Page 14 of Rival Love

I shrugged, the movement irritating my tender back. “Trust me, it’s nothing compared to what it would have been if you hadn’t shown up to rescue me.”

Her cheeks pinked, and it was the most adorable thing I’d ever seen. I wasn’t aware how much I liked adorable until I’d seen it on Selena. God, she was fucking perfect.

And mine now.

Exchanging mating bites and making love with her had seemed like the most natural actions in the world. No part of me doubted we were supposed to be together. Our bodies—despite our size difference—were made to join and bring each other pleasure.

Not able to resist, I hooked my hand on the back of her neck now and drew her in for a kiss, her lips instantly parting for me. I stroked her tongue with my own, wishing we could both shift right now and solidify our bond by mating as wolves. There would be time for that though because Selena wasn’t going anywhere.

I ended the kiss—reluctantly—and fished around in the first aid kit, pulling out some sterile gauze. “We don’t have any aloe vera or turmeric lying around this place, but we can at least cover up the worst of the wounds with this.”

“I can go out and get what we need,” Selena said. “I’ll just need to borrow a vehicle.”

I put the gauze down and took her hands in mine. Her hands were small, especially in comparison to my big mitts, but her fingers were long and delicate. I loved how they could make my body feel.

“First of all, everything that’s mine is now yours,” I said. “So you never have to borrow anything. Secondly, you’re not leaving my side. Not until I figure out what we’re going to do about Morelli. I don’t trust that he won’t come after you. An Alpha isn’t going to take his mate breaking the pair bond lightly, and if he knows you’re with me now, he could use you to get to me.” The thought of something happening to Selena because Morelli wanted to hurt me made a growl rumble from deep in my chest.

Selena wiggled free of my grasp. Probably because thinking of Morelli had made me tighten my grip. She put her hands on my pec ink, smoothing her palms over the designs. Instantly, the fury in my body settled.

I put my hands over hers and closed my eyes. “You’re like a magnificent drug. Good for every ailment.”

“With none of the nasty side effects.” She grinned up at me, and a laugh rasped out of my throat.

“Pretty and funny.” I tapped her on the nose. “Tell me you like heavy metal and bourbon and I’ll know with every degree of certainty you’re the right woman for me.”

Selena made a pair of devil horns with her hand and waved them above her head. “I love bourbon while listening to heavy metal. How’s that?”

“Perfect.”

A knock sounded at the open doorway. Phil stood there with his hand over his eyes. “Is everyone decent?” He peeked through his fingers, lowering his hand when he saw that we were. Angling his head up, he sniffed. “But those pheromones are still flying high though.” He waved his hand in front of his nose as if he couldn’t take the smell. “You’re mated?”

“We are,” I said.

“Congratulations.” Phil stepped into the room and gave Selena a hug. “Welcome to the Sinclaire pack, my dear.”

“Thank you.” She hugged him back. “I’ll try to be worthy of the membership.”

“You saved Archer,” Phil said. “You don’t have to do another damn thing. We’d be in a real pickle right now if Morelli got Pearce and Archer.”

“Which is something we should have planned for,” I said. “We need a succession list should something happen to me.” I rested my hands on my cousin’s shoulders. “Guess what? You’re at the top of the list.”

Phil’s mouth flapped opened and closed a few times before he shook his head, his blue eyes wide. “Dude. I’m honored.” He swallowed loudly. “Kinda freaked, but honored.”

I slapped his shoulder then handed the gauze to Selena. “Let’s think about a Number Two and Three to be on the safe side.”

“Do you expect Morelli to continue with his pursuit of our territory now that he’s failed once?”

“I do,” Selena and I said at the same time.

“Fuck.” Phil paced away. “Why is he doing this now? We’ve all co-existed in Moon Valley without any major problems. What’s so urgent all of a sudden?” He looked at Selena, but she shrugged.

“All I know is that he’s complained about your pack frequently. He definitely considers you rivals. Why he made a move like this now is anyone’s guess.” She rummaged around in the first aid kit and produced a small pair of scissors to cut the gauze. “I do know why he fucked my sister though. He thinks she can give him heirs.”

The word heirs echoed in the room as Phil and I gave each other wide eyes.

“Because . . . you can’t?” Phil’s panic was another person in the room.

I had to admit to being curious about the answer to that question. An Alpha werewolf needed heirs. A definite must-have. Especially in a pack as old as mine.