Chapter 21
Chapter
Twenty-One
Roxie
The stands were already full of cheering fans screaming for the Narwhals. Rylan and I were side by side right in the front. Both of our jerseys were matching, the name Mori blazing across the back.
We’d gotten more than a few looks, and I knew it was only a matter of time before the gossip magazines were screaming our names.
This would be the first time we’d see our pack play now that they were officially our pack.
We were playing against the Renegades tonight, and outside of the Wardens, they were the ones that hated us the most.
Us.
Listen to me already claiming the Narwhals as my own. How could I not? My alpha was a coach, and my two deltas were players.
Not just any players, either. The starting line. They were the first line to go in, the ones in the public eye the most.
There was going to be no hiding this from anyone. The Narwhals easily won the puck drop. Lachlan was our center, and he stole it right away, getting the game going.
Hockey was chaos.
The clashing of the centers, the right and left wings both trying their best to keep hold of the puck and support the center, the random fights… I could barely keep up.
“I really need to brush up on hockey. I don’t know half of what the fuck is going on,” Rylan said, letting out a little snort as another player was slammed into the shield between us and the ice.
“Me, neither,” I admitted, “but it’s exciting.”
It was also fucking freezing. I was definitely layering up better under my hoodie next time.
“Excuse me,” nasally voice called out. I looked at Rylan, but we were alone in the front row, so I assumed they weren’t talking to us.
My focus went back to the ice until it echoed out again.
“I said ‘excuse me.’ You down there. Both of you wearing Mori on your backs.”
Well, there was no denying it this time. I turned around, trying to see who was talking to us. A group of girls were standing two aisles above us.
The men watching the hockey game between us and them looked annoyed.
“I’m so sorry,” I told them quickly before finally giving her the attention she was clearly seeking. “Can we help you? We’re trying to enjoy the game.”
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. The omega was giving off major ‘mean girl’ energy.
“Why are you wearing that jersey?”
“Because we can,” Rylan said automatically.
“Are you like obsessed with the deltas? You’ve yelled for Mori and Abbott.” She paused, eyes narrowing on us. “Wait. I’ve seen your face before.”
“I’m sure you have. I’m the founder of The Gathering Place. We ran the article last year on the deltas and fought to keep them in the league.”
“Oh, so you are delta puck bunnies,” she sneered.
“I just supported the cause because they had every right to be there,” I shot back. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to stir up, but this is not the time or place. We’re going to watch the game now.”
“Bitch,” the girl muttered.
“Hey, that’s enough.”
One of the alphas between us stood up and turned toward them, putting himself between us.
“They were just watching the game. Leave them alone.”
“Thank you,” Rylan said, shooting a grateful look over his shoulder.
“Don’t worry. A delta like Kota Mori would have nothing to do with omegas like that.” Clearly, these guys were true Narwhal fans.
The girl laughed and kept spewing her toxic bullshit.
Rylan looked at me. “How quickly would I lose my job if I beat down some omega bitches?”
“Quicker than either of us would like. Let’s just ignore it,” I said, patting his arm.
We turned around just in time to see Kota shoot the puck to Lachlan, who sent it straight into the net.
Then he turned around, pointing right at us.
The girls behind us started cheering excitedly as if he was meaning that for them, which just made Rylan and me crack up.
I turned around, unable to hold back.
“Just so there’s no confusion, he’s our mate, and that was definitely for us, not you.” I smiled sweetly even though my possessive omega side was coming out. “You should probably find a new delta to moon over.”
Thankfully, they kept their mouths shut through the rest of the period, and when intermission hit, they stormed off, leaving us in peace.
We could have sat in the VIP box and ignored all of this, but I wanted to be on the glass so I could see my guys properly.
At least this time around.
I couldn’t wait for a game where we fought against the Wardens so Lana and I could watch together.
“Are you Roxie Crane?” This voice was different. I turned to see one of the arena staff holding out two bags.
“Yes,” I confirmed, taking them from her.
“These are from Coach Hayes.” She nodded and walked off quickly.
I handed one over to Rylan before peeking inside. Laughter burst out of me as I was hit with the incredible smell.
“Did he seriously send us snacks?”
“All because you couldn’t feed yourself, little bat,” Rylan laughed
“All right, little brat,” I shot back at him, pulling out a small bag of popcorn, chocolates, a bottle of water, and a wrapped-up hot dog.
We both sat down, digging into our snacks, and I couldn’t help but glance over at the coach.
He was watching us, looking satisfied. The alpha looked so different than the coach I’d met when I first arrived here.
It seemed like such a simple thing, but felt huge. Hayes was thinking of not just me, but us, as part of his pack. He’d pushed back a bit with the age thing again, but I think he was finally embracing this pack.
The second period started, and the game heated up. The rivalry between the Renegades and Narwhals was loud and clear. I’d heard more than one barb shouted back and forth, not even bothering to hide it from the crowd.
Rylan rubbed his hand across his chest, wincing right where I’d seen the bite mark before.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered.
Well, it was more like a whisper-yell. It was loud as hell in here.
“Greer is barely holding it together. I guess because we were previously bonded and it had faded, it’s started building again now that we’re back together.” He swallowed hard, looking sick. “I can feel it like crazy right now. He’s losing it.”
“It doesn’t help that Davis is on his ass,” I said, waving toward the hockey player that wouldn’t seem to leave Greer alone. He was an alpha twice the size of Greer and, apparently, a complete asshole.
It didn’t feel like simple rivalry or playing the game. This felt personal.
The Renegades started skating the puck down the ice when Kota and Greer stole it back.
I barely knew what was happening before a player went flying into the barrier between us and the ice, slamming against it so loudly that both Rylan and I jerked back.
My eyes caught on Greer. He was livid now. That was too close to his mates and his delta wasn’t having it.
Thankfully, the ref stepped in, stopping the fight before it got out of hand.
This was not going to be a good night. We were already down in points. They were wiping the ice with us tonight and the fighting wasn’t helping.
This wasn’t exactly the comeback game we hoped for.
We couldn’t even manage to move when the second intermission hit. Rylan looked sick to his stomach, continuously rubbing at his bite mark, and I was right by his side, worried about how this was going to go.
By the time the third period was underway, we were both practically pressed to the plexiglass, watching as Hayes swapped players in and out.
He was not giving Greer a ton of ice time right now as if he knew the delta was a ticking time bomb. We didn’t need to show the world they weren’t able to control themselves.
The Renegades knew it, too, because they weren’t just pushing our starting line. They were pushing everyone.
As the game wound down, three more fights broke out and far too many penalties to even count from both sides.
This was a damn bloodbath.
Thankfully, we also managed to score a few goals while Greer tried to keep his shit together.
Kota and Evans were making sure that they were keeping him in check and focused on the game.
We scored the final goal, managing to take the lead right as the game ended.
There was no celebration in sight.
In fact, both teams surged together, pheromones pulsing out so strongly that even the scent purification system couldn’t handle it.
“Fuck, we’ve got to get down there,” Rylan said, grabbing my hand and pulling me with him as we hurried through the crowd.
Thankfully, most people stayed behind to watch the fight which left the aisles empty, so we were down to the main level and rushing to the locker rooms without a fight.
Something told me that we needed to get to Greer, and fast, the moment he was done.
A few puck bunnies were hanging out nearby, but security was smart enough to get them out of the fucking way.
This was not the night for their antics.
When I saw the girls from earlier, I got a little bit of satisfaction watching them get booted. They saw us, too, shooting glares our way and arguing.
“Why do they get to stay?!” she screeched as she was dragged away for refusing to move.
“Not only are they staff, but they’re packmates with the team. They have every right to be here.”
The security guard dropped her by the door and pointed toward the exit. “Now leave before I have to kick you out.”
They went, but cursed us the whole way.
“He’s coming. I can feel it,” Rylan said as we dismissed them.
We both watched the door as a few of the players stumbled out, practically running toward the parking lot.
Then Hayes and Kota burst out, dragging Greer between them.
His face was red, veins bulged beneath his skin. Those usually green eyes were blown black, his pupils so dilated they swallowed the color entirely.
“He’s going into a rut,” Rylan said. “We have to get him out of here.”
“My estate is the most secluded place. Let’s go there,” Kota said.
“Who’s got the biggest car?” I asked frantically.
“He does. Does anybody know where his keys are?” Rylan asked.
“Go check his locker,” Hayes ordered.
The moment Rylan disappeared behind the door, Greer started losing his mind.
Then his nostrils flared, and he zoned in on me.
He pulled so hard that Hayes and Kota lost their grip. The delta rushed me but all he did was bury his face against my neck, breathing in my scent.
His tongue dragged along my skin and a satisfied rumble tore out of him.
“Mine,” he growled, his voice almost feral.
“I’ve got the keys,” Rylan said, rushing back out of the locker room.
Greer snagged him without letting me go, holding both of us tight against his chest.
“Get him to the car,” Hayes ordered. He was all business now, stepping easily into the role of alpha.
“Come on, delta. Let’s go home,” Rylan said, his voice coaxing and sweet.
“Wait, should we take him to his house? What about his den?” I argued.
“Don’t have one,” Greer managed.
“You can make one at the pack house,” Kota promised. The fact he was already calling it a pack house had me smiling over at him.
Greer let out a growl, looking angry as he stared down the other delta, then he shook himself out of it.
It wasn’t easy, but we finally managed to get Greer to the parking lot.
The night air seemed to chase away the more jagged edges of his rut, but he was about to fucking lose it.
We were on borrowed time.
If we didn’t get him home soon, it was going to be a bloodbath.
Hayes had the keys now, starting up the SUV while Kota took the front seat, leaving the three of us in the back.
“Are you okay this close to him right now? If you need space, you could switch seats,” Rylan told me. “I know you guys talked about starting something, but this isn’t exactly the smoothest introduction.”
“No,” I admitted. “But this is real. This is pack life.”
I reached up and brushed my fingers through Greer’s hair.
“He’s mine. I trust him.”
“Mine. Safe.” Greer managed to choke out. His voice was so raw it sounded painful. He nuzzled against my neck again, licking the column of my throat right over my scent glands.
My omega shuddered against it, slick pooling between my thighs, which only had him pulling me closer and breathing deeper.
Holy shit, I was about to experience a rut. Our first time together would be a fucking rut. For a moment panic started to surge through me. The delta froze, sensing my distress.
A low, rough rumble poured out of him, trying to reassure me.
“He’s freaking out again,” Rylan said.
I cupped Greer’s face and forced him to look at me. “I’m fine, delta. I’m yours.”
“Mine,” he said before, pulling me over his lap, grinding his cock against my slick pussy.
Then his teeth were at my neck.