescue is more than your job. It’s your passion.”
Her gaze softens. “That doesn’t mean you should envy me, Poe. There is always something going wrong, always something I have to worry about. There’s the lingering thought that maybeour veterinarian won’t be able to work with us anymore, or that we’ll see a huge drop in donations and not have enough resources. Nothing is guaranteed with this. Ever.” She lets out a deep sigh and stares at her plate, scowling.
“From what Avery and Maddox have told me, you have an army of people that are ready to do whatever you need them to do,” I add softly. “And that includes me.”
I don’t miss the subtle shake of her head. “I have no other choice but to do this. Ihaveto do this, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
Her hands are in her lap, and I slowly reach and take one. She allows me, but it remains limp in my hold. I run my finger over her knuckles, marveling at the softness of her skin. Electricity thrums through me, and she meets my gaze, her eyes glassy.
