Chapter Twenty-Two
Vonn
“She’s not here,” Julius whispers to me through gritted teeth. My eyes scan the stadium searching for our tiny, flame-haired omega. But he’s right. Sniffing the air like a bloodhound, I probe for even the faintest hint of raspberries and poppies, only to come up empty.
Worry builds inside me, and I wonder if perhaps Asher won’t be here either. Our little omega is skittish, and there’s no doubt in my mind that all of Julius’s questioning freaked her out. His tenacity is part of what makes him such a great friend and Captain, but right now, I could kill him for it.
Dammit, Julius.
Fortunately, the team comes skating out onto the ice, and Asher is one of the first among them. They’re wearing new jerseys and looking like a team. I can tell that they all have fresh pads, skates, and helmets as well. Freaking sneaky genius.
“Did you do that?” I ask, nodding to the boys. He just shrugs his shoulders.
“Of course. If I see that kid nearly eat ice because of shitty skates one more time…” He trails off, but I know just what he means.
Asher has all our protective instincts, wanting to provide for him.
At their core, Alphas are meant to protect and care for their omegas and children.
Seeing our omega’s progeny in anything but the best would have continued to chafe at us.
I chuckle and shake my head, but it calms my frustration at my pack brother, reminding me of how truly good Julius can be.
Hard and to the point sometimes, but always leading with his heart.
It almost makes me feel bad that I haven’t told him my suspicions about Nixie’s profession.
After our date yesterday, all I could think about was the name Alex and that necklace Nixie kept playing with.
Both images kept swirling around my head until suddenly I remembered seeing them on ScorchedOmega’s live feed.
The pretty silver heart and the obscene douchebag who insisted she scream his name as she came.
Fucking Alex.
I wish I had a recording of the session so I could go back and prove it, but that’s not a thing.
Still, the more I thought about it, the more sense it made.
ScorchedOmega entranced me deeply, calling to my baser instincts, even though we weren’t in the same room.
The thing is, I got rid of my profile and told her I wasn’t coming back, so I’m not sure how to go about confirming my suspicions.
And if our omega is a camgirl, that shit needs to stop. I might share her with Julius, but that’s where my kindness ends. Nixie’s perfect curves are for our eyes only, and she’s not gonna be sharing her body with some creeps from the internet.
Even if I used to be one…
But things are already so strained between us since the disaster of a date, I can’t make another misstep with her. There needs to be no doubt that she and ScorchedOmega are one and the same before I level any accusations her way.
I wish she would just let us in, but where’s the challenge in that? Omegas need their Alphas to prove themselves worthy, and I am more than ready to take on the task.
As Asher skates over, along with Brenden one of his teammates, their eager faces force me to get my head back in the moment.
“Hey, boys, let’s take a few laps around to get used to your new skates, yeah?” Just like that, we set off, and the subtle burn in my thighs and calves helps keep my focus.
As we make our way around the rink, slicing through the thin ice on shining, sharp skates, Julius and his two kids saddle up beside us.
“Let’s work together?” he asks, his eyes trained on Asher.
Being removed as his mentor was a sizable blow for Julius.
Nixie was right to be protective, but I know Julius has Asher’s best interest at heart.
And after our date, hopefully, things are moving in the right direction, so I’m willing to share, but only if Asher is on board.
As much as I hate to admit it, Julius is a better mentor for Asher.
I’m a mediocre goaltender at best, and the kid has the potential to be a powerful forward.
There is no better teacher than Julius. Hell, my packmate taught me everything I know about hockey and pushed me every step of the way to becoming a professional player.
“Sounds good. As long as it doesn’t make him uncomfortable.
” I nod in Asher’s direction as we pull up to the boards and grab a swig from our water bottles.
Julius grunts in acknowledgment, then skates over to Asher and holds out his hand.
The boy eyes it like a snake, and worry has me shifting on my skates.
Asher and Nixie are a package deal. A perfectly packaged deal, and while I wouldn’t change anything about them, Julius needs to be accepted by both.
I’ve only known Nixie for a little while, but it’s clear that her son is her top priority.
There will be no pack if Julius can’t make amends with Asher.
“I’m sorry for acting like an ass the other day after practice. But I’d still like the opportunity to help you win this exhibition.” Julius rarely apologizes, though I doubt Asher understands the gravity of such an admission. His nose scrunches, and he looks around uncomfortably.
I move to step between them, but I pause when Asher speaks.
“My mom works really hard so I can play hockey. Some nights, she doesn’t even eat dinner to make sure I have enough food.
Even when I lie and say I’m full, she knows.
She’s a great mom…” Asher folds his arms across his chest—such a big gesture from such a little man.
“If you promise to leave her alone, then I’m cool with us working together. ”
“Can’t promise I’ll leave her alone, but I’ll certainly be respectful.
” As honest as ever, Julius won’t make a promise he can’t keep, and I’m thankful for it.
Lying to Asher would be a mistake; a son needs to trust his father, and we have a lot of intentions toward his mother.
But leaving her alone doesn’t factor into any of our plans.
“Yeah, okay, whatever. As long as you never yell.” Asher shrugs, shuffling on his skates. It’s enough for the moment. We’ll have time to work on the rest, but for now, it’s time to get this practice going.
Blowing my whistle, I gesture for the boys to line up, and all four snap to attention.
“All right, well, today we’re gonna work on your shots.
As you all know, I’m the backup goalie for the Scented Scorpions, so today your aim is going to be to get as many pucks past me as possible.
You’re going to line up in a straight line, and I’m gonna be in goal.
Julius will help you determine the best route.
Let’s start with one-on-ones, then level up to partner work. ”
A few of the boys cheer excitedly, the thought of getting one past a real professional goalie too much to take.
But Asher takes the whole thing seriously.
Since I planned these drills, I’m already wearing the proper pads, and I skate straight to the net where I’ve left my water bottle, helmet, and stick.
Tilting my head back, I take a quick sip from my water bottle, then lift the goalie helmet before jamming it down over my head.
Showtime. A thrill races through my blood, and I’m eager to see what these boys can do.
Julius lines them up on the blue line, going from one to the next and whispering in each of their ears.
Asher steps up first, speeding down the ice.
The puck is firmly secured to his stick in front of him.
He floats over the ice, stick a blur, before slapping one straight at me.
It’s easy to see where the puck is going, and I slide over, placing my body in the center of its trajectory.
It hits me square in the chest, then slips into my glove, and I toss it over to the corner.
Save made. Asher frowns, disappointed, but the glint of determination in his eye gives me a thrill.
“You got some good speed on that, Asher. Now you have to look for a hole to slide it in. Never aim for center mass.” He nods, considering my words before skating back to the blue line. Honestly, this coaching kids thing is fun. Perhaps it might be a good career move after I’m done in the pros.
I block shot after shot, part of me feeling guilty and wondering if I should let them get one by, but that’s not how they’ll learn.
We cycle through the boys over and over until finally Asher has his moment.
He takes off like a shot from the blue line, slicing right, and I follow him.
He gets the puck on his stick like he’s gonna go high, and I’m ready to make the save.
At the last possible second, he swings his arm back and gets off a rapid shot, which goes low left, right into the corner pocket.
“You did it!” I shout, surprised that he got one past me.
He cheers triumphantly, raising his hands above his head. Julius runs forward, giving him a hug and lifting him off the ice. Asher’s face glows with pride, and I glance around, looking for Nixie to share this moment.
But she’s still nowhere to be found. Where in the world is our omega?
Practice is over way too soon, and the boys file off the ice, heading for the locker room.
“Did you see how quickly he learned?” Julius crows, excitement trumpeting from him as we get off the ice. The pro players have a different locker room, so we quickly walk in.
“He’s exceptional. But I didn’t see Nixie anywhere near the rink.” We rush through getting our pads and skates off, desperate to make sure we don’t miss her.
Nixie hasn’t said much to either of us since yesterday. Just a quick text to confirm that she was home safe last night and absolutely nothing to Julius. Unease ripples in my gut.
Have we lost her already?
“I’m sure she’ll be out front. If there’s one thing we know about our omega, it’s that she’s the biggest mama bear. I’m sure she would never forget to pick him up, even if she’s trying to avoid us.” Just another reason she’s perfect.
As we make our way out of the locker room and toward the front of the ice rink, we spill out into the lobby area, and parents immediately descend.
They shout questions at us, which I mindlessly answer, but as much as I try to wander through the crowd, I still don’t see her anywhere.
My heart pounds, getting more frantic by the second, but there’s no sign of Nixie.
No sweet raspberry to lure me to my doom.
Finally, I spot Asher as he ambles into the lobby.
His eyes search the group of parents, a small crease forming between his brows.
As soon as Julius catches sight of the boy, he immediately shoulders past the throngs of people attempting to garner his attention.
Unable to hold back, my leg muscles bunch, propelling me forward.
“Excuse me, coming through. Out of my way.” All decorum has gone, and if another person gets in my way, they’re going to get a good shove.
Asher’s adorable face breaks into a grin as he waves at someone in the crowd.
I swivel, nearly toppling over in my haste to see my omega.
When I turn, there’s no shock of freckles to greet me.
No scent of sweet raspberries to quench my craving.
Instead, he’s waving at a tall, curvy woman with curly black hair.
She’s objectively pretty, but not who I want to see at all.
The woman sweeps Asher into her arms, and he returns the embrace with a comfortable familiarity that makes my heart squeeze.
I wish he had that kind of comfort around us.
“Who the hell is that?” Julius growls in my ear. But before I can voice my theory about the woman being their roommate, he’s rushing across the room shouting, “Hey, you’re not his mom. Asher can’t leave with you!”
Asher turns back to look at us. And the fluorescent lights in the lobby make his freckles stand out even more. He looks so much like his mom that it nearly takes my breath away. It’s barely been any time, but a fierce longing to protect him rises and threatens to drag me under.
Suddenly, we are at his sides, and Julius reaches out, grabs Asher’s arm gently, and pulls him back toward the safety of our pack.
“Hey, Coach Julius! This is my aunt, Cassia. We live together.” Asher looks up at him before tugging his arm away in confusion.
“Mom said that she had to work tonight, so Cass picked me up and drove me to practice. I promise it’s all good.
She’s on my approved pickup list for school and everything. ”
I was right. The roommate.
“I don’t know her,” Julius snarls, acting overly protective. I bump his shoulder, trying to snap him out of it. He blinks hard, then straightens up. “But if you’re sure… Do you have a phone number?” Cassia frowns and steps forward.
“Why in the world would you need a little boy’s phone number?” she asks, clapping her hand over Asher’s mouth to stop him from answering.
“Because we’ve never seen you before, and we want to make sure he gets home safe.” Asher licks Cassia’s hand, making her squeal in disgust. His eyes fill with mirth, and he chuckles.
“I promise I’ll get home safe. We’re going to the same place. Cassia has been my mom’s best friend since before I was born.” He holds up his hands, then looks at the woman for confirmation.
“I totally get that, but I’d still feel better knowing that you got home safe.” I struggle to hold back a snort of derision because he always calls me a simp for that request.
Asher looks at his aunt for approval, and when she agrees, he rattles off a number that Julius plugs into his phone. “I just texted you. You have my number in case you ever need anything. Hockey-related or otherwise, you can always count on me and Vonn. Anything, anywhere, anytime.”
The kid’s eyes widen, and he glances between us, surprised and a bit curious. Obviously, he’s too smart to think this is just about hockey. “Thanks,” he mutters, slipping his hand into Cassia’s and giving a small wave before they say goodbye and head out into the waiting night.
As they walk toward their car, I turn to Julius, sensing the opportunity right in front of us.
“We’re following them home, right?” It’s all wrong.
A complete invasion of privacy, but what if she needs us?
Maybe as much as we already need her. Scent-matches aren’t just a suggestion; they’re a biological imperative, and at some point, she’s going to realize it. I just hope it’s not too late.
“Fuck, yeah! Now you’re speaking my language. If Nixie won’t come to us, we’ll go to her. Good job, simp.”
Sweet omega, you won’t get away that easily…