Page 34 of Pack Scratch Fever

MADDOX

“You’re really going to do this?”

I sit on the floor of the cat playroom, watching Poe lock eyes with Mister Whiskers.

I also try not to freak the fuck out.

Yesterday, Blair mentioned that Piper wasn’t feeling well, but then she shot a text to Avery late last night, telling us she just wants space while she gets better.

It kills me that she doesn’t want me there with her.

I don’t care if she’s contagious. I’ll sit next to her and happily contract whatever germs she has.

Unable to sleep, I surprised Mari this morning an hour before the rescue opened, helping her clean the litter boxes, feed the cats, and administer medicine. Gary made an appearance too, only to glare at me with daggers in his eyes.

His anger is valid, though.

I did what I promised I wouldn’t do and hurt Piper.

Poe showed up later, somehow looking more relaxed than I'd seen him in months.

And now, he’s having a showdown with Mister Whiskers. The cat sits on the floor, eyeing Poe curiously with a scrunched-up furry face. It slowly blinks its yellow eyes at Poe, who does the same thing.

I watch, confused as hell.

“It’s already done, Maddox. All of it,” he says, slow blinking again, mimicking Mister Whiskers.

“And when are you going to tell her?” I demand.

“As soon as I can. Once she’s rested and feeling better.”

He told us about his plan last night, and while I think it’s a good idea, that doesn’t mean it will be well received.

Piper could still tell him to go to hell.

“Whatever she wants to do next is her choice,” he murmurs. “I can’t make those decisions for her, and if any of us tried, it would only push her away.”

“When did you become so wise and emotionally mature?” I snap. “Is the old Poe finally back?”

Tentatively, the furry menace makes a step toward Poe, and I watch in awe.

Poe clicks his tongue, and Mister Whiskers takes another step, followed by more slow blinks.

“I’m dismantling the firm,” he says, once Mister Whiskers sits again, his grey tail swishing and his eyes focused on my pack leader.

It takes me a moment to realize what he said.

“You’re doing what ?”

“It almost ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to us,” he says, “and I’m done. I don’t want anything to do with that office anymore. Once I finish the current contracts I have, I’m referring my clients elsewhere.”

“Are you serious?” I gape at him. “This is the least Poe-like thing you could ever do.”

Finally, he stops staring at the cat and turns to me. “I’m almost forty. I’m done killing myself for something that gives me nothing back in return.”

“So, you have a plan, then? Another job set up?”

He shakes his head. “No. For once in my life, I don’t.”

Holy shit.

Mister Whiskers takes another step until he’s only about a foot away from Poe’s lap.

“That’s fucking crazy,” I mutter. “You’re fucking crazy.”

“I made a stupid mistake that hurt someone I care about deeply, and in turn, hurt you and Avery, too,” he sighs. “I’ve been an insufferable asshole for a long time.”

I snort. “Okay, but that’s nothing new.”

He glares at me. “I haven’t been the pack leader you and Avery deserve. I let my family down.”

My stomach twists, and I look away and watch a pair of calico kittens wrestling. Toy mice go flying while they create a hurricane of chaos.

Poe and Avery are my only family, aside from my estranged extended family. Poe, Avery, and the packhouse are all I have.

I thought I had Piper at one time, too, but Poe potentially ruined that for us.

“I’m sorry,” Poe says simply. “For everything.”

I shrug. “At least now you’ll be fun at parties.”

He chuckles.

Then, we both watch with bated breath as Mister Whiskers closes the remaining distance between him and Poe and places a tentative paw on Poe’s knee.

“Holy shit,” I mutter, while Poe remains frozen, allowing Mister Whiskers to take his time. The cat eventually flops down next to Poe’s leg and rubs his chin happily on him.

“When the hell did you become a cat whisperer?” I demand, and Poe just stares at the cat in shock. Gently, he reaches out and strokes the cat’s plush fur.

“She did say I smell like catnip,” he murmurs.

Piper.

“I can’t wait any longer,” I admit. “I have to see her today.”

Poe’s eyes narrow and his hand freezes. “We respect her boundaries, no matter what.”

“This isn’t killing you?” I hiss. “She’s all I can think about. Not only that, but she also doesn’t feel well. We’re supposed to just sit around and do nothing about it?”

Poe’s mouth forms into a thin line. “Us not respecting her space will only hurt her more.”

Poe’s right, but the ache in my chest is overwhelming. I dig my nails into my palms, trying to ground myself and ignore the impulse to find her.

“She’s our Omega, Poe. Our scent match.”

His eyes narrow. “I’m aware, Maddox. But we only go to her when she’s ready for us. She’s not some helpless damsel—she’s a grown woman who makes her own decisions. We aren’t going to force our way into her life, especially after she’s been so vulnerable with us.”

He’s right.

I know Poe’s right.

And I hate him for being so rational at the moment.

“Fuck!” I hiss, and a white kitten jumps up in the air, startled. “The only thing that makes me feel remotely better is being around these guys.” I motion to the cats.

“What do you think I’m doing here?” he asks quietly. “This is the only way I can connect to her. And cats aren’t as bad as I thought they were.”

He resumes stroking Mister Whiskers, whose purr is so loud it echoes in the room, like a small engine.

“Are you only saying that because she likes them, or do you really mean it?” I challenge. “Because she’ll see right through that.”

He shakes his head. “No. They’re independent and only give affection when they see fit. I can respect that.”

As if to prove his point, the grumpy cat flops onto its back and exposes its soft, furry belly.

“What about when they tear up your herb garden?” I taunt.

He groans. “They’re pests then, but not any other time.”

“I can’t believe it’s only been a few days since we saw her,” I admit. “It seems like it’s been years.”

I haven’t been able to eat, and when I work, my mind is on autopilot while I stare at the computer screen.

It’s hell without Piper.

“I know,” Poe says. “But we’ll see her again soon. When Blair comes in today, we can?—”

He frowns when Avery yanks open the door to the cat room, his eyes wide and face flushed.

“Piper’s in the hospital.”

My world crashes down.