I put the Panther center face down on the ice. Deacon doesn’t even stop, goes airborne over the Panther’s downed stick.
Levon’s got the puck. This could be it. We need just one goal. The two Panther defensemen split, one heads off Deacon, the other goes for Levon.
The check is sloppy, but it knocks Levon into the Plexi-glass and puck is loose.
The Panther winger goes for it.
Fuck no.
Levon is free again, lined up for a shot. Deacon mows down a Panther defender. I cut the winger off before he can make a breakfor the blue line. I force his stick arm away and steal the puck right from under him.
Levon is clear. I tap him the puck, his stick slaps hard. The goalie’s mitt comes up, but it leaves plenty of room for the puck to sail right into the net.
For a beat, the entire universe holds its breath.
Then the horn hits.
Sound slams back in all at once. The crowd, the bench, bodies crashing in from every direction. Gloves hit my shoulders, my helmet, someone shouting right in my ear.
A hand clamps down on my arm.
Not a teammate.
Javier. One of the trainers.
He’s not celebrating.
“Beckett. Now.”
The noise drops out. I’m still getting half-hugs and thumps on the back. But the look on Javier’s face…
“What?”
“Your omega.”
“What about Ash?” For a second, I don’t know if I should throw up or murder someone.
“You gotta come. Alexei’s box.”
I crane my neck toward Alexei’s box, high above the ice. I’d been stealing glances up there all night, seeing the three of them pressed against the glass.
It’s all dark now.
I’m already moving.
Off the ice, over the boards, gear still on. Javier jogs to catch up.
“Here, blade guards,” he shoves them at me, and talks while I put them on. “We’ll go to the basement and cut through storage to the service elevator. You’ll never make it through the arena. Security is on the way.”
“Is she hurt?”
I take two steps, curse. I can’t fucking run in skates. Why isn’t everything made out of fucking ice?
I bend down and snap my laces, ripping them out of the boots until I can kick them off.
“Nah, man, but you’re in for a hell of a night.”
As two security guards jog up to me, I snap my head to Javier who’s chuckling.
