“We’ll never eat at this rate!” he exclaims.
That’s true, but alpha cuddles may need to trump my hunger pains.
Two years later
Sitting on the bench next to Santo in the stadium in Savannah, I rub my stomach absently as the baby kicks. We’re playing the Frozen Furies tonight as an away game, but their reputation isn’t great. Fans in the stands proudly wear shirts that sayIceholeson them, and I force myself not to wrinkle my nose in disgust.
“How are my girls doing?” Santo asks, pressing against my back to help with the pain I’ve been feeling while pregnant. Iinsisted on coming after finding out that this is Troy’s team now. He bounced around through a few before landing here.
“We’re good,” I say with a smile. I’m tired, but that’s the nature of this. I’m in my second trimester and we just found out that we’re having a girl. I have yet to find this increased energy that the baby books and the internet swear hits you at this stage of pregnancy.
I feel like they’re lying to me.
“Mmhmm,” Santo mutters. “Mentirosa. You don’t have to lie to me, baby.”
“I don’t want to complain,” I admit. “I wanted to come watch the game.”
Santo and I decided to fly to keep from having to sit for seven hours in a car. I’m so glad we did, because I’m not cut out for it.
“Admitting that you’re uncomfortable isn’t complaining.”
Santo roots around in his backpack until he finds what he’s looking for. Snapping the heat pack, he presses that instead against my back, making me moan slightly. He also packed me a pillow for my ass so it wouldn’t go numb, and smuggled my favorite electrolyte filled water as well.
“You’re such a sweet alpha,” an older woman says, leaning forward to speak to us. I’m already showing, and my clothes have been evolving to more skirts and dresses to stay comfortable. “I wish more expectant fathers-to-be were this prepared.”
“More like anxious because I’m worried about her comfort, but thank you,” Santo chuckles.
The woman simply grins and I snuggle against him. He runs warm, and with the added benefit of the heat pack, I’m happy. Crossing my ankles, I catch a glimpse of my purple and black tights under my dress. I definitely am not in team colors, but I’m not a normal fan.
The announcer calls out the players as they begin to skate on the ice, and I catch Troy’s gaze as he moves past my seat. Turning to skate backward, I watch as he spits out his mouth guard to grin at me. I give him a small wave, and he appears a little more energetic as he goes to the bench.
“I don’t like how much he likes you,” Santo says under his breath.
“Who do I belong to?” I tease him, tilting my head up to kiss him.
“Me. You’re mine,” he grumbles against my lips. “Okay, you’re right. I’m being ridiculous.”
“Good alpha,” I giggle as he growls good naturedly.
“I really want to spank you,” Santo grunts.
“What’s stopping you?” I brat.
“Sixteen thousand people,” he sighs. “The public is saving you right now.”
“Aren’t I lucky?” I ask, knowing I’m in for it when I get back to the hotel.
We decided that we’re going to stay the night and then fly home. Levon and Miles are going to join us so that we can hang out together. We’re in a slew of away games, which is another reason we decided to come to Savannah.
It’s hectic, but not unmanageable. I have a few more months of art school, and I’m still taking commissions in and outside of Nashville. I don’t have to worry about money anymore, I do it because I love my work.
I’m living my dream and getting paid for it. How cool is that?
Santo, Miles, Levon, and I got married last summer, surrounded by the team, their friends, Addie and her pack, and our parents. I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding day. We even had a honeymoon, which is how I got pregnant.
My lips twitch in amusement as I think about how much has happened, and how damn lucky I am. My alphas remind methat there are ups and downs in life, but they’ll always be there through it all.
Luis, Riley, and Seth are rotting in prison for what they did to me. However, the clincher was how many other people they’d hurt as well. Apparently, they’d work as a team to rape women while on the road.
