Chapter 56
Bayleigh
It’s been a week since my heat, and I’ve officially moved in.
When I told my mom I wasn’t coming home, she was excited for me, but asked if we'd formally bonded. I thought she’d be upset when I said no, and that she’d demand I come home.
And I thought for sure if not her, then my dad or Benton would.
But no one did as I expected them to. They were happy for me. And it felt amazing. Finally, everything was coming up roses for me.
Milton and Lincoln were ready to take me home that very morning to pack all my belongings, but I had to slow them down.
They already wanted to look at homes, but they were trying to wait until they knew if they were going to be traded to another team.
It was a no-brainer that they’d want to be close to whatever rink they’d be playing at.
A small part of me worries that it might be in an entirely different city or state.
I’d follow them; there’s no doubt about that, but the uncertainty that comes with the change is what has me unnerved.
I did go home long enough to pack some more clothing, favorite stuffies, and of course my laptop and camera. I still have a job to work at, and I love my job with the Krakens. I’ll forever be thankful to Benton for helping me get it.
Finishing some updates on the Krakens’ website, I set my laptop down on the coffee table and raise my arms above my head while I arch back into the couch and stretch. My stomach decides to contract, angry that I haven’t eaten yet.
I tap my sock-covered toes on the floor before deciding to message the guys that I want us all to go out to eat together. I’m sure they’re hungry, and I’m already missing them.
Picking up my phone, I open our group chat and message them.
I’m hoping like hell that Korbin and Milton are done with practice.
I know the general manager of the Scorpions and their coach gave them grief about being out while I was in heat.
They aren’t bonded with me, and according to them, that technically didn’t warrant them missing practice.
I think they’re just pissed that I’m not the omega that bitch Marilyn picked for them.
Me: I’m starving. I miss my alphas. How does lunch sound?
Lincoln: Sounds good. I miss my omega too.
Korbin: We have another meeting with Coach, but we’re free after that. We’re getting ready to go to his office. How does thirty minutes sound?
Milton: What are you hungry for, Baby?
I laugh, heat rising in my core. Debating whether I should answer the way I want or not tempts me. But the vixen in me takes over.
Me: I’m hungry for my alphas’ knots. But I need food first.
Milton: You can have my knot anytime you want. Tie me up and you can make sure I’m always available for you.
Milton: WTF Korbin. Why did you smack me upside the head?
Lincoln: Aren’t the two of you together? Why the hell are you asking him in the chat if he’s beside you?
Korbin: Because he’s an idiot.
Milton: No, that's not it. I want my girl to know how mean her surly alpha is being to me.
Korbin: NM him. Where do you want to go, Bayleigh?
Lincoln: I can pick you up.
Korbin: And we can meet you at the restaurant.
Me: No, I want to pick you up. At least you, Lincoln. I’m sure Korbin and Milton will be done for the day, anyway.
Lincoln: Oh, I get to be the passenger princess, huh?
Me: LOL, I love that. I’m going to brush my hair and put on my shoes, then I’ll be on my way. Are you at the office?
Lincoln: Yes.
Milton: We can stop on the way to pick you up a crown, Lincoln.
Lincoln: Keep it up, asshole, and we’ll have our own lunch. I’m hungry for some sweet slick, anyway.
I can’t help but laugh, messaging quickly to let Lincoln know I’ll be leaving in just a couple of minutes. He promises to be on the lookout for me. I’m supposed to come up with where I want to eat by the time I get to him.
I debate changing my clothes, but decide that my jeans and oversized sweater are cute. And I actually like the way I look in them. The only thing missing is boots, and I just so happen to have my favorite pair of charcoal-colored ones here.
Before I walk out the door, I send a message just to Lincoln.
Me: I’m walking out the door now.
He responds immediately.
Lincoln: Drive safely. You’re precious cargo, Baby. I’ll see you soon.
My face beams with pride at him considering me precious cargo.
The three of them have done wonders for my confidence, showing me how an alpha should treat their omega, the person they love.
I head straight to the car, the ride to his office uneventful.
I even manage to hit every green light along the way.
When I pull up at his office, he’s already standing outside waiting for me. He doesn’t even give me a chance to come to a stop before he’s running to the driver’s side of the car. I smile, roll down the window, and he leans in and kisses me.
I thought you wanted to be a passenger princess?
I do. But I wanted to kiss you first. It’s been since this morning that I’ve tasted your lips on mine.
A few of the signs weren’t perfect, but I’m still amazed at how quickly he’s picking it up. Even Korbin and Milton are doing great.
He runs around to the passenger side and gets in the car, rubbing his hands together, then placing them in front of the vent to warm them up.
How long were you waiting outside?
Long enough to wish I’d put my gloves on.
We both laugh as he places his hand on my thigh, squeezing it gently.
“We have a change in plans,” he says. “The guys aren’t able to leave. Their prick coach is making them practice this afternoon to make up for being out during your heat. Claims they missed valuable ice time for an omega that’s not even approved by their matchmaker.”
My heart breaks. I hate that they’re being reprimanded because of me. I feel his hand on my cheek, wiping the tears I didn’t even know had fallen from my eyes.
His whole posture changes.
“Nope, you’re not going to cry. That bullshit with the matchmaker isn’t anything we wanted. We don’t care what they think. You’re our omega, and our place is with you. It’s where we want to be. Once we’re done courting and marking you as ours, it will all be official.”
“Okay.” It just slips from my mouth. “Then let’s go pick up some food and take it to them. I’m thinking some subs sound good.”
“They do sound good.” He winks at me. “Just one thing.”
“What?” I ask while signing. Confused that there’s more.
“I’m going to have you naked in my bed tonight.”
A laugh bursts from me. “You fucking had me worried,” I scold him, already blushing.
“But you didn’t say no,” he reminds me.
“No, I didn’t.” I lean in, kissing him again—quick this time—then pull away before it leads to something more scandalous happening right in front of his office.
“First stop is the Sub Shack. I’ll let them know what we’re doing and get their orders,” he says.
“Then the next stop is the Scorpions’ rink,” I add.
About forty-five minutes later we’re walking into the Scorpion training rink.
A blast of cold air hits me the second we step inside the building.
The sharp scent of ice and sweat overpowers me.
Our team is on the ice, still practicing, their skates digging and cutting into the ice as tiny black pucks fly across the rink.
I spot them immediately. Milton and Korbin moving like they were born on blades.
Raising my hand, I wave at them as Lincoln guides me over to a seat. I can’t help but notice the looks I’m getting. Players are glaring at me with irritation, curiosity, and I suddenly feel like an interloper on their turf.
Lincoln must notice it too, as we sit down and he places the bags of food in the seat beside him.
Ignore them. They’re jealous they don’t have you, he signs.
We sit there for about another ten minutes, and I’m suddenly thankful that the subs are cold and not hot.
Then the whistle blows, releasing them for lunch.
They skate over, stopping at the edge of the ice to pull their blade protectors from their bags and put them on.
Once they take off their helmets and gloves and place them on their bags, they head straight to us, their breaths coming out in heavy pants.
Both Milton and Korbin waste no time pulling me into their arms and kissing me. Making the grand display to the men on their team that I’m theirs and they’re fucking proud of me.
Lincoln opens the bag and hands out the subs, chips, and drinks to us.
Milton takes a seat in the chair beside me and leans over, kissing me again before signing as he speaks, “You spoil us.”
And you love it, I sign back. I’m not sure how much they’ll understand the rest of what I’m going to say, so I use my voice as well. I’ve been wanting to get over my fear of speaking in public, and what better time than now? “How long do you have to eat?”
“About thirty minutes. Then we have practice for another hour or so,” Korbin speaks this time, before taking a bite of his tuna and banana pepper sandwich.
My eyes focus on how he’s sitting in the row of seats in front of me. His huge body is turned sideways in the seat with one leg stretched out on the floor in front of him and the other bent up over the armrest and placed in the seat beside him.
“Are you comfortable?” I question him.
He smiles, winks, and finishes chewing the food in his mouth, then reaches down to where he has a drink on the floor and takes a swallow.
“Nope,” he says, looking back at me. “But I want to make sure you can see my face. We only have a little bit of time, so it’s okay. I’ll survive. You can take care of me later.”
My heart flutters, and the butterflies in my stomach do flips of delight. There’s nothing I want more than to take care of him later.
Korbin and Milton spend more time eating than talking, but they never take their eyes off me. My eyes drift over to the other side of the rink, and I see their coach talking to a woman, both of them glaring my way.
“Who is that?” I ask, trying to point without being obvious.
Korbin turns, looking in the direction I just gestured. But Milton beats him to the answer.
“That's our dick of a coach and Marilyn. She’s the matchmaker they thought was going to match us to some prissy omega.” Milton doesn’t even try to be discreet before he’s waving at them like a lunatic, then blows them a kiss.
“Stop,” I say, nearly dropping my sandwich I’ve barely eaten to cover his hand with mine and pull it down.
“Why?” he asks, brow raised in confusion.
“Because you’re going to get in trouble. Or worse, fired. And unless you’re keeping it a secret, you haven’t been traded to another team yet.”
Both Milton and Korbin shrug their shoulders, and Lincoln taps me on my leg. I turn to face him, his hands already moving as he signs and speaks.
“We’d never keep anything from you. That lesson was learned the hard way when we didn’t tell you about the meeting with her.” Then he kisses me gently on the cheek.
Contentment takes over.
“Eat,” Korbin signs, and I catch the other two nodding in my periphery.
Picking up my sandwich, I start to eat, as my omega instincts suddenly fear they'll be worried about me being hungry. The rest of the time is filled with us eating, no talking or signing. It’s not needed.
Just being with the three of them is all I need.
When we’re all done, we start cleaning up, putting the trash back in the bag.
My eyes drift to Milton when I feel him moving beside me.
“I gotta get back,” Milton says regretfully when he sees me looking at him.
“The goalie coach is waving for me. But I want to thank you for lunch and say how incredible you look today.” He pulls me up and wraps his arms around me the best he can with his gear on.
I lean my head back so that he has access to my mouth, and he kisses me deeply before taking off back to the ice.
Korbin lingers, but he’s always been one to stand off to the side and watch. Observing what’s going on.
“I’ve got a minute before I have to get back. Can I walk you out and talk to you alone for a minute?”
I nod enthusiastically.
“I’m going to toss the trash. I’ll meet you at the exit doors,” Lincoln tells me before gathering everything and walking away.
The rink hums around us as he guides me down the steps. I take one final look over at Milton, who is standing with an older man, the coach I assume, and another player.
We step out the doors, and he grips my hand tighter, pulling me down the hallway. I can’t help but laugh when I see him checking doors to see if they’re open.
I reach up, placing my hand on his arm, squeezing tightly to get his attention. “What are you doing?” I ask.
Finally, he finds an open door. The sign on it says it’s the physical therapist, reminding me that I need to tell Milton that the Krakens’ therapist got back with me this morning.
She's planning on making a house call, but it has to be at my parents’ house.
I don’t want her getting any flack for seeing a Scorpion.
Apparently, the PT the Scorpions have is a rookie according to her.
It’s why the team has so many problems with injuries; he can’t properly treat them.
I thank God that Milton mentioned his wrist was still bothering him so I could help him get seen by someone who actually knows what they’re doing.
“Now, I have you all alone,” he says, shutting the door behind us.
“You do for now.” I swallow, taking a moment before continuing to speak. “But Lincoln asked if I’d sleep with him tonight, and I said yes.”
Korbin’s mouth curves up at the edges.
“Is that so?”
I barely have time to react before he’s leaning in, nipping gently at my ear. My breath hitches as he shifts his head and gazes at me, making sure I see exactly what he’s going to say.
“Then I guess you’re mine right now.”
The air shifts between us to something more charged, intimate.
His warm hands slip under the hem of my sweater, rubbing along my bare flesh just above my jeans.
He backs me up gently against the padded table.
He kisses me—deep, unhurried, tasting like ice and determination.
Just his touch has my perfume leaking out into the room, wrapping around us.
When he finally pulls back, his eyes are heated and his breath heavy.
“Now I’ll smell like you all practice. My own good luck charm. It’s going to drive Milton crazy.”
I swat playfully at his chest, laughing. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it.”
I can’t deny it. I do.
“As much as I hate it, I need to get back. I just needed to feel you. Let’s go find my brother.”
He takes my hand in his, and we slip out of the room before we both say screw it and fuck on the table. When we make it to the exit door, Lincoln’s standing there grinning.