Page 123 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

The pressure of being a Narwhal had been a bit too much for me. Not just because of the scandals that surrounded us, but the fans themselves. That town was so hockey obsessed that one wrong move would send you into a tank of sharks. It was ridiculous how fast I went from a favored hockey player to persona non grata.

They loved me until they didn’t.

I knew that was part of life with hockey, but in a town where that was all they had, it was suffocating. I loved hockey. I’d dedicated my life to this career, but for a while now, I’d also realized that I’d pushed everything else off, that hockey wasn’t the only thing that should’ve been given my attention.

Now that I had Dhara, that was even more true.

I wanted a full life, one that fulfilled me, and in the past few weeks of being with my mate, I’d already felt more like myself than I had in years. Having something you loved and were good at, become your career had its downfalls.

Coach called us back in, and I glided over the ice, throwing myself over the boards. We’d scored another goal, pulling us ahead by two. It was going to be a tough fight tonight. I was already exhausted, but I lived for this.

“I’m glad you guys got your heads on straight,” Coach said. “That’s the kind of playing the Renegades are known for. I want to see more of that.”

“Yes, Coach,” we agreed easily.

There was no way I was about to get on Coach’s bad side, especially when we needed to schedule Dhara’s heat soon. Not every heat of hers would be this predictable. Most omegas knew when they were coming, but they didn’t exactly have a schedule to follow.

We’d also have to find a way to work around the upcoming trial. There was no way we’d be missing that. We would prove that Dhara was the right one to have custody. In fact, my brother had mentioned finishing the paperwork even if we weren’t bonded yet. He’d sent me a link, and I printed it off. I had it ready to give to our lawyer.

I wanted everything filed and in place, not a single stone unturned when it came to our family.

The second line took the ice. Every single player on our team was strong. They were just as good as the first line, and I was humble enough to say that, but the Defenders were putting up a hell of a fight.

“Let’s go, Santos!” I yelled as the right winger stripped the puck away and took off through the neutral zone.

It was a complete power move. They were absolutely killing it, and despite being on a team with my best friend not long ago, I was proud as hell to be a part of this one now.

Our coach was amazing. He went to bat for us in ways the Narwhals’ new coach did, too, but I hadn’t been around him long enough to garner true loyalty. I needed the move, and maybe my delta knew that I belonged here with this group, that my mate was in this town and she needed us.

I took a minute to clear my mind until Coach threw us back in.

As I pushed my body forward, I locked in again, relieved for the reprieve from my inner thoughts.

“We’re going to lock this down,” August said, letting out a whoop as he launched himself over the boards, following close behind me.

We flanked our center as we cut down the ice. The Defenders came in just as hard. We clashed in the neutral zone, fighting for possession. Every time they managed to steal the puck, we fought to gain it back.

We stayed neck and neck, a constant battle on the ice, neither team willing to back down. Too bad for them their omega wasn’t waiting in the stands wearing their name.

I was going to make damn sure my Omega knew that I was fighting for her.

Dhara

My guys were out for blood tonight. Conrad had barely let a single puck get through, but I could see the strain it was taking on him. The other team was doing their best to keep control, but it was failing. Gavin and I had cheered so loudly that my throat was hoarse.

Even with the trial looming over us, I forced myself to stay in the moment, to cheer for my guys, to watch the game, and to soak in Gavin’s radiance as he explained every play to me and screamed until he was red in the face.

A couple of the other Junior Renegades were here, but he still chose to sit with me.

My brother was protective of me now when my pack wasn’t around. He was no longer the little boy that I’d dedicated my life to, but he was growing into a young man with morals that I’d helped to build.

If I thought about that too hard, I’d start crying. I’d done enough of that while fearing for his future and facing off with our mom.

The second intermission hit, and Gavin finally turned to me, his eyes narrowing.

“What has you so down?”

Fuck. I still hadn’t told him. I knew I’d have to, but he’d been so damn happy that I didn’t want to be the one to rip it apart. The guys had offered more than once to sit him down and talk to him about it with me, but I wanted to do this alone.