When there were only a few minutes left, Kassidy rose from her seat beside Hunter. “I think I’m going to head out before the rush,” she murmured, her gaze flickering down to the ice before she tore it away once more. Henderson was on the bench, which meant he had time to watch her like she was his source of life.
Hunter rose too, then paused as he glanced down at me. “I’m totally fine,” I said, shooing him out to follow her. “I’ve got Talon, Fin, and Kellan.”
“They’ll have press after the game,” he remindedme, looking torn. It was clear he was about to sit again, and I noticed Kassidy already sidling her way along the row.
“She has me,” Talon reiterated with a lazy smile. “I’ll tear the fucking head off anyone who touches her. You know that.”
Hunter’s eyes burned gold as his beast rose up. “I already know you’d choose me every time, Alpha,” I whispered. “You should go after her. She needs you tonight.”
The growl of his wolf was loud enough to turn more than a few heads around us. “I love my sister, but you always come first.”
Just as I expected, but my answer remained the same. “Go,” I said, pressing my hands to his abs. “I’ll meet you at home.”
He leaned down and cupped my face. His lips were soft as his tongue slid against mine. His dominance spilled into our kiss, and my beast rolled over in my mind,choosingto submit to her alpha. “I love you,” he stated, loud and uncaring about anyone overhearing. “Stay in touch.” He tapped the side of my head gently. “And remember, Slade is out there patrolling with his enforcers.”
By this point, Kassidy had reached the end of the row, and Henderson was back on the ice, ignoring the game as he followed her path. She resolutely pretended not to notice, and even when he slammed his hand against the glass, Kassidy barely reacted.
Only those close would notice how stiffly she held herself, her shoulders a touch higher than usual. She was just as aware of Henderson as he was of her.
Hunter reached her in a few seconds, his broad shoulders blocking her from sight. They were gone by the time the game ended and our team did asalute to the fanswith their sticks raised in the air—minus Henderson, who was already off the ice. I had no doubts he’d be at the newly-repaired gates of the family compound tonight.
Hunter wouldn’t let him in though. Not until his sister was ready to deal with this new, unexpected, and clearly unwanted revelation in her life.
Normally, I’d be the perfect shifter to ask for advice on dealing with determined, scent-matched alphas, but since I’d all but caved to mine, unquestionably enamored with the obsessive way they loved me, I couldn’t help her here.
“We’re going to stay with Tyson tonight,” Danielle told me as she got to her feet, her mate hovering close by. “Tell Kel to call ustomorrow. We’re heading back home the day after, but we hope to see you again soon for a longer visit. Welcome to our family, Emme.”
She leaned in for another hug, and I almost laughed at Talon’s alarmed expression when she all but nudged him out of the way. Generally, everyone feared the dragons too much to get close, but not Kellan’s mom.
“It was so amazing to meet you,” I said, trying not to let my sniffles free at her welcoming me to the family. “When life isn’t quite so chaotic, I’d love to spend more time with your pack.”
“Keep us updated,” Conrad ordered, his serious expression reminiscent of Kellan’s when he was in alpha mode. “We’ll be out here as soon as you need us. This isn’t your battle to fight alone.”
Kellan would never put them in danger, but I appreciated the offer. “Thank you,” I said softly, making no promises.
As Danielle squeezed me once more, her hold tight, I felt that same twinge low in my back. Despite my smartass remark from before, there was no way it was sex related. My shifter healing would have fixed that up by now.
I was fairly sure I knew what was going on, and while the timing sucked, a little period pain wouldn’t hold me back from finding that fucking witch and eliminating her from the world.
Talon and I remained in our seats until most of the stadium was cleared, before we exited as well. Finley and Kellan checked in soon after, telling me they were more than happy to skip out on their media obligations and head home with us.
Stay. You don’t know if you’ll even be able to make the next games. Your coach deserves your time tonight, and I have Tal.
Their reluctance filtered through; their beasts moved uneasily, but they didn’t argue.
You take the car, darlin’, Finley said.
I relayed this out loud to Talon, and as he glanced around at the vehicles and shifters filling the parking lot, his distaste for the chaos was clear.
“Tell them to keep the car,” he said. “I’ve got a better way for us to get home.”
The twinge in my back was joined by butterflies in my stomach as I considered the only possible travel option for a dragon shifter.
Car is yours, Grouchy. Tal will get me home.
The bear and wolf caressed my beast, before they backed out of theconnection, giving me a brief flash of them stepping into the press room.
“Come on, Honey,” Talon said, the shortened nickname purring from him. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
