That small half smirk takes over his face, until he smiles. It’s a soft smile, no teeth, but I’m intrigued by it nonetheless. “Fucking amazing,” he says quietly.
“There we fucking go.” I squeeze his thigh, and he stiffens under my touch. I remove my hand, and Owen clears his throat.
Coach is the last on the bus, his arms resting on the two rows as he grins. “That’s what I’m fucking talking about. Let’s get you boys some goddamn cheeseburgers.” He grins before sitting down.
Eli and Mikael are sitting in the same row as on the way here. They have their phones out and are video calling Charlotte, Anders, and Katie. I smile as I watch them talk to their daughter. I’m not sure if I want kids of my own, but having a pack has been weighing on me hard lately. I think the only other thing that would make me retire, besides winning the Cup, would be solidifying a pack.
Right now, I know for sure Piper is going to be in my pack. I don’t care what the good doctor says, she’s going to be mine. I’d be lying if I said the Beta next to me didn’t stir something up as well. But I’m not really sure who is going to be the hardest to convince.
The good thing is, I love a fucking challenge.
* * *
I see why Piper goes to Alpha Fitness. I absolutely did not need a membership since I use the Foxes’ facility, but this gym is top of the line. I’m nothing but persistent as I see her lifting weights.
She’s so beautiful. I like her in scrubs and the few times I’ve seen her dress up. But Piper in tight yoga pants and a clingy T-shirt is probably my favorite. I have to use all my mental strength to calm my dick down as she bends over to pick up weights. Her long, dark ponytail nearly hits the floor as she bends. I’ve had too many thoughts about her ponytail.
I’m truly wondering when my persistence turns into something creepy. Nothing less than Piper telling me to fuck off will do.
I let her get most of her workout done. I’m lightly walking on the treadmill when I notice she starts doing squats—my favorite. I turn the machine off and make my way over. Her eyes connect with mine in the mirror before I’m even at the lifting area. Seems like my adorable Alpha might just be watching me too.
She takes her headphones off and spins around. I couldn’t really see her face from where I was before, but when I look at her now, I’m concerned. She has signs of being tired, and she looks paler than usual.
Not being a complete moron, I don’t ask her. I just arch an eyebrow at her.
“Need a spotter?”
She scoffs. “You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”
“Very much.”
“Has anyone told you that you’re a huge flirt?”
“Not lately, no,” I say with a smile and take the bench next to her, adding more weight onto the sides. I lie down on the bench and do a few repetitions. Am I being a sneaky fuck and making my scent thicker? Undoubtedly. The way Piper shifts her weight notes that she’s not unaffected either.
“I can’t get a smoothie today.”
“Presumptuous. I didn’t ask to get a smoothie.”
“You know what—” She stops mid sentence and I drop the weight on the stand and stand up. I’m in her space, so close that she has to look up to speak to me.
“What,malyshka?”
“Oh, don’t youmalyshkame,” she says, pointing at my chest. Her Russian is shit, and it makes me smile. “I looked that up. I’m not your baby girl. I’m an Alpha, and I’m no one’s baby girl.” My grin spreads even further.
“You could be.” She sputters a little bit. I’m not sure what Piper is used to. Maybe male Betas who pander to her demands and don’t give her shit? It feels like it as she blinks at me in annoyance.
“I told you, I don’t have time for a relationship right now.”
“What do you have time for?” I’m not proud of the line of thinking, but I’ll take whatever she gives, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think I could eventually convince her that we belong together.
“What?” she asks, looking at me suspiciously.
“What do you have time for, Piper?”
She blinks and licks her lips as she looks at me. “It’s been a hard week,” she says, and I’m not sure where the conversation is going, but I let her continue her thought. “I just want to not think.”
My beautiful Alpha needs her head cleared.I can do that.
