Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
Roxie
“Hey, Charlie,” I grinned at my colleague and waved. He was a beta that had been with me from the start. He believed in The Gathering Place as much as I did and kept it running right alongside me.
Since I’d taken on this job he’d been even more incredible. I figured it was time to check in as I finalized the stories I’d been working on.
“The boss lady lives!” he cheered, nearly knocking the round glasses off of his face. He was at his home office, surrounded by books and a cat on its perch behind him. His blond hair was shaggier than usual which meant he’d been doubling down on work.
“Is there anything I can help you guys with?”
“No,” he admitted. “We’ve always been pretty self-sufficient and we’ve got about a week before proofs come in for the next issue. Should we expect your article or do you want to do a special send out?”
“Well, if I don’t edit it down it’s a whole-ass magazine on its own,” I admitted. He laughed, knowing me well enough to expect my reaction.
“If you need me just send it my way and I can make some suggestions.”
“You’re already doing enough,” I argued but he waved me off.
“Shut up and send it to me, Roxie,” he said with a huff.
“Okay, okay,” I relented before he leaned in closer, a smirk on his face.
“So, spill. I know you have all the good tea about this team. I need some solid gossip. We haven’t had as many little chats lately.”
Guilt hit me. “Sorry, that’s my fault. This whole move and job have been insane.”
“Don’t feel bad it was an incredible opportunity and we will definitely be grateful you took it when this is over,” he said. “Now quit deflecting.”
I snagged my coffee and took a long pull before launching into a full rundown of all the chaos. He didn’t need to know the finer details of me finding mates but I didn’t bother to hide it. With the way these hockey players gossiped, the world would know soon enough anyway.
A knock on my door interrupted me just before my alarm started blaring to remind me about our pack lunch. I turned it off and looked up to find Kota waiting for me.
“Good afternoon, little bat,” he said. “I got you something.”
I held up a finger and looked back at Charlie who was quietly cracking up. I’d definitely get teased later but for now I just glared at him.
“I’ve got to go, we have a pack lunch. So glad we had this catch-up chat,” I said sarcastically.
“Me, too, Roxie,” he wheezed. “Now go have fun with your pack. Bye!”
He hung up before I could yell at him for being a pain in my ass. I looked up at Kota and finally registered what he said.
“I don’t need courting gifts, Kota,” I said quickly.
“Was that one of your people from the magazine?”
“Yes, Charlie. He’s practically a partner,” I explained before eyeing the way he held something behind his back. “What do you have?”
“You absolutely do need courting gifts, but that’s not what this is about.”
He pulled a bag from behind his back. It was crumpled and he dug around before pulling out a ball of fabric. He shook it loose before holding the shirt up for me to see.
It was a Narwhals jersey. He flipped it over to show Mori and number twenty-three on the back.
“I love it, thank you,” I said as I took the jersey, secretly adoring the fact I’d have his name on it for the world to see.
“I got you and Rylan one,” he said proudly.
“Oh, no. What about Greer?” I laughed. Kota just smirked like he was waiting for that particular reaction.
“Well, then he should have thought of this first,” he said. “He can get you his own jerseys later. I want you at the game tonight with my number on. And don’t forget, you guys get to sit in the front row. We have a whole row reserved for family, pack, and VIPs.”
“Can’t wait,” I promised. “But right now we have to get to lunch. Are you ready?”
“Yes. I need the carb load before this game.”
Kota held a hand out for me, and I put mine in his, letting him pull me close. I took a deep breath of his sweet and sticky scent, breathing him in until the sharp lemon came through as well. That was the part I sought out, the sharpness always settling me.
“What do you think of all this? Of our pack?” I asked as he led me through the halls.
“I think we have potential,” he admitted. “I was worried at first. I know that Greer isn’t my biggest fan, but maybe now that he’s worked through some of his pain, he’ll come to terms with it.”
“He better, because I’m kind of attached to you now.”
His face split into a huge smile. “Really?”
“Really.”
Kota stopped walking and pulled me into a kiss. When he stepped away, he was smiling again. His mood was infectious and I couldn’t help but smile back.
He was exactly what I needed after confronting Greer and Rylan.
“I’m glad that I get to do that anytime I want now.”
Butterflies erupted in my chest, fluttering there in a way that they never had before. Kota was different than any of the other relationships I’ve had.
He was sweet and open and genuine. Everything he said was what he felt in that exact moment.
This delta acted with his heart, and that was something you didn’t see enough of in this world.
When we walked into the room Hayes had prepared for us, the rest of our pack was already waiting.
“Hey, guys, the party has arrived,” Kota said with a smirk. He slid into a chair and pulled me with him, plopping me right down in his lap.
All three of the other men looked ready to protest but, thankfully, didn’t. This was part of getting to know our pack and finding a balance. Sometimes, I’d sit with him, sometimes, with the others. I refused to make this a rotational thing on demand. I wanted it to be natural.
“This looks and smells incredible. I’m starving,” I told Hayes. “Thanks for doing this.”
“Well, seeing as how you somehow forgot to eat or drink anything after breakfast yesterday—”
“You did what?” Rylan demanded.
“It was no big deal. I was just busy,” I said quickly, waving him off.
“No big deal, she says,” Greer mused. “Only the fact that food and liquid are required for living.”
“That sounds so dramatic. I’m not going to die from skipping a meal.”
“No, but you’re not going to thrive, either, are you?” Hayes countered.
“You know, when I thought of pack bonding, I didn’t expect my pack to gang up on me.”
I snatched a plate and piled it high with tacos, chips, and all the fixings they’d brought.
“Look. I’m eating,” I said, taking an exaggerated bite.
It was incredible. The steak was seasoned perfectly. Just a little spicy, exactly how I liked it.
Hayes just stared at me while the others made their own plates.
Kota kept me in his lap instead of moving me to my own chair. I was glad, he was keeping my omega calm.
“So, Greer, I see things have improved since the dinner the other night and the aftermath,” Hayes said.
“Yeah, Coach,” he replied.
Coach Hayes let out half a laugh. “You guys can’t keep calling me Coach all the time if we’re pack. During practice, games, the locker room, places like that are different. But if we’re just at lunch or someday at our own house, it’s just Hayes.”
“That’s going to take some getting used to,” Greer admitted.
“Thanks for lunch, Hayes,” Kota said with a huge, mischievous grin on his face. Leave it to him to enjoy the moment.
Hayes side-eyed him but didn’t protest.
“Speaking of a pack house,” Rylan said, looking at me and then the others, “Roxie and I are roommates, but we’re obviously not going to be able to fit everyone there.
And if we’re really going to try being a pack, then at some point we need to try living together, right? Isn’t that the next logical step?”
“Mine is too small,” Hayes added on. “Greer and I talked about this last night. I’m glad you brought it up. We may need to find something new.”
Everyone but Kota had said something. He looked uncertain, and I knew why. The reaction wasn’t because of moving in or the pack. It was the fact that he already had an estate that he wasn’t going to want to part with. It was the biggest and had sentimental value.
“Okay, serious time. This isn’t common knowledge and I need it to stay here with us.
” He looked around at the others. They looked startled, but nodded along.
“I come from a family that has… significant inheritance to leave behind. When my grandparents died, they left me a house on the edge of North Crossing.”
“Wait, don’t you have an apartment in town?” Greer asked. “Evans was talking about living with you after he left the house at the end of last season.”
“Yep.” Kota shrugged. “Like I said, I try not to advertise it.”
“But why?” Hayes questioned. “What’s wrong with the estate? Is it a fixer-upper? Do you need help figuring out how to handle it?”
“No. It’s in pristine condition,” Kota hedged.
“What he’s trying to say,” I interrupted, unable to watch him struggle any longer. “Is that he’s fucking loaded and it’s probably a mansion, and he didn’t want anybody to know he’s that well off because they’ll treat him differently.”
“Thanks, little bat. Eloquently put,” Kota snorted. “But she’s right.”
“I don’t know,” Hayes admitted. “Something feels wrong about having our youngest pack member providing the house for our pack.”
He frowned as he thought it over, but I wasn’t having that.
“Who the fuck cares?” I blurted out. All four men looked at me. “We’re a pack. We all equally provide things.”
“Yeah, but—” Hayes started but I cut him off and pointed at Kota.
“If he doesn’t want to let go of his family’s estate and it has the most room for all of us, it makes sense that we’d give it a shot. It doesn’t matter if he’s young, the oldest, or any of that. It doesn’t make you any less of an alpha just because he has a place we can live.”
I threw up my hands, frustrated again until Kota gave me a hug from behind, letting his arms stay around me.
I shook my head. “Sorry, I just really fucking hate stereotypes.”
Hayes held up his hands in surrender. “You’re right, little bat.”
“Damn right, I am.”
“She’s right,” Rylan agreed. “How big are we talking, though? Are you going to be okay with Chorizo running the place?”
“Chorizo is more than welcome. We’ve got plenty of room to work with,” Kota said. “I’ve also got staff that runs the house and the cleaning, so they’ll love having him there. I’m sure they’ve been bored with it sitting empty.”
“Wild that you didn’t just stay there,” Hayes said, shaking his head before going back to his food.
“It just felt too empty. It’s a lot of house for one man,” Kota explained. “It will be different with all of you there.”
“We’ll check it out soon, then,” Hayes said, coming around to the idea. It truly did solve everything we were working past.
“Oh, Rylan, I have something for you,” Kota said, moving on from the topic.
He still had the bag and pulled out the second jersey, holding it out for our omega to see.
Rylan let out a booming laugh when he saw the name on the back while Greer rumbled out a growl and narrowed his eyes at Kota who was unaffected.
“He’s my omega, too, delta. Don’t get your panties in a twist just because I beat you to the jerseys,” Kota said, not a bit sorry about it.
“Fine,” Greer grumbled. “But they’re wearing mine next time.”
“Now, now, boys. There’s enough omega to go around,” Rylan teased.
The look Greer gave him was downright possessive. Honestly, I loved it.
“Speaking of,” I said, “maybe we omegas should go back and get ready before the game.”
We finished off our plates before Rylan and I headed out, leaving the rest of them to do whatever pregame rituals they had.
I couldn’t wait to be sitting in the front row, watching my mates play hard on the ice, knowing they’d publicly claimed us in front of everyone.
And next time it would be Abbott across the back of our jerseys for Greer.
No matter what game I went to, the world was going to know that this was my pack.
And maybe I lied… maybe I did date hockey players after all.