“Where’s Sabs?” Orin’s head swivels in search of her.
“Getting ready,” I reply. “She said something about arranging lunch with her brother after practice to tell him the, uh… news.”
Drax snorts. “Good luck with that.”
“Gee, thanks.” I scowl, slamming my shaker down on the counter with a loud smack. “Did you miss the memo about packs actually helping each other out?”
Drax ignores me, scarfing down his bagel, looking cheerier than he did a few moments before. Bastard.
“She better come down soon,” Orin glowers, checking his watch. “Or you’ll be late.”
“She’s going with you?” Drax asks mid-chew.
“Where else would she be, asshole?” I snarl sarcastically. “We can’t be apart yet.”
“She shouldn’t be sitting alone while you train with all your jerk-off teammates around.” Drax wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “I’ll come.”
“After what happened at Club Knotty, you’re not going anywhere near that rink.” Orin puts a firm hand on his shoulder. “Luca is going.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she’s safe,” Luca promises.
Before I can make another snarky remark, the sweet smell of cherries permeates the room, thick and intoxicating. Theair immediately feels charged, the four of us sitting up a little straighter as every head turns in her direction.
“Ready to go?” She flashes us her white teeth, lighting up the entire room. “Oooh, bagels.”
She leans over the breakfast bar to snag one. I’m hard the moment I see her round ass in her tight-fitting leggings. When I do force my gaze away, I watch Luca tearing his eyes from her cleavage, which is nearly popping out of her tiny crop top.
She takes a massive bite of the bagel, melted cheese oozing over the sides and dripping down her chin. The sight sends my thoughts straight into the gutter, needing to adjust my pants. “This is so good.”
Orin undoes his top button and clears his throat. “I was just saying that Luca will stay with you while Adler’s on the ice.”
“Are you sure you’re cool with that, Luca?” Sabs checks with him. “I’ll bring my laptop to catch up on some work, so I’ll be occupied. And I don’tneeda babysitter.”
“I have to head down there anyway,” Luca replies. “And with you guys still recovering from bonding sickness, it’s probably best that you have someone with you. I won’t distract you from your work.”
“Structural optimization is not exactly my favorite topic.” She winks at him. “You’ll be a welcome distraction.”
Luca’s cheeks flush a deep crimson.
“We’d better head off.” I set my shaker bottle in the dishwasher. “If we want to get there on time.”
“Before I forget…” Sabs steps away from the table, whips out an aerosol from her purse, then sprays herself with it. My nose wrinkles, annoyed that it covers up her fruity smell that I love so much. “I know we’re bonded, so I shouldn’t need to wear as much blocker anymore, but in a rink full of alphas? It’s better to be safe until our bond settles, right?”
When an omega bonds, the potency of her scent tends to lessen, letting other unbonded alphas know she is taken. While some omegas choose not to wear scent blockers at all—or only wear a small amount—the bonding period can be unpredictable.
Orin nods in approval. “I’m glad you’re taking your safety seriously.”
“I’m not a total idiot.” She nudges him playfully.
“I’ll drive,” Luca volunteers, twirling the car keys around his finger. “Let’s go, unless you want to do double burpees.”
“Have fun out there.” Orin claps me on the back as we get up to go. “Remember, the puck stops with you. Only two more games to go.”
“I’ve got this.” I watch my firecracker demolish the rest of her bagel in a few bites. “And I’ve got my lucky charm with me today.”
I insist on sitting in the back with Sabs for the ride, taking the opportunity to nuzzle into her neck, wanting to rub my scent all over her to cancel out some of the synthetic notes of her scent blocker.
The rink is a neat place with its own private gym, player’s lounge along with an area for the cheer skaters to practice.
