Page 2 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“It’s Dhara,” she said quickly.

I could tell the omega was flustered so I didn’t push it. I knew when to stop. I had an omega sister. I could tell how overwhelmed she was, and right now really wasn’t the time.

Plus, if she worked here, I’d see her again. There was no risk of her disappearing into the world never to be seen again.

That thought alone had my alpha pushing against me again, wanting to soothe his omega. Fuck, my instincts were never this intense.

“Look,” I said carefully. “Your job isn’t at risk with me. I just didn’t want to scare you back there. Coach kept me back for a late session, and I took a little longer in the locker because my shoulder was acting up.”

I flexed it a bit and tested it out. She was a fantastic distraction. One I wanted more of if she’d let me.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t going to be the case.

Her entire body sagged in relief at my reassurance and that was enough to calm my alpha.

“Thank God. I can’t lose this job,” she said fiercely.

I frowned at the severity of her tone. It wasn’t a threat, but she sounded so stressed.

Just like that my alpha was pushing again. I wanted to ask more, to learn everything about her, but I could already see her locking her emotions down. Her face became a careful mask of indifference, even as she still glanced at me from the side.

I reluctantly tore my gaze from her to look back out at the ice. The boy was skating hard, but smooth. He knew what he was doing out there.

“You’ve got a tough guy on your hands,” I said as I watched him. The way he stormed into the locker room was adorable. She’d have a strong alpha on her hands one day.

Her entire demeanor softened as she watched him take another shot. “He’s one of your junior league players here.”

“I heard the Renegades really embraced that program.” I’d been meaning to get involved and Coach made it clear on no uncertain terms we’d be participating.

“They have. Gavin loves hockey. Hence the importance of the job,” she clarified.

The way she said it was almost like an explanation, but I knew I was only getting a portion of the truth.

Silence descended between us. It made the divide seem bigger and I didn’t know enough to cross it yet.

She studied me for a second before answering, her light blue eyes searing into my soul, as if she were judging me, determining if I was worthy of her time, then she was watching her boy on the ice again.

“That’s Gavin.” I wasn’t sure if that was just to prepare me for the inevitable meeting via junior league or an olive branch. I’d never had this hard of a time figuring someone out. She was guarded.

We watched as Gavin skated over to the pucks he had lined up, taking shots one after another. The way he held the stick was just a little too stiff, and the hold a bit too low.

“Gavin, come here,” I called out, waving him over.

The boy’s expression was hard and cautious as he approached, but he didn’t protest.

“Your form is just a little off. I’m sure your coaches will cover it, but you need to adjust your grip.”

I demonstrated for him. Surprisingly, he didn’t argue. He practiced the same motion, looking at me for approval and then adjusting carefully until he had it down.

“Go try that,” I said.

He looked at Dhara, who just shrugged, before skating back to the pucks he had lined up.

This time he only missed one. The rest sank effortlessly into the net.

When he skated back, his eyes were wild with excitement, an almost mirror image of the woman standing beside me.

He had to be hers, right? They looked too similar to be anything else.