“Look, it’s her!” Whispers follow us as we move to our seats. “It’s Ace’s omega!”
If Sabs hears, she doesn’t pay them any attention. Her hair is swept up in a high ponytail, proudly displaying Adler’s mark on her neck. Despite getting to know Adler better and coming to somewhat of a truce since joining the Strike Pack, every time I see his mark on her, it’s a kick to the gut. The sight of his permanent brand makes my own teeth ache with a phantom need to claim her myself, wanting to seemymark on her gorgeous, freckled skin.
“Mmm!” Sabs slurps loudly from the blue raspberry Slurpee I bought her. “Thanks, Drax.”
“No problem.” I sink my teeth into my greasy hot dog, ketchup dripping down my chin. At least they have food here. That’s something to be thankful for.
And so is the sight of the beauty beside me. It’s hard not to drool when Sabs crosses her long, toned legs, her tight leggings leaving nothing to the imagination. She also has on a large hoody to keep her warm—despite the heat outside, it’s chilly in here.
The announcer’s voice echoes around the rink as music blares, and girls in skimpy clothes skate onto the ice to perform an elaborate display of twists and twirls.
“Woah.” Sabs gawps at them. “They may be bitches, but they can seriously move.” She points. “Look at that one.” She reaches over to grab a nacho from my lap. They’re covered in jalapeños and melted cheese that leaves a gooey trail behind as she pulls one up.
I don’t really pay attention to the skaters; I’m more fascinated by Sabs’s scent. She’s covered it up with something that I don’t especially like. Her sugary cherry now laced with something synthetic, masking it somewhat, paired with a trace of Adler’s citrus and Luca’s woody tones.
I shove the rest of the hot dog into my mouth to take my mind off the thought of what the three of them got up to last night again. Judging by the moans I heard when I came homefrom dropping the Stellas off, they knew exactly how to satisfy her, which brought my own insecurities to the surface.
I haven’t had sex since I presented as an alpha, so I’m a little… nervous. The doctors have briefed me on what to expect, but still. Knotting? Theoretically, I understand it, but how does that even work in practice? How does it feel to have your body literally lock onto someone else’s? As great as Orin’s been, that’s one area that I’m not comfortable asking him for advice on.
The thunderous applause as the cheer skaters head off the ice brings me back to the present.
“This is more exciting than I thought it’d be.” Sabs turns to face me, a gleeful smile brightening her face. “Can you feel the atmosphere? It’s buzzing.”
“Yeah,” I grumble.
Personally, I’d have preferred if we were sitting in one of the premium suites, as Orin had wanted, but Sabs insisted that she wanted to be among the fans.
“You could at least pretend you’re enjoying it.” She nudges me playfully in the ribs. “We used to watch Beckett play football sometimes in high school, remember?”
“I only went to those to spend time with you,” I confess. “Beckett sucked at football.”
“But you acted like you were a fan.” She gasps in surprise then laughs. “But yep, he totally sucked. Remember how the rest of my family stopped showing up to watch because he was always benched? You and I were the only ones who made the effort.”
I always suspected that her family had sneaking suspicions about my crush on her around that time. But no one ever said anything.
“Oh, look!” She claps, her attention on the rink again, the players now skating out in their uniforms. She cheers along, waving the ridiculous orange foam finger that she insisted onbuying on our way in. I point-blank refused, but Luca relented. He’s a good guy. “There he is!”
I spot Adler right away, the shiny number one emblazoned on his orange jersey.
“I can’t believe he’s bonded,” someone sighs close by, making me glower further to hear how heartbroken the stranger sounds.
“Trust me, he’s the lucky one.” I spin to face the source of the voice. “She needs nerves of steel to take on my brother.”
“Izzie!” Sabs jumps up to greet Izzie, who is pushing her way toward us. “Adler didn’t know whether you were coming.”
“I couldn’t miss it,” she replies brightly, settling into the seat on Sabs’s other side that Orin bought. He bought multiple seats around us, so we could have extra space. “I haven’t seen him play in forever.” She eyeballs the box in my hand. “Ohhhh, nachos. They look so good.”
“Here.” I thrust them in her direction, making her face light up. “You can have them.” I’d never let an omega go hungry.
“Are you sure?” she asks the question but doesn’t wait for my response, already popping a jalapeño into her mouth. “Thanks. I’m so excited.”
Sabs is practically bouncing in her seat. “This is going to be so much fun!”
“I wonder if the players are any good?” Izzie’s eyes dart around the ice. “Number ten on the opposing team is pretty hot. Look at those buns.”
“That’s just padding,” I grumble.
Sabs snorts. Adler’s sister reminds me of a younger Sabs with her lack of filter. I’m betting the two of them are going to be best friends in no time. I’m gonna have my work cut out for me. Keeping Sabs in check is hard enough, let alone managing her and her mini-me.
