Now, all we could do was move forward. We’d have to see where our lives took us when routine took hold.
Things were easier here. This resort gave us the chance to give our full attention to each other with no real responsibilities in the way.
Now it was over and I’d hidden away for half of it.
I was a coward.
Leaving was a new chance to prove to her, to them, that I could balance a pack, my omega, and our careers. Show them that I’m worthy of being an alpha.
Finally, I looked up at the omega.Little bat.A smile played across my lips at the nickname. It truly suited her. She was small, covered in black, and more than a little feisty.
“I’d love to start over,” I said, looking right at her and not hiding away this time.
“Fine. But I don’t want to do it as friends… Hayes? Carter? I’m not calling you ‘Coach’ to your face.” She tilted her head to the side as she tested out the names.
“Carter never really felt like mine. I’ve been playing sports since I was a kid. I tend to go by Hayes.”
“Okay, Hayes,” she said, testing it out before repeating herself. “I don’t want to be friends.”
“To be honest, I don’t want that, either,” I agreed.
“Good. Then you have one week to plan a date,” she challenged. “And I feel like we should plan a pack dinner or something once things settle down. I want to get to know you all separately and together.”
“Speaking of settling down. What happened with Rylan and Greer?”
“They’ve talked it out, and we’ve been giving them a bit of space to come to terms with it. I think they’re going to be okay.”
“What about you and Greer?” She looked surprised that I knew there was some hesitation between them. “Sorry, that rumor was going around as well. I guess someone saw him talking to you and holding your hand, then running off.”
She scrubbed a hand over her face. “Of course, it’s going around.”
Roxie looked at Kota for a long pause, as if they were already close enough to silently communicate, and then she glanced back at me.
“Rylan and Greer worked things out and we’re taking it at our pace. Trying to focus on the pack and letting things develop naturally,” she explained.
If they left it up to fate and what felt right, they’d be together soon enough. It was impossible to ignore the pull I felt toward her and I knew it was the same for the others.
The fact that she was willing to let them work out everything they had to as well and wasn’t trying to get between that, was impressive. Omegas together were usually territorial but she and Rylan were both different.
I hated that every time I learned something new about her, I realized even more that she should be mine.
“Things are going to be hectic when we get back,” I told them both. “The omega that was in heat and postponed the last game is done, so our first game is in four days. Then we have an away game the day after. You get the drill.”
“Perfect. I’ll be able to get the first article out before too long. I’ve done some initial interviews. I think I’ve spoken to everyone at least once. Since you’ve been avoiding me, I had plenty of time,” she said, flashing me a smile that meant she was absolutely giving me shit.
I liked that she wasn’t some super-sweet, vulnerable omega that was afraid to push back.
Roxie was the kind of omega that would stomp on an alpha’s balls and make him tell her thank you.
That streak of fire was exactly what I loved in my partners. I couldn’t wait to quiet that mouth and watch her fall apart on my tongue. Claim her. Bite her. I wanted it all with Roxie now that I’d let go of my hangups.
I’ve been married to my career for so long and had just arrived in North Crossing. I could see myself settling here in North Crossing. Forming a pack wouldn’t change that.
This team was the kind that people transferred to and stayed. We had the highest retention rates and I’d fight against trading my packmates. I could make this happen for us, we all could.
Greer was retiring, but Kota was just starting his career. He’d made it clear from the start that he wanted to prove himself and stick around with this team.
Younger players usually didn’t want that. Kota might be young, but he was an incredible player and his charisma set him apart.
