“You’re popular today.” I shot Stan a look because his voice had an edge to it, but he’d swung his chair around and flipped the page in his textbook. I’d figure out what got his briefs in a knot later.
Messages appeared on the display.
Did you see this?
Oh my gods!
What in the heck is going on?
The last text contained a link to a news article published ten minutes ago.
University Hockey Program Suspended Amid Recruiting Violations.
I collapsed onto my bed clutching my phone while skimming the details. There’d been an anonymous tip and an investigation. There was evidence of recruitment violations, and the coaching staff was implicated. Funds had been misused, and the athletic department had suspended the program pending a full investigation. And it was effective immediately.
“Ax, what’s wrong?” Stan was hovering over me.
I couldn’t find the words to reply, so I gave him my phone. He sank down beside me and his hand holding the phone was trembling.
“Ax, you did nothing wrong.”
“We’re collateral damage, though.”
The phone rang, and I wanted to ignore it, climb into bed, and put the pillow over my head.
“It’s the program director.” Stan placed the phone in my lap.
The director spent as few words as possible, letting me know there was an emergency meeting in fifteen minutes and I had to be there.
I got to my feet and stumbled toward the door until Stan reminded me I wasn’t dressed and had a towel wrapped around my hips.
The meeting was pretty grim, with all games canceled and scholarships under review. Students had the option to transfer out without penalties. Other students were already manning their phones reaching out to other schools, but I was numb and plodded, one foot in front of the other, back to my room. I should have been doing what the other guys were because my future had crumbled before my eyes.
But leaving this school wasn’t just about starting over. I’d be leaving Stan, my mate and the one the universe intended for me. He’d miss me, I assumed, ‘cause we were great friends, but not in a “heart ripped out of his chest” way.
He was staring out the window when I returned, ignoring his study materials. I explained my options.
“I don’t know what I'm going to do.”
He kneeled in front of me. “Yeah, you do. You have to transfer.”
“But I’ve built a life here.”
My wolf was insisting I drag Stan into the woods, we shift and mate. But that was him being selfish and not understanding I might not be the one for Stan. I’d never forgive myself if we bonded and he didn’t return my feelings. Besides, he had to finish his degree, not be mated to me and dragged to another college where he might not be offered a place. He, too, was on a scholarship.
“Hockey is your future.” He placed a hand on my knee. “You can’t throw that away.”
I was tempted to tell him what was in my heart and that leaving him would be like tearing myself in two. Any success I might achieve in hockey would be nothing if he wasn’t with me.
“It’s not that simple.”
The phone rang again, and I almost ignored it because it was an unknown number.
“Axel Chartris.”
It was the head coach from Whitford University. He offered me a full scholarship and a guaranteed starting position.
“You’d be a great asset to our program.”
