12. Calvin
Chapter 12
T he sharp sound of skates cutting into ice fills the air as we reset after a drill. Coach is in a rare good mood today, all because Nate is back on the ice. Our star player, our captain, finally cleared to return after the funeral and time off. The whole team feels it—the energy is electric, like we finally have our missing piece again.
It doesn’t hurt that my own week off was excused after we all took the blood test to confirm Daisy as our Omega. Turns out, we weren’t just running on instinct. Science backed it up. She was meant for us. Coach doesn’t know the details, only that I had "personal matters" to handle, but with Nate back, no one gives a damn that I missed time.
“Let’s go again!” Coach claps his hands. “We’re running drills until I say otherwise. You want that Alpha Cup? You better act like it!”
The puck drops. Nate surges forward, cutting through defense like they aren’t even there. Fast, aggressive, exactly what makes him a nightmare to play against. He barrels straight for me, the puck dancing on his stick with effortless control. I stay locked in, weight shifting, tracking his every move.
He feints left. I don’t bite. He swings right. I push off, following, keeping my frame square.
He shoots.
I drop, glove snapping up just in time to snag the puck before it can go through my legs. The impact stings through the padding, but I smirk as I rise. “Getting slow, Captain?” I toss the puck back towards center ice.
Nate shakes his head, skating past with a grin. “Just warming up, Cal. Hope you’re ready to work.”
We reset. Another drill. Nate leads the offensive rush, weaving through defenders like they don’t exist. The chemistry between him and our wingers is sharp, tight passes threading the needle, testing my reflexes.
I block the first shot. Kick save. The second is a deflection, hitting my shoulder pad. The third? Nate takes the pass, winds up, and rockets a slapshot straight at the top corner.
It finds the back of the net.
He pumps a fist. I curse under my breath.
Coach blows the whistle. “That’s more like it! Again!”
The drills push us hard. Speed drills, puck battles, breakaways—relentless pace. Sweat beads under my helmet, muscles burning. This is what it takes. No excuses. No days off. If we want that trophy, this is the work.
Nate and I keep trading wins, pushing each other harder. Every time he scores, I step up on the next one. He dangles the puck, trying to shake me, but I’m dialed in, matching him move for move. He gets one past me, but I shut down the next two. The team feeds off it, energy sky-high.
By the time Coach calls for a water break, my legs are on fire, lungs burn, but I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Nate skates over, helmet tucked under his arm, grinning like a bastard.
“You really needed that week off, huh?” He nudges me.
I smirk, squeezing water into my mouth. “You’re just mad I’m making you work for it.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “Damn right I am.”
After ten minutes of bullshitting with the team,Coach claps his hands. “Break’s over. Back at it!”
We get back into position, ready for another round. This is what we live for. The grind, the battle, the chase for the Cup. And with Nate back? Nothing’s stopping us.
***
The drive out to the lake is peaceful, afternoon sun casting golden streaks across the winding roads. I glance over at Daisy, who watches the scenery roll by with an easy smile. Her blonde hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail, a few wisps framing her face. She looks content, her fingers tapping idly against her thigh to the beat of the soft music playing through the car speakers.
The town gradually fades into a more rural landscape, thick trees lining the road as we near the lake. I picked this spot because it’s quieter than most public places, a bit off the beaten path. Less chance of running into fans, though I know it’s still possible. Some of the best kayaking spots are tucked away in these parts, and I want this afternoon to be about us.
As I pull up to the small rental dock, Daisy leans forward, eyes bright as she takes in the view. The lake stretches wide, the water glassy and calm, reflecting the sky. A few other kayakers are out, but for the most part, it’s quiet. Exactly what I wanted.
I park the car and hop out. Daisy steps out, stretching her arms over her head before giving me a curious glance. "So, we're really doing this? No fancy restaurants, no crowded places? Just this?"
I chuckle, nodding toward the dock. "Figured we could use a break from the usual. Unless you’d rather sit through another overpriced five-course meal?"
She shakes her head, grinning. "Nope. This is perfect. I haven't been kayaking in years."
We make our way toward the rental stand, where an older man in a weathered cap greets us. He looks me up and down, recognition flickering in his eyes, but he keeps his expression neutral. Small towns tend to respect privacy more than big cities do, and I appreciate it. After a quick exchange, he sets us up with a tandem kayak, bright red and sturdy.
Daisy watches as I grab the paddles and life jackets, her lips twitching. "You sure about sharing one? What if I’m terrible?"
I hand her a paddle, smirking. "Guess we’ll find out."
With a little teamwork, we get the kayak into the water. Daisy steps in first, settling into the front seat, and I follow, steadying us as I climb in behind her. The moment we push off, the weightless glide of the kayak over the water soothes something in me. I forgot how much I missed this—just being outdoors, away from the pressure of the rink, away from schedules and expectations.
Daisy dips her paddle into the water hesitantly at first, but she quickly finds her rhythm. I match her pace, letting her take the lead. The air is crisp, the scent of pine and lake water mixing with the soft sound of our paddles slicing through the surface.
"Okay," she calls over her shoulder. "This is actually pretty nice. I was half expecting to tip over by now."
I laugh, steering us toward a small cove where the water is even calmer. "I’d never let that happen."
She glances back, raising a brow. "Confident, are we?"
"I have to be. I’m a goalie. Balance is my thing."
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t hide her smile. We paddle in easy silence for a while, letting the quiet wrap around us. A few birds skim across the water, and somewhere in the distance, a fish jumps, sending ripples across the lake’s surface. Daisy leans back, tilting her head toward the sky, breathing it all in.
"I needed this," she murmurs, more to herself than to me.
I rest my paddle across my lap, watching her. The soft glow of the sun catches in her hair, turning it almost golden. I could stay out here forever if it meant keeping this look on her face—a mix of peace and contentment I don’t see often enough.
Eventually, she turns, her eyes meeting mine, amusement dancing in her expression. "This has been amazing date, Cal. Thank you."
I smirk, dipping my paddle back into the water to turn us toward shore. "We’re just getting started. There’s a town nearby with a spot I think you’ll like."
She grins, curiosity lighting up her expression. "Lead the way."
I paddle us back, ready to show her the next part of the night.
***
The town is lively, bustling with a weekend energy that spreads from the locals to the visitors meandering through the quaint streets. I keep Daisy close, holding her hand as we weave between families, couples, and groups of friends enjoying the late afternoon. The smell of fresh bread drifts from a bakery, mixing with the rich scent of roasting coffee from a shop on the corner. Small businesses line both sides of the main street, their storefronts decorated with seasonal flowers and string lights hanging from the awnings.
Daisy glances around, her eyes lighting up as she takes in the charm of the town. She leans into my arm slightly, a small contented sigh escaping her lips. The simple gesture sends a warmth through my chest.
A few people start to notice me as we walk. It doesn’t take long before a group of teenage boys rush up, phones in hand, grinning. One of them, barely able to contain his excitement, holds out his phone. “Hey, man, you’re Calvin James, right? The Vipers’ goalie?”
I nod, offering a relaxed smile. “That’s me.”
Another boy nudges his friend before blurting out, “Can we get a picture? My dad’s a huge fan—he’s gonna freak when he sees this.”
Daisy steps aside as I take a few pictures with them, making sure to smile despite being caught off guard. After they snap their shots, one of the boys turns to Daisy. “Are you his girlfriend?”
Daisy hesitates, a soft pink dusting her cheeks before she nods. “Something like that.”
The boy grins. “You should get in a picture, too.”
Before she can refuse, I tug her gently toward me, slipping an arm around her waist. She lets out a small laugh as the boys take a few shots. After they thank us and head off, Daisy tilts her head up at me, a teasing smile playing on her lips. “You don’t mind all the attention?”
I shrug. “Comes with the territory. But I like that they wanted you in the picture, too.”
She squeezes my hand, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
We continue down the street, stopping occasionally to look at shop windows or admire the handmade crafts set up in booths along the sidewalk. A small jewelry store catches my eye, the display case shimmering with delicate bracelets and necklaces. I guide Daisy inside, the door chiming as we step in.
She glances at me, curious. “What are we doing in here?”
I nod toward a case filled with charm bracelets, each one designed with different themes. One in particular stands out—a silver bracelet with a tiny hockey stick charm.
The older woman behind the counter steps up, smiling warmly. “Looking for something special?”
I motion toward the bracelet. “That one.”
Daisy looks at it, then at me, her lips parting in surprise. “Calvin, you don’t have to—”
I take her hand, turning it over gently as the woman places the bracelet in my palm. I fasten it around Daisy’s wrist, my fingers brushing over her skin. “I know I don’t have to. I want to.”
She watches me for a moment before glancing down at the bracelet, running a fingertip over the tiny charm. A small smile tugs at her lips, her expression soft. “Thank you.”
The woman behind the counter nods. “Looks like it was made for her.”
I pay for it, and we step back out onto the street, the air cooler now as the evening settles in. I nudge Daisy toward a small diner on the corner. “Come on. Best bison burgers in town.”
She laughs, shaking her head but following my lead. The diner is warm and inviting, the smell of grilled meat and fresh fries filling the air as we step inside. A waitress leads us to a booth near the window, handing us menus before walking off.
Daisy scans hers before glancing up at me. “How did you meet Nate and Peter? Was it just through playing for the Vipers?”
I set my menu down, stretching an arm over the back of the booth. “Yeah, pretty much. When I first joined, Nate had already been on the team for a season. He was a big deal even then. Peter had already retired, but he was handling investments and branding deals for the team. I got to know him that way.”
She leans forward slightly, interested. “Did you just… know you’d be a pack?”
I think back to those early days, the way Nate and I clicked on the ice, how Peter had this way of guiding us even when he wasn’t playing anymore. “There’s just a sense. It’s hard to explain, but when you meet Alphas you can really gel with, you just know. It’s not just about getting along—it’s deeper than that. Since most alphas share an omega, there has to be no jealousy for it to work.”
She traces the edge of her menu. “I don’t know much about how it works, with Alphas and Omegas. I always thought I was a Beta, so I never really paid attention to any of it.”
I nod. “It’s different for everyone, but for packs… there’s this pull. You don’t force it. It just happens.”
She watches me, thoughtful. “And you all felt that with me?”
I don’t hesitate. “Yeah, we did.”
Her fingers brush over the bracelet; a small smile plays on her lips. I can tell she’s still processing everything, still adjusting, but she’s here, with me, and that’s enough for now.
The waitress comes over. "What can I get you?"
I glance over at Daisy. "The bison burgers are amazing." She grins at me. "Alright, you've sold me. I'll take a bison burger with fries and a raspberry ice tea." I hold up two fingers. "Make that two." The waitress smiles at us. "Makin' my job easy. I'll have those burgers out to you in a jiff." She gathers our meaus and walks away.
Daisy grin grows. "I've had a lot of fun today. I used to kyak in summer camp. I missed it. Also missed the outdoors." I lean back in the booth. "Anytime you want to go for a hike or on the water, just let me know. I love doing the kind of thing, but Peter's leg can't handle much hiking, and he's not a fan of lakes. Nate rather get all his exercise on the ice. So you were a summer camp kid? So was I. Around Berllow? Maybe we ran into each other and never realized it."
She lets out a short laugh and looks down at the grain of the wood table. "No, I was too far away from Berllow to do Summer camp here. It was more of a way for my mom to get around the clock babysitting for eight weeks of summer break. She always said was cheaper than having to pay for a babysitter, especially if it was the sleep away kind. When one ended she would enter me into another, until the last week of summer." I stiffen a little. I can hear the pain in her voice at that. She doesn't need to say it to tell me that she felt like a burden to her mother.
The waitress returns, and we order—two bison burgers with fries. The conversation shifts to lighter things as we wait, small moments of laughter and easy conversation filling the space between us. It’s comfortable. Natural. Like this was always meant to be.
***
The drive to the cabin is quiet, the kind of silence that isn’t awkward but filled with anticipation. Daisy watches the trees pass by, the road winding deeper into the forest, away from the small town and the few scattered houses along the way. The sky is clear, the first hints of twilight settling over the horizon. My hands grip the wheel, the weight of the night ahead sitting in my chest—not in a bad way, but in a way that makes me want to make everything perfect for her.
The cabin sits on a secluded stretch of land, a single-story with a large porch wrapping around the front. Warm light spills from the windows, casting a glow against the darkening sky. It’s a place meant for quiet moments, the kind where time slows down and nothing else matters. I park the truck and turn to her. Her blue eyes are wide as she takes it all in, her lips parting in awe.
“Come on.” I get out and move to grab our bags from the back before opening her door for her and taking her hand. We walk up the gravel path and I place my hand on her back as she takes the step up on to the deck. I enter the code the owner sent me for the door and push it open, finding a switch off to the side of the door to turn on the antler chandelier at the middle of the cabin.
The interior is exactly as I pictured it—rustic but refined, with dark wooden beams stretching across the ceiling and a gigantic stone fireplace dominating one wall. A thick brown fur rug lies in front of it, the perfect place to settle in for the night. I set the bags down and shrug off my jacket, moving toward the small kitchen tucked into the corner.
“You want a drink?” I glance over my shoulder as she slips off her coat and drapes it over a chair.
She nods, stepping closer. “What do they have?”
I gesture toward the small selection on the counter—whiskey, wine, and a bottle of some fancy vodka. “Pick your poison.”
Her fingers trail over the whiskey bottle before lifting it. “This works.”
I smirk, grabbing two glasses from a cabinet and pouring a couple fingers’ worth into each before handing her one. Our fingers brush, and she lingers in the touch just long enough to make my pulse pick up.
“To a good night.” I raise my glass slightly before taking a sip.
She does the same, the amber liquid slipping past her lips. Her nose scrunches a little, but she doesn’t complain. I carry my glass over to the small table not too far from the fireplace and grab the kindling and wood stacked beside it. It doesn’t take long to get the fire going; the flames crackle to life, filling the cabin with warmth.
When I turn back, she sits on the rug, legs tucked beneath her, her glass rests on the floor beside her. The firelight flickers across her skin, making her look softer. I take a slow breath, trying to keep myself in check as I lower myself beside her.
She leans into me without hesitation, her body molding against mine as I wrap an arm around her waist. The scent of her—soft, warm, floral, and unmistakably hers—fills my lungs, making my muscles relax. My fingers skim along her side, just beneath the hem of her sweater, feeling the heat of her skin.
“This is nice.” She tilts her head to look up at me.
I trace a slow circle against her hip. “Yeah, it is.”
Her eyes flick to my mouth, and that’s all the invitation I need. I lean in, capturing her lips with mine, tasting the whiskey on her tongue. She melts into me, fingers sliding up my chest, gripping the fabric of my shirt. The kiss deepens, her breath hitching as I pull her closer, pressing her against me.
My hand moves higher, slipping beneath her sweater, tracing along her spine. She shivers, but not from the cold. I guide her back onto the rug, hovering over her as I trail kisses down her jaw, her neck. Her scent thickens, filling the space between us, making my head swim.
She grips my shoulders, pulling me back up to kiss her again, needy and eager. My hand skims lower, gripping her thigh, pressing her leg around my waist. She gasps against my mouth, her hips shifting, seeking more.
The fire crackles beside us, its glow casting flickering shadows across the room. Her fingers tighten in my shirt as I kiss her deeper, drinking in the warmth of her body against mine. My hands roam over her curves, feeling the way she responds, how her breath hitches when I press closer.
The fire casts flickering shadows across her skin as my hands roam over her, feeling the way she responds, how her breath hitches when I press closer. I take my time, savoring every inch of her. My fingers trace the curve of her waist, the dip of her spine. She tilts her head back, offering her throat.
I lean in, brushing my lips over her scent gland, scraping my teeth against it with a light growl and resisting the urge to mark her until she's ready. It doesn't feel right unless Peter and Nate are here as well, so we can claim her as a unanimous pack.A small moan leaves her as I trail more kisses before pulling back.
My fingers grasp the hem of her sweater, slowly pushing it up, revealing the smooth expanse of her stomach. She lifts her arms, letting me pull it over her head and toss it aside. Her red bra is delicate, lace-trimmed, and I take a moment to admire the way it frames her breasts. If I had any artist talent, I would want to paint them for their beauty. I unclasp it with a practiced flick. The straps slide down her shoulders, and the sight of her bared to me sends a rush of heat through my veins.
She doesn’t hesitate to return the gesture, fingers tugging at the hem of my shirt. I lift my arms, letting her peel it off, and the cool air meets my skin for only a moment before she runs her hands over my chest. Her touch is soft, exploratory, like she’s memorizing me.
I press my lips to her collarbone, trailing kisses down the center of her chest. She sighs, arching into me, her fingers tangling in my hair as I take my time tasting her. My hands glide down, slipping beneath the waistband of her leggings. I hook my thumbs into the fabric, dragging them down her hips, taking her underwear with them. She shivers, entirely bare now, spread beneath me in the fire's glow.
My breath catches as I sit back, taking her in. The soft flush across her chest, the way her thighs part slightly, inviting me closer. I reach for the button of my jeans, unfastening them and pushing them down along with my briefs. My dick is already hard, aching for her, but I’m not rushing this.
I lower myself between her legs, kissing my way down her stomach, watching the way her body responds to me. She gasps as I nuzzle the inside of her thigh, my breath warm against her skin. My hands grip her hips, holding her steady as I part her pink folds with my tongue, running along her slit to her the tiny nub nestled under a patch of trim blonde curls. She arches her back with the first swipe, a sharp inhale escaping her lips.
I take my time, teasing her, learning what makes her squirm when she's not in heat, what makes her breath hitch. Her fingers clutch the fur beneath her, her thighs trembling as I work her closer and closer to release. She moans, head tipping back, and I encompass her clit with my mouth, flicking my tongue against it as I suck. I press two fingers into her and curl them to stroke her Gspot, a move Peter taught me and I'll forever use.
She cries out, her passage spasms around my fingers as she shudders while pleasure washes over her. I don’t stop until she’s undone beneath me, breathless and spent. Her eyes take on a dreamy gaze as she stares at me, her chest heaving as a small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.
I move back up, pressing a kiss to her jaw, her cheek, her lips. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer, her body still trembles with the aftershocks. My knot already swells at the base of my shaft, my need for her only growing stronger.
Positioning myself at her entrance, I meet her gaze. Her legs wrap around me, drawing me in. I push inside, a deep groan rumbles up from my chest and turns into a purr that vibrates through my lips, and I'm sure she can feel it as well. She’s warm, tight, perfect. Her nails dig into my shoulders, her breath stuttering as I fill her completely. I still for a moment, letting her adjust, before drawing back and thrusting into her again, moving to hold her lower back, keeping her hips up, so each thrust will stroke her Gspot as well.
We move together, finding a rhythm that has her gasping as she brings her hands up to hold onto my arms. My knot presses against her, swelling further, locking me inside her. She moans, head thrown back, body arching as I push deeper and become fully sheathed in her. The pleasure builds until my balls ache for release. Her passage flutters around me. She's close as well to another climax. I move one arm under her to brace her back as my other can come down to stroke her clit, so I can push her over the edge with me.
She has my dick in a wonderful vise as she pulses around me with her climax.
"Holy fuck, Calvin!"
My name on her lips is my undoing. A growl rumbles from deep in my chest. "That's it, Daisy, come for me!" pleasure crashes over me in waves. My knot locks us together.
I press a lingering kiss to her forehead, smoothing her hair back as we catch our breath and wait for my knot to die down enough that I can pull out of her.
Today went how I wanted it to. Daisy really is the omega that's meant to be with us. I'm so glad she walked into our lives.