“Iz!” Adler rushes to her side, his brow creased in concern. “Are you okay? That fucking asshole, I’ll?—”
“Hey! I’m fine.” She pats his arm, offering a reassuring smile. “It looks worse than it is. It’s not that sore, probably just a mild sprain. Luca’s just being extra careful, wrapping it up to be on the safe side.”
“I’m still taking you to the ER for an X-ray,” Luca insists. “Just to be certain.”
“I was supposed to be meeting my friends at Nora’s,” she grumbles before her expression brightens. “Congrats on the win, bro! I’m sorry I didn’t get to see the final shot.” A rutting alpha knocking her over is nothing compared to some of the things she’s been through, but the sight of her injury still makes myinner protector crave blood. Izzy turns toward me. “Thanks for stepping in, by the way.”
I straighten my shoulders. “No need to thank me.”
“What are you all still doing here?” She puts her good hand on her hip. “You should be with Sabs.” She drops her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Also, I can totally see why you’re into her. She smells amazing. If I were gay, she’d totally be my type.”
“Okay, enough talking about Sabs’s smell.” I jump in to try to keep the conversation on track. None of us need a reminder of how intoxicating her scent is right now. “Adler’s going to have a quick meeting, then we’re heading home. Right, Adler?”
I’m lucky my skin doesn’t burn from the intense glower Adler’s giving me. “Yep.”
“Andweare going to the ER. Nora’s blankets can wait,” Luca tells Izzie in a stern tone, resting his hand on her shoulder before she can make an escape. “Don’t you remember what happened when you tried to hide that twisted ankle that time?”
“I only hid it because I didn’t want Adler to find out that I broke it while sneaking out to see the guy I was dating from your rival team.” She chuckles as Adler’s citrus scent sours, obviously still pissed about the incident. “Congratulations again, Addy. I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“I’ll make sure she gets seen fast, then I’ll drop her back at Omega Village,” Luca says.
She pouts. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you that I don’t need a babysitter.”
Adler pulls her in for a brief bear hug that makes her nose wrinkle. “Maybe not, but you’ll always be my little sister.”
“You worry too much.” She flicks her wrist dismissively. “And you definitely need a shower. Stat.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
Sabs
“Sabs!” I jolt in Drax’s arms as Adler’s voice echoing up the stairs interrupts our cozy snuggle. I’m wearing his oversized shirt as we flick through YouTube, laughing at funny dog videos. There’s nothing more adorable than watching a puppy play piano.
I can feel Adler’s anxiety and worry before he arrives. He barges into the nest like a hurricane, still in his hockey gear.
I put up a hand. “Stop right there!”
He halts at the nest entrance, his helmet swinging in one hand.
“You’re…” He inhales deeply as he looks me over, shoulders sagging. “Okay.”
“I mean, my legs are still a little shaky from multiple orgasms.” My reply elicits a smug smirk from Drax who reclines, propping his brawny arms behind his head as I meander over to talk to Adler in the doorway. “Aside from that, I’ve never felt better. See? I even have a spring in my step.” I do a ridiculous jump for good measure.
His forehead crinkles. “You’re not in heat?”
“Nope,” I shrug. “Turns out it was just a heat spike. A quick knot was all I needed.” I wink at Drax then shoot Adler anapologetic smile. “I’m really sorry that I missed the end of your game.”
“You’re more important than any win.” His voice is a gravelly rumble as his gaze zeroes in on my pebbled nipples pushing through the fabric of the shirt I’m wearing. “I tried to leave as soon as the game ended, but?—”
“You didn’t have to leave on my account.” I suck my teeth, hating that he was so concerned about me. “Drax looked after me.”
Adler’s gaze strays to Drax. I hold my breath, waiting for him to make some kind of snide remark, but instead, he just nods at him. “Thank you for bringing her home.”
Drax’s head jerks back into the pillow, almost as stunned as I am. “That’s what packs do, right?”
“Yeah.” Adler’s lips curve up in a lopsided smile that makes my stomach flip. “It is.”
“You looked amazing on the ice,” I tell him. “Seriously, you were incredible! That part where you did that thing with the… What’s it called? You know the move with the…” I try to mime the motion, but it just looks like I’m busting out a terrible dance move.
