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Angel knows that I am the one on my crew who will risk myself in order to save someone.

I shouldn’t. I can’t stop.

I reckoned Angel accepted that about me.

“Why would someone dedicated and passionate about healing people,” Angel quirks his brow, “possibly be pissed that their bonded Alpha didn’t tell them that they were hurt? I mean, it’s not like you are bonded with someone who can literally assess and heal you. Imagine that my ass was on fire, and I didn’t tell you.”

“Your ass?”

He crosses his arms. “My sweet ass, yeah. I love being a paramedic. My crew are amazing. I also love knowing that if anything hurts my pack, however, I can be…useful. Helping you makes me feel like I have a place here.”

My expression gentles. “You have a place here, even if all you did each day was lie around in hoodies, watch romcom movies, and eat chocolate.”

It is what he does most of the time.

“Please just promise to tell me from now on.” The pain lacing Angel’s words startles me.

I don’t always understand Angel.

He’s younger than me—gentler.

My gaze rests on my bond bite on his neck, and something inside me settles. “Okay, honey.”

Angel’s smile returns. “Hmm, looks like you’re stuck there for the next ten minutes. I’m in charge. What shall I do first? Shall I find your secret stash of candy?”

I growl. “I could be in the next state, and I’d still be in charge.”

I attempt to lean closer to Angel, as my powerful pheromones roll through the kitchen, but it pulls on the muscles that must have been strained during the rescue.

I groan, holding my lower back.

Damn, that hurts.

“What’s wrong?” Angel is on the alert again, circling me to run his hand down my spine. “Describe the pain.”

I know the drill. I’ve done this often enough for Angel, and I know what he’s looking for.

“It happened when I was dragging the Beta from the car. A stab of pain that made me gasp. I kind of forgot about it.” I point out the place on my lower back. “It’ll be okay in a day or so. Don’t worry, this and my hand will be fine to support the Omega through her heat. It only hurts when I move in a certain way.”

“Wow, now you’re not only in charge but you’re the paramedic too. Is the pain shooting down your legs? Are your toes numb?”

I shake my head.

“A soft tissue sprain,” Angel concludes. “I’ll grab an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, as soon as we’ve finished with your hand. Then I’ll swap it every couple of hours. On the third day, I’ll run you a hot bath, then add in warming pads.”

“Here,” I order.

Surprised, Angel moves around to face me.

He can be as obedient as Luca when he chooses to be.

He simply rarely chooses to submit. I like that about him.

Nervously, Angel peers up at me. “I’m sorry that I got mad at you. You’re in pain, and you’ve just been through some traumatic shit. I should’ve been there for you. You’re a damn hero, and I’m an asshole for making this about me. I promise, handsome, I’ll⁠—”

I slam my palm over his mouth, and he freezes.

“Thanks for taking care of me.” I make sure that Angel’s startled gaze doesn’t leave mine. His past pack fucked him up. I need him to hear me. “You ain’t done nothing wrong. I’m the one who should have trusted that you could handle knowing I was hurting. You’re strong. Capable. And I respect the hell out of the way you look after this pack.”