Pack Fever: Omegaverse Romance, page 23
I promised myself that I would maintain my distance from Danica, but it’s proving to be an impossible task. Especially seeing the simple act of her eating in front of me has me rock hard in my pants.
Seth’s sly grin doesn’t go unnoticed. I can practically hear his silent teasing. The knowing look in his eyes adds to my growing tension at how I can’t control my feelings.
Shifting uneasily in my seat, I try to regain my composure. I remind myself that we have a packed schedule ahead, including rehearsals and concerts. But none of that matters when it comes to how hungry I feel for her, how quickly my breaths are speeding up, how my mind’s conjuring images of her naked and me fucking her every position in the Kama Sutra.
A growing desire stretches inside me, a longing that’s messing with my head.
Jasper’s grin widens as he leans in closer to Danica. “You’re doing a fine job of killing me today,” he purrs, his eyes locked onto her as she takes another bite of the pastry. Crumbs cascade onto her top and nestle in the corners of her mouth, and it’s a sight that leaves me spellbound.
“Oh, really?” she asks innocently, as if she doesn’t know what impact she has on us. I doubt that very much by the tiny grin on her face.
Jasper’s breath catches. “First, you were teasing me to hell and back with your handy work on Reed this morning, and now you’re teasing us with the way you’re eating that croissant. You’re doing it on purpose, little mouse, aren’t you?” Jasper’s voice drips with teasing. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, as if trying to contain his drooling. “I can tell you that it’s working…”
“Wait… are you serious?” She finishes off her pastry with the final bit popped into her mouth.
Seth, sitting in the back, can’t help but groan under his breath, his gaze locked on Danica’s lips.
She blinks, staring at each of us, then pausing on Jasper. “You were spying on Reed and me this morning?”
Jasper raises an eyebrow in a semi-defensive manner. “Technically, Seth and I walked in on you both sleeping when we went to wake up Reed,” he explains with a cheeky smirk, as if implying we weren’t the ones who were surprised by her presence.
I chuckle because that’s so like Jasper to walk into any of our rooms, even when we have girls with us.
Danica’s gaze shifts to Seth, who wears an unabashed smirk and shrugs nonchalantly, clearly unapologetic for their intrusion. He surprises me, appearing more impressed than anything by the revelation.
“There’s nothing private between you three, is there?” she asks, brushing the crumbs off her chest, and my gaze is locked on the slight jiggle of her breasts each time she flicks the back of her fingers over them. She’s going to ruin me.
“Not when you sneak into my bedroom most mornings, using my body like a toy.”
Those intense eyes are daggers, driving into me, and I love seeing her hatred toward me. It warms my cock.
“Bruh, what the hell are you complaining about? That you were getting the world’s best handjob?” Jasper blurts.
“God, can we stop talking about this?” she murmurs, her cheeks so beautiful and rosy. Much like when I was fucking her… damn gorgeous. “I have a sleepwalking problem. We all know it now. So, I will make sure never to end up in your bed again. Don’t worry,” she says directly toward me.
I grin at her with a sarcastic chuckle because, of course, I don’t believe she can do it.
She straightens, glaring at me, and it’s laughable because the thing is, she’s too good for me. Her beauty leaves me sleepless most nights, but my mind’s not right. It’s so fucking broken, I remind myself why I should keep my distance.
JASPER
After a long day of meetings with the team and Wing Music, discussing the logistics of our upcoming concert, we concluded it was best for Danica to stay in a hotel for her own safety and peace of mind, at least for the first day or so until everything is set up. She agreed, albeit reluctantly with clear disappointment in her eyes.
It broke me as I’d prefer to have her by my side, but during these meetings, she’d be bored out of her mind.
The three of us are now back at the penthouse, and I stretch my back, feeling the strain of the day’s tensions. Heading to the bar in our place, I decide a scotch on the rocks is in order. Seth’s already there, giving me a look that clearly says he wouldn’t mind one himself.
“Planning on just watching me drink, or you gonna growl for one too?” I tease, pouring the amber liquid over the clinking ice for him too.
Seth chuckles, the tension of the day momentarily forgotten. “Make it a double for me, then.”
“Okay, who the hell took all my clothes and bedsheets from my room?” Reed bellows from his doorway, his gaze darting between me and Seth. “It’s you, isn’t it, Jasper? Is this some kind of prank? Because you know I’ll rip you a new one if we're starting a prank war.”
I take a sip of my scotch, studying him with amusement. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
Seth and I meander over to his room, only to find it almost bare of clothes and bedsheets, a sight that sends me into a fit of laughter. “What, did a fan sneak in and make off with your wardrobe?”
Meanwhile, Seth checks his own room, only to find a similar scene. “All my stuff's gone too,” he calls out, sounding slightly concerned.
With a growing sense of unease, I head to my room, the humor of the situation quickly fading. “Danica?” I call out. We haven’t seen her since walking into the penthouse. My mind races with possibilities, none of them good.
As I push open the door to my room, the sight that greets me stops me in my tracks. There, amidst a makeshift nest of our clothes and bedsheets, lies Danica. She’s curled up, fast asleep, the exhaustion and stress of the past days etched on her peaceful face. The sight is so unexpectedly tender, so vulnerable, that my heart aches.
Reed and Seth join me, and any irritation at the missing items evaporates at the sight of her. We exchange glances.
“She’s starting to nest,” I say softly. “The climax of her heat is not far then.”
They both nod, yet their sights are on our Omega, wrapped up in our clothes, bedsheets, and our scents. She’s breathing heavily as if she can’t get enough… it’s only when she shifts slightly, that her bare shoulder is revealed. She’s sleeping naked under there, and my cock’s already thumping with an urgency to join her.
As we stand in the doorway of my room, I note that this, right here, is what it’s all about. Protecting her, giving her everything she needs. It's become a shared bond, one that ties us together in ways I never anticipated.
“I’m going to join her,” I murmur, the protective instinct within me flaring up at the sight of her curled up among our stuff.
Reed shoots me a look, disbelief etched on his face. “What the hell for?” he hisses, his usual composure slipping.
“Have you suddenly become a monk, Reed? Because last I checked, you two weren’t exactly keeping it platonic. Or are you going to deny the pull you feel toward her?” I shoot back, a hint of challenge in my tone.
“Maybe we let her sleep,” Seth interjects.
“You too?” I retort, frustration creeping into my words. “What the hell?”
“Not for Reed’s reason, where he’s afraid to admit his feelings,” Seth’s response is calm.
“Fuck you,” Reed growls.
Seth continues, unfazed, “But because she looks so peaceful right now. When nesting, her body’s going through changes, preparing for her full-blown heat. She needs her rest.”
I let out a snarl under my breath, my frustration at being out-argued by common sense bubbling to the surface. “I hate your fucking logic,” I mutter, watching as the other two make their way out of the room, leaving me alone with Danica.
As I throw myself onto the stripped bed, my gaze is drawn to her, nestled in the corner on a makeshift mountain of our clothes and sheets. The sound of her steady breathing fills the room, a comforting rhythm in the silence. Studying her in this vulnerable state, a sense of awe washes over me. Her beauty, even in sleep, is undeniable—each breath she takes, each subtle movement, only serves to deepen my admiration.
That protective instinct within me roars to life, stronger than ever before. Seeing her so exposed, so reliant on our care, ignites a fierce determination in me. I realize in this quiet moment, that my feelings for Danica have deepened beyond mere attraction. She’s become a vital part of my world, someone I would stand against an army to protect. Someone that I will burn for… and she will burn in exchange for me.
Her presence, her innocence, it all calls to something primal inside me, a need to shield, to safeguard. I’m struck by the realization that I’m irrevocably, undeniably falling in love with her. And in this moment, with the weight of my growing emotions pressing down on me, I vow to myself that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her forever. Whatever the sacrifice, I’ll make it for her.
Chapter
Twenty-One
DANICA
As Seth leads me through the backstage area of Madison Square Garden, I’m in absolute awe, and I’m also putting behind me that last night I’d started nesting. Jasper reassures me it’s natural, while part of me can’t help but feel embarrassed about how I took all their clothes and bed sheets to sleep on.
But pushing that aside, I take in the stadium.
The sheer scale of everything is mind-blowing. There are people bustling around, setting up equipment, adjusting lights, and preparing for the concert. The energy in the air is electric, and a surge of excitement courses through me.
I never imagined I could ever reach Fever’s level of success, but to experience this with them is overwhelming, insane, and mind-spinning. I’m giddy to a level of madness with excitement that I get to see what it’s like to run such a massive concert.
“Can you believe this?” I exclaim, turning to Seth with wide eyes. “It’s incredible!”
He chuckles, a warm smile spreading across his face, his handsome stare drawing me to him. “Welcome to the big leagues,” he says, his voice filled with pride. “This is where the magic happens, which I know is corny, but it’s kinda true. Back home, when we work on music, that feels like me… the real me. Here, it’s a different side of me coming out. The performer.”
“And I can tell you love that part. You have no idea how excited I am to watch you perform live.”
“You’re going to love it.”
As we walk, Seth points out different areas of the backstage, explaining their significance. Some of it is going over my head, but I’m nodding, taking it all in. Those working around us greet Seth, not giving me a second glance, but that’s fine. Evidently, they’ve all been made to sign NDAs, meaning no one can share anything or anyone they see, hear, or discuss during the entire event.
There’s no holding hands, as we don’t want to bring any unwanted attention to us. I’m now the new person on their team, and Seth is just showing me around. However, I notice how he keeps walking close to me, our arms occasionally brushing. It sends a thrill through me every time, and I find myself wanting to stay close to him.
We pass by dressing rooms, and it makes me think of all the different artists who have graced this legendary venue. My heart races as I take in the history of the place.
“And over there,”—Seth gestures toward a set of steps that lead up to the main stage from the back— “is where we make our grand entrance.”
I can hardly contain my excitement as I imagine them stepping out onto the stage, the roar of the crowd filling the air. I gaze out at the sea of empty seats, imagining them filled with cheering fans. The enormity of the venue hits me like a ton of bricks, and I feel a flutter of nerves in my stomach. I’m not even the one singing. I mean, one can dream, but just being part of this is more than I could ever wish for.
“It’s massive,” I murmur, awestruck.
He’s staring at me, smiling, his mind clearly on anything but the stage.
Nudging him in the side with my shoulder, I whisper, “You shouldn’t stare at me that way.”
He schools his look for a brief second before he returns to that devious smile. “No one’s paying attention to us.”
“I’m not talking about them.” I grin especially wide and brush past him, on purpose this time.
“Danica, wait, are you talking about…”
I speed up my walk, those earlier butterflies now beating their wings for Seth.
I dart through the backstage doors, laughter bubbling up from deep within me. Seth’s determined pursuit has me laughing more, his footsteps echoing behind me as I weave through the labyrinthine corridors. Glancing over my shoulder, I catch a glimpse of his determined expression, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
As Seth chases me down the hallway, my stomach flutters. But just as I think I’ve managed to outmaneuver him, he catches up to me and pulls me into one of the back rooms with a playful grin. When I spin around to playfully push him away, I realize we’re not alone. Reed’s in the corner, tuning his guitar, while Jasper lounges nearby, indulging in a burger. They both look up as we enter, eyes huge with curiosity.
“Looks like the party’s arrived,” Jasper quips, taking one last bite of his meal before gesturing to the spread of food on the table behind him. “Help yourself.”
Reed sets down his guitar and walks over to us, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. It sends a strange ripple through me, but I quickly shake it off, refusing to let him get to me.
“Is everything set up?” Reed asks, one hand by his side, the other combing through his hair. “I’m itching to get up there and start the rehearsals.”
Before anyone can answer, the phone in the room rings, and Reed practically leaps for it. Meanwhile, Jasper saunters over to me, offering me a plate of fruit.
“Care for some grapes?” he asks, holding out the platter with a glint of admiration in his eyes.
I accept with a grateful smile, plucking a few grapes from the bunch as Seth reaches for some, too.
“The stage equipment is all ready to go.” Reed beams, hanging up, practically bouncing on his toes. He absolutely loves being on stage, and I admire his passion.
Without a look my way, he’s out of the room, Jasper on his heels, blowing me a kiss before he vanishes.
Seth turns to me, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I’ve got the laptop with some emails on merch needing responding and chasing up,” he says, his voice steady. “Also, there are emails from the customer service team being threaded through for our response. I can leave those with you?”
“Yeah, you bet,” I reply, nodding.
He cups my face gently, his touch warm against my skin. “It feels different being here with you.”
I smile at his words. “In a good way, I hope?” I ask, a hint of playfulness in my tone.
“Really good way,” he affirms, his gaze sincere. “Last time, I wasn’t exactly myself… now this feels right.”
I remember the news about him losing control and getting on stage drunk… it was a mess. So, his words have me beaming because maybe I’m serving a purpose here for them beyond them just helping me.
He strolls out of the room, leaving me feeling slightly less uneasy. As I glance around the backstage area, I find his laptop on the table and head over there, but first I grab a small plate with a bit of everything on the food platter. Settled in a nearby chair, I pull open the laptop, ready to help out how I can. Sure, I’d like to go out to watch them, but I figure there’s plenty of time leading up to the concert.
I delve into the emails, the sound of bustling activity backstage serving in the backdrop, soon followed by the start of a guitar and drums. It keeps stopping and starting. The excitement of the upcoming performance fills the air, and I can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to be a part of it all.
Responding to some emails, inquiries, and coordinating merchandise orders, I think about how much my life has changed.
But when Nexus comes to mind, that uneasy feeling ripples through me. What if they find me, drag me away? I’m not sure I can bear to be apart from this pack. They’ve grown on me, even Reed.
My thoughts swing to my mom and my sister, and a longing settles in my chest. I miss them and would love to see them soon, at least to tell Ruby that I’m okay. But I won’t call them, not after what happened last time I did. I can’t risk it.
I will see them soon. Somehow, I’ll find a way.
As the first notes of music echo through the backstage area, my thoughts pause, and I’m staring up, listening to Seth’s voice. It’s velvety and powerful. A wave of arousal ripples over me at his voice. I sigh, knowing this isn’t the time to have my heat flaring up.
I go and lie on the couch, taking deep breaths to calm myself, closing my eyes, and listening to the music. Footsteps sound, and I glance up from the lumpy couch to find Seth entering the room. Had I fallen asleep? The earlier heat still lingers, but it’s not as profound.
“How are you feeling?” he asks softly, his gaze scanning me head to toe.
“Okay,” I croak, accepting the glass of water he brings me as I push myself to sit up. “How’s the rehearsal going?”
“Amazing,” he murmurs, settling down beside me. “It’s more about getting the lighting and sounds right than anything else since we’re killing it.”
“You sounded incredible, even from back here,” I say, offering a weak smile.
“What’s going on, Danica?” Seth’s gaze is intense, and I know he can sense something’s wrong.
I hesitate, not wanting to mention the heat that still lingers inside me, despite my efforts to suppress it. I won’t come between him and rehearsal and getting ready for his concert. That’s his focus, not me. But he’s staring at me, waiting for an answer, so one pops out of my mouth.
