Since finding out about Evan, Asher has really struggled to get through each day. I decided to tell him the very PG version of what happened. Now my boy is a walking ball of anxiety, jumping at shadows and having meltdowns over the simplest of things. And I understand, really I do, and it hurts my heart that I can’t protect him from what’s coming. Cassia and I have been looking into ways to stop Evan from taking custody of Asher, and all roads lead to a good lawyer. Vonn and Julius have promised to protect us, so I’m going to have to take them up on it.
“Which one do you like better?” Vonn gestures to the different coffees in my hands. My caffeine addiction has become a bit of a running joke between us. The warm beverages cheer me up, thawing a bit of the ice that’s filled my soul.
“I think I like the blanket the most. It smells like you and Julius.” It seems the guys had noticed my ancient hockey-mom blanket and bought me a new one. This one is soft, fluffy, andhas a giant Scented Scorpion logo emblazoned across it. I’ve never seen anything like it in stores, so it must be custom-made.
“We’ve been taking turns sleeping with it the last few nights,” Julius admits, sliding into the open seat beside me. Both of their scents twine together, creating a cocoon of warmth and a sense of safety that’s achieved only from being sandwiched between the two of them. The idea of being between them makes my pussy clench, and a trickle of slick slips from me into my thick scent-blocking panties.Not the time.“But it’s a shit substitute for what I really want in my bed.”
He kisses my cheek playfully, and I couldn’t agree more. Since our interrupted interlude, my need for them has grown stronger. In the last few days, we’ve looked at a few houses, but Vonn and Julius haven’t settled on any. As far as I’m concerned, they’ve all been perfect, but the decision has to come from the guys. It’s their house and their money. Though I wish they would get on with it; I’m ready to move forward with becoming a pack.
It’s probably too soon, but with all the upheaval, my omega craves their nearness. Any time we are apart is almost painful.
Vonn’s arm sneaks around my shoulders while Julius’s hand finds my knee, sending a shiver through me, and lust hits my core like a lightning bolt. Although my heat should be another month away, being around my scent-matches has me on a hair trigger.
I shove my omega back, reminding her we have way too much to worry about and too many demons to slay before I can be vulnerable enough to fall into a heat.
“You smell delicious, omega.” Vonn’s voice rumbles, and his eyes darken. I wonder if they can sense my yearning.
“Are you needy, firebrand? Remember my promise.” I shudder at the thought, and his hand inches higher up my knee. The trickle of slick suddenly turns into a stream, and I clench my legs, tamping it down, so it doesn’t become a mighty river.
“Not here.” I use one of my coffee-clutching hands to gesture toward the ice rink where the boys have lined up. “We’re here for him today.”
The reminder helps clear the cloud hazing our brains. And when the whistle blows, we’re all focused on what matters most… Asher.
The first group lines up for the exhibition. Puck handling is the first skill for Asher, and he’s paired with a boy from a different team. For this rotation, it’s their job to pass the puck five times between them as they go up the ice. My stomach twists, nerves getting the better of me. He’s worked so hard for this. But there are many more exhibitions and big games in his future… hopefully.
The insidious thought worms its way through my brain, and I can’t control the way my scent sours. Both Alphas turn toward me, searching my face for the cause, but I wave them off. There’s nothing we can do about the situation right now. At this moment, Asher deserves all of our attention.
The first team of kids goes skating down the ice, attempting to pass the puck to each other, but they only manage three passes before it flies off into the boards. Clearly disappointed, the boys skate off to make room for the next pairing. This pair also manages three passes before one falls, sliding across the ice and into the goal. The red light goes off as it’s programmed to do, and the crowd can’t help but laugh.
My heart bleeds for the unfortunate boy, but it’s Asher’s turn next, and my eyes focus on him. “Come on, baby, you’ve got this.” Asher’s eyes scan the stands until they land on me, so I give him my biggest smile and a thumbs-up. His shoulders lift, and he takes a deep breath to center himself before starting down the ice.
With the puck firmly on his stick, he glances over and sends it smoothly over to his partner, who catches it with ease. Theother boy is jittery, sending it back to Asher way too fast, but my son extends his stick and, with a big stretch, nabs the puck and keeps his footing. Asher takes a few extra seconds to make sure he has the puck under control before sliding it gently back. Once again, his partner grabs it easily, and I hold my breath as they pass between them, two, three, four… When the puck taps his stick for number five, I let out a loud whoop. Asher grins up at me, raising his stick in the air in a quick celebration. They’re the first team to complete all the passes, though I’m sure they won’t be the last.
The exhibition has five skills that the boys must show the judges. Some are paired, while others are individual skills, and then at the end, there’s a short scrimmage that’s just for fun.
“First one down, he was amazing. Way better than the kid that they paired him with,” Julius chatters excitedly. “The judges will totally notice that he was the one who saved the pass almost every time. Without Asher, that other kid never would’ve stood a chance.”
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, sensing a threat, but I’m not sure where it’s from. My skin prickles, and I glance around, searching for the eyes I know are on me. Will it be my mother, my stepfather, or worst of all, Evan?
Other teams complete the passing skill, but I miss them all, too focused on the panic clawing its way through my body. Once this part of the exhibition is over, the rink clears, allowing workers to set up for the speed skating portion. In this round, the officials time the boys as they sprint across the ice. There are a few minutes between the two tasks, and as people filter out of the stadium, my instincts continue to fire until I finally spot him.
Evan.
Sitting in the stands directly across the rink. There’re ice and glass between us, but he may as well be touching me. His angry dishwater-grey eyes stare me down, shooting daggers throughmy soul. But real fear clutches at me when his gaze strays toward Asher. “Son,” he mouths the word at me, but it’s meaningless. Donating sperm doesn’t make you a father. Even his looking at my kid stokes the fire inside.
Evan is different now, changed from the nightmare that haunts my memories. The Alpha before me is tall and lean, but lacks the muscles I remember so well. Muscles he used for cruelty, not protection. Greying hair adorns his temples and the edges of his receding hairline. Although he’s all the way across the arena, his scent, week-old tuna, wafts my way, sending me reeling into the abyss of my mind. My second-ever heat.
My skin burns, threatening to peel from my body as I cook from the inside out. The room reeks of old fish, mixing with my deep raspberry and spicy poppy in a nauseating stench that has me dry heaving onto the nearby floor. The need inside sets me aflame, yet my brain pushes me to get out of this place, this space. To run and never return.
“Alpha, please,” I sob brokenly as I lie on the cold wooden floor. I’m not sure what I’m asking for. I want him to leave; I need him to stay. Being an omega is the worst thing that has ever happened to me. Heats are the epitome of torture, every part of my body burning, begging for relief with only an undesirable Alpha to help ease me.
“Needy, slutty omega.”
I whimper at the cruelty in his tone. I assumed, since my mother was a beta, I would be, too. Now I wish I had spent more time learning about omega biology. My eyes sting, burning from the fever raging within me, and I reach out for my only hope. Although his pheromones are not soothing, I know he has the one thing that will calm the storm inside. A knot.
I hate it, but at this point, any knot will do. Anything, so I don’t burn to ashes right here.
“Alpha, please, I need it.” The desperation in my voice sets off self-loathing that will take years to diminish, hating my own weakness that leaves me whining and begging. My inner omega takes complete control of my body, making me vulnerable and needy. She’s the only voice that makes sense right now, demanding what I need. Sweat drips down my back as I crawl toward my only lifeline on my hands and knees. There’s no nest, nothing soothing, just a hard, cold floor and an uninviting bed.
