PROLOGUE
LAST NEW YEAR’S
Champagne is clearly the source of both good and evil. Even though I know I’ll feel like shit tomorrow, I feel euphoric right now, like all the problems that phase me in my everyday life don’t exist.
You know what exists though?
Alexi fucking Bandnin.
I’ve known him for years now, having been an NHL WAG’s best friend and with how many games I attend with Charlotte. Now that I’m in my residency and Anders retired, my games have been less frequent. That doesn’t mean I still don’t appreciate everything that is Alexi Bandnin.
I’ve thought about fucking that man within an inch of his life at least a hundred times, but something always holds me back. It’s probably the way he looks at me with his mischievous smirk or the way that everyone on the team seems to absolutely adore him.
It’s not that I think Alexi is out of my league, I think that if I let myself indulge in that tall, big, future silver fox that I wouldn’t be able to walk away. Not many Alpha males want an Alpha female in their pack… but Alexi, he seems different. Like he’s so confident in himself that no other Alpha would feel like a threat.
Charlotte sips her champagne as she comes and stands next to me. She’s wearing this sparkly navy dress, and she looks adorable. You can’t even tell she had a baby. I’ve witnessed—against my will—each member of her pack groping her tonight with how stunning she looks.
What does a girl have to do to get groped around here?
“See anything you like?” she says, taking another heavy sip. “I don’t know, like a very tall man with a Russian accent who looks at you like he wants to eat you out from behind.”
I smack her arm, and she spills some champagne over her fist. She laughs with her head flung back. I can’t help but to smile, seeing my friend so carefree and happy. I was there during the darkest days of her life. It’s amazing to see her so radiant and happy.
“Charlotte, you’re supposed to be someone’s mother,” I joke, and she shakes her head.
“Being a mom doesn’t stop me from getting railed every day that ends in Y.” She cackles again, and it’s contagious.
“How much have you had?” I ask, clinking her glass.
“Making up for lost time and future lost time,” she says, slurring her words.
I arch an eyebrow at her and pat down my short black dress. I might be showing more leg than what most people would say is appropriate. And maybe I dressed this way because I knew Alexi would be here. Just because I shouldn’t sample the goods doesn’t mean he shouldn’t know full well how hot I am. “What do you mean future time lost?”
“Meaning, my heat is coming up and I want another baby.”
I smile and bump her hip with mine. “You’re good parents, you know that?”
“I learned from the best,” she says, her eyes watering as she smiles.
“Yeah, you sure did.” Both of us are quiet for a moment, remembering Kathy and how pivotal she was to both of our childhoods. The moment of sadness is quickly forgotten as we watch Eli shimmy over to where we’re standing.
Eli is absolutely wasted, his eyes heavy looking as he turns up the music and stumbles over to his Omega. “Dance with me, baby,” he says, and Charlotte giggles as she takes his hand. I watch them dance, and other hockey couples follow suit and start dancing. The dancing is horrible, and I laugh as I watch men who can skate on blades dance with absolutely no rhythm. But the moment fades, and the sad and lonely part of my brain takes over. I’m not sure if it’s the bubbles of champagne floating through my body or watching couples and packs dance together while I feel pathetically alone.
The countdown is about to start, and I feel like I’m intruding. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but I feel like this more often than I’d like to admit—like I don’t belong in certain spaces. I have a hard time feeling like I belong in my surgical program, and sometimes I feel like I don’t belong in Charlotte’s space. She will always be my best friend, but things change when you get a pack. Me being an Alpha adds an additional layer to that.
I slip away through the sliding door of their kitchen. The champagne keeps me warm as I down the rest of my glass and look out into their perfectly domestic backyard. I would have given anything for parents like Charlotte and her pack. I smile to myself, thinking about how well-adjusted and loved their children will be. Eli and Mikael are breaking generational curses, and Anders and Charlotte are continuing their family traditions on their own. It’s beautiful, and I’m more than happy for them, but I can’t help but feel like maybe I’ll never have that. Do I even want that?
The sliding door behind me clicks, and I assume that it’s Charlotte.
“Charles, I’m fine. I’ll be right back in.”
“I think you look more than fine, Piper.” I shiver at the sound. His deep timber does something for me. I spin around and tilt my head to look at him. Alexi always looks good whether he’s in his uniform or suits after games, but I think casual Alexi may be my favorite. God, I’d pay good ass money to see him in a pair of sweatpants that are a size too small. I lick my lips and remember that I need to reply to his statement—his very flirty statement.
“Thanks for noticing.”
“I always notice you.” I clear my throat, and the thought of Alexi constantly noticing sends a pang of want through me—a want I shouldn’t even be entertaining.
“Thanks,” I say lamely, not knowing how to respond when his full attention is focused solely on me.
