Mikael nods and leans in close to the phone and says super quietly. “Love you, night.”
When the phone is handed back to Anders, his mouth is open as he stares at Mikael. It takes him a moment for his shock to subside as he looks back to the phone and then over at Mikael.
“Night, baby, see you in a few days,” Eli says, and I send him an air kiss, and Anders looks back at the phone.
“Seriously?” he says in disbelief, no doubt irritated that Mikael was the first to say it.
“Snooze you lose, asshole,” Mikael says, and I laugh.
“Maybe you can tell me how you feel when you get home Friday?” I suggest to Anders, and he nods his head.
“Next time, I’m taking my phone into the bathroom and getting you to play with your tits instead.” I laugh again, and he shakes his head. “Night,Kulta.”
“Night, Anders.”
I snuggle next to Hank and feel lighter than I’ve ever felt. They want me to move in and bond with me. Part of me is still scared, but the other part of me yearns for the security of their bite marks.
I may or may not dream of bonding with the three of them that night.
It’s game day, and I’m excited to be wearing my hideous yet adorable jersey. I had Piper help me Hodge-Podge it together, ripping off the number but adding all of their last names. So I’m repping Beckford, Martel, and Larsen on my back. Piper has a big test to study for, so she couldn’t come. But at least I’m in a box, so I don’t have to worry about anyone else’s scents.
Which, for some reason, feels extra terrible today. I must be starting my period soon. Janet reduced my suppressants to an even lower dose after I told her how everything was going with the guys. Is it stupid to be excited about your therapist being happy for you? Probably, but I don’t give a shit. She called me her most improved patient, and now I want a poster to tape to my wall.
She told me it’s unlikely that I’ll go into heat unless something triggers it, but to be vigilant. I scheduled an appointment with my physician to do blood work in a few days, so hopefully I have an idea of when it will start. It might be soon, but I’m done waiting for life to make choices for me. I was hoping maybe they would want to possibly bond during my heat. After all my research, it sounds like it’s so much more pleasurable during heat, and it can help immensely with pain.
I grab my side as a slight cramp hits and take a seat. I feel a little out of place, not knowing anyone else in the box. So I just stay put and wait for the game to start. That’s when a familiar smelling Beta sits next to me. I swear he smells like recycled paper. It’s fucking weird, and he smells even worse today.
“Still around I see?”
“Dude, what is your deal?”
He glances at me up and down. His brows furrow, and he looks out to the ice. “Eli Beckford could be the next Sidney Crosby. I’m not going to let an Omega bring him down.”
“Well, I don’t know who the fuck that is, so he must not be that great.”
“Jesus Christ. I thought taking their phones away and posting that night would help speed shit up, but here you are. Still pathetic and waiting for them to pay attention to you. Did they tell you about all the girls they fucked that weekend?”
“You’re lying.” I know he’s full of shit. They would never do that, drunk or not. If they’re anything like me, they are probably repulsed by anyone’s scent. His words still hit me hard, no matter how not based in reality they are.
“Am I?”
“You know I’m going to tell them everything you’re saying to me, right? Like you’re being really stupid right now.”
“We’re just talking about their future, and you took it out of context. It’s like Mikael always said. Hockey before everything. Isn’t that right?”
“Not anymore.”
“Aren’t you worried about all the nights they spend away from you, and what they’re doing? I had to get Mikael that penicillin shot that one time.” He acts like he’s typing on his phone, and I look around the box. There aren’t many people here, and I’m feeling really off. I look down at my drink. It’s fizzy and my head hurts.
“Stop it.” I just want this creep to leave me alone, so I can enjoy the game. As soon as I’m with the guys, I’m going to tell them everything Jake said. This guy is not someone they should be working with.
“Getting worked up?” he asks. “All you Omegas are the same. Pinning over Alphas, never giving Betas a chance. All you are is a distraction and leeches on society. I’m not letting you distract Eli and fuck up what I’ve worked so hard for.” I’m not sure how to reply. I feel weird, worse than I did this morning, and my tongue feels heavy.
I fan my face; it’s getting hot in here. There’s a pang in my abdomen, and I wince. An evil smile takes over Jake’s face. “Let’s see how you feel when they aren’t there for you again.” He grabs me by the arm, and I grab my middle. A petite woman with a brown bob looks at us with curiosity.
“Honey, are you okay?” I blink at her and clutch my head. What is going on?
“I’m taking her to the med bay and letting the guys know,” Jake says, and I whimper as he drags me down the elevator. The pain is excruciating. I don’t remember it hurting this much. It’s probably because Mikael took care of me right away. “Omegas are seriously the most useless fucking members of society. Magical pussy really isn’t worth the headache.” I’m glad that he at least seems repulsed by me and I’m not in a more dangerous situation. I think I might read that wrong as Jake grins. “I don’t think they will want used goods, and you seem to be a spiteful little thing. How will you possibly be able to forgive them for leaving you alone again?” He drags me down the hall and uses his ID to open a door. He shoves me in so hard that I fall onto the floor. I just stay there curling into a ball. “Fucking pathetic. Don’t worry, someone will find you soon enough. Just might not be your precious pack.”
