Page 10 of Rival Love

“Then why are you?”

Selena studied her sneakers for a quiet moment, her shoulders slightly hunched. “Because Omegas don’t last long on their own.”

This was common knowledge, but Selena didn’t strike me as your average Omega.

“You managed to save me.” I tipped her chin up so she’d meet my gaze. “You probably deserve more credit than you’re giving yourself.” Chances were, however, that as an Omega, she’d grown up having the fact that she was weak and submissive drilled into her, that she was a follower, never a leader.

Pretty sure Morelli cheating on her with her sister took a big chunk out of her confidence too.

Fucking tool.

“Okay, lie down over here.” I turned my attention to Phil who had put a couple sheets of plywood over the top of a pool table and was covering them with a fleece blanket. “Then we can get a better look at those wounds and see what we’re dealing with.”

Selena helped me over to the table and I rolled myself onto it. Twin groans from Selena and Phil echoed in the game room.

“That bad, huh?” I glanced over my shoulder, but I couldn’t see my own back. Just as well probably. Looking at my wrists made me cringe. I could only imagine the mess on my back after being whipped with silver.

“What do you have for medical supplies around here?” Selena asked Phil.

“Not much,” Phil said. “Werewolves don’t normally need medical attention.”

“Go to my truck,” I told Phil. “I have an extensive first aid kit in there for work. I’m sure there’s some shit in there that’s useful.”

“On it!”

I heard Phil’s quick steps as he ran out of the game room, then Selena moved closer to my head so I could see her.

I liked being able to see her.

“What do you do for work?” She reached a hand out and stroked my cheek. The touch was so simple, but it felt familiar and comforting and like everything I needed at this very moment.

“I’m a firefighter,” I said. “Just made lieutenant. That’s why my father and I went out for a drink.” My throat tightened at the realization that I’d never go for a drink with my father again. I was steps away from blubbering like a newborn pup.

“I work at the museum.” Selena distracted me from my grief as if she knew that was exactly what I needed. “I do tours, set up exhibits, and other assorted nerd tasks.”

That pulled a laugh out of me. “You don’t look like a nerd.”

“That’s because I don’t currently have random pencils and pens poking out of a messy ponytail and you haven’t heard me blather on about Ancient Egyptian burial customs.”

“Even then, I don’t believe you’re a nerd.”

“Give it time. I’ll prove it to you.” Her hand had traveled to massage my scalp and my neck. Everywhere she touched felt instantly improved.

“I guess we’ll have time together,” I said. “Being fated mates now and all.”

“I’d love to believe we’ll have forever together,” she said, “but I now have experience that suggests that might not be the case.”

“Don’t let Morelli sour you on the idea of fated mates,” I said, a strange desperation growing inside me. I hadn’t given fated mates all that much consideration myself. I kept busy fighting fires and helping my father with pack business. I scratched an itch with a willing partner here and there, but as far as finding my one and only? Nope. Hadn’t thought much about it at all.

But I definitely didn’t want Selena to believe that all Alphas were like her ex-mate. “He’s a fool to have betrayed you.”

“You haven’t seen my sister, Vera.” She frowned. “We’re twins, but we’re not identical. She definitely has some assets I do not.”

“And she must also have some serious character flaws if she’d sleep with her sister’s husband.”

“Vince and Vera probably deserve each other,” Selena mumbled as Phil returned.

“Okay, got the kit,” my cousin said. “Tell us what to do, Archer, and we’ll get you all patched up.”