There was a lot of wolf in his sea-storm eyes, and when he took astep toward her Kassidy flinched. “Can I help you?” she repeated, this time managing to inject a decent bite into her tone.
Kassidy was an alpha, and though I hadn’t seen her really use the force of her dominance, as Hunter’s sister she did pack a punch. Henderson shook his head, his expression falling into confused lines.
“What’s happening?” I whispered to Talon, before remembering he was usually more clueless to shifter interactions than me.
To my surprise, he didn’t even hesitate to answer. “They’re mates—scent matches, if the flare of their beasts is any indication.”
His statement sent a quiet shockwave through the hall as everyone looked between the two shifters. Henderson took another step forward as his confusion faded into determination. It was a look I was well acquainted with, one that had started with Hunter Reeves the first time he scented me.
“No,” Kassidy breathed, shaking her head. “No. I don’t have mates. I don’t have scent matches. I don’t care that he smells like fresh air and first rain in the desert. I hate rain and deserts. I hate mates.”
Despite this very blunt statement, which told me there was a lot more to unpack with Kassidy than I’d ever realized, Henderson’s expression didn’t change. The glint of determination remained, and that slice of obsession blazed in his eyes. I still hadn’t seen him smile, but this was another Hunter if I’d ever seen one.
Kassidy backed up and I could tell she was about to turn tail and run. That was, after all, another look I recognized.
Before she could make her escape, Hunter appeared in the hall that led to the rink, and he got right in Henderson’s way. The two of them stood eye to eye and seemed an even match, though one was a hypocritical bastard because he’d let no one get in his way when he was coming after me.
“You need to walk away,” Hunter said without inflection. “Give her some time.”
He pulled a business card from inside his suit jacket and handed it to Henderson. “Call me tomorrow and we can talk more. For now, you’ve got a hockey game to focus on.”
The other shifter glanced at the card like it was a bag of shit, and though it felt impossible, his expression grew even harder until he looked like he was carved from granite. Thankfully, the rest of the team managed to get him moving toward the lockers, even as his gaze remained on Kassidy until they disappeared from sight.
When my friend breathed a heavy sigh, one might think it was all relief, but I heard the sniffle that followed. Kellan distracted me by giving me and his mom a hug, before he dragged Christian off toward the lockers.
Finley also closed his arms around me in one of his all-encompassing bear hugs. “I’ll talk to him,” he murmured. A kiss followed, and I momentarily forgot the hallway drama.
“He joined the team two weeks ago,” Hunter said from nearby.
Finley nodded as he pulled back from me. “Yeah, the paperwork took a bit to finalize. I’ll find out whatever I can to see if he’s a good match for Kassidy.” His gaze met mine, those whiskey eyes sparkling as a dimple appeared. “Though the goddess rarely makes mistakes.”
Me and my current life were living, breathing proof of that.
Kassidy choked out her next words. “No. No… no mates. I can’t live through it again.”
Pain and fear were threaded through her shattered expression, and while she’d hinted at a tragedy in her past, I had no idea what had caused her to live alone and without a pack.
Whatever it was, she’d clearly been hurt. Badly.
“Come on, Kass,” Hunter said, wrapping his arm around her and leading her toward the stands. “Let’s watch some hockey. Scent match or not, you don’t need to make any decisions today.”
Part of me wanted to roll my eyes and ask him where this reasonable side was whenIwas the one running from my mates. As if he’d heard that, he shot a smirk over his shoulder, and in the bond his wolf eased against mine.I would chase you to the ends of existence, little mate. Don’t ever forget it.And kill anyone who got in my way.
Lucky I enjoy a little chase, I shot back, and he answered with a satisfied rumble, before his wolf backed out of the bond once more.
“Always riling up our entitled alpha.” Talon sounded amused. “He likes when you sass him.”
Hunter had never made that a secret. When I sassed him, he took great pleasure in fucking me until I couldn’t remember my name, let alone make another smartass comment.
Talon stayed close as we entered the main stadium, the noise extra-loud after being in the relatively soundproofed halls. It was so noisy I expected the stands were already filled, but it was early; only about thirty percent of seats were taken.
“They’re an enthusiastic crowd already,” I noted.
“We can use the corporate box,” Hunter offered, his worried glance shifting to Kassidy.
As much as I loved being in the crowd and really feeling the action, a little anonymity might be exactly what she needed tonight.
Kassidy shook her head though. “No, I want to watch from down here. Emme prefers it too.”
