Page 272 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

I returned to the cabin as quickly as I could without raising suspicion. I rinsed the lingering bitterness of vomit out of my mouth and went to the office. What I wanted to do now was lay low and throw myself full force into my work. I’d seen something between Tavi and Dom, but they had been too busy with each other to notice my quick exit.

That’s what I’d thought, but Tavi walked into the office minutes later.

“H-hi, Tavi.” I cursed myself for stuttering. If it wasn’t obvious that I’d been eavesdropping, it was now.

"How much did you hear?”

After a few moments of hesitation, I replied, “All of it, I think.”

“Oh.”

It felt like Tavi was saying a lot with that response, but I couldn’t tell if the emotion conveyed was negative or positive.

“I’m sorry, Tavi, I didn’t mean to overhear or to stay as long as I did. Yes, I was eavesdropping, but I’ve been so worried about you, and I wanted to make sure…” I trailed off when tears started pouring down Tavi’s cheeks and off the end of her chin.

“Do you think I made a mistake?” she sobbed.

“Oh, Tavi, no…” I went to her and wrapped her up in a hug. Her shoulders were trembling, and the shoulder of my dress became soaked the moment her face hit it. Her arms wrapped around my waist as she clung to me.

“H-he told me that he likes me—maybe even loves me,” she whispered through short, hiccupping gasps. “And I kissed him, but I couldn’t…I mean, I shouldn’t have done it. Not when I know I’m not ready to be that for him.”

“I know, Tavi, I know.” I rubbed and patted her back. “You haven’t done anything wrong, and you haven’t messed anything up. You told him you feel the same way, didn’t you?”

She sniffled and nodded. “But I shouldn’t have said that. I should have told him I couldn’t see him as anything more than abrother. He deserves someone who can give him what he needs and be there for him in all the ways he needs her to be. And I don’t know if I’ll ever feel right enough to let a man get close to me like that.”

“Tavi…”

“I’m not good enough for him.”

“Don’t.” I pushed her back so I could look into her dark, doleful eyes. “You can’t think that way, Tavi. You are so strong and intelligent and beautiful. Any man worth his fur would be lucky if you even looked his way.”

“That’s the old me,” she spat bitterly. “The one who hadn’t been ruined?—”

Dread held me fast with its icy claws. Suddenly, the question that had always lingered at the back of my mind when I thought of Octavia rushed to the forefront. I had to ask, to confirm the terrible fear I’d been too terrified to think about. “Tavi, what did those wolves do to you?”

She closed her eyes briefly, and a bone-deep shudder traveled through her body and into mine. When she opened them again, I had my answer.

I pulled her against me again, hugging her even more fiercely. My wolf was growling, her rage just as complete as mine. “I’m sorry, Octavia.” My voice was a rasping whisper. “I should have had them locked up with Troy. Or killed.”

“I know you would’ve. If I’d asked that from you, or if I’d told you the truth sooner, maybe they would still be in prison. Maybe they wouldn’t have been able to break Troy out.”

“No.” I gave a vehement shake of my head. “That is not your fault. There’s no time limit on when you feel comfortable telling someone about this. You have done nothing wrong. Do you hear me?” Tears burned behind my eyes. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”

She wept against my shoulder, and we sank to the floor, clinging to each other. I didn’t know how long we stayed locked together on the floor, but eventually, the tears slowed, and Tavi’s breathing no longer came in such quick, desperate pants.

“Don’t tell Dom or Night,” she whispered. “Please. You’re the only one I’ve talked to about this. I think Violet has a pretty good idea, but I haven’t…you know…”

Now that she was calmer, I risked pulling back a second time so I could look at her. “Of course. I understand. This doesn’t leave this room. I swear on my life.”

She nodded and let me go so she could run the backs of her hands over her wet eyes. We were sitting close to the desk, so I reached up to grab one of the tissue boxes. My legs ached from being on the floor, but I could endure much more than slight discomfort for Tavi.

She blew her nose. “I can’t ask Dom to wait for me,” she murmured. “What if I’m never ready to be his mate?”

“Then you and he can stay friends.” I pushed her hair behind her ear. “But he did say that he’s willing to wait for you. I believe he meant it.”

“But he could change his mind. He could find another woman he wants to be with. His soulmate could be out there waiting for him.”

“I think it’s safe to put a little faith in him, isn’t it?”