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There is some sweet mixed up with all that cockiness.
A gust of wind blows at our backs, providing relief from the heat. Out on the field, Abe looks for an open player to throw the pass. Then, suddenly, his head snaps to the stands.
For some inexplicable reason, my heart starts pounding. I foolishly think he might be looking for me.
Abe doesn’t see the player from the other team barreling toward him.
I’m shocked that my instinct is to stand and point, but of course, I don’t. I just sit still and watch as he’s tackled to the ground.
This time it isn’t graceful.
He was definitely play-acting before. The fickle crowd shouts and boos at him.
Abe gets up, then drops back to his knees, clutching the sides of his helmet at his temples.
Now I do jump to my feet. “Shut up,” I yell at the people booing. “He’s hurt!”
Abe
The pain in my temples blinds me. No, that’s backwards–it’s my eyes that cause the pain. I could have sworn I caught Lauren’s scent in the wind, and my wolf went haywire. I lost focus on the game.
It’s the first time I’ve ever been tackled without letting it happen. I try to climb to my feet but stagger backward and then fall to my knees.
My teammates pay no attention. Hopefully they think I’m faking it. Of course, for appearances, they should also fake concern. Instead, it’s a player from the Cave Hills team who puts a hand on my back and leans over. “You okay, man?”
“Yeah,” I lie. “I just need a minute.”
I still can’t see a fucking thing. I suck in deep breaths, trying to get my eyes to focus. And then my dad is suddenly out on the field, holding the sides of my helmet and pulling me to my feet. “I got it. I’m a doctor,” he says to the Cave Hills player. To me, he murmurs, “It’s okay, son.” He leans his forehead against my helmet. “Deep breaths.” His voice is so low I almost can’t hear it. Of course, my dad’s biggest fear is that our family's dirty secret will be found out. That our tainted DNA will come to light, and he’ll lose his position on the council.
“I’m trying!” I growl back.
“Okay,” he soothes me. “Now, shift to human form.” He uses alpha command in his voice to force my body into compliance. I’m already in human form, obviously, but my eyes don’t seem to know that.
It works, at least partially. Some of my vision returns at the periphery. Until I catch another sweet note of Lauren’s scent, and my wolf goes berserk.
I barely stifle the cry of agony that rockets from my mouth.
“Human. Form.” Once more, the alpha command shimmers around my body, sending shivers down my spine, ricocheting out my limbs to my fingers and toes. My joints crack, and my vision resets.
“I’m good.” I bob my head to show my dad that I’m back.
“Atta boy. You got this, Abe. Shake it off and kick some ass out there.”
“We’re not supposed to kick ass today,” I mutter.
Coach Jamison and Wilde decided that we should lose this game. Wolf Ridge High can’t always be undefeated, or it would draw too much attention to our little town. The coaches let us know right before the game how they want us to play. The outcome remains a secret to the community, so they will still show up to watch the games.
“Well, do it with style, then. And then I want you at my clinic after the game. I need to run tests on you.” My dad thumps the side of my helmet and jogs off.
Fuck. More tests. That’s my entire relationship with my dad these days.
Still, to make him happy, I turn to the stands and pump my fist in the air. I have to show the school I’m all right. The applause is tepid. Wolf Ridge High and the rest of the community must know that was a real hit because I wasn’t paying attention. They want showmanship whether we win or lose. They’re here for entertainment, and I let them down.
I will make it up to them later. Right now, I’m scanning the stands.
There. In the back.
I spot Lauren with her twin, Lincoln, along with Rayne the Runt. Except, I’m not supposed to call her that anymore. Wilde has become super protective of his new stepsister. He cornered me in the locker room and told me I have to make sure everyone votes her in as Homecoming Queen.
