"Rough game," he said, pouring me a double whiskey without asking.
"Yeah."
"Want to talk about it?"
"No."
He slid the glass across to me. I downed half of it in one swallow.
My teammates were scattered around the bar, rehashing plays, already half-drunk. I tried to focus on their conversations but all I could feel through the bond was Reina.
She was back at the cabin where she was safe and waiting.
And Jaxon was... closer than he should be.
I could feel him moving towards the bar. The door opened to the place opened.
Jaxon Roarke walked into a bar full of Frost Kings players like he owned the fucking place. Still wearing his Steel Wolves jacket. Hair damp from his post-game shower.
Every conversation stopped.
Marcus muttered, "What the fuck?"
Jaxon ignored everyone. Walked straight to the bar. Straight to me.
"Vale."
"Roarke."
Noah poured him a beer without being asked, that knowing grin still on his face.
"Congrats on the win," Noah said.
"Thanks." Jaxon took a long drink, his eyes never leaving mine.
I could feel my team's confusion radiating from around the bar. This didn't happen. Rival captains didn't drink together after games.
Especially not us.
Marcus walked over. "Luca. A word?"
"Not now."
"Yes. Now."
I let Marcus pull me aside, away from the bar.
"What the hell is going on?" he hissed. "Why is Roarke here? And what's that mark on your neck?"
"It's complicated."
"No shit it's complicated. You're bonded. I can smell it. And Roarke's here. Is it...?" His eyes widened. "Holy shit. You're bonded to him?"
"It's not like that. There's someone else. An Omega."
"And?"
"And we're both bonded to her."
