Chapter 40
EMME
The atmosphere in the crowd of a hockey game would never get old. The boys personally escorted me to our usual section, informed security to keep an eye on me and that no one except family was to sit there, then reluctantly left me with hugs and kisses.
“Kassidy is joining me soon,” I reminded them, but it didn’t ease up their pained expressions.
“Lucky we can keep an eye on you via our bond,” Finley said in a low rumble near my ear. “Don’t close the connection tightly, Ice.”
“I won’t,” I promised.
Neither of them took their eyes off me the entire way back into the tunnels, even as every shifter in the half-filled seats watched them like they were their gods. They knew better than to touch them though, and my boys made it through without incident.
On my own, I occupied myself with a decent case of overthinking and worry, while checking in with Hunter and the twins.
I found their beasts relaxed, as if waiting for something.
Deciding to leave them be, I didn’t push into the bond.
They’d better only be doing a recon mission though, or they’d have one pissed off omega on their hands.
When the warmups started, Kellan and Finley were all but plastered to my side of the arena, doing their groin stretches while eyeballing the heck out of me.
That’s a weirdly intimate level of eye contact when you’re ass up and dick down like that, boys.
When that thought reached their beasts in the bond, Kellan’s bark of laughter could be heard even over the noise of the crowd. I would like to dick you down right now, Shortcake.
Finley’s bear stepped closer to my wolf, and I nuzzled against his side.
You’re not playing fair, I said, while I can do little more than window shop in the hockey aquarium.
This time it was Finley’s rumble of laughter that could be heard through the arena. No more window shopping for you, Ice. You’ve already made your selections… We’re bought and claimed.
Yes, they were.
Mine. The thought rumbled through my beast and into theirs, and I was immediately buried under a bear and wolf pile until I was surrounded in their scents.
There was a burst of chocolate and honey from me, and I wiggled in my chair as shifters turned, their nostrils flaring.
You’re a damn candy store, Finley growled, and the slam of his hand against the glass had all the curious faces jerking away. And I don’t like the way they’re looking at you.
Kellan joined him at the side. Don’t make us come up there and steal you away, pretty mate. ‘Cause I don’t give a fuck about hockey right now.
Narrowing my eyes on him and his relentless stare, I shook my head slowly. Stay down there and win for me today. Like. Good. Boys.
Kellan’s growl turned into a groan, and I had to cover up my smile when he shifted his hand over his groin. Finley shook his head, but he was smiling again. Mission accomplished.
Kellan got straight back into stretches, wearing the most adorable sexy smirk the whole time.
It was nice to feel his lighthearted side return in our bond, especially as he started to loosen up and create havoc with his teammates out there.
Finley and Kellan were both wavering about whether they could continue their careers, but I didn’t want them to give it up.
Not when it clearly still gave them joy, and…
Abs, Kellan suggested, keeping up with my thoughts.
I covered my laugh with my hands, so I didn’t look like a crazy shifter chuckling away to myself. As much as I enjoy your ab muscles, Golden Boy, they’re not more important than your happiness. That’s what I couldn’t live without.
Kellan skated into the center of the rink with Finley right beside him. You’ll never have to live without either, Shortcake. The abs and the happiness are here to stay.
Warmth washed through the bond, and despite more than half my pack missing, I was content and enjoying the moment.
Hunter’s wolf moved in closer to me, and I opened the bond a little more. We might have found the original source of the shielding, he said. We’ll confirm it before heading home.
Amazing, I replied. As long as you’re not taking unnecessary risks, then do what you need to find that fucking witch.
There was a brief pause. We will come home to you, little omega. Cheer our boys on for us.
His wolf nuzzled against mine, and that contentment from before grew until I could have curled up in the warmth and taken a nap. I will. Stay safe.
Our beasts eased apart right when the wolves left the ice for the short interval before the game got underway.
When my stomach growled, I debated if it was too early for beer and nachos.
It wasn’t lunchtime yet, but it was a game ritual at this point, and no one liked to mess with those.
Finley still wore underwear with my face on them, and I always ate nachos when I was here. We couldn’t mess with the ritual.
No one touched me as I moved through the crowd, and it wasn’t my imagination that the security kept me firmly in their line of vision, most of whom looked like enforcers.
When I got into line, I remembered that I hadn’t grabbed cash or card before leaving the house; I was so used to being with my pack, who just paid for everything.
My alphas were spoiling the independence right out of me.
We have an account at the stadium, Hunter said, slipping closer once more.
With the connection remaining semi-open, thoughts crossed unintentionally at times. That’s good to know, I told him. At least I won’t have to sell my firstborn or soul for food now.
Hunter didn’t find that remotely amusing, his wolf stalking forward to prod at the tip of my snout. No one will ever touch your soul or our pups. Not even for nachos, Emmeline.
Snorting under my breath, I drew attention, but everyone looked away just as quickly when they realized who I was. The scariest of my pack weren’t even here, but their reputations preceded them. No one wanted to be on their bad side, not if they could help it.
You should focus on finishing up what you’re doing, entitled alpha. You don’t have long to make it back and stay within your deadline.
I felt his possessive touch against my throat, despite the fact that he was half the damn country away from me. I’ll make it in time, mate.
I’m holding you to that. Wanting him to keep his focus, I moved back in the bond again, stitching just a little more shielding between us. Hunter’s wolf backed up too, and I felt his attention shift elsewhere.
The intro music started loudly around us, which meant there were less than two minutes until the first players were announced.
Thankfully, I was almost to the front of the line.
Around me, shifters chatted excitedly about the team, most of them wearing Celtic colors, but there were a couple in the purple, green and white of the other team.
As I shuffled toward the front of the line, a familiar scent closed in on me, and I turned to find Kassidy. “Ah,” I said as she threw her arms around me. “It’s so great to see you.”
When I’d done my daily check of my phone to ensure Cora hadn’t replied to a message, I’d had a text from Kassidy saying she’d be here tonight. None from Cora of course.
“I wasn’t going to come, but I didn’t want you sitting here alone.” Her gaze darted to the ice, and she looked relieved that none of the players were out yet.
“Have you spoken to him?” I asked, knowing who she was afraid to see.
Her cheeks reddened, which only highlighted how drawn the rest of her looked. Kassidy was always gorgeous, but today her skin was paler and there were dark circles under her eyes. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. “No. I can’t. I know if I let him in, it’ll change everything.”
Reaching out to grasp her hand, I squeezed it briefly.
“Maybe it could be a good change though? I do understand all too well the fear holding you back. I’ve been there with my pack, and I almost let it cost me the best days of my life.
For me, even if I had died from this bonding, the time I’ve had with my alphas would have made it worth it. ”
Kassidy’s eyes were shiny as she murmured, “It’s not my death I worry about.”
We reached the front of the line and gave our orders, putting everything on the Reeves’ account. “Thanks, big brother,” Kassidy said as she blew a kiss into the air.
Hunter hated that his sister refused to let him financially help her, but she was an independent shifter who stood on her own two feet. Their sibling bond was pure, and I loved that they had each other.
In our seats, we shoved the first delicious bite of corn chip into our mouths as the stadium lights dimmed, and a colorful strobing effect filled the arena. The crowds screamed and cheered, and except for our empty row, the place was packed. Not an empty chair in sight.
“We’re heading into the end of the season and the most important games,” Kassidy explained, leaning closer so I could hear her over the noise.
“I’m assuming the boys are doing well in the overall rankings?” I’d missed too many of their games, but I was sure they’d won a lot more than they’d lost.
She nodded, and I didn’t miss the glow of pride in her tired features. “Oh yeah, they’ll be in the top three going into the finals of the Shifter Cup. The elimination rounds kick off after their road trip.”
The road trip. The boys still weren’t sure they could even make it, especially if we were neck deep ferreting out a witch and her evil minions. My hope was that Hunter and the twins found the hidey hole, and we would be able to take them all down before they left next week.
We just needed one break.
When our team hit the ice, I was well into my nachos and ice-cold beer. During hockey was the only time I drank beer, and though I’d never been a real fan, it just worked here.
“It’s weird how nervous I still get,” I told Kassidy as I took a sip. “And they’re so damn good at hockey, that I really have nothing to worry about.”