I pulled the suppressant patch off my hip. Stared at it.
I'd been wearing these for twelve years. Maximum dose. Hiding what I was. Suppressing everything that made me Omega.
Being safe, controlled…afraid.
I dropped the patch in the trash.
8
LUCA
My skates carved sharp crescents into the pristine surface, each push echoing through the cavernous space. The puck slammed against the boards with a hollow crack that reverberated up to the rafters where the championship banners hung motionless in the cold air. No coaches barking orders. No teammates' laughter. Just me, the ice, and the rhythm of my own ragged breathing.
I'd been here for two hours. Shooting. Skating. Trying to work off the restless energy that had been eating at me since I left Reina's apartment three days ago.
Three days of silence.
Three days of waiting.
Three days of wondering if she was going to choose this or walk away.
I took another shot. The puck slammed into the top corner of the net with a satisfying thwack.
"Nice shot."
I spun around. Jaxon stood at the edge of the rink, still in street clothes. Jeans, leather jacket, motorcycle helmet under his arm.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Same thing you are. Can't sleep. Can't focus. Figured I'd find you here."
"How'd you know where I'd be?"
"Because I know you, Vale. When you're stressed, you skate." He set his helmet down on the bench, started unlacing his boots. "Mind if I join you?"
I should’ve told him no. Should’ve told him this was Frost Kings ice, not his.
But I didn't.
"Skates are in the equipment room. Help yourself."
Ten minutes later we were both on the ice. Passing the puck back and forth in silence. The rhythmic slap of stick on puck, the scrape of blades on ice. It so fucking familiar and comfortable.
"You think she's going to say yes?" Jaxon asked finally.
"I don't know."
"You read her better than I do. What's your gut say?"
I caught his pass, sent it back. "My gut says she wants to. But she's scared."
"Of us?" He quirked a brow.
"Of herself. Of what she thinks she is."
Jaxon stopped skating, leaned on his stick. "Her mom really did a number on her."
I nodded in agreement. "Yeah."
