“He’s hot,” Kassidy piped up, leaning forward so I could see her, “but I’d still like to beat him with a hockey stick.”
Henderson was number forty-six on the Dashers, and he reminded me of an ancient Viking warrior. As big as Finley, or even a little bigger, the alpha had blond hair tied back from his face, with multiple strands braided in his team colors. From here I wasn’t sure of his beast, but I’d guess wolf as he rumbled his way across the ice.
“Finley is fine,” Hunter said, but he sounded annoyed that anyone would dare beat up on his pack mates.
Without a word, Slade rose from his chair, and Hunter’s arm shot out around me to grab his brother’s shirt. “Do not fucking move,” he barked. “You need to let them fight their own battles here. This is sports, not combat.”
Slade stared into the empty rink, his expression hard, until he shrugged off Hunter’s hold and retook his seat. “No one fucks with my pack.”
I cleared my throat. “Are-are you planning on just straight-up murdering Henderson?”
Slade shrugged, and Hunter sighed like this wasn’t the first time the dragon had been halted from going on a little killing spree. He was a worry, for sure, though secretly I’d have paidgood money to watch him beat a little humility into the arrogant center. Just a little.
CHAPTER 36
EMME
Half my beer went flying as I leapt to my feet and screamed with the other twenty thousand Celtic fans in the stadium. Kellan scored in the dying seconds of the game, giving us the 1-0 victory as the sole puck to pass a goalie.
Hunter removed the plastic cup from my hand while I continued to jump up and down, relief coursing through me. The game had been tense, with neither side giving an inch, and so many fights and penalties. Half of both teams spent significant time in the penalty box.
The stands vibrated as those of us in teal, gold, and white shouted the stadium down, and the guys did victory laps on the ice. The Dashers skated off with their heads low, faces creased in exhaustion. The Wolves were exhausted and beat up too, but the win sent a new surge of adrenaline through them.
Kellan slammed into the glass, his helmet tipped back and the biggest grin on his face. One of his hands pressed against the glass while the other crooked a finger in the come-hither gesture. My feet moved before my brain caught up, and Hunter and Slade were on my ass all the way down the stairs.
I stopped in front of Kellan, my hand resting against his, the glass between us. “Did you see me score, pretty mate?” he asked,gaze intense as I was caught in the deepening blue. “That one was for you.”
I shot him a cheeky grin. “Of course I saw you score, Golden. And let me tell you, after that victory, that’s not the only time you’re going to score today.” Fuck, I was cheesy, but it felt nice to have these cute little moments.
Kellan threw his head back and whooped loudly, and when he met my gaze again, the heat in his stare had me ready to leap over the barrier and into his arms.
His coach shouted for him to get off the ice, but Kellan didn’t turn away from me. “You’ve got press,” Coach added with a growl.
Kellan’s bottom lip jutted out as he pouted. “I’ve got to go, Shortcake, but later we’re celebrating. Get ready, because I’m taking you out. We have a lot to be thankful for.”
Hunter tapped the glass, momentarily stealing Kellan’s focus. “Where are you taking her?”
“Luxuria of course,” he said without hesitation. “It’s ours, secure, and has the best whiskey collection in Golden Claw. No brainer.”
A small lick of excitement lit up in my belly. I’d never had a night of casual fun with friends or lovers. The closest I’d come was the nights I worked Luxuria when Kellan and Christian kept me company. Tonight, though, I didn’t have to leave or serve.
Maybe I’d even dance with my mate. Another first.
“We’ll be there too,” Hunter said, “so plan accordingly.” I shook my head at how seriously my new bodyguards took their jobs. With pretty good reason, I supposed.
Slade released a huff, surrounding us in his sweet, smokey scent. “I have patrol duties this afternoon and evening, but I can make it around midnight.”
Hunter nodded. “You leaving now?”
“Yes. I’ll shift and fly over to save time.” He leveled me with his generally unreadable stare. “I’ll remain overhead until you and Hunter are in the car. Stay out of trouble, Snow. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.”
Nice to know he wasn’t about to lose his stalking touch. “I’m well aware.”
Another unspoken understanding passed between us, but still, he never mentioned his stalker wall, and I was yet to figure out how to break him. It felt like it might be an impossible task.
Slade left us as the coach shouted once more, “Jackson, I won’t fucking tell you again. Get your ass off the ice.”
The stadium was all but empty by now, and with a final kiss blown in my direction, Kellan reluctantly left. “See you in a couple of hours. Dress sexy,” he called as he skated off, shooting me sad puppy eyes over his shoulder.
