18. Adler
EIGHTEEN
Adler
“You have an extra spring in your step this morning. Usually, I have to drag you out of bed to make practice on time,” Luca comments as I glug down my triple-chocolate protein shake. “Does it have anything to do with Sabs coming with you?”
I can’t hold back my grin. “Maybe.”
Today is Sabs’s and my first outing in public since we bonded. As nervous as I am about the reaction we might receive, I’m excited as hell to show my gorgeous omega off to my team.
Orin strides into the kitchen with Drax closely following behind him like a gloomy cloud. My new packmate doesn’t seem especially pleased to see me, grunting in acknowledgment before taking a seat. I guess not instantly wanting to punch each other is progress.
“Bagel?” Luca slides a paper bag over to him, the delicious, savory smell of chili and cheese wafting from it. “I dropped by Toasted after my morning run. Their new flavor of the month is jalapeno cheddar.”
“Thanks,” Drax accepts but hesitates before taking a bite, his gaze flicking in my direction.
“I haven’t poisoned it,” I snap.
Drax narrows his eyes, ripping off a piece of the bread like he wishes it was my throat.
I’ve agreed to be civil with him for Sabs’s sake, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to sit around singing Kumbaya over bagels.
Trust isn’t earned overnight. Even with Luca and Orin whom I’ve known for years, it took me a long time to feel comfortable enough to open up to them.
Despite what Orin touts about biological instincts, in my eyes, Drax still has to prove he’s worthy of being one of us.
“Where’s Sabs?” Orin’s head swivels in search of her.
“Getting ready,” I reply. “She said something about arranging lunch with her brother after practice to tell him the, uh… news.”
Drax snorts. “Good luck with that.”
“Gee, thanks.” I scowl, slamming my shaker down on the counter with a loud smack. “Did you miss the memo about packs actually helping each other out?”
Drax ignores me, scarfing down his bagel, looking cheerier than he did a few moments before. Bastard.
“She better come down soon,” Orin glowers, checking his watch. “Or you’ll be late.”
“She’s going with you?” Drax asks mid-chew.
“Where else would she be, asshole?” I snarl sarcastically. “We can’t be apart yet.”
“She shouldn’t be sitting alone while you train with all your jerk-off teammates around.” Drax wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’ll come.”
“After what happened at Club Knotty, you’re not going anywhere near that rink.” Orin puts a firm hand on his shoulder. “Luca is going.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she’s safe,” Luca promises.
Before I can make another snarky remark, the sweet smell of cherries permeates the room, thick and intoxicating. The air immediately feels charged, the four of us sitting up a little straighter as every head turns in her direction.
“Ready to go?” She flashes us her white teeth, lighting up the entire room. “Oooh, bagels.”
She leans over the breakfast bar to snag one. I’m hard the moment I see her round ass in her tight-fitting leggings. When I do force my gaze away, I watch Luca tearing his eyes from her cleavage, which is nearly popping out of her tiny crop top.
She takes a massive bite of the bagel, melted cheese oozing over the sides and dripping down her chin. The sight sends my thoughts straight into the gutter, needing to adjust my pants. “This is so good.”
Orin undoes his top button and clears his throat. “I was just saying that Luca will stay with you while Adler’s on the ice.”
“Are you sure you’re cool with that, Luca?” Sabs checks with him. “I’ll bring my laptop to catch up on some work, so I’ll be occupied. And I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I have to head down there anyway,” Luca replies. “And with you guys still recovering from bonding sickness, it’s probably best that you have someone with you. I won’t distract you from your work.”
“Structural optimization is not exactly my favorite topic.” She winks at him. “You’ll be a welcome distraction.”
Luca’s cheeks flush a deep crimson.
“We’d better head off.” I set my shaker bottle in the dishwasher. “If we want to get there on time.”
“Before I forget…” Sabs steps away from the table, whips out an aerosol from her purse, then sprays herself with it.
My nose wrinkles, annoyed that it covers up her fruity smell that I love so much.
“I know we’re bonded, so I shouldn’t need to wear as much blocker anymore, but in a rink full of alphas?
It’s better to be safe until our bond settles, right? ”
When an omega bonds, the potency of her scent tends to lessen, letting other unbonded alphas know she is taken. While some omegas choose not to wear scent blockers at all—or only wear a small amount—the bonding period can be unpredictable.
Orin nods in approval. “I’m glad you’re taking your safety seriously.”
“I’m not a total idiot.” She nudges him playfully.
“I’ll drive,” Luca volunteers, twirling the car keys around his finger. “Let’s go, unless you want to do double burpees.”
“Have fun out there.” Orin claps me on the back as we get up to go. “Remember, the puck stops with you. Only two more games to go.”
“I’ve got this.” I watch my firecracker demolish the rest of her bagel in a few bites. “And I’ve got my lucky charm with me today.”
I insist on sitting in the back with Sabs for the ride, taking the opportunity to nuzzle into her neck, wanting to rub my scent all over her to cancel out some of the synthetic notes of her scent blocker.
The rink is a neat place with its own private gym, player’s lounge along with an area for the cheer skaters to practice.
“Nice steel arch.” Sabs ogles the impressive-looking structure as we park in the players’ lot. “I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”
Large banners ripple down the sides of the walls, displaying huge photographs of the team members. The largest features my face with “Our Ace” emblazoned at the top.
She pauses to check it out while Luca holds the door open for her, her lips quirking in bemusement. “Do you think they could have made it any bigger?”
Luca snickers.
“They could try,” I joke.
I can’t wait to show her what I can do. Her being here gives me even more motivation to kick ass. As soon as we’re outside, I’m next to her, possessively draping my arm over her shoulder so anyone watching knows she’s mine.
As we approach the players’ entrance, I see that most of my team has gathered outside, along with a few of the cheer skaters, Cindy at the helm. I’m guessing the facility manager is running late again.
“Yo, Ace!” Corbin hollers. “I haven’t heard from you since the party, man.” He grins at Sabs, curiosity glinting in his eyes, but he doesn’t ask any questions. “I guess I now know why you’ve been hiding.”
“He’s been a little busy,” Luca says while he and Corbin do their own handshake—a quick mash of fists and slaps they made up a while back.
“Good to see you again, Corbin.” Sabs give him a quick wave.
“I should thank you for your help with Nia.” He rubs his neck. “I’m taking her out tomorrow night.”
“Nice work.” I pat him on the back. Considering he could barely say two words to her mere days ago, an actual date is serious progress. “You’ve got this.”
While Corbin is acting like his usual self, it’s hard not to miss the whispers rippling through the rest of the group. Cindy and two of her blonde clones cross their arms, blocking the door.
“Only players and cheer skaters are allowed onto the premises.” I cringe in response to Cindy’s shrill voice, anger starting to simmer in my bloodstream when she points a manicured talon at Sabs. “She will have to wait outside.”
“Thanks for your concern, Cindy.” My voice is cold, tightening my grip on Sabs. “But the coach has made an exception for today.”
“An exception?” Cindy’s voice goes up a few pitches, reaching a frequency that I’m sure even cats would run away from. “For her? Why?”
By now, we’ve got everyone’s full attention.
Before I can open my mouth, Sabs steps forward.
“Mates have to stay close together during the bond adjustment period.” Unlike the rest of the ice cheering squad, Sabs isn’t intimidated by Cindy.
She stands confidently, staring straight back, flicking her red hair over her shoulder to display her bond mark.
The sight of my mark standing out against her freckled skin has my cock stirring to life.
“Read the SVU Handbook, if you care about the rules so much.”
Cindy gapes at her, her face a kaleidoscope of emotions, her expression morphing from pure shock then to red-faced anger before returning to sheer disbelief again.
“Y-y-y-you bonded?” Cindy struggles to get the words out.
“We did.” I let my gaze sweep over the group in a silent challenge. “Does anyone else have a problem with my mate watching practice?”
Most of my teammates look too stunned to speak, the others responding with a chorus of “no’s.” Not that anyone here would be brave enough to voice an objection to me anyway.
“I didn’t think so,” I growl as the facility manager arrives just in time to let us inside. I suppress an eye roll when no one enters. “What are you all doing standing around? We’ve got a game to win this weekend. Let’s go, team!”
Despite my teammates reeling from my announcement, my reminder about the game has injected more motivation into them as they all file inside, whooping and clapping.
“Well, that went well,” Luca whispers in my ear as we hang back, waiting so we’ll be the last to pass through the doors.
We pause before I head to the locker room. Cindy and her companions are still loitering close by, glaring at Sabs.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay with Luca?” I squeeze my omega’s shoulder, not wanting to leave her. “If that was too intense, we can leave now.”
“Intense? Puh-lease. I’m not some delicate flower.” Sabs scoffs. “I don’t care what bitches like her think. Besides, I have Luca to keep me company. What more could a girl want? Just focus on practice.”
“It’ll be even better knowing you’re watching.”