Page 11 of Rival Love

It’d be fairly easy to address my wounds that Vince Morelli was responsible for. It’d be a lot harder to heal the ones he’d caused Selena.

But I was putting that at the top of my to-do list.

Chapter Seven

Selena

“We need to rinse him off first.” I looked over Archer’s decimated back. I couldn’t determine where one wound ended and the next began. Clearly, my new mate was a bona fide badass because any other wolf would have been howling in pain with injuries this extensive.

“There are showers in the rec area,” Phil said. “I can take him.”

I bit back the growl wanting to slip from my throat at the idea of anyone taking Archer anywhere. That mate bond was growing stronger by the second, and he became more and more mine.

“Or you can take him.” Phil put up his hands, a small smile on his face.

My cheeks heated. “Was that growl out loud?”

“Indeed, it was.” Phil lowered his hands. “Not to worry. I get it.” He pointed to a door at the far end of the game room. “The rec area is right through there then take your first left and you’ll be at the showers.” He looked at Archer who had grown quiet lying on his stomach on the pool table. His eyes were closed, but the steady rise and fall of his back let me know he was still with us.

“Do you need help getting him in there?” Phil asked.

“We’re good, Phil,” Archer said, his eyes opening. Though he had to be weary from the day he’d had, those hazel eyes had a fire in them when he looked at me.

Another orgasm built in my core, and Archer grinned.

Phil angled his head back, sniffing the air. “Good Goddess. Those are some powerful pheromones, people.” He backed away from the pool table, away from Archer and me. “I’ll help Reggie and Franc.” He looked at me. “Give me a howl if you need help.”

I nodded and turned my attention right back to Archer who was easing up to sitting on the pool table. He brought his wrists up closer to his face, studying them.

“There is silver still in there,” he said. “My back too because I’ve actually been trying to shift while I was lying here.”

“And you can’t?”

He shook his head.

“C’mon.” I came to stand in front of him. I took each of his hands in mine and tugged ever so gently so he’d slide off the table to his feet. I paused for a moment, making sure Archer was stable. When he gave me a slight nod, I led him to the door Phil had pointed out.

Sure enough, a bank of locker-room-style showers lined one tiled wall, sinks and mirrors another, and toilet stalls another.

No one else was in there, and Archer reached around me to lock the door to the entire area.

“We shouldn’t be disturbed.” The words came out on a low rumble that resonated through me.

Instead of replying, I pressed a palm to his chest, his heated flesh meeting mine, and the mate bond exploded between us.

We let out twin growls and the next thing I knew, I was going for the button and zipper on Archer’s jeans. I clawed at the waistband of the jeans and his underwear and raked both down his legs. His erection nearly pulled a gleeful squeal from me. Knowing that was all for me, that he wanted me that much, that I’d soon be wrapped around that length sent shivers through my entire body.

I lowered and untied Archer’s boots. After resting his hands on the wall above me, he toed off the boots. I pulled off his jeans, boxers, and socks, taking a moment to look up at his naked, well-sculpted body.

I sighed. “Remind me to send Lunai a fruit basket or something.”

Archer smiled and pulled me to my feet. “I’ll go half with you.” He slid his hand along my cheek and nudged me closer. “I’m not sure what I did to make her look so favorably upon me.” He lowered his head and pressed kisses along my neck and jaw, his beard pleasantly scratching at my skin.

“She said the Sinclaires were an important pack.”

“We’re an old pack,” he said. “My ancestors were among the original werewolves.”

My eyes widened. “Really?”