24. Lucas
As I step onto the ice, adrenaline pumps through my body and it’s not because I’m doing what I love, playing hockey for the New York Bears. It’s because Stanton wasn’t home before I left the apartment. And he’s not here for drills either.
Is he with her?
For now, I’ll brush off my concerns and focus on the game. But for sure, later he’ll hear my wrath.
I’m ready to take charge and try to wipe away the way Stanton looked at me as he stroked over the back of her hand.
The puck drops and we’re off. I skate as fast as I can, weaving through the opposing team’s defense, trying to create scoring opportunities.
Jenson passes to me as Carver cuts past me, the sound of his skates scraping against the ice. He steals the puck right out from under my stick.
Get a grip, Lucas!
Vehement determination propels me forward, and I spurt down the ice like a raging bull toward a red flag.
My muscles burn as I race towards the puck, ready to steal it back and take control of the game before he gets the chance to take a shot.
But Carver is the best on the ice, despite what Stanton thinks. One day, the iceman, Carver, is going to own the NHL. He’ll have teams eating out of his hands and owners giving him blank checks. I just hope I’m on the same team as him.
His brother, Colton, pushes forward, and I join him, ready to take charge. But Carver isn’t easy to read. He has a skill that most players don’t seem to have.
Luckily, Colton trained with his older brother since he was young, and he knows his next move.
Colton slides alongside his brother, making it awkward for Carver to take a shot. Carver should find a teammate and flick the puck for someone else to take a shot. Instead, he skates low, slicing the ice as he cuts around the back of the net like an eagle about to swoop on its prey.
I hold my defensive position, not giving him the space he needs to shoot.
His eyes search around as he swings around the net, already seeing the wall that stops his shot.
But he controls the puck between the ice and his stick, cutting across the front of the net. I turn, but before I take my next breath, he spins a one eighty and flicks his stick, plummeting the puck into the back of the net.
“Time for a break,” Coach calls to the team, before turning to me as I skate off the ice. “Where’s Stanton?”
I shrug my shoulders.
“You live together,” he says with an exasperated tone.
“I’m not his keeper.”
“Well, he needs to get his act together, or he’s off the team. Being the captain doesn’t save anyone.”
Stanton is a crucial part of our team and his absence is felt on the ice, but it won’t stop me from breaking his legs if he tries to put a wedge between me and Grace.
“Is he sick?” Colton asks when we rest for a drink. “He looked okay this morning.”
My back stiffens as cold ice freezes it in place.
“He looked fine last night too,” Jenson interrupts. “He’s probably spent the night with his date.”
I rumble a low growl as I turn to Colton. “Where was he this morning?”
“At the hotel.” He narrows his eyes as he looks at me. “He slept at the hotel in Grace’s room.”
“He fucking did what?” I growl.
“I know. I hope she knows what she’s doing.”
I grab my phone from the seat and press to call his name, and when he answers I grunt, “Where the fuck are you? We’re waiting to practice.”
“I’m on my way.”
“Did you need some more sleep?” I growl.
“Fuck you, Lucas. If you don’t want to treat our omega right, don’t expect me to join you.”
“She’s not our omega.”
She is mine.
“You’re right. I’m the one who walked her back to the hotel. I’m the one who was in her bed last night. I’m the one who helped with her sickness. I’m...”
“She smells my scent.” My voice rumbles as the rest of the team turns to me.
Coach grabs the cell from my hand. “Get your ass here, or you’re off the team this weekend.”
Thirty minutes later, Stanton skates onto the ice and I want to smash his kneecaps with my stick.
When the fucker grins at me, I rush forward and shoulder check him with enough rage to send him onto his back.
“What the fuck was that for? You’re an idiot,” he yells, tapping his head, trying to insinuate I have a problem.
“Fuck you.”
As he rises onto his skates, I stand and wait for what’s going to happen next. Stanton is predictable, and probably why I know he can’t keep up the charade of not fucking the puck bunnies for too long.
And that’s why I don’t want him playing games with my omega.
His face twists as he skates toward me. I don’t flinch when he throws his gloves onto the ice and unfastens his helmet.
I don’t because I’m doing the same.
“You stayed in her room.” My voice is low and gravelly as I hiss into his face. I thrust out my hands and push against his chest. “What do you think you’re playing at?”
The rest of the team skates toward us. I hold my palm to them, letting them know this is between Stanton and me, and I don’t want anyone else getting involved.
“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” I growl under my breath.
“The opposite.” He grins. “You don’t want her. But I do.”
“You’re using her to get to me.” I shove him again.
“Lucas,” Colton warns me. “You’re being an asshole.”
I ignore him and point a finger into Stanton’s hard chest. “I’m warning you to keep away from her.”
“Fuck you,” he seethes, getting into my face. His heated breath against my ear. “You can walk away from her, but I can’t.”
“She’s using you to get to me.”
He runs his tongue over his teeth. “She can use me. You’re forgetting she’s an omega. She needs an alpha—a pack. She needs to be looked after. She needs me.”
“Don’t do this,” I hiss.
He shrugs his shoulders. “You choose Raine. Choose your father. But I choose Grace, and I’m not holding back for your sake any longer.”
I grunt as I watch his smug, handsome face, wanting to smash a puck into it.
“What the fuck is going on?” Coach yells, skating on the ice.
“Stay the hell away from her,” I hiss to Stanton.
He chuckles. “Why? Just because you’re not brave enough to go for what you want, that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t.”
“I could always take the offer to move to Miami at the end of the season,” I say.
Stanton’s the only person I’ve told about my agent’s call a few days ago with an offer of extra money to transfer to Florida.
“You wouldn’t leave this team.”
I know it’s the last thing that Stanton wants, and I reply, “Then don’t test me.”