Grouchy Bear: *Image attached*
I clicked the image. It took a second to load before the entire hockey team appeared on the screen, all kitted out on the ice, heads back as they appeared to be howling toward the roof of the stadium. There was another ding, and this time Finley sent a video.
This was slower to load, but when it finally popped up, it was the Celtic Wolves skating in a circle and chanting Kellan’s name. They all took a moment to throw their heads back, howling for their teammate, and just before the video finished, Finley’s face appeared in selfie mode.
With no one here to judge me, I drank in every detail of the bear shifter, from the golden brown of his hair to the richer brown of his beard. His eyes were somber, the whiskey depths filled with the swirls of pain I’d come to associate with him. “Show Kel for us,” he said into the camera. “Tell him we’re playing the Warriors, and that we’re going to kick their asses. This game is for him.” He tilted the phone and Christian appeared, dark circles under his eyes and his face haggard.
“We love you, brother,” he said hoarsely. “We need you back. Don’t give up. You promised me that we’d grow old, wrinkly balls together, and I’m forcing you to keep that promise.” His voice broke, and he handed the phone back to Finley, who shot one last look into the camera before the video cut off.
I choked in air, having barely breathed through the footage. I hit play again and held the phone near Kellan’s face. “Golden Boy, your team love and miss you,” I said through my tears. “That’s a mourning wolf cry. They need you back, just like the rest of us. Keep fighting.”
I played the video for him a few times, and maybe secretly for myself, because Finley was so lovely to look at. Especially when he wasn’t growling or snarling in my direction.
Part of me was disappointed not to be at the game, even though he wouldn’t have appreciated my presence. There was another chime as I exited the video, and I let out a sad chuckle at the name that popped up. The voice to text read it for me, because I was way too emotional to slowly decipher the message.
Daddy Alpha: Kellan will be perfectly fine. He’s strong. He’s more than capable of holding on. Jewels said she has news and will be by tonight. Nothing to worry about.
It was in Hunter’s usual blunt, confident style, and the most telling part to me was that he hadn’t changed his name. Even though Kellan wasn’t awake to change it back.
Finley hadn’t either.
Another ding and…
Scary Shifter: Correct. I’m formulating my own plan to give him a boost of energy, but it might require Emmeline’s help.
And Slade was usingScary Shifter.Kellan had these big, bad alphas acting like they had real feelings and weren’t dominant beasts. It was the most heart wrenching, perfect way for them to act.
Pretty Girl: I will do absolutely anything to help Kellan. You don’t even have to ask. Just point me in the direction I need to go.
Scary Shifter: Yes, I know you will.
Slade’s reply was almost instantaneous, as if he had already been following along as I slowly typed and corrected my words before I sent it.
Staring up at the ceiling, I made another half-hearted attempt to find these super-tech Reeves Industries cameras.Ding!
Daddy Alpha: You’ll never find them, little omega. But we are always watching.
Pretty Girl: That’s creepy as fuck. You know that right?
Daddy Alpha: *shrugging emoji*
That arrogant asshole would be the death of me.
Scary Shifter: You won’t love my plan, Snow. Prepare yourself.
That had me slightly worried, but I couldn’t really think of anything I wouldn’t do for Kellan.
Grouchy Bear: The omega might not be the strongest of our pack, but she shows genuine care toward Kellan. In this, I trust she’ll do the right thing.
That bear was getting on my last fucking nerve.
Pretty Girl: *middle finger emoji* Suck a dick, Finley Thornton.
I sent it before I even considered the ramifications.
Grouchy Bear: *bear raging emoji* From what I’ve heard, you’re the one with the dick sucking skills, Ice Queen.
No. The fuck. He didn’t.
