“I hate that you’re right. I came out here to be angry at your packmate,” I admit. “I was going to tell you to talk some sense into him.”
“Avery’s the most sensical of my entire pack,” Piper laughs. “So, I can’t help you out with that. As for Maeve thinking something bad is going to happen, I don’t have anything to say about that.” She shrugs. “I’m not a fan of self-fulfilling prophecies, though.”
“I mean, do you have any advice? You’re her best friend.”
“Just be there for her, which you’re already doing. And know that it’s not your job to fix what’s going on inside your Omega’s head.”
“It is, though,” I argue, which only makes Piper grin.
“Nah. It’s not. But it’s sweet that you think so. Maybe you should think aboutwhyyou think that.”
“Is there a reason you’re so full of psychological advice?” I sigh.
“Dude, I went no contact with my parents. All I’ve done is go to therapy since then,” she laughs. “My nest half the time is filled with self-help books and cat shaped stress balls. Look into getting her some.”
I blow out a slow breath.
“She’s going to be okay, Ivan,” Piper says. “No matter what.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Yet her scent still lingers, the acidic aroma of her unease.
There’s a sudden screeching of car tires, and Piper and I both jerk our head at the sound. “Who the hell is that?” she asks.
“I have no idea,” I frown.
“It’s never that serious to drive like that,” Piper murmurs. “Come on, let’s go back and check on your girl. You can give her a hug.”
But as we head back into the building, I suddenly have a bad feeling.
Maeve’s scent is at the front desk, but it’s muted and burnt, as if someone lit a bouquet on fire.
It’s never smelled like that,ever.
The cat playroom is devoid of humans, only full of kittens running around and tussling.
“Uh, where is everyone?” Piper says. “Blair? Maeve? Alvin?”
“Piper, honey, is that you?” Mari rushes in from the back, her face flushed. “Oh, it was bad.”
My pulse races.
“What was bad?” I demand. “Did something happen?”
“Alvin is with Logan right now.” Mari wipes at her eyes, and my stomach sinks. “He swallowed a string.”
“Oh, no,” Piper whispers, while I scowl.
Cats love to eat anything they’re not supposed to. But Alvin is with Logan, and I’m confident he’s in good hands.
“He’s going to be okay, though,” Mari adds quickly, pointing at her eyes. “I’m not crying because of Alvin. I’m crying because of our poor Maeve.”
“What happened?” I ask, my stomach sinking.
“That poor girl, Ivan. She’s so sensitive, so sweet, and the horror that was on her face…” Mari sniffles. “It broke my heart.”
“Is she still at the clinic?” Piper asks, while my anxiety grows.
