Twenty thousand people packed into this Chicago arena, every single one on their feet. The noise is deafening. Beautiful.
"Holy shit!" Mia grabs my arm, squeezing hard. Her eyes are huge, glued to the ice. "Did you see that?"
I saw it. Silas stealing the puck at center ice, feeding it to Felix who passed to Liam in one fluid motion. Poetry in motion.
The play happens so fast my brain can barely track it. But my body knows. The bond thrums with their exertion, their focus, their joy.
Liam takes the shot.
The puck flies past the goalie's glove. Red light. Horn blaring.
Goal.
The Lakeview Puckers take the lead with thirty seconds left.
I'm screaming. Can't help it. Mia's shrieking beside me.
On the ice, Felix crashes into Liam. Silas joins the pile. Brief celebration, they still have thirty seconds to defend.
But I can feel their confidence through the bond. They've got this.
"I can't watch," Mia says, covering her face. Then immediately peeking through her fingers. "Actually I can't not watch."
I laugh, breathless. My heart is pounding like I'm the one on skates.
The opposing team pulls their goalie. Six attackers versus five defenders. Desperation play.
Twenty seconds.
Silas wins the face-off. Gets the puck deep into their zone.
Fifteen seconds.
Their defenseman retrieves it, sends it back up ice.
Ten seconds.
Felix intercepts at the blue line. Instead of holding it, he shoots for the empty net.
The puck slides down the ice. I hold my breath.
It crosses the goal line.
The buzzer sounds.
Final score: 4-2.
The arena explodes.
I'm on my feet, screaming myself hoarse. Mia throws her arms around me.
National Champions.
The Lakeview Puckers just won the championship.
On the ice, the team pours over the boards. Sticks and gloves flying everywhere as they dogpile. Pure chaos and joy.
I can feel my alphas' overwhelming happiness, disbelief, triumph.
