“What do you like about it?” she asks.
“It requires team work and a hell of a lot of strategy. It isn’t just pushing a rock down some ice. We have to work together to outsmart and out-aim our opponents. The nuance makes it that much more satisfying when you win.”
“I like that.”
I hold her gaze for a beat, stepping closer and turning her toward the hack by her hips. “If you keep looking at me like that, we’ll end up playinga very different game, snowflake.” My voice comes out lower than usual, and she takes a sharp breath.
After showing her the basic positioning, we throw a few stones, casually sweeping as I explain some of the technique.
“You’re good at this,” she says after I explain some basic strategy.
“I love it,” I admit. And I really do. It’s not only a large part of my life, but it centers my pack. It gave us something to focus our young alpha energy on. But now, as I look at Raven, I think we’ve found a new center for our pack. In fact, I know we have.
“I can tell.” She smiles softly at me, her cheeks tinged pink from the cold air in the rink.
“I want to buy the old building on the edge of town back home. You know, the one that’s sat empty for years? It’s massive. There’s room for ice skating, hockey, and a permanent curling rink. I’ll set up an after-school program where kids can get free lessons. A safe, protected space. I want to get pro athletes to come in and do guest lessons, teach the kids about sportsmanship and treating others right, and there could be—” I cut off when my omega gives me a goofy grin that lets me know I’m rambling.
“Sorry,” I say.
“Don’t apologize. I think it’s an incredible idea. I hope you can do it someday.”
“The guys and I are hoping if we can win gold it’ll help us attract some investors.”
She looks down and scrapes the ice with her toe. “If anyone finds out about… us, it’ll ruin your chances, won’t it?”
I’m quiet for a moment, before taking Raven’s hand. “Hey, look at me. You’re right. It would be bad if someone found out, but that’s a gamble I’d take again and again. I don’t regret what happened. I probably should, but I don’t.”
She doesn’t say anything, but the look she gives me is warm, if not a little wary. After a beat of staring at each other silently, she asks a question about the rules, and we go back to our little lesson.
Raven does well, keeping her balance better than most beginners, as I would expect with her experience on the ice. But her throws don’t go far. Once all the stones have been thrown, we make our way to the house to collect them. I glance at Foster, who’s looking down at his phone, his jaw tight, shoulders tense. It’s clear Raven’s security guard wants her, and I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual. What’s this like for him? Watching her out here with another man? His alpha’s got to be pushing him to intervene. I’m seriously impressed that he gave us so much space for so long.
There’s a part of me that wants to provoke the big guy,wantshim to step in. There’s something about him that appeals to me. Call it attraction. Call it intrigue. I don’t know. But I don’t think I’d mind having Foster D’Amico join our pack. In fact, I get the impression I might enjoy it. I bet he’d fight me for dominance. Would Tanner submit to him, too? My dick swells, thickening in my pants.
I grab Raven’s hand and spin her into my arms. “How do you feel about your security guard, snowflake?”
“W-what?”
“Your handsome, broody bodyguard. Do you want him?”
“I, um, maybe.” She won’t look at me, and something about that makes me smile.
“Good. I do, too.”
“Really?”
I shrug. “He’s not my omega, but if you want him, none of us will stand in the way. I know it didn’t happen the way it should have, but you’re ours now, and we’ll do anything for you. Even welcome someone else into our pack. I don’t want you to worry about any conflicting feelings you might have, understand?”
She looks slightly dazed. “I thought you might be mad.”
“Why would I be mad because you want someone that makes you happy?” I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “When I say I would do anything to make you happy, I mean it, snowflake. If that means collecting packmates like Pokemon cards, well then… gotta catch ‘em all!”
She lets out a little snort at my nerdy analogy, but the smile she gives me is brilliant. It makes me think everything just might turn out okay.
43
RHODES
Orion’s been gone for an hour, and we haven’t seen Tanner since he left. I’m not sure if he’s asleep or just moping around in his room, pounding coffee the way he always does when he’s anxious—because adding caffeine is surely the best choice when you’re already jittery. Either way, it’s clear he’s not interested in hanging out.
