24. Artie
Artie
You have to stop pissing her off.
That’s what Orso growled as he and Mathan noticed Bee stand against the wall next to our coach and owner, glaring at the ice, even though no one had skated out yet.
But my mates didn’t miss the way her cheeks flushed, or the very tip of a wasabi chocolate Goldie that pokes out the top of her jacket pocket. Which I hope she’s been carrying around with her since yesterday.
She’s so cute when she’s mad, though.
That’s what I replied, and Orso scowled at me while Mathan pursed his lips, but they knew I was right.
Our whole team originally thought she hated hockey because she’s so blunt and acts annoyed with us all the time. But all anyone has to do is look at her face as we play, and they’ll know she loves it as much as we do.
The better we play, the more expressive she gets, until one day last month, Orso scored the winning goal in the absolute last second, and she actually cheered, which is why she’d totally love our late-night practices when it’s just our pack.
The Golden Bears and the Snow Huntsmen are skating out onto the ice, our mascots waving as the players stretch. As the backup goalie, I don’t have to go down, so I’m all alone as I turn around and look up at Bee.
“Hey, did you taste any of them?” I purr, my eyes dancing over her as her back straightens and her icy gaze snaps to mine. “I can get you even more if you want. I’ve got a ton in my locker, with the ribbons and everything. You just need to come and see me later.”
“Mr. Cadell, you’d do better if you focused on the game,” Bee sighs, her voice cutting through me.
I want her to scold me properly, but Orso and Mathan will get even more annoyed. Just because they’re all in their thirties doesn’t mean I can’t act like an adult, too.
I wound Bee up enough yesterday to prove I have an effect on her.
She definitely didn’t take me seriously when I told her how I felt, but at least I put it out there.
And now she has my scent on her from the Goldie.
She’s literally choosing to carry me around with her, which has me bouncing off the walls.
Bee is so freaking pretty, and I can’t even drag her onto my lap so we can watch the game together. It’s not like my cock would be rubbing against her. I’m already set up in my padding in case Mathan, and I need to swap, so she would rest her pert ass on foam and plastic instead.
I’m still frustrated that I wasn’t tall enough to grind my cock against her in her office, but I’m pretty sure she’s not switching her weight from foot to foot as she watches the game right now because she’s angry. Something’s got her riled up, and it makes me feel better to assume it’s me.
Bee kept insisting that we treat her like a person, but she also pointed out she’s still an omega.
And after years of searching for my scent match, I’m basically a professor of omegaology.
I’ve already given her a taste of my skills; I just need to up my game to make her see that we’re the alphas for her.
“Cadell! You’re up!” Coach’s voice cuts through the air.
“What the hell? Why?” I ask as I shoot to my feet, throwing a longing glance at Bee. I want to stay next to her forever, but then my brain catches up as I realize my mate must be hurt.
Did he have an accident when I was busy mooning over her?
I don’t feel any shock or surprise in the bond, and Orso is getting ready for a face-off, not even glancing at Mathan, though Bee has her attention laser-focused on him.
I shuffle to the very end of the bench, meeting Mathan as he comes through the gate.
“You’re not hurt?” I ask numbly, reaching out to touch his arm just in case he’s taken a direct hit from a puck again.
“I’m having a bad night,” he murmurs as he leans close. “You need to go out there and show Kallis how good we are. You don’t want to let down our omega, do you?” he asks. A shudder of pleasure goes through me. I love it when he calls her that.
This is my chance to prove to her I’m not all words.
I might be the smallest goalie in the whole league, but I’m super fast from years of training as a figure skater.
The only reason I’m not out there with Orso as a forward is because I snapped my left ankle when I was sixteen and I can’t glide or spin like I used to.
If I show her how quickly I can react in a game, maybe she’ll connect the dots and see how quickly I can thrust my hips as well.
Bee steps forward, swiping up her first-aid kit for the usual routine check-up the medics do before a player is sent back to the locker room for the rest of a game.
I’m tugging on my helmet when I hear them talking.
“Someone would almost think you got called off deliberately, since you’re grinning so widely,” she says, and I swear there’s a freaking purr in her voice.
“Come on, do you really think I would do that?” Mathan asks as she offers him a hand, like he can’t get up the stairs himself.
And yeah, it’s a total accident that Mathan just ‘happens’ to trip and wrap his arm over her shoulder like he needs help to walk.
Traitor!
I’d shout at him if there wasn’t a thump of energy in the bond from Orso, telling me to hurry up.
I stick my tongue out at the saboteur as I tighten my helmet strap, but they aren’t even looking at me. I want to be part of that gush of love bursting from Mathan like a broken fire hydrant. Grabbing my stick, I push out onto the ice with a determined look on my face.
My mate’s gonna pay for that.