18. Adler #2
As I turn to leave, she grabs my hand and tugs me back.
I’m stunned as she rises on her tiptoes and plants her mouth on mine, stealing the air from my lungs.
We haven’t kissed like this since the night we bonded, and with our tongues dueling, I completely forget where we are.
Her lips breathe a fresh lease of life into me as her breasts push against my chest.
Breathless, she pulls away, reaching to wipe the corner of my mouth. “Sorry, lip gloss.”
I put my hand to my tingling lips, my vision still blurring at the edges. “What was that for?”
She grins mischievously. “I just wanted to make sure that everyone knows our status.”
“Possessive. I like it.” I grab her hips, pulling her back in for another kiss. “And there’s no doubt that you’re all mine.”
At my side, Luca clears his throat, then I hear Coach Tanner’s brisk voice echoing toward us. “Break it up, you two!” He points at me. “I granted permission for your mate to observe practice, not for you both to put on a show when you’re expected on the ice.”
“Sorry, Coach.” I don’t sound convincing, unable to stop grinning. “This is Sabrina Maverick.”
“Good to meet SVU’s star volleyball player,” Coach greets her. “I hear your team is rumored to be favorites to win the state championship this year.”
Despite his hardened approach, Coach Tanner is renowned as being one of the best. His judgments are fair, and he cares about his players, on and off the ice.
“You can count on it,” Sabs replies.
“I like your confidence.” Coach nods, impressed. “Now, Ace, you better summon some of that same confidence, and get your ass out there. Sharp.”
“Yes, Coach.” I salute him before kissing Sabs on the forehead for good measure, unable to resist.
“See you out there.” She waves as Luca takes her arm and leads her away to where they’ll be watching from the stands.
As soon as I enter the locker room, the guys practically bundle on top of me.
“Is it really true?” one asks. “You bonded?”
“Yep.” I pop the P as I stroll to my locker, trying to keep it casual as I unzip my gym bag and get ready to change.
“But why?” Zach, a teammate I’ve never liked who is sporting bandages over his swollen nose, is incredulous. “You had your pick of any omega or beta on campus. You had pussy and slick on tap! Why close your options so early? Sure, your omega is smoking, but if I were you, I’d—”
I slam my locker shut with so much force that the deafening bang has him jumping backward.
“You’re not me,” I growl, squaring my shoulders as I loom over him. “And I don’t want you looking at my omega ever again, understood?”
“Easy, Ace.” His smug grin makes me want to rearrange his face. “I was only kidding. Chill out!” He turns to go then mutters under his breath, “As long as this omega bitch doesn’t stop us from winning the ga—”
I grab his jersey, twisting the fabric in my fist to yank him back. “Never disrespect my omega again.” My spittle flies all over his face. “Not unless you want me to grab those skates and slice your—”
“Okay, okay! I get it!” His eyes widen in fear. Like I’ve grabbed his tiny balls in my fist, his macho bravado vanishes in a flash. “I won’t say anything.”
“And that goes for the rest of you,” I address the room, which has descended into silence.
“Don’t ever disrespect my mate if you want to stay on this team.
” I release my grip on Zach then wipe my hands on my pants.
Slimy fucker. “This is your last warning, Zach. Unless you want more broken bones to match your nose, mind your own fucking business.”
Zach slinks away, keeping his distance. Everyone else seems to get the message that my bonding status is not open to discussion, the usual locker room banter resuming.
“Sabs, huh?” Corbin appears beside my locker as soon as I close it.
“Don’t worry.” He shows me his open palms. “I come in peace. I just wanted to say congrats, dude. I knew when you met her it was something special.” He leans in so none of the others can hear.
“I’m guessing it wasn’t…” he mouths, “planned?”
“No,” I admit, “but we’re making it work. She’s…” I can’t stop smiling. Whenever I think about her, a warmth spreads through me. I don’t think I’ve ever grinned so much in my goddamn life, even if there’s a slight tightness in my chest from being away from her. “Fucking incredible.”
“Who knew that Adler Ace would be the first alpha on the team to settle down?” Corbin chortles. “Nia says she’s great.”
“She is.”
“So what’s the deal with the rest of the pack?” He sits on the bench next to me, strapping on his shin guards. “Are they all—”
“They’re getting to know her.” Not willing to go into detail here, I decide to change the subject, nudging my head in Zach’s direction. “What happened to Zach’s face? The prick looks like he was clubbed with a stick.”
“That stick was another alpha’s fists.” Corbin chuckles.
The guy who pummeled him is obviously not a fan of Zach either.
“Apparently, the guy attacked him at Club Knotty after the party. Zach claims it was completely unprovoked. Obviously.” Corbin shrugs, dropping his voice.
“Whoever it was did what I’ve been wanting to do for years. I wish I’d been there.”
Well, damn. I think back to what Drax said about losing control in Club Knotty. That guy’s a thorn in my fucking side right now, but I have to give him some props for teaching Zach a lesson.
“What’s taking so long?!” Coach’s voice booms. “Ice! Now!”