“Every game I can.” It was the only promise I could make.
His eyes were nearing that violet color I loved so much as he dropped a kiss on my lips. “That’ll do for now, pretty girl.”
When he stepped back, I noticed the two other players who’d joined our group: Finley and Kenzo.
The bear glared at me, and I got the feeling I was intruding on his usual aftergame ritual. Whatever peace he’d shown on the ice was long gone, and I didn’t miss the worried stare Kenzo volleyed between me and his brother.
“I’m Kenzo,” he said with a nod, making no move to touch me. “Fin’s brother.”
Other than a furrowed brow, Finley showed no real emotion to that statement.
I tried not to let it bother me as I smiled in return. “Emme, and it’s nice to meet you. You guys played amazing. It was a really exciting game.”
Christian whooped, and half the shifters in the room turned to stare. A lot of the ladies glared at me, the sole female in the group of alphas, but it wasn’t like I’d deliberately stole all of their hockey players.
“We need to get out of here and party,” Christian shouted, pumping his fist. “Though as the last single alpha in our core group, the rest of you have left me with an awfully large responsibility.”
Kellan shuddered. “The puck shifters are all yours. They were too much even before I met my omega.”
Finley snorted a cruel laugh. “You’re not the last single alpha, bro.”
If there hadn’t been a wall behind me, I’d have staggered back at that blow. As it was, I barely managed to keep the hurt from showing on my face. He’d gone for maximum impact, while staring right at me to catch my reaction. Not that I’d ever give him the satisfaction.
Setting my face in what I hoped looked like boredom, I shrugged. “Should we get out of here and leave them to it?”
Kellan, who’d been glaring at Finley, returned his full focus to me. “Absolutely, Shortcake. We can party up at Luxuria tonight during your shift.”
“Perfect,” I chirped, ignoring the pang in my chest as I turned my back on Finley. “I’m ready to go.”
I didn’t wait for a reply, tugging Hunter’s hand until he took the lead near the exit. Kellan stepped in and grabbed my other hand, sandwiching me between the alphas, and with Slade at our backs I could almost forget about Finley.
Even if I did spend most of the drive home trying to convince myself it was all for the best.
Chapter
Forty-One
The week of the Summit passed without further incident.
Hunter had no choice but to head back to the office, with all of his entitled alpha duties and CEO responsibilities. Not that I’d been left alone since the attack, but thankfully today was the last day of their Summit meetings, and I found myself with Slade of all shifters.
Kellan and Finley had training, not that the bear would ever be alone with me, even if my life depended on him. I was probably in more danger with him than out on my own.
“We have two more shifters to question,” Slade said as way of greeting when I wandered down to the kitchen for breakfast. “You have ten minutes to get ready.”
I glanced down at my skimpy tank and PJ shorts, and then back up at the dragon, who was in his usual enforcer’s outfit of black army pants, fitted tee, and combat boots that could kill a shifter with one blow.
“Okay.”
Running up the stairs, I hoped that today was the day we unearthed useful information. The other sessions I’d attended had all led us nowhere, except for giving me nightmares about blood-soaked shifters.
I was back downstairs in under eight minutes, dressed in jeans and a light blue shirt that matched my eyes. I’d also thrown on black biker boots, because I had a tiny bit of Slade hero worship going on. It was safer not to question the weird shit that was happening in my head lately. Instead I embraced the chaos.
“Eat,” he said, as he stepped aside to reveal a heated breakfast sandwich on the counter, along with a coffee. “You have two minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
His pupils flared, and I swung around and hurried to the food.
