Page 14 of Pack Scratch Fever

I have so many questions, and I haven’t earned any of the answers.

“So, why don’t you like them?” she asks suddenly. “In another life, you could be working at a cat rescue like me.”

I shake my head.

In another life, I would have my shit together, and I would be biting you right now.

In another life, the four of us are mated, and you have a home filled with as many cats as you want.

“I don’t not like them,” I say, my thumb rubbing under Alvin’s chin. “I’ve just never had a pet before. And they’re unpredictable, unlike dogs.”

“Yeah, but that’s the best part,” Piper says excitedly, leaning over the counter to pet the cat as well. “You have to earn their trust. If they choose you, it’s a big deal. Every cat is complex, with different temperaments.”

Alvin headbutts my cheek, and I make a face at him. “Yeah, and what if they don’t like you?”

“Then you do your best to make them like you or at least treat them with respect.” Piper jolts her hand away when her fingers accidentally graze mine. “Look, I could go on and on. I’m sure you think I’m some crazy cat lady?—”

“I don’t think that?—”

“I like all animals, and of course you have to earn a dog’s trust too,” she adds quickly, waving her hand in dismissal. “I’m sure you don’t want to hear all this. I could talk your ear off with cat facts, but uh—” she motions to the plant—“this is more than enough. Thank you.”

I can almost feel the way she pulls back from me, a part of her shutting down.

The light in her eyes dims slightly as she places her invisible walls back up.

I know I have no right to want her to lower her defenses for me, especially after how I’ve behaved around her.

But I want more of Piper, even if it’s just small glimpses of who she is.

“Maybe I just need to give cats a try,” I murmur. “Maybe it’s worth it to see if I can win them over. Get to know them better.”

She knows I’m not talking about the animals.

A tentative, shy smile crosses her lips. “Maybe they’d like that,” she admits. “If you can make time in your busy schedule, with those twenty-hour workdays or whatever you have.”

At the mention of it, fatigue washes over me.

Weariness seeps deep into my bones.

“I’ll make it work,” I promise her.

She nods. “We’ll see,” she says. “You’re lucky Avery is so sweet. He put in a good word for you, you know.”

I don’t know what my packmate could have said to make Piper have even an ounce of patience with me, but I’m glad he did.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and for the first time in forever, I ignore it.

I’m too busy breathing in the Omega in front of me.

I’m busy staring at the mating gland and wanting to rub my scent all over her.

“I could make dinner for you,” I murmur, the idea leaving my mouth before I stop myself.

She raises an eyebrow. “Dinner?”

I nod, and Alvin squirms in my arms. “You saved my herb garden. It’s a gesture of goodwill, and I have plenty of herbs to cook with.”

She gapes. “You want to cook for me ?”

I’m surprised at her reaction.

Who were the Alphas in her past?

Did no one cook for her during her Heat, at least?

“Consider it a way of getting back on your good side,” I reply. “One plant isn’t going to cut it.”

She looks at a loss for words, her cheeks flaming pink. “Sure, if you want to.”

“I do.”

I want to cook for her, take care of her, spoil her…

Scent match.

My inner Alpha is unraveling, throwing himself against the bars of his enclosure, ready to come out.

Finally alive again after being neglected for so long.

Alvin scrambles out of my arms and runs to the door of the cat playroom and whines at the glass, pawing at the cat on the other side of the door.

“What the hell?” Piper says, then gasps. “No. Way.” She looks at me, expressive eyes wide with shock as her mouth falls open. “Oh my god.”

A fluffy grey cat sits on the opposite side of the door, and Alvin raises his paw to it. But the cat is looking intently at me, its pinched face eyeing me. Yellow eyes blink slowly at me, all while Piper watches in disbelief.

“Are you alright?” I ask her, her scent filling the room. Lemon bars and powdered sugar invade my senses, and I subtly inhale a deep breath.

It’s the hypnotizing aroma of her joy.

Her mouth splits into a huge smile, so breathtaking it makes me freeze.

She’s doing it all while looking at me.

“He never does that,” she whispers, letting out a delighted huff. “Never. Ever .”

“That cat?” I ask, receiving another slow blink from the creature.

“Mister Whiskers.” Piper continues to smile as honeyed lemon essence emanates from her. “Mister Whiskers is cleaning himself in front of you. He blinked at you.”

“I’m assuming that’s a good thing?”

I have no idea what the big deal is about a cat bathing itself in front of me, but if I’m the source of Piper’s happiness, I’ll take it.

“It’s a fucking great thing. It’s amazing,” she says under her breath, almost to herself. “You made my day, Poe. I’m not joking.”

I’m confused but pleased. I can’t remember the last time I made anyone’s day, especially with how grouchy I’ve been.

“I’m glad,” I say. “Your smile is stunning,” I add, unable to look away.

I can’t stop staring at her. I drink in her features, ashamed that I had the audacity to treat her so poorly in the first place.

The first time I came to the rescue, I looked at her, but I didn’t see her.

I didn’t realize I was in the company of my scent match.

Of a stubborn, clever woman with a big heart and a hint of melancholy that I want to uncover the source of.

At my compliment, she shakes her head and looks away, staring down at her desk.

“I’ll take you up on that offer for dinner,” she says finally.

A weight lifts from my chest.

It’s just dinner, but for the first time in months, there’s something else inside me besides bitterness and exhaustion.

There’s hope.

I’m grateful that Avery and Maddox are setting up the nesting room.

Because if I had it my way…

She would spend her Heat with us.