Chapter 31 #2
“How do you feel about hockey season starting back up again soon, Dad?” I ask, keeping my feet moving.
I’ve been running for so long, I know the second I stop moving, I’m done for. My legs are beginning to feel like jello.
“I think we have a solid team,” he grunts. His breathing is even, and he told me that the doctor is happy with the changes he’s been making to his life. “I look forward to our games with the Scented Scorpions. Can’t wait to wipe the floor with them.”
Miles snorts in amusement. This is becoming a joke between them lately.
“We’ll see,” Miles says. “You’re coming to Nashville this season. We could win this one.”
“Did Cae tell you everything that’s wrong with your players?” Dad asks knowingly.
I huff out a laugh as Dad nods. Miles has regularly asked me to dissect his team and any weaknesses they may have. Orgasms are usually my favorite kind of reward.
After the attack at the hockey game, everything went downhill, including my sex drive.
My hormones are off, and I somehow ended up skipping my last heat.
My body is extremely off-kilter, but things are getting better.
Throughout it all, my alphas have been there, reminding me that none of this is my fault.
Being in New Orleans with my dad is the best medicine, and I spent a week in New York City earlier this summer with my pack. I don’t think there’s anything that Broadway and art museums can’t fix.
“That’s what I thought,” Dad grunts, already connecting the dots. “Well, since you have Cae helping, you may have a shot.”
I can’t help my giggle as we enter the last loop of our run. I know Dad doesn’t mean anything by his teasing, not like Friedrick when he called me a whore. Santo’s dad called a few days ago to tell me the settlement agreement is finalized and that I should expect the payment soon.
Miles smirks at Dad’s words, completely amused by the solo conversation he managed to have on his own.
“I had our mail forwarded, Caelia. Santo started worrying that we might miss something important that’s not bill related,” Miles says.
Levon elbows Miles in the gut, making him push him off. Dad just moves me out of the way so they can get it out of their system as we continue to run.
I know that they’re working together to get me into art school. I created a portfolio over the summer for my application on a whim, and since it all disappeared recently, I have a feeling that my alphas submitted it.
I kept telling them that I didn’t think art school was viable, yet they still insist that it’s possible. I guess they’re right, because with this settlement from Friedrick, it’ll pay for itself.
Sneaky alphas.
“If your numbskull alphas are quite done,” Dad says, coming to a stop in front of my rental, “I’ll let you clean up. Dinner later?”
“Yes,” I say, sitting on the curb as my legs give out. “How are you four still upright?”
“We have better stamina and more leg muscle,” Dad smirks, walking toward his house. “See ya later!”
“Poor little omega,” Levon laughs, helping me up and lifting me over his shoulder. A loud crack across my ass as he spanks me makes me squeal.
Walking up the walkway, Miles sighs as he picks up a huge box of mail.
“Maybe you were right,” he says begrudgingly to Santo. “Several months of mail is rough.”
Santo chuckles under his breath as he unlocks the front door, and we walk inside. It’s nice and cool, and I can feel the sweat begin to freeze on my skin. It’s both helpful and uncomfortable at the same time.
“Let’s eat lunch before we all head up to shower,” Miles suggests, carrying the box of mail to the kitchen.
Levon carts me over while I struggle not to lose too many brain cells from the lack of blood flow.
“I’m getting dumber by the second,” I complain, making Levon laugh as he carefully sets me in a chair. “Ugh, the head rush is rough.”
“You’re perfect,” Levon says, giving me a sloppy and panty melting kiss. “What are we doing for lunch?”
“I’m thinking of a big salad and grilled chicken,” Santo muses, opening the fridge door.
I let them figure it out as I watch them, and Miles drops a fat packet in front of me a couple of minutes later. It’s from the Nashville Art Institute.
“Miles,” I hiss, staring at it.
It’s one thing to assume that my alphas are up to shit, and quite another to see the results.
“Don’t ‘Miles’ me,” he says, his finger pushing my chin up to gaze into his icy blue eyes. “We love you, and you deserve good things. Even when you’re scared to go for it.”
It hits me hard that he’s right as he walks back to the kitchen table where he’s sorting the mail. I didn’t think I’d get in. I create art for me, and now for the enjoyment of other people.
I’ve never believed that I was good enough to make this a full time gig. Blowing out a breath, I tear open the packet.
“Read the letter out loud,” Levon suggests as he cuts up vegetables for the salad.
“Shit,” I curse, chewing on my inner lip as I pull out the papers.
This is going to suck if I don’t get in.
“Miss Freedman, thank you for taking the time to apply,” I read. “There have been many applicants, but we were impressed with your work. We’d love to share that we are accepting you for this fall semester’s term…”
“Fuck yeah!” Levon cheers, while Santo grins.
“I knew it,” Miles says. “Congratulations, baby.”
“Holy shit,” I whisper. “I’m really going to art school?”
Miles gets up to whisk me off the bar stool, hugging me hard.
“Baby, it’s never been a matter of ‘if’, but rather when,” he murmurs against my hair. “You’re so talented.”
Santo bobs his head in a nod as he comes around to steal me away.
“I don’t care if you can’t see it yet,” he says, kissing me. “We’re here to make sure that you get everything you deserve.”
Levon grins as he joins the hug, making me grin as he squeezes us.
“Caelia, you deserve so many good fucking things,” he murmurs, making heat flood behind my eyes. Dammit, I don’t want to cry! “You deserve to heal, create art, and live a really good life, baby. Nothing else should get in the way of that.”
Sniffling, I hold onto my alphas tighter, giggling as I hear the sound of chopping as Miles takes over.
“We’ll never eat at this rate!” he exclaims.
That’s true, but alpha cuddles may need to trump my hunger pains.
Two years later
Sitting on the bench next to Santo in the stadium in Savannah, I rub my stomach absently as the baby kicks.
We’re playing the Frozen Furies tonight as an away game, but their reputation isn’t great.
Fans in the stands proudly wear shirts that say Iceholes on them, and I force myself not to wrinkle my nose in disgust.
“How are my girls doing?” Santo asks, pressing against my back to help with the pain I’ve been feeling while pregnant. I insisted on coming after finding out that this is Troy’s team now. He bounced around through a few before landing here.
“We’re good,” I say with a smile. I’m tired, but that’s the nature of this. I’m in my second trimester and we just found out that we’re having a girl. I have yet to find this increased energy that the baby books and the internet swear hits you at this stage of pregnancy.
I feel like they’re lying to me.
“Mmhmm,” Santo mutters. “Mentirosa. You don’t have to lie to me, baby.”
“I don’t want to complain,” I admit. “I wanted to come watch the game.”
Santo and I decided to fly to keep from having to sit for seven hours in a car. I’m so glad we did, because I’m not cut out for it.
“Admitting that you’re uncomfortable isn’t complaining.”
Santo roots around in his backpack until he finds what he’s looking for. Snapping the heat pack, he presses that instead against my back, making me moan slightly. He also packed me a pillow for my ass so it wouldn’t go numb, and smuggled my favorite electrolyte filled water as well.
“You’re such a sweet alpha,” an older woman says, leaning forward to speak to us. I’m already showing, and my clothes have been evolving to more skirts and dresses to stay comfortable. “I wish more expectant fathers-to-be were this prepared.”
“More like anxious because I’m worried about her comfort, but thank you,” Santo chuckles.
The woman simply grins and I snuggle against him. He runs warm, and with the added benefit of the heat pack, I’m happy. Crossing my ankles, I catch a glimpse of my purple and black tights under my dress. I definitely am not in team colors, but I’m not a normal fan.
The announcer calls out the players as they begin to skate on the ice, and I catch Troy’s gaze as he moves past my seat. Turning to skate backward, I watch as he spits out his mouth guard to grin at me. I give him a small wave, and he appears a little more energetic as he goes to the bench.
“I don’t like how much he likes you,” Santo says under his breath.
“Who do I belong to?” I tease him, tilting my head up to kiss him.
“Me. You’re mine,” he grumbles against my lips. “Okay, you’re right. I’m being ridiculous.”
“Good alpha,” I giggle as he growls good naturedly.
“I really want to spank you,” Santo grunts.
“What’s stopping you?” I brat.
“Sixteen thousand people,” he sighs. “The public is saving you right now.”
“Aren’t I lucky?” I ask, knowing I’m in for it when I get back to the hotel.
We decided that we’re going to stay the night and then fly home. Levon and Miles are going to join us so that we can hang out together. We’re in a slew of away games, which is another reason we decided to come to Savannah.
It’s hectic, but not unmanageable. I have a few more months of art school, and I’m still taking commissions in and outside of Nashville. I don’t have to worry about money anymore, I do it because I love my work.
I’m living my dream and getting paid for it. How cool is that?
Santo, Miles, Levon, and I got married last summer, surrounded by the team, their friends, Addie and her pack, and our parents. I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding day. We even had a honeymoon, which is how I got pregnant.
My lips twitch in amusement as I think about how much has happened, and how damn lucky I am. My alphas remind me that there are ups and downs in life, but they’ll always be there through it all.
Luis, Riley, and Seth are rotting in prison for what they did to me. However, the clincher was how many other people they’d hurt as well. Apparently, they’d work as a team to rape women while on the road.
They never thought anyone would come forward, but the media coverage surrounding their case helped give people the courage to speak up. It also made me decide to take the stand to testify, something I never thought I’d be able to do.
While I occasionally still have nightmares about staring them down, I get to wake up, knowing they’re in prison for a long fucking time.
As if he knows where my thoughts are, he covers my hand with his. I tend to comfort myself by feeling the baby move inside of me. Santo waits until the groan subsides from the Icehole fans as someone misses a pass of the puck before leaning down to speak to me.
“Lucia is loved, baby,” he says. “She will always be protected, know her worth, and be taught self defense. I can already tell she’s a fighter.”
Santo isn’t wrong. She’s a very active little girl.
“She’s going to have you wrapped around her finger,” I say, grinning.
“Just like her mom,” Santo says, watching as Levon scores a goal. “Hell yeah, amor! Let’s go!”
Levon presses two fingers to his lips and then points to us as he passes by the glass, making my heart sore. I may have started out hating hockey players for a long time, but this one is mine.
I’ll take a sore ass to watch his thick thighs tense and release as he skates any fucking day.
“I may not be able to spank you, but I will happily fuck you in the bathroom stall,” Santo growls in my ear.
“That’s not a threat,” I purr. “Think we’ll get in trouble?”
As if knowing we’re up to no good, Miles turns to look for us and I blow him a kiss as he shakes his head.
“We’re already in trouble,” Santo whispers, packing up his bag and tugging me to stand with him as I laugh and follow him out.
I wish for a lifetime of happiness and shenanigans with my pack. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for, do you?