Lastly, there’s a small box on the bottom, and I open it and flip through the photos of baby Anders. There are multiple pictures with him and his dads, mom, and siblings. It makes a lot of sense now why Anders was so quick to accept me and want me. This life he had with his family is what he wants for himself. His parents aren’t scent matches, but it’s clear that their bond is something special.
My favorite picture is one where he’s riding a sled with his two dads and smiling going down a hill. I never gave much thought to my future, honestly too scared to worry about the future. I’ve always been a present time person. Because if I worry too much about what tomorrow will bring, I won’t be able to enjoy myself. But as I look through these pictures, showing a happy pack and family, I realize that it’s something I want. I’ve already made up my mind about Anders, Eli, and Mikael. Well, maybe the universe made that decision for me. But they’re mine, and while I try not to think too far ahead, it’s at this moment that I wonder if I want too much.
Luckily, I’m not left with my thoughts for too long as the guys nearly rush into the house. Their hair is still wet from their post game shower.
“Are you alright? What did they say to you?” Eli says, staring at me like he’s shocked I’m still here.
I shrug my shoulders and take another bite of chocolate. “They asked me to leave you alone.”
“They did fucking what?” Eli says.
“You’re really surprised?” Mikael says, coming to sit next to me on the floor. I hand him the nasty candy that he eyes suspiciously.
“They handed me a check. I ripped it up.” Anders grins, and Eli looks like he’s seen a ghost.
“I’m so sorry, Charlotte. I had no idea they were coming. They never come to my games.”
“Probably saw your post from yesterday,” Mikael says, putting one of the black squares in his mouth. As soon as he bites down, he sputters and spits it out in his hand. “What the fuck is this?”
“It’s from Anders’ mom,” I reply, which has Anders smiling and holding his hand out. I hand him the box, and I watch as he puts three in his mouth at once and hums.
“Mmm, missed Salmiakki.”
“I don’t know how you eat that.”
“It’s an acquired taste. We had it all the time as kids,” Anders replies. Mikael and I look at him like he’s crazy. When I glance over at Eli, he is still clearly having a moment about me meeting his parents and them being such assholes.
I tug him down by his sleeve, and he sits down on the floor with me. “Do you care what your parents want?” I ask him softly.
“No,” Eli says, but I don’t believe him. I rub his back gently, trying to bring him some comfort.
“We’re a pack of four people. Surely we can’t all have normal parents.”
Mikael scoffs next to me and takes the chocolate out of my box, then takes a bite.
“I just can’t believe they tried to bribe you to leave me. Why?”
“I think they’re worried I’m going to be a distraction.” What I don’t say is I can see where they are coming from. I worry about being a nuisance too. I want them to have it all, but I need my Alphas probably just as much as they need hockey—if not more.
“You’re not,” Eli says softly. “Without you, the three of us would be a mess. You’re not a distraction. Never think that.”
He leans forward and gives me a kiss while rummaging through my box.
“Hey, get your own Finnish candy, or eat the stuff that Anders has.”
“Not sharing,” Anders replies, and Mikael shudders, remembering the taste of the supposed treat.
“Good, please keep that atrocity to yourself,” Mikael replies.
“So what’s the game plan for tonight?” I ask with a smirk on my face. I’m not willing to let Eli’s parents ruin what little time I have with them in person. I have a bet with myself to see how many times I can get knotted before I have to drive home. And let’s just say we’ve barely made a dent.
“How does truth or dare sound,Kulta?”
I grin at my hot goalie Alpha and take my shirt off, knowing we won’t last more than a round or two.
“Mikael, truth or dare?” I ask.
“Dare.”
