Page 35 of Pack Scratch Fever

PIPER

I’m not close to my Heat, but since the hospital switched up my suppressant medication, they brought me a bunch of extra supplies just in case.

I curl up under a soft nesting blanket, doing my best to rest.

It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since I’ve been in the hospital, but I’m ready to go home.

That’s what I told my father when he texted me, demanding to know what happened. I simply replied that I had an infection, but they’ve already released me, and I’ll call him later.

My parents are the last people I want to speak with, and it’s time I went back to work.

Despite what Blair says, there’s always more to do regarding the rescue.

Hopefully, I can convince the doctors to discharge me today.

My fever is gone, and I’m refreshed from all the fluids they gave me. I’m sure the infection is gone by now, too. If not, I can just take antibiotics at home.

This is ridiculous.

I shift under the blanket, huffing with impatience.

I wonder if Blair told Poe, Avery, and Maddox yet.

She said they’ve been helping at the rescue, and I wonder exactly what they’re doing.

Poe doesn’t even like cats, so what the hell would he be doing there?

Let’s see them, my inner Omega begs. Please.

I miss their scents, and I crave their purrs.

I miss my Alphas.

My thoughts are interrupted by footsteps entering the room.

“So, you didn’t get sent home yet,” a voice says, and chills race down my spine.

I sit up, meeting the disappointed face of my father, who looks down on me in disdain.

He’s dressed in his usual attire—an expensive polo shirt and pressed khakis.

His greying hair is slicked back, and his skin is sun-kissed, as if he’s been out golfing with his business friends.

“And they got you your… special blankets.” He grimaces at my nesting supplies, as if disgusted by the thought that his daughter is an Omega.

“I told you I’m fine,” I say. “Why did you show up?”

“You lied to me,” he sighs. “I shouldn’t be surprised.”

I blink. “Okay, then what are you doing here?”

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

“Did you really think I would tell my friends I didn’t visit my daughter while she’s in the hospital, Piper? Your mother is here, too.”

I sigh.

Great.

The click-clack of heels fills the room, and my mother enters. “This place has the worst coffee—oh god , Piper, you look awful .”

Just like my dad, she’s dressed in expensive, tailored clothes—a cream sweater, white pants, and a pink blouse. She judges me with scornful hazel eyes that lack any sort of compassion.

“Thanks,” I say quietly. “I shouldn’t be in here long.”

My mom scoffs. “I hope not. You can’t afford to miss work, can you?”

I stay quiet.

“Don’t tell me you’re still at that rescue,” my dad says, sitting on the couch where Blair was last night. “It’s a waste of time. That’s what city taxes go to, Piper. Once you have a real job, then you can play with cats.”

Again, I look around the room for hidden cameras, convinced that I’m being pranked.

“Did you have a chance to look over the contract?” My mother asks, sitting on the edge of the bed with her purse. She eyes the folded pile of nesting blankets with a repulsed look.

She’s still processing that I’m an Omega, after all these years. She still doesn’t understand it, and she hasn’t made the effort to.

“Not yet. I’m in the hospital , Mom.”

“Yes, but you weren’t when I sent it. You should have looked it over that night.”

There’s no point in arguing with either of them. I learned years ago not to, so I just shrug. “Sure. I’ll look at it as soon as I get out of here.”

“Oh, actually,” my mother says, riffling through her large handbag and producing a manila envelope, “I have a copy here. You can sign it right now.”

I stare at her in disbelief.

She shakes the envelope toward me. “Open it. You can sign it now, since we’re both here.”

My dad watches expectantly.

“Mom,” I choke out, “I’m literally in the hospital.”

She fishes out a pen from her bag and shoves it in my hand. “I only need one signature.”

The machine beeps, alerting everyone that my heart rate has picked up.

I want to cry.

My parents didn’t come here to visit me—they came to have me sign the contract their lawyer drafted.

“I think I should have a lawyer look at this,” I whisper, and my mother slaps the envelope on the bed and sighs dramatically.

“Damn it, Piper, enough !” My dad yells, and I flinch. “Enough of acting like a child! Just sign the paper; we know you don’t have enough money for a lawyer!”

Tears fill my eyes, but I refuse to cry in front of them. “ No .”

My father tilts his head back and scoffs.

“Fine. That’s just fine, Piper. Because now we are going to sue you.

We wanted to make this easy for you, but guess what?

” He turns to look at me, his smile not reaching his eyes.

“Now it’s going to be difficult. That money wasn’t rightfully yours, Piper. We’re going scorched earth now.”

I swallow, my throat dry. “That’s fine,” I croak.

“Oh, honey,” my mother says, her voice feigning empathy. “Are you sure you want to go this route? Dad can make anything happen. Including calling the mayor about your cat rescue.”

I want to believe she’s bluffing, but my father has made awful things happen before with just a few phone calls.

I wouldn’t be surprised if one of his golfing buddies knows someone in Luna County.

“You do what you need to do, and I’ll do what I need to do,” I say, proud of myself for keeping my voice steady.

“That’s a very hurtful thing to say, Piper,” my mother hisses. “You’re making this difficult for all of us.”

“Do you think it’s easy?” my father demands. “Do you know how hard it is to wake up every day knowing my daughter is a disappointment? Do you know how much it hurts your mother?”

Don’t you cry. Don’t you dare cry.

Their words don’t matter.

My father storms over to me, grabs the envelope, and thrusts it in my face. “Sign the papers, you little bitch ,” he hisses, grabbing my hand. He puts pressure on the bandage where the scratch is, and I yelp in pain.

“Step away from her,” a low voice growls, and I turn my head to the open door.

Time slows as my inner Omega awakens.

Catnip. Herbs.

It’s only been days since I’ve seen him, but I drink in his scent like it’s been decades.

My father jumps back, and my mother moves off the bed as Poe enters the room, fury lacing his handsome features. Clean-shaven, I take in the sharpness of his jaw and cheekbones, watching in awe as he squares up to my Beta father.

Dressed in a fitted grey blazer and dark jeans, he looks polished and powerful.

I’ve never been more relieved to see an Alpha in my life.

“And who are you?” my father tries to sound tough, but it’s laughable when he’s forced to look up at the Alpha staring him down.

Alpha is here to save us! my inner Omega screams.

But Poe ignores the question. “A contract is void if it’s signed under duress,” he says smoothly. “And I suggest you don’t talk to her that way ever again.” Then, he looks at me, his eyes burning. “Are you okay?” he asks softly.

There’s so much meaning behind that simple question.

I nod. “So far.”

“Who are you?” My mother demands. “This is a family matter.”

Poe turns to her. “From what I’ve overheard, you don’t deserve to have Piper call you ‘family’ in any way.”

My jaw drops, but I stay frozen in my hospital bed, my mother’s face turning bright pink.

My father, the coward, takes a subtle step back from Poe and sneers at me. “Oh, so you have a boyfriend now? You need someone else to fight your battles?”

“I’m more than capable of defending myself, Dad,” I say cooly, emboldened by Poe’s presence and scent. “And no matter what you say, I’m not signing your damn contract.”

“Then we’re suing you,” my mother hisses. “Good luck finding a lawyer.”

“She has one right here,” Poe says, a smirk pulling at his mouth. “I promise you, this is a fight you won’t win.”

Poe keeps glaring at my father until he turns his attention from me back to my Alpha.

“Do you have something else to say?” he demands.

Poe nods. “What’s your daughter’s favorite color?”

I frown, and so does my father.

“ What ?” he snaps.

“Her favorite breed of cat? Her favorite movie?” Poe presses, taking a step closer to him. “Do you know her fucking birthday ?” When my father doesn’t respond, he turns to my mother. “You know, don’t you? This is your daughter . What’s the name of the rescue she runs?”

Both of my parents remain silent, both fuming and offended.

“Just as I thought,” Poe murmurs. “You don’t know the first thing about her. Nothing . Yet you come in here and have the audacity to call her a disappointment while she’s in the hospital.”

I almost smile. Poe’s gaze meets mine, fond and soft. “Piper is strong, independent, and smart. She’s driven as hell and a genuine, wonderful person. I have no idea where she gets it from, because it sure as hell didn’t come from the two of you.”

My almost smile turns into a full grin.

My father has the decency to look chastised. “This isn’t your business. This is a family matter,” he grumbles. “I don’t even know who you are.”

“He’s family,” I say, and Poe’s eyes widen. His catnip scent fills the room, earthy and herbal, and a heavy weight lifts from my chest.

Poe matters to me, even after everything he’s done.

He’s speaking the words I could never say to my parents.

He’s defending me from my tormentors.

No one has done that for me before.

“You both are terrible people,” Poe says simply. “If you try to go after Piper, I’ll hit you back with so many lawsuits your head will spin.”

My father laughs bitterly. “Do you know who I am? Who I know?”

“I could give a fuck less,” Poe says cooly.

“This guy could ruin your life,” another voice says, and Maddox strides into the room. “I wouldn’t mess with him.”

My inner Omega screams with excitement.

My Alphas are here!

I take in his black clothes, piercing blue eyes, and sharp features, and realize how much I missed him.

“So, you have to have bodyguards to defend you?” my mother says, her voice shaky. “That’s pathetic, Piper. You seem to forget that we provided for you for eighteen years. You owe us.”

“That’s your job as parents,” Maddox says. “At least as good parents. Which you clearly aren’t.”

I should probably put a stop to this, but it’s satisfying as hell to watch someone finally stand up for me besides myself.

The tension in the room grows thick, and suddenly my parents aren’t as powerful as they think they are.

“We paid for your car,” my mother snaps. “It’s in our name.”

“Then she can use mine,” a third voice says. It’s gentle, but firm.

My eyes widen when Avery steps into the room, his usually sweet face scowling. Chamomile tea swirls around me, and I inhale his scent greedily. “Piper is the best person I know,” he says. “It’s a shame you’ll never know who your daughter truly is.”

He shoots me a quick smile, and I stay silent, stunned.

“Like my packmate said, I think you should leave,” he continues, turning his attention to my father.

I’m never seen him at a loss for words before.

“Or what?” he finally sputters.

“Or she files a restraining order,” Poe says. “And sues you for coercion.”

I’m not sure if he can do that, but it’s a brilliant bluff if it’s not true.

My father would never want white-collar crime to ruin his reputation.

Who would go golfing with him then?

“This is ridiculous,” my mother gasps. “And inappropriate. I don’t even know who the three of you are.”

Her voice is laced with malice and disgust as she looks at my Alphas, and something inside me snaps.

She doesn’t know the first thing about them, yet she judges.

Just like she does with me.

“They’re my pack,” I snap.

Wait.

I’m considering them my pack now?

Everyone in the room turns to look at me, and I lock eyes with my father.

“Get the fuck out,” I snarl.

“Oh, so now you’re big and brave because they’re here,” my father says, even though his own voice is timid. “You finally found lowlifes that will put up with your behavior.”

Maddox snorts and heads toward him, forcing my father to back into a wall. “Sure. We’re horrible people. Listen to your daughter and get the fuck out of here, you piece of shit,” he growls. “Or I’ll remove you myself.”

“You won’t lay a finger on me,” he retorts.

“I wouldn’t test me,” he says cooly, placing his hands in the pockets of his black pants. “I’m a bit possessive when it comes to Piper, I’m afraid.”

“Joe,” my mother whispers, standing near the doorway. “Let’s just go. Please .” She’s eyeing Avery warily, as if nervous he’ll try to hurt her, which is ridiculous.

Avery wouldn’t harm a fly.

He’d just kill my mother with kindness.

Maddox steps aside, allowing my father to hurry past him, and Avery and Poe do the same. My father pauses at the doorway with my mother and turns to look at me one last time.

“You’re going to end up a lonely old cat lady,” he spits.

“She may be a cat lady, but she’ll never be alone,” Avery says, still as calm as ever. “She’ll always have us.”

My inner Omega preens.

I smile proudly, my heart fluttering.

No one has ever stood up for me before. My sisters were always spoiled, so they didn’t bother defending me growing up.

But cats have always been there.

The neighborhood cats were happy just to spend time with me, and my parents constantly made fun of me for liking them so much.

Yet Avery, Maddox, and even Poe realize how important they are to me, and they don’t judge me for it.

They appreciate me because of it.

They see and accept every part of who I am.

With one more look of disapproval, my parents leave my hospital room.

I vow never to see them again.