Page 3 of Traded

When I don’t say a word, he leans in to kiss my cheek, and then my lips. “Thank you. I appreciate how hard that must have been for you.”

My eyes narrow at his teasing. “I’ll be on your case plenty tomorrow, don’t worry. And so will Elena.”

The Titans physiotherapist is a tiny beta with the strength of seven enforcers put together and the attitude of a bull terrier chewing a wasp. And she’s gonna be pissed if he’s hiding pain inhis shoulder from the brutal hit he took in last season’s Everly Cup final against the Bruins. Especially after all the work the Titans have done to make sure their star center is fit to play.

I try not to bite down on my lip. He shouldn’t still be in pain at all.

Carter winks when I focus all of my worry into a glare. “Noted, boss.”

“So.” Jonas’s voice is muffled with a bite of the six eggs he’s laid out on his plate. Each one is perfectly boiled and peeled, a single pinch of salt added, sliced and set out in a weird clock-shaped offering to the hockey gods. No more, no less, or the heavens will fall and his left sidejust won’t have the same strength.

He points at me and swallows. “Game day, Ro. Hit us with the plan to make sure we smash those assholes.”

I lift the clipboard from beside me and reel off the list. “After breakfast, everyone heads to the Furnace. Carter, you’re seeing Elena first before practice—then back here for a snack and pre-game gaming.”

All three of them grin. The official Everly Cup pre-game videogame is a ritual thatcannotbe messed with.

“Nap?” Jonas asks hopefully. The puppy dog eyes are in full effect. “Preferably with you.”

Liam rolls his eyes as I twist the clipboard to show Jonas and tap my finger next to the allocated time. “Would I let you down? Ninety minutes. Tosleep. Then up and showered. I want to get back to the Furnace for five before the crowds start waiting at the player’s entrance.”

Whoever’s there early enough will get some quality interactions, because none of my pack will ignore anyone waiting in the cold to see their favorite player.

The way people have been talking about their chances this season, I have a feeling there’s going to be more than a few thereearly. My heart squeezes as I set the clipboard aside. “So… yeah. That’s it.”

“Perfect,” Carter murmurs. He brushes back my hair as he pushes his plate back, and I frown at the untouched food until his arms wrap around me. His muttered grumble finds my ear. “I still don’t like that they’re coming into our arena.”

“That’s the name of the game, I’m afraid. Get through tonight and you won’t have to see them again for a month.” I suck my cheeks in. “I amnotstaying home. Don’t ask me to.”

“Absolutely not. I need you there.” He pulls back and studies me, a frown darkening his expression. “Don’t engage with him, Ro. Or any of them. His team is as bad as he is. Promise me.”

I almost roll my eyes. Almost. “I can handle Boone, Carter.”

Wrong thing to say. Carter steps closer, his palms cradling my face. “No. Promise me. Don’t look at him. Don’t speak to him and don’t engage with him. It’ll only encourage him.”

“’kay,” I mumble through squished cheeks. “If oo inshist.”

He releases me with a rueful smile. “I do. You know I hate pulling lead alpha on you, but I will when he’s involved.”

As if he ever pulls lead alpha on any of us. I catch Liam rolling his eyes again. Carter might be the most easygoing pack leader to ever exist, but his second isnot.Especially when it’s opening night. Every muscle is practically quivering with tension. I glance away before he notices me staring.

“Boone’s not going to do anything,” I say softly. “But I’ll act like he doesn’t exist if you need that from me. Don’t let him get into your head.”

“Thank you.” Carter sighs, his thumb brushing my cheek. “You’re my whole world, Ro. You know that, right? This season is gonna be brutal. I’m sorry in advance.”

I bite down on the instinctive urge to snark back. I know where I stand, and where my pack stands. Andallof us desperatelywant to see the Titans lift the Everly Cup. “Don’t worry about me. But… after the season’s done?”

His fingers brush over my neck. “Whatever happens, I’m not waiting anymore.”

Now hold on a minute.

My lips part. “You mean…”

“Yeah.” He swallows. My hands suddenly find my lap as my spine snaps straight, fingers gripping each other tightly to keep still.

Jonas and Liam get up from their seats and come to stand on either side of me. Jonas’s eyes flicker between us, shoulders bouncing until Liam slams a hand down on his shoulder to keep him from launching forward.

Carter cups my cheek. “We talked about it, Ro. We’ve asked too much of you as it is. So whatever happens on the ice, this is gonna be our year. All of us.”