Once Lana explained her story, everything shifted. The team was on her side in an instant, and the hate for the Narwhals intensified.
“It’s the beast,” Murphy called out as I walked into the locker room, cupping his hands around his mouth to project his voice. I grinned, happy to not be shunned anymore.
At one point, I hated that nickname. It always felt like it was a jab, like I worked out harder just to match alphas in physique when this was just my body. My omega loved it, and I was learning to as well.
“Hey, Murph,” I said, dropping my bag down on the bench.
“Congratulations on the omega. I can’t believe you guys landed Lana.” He was amused, giving me a teasing side-eye. If it was anything else, I might have had to cause more tension.
I gave him a dry look, instead. “We didn’tlandanything, but she is ours.”
He smiled. “You’re damn lucky to have her. She’s great.”
“She really is,” I agreed easily.
“I can’t believe those fucking Narwhals had her,” Simms said as he sat down on the bench next to us. “I looked it up a bit. They were together since they started out in college. She was on their arm during every hockey event. She looked happy then, but thenthey started going alone. I can’t imagine leaving my omega home like they did. That’s fucking disgusting.”
“Exactly,” I agreed. “Imagine having a girl like her and then never checking in on her again. I think they genuinely expected her to always be there waiting for them. Their egos must be enormous.”
They continued gossiping as I pulled on my gear. The rest of the guys trailed in slowly. Lennon was joking with one of the guys, Conrad talking to one of our younger players. It felt normal again in here.
Coach walked in with his usual pep talk.
“I want a good, clean game,” he demanded, giving our group a pointed look that said we were damn lucky to still be on his team after the stunt we pulled.
As usual, I tuned him out, doing my breathing exercises that calmed my mind. That way, when I went out there, I was ready.
The Cliffside Canines were some of the best in the league, and I knew better than to underestimate them. My name was called, and I blinked my eyes open, realizing that they’d already started filing out.
Kieran gave me a look that clearly asked if I was alright, and I gave him a sharp nod, following them out into the tunnel.
My entire demeanor changed when we walked past and found our girl waiting to send us off. Each one of us leaned down, stealing a kiss before heading out onto the ice.
I loved that she didn’t have to hide anymore. Coach stopped to say something to her, gesturing for one of the security guys to come over, likely to lead her up to the team suites where she belonged.
Each one of our names rang out in the arena as we swept out onto the ice, music and cheers echoing out. I lived for this.
The first-line started to move into position when something shifted in the arena. The cheers were gone now, replaced with screams and some sort of chant.
I couldn’t make out the words they were saying, but it had the people around them riled up, calling out for security to lead them off. We stood frozen on the ice, watching as they were escorted out.
There were even signs in their hands, the only word I could make out as they waved them around was ‘delta’.
What the fuck was going on? My gaze shifted to the VIP box where I knew Lana had to be. I didn’t feel as safe leaving her alone anymore, but at least our security was good here.
Though… maybe not good enough. How the hell had they made it in the arena?
Coach was livid as we skated past, ranting loudly to security.
“What the fuck was that?” Lennon growled.
“Something for after the game,” I said, gritting my teeth. We had to focus or it was over before it started.
The game was a bloodbath and not in our favor. My head wasn’t in it anymore, worry for my omega clouding it. Not to mention, the whole thing was so strange I couldn’t seem to let it go.
One of the Canine’s alphas tried to take me by surprise, shoving me toward the glass. They might have bulk on me, but I sure as fuck had size, and there was no way I was letting some asshole alpha shove me around like this. After a quick stop, I spun on my skates, slamming him with enough force that the impact left him stunned.
“Don’t fucking touch me,” I growled, putting every bit of force into those words.
