Rejected by the Hockey Alpha, Claimed by his Rival

right edge on the turns," a deep, calm

turned my head. The afternoon sun filtered brightly through the high w

l team practice. The rest of the guys had already headed straight to the locke

echoed against the plexig

't wearing his full, bulky gear today. He just had on his skates, dark gray track pants, and a bl

Cal

ty in my chest. Kash was twenty-five, a dominant Alpha, and widely regarded as the most disciplined player in the entire national league. He didn't do fl

ached my side-a rich mix of crisp winter air, cedarwood, and a strange, soothing warmth that didn't feel aggressi

automatically as I adjusted my grip on my hockey stick, trying to

calmly. "But you're losing a lot of power at the apex because your weight dist

with pity. He didn't look at me like I was a viral news headline or a broken omega who had lost her fated match at lov

n," I said, crossing my arms over th

least five percent more speed," Kash said

emonstrating the exact footwork with effortless grac

cond, igniting a sudden, heavy wave of yearning that I forced myself to swa

A wave of fear that I would fail right in front of him tightened my muscles, but I refused to look stubborn.

ate caught a weird groove in the ice. I lost my balance completely, my ar

asy," Ka

, solid hand gripped my upper arm,

my veins. It wasn't the painful, burning, heavy pull of the fated mate bond I had felt with Logan Merc

lf didn't howl in agony or distress; she simply sat down, settled, and purred, feeling en

y, my breath catc

mmediately. His grip remained incredibly firm but remarkably gentle, anchoring me to the ice. His scent sudden

h asked softly, his vo

ric of my jersey where his hand was resting. My heart hamm

hroat quietly, slowly pulling his hand back and dropping it to his

esperately trying to ignore the sudden ache of year

e returning to its usual disciplined, calm rhythm. "The team really needs so

said, a small, sarcastic smile touching my lips

urning serious, his voice hardening against the vultures outside. "They don't know anythi

Captain

He gave me a short, decisive nod before turnin

oulders disappear into the shadows of the arena. My chest felt incredibly warm,

jected in front of millions of people, a heartbreak that should have ruined my capaci

an awakening of real, undeniable passion? Why did it feel more gr

nly echoed from the bench, b

over the glass with her phone in her hand. "

, a massive, teasing smirk on her face as I skated over to the boards. "What was

o ignore the hot flash of fear that she would see right through me. "He w

st friend made her hyper-aware of my moods. "Sure. And I'm the queen of England. Your wolf looks completely

eart was still thumping wildly agains

her bag. "Come on, let's get out of here before the evening press st

stepping off the ice an

inking about the warmth of Kash's hand, and the terrifying, beautiful reali