Packed in the Penalty Box

Melissa Huxley

Contents

A note from the author:

Chapter 1

Molly

Chapter 2

Molly

Chapter 3

Grayson

Chapter 4

Molly

Chapter 5

Molly

Chapter 6

Molly

Chapter 7

Grayson

Chapter 8

Molly

Chapter 9

Grayson

Chapter 10

Molly

Chapter 11

Grayson

Chapter 12

Molly

Chapter 13

Molly

Chapter 14

Maverick

Chapter 15

Molly

Chapter 16

Molly

Chapter 17

Grayson

Chapter 18

Maverick

Chapter 19

Molly

Chapter 20

Zach

Chapter 21

Molly

Chapter 22

Molly

Chapter 23

Grayson

Chapter 24

Nils

Chapter 25

Molly

Chapter 26

Nils

Chapter 27

Molly

Chapter 28

Molly

Chapter 29

Molly

Chapter 30

Grayson

Chapter 31

Molly

Chapter 32

Molly

Chapter 33

Molly

Chapter 34

Maverick

Chapter 35

Grayson

Chapter 36

Molly

Chapter 37

Molly

Chapter 38

Zach

Chapter 39

Grayson

Chapter 40

Maverick

Chapter 41

Molly

Chapter 42

Molly

Chapter 43

Grayson

Chapter 44

Molly

Chapter 45

Molly

Keep in touch for more news, books and giveaways!

A note from the author:

Hello there! Thank you for reading Packed in the Penalty Box. This book is written in British English so if some spelling is a bit odd to you, that’ll be why! If you find any issues with the manuscript feel free to ping me on facebook or at melissahuxleyauthor@gmail.com.

Chapter One

Molly

All I wanted was a quiet night in—was that too much to ask?

When I happened to be rooming with the human equivalent of a golden retriever . . .

Yes. Yes, it was.

I had a test on the Plantagenet succession on Thursday, and I didn’t feel prepared for it in the slightest. Having gathered textbooks, procured copious snacks, and donned my comfiest pyjamas, I’d settled on the sofa and prepared to cram. I had just started reading a chapter of Marxist learning theories when Alexis, my roommate, came in through the door, dressed impeccably as always in skintight black jeans, ankle boots with a heel impossibly tall, and a tight white T-Shirt with a deep V neck, her blonde hair flat ironed to perfection.

Two steps into our small apartment, she peered over me—penguin pyjamas, hair in a messy bun, and raccoon eyes because I made the mistake of wearing mascara to class that day—and let out a sigh.

“You cannot be serious, Molly! It’s Friday night. What are you doing here?” Placing her keys on the kitchen counter with a loud jangle, she rounded the breakfast bar to look at me in disappointment.

I groaned internally. Why was my roommate such a social butterfly? Putting down my book, I pinned her with a stare. “Well, isn’t it clear I’m planning world domination here?”

Alexis snorted. “Liar, plus the only fun domination is the bedroom kind, and I think it’s been a while since you saw any of that! Trent doesn’t count.” She plopped down unceremoniously next to me, her familiar cocoa scent comforting.

“Once I graduate, I can focus on that kind of fun. Now let me work!”

Pulling the book away from me, Alexis snorted. “No, not happening. What sort of friend would I be if I didn’t convince you to leave this sad little setup? Your exam is days away, one evening out won’t kill you.”

Raising my eyebrows, I pinned Alexis with a glare. “If memory serves, death was a very real possibility when hanging out with you during the first few weeks of first year. I recall an alpha frat party?”

“I was acclimating! I had no idea what my alcohol tolerance was, it was a baptism by fire. At least now I know just how much tequila it takes to make me happy, and how much it takes for my pants to suddenly disappear for any sporty boy that comes along. It’s not my fault you spent our first year going on historical walks and other boring things like that. You’re an omega, Molly! Have some fun.” Her nose scrunched as she spoke.

“Lex, we live in a historical city with buildings that are centuries old! Don’t you find that the least bit interesting?” There was more to life than boys and sports, but those were Alexis’s favourite pastimes.

“I was interested for like, ten minutes. I quickly became more interested in the clubs and various activities that are way more fun. Now, get out of those penguin pyjamas and come to the game with me.”

I groaned. Hockey. While I didn’t loathe the sport to the extent I hated football and other sports, I’d never considered myself a sporty person. Never enjoyed doing them or watching them. If someone loved sports or played them, then more power to them. My roommate, on the other hand, was a bona fide Puck Bunny.

Puck Bunny was an American term that had delighted me once I discovered the meaning, because it fit my stunning roommate to a tee. They were girls who went to games and desperately attempted to exclusively date hockey players. In our early days of living together, I made the mistake of asking her what the appeal was, and I received an hour-long lecture on how the rigorous training and exercise that hockey players were forced to undergo meant that they were gifted with rather impressive physiques. Alexis didn’t use those words, exactly. Instead, she simply explained about their bodies and proceeded to make several panting noises and grabby hand gestures to indicate her interest.

Normally a swift no to her prodding for a night out would have worked, but Alexis had recently been cheated on. While she did her best to act aloof and uncaring, I knew her well enough to ensure there was always ice cream in the freezer. Usually Alexis would drag her boyfriend or one of her close female friends to the game, but given the recent issues with her ex, she was suddenly a lot more isolated than usual. My friend was hurting, and if there was anything I could do to make her feel better, I had to.

“You won’t stop bugging me until I agree to come, will you?” I knew it was a mistake to study in the living room. I should have just hidden in my bedroom, where Alexis wouldn’t find me. Maybe I should have pretended to be asleep. Who am I kidding? Alexis would have dived into the bed and woke me up while jumping on the bed in excitement.

“Nope, so go get changed!” Alexis pulled me off the sofa, grinning in victory.

“Okay, let me feed Potato and get dressed,” I said.

Alexis grinned. “Deal.”

Groaning, I got up and headed to my room, ignoring Alexis’s demand I put something sexy on, or at least something with a bit of cleavage. Instead, I opened my wardrobe and grabbed the first pair of blue jeans my hands touched, ankle boots, and a large yellow hoodie. Since white and gold were the Polar Blades team colours—as Alexis had reminded me many, many times—the hoodie seemed appropriate.

I quickly filled Potato’s food dish, my sweet, chocolate Mini Lop. She hopped right up to me as I fed her but gave me a right grumpy glare when I popped her back into her enclosure. I couldn’t have her running free—the adorable rabbit would eat all my cables.

Alexis gave a small sigh of disappointment when I exited my room and she saw my clothing, but I pinned her with a look that made it clear she would accept my more modest choice of clothing, or I just wouldn’t go. I had my limits, and Alexis knew that.

“You could have at least done something with your hair.” Alexis moaned as we gathered our keys and phones to leave.

I shrugged. My hair was secured in a topknot, and despite how tight it was, some of my bangs and small tendrils of hair were still falling out. “It needs a wash, so it’s this, or I go wash it and we miss the game . . .”

Alexis’s eyes widened, and she quickly finished gathering up her things. “Never mind! It will do, even though you could borrow some dry shampoo, give it some volume . . .”

“I’m good. Trust me, it’s past dry shampoo. This is the only acceptable hairstyle if you want to be seen with me in public.”

“Say no more, my greasy little French fry. To the abs!”

I rolled my eyes. Alexis’s obsession with male abs was almost comical at this point.

The tram ride down was quiet. We lived only a short ride from the City Centre, where the arena was located. I had been there a few times because there were two Olympic-size ice rinks. Our city was the only one in the country to have two. When I first started attending the university, I had visited several times and attempted to skate. After twenty or so minutes of my best Bambi impressions, I usually called it quits, as I rather liked having my body intact.

Alexis had changed into a T-shirt with the team logo emblazoned on it. Originally a high neck shirt, Alexis had taken some scissors to it in order to aptly show off her considerable . . . assets. Due to this, she was getting plenty of looks on the tram, but I did my best to ignore it. I was happy for her.

The arena was bustling when we got there. We’d both brought small bags, so it didn’t take long to get through the bag search. Although, Alexis lingered at the bag check point, making a point to lean forward and make small, simpering noises she thought would attract the young, relatively handsome security guard. Once through, she linked arms with me in a playful manner, grinning.

I shook my head at her. “I swear, the way you act, it’s like you’re a total airhead. Most men must have an aneurysm when they realise you study engineering.”

“Guys don’t like a smart girl who is going to earn more than them. Usually, as soon as they learn my projected income upon graduation, they get all self-conscious. I don’t plan on keeping any of the men I meet while studying. They’re more for . . . entertainment purposes. This way, I can wait until my future job to meet a guy I want to settle down with, have babies with and all that wonderful stuff.” She paused in thought for a moment. “Or I’ll bag a super high-up hockey player. His income will dwarf mine, and he won’t be self-conscious as a result!”

I should have known Alexis would soon be talking about hockey players.

“Where are we sitting?” I asked as we entered the arena, lining up to get our tickets scanned and head into the rink.

“Block fourteen, front row! I thought they would be good, plus we are right by the home team bench, so maybe we will see some of the players, you know, up close and personal. They sometimes even give out their sweat towels!”

“Firstly, eww. I don’t want sweaty athlete towels. Secondly, why do you?”

“Because, maybe when they pass it to me, they’ll see what a catch I am. Our eyes will meet and boom! Love at first sight. Do you want any food?”

We lined up at the stalls just outside the rink and ended up getting a frozen Coke for me, a glass of wine for Alexis, and a large portion of fries to share. I had never really noticed the sheer size of the arena—it must have held thousands—and there were people bustling around, all of them decked out in jerseys or team-themed sweatshirts. The fans were clearly proud of their team; they turned out in droves. It was enough to make me feel slightly claustrophobic.

“Is it always this crammed?”

“It’ll be better once we get to our seats. Follow me, the player warm-up should have started by now!”

The ice was empty as we took our seats, the players about to come out for warm-up. We were rinkside, with a clear view of the entire rink, and a few seats to our left was a barrier between us and the bench for the home team. We were seated behind the barriers, which were a solid blue for the first foot, then clear plastic, there to protect us from any errant pucks, apparently.

“We seem to be directly in the line of fire,” I said, leaning over so Alexis could hear me over the noise in the arena as we sat on the plastic fold-down seats.

“They’ll probably crash into the glass a few times, but don’t worry, it’s safe. Look at all the puck marks and dents. This stuff has taken a beating without breaking. Just always keep an eye on the puck, and don’t be too startled if some players crash into the barrier, okay?”

“Don’t worry, I won’t embarrass you!” I chuckled, praying that I didn’t jump too much if anything hit the barrier. I was a scaredy-cat and didn’t want to embarrass myself.

Alexis offered me a fry, smiling. “You’ll be fine, just enjoy the show. Here they come for warm-up now!” She nodded toward the ice and, sure enough, almost twenty hockey players glided out, one of them tipping over a box containing multiple pucks, which they all descended upon, taking one and gliding off with impressive speed.

The whole arena was surprisingly warm, considering we surrounded what was essentially a field of ice. I was starting to regret my decision to wear a hooded sweatshirt. I had naively assumed that ice meant cold, but the thousands of bodies packed into the arena had resulted in a considerable rise in temperature.

Alexis excitedly swatted at me, her eyes never leaving the ice. “Look! There’s Moskoviz—he’s Canadian, built like a tank, with long hair. He can say hello to me any day!”

I struggled to determine which player she was pointing at, they were all moving around so quickly. “Which one?”

“Number fifty-four. You can see him there, his hair is clearly visible,” she said, knowing the number made it a lot easier for me to spot them.

“How can you even tell how he looks? You can’t see anything through all those pads and helmets!”

“I’ll show you a picture of him out of gear on my phone during the break, You’ll be drooling.”

I opened my mouth to say I doubted it, but was interrupted by a puck hitting the barrier not far from us with a resounding bang that made me jump. It hit several feet away and still startled me, much to Alexis’s amusement. I worried how I would react if it hit a bit closer or if a person hit the barrier.

“So, the game is played in three periods, each twenty minutes long, with a twenty-minute break between each. Our teams are in their white and gold jerseys tonight, and the Arctic Flames, our opponents, are in blue, so we shall be able to tell them apart easily.”

“What happens if the team we are up against has a similar jersey colour? It must be pandemonium.”

“We have three different coloured jerseys we could potentially wear—the yellow and gold, a black one, and a green one. They tend to pick whichever colour contrasts with the opposition’s best, to ensure the folks in the cheap seats can see well. Didn’t you notice all the different coloured jerseys for sale before we entered the rink?”

“Oh yeah, now that makes sense.”

The booming voice of the commentator filled the arena, halting our conversation, as it would be impossible to hear each other over the music.

“Welcome to the Polar Blades! Tonight’s a league game sponsored by our local building society. Can I hear you make some noise for the Polar Blades? Good!”

I joined the audience in cheering. It was hard not to; the atmosphere was infectious. The fans didn’t hide their enthusiasm. The commentator announced the mascot, who came gingerly onto the ice, dressed in their polar bear suit, and roused the crowd into clapping. After a few more statements of player changes and advertisements, it was time to announce the players as they individually came onto the ice. Leaning close, Alexis took the opportunity to give me her own special commentary as each of the players came out.

The Polar Blades glided onto the ice, their grins noticeable. Each player was announced by the commentator, and graphics and photos appeared on the jumbotron. Alexis took the time to discuss every player.

Now he is practically ancient for a hockey player, but I would still go there.

He’s been here for a few years now, I even met him once.

He signed my shirt once, his hands were so close to my boobs I almost fainted.

Golden boy of the season, he’s scored the most out of any player.

Nobody likes him, I think he will be off the team before the season is over.

He’s new this year, from America, got exiled over here after he beat the living crap out of a referee on the ice.

Ah, I love the Swedish players, so handsome!

I did my best to keep up with the rather one-sided conversation while keeping an eye on all the players skating out. They all looked alike to me; their helmets covered most of their faces, and their uniforms were all the same. One or two had shoulder-length hair that they’d refrained from tying back, opting to let it hang out from their helmets instead. I could only really identify them by the large numbers plastered across their backs and in smaller print on their sleeves.

They all gathered, and the first whistle blew. Sticks clattered and men yelled as the game swiftly got underway. The puck moved at a speed that made me dizzy, so keeping up with it was difficult. Signs were up all around the arena, stating how important it was to keep your eyes on the puck in case it flew into the audience. The notion that a puck could possibly come soaring at my face had made me slightly queasy, but Alexis had assured me that our front-row seats meant we were most protected from the possibility of flying pucks. The flyers were reserved for the seats higher up that the barrier failed to cover and protect.

After a few minutes of watching, I was none the wiser to how the game was actually going. “Are we doing well?” I asked.

“Okay, no one has scored yet, you’ll know when they do. The crowd tends to go a bit crazy when we score a goal. Right now, we are trying to shoot into the goal nearest us, but next period, it changes over, and the period after, it switches again.”

“That’s mildly confusing.”

“If it’s got a blue guy in the goal, that’s where we are trying to shoot. That should be easy enough to keep track of.”

I nodded, taking a sip of my Coke. “That simplifies matters a bit.” We never took our eyes off the game while talking, instead opting to look at the puck. Well, I opted to look at the puck, but I suspected that Alexis was looking more at the men chasing the puck.

“How violent do these games get? I know there’s occasionally a fight.”

“It is nice to watch the boys have a little smackdown at times. Usually it’s all in good fun.”

“And when it’s not in good fun?”

“The occasional broken nose, busted shoulder, nothing too bad. Wood has a reputation, though, for being too much.”

“Wood?” I asked.

“Number fifty-eight, the American. He was quite popular in the American league, the NHL. Everyone expected him to get a massive contract this season, but last season, he snapped. Mid game, he attacked a ref, no one really knows why, but no American teams wanted to touch him after that, so he was exiled to the English leagues.”

“Sounds so … violent.”

“Hockey can be violent, but that’s what makes the player so . . . rugged and handsome!”

“How many of these players have you actually met?”

“A few—”

The crowd let out a cry of anger, and I looked around, confused. The referee blew their whistle. “What’s happened?”

“They’ve called a penalty. They’ve put one of our team members—fifty-eight, I think—into the box for two minutes. Not sure what for, though, they’ll announce it any second.”

“Two minute penalty to Polar Blades number fifty-eight, penalty to Polar Blades number fifty-eight for hooking.”

“Hooking?” I asked, glancing at my friend.

“Basically using his stick to hook and hinder a member of the opposite team. Big no-no, so for the next two minutes, we have one less player on the ice, meaning the opponents are more likely to score.”

I nodded in understanding.

Seconds later, a puck entered their net, and one block of fans dressed in blue went crazy. The away fans. I could tell by the way our players’ mouths turned down that they weren’t happy with that. Once the puck was in play again, their shouting at one another got impossibly louder. Calls of “Here!” and players’ names almost hurt my ears, but according to Alexis, only the first few rows could hear shouting from the players. I mused that if I came to another game, maybe I should opt for a seat higher up, but reminded myself those seats were in the prime position for getting hit by a puck.

Taking a bite of Alexis’s food, I turned my attention back to the ice.

I would prefer to avoid high-speed projectiles.

Chapter Two

Molly

Turning to ask Alexis another question, I made a grave mistake in looking away from the puck. A large gasp came from Alexis, and before I could turn to glance at the ice, a large bang resonated from the barrier. A yelp escaped me, but I didn’t expect anything to hit me. Wasn’t that the whole point of the barrier? Only, the apparently unbreakable barrier had broken. Sharp pain exploded on the side of my head as something hit me, disorienting me to the point where it took a moment for me to realise that I had been hit by . . . a hockey player?

Sweet, icy peppermint hit me in the face, the scent overpoweringly strong. My body hummed in reaction—it was a delicious smell that made my body react.

“Get off her!” Alexis yelled at the player, who was scrambling off the chairs. Despite being winded, I glanced around, trying to make heads or tails of what just happened. A foot away from me, the barrier had been broken, and two players, possibly three, had come through it, but only one had come completely through and into me. Shards of plexiglass covered myself and the floor. Alexis was turned fully to me, hands on my shoulders, trying to look me in the face. “Molly, are you okay? Look at me.” Her voice was level and calm, far from the shrill panic one would expect from a person like her. She was genuinely concerned.

“I-I’m fine, I think. Just winded.” I wheezed, going to brush some of the shards off me.

As the players righted themselves, one was yelling at the other, but despite being so close to them, their words blurred together. I hadn’t hit my head, had I?

One of the players was kneeling in front of me, asking if I was okay. I nodded, shaken.

A medic was suddenly in front of me, checking me out. The game had stopped, and I could feel all eyes on me.

“My-my arm hurts a little.” Now that I’d mentioned it, I realised it actually hurt a fair bit. The young medic held out his hands, and I gave him my arm. Before he could even roll up the arm of my hoodie, I was cursing at the sharp pain radiating up my arm, and when he pulled his hands away, the white latex gloves on his hands were stained with red.

“It looks like you’ve got a nasty cut on your arm from the broken barrier. Let’s get you somewhere a bit less open, where I can take a look at this and see how deep it is,” the medic, who smelled nice and floral, said in a soft, comforting voice.

“I’m coming with you,” Alexis stated as she gathered our bags and helped me up.

There were more medics on the ice, checking over the three players involved in the scuffle that led to the barrier breaking and leading them back to the bench, where they could sit and be given a more thorough examination.

Holding my arm aloft in front of me, I did my best to keep my head down as I followed the medic into the back. I could feel Alexis next to me, gently brushing my hair out of my face, which was falling out of its bun, attempting to check my face while we walked.

The medic led me down several sets of stairs, through corridors, Alexis sticking by my side.

“Where are we going?” I mumbled, vision still blurry.

“I think we are going toward the locker room? Are we going to the locker rooms?” She directed the last part of her sentence toward the medic currently pressing gauze on my arm.

“We have a fully stocked first aid room just across from the locker room, as we usually have to patch up the players far more than the spectators. It’s got more than the basic stuff they have in the first aid kits in the arena.”

Alexis nodded, happy with that answer. I wanted to open my mouth to agree, but nausea erupted in my stomach, making my head swim.

“I’m really not feeling all that good, Lex. Maybe we should just go home?” I mumbled. Curling up in my warm, comfortable nest sounded heavenly right now.

“You need to be checked out first. We will get you home as soon as you’re given the okay. Here we are.” We had entered the first aid room, which was well kitted out. It even had a treatment table already set up.

“Can you just pop up here, ma’am?” the medic asked kindly.

I made a feeble attempt, but my head swam. He guided me to jump up slightly, so I was sitting on the table, feet dangling a few inches off the ground.

Another medic—this one larger than the majority of the hockey players and smelling strongly of iodine—came into the room, grabbing a pair of gloves. He took a quick glance at me before speaking in an exasperated tone. “Of all the people these idiots can smash a barrier in front of, it has to be an absolutely tiny woman? Shit, is she an omega? Why couldn’t they be smart and barrel into one of the more sturdy spectators?” He looked directly at me and smiled, “Hello, miss. My name is Connor. I’m the team’s doctor. How are you feeling? I can already tell that arm is going to be smarting.” He smelled almost sterile. Definitely a doctor. His dark hair was tied back into a bun that was so neat that, if I wasn’t sick, I would have been envious.

“The team doctor? I don’t need a full on doctor. It’s just a graze,” I mumbled.

Connor gently took over my arm and pulled the gauze away, making me hiss in pain. “Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this is a bit more than a graze. I think you’re going to need stitches. You’ve lost a decent amount of blood.”

“Wonderful!” I cried sarcastically, doing my best to look anywhere other than my mangled arm while my vision swam.

“You’re welcome to go to a hospital if you want, but I assure you I’m a real doctor who can have you stitched double quick.”

I weighed my options. Given that the nearest hospital was over twenty minutes away, it was probably best I got treated here. The idea of waiting in an emergency room for six hours was not appealing.

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Nonsense! I’m usually patching up those giant idiots out there. You, my dear, are a breath of fresh air . . . literally. Do you have any idea how badly hockey players sweat and smell when playing? I considered buying hazmat suits for my first week here.” I gave a weak laugh. “Now, I should probably know your name before I start attacking you with a needle . . .”

“Molly.”

“I like it. Now, I think the first thing we need to do is get this hoodie off you, is that okay? Do you have something on underneath?”

I nodded. I had a cami underneath. My nod spurred the doctor to start cutting the hoodie off. It was a loss, anyway, with all the blood and gigantic rip in the arm. Once the offending fabric was pulled away from my arm, Alexis let out a slight hiss at the sight of me. There was a lot of blood staining the yellow fabric of my hoodie, and now that the depth of the cut was clearly visible . . . it was no scratch.

Connor rolled up a wad of gauze, his eyes intent on my injury. “This is a nasty one, stitches for sure. Let me get a little something to numb you before I stitch. If you—” The doctor nodded at Alexis as he spoke. “Could just hold this gauze to her arm like this—” He showed her where to place the gauze. “While I get some anaesthetic, it will help reduce the blood flow. Now, Molly, other than your arm, how are you feeling?”

“A bit nauseous and dizzy, probably just from the blood,” I admitted.

“Did you hit your head at all?”

“I don’t think so …”

Alexis piped up, “Maybe. She was basically brutally body checked with no gear on.”

Connor ran his hand over my head, raking his fingers gently through my hair, and I hissed in pain when he touched a sore spot on the left side that made pain radiate through my skull. “You’ve got a bump there. I’ll give it a better look once I’ve got your arm stitched up.”

I mumbled a thank you.

“Could she have a concussion?” Alexis asked.

“Possibly. I’ll triple check,” Connor assured her.

I remained silent while the doctor got to work, quickly numbing my arm and slowly and methodically stitching me up.

“You may have a scar, this is pretty deep,” he commented at one point, looking up and frowning slightly at me.

“That’s okay.” I shrugged. What good would complaining do, and it wasn’t like I was trying to look pretty for all the boys. That was Alexis’s thing, not mine. She was far too good at it.

While Connor worked, Alexis undid my bun, carefully brushing through my hair to ensure there weren’t any shards from the barrier stuck in there.

I closed my eyes and let my mind wander while he worked. There was no pain, thanks to the numbing shot he had given me. All I could feel was him gently pulling on the skin as he stitched me up.

Best not think about that too hard, or I will be sick.

A few minutes had passed when I heard the door to the medical room open. Begrudgingly opening my eyes, I saw two people in the doorway. One a middle-aged man wearing a suit, who I could smell, even from so far away. He smelled like expensive cologne. Who knows what his natural scent was under all that. His hair was slicked back, and something about him screamed that he was in charge.

“Is she okay, Con?” he asked the doctor, instead of me.

“She will be, but the barrier tore her arm up,” Connor replied.

“Shit. Hi. I’m Frank Aster. I’m the head coach, and I’m so sorry about this.” He walked deeper into the room, his face going ever so slightly green at the sight of my arm as Connor stitched me up. If I had the energy, I would have laughed. “Oh, bloody hell.” He swore under his breath. “The team will one-hundred-percent take care of your medical care for this, even though it’s the arena’s fault. I bet the fucking boards weren’t up to code. I’ll talk to them. What’s your name?”

“Molly,” I answered.

“Molly, again, I’m sorry. Once you’re stitched up, I’ll have to ask you to pop by my office and sign some papers, to say you were treated and such.”

Connor snorted, but didn’t look up from his work.

“Frank, you’re making the situation worse,” the player in the doorway said, pulling my attention to him. “She’s not signing shit, just so the party at fault can get away with this.”

My body almost jolted with surprise at the sight of him, and I could feel my omega pining, desperate to dig her claws into this alpha.

My omega was extremely impolite and needed to learn to shut up—especially when in public.

He was a very sweaty hockey player, wearing only his jersey and pants, his pads and helmet elsewhere. He was staring right at me, an excited and concerned expression on his face. His hair was soaking wet with sweat, like he had just run twenty miles . . . or played a game of ice hockey. The familiar smell of peppermint reached my nose.

Ah, so this was the player who was responsible for my current situation.

Why did he have to be good looking? Even his sweat smelled amazing, minty and full of pheromones that made me want to grab him and beg for his knot.

“Grayson,” the coach started, but was interrupted by Connor.

“Frank, can you please find Natalie? I could use another medic.”

Frank opened and closed his mouth once or twice before huffing in defeat. “Fine, but I assure you, none of this was the team’s fault. Blame Wood’s reckless behaviour or the board manufacturer, but we aren’t culpable for this,” he declared, before turning and striding out of the room, phone in his hand, angrily typing away.

“He’s in a good mood,” Connor commented in a dry voice.

“You know Coach. Someone pisses in his Cheerios every morning,” the player said with a snort. “Hey, Molly, was it?” He came over to me and looked me in the eye, not even giving my arm a second glance. The smell of alpha was overwhelming, especially while I was injured. The pain and the numbing stuff was making my omega brain screwy. I wanted to grab this hockey player and bury my face in his neck, drink in his smell, and whine until he comforted me.

These are some impressive drugs. I chuckled to myself, a motion not missed by the hockey player who grinned at me. Giving me a lopsided smile, he took in the dazed look on my face. “Oh, Doc doped you up good, did he?”

“No!” I said with a little too much emphasis. Alexis chuckled next to me.

“She’ll be fine. I just needed to make sure she didn’t feel this. Some parts of this cut are deep,” Connor said.

“I don’t think she’s feeling anything, Doc.” He chuckled before turning to glare at Alexis. “How are you guys getting home?”

“Tram. We’re students.”

Grayson shook his head. “I have a driver. Let him take you home. It’s the least I can do after causing all this.”

Connor laughed. “Don’t let Coach hear you admitting this is your fault. He’ll rake you over the coals.”

“I crashed into her. Like it or lump it, my big ol’ body is responsible for this mess.” He grinned, gesturing vaguely to his body. I couldn’t help but notice, even in my state, that it was a good body. “Take my car,” he repeated.

“I couldn’t—” I started to speak, only to be cut off by Alexis, whose hand gently gripped my shoulder as she smiled at Grayson.

“Thank you, that’s mighty generous. We’ll take you up on that—ignore her.”

He looked around the room for a moment, like he was weighing something. “Can I give you my number? Can you let me know once you’re all better? I feel terrible about this.”

“Don’t worry! I’ll be fine!” I said flippantly, waving my hand that wasn’t attached to the arm currently being stitched up.

“Ignore her,” Alexis said, her tone exasperated. “I’ll give you her number as soon as we are done here.”

“Thank you. I’ve got to go, but please, let me know how you’re doing.” Someone outside the room called his name, and he turned away, briefly breaking eye contact with me. “Doc, I want a full report,” he said, turning to leave. “It was nice to meet you, Molly. Sorry it was under such bad circumstances!” He jogged from the room, leaving myself, Alexis, and the doctor.

Not a breath passed before Alexis spoke. “Molly! That was Grayson fucking Wood! He’s one of the biggest players this year! And he wanted your number!”

I looked at Alexis like she had grown a third head. “Lex . . . he was being polite.”

“No, he wasn’t! Doctor Connor, back me up here!”

Connor finished taping my bandage and gave me a rueful smile. “I hate to say it, but she’s right. Wood doesn’t usually act so considerate.”

“What the heck have you guys been huffing?” I asked with a frown. “I’m covered in blood. This is far from the sexy vixen look.”

“You’re the only one in this room who is currently high, darling.” Connor laughed. “Now, I’ll give your friend the care instructions for your arm, because I think you’re feeling a little too good to remember them.”

“Lies,” I hissed, making the two traitors laugh.

“Now, take Wood’s car back home. I don’t want you guys on public transport while she’s in this state.” Connor waved to me in general. I must have looked a mess, or like an extra from a low-budget horror film.

After a check of my head, he shone a flashlight in my eyes and asked several daft questions, finally declaring that, if I had a concussion, it was mild. Alexis should keep an eye out for certain things, but otherwise, I was safe to go home.

“Are you sure I shouldn’t take her to the hospital?” Alexis asked with a frown.

“As long as she doesn’t start vomiting, and the cut doesn’t become inflamed, itchy, and discoloured, she can just wait until next week and pop back here to see me. Are you guys coming to the next game?”

“I’m not so sure.”

“There will be tickets waiting for you at the box office, I’m sure.”

“Well,” Lex laughed. “We can’t say no to free tickets! We’ll be there.”

“I’ll escort you guys outside. I think most of the players are gone, anyway,” He assured us.

Alexis pouted, making me laugh. She had missed a prize opportunity to flirt with hockey players to stay by my side. As lovely and chaotic as she was, she was a good friend to have.

No one disturbed us as Connor walked us out to the back of the arena, where a sleek car was waiting for us. Connor leaned down, talking to the smartly dressed driver. “Wood talk with you?”

“Yes, I’ll take the ladies home, then come back for him after.” He looked at me, draped against Alexis, half asleep. I was exhausted. I wanted to go home and curl up in my nest and forget that the world existed for a few days. “I’m Luca, ladies. Please hop in. I think you guys need to get home.”

The car was sleek and smelled new, the leather shiny and polished to perfection. Had I been of sound mind, I probably would have been scared of dirtying it up.

When we pulled up outside the dorms, I took out my wallet, intending to pay the driver, like he was a taxi instead of a private vehicle that had probably already been paid for by stupid hot hockey player money. Alexis tutted and dragged me from the car, muttering an apology to the driver, who just smiled good-naturedly and said he would wait until we were inside, to ensure we were okay.

I didn’t remember much after that, but I did end up in my nest, burrowing under the blankets and drifting off to sweet, sweet oblivion. I wasn’t going to make my morning classes, that was for sure.

This is what I get for listening to Alexis.

Chapter Three

Grayson

Fucking hell. Of all the players to break the barrier, why did it have to be me? I was trying to keep a low profile, play clean and keep my nose out of trouble. Zach would kill me if he knew—which he would by now—news travelled fast—so I could expect a pissy phone call that evening, and the coach would undoubtedly be calling him as well.

Just keep your head down and don’t fuck up, then maybe we’ll be able to get your ass home.

I wanted nothing more than to go back to my home, to my pack. But no, I was stuck in purgatory in England, playing for a minor league for a few seasons while I tried to turn my reputation around.

Haskin had been goading me, doing his best to dance the puck around me, and when I took it from him with ease, he had decided slamming me into the boards was the best course of action. Board hits weren’t uncommon, but Haskin clearly had an axe to grind. He was the Arctic Flames’ hotshot player, so he was probably trying to goad me to make himself look better.

It had taken a disorienting second to realise I had actually gone through the barrier. It was such a rare occurrence—I had never witnessed it personally, but I had watched it on TV once or twice growing up.

The first thing I sensed was the overwhelming and mouth-watering scent of sweet peach. Female. Omega. As my nose caught up to my brain, I scrambled back, not giving a fuck about Haskin, who had come over after me. Omegas were usually tiny, and I was a six-foot-three hockey player who was already giant, with added pads and blades on my feet.

I was hauled over the barrier by Jenkins, a member of my team who had been close when the impact happened. There was only a brief moment when I could take in the omega. A mass of auburn waves tied up in a bun and wide green eyes. She was looking at her blonde friend, who was busy checking her over. Her eyes were glassy, and a copper scent tainted the air. Fuck. Blood. Was she hurt? Was I hurt? I didn’t have a chance to say anything, to check on her, before Jenkins grabbed me by the arm.

“Medic, now!” he said in a firm voice. I followed him, almost in a trance. I couldn’t have a concussion—I had a freaking helmet on—so the only culprit could have been the peach-scented omega I had crashed into.

“Wood!” Coach shouted as I got near. “You okay?” he asked with concern on his face.

“Yeah, I can skate it off,” I shouted back.

“Go to Connor,” he instructed.

Sitting on the bench, I ripped off my helmet and took stock of my injuries. I would be sore, but I wasn’t the one bleeding.

“Is the girl I hit okay?” I shouted. The arena was still loud, so I had to lean close to Coach as I shouted. At that moment, Granger, the assistant coach, came up to us.

“If Wood’s not urgent, Connor’s going to see to the girl. She’s got a nasty cut on her arm, and he can give her stitches.”

The referees all agreed to take a break while the ice was being cleaned of shards of the barrier, so I followed Coach into the back, wanting to be out of the fishbowl.

Granger followed us. “Pads off. You could have hurt yourself and not realised it.”

I did as I was told. “I feel fine. I was padded, she wasn’t.”

“What the hell was that?” Coach asked, his tone pissed now that he could see I was physically okay.

“Haskin has been goading me all game, then got pissed I took that pass off him. You saw that hit—there’s no way that was clean!”

“You antagonised him.” Coach frowned.

“We’re hockey players, we always antagonise each other.”

He shrugged. “I mean, you’re not wrong, kid. But you’re meant to be keeping a low profile.” He sighed. “Your people in America made it clear you need to keep a low profile. That barrier was stupidly old. The arena should have fixed it long ago. Luckily, the team isn’t liable, the venue is. Still, once the girl has been seen, we should go check on her—you know, damage control.”

I nodded. Usually, I would groan at the prospect of having to go and shake some random fan’s hand and play nice to ensure the team’s good reputation, but the sweet peach scent was still front and centre in my brain. The alpha in me was demanding to see the source of the smell, and the man was just damn curious.

“Lead the way, Coach.” I got up with a groan. I would feel that hit tomorrow, but I would have to walk it off. I couldn’t afford to miss any ice time. If I was ever going to leave this English purgatory, I needed to be seen, be recognised, and do well. Maybe then I would be allowed to go back home.

Following Coach, I made my way to the medical room. The peach smell filtered through my senses the closer we got, until we entered the room, then it flooded the air. I wanted to swim in it. The potent sweetness made my head spin with its sheer intensity.

The girl was sitting on the medical table, her arm outstretched while Connor leaned over, stitching up a bloody gash that looked downright painful. The table, meant for big hockey players, dwarfed her. She probably wasn’t tall enough to reach my shoulders. The quick glance I’d gotten earlier didn’t do her justice. She was beautiful, even when slightly bedraggled.

She was wearing nothing but a thin cami, and I swore I could see the faint outline of her nipples through it. Her hair fell in messy waves around her shoulders. She looked me over with wide, bright green eyes.

Omega. My alpha brain cried out to touch her, to see if her skin was as soft as it looked. I was acting like a teenage alpha on the verge of a rut. Blood pounded in my ears, and I couldn’t look away from her eyes. I had met plenty of omegas before, but none had evoked such a visceral reaction in me. Coach was talking to her, and her friend was glancing between us all, a frown of concern on her face.

They spoke for a moment, and I was unable to pull my eyes away from her until Connor dismissed the coach, leaving me alone with them. Taking a step farther into the room, I smiled. Connor had mentioned her name: Molly.

Her eyes were glassy, and she had a small smile on her face.

I grinned at her. “Oh, Doc doped you up good, did he?”

“No!” she insisted, with a little too much emphasis, like a drunk person insisting they aren’t, in fact, wasted.

When the girls admitted they were students and getting public transport home, I wanted to growl at them. There was no way in hell two young women—one of them an omega who smelled too damn nice for her own good and was injured to boot—should be taking public transport home.

I was thankful for the friend, who silenced her objections to taking my car. The smell was so strong, I could feel my hands itching to reach out, to touch her. Feel the smooth skin, see how nicely her curves fit in my hand. Her hair looked just right to tangle my fist into as I guided her lips over my cock.

What the fuck was wrong with me? She was injured, and here I was thinking about my cock? I made quick excuses after ensuring they were taking my car home. I needed to get out of there before I did something I would regret. Well, I wouldn’t regret touching her, but she was clearly doped to the sky and unable to consent, so that would make me a grade A asshole.

I retreated to the locker room for several hours, while the game continued without me, until Connor came to check me over and assured me that Molly had left in my car.

The drive home was the best kind of torture. The small space was coated in peach, and thankfully, Luca couldn’t tell I had a hard-on to beat all past hard-ons. I was so distracted by the smell, it took me a moment to notice the small pink wallet on the floor.

Picking it up, I lifted it to my nose, and the peach scent got even stronger, almost dizzyingly so. It belonged to her.

Well, I guess I better return it, hadn’t I?

Chapter Four

Molly

The next morning, I felt fragile. Crawling out of my nest at almost noon, I took a quick shower, washing my hair despite the pain. When I finally left the comfort of the shower, Alexis was up and dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a sports bra, having already worked out.

“Oh, sweetie, you look rough,” Alexis said with a frown as I sat rather ungracefully on the sofa. “Breakfast?”

“Just a tea, please.” My mouth felt like it had been stuffed with cotton, and all I wanted was a nice hot tea to clear that rather gross sensation.

Alexis got to work, humming to herself as she pottered around the kitchen. Once I had my tea in front of me, Alexis sat on the sofa opposite me, a shit-eating grin on her face. Oh lovely, she managed to contain herself for all of twenty minutes.

“Say what you want to say,” I growled, no heat in my voice.

“Molly, come on! You got up close and personal with Grayson freaking Wood!”

I snorted. “You make that sound so dirty.”

“He used to play in the big leagues in America! He literally fell into your lap! How did he smell? I bet it was good. He was too far away for me to scent him, and your omega nose is so much more sensitive than mine!”

I rolled my eyes. “Lex, he’s a human being. He smelled . . . fine.” A little too fine, but I wasn’t going to tell Alexis that.

“He was clearly into you. You should go there. I managed to snag the number for number thirty-two, and I fully intend on climbing that man like a tree sometime in the imminent future. I just have to get a few tests done with, then I can focus on man climbing.”

She was so open and free. If only I could be that way. A hockey player wasn’t the kind of man I pictured myself settling down with. Sure, most omegas ended up with the sporty and strong type alphas, but I had always imagined myself ending up with someone more studious. Maybe a professor? I had seen multiple news stories of alpha athletes getting into trouble for dating more than one omega before they decided to settle down and bond. It seemed like a risk I didn’t want to take.

“I think I need to focus on healing first. No one likes a mutilated girl.” I brandished my injured arm with a smile.

“Grayson Wood totally does.” Alexis shrugged.

Now that I had consumed half of my tea, I was starting to feel more human. I laughed at her suggestion. “Again, he was being polite,” I reminded her as I slowly got up, heading to the attached kitchen while Alexis made a discontented noise.

“At least talk to him!”

“I have zero intention of talking to that man again,” I admitted.

“If you weren’t injured I would be throwing this pillow at you!” she declared, a look of irritation on her face. “I love you like a sister, but for the life of me, I can’t figure out what’s going on in your mind!”

“That I want peace! No drama . . . Now are you going to help me put a clean bandage on my arm, or are you going to keep badgering me?”

She followed me to the kitchen, a sweet smile on her face. “This is me we’re talking about . . . I can do both!”

I had to look away as Alexis re-bandaged and cleaned my arm. Despite her empty threats, she didn’t badger me about Grayson. Instead, she asked me questions about how I was feeling, if I had any of the symptoms the doctor had mentioned, and such. Thankfully, other than a mild headache and a general feeling of being sore, I didn’t feel too bad. A day of sleeping it off, and I would be back to normal.

“Do you feel up to lunch today? There’s a new Mexican joint in town that looks lovely, and I know you could do with a burrito bowl. We can grab it to go and eat at home if that’ll be easier for you.”

My stomach gurgled in response, making Alexis laugh. “Let me grab a jacket, and we can go. Do you need help getting dressed? That arm is fairly nasty . . .” She trailed off. She had helped me get into my sleep shirt the night before, but that could be because I had been doped up to the sky, not because of my new inability to move.

I pursed my lips. “Let me give it a go. If I struggle, I’ll shout for help.”

“If you’re not back here in twenty minutes, I’ll send a search party.” She smiled, bounding down the hallway into her own room.

Once in my room, I used my good arm to riffle through my wardrobe. Jeans felt like a non-starter, so I grabbed a comfy pair of leggings and a baggy old flannel shirt that was so big, it was almost a dress. It was a men’s shirt I had picked up at a thrift shop years before, and Alexis called it my hobo shirt, but it was comfortable and the arms weren’t tight, so it wouldn’t irritate my arm. I managed to run a brush through my hair with just my left hand, but it took a few minutes longer than it normally would to tame my mess of reddish-brown waves.

Semi presentable, I made my way back to the hallway where Alexis was waiting. Her blonde curls now up in a high pony and wearing a jacket that matched her yoga pants, she looked very put together. Her nose scrunched when she took in my ensemble, but I shrugged it off. “It’s comfy, deal with it.” I laughed as Alexis opened her mouth to say something, then clearly thought better of it.

She stayed silent until we were walking down the hallway. “Shall we grab a drink at the cafe on the way? Also, did you manage to get your paper in yesterday before the game? I remember you saying your professor is a hard-ass.”

“I did.” I nodded. “Thankfully. Otherwise, it would have been late with this mess.” I waved at my arm with a pout.

“Are there any other teachers we need to message?”

“I already missed my morning class. I’ll probably get into trouble for that,” I said, rubbing my forehead. I hated the idea of being in trouble, but there wasn’t much I could do while doped up on whatever the hell Hockey Doc had shot me up with.

“Oh no, I took care of that. You had Professor Taylor, I checked. He’s a nice man and a hockey fan. I had him last year. I told him that you were the poor person who got crashed into by a hockey player through the barrier, and he was super understanding. I think a clip of it is already online.”

I groaned. “Really?”

“Yeah, but don’t worry, you can hardly see your face. It’s mainly just your bright-ass hoodie that’s visible in it. It won’t get back to you.”

That was good. I hated the idea of having fifteen minutes of fame because a hockey player barreled into me. The fact that I wouldn’t get into trouble for missing class as well also put my mind at ease. The only classes I had that day were Professor Taylor’s and one other that was run by his teaching assistant, so I was in the clear to enjoy my day and rest.

Opening the doors to the courtyard, we both made disgruntled noises at the gust of cold air. For early September, it was unusually cold. It was a good thing I had donned the warm old flannel, despite Alexis’s derision.

“Fuck me, it’s cold!” she squealed, rubbing her hands together. “Thank god the restaurant isn’t far!”

We turned the corner to go around the building toward the main road when a voice stopped us. “Molly?”

I turned, thinking it was someone I knew, despite the deep voice being unfamiliar.

You have got to be kidding me. Grayson Wood was standing outside of my dorm. His hair was brushed back, but the dark curls flopped back in his face. His hair had been limp with sweat the night before but was now full of life and bounce. He wore dark jeans and a black coat that was tight and looked tailored to him.

“Uhh . . . Grayson?” I asked, confused. “What are you doing here?” I turned to Alexis, who was standing agape, like a starstruck teen. “Did you tell him where we live?” I asked. Was this a stalker situation? I highly doubted that. Hockey players had girls throwing themselves at them; he didn’t need to stalk anyone.

“I didn’t,” Alexis insisted.

It was then I noticed what he was holding in his hand. A pink purse . . . my pink purse. He saw me looking and held it up. “You, uh, you left your purse in my car. Your address is on your licence, so I thought I would just bring it by. How are you feeling?” he asked, taking a step forward, that warm peppermint smell washing over me. Fuck, I wanted to bathe in it.

“Oh, thank you. I didn’t realise,” I mumbled, reaching out to grab my purse. When our fingers touched, I could have sworn I felt a current run through my entire body. “I’m sorry you had to come all the way here.”

“It was no trouble at all.” He smiled, still standing close to me, eyes roaming over my face, and he made no move to pull away. “How are you feeling?”

“Fine, a little headache, but nothing some Mexican food won’t fix.” I grinned. “How about you? You seem pretty unscathed for someone who went through a plexiglass barrier less than twenty-four hours ago.”

“You need to visit America. In California, we have some of the best Mexican. The stuff here doesn’t hold a candle to it.”

“Unfortunately for me, ours will have to do for now.” It was like I was possessed. I wanted to be near this man; there was an undeniable pull with him.

He shrugged, in a what are you going to do way. “As for the barrier, I had pads on. You didn’t, so you got the brunt of the injuries. Plus, I’ve got a thick skull to begin with.”

I nodded and then cleared my throat. “We, uh, better get going. Thank you for this.” I held up the purse. “I don’t even remember taking it out.”

“Apparently you were trying to insist on paying Luca, my driver. He said you were very insistent and that it was sweet.”

My face heated. I only had a vague recollection of that instance. “Oh, that’s embarrassing.”

“Not at all. Luca offered to drive you if you ever need it again. He found it endearing. He’s used to driving around hockey players. Speaking of . . .” He looked down at his watch. “I have a practice to get to, but can I get your number? Doctor Connor is being an asshat and refused to give it to me when I asked to let you know about your wallet. Your friend forgot to give it to me last night, and I just want to make sure you’re okay,” he reassured me. His face was open and sincere.

“Okay.” I nodded.

He beamed, pulling out his phone and handing it to me to type in my number. He called, waiting until my phone rang to confirm it was actually my number before he put it back in his pocket. With another smile, he pulled me into a quick hug before leaving. He smelled so warm, so comforting, I wanted to burrow into his jacket and refuse to leave. My instincts were riding me hard. I had dated an alpha before, but I had never felt so . . . needy. Was it because I was injured? Omegas get needy when hurt or suffering—that had to be it. There was no way I was getting moon eyes over this man. That would be like inviting suffering into my life with open arms. Regardless of how handsome he looked.

Said handsome hockey player now had my number and knew where I lived. I was fucked. Possibly in the funnest of ways.

Chapter Five

Molly

After a delicious lunch, where Alexis chattered nonstop about hockey players, I collapsed back into bed. The small trip had exhausted me. Crawling into my nest, I wrapped myself in the blankets, eager to drift off. I had recently added several teal pillows into my nest, and they were so soft, I ended up sleeping on them most nights.

Unfortunately, now that my exhausted mind was free to wander, it was occupied by a particular alpha I was struggling to shove from the forefront of my mind. I had heard Alexis talking about how he was only playing here because he had gotten into trouble on his big NHL team. Pulling my phone out from under my pillow, I hesitated, chewing on my lip before opening a search window and typing Grayson Wood. It didn’t take long for multiple news reports to pop up. I glanced over the headlines. Wood assaults referee, banned for the rest of the season. Golden boy gets some tarnish. Violent player banned potentially for life.

He had hurt someone? I sat up, my finger hovering over one of the articles. Maybe the headlines were exaggerating? Unsettled, I closed the search engine and threw the phone to the other side of my nest. No good would come from looking him up. It wasn’t like I would be seeing him again. If he called, I wouldn’t answer. He was only in the country on a temporary contract, so getting attached was just asking for trouble. But despite that knowledge and fairly sound logic, I found myself drifting off to sleep thinking of an unsettlingly deep pair of green eyes and the smell of sweet peppermint.

My plan to resume classes backfired when I fell asleep during my first class back, exhaustion tugging at the corners of my mind while I tried to keep up with what was being written on the board. After that embarrassing incident, I decided to listen to the good doctor’s advice and take a few days off. Alexis brought food to my nest, and she often stayed so we could watch films together. I liked having her in my nest. Her subtle cocoa scent was comforting.

The next time I left was exactly a week later, when Alexis pulled me out of the nest to go to the next game. I was feeling fine by then, but I had been granted a week off classes, so I decided to take it.

“You know, taking public transport is just that much crappier after we’ve had a trip in a chauffeured luxury car. Why don’t you give Gray a call?” She grinned as we waited for the tram to the game. The platform was full of fans waiting, and it did feel claustrophobic, but I didn’t want to admit that.

“Shush! We are not calling him. I fully intend to lose that man’s number.”

Alexis beamed. “Is that why your hair is done nicely and you’re wearing makeup?”

I blushed, heat rising in my face. “I brushed my hair, that’s it. Some mascara. I’ve been looking like a badger that’s been dragged through a bush backwards of late, and aren’t you the one always telling me to make a little more effort?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

Instead of answering, she simply smirked and grabbed my good arm, pulling me toward the tram arriving just then.

The arena hadn’t changed in the last week.

“Wait here. There’s no point in both of us waiting in that horrible line,” Alexis said, nodding to the box office.

“I’ll grab some snacks?”

“Just a Coke for me, thank you!”

I wandered off, knowing I had some time. Deciding to get some fries, I found a kiosk and got in line. Two middle-aged men stood in front of me, waiting to pick up their cups of beer, chatting to each other. Though, due to the loud nature of the area, they were shouting, and I could hear every word.

“Do you think they fixed the barrier yet?” one asked.

“They must have. They wouldn’t be playing tonight if they hadn’t.”

“Of course it was Wood who went through. That one’s a loose cannon if I ever saw one.”

I froze. I shouldn’t be listening in. It was wrong. My curiosity was piqued, though.

“Who hasn’t wanted to deck a ref before?”

“He did a bit more than that. The ref was hospitalised for months! I’m not complaining, he has his uses as a player. Like putting that Guild player in his place a few weeks ago on the ice.”

“Oh, that was a thing of beauty!” They stopped talking when the kiosk worker served them their cups of beer, then made their way to the ice to watch the players warm up.

Crap, it’s my turn! I walked up to the counter, quickly ordering Alexis’s Coke and swiping my card to pay. Everyone was so loud—from the kiosk workers screaming orders to each other, to the groups of friends shouting happy conversations—my head was starting to hurt, and it felt like the walls were closing in. Pull yourself together!

“Molly!” Alexis was at my side. “You okay?” She frowned, taking in my probably pale state.

“Oh, yeah. Just loud. Got the tickets?”

“Yeah, about that. It seems like we have box seats.”

“Box seats?”

“Yeah, the fancy private rooms? We’ve been given one of those! They’re being extra nice to you. Those usually cost thousands!”

Thousands? My eyes bulged as I looked at my friend happily bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. Apparently getting injured around here got you five-star treatment.

“Yeah, there’s a security guard over there who’ll show us to our room. We need a security guard to take us because only staff, players, and VIPs are allowed on that floor. Oh, and we may get some face time with the players!”

“That seems like a lot . . . I’m fine, Lex.”

She waved her hand absentmindedly. “I know you are, but we should take the perks while we can. After the game, we can go see Doctor Connor again.” She pulled me toward the guard, a tall, burly man with a shaved head who led us down a corridor and to an elevator.

The room was far fancier than I expected. There were large leather recliners, a mini bar, and more.

“You need to get injured more. I could get used to this!” Alexis declared, flopping down onto one of the recliners. “The view is amazing! Molly!”

We were high up, but we could see the game in its entirety. The players were currently on the ice, warming up, and they looked so small.

“You could never recognise who is who from here,” I muttered.

“You have to keep an eye out for their numbers. Wood is number fifty-eight,” Alexis said before taking a deep sip of her Coke, her eyes never leaving the ice.

I looked down, ignoring the slightly dizzy feeling from being up so high. The players looked like ants; I could only really make out their numbers, but after a few moments of trying, I noticed number fifty-eight skating laps around the rink, not really talking with his teammates while pushing a puck around the ice.

“You found Grayson?” Alexis asked, craning her neck to look at the players. I nodded. “Good, keep an eye on him! He’s a good player, and hey, at least in these seats, he can’t crash through a barrier and into you!” She laughed, and I joined in. That was a small relief, at least.

My eyes stayed glued to Grayson. I sat in the overly comfortable recliner, my shoes off and feet tucked under me as the game kicked off. I couldn’t keep my eyes on the puck and instead kept looking at fifty-eight. He regularly came on and off the ice, and even when he wasn’t playing, I watched him sit on the bench, chatting with whatever player was next to him. He kept looking around the arena, like he was searching for something.

Is he looking for me? I thought for a brief moment before banishing the thought. There was no way he had genuine interest in me. He had far more important things to be focusing on, like the game. I was acting like I was infatuated with him, when I needed to keep a level head. I was only human, and anyone with eyes could see he was a stunningly good-looking man, but he also had a bad reputation, and there was no reason for me to open myself up to that sort of pain.

The game passed alarmingly fast, and before I knew it, Alexis was standing and telling me to get up. Time for a doctor’s visit, it seemed.

The security guard had clearly been told we were coming, because the moment Alexis swanned up to him, he gave her a nod and let her through back to the team rooms. Standing outside the locker room was Connor.

“Molly! How are you feeling?” he asked, bounding up to me and pulling me in for a hug. His hair was down today, his clothing casual. “Come on, let’s take a look at that arm while all the guys get debriefed.” The locker room behind him was loud; the whole team must have been changing.

“I’ll hang back, Molls!” Alexis called happily, craning her neck, trying to get a look at the men currently changing. I laughed to myself.

Instead of walking through the locker room, this time we went down a small side corridor until I found myself in another medical room that had a desk in the corner.

“This is my office. I thought it best we do this here, so you aren’t distracted by players. Hop up on the exam table and let me take a look.” I did as told, and he wasted no time removing the old bandage. “This has been rebandaged really well. Did you do this yourself?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

I snorted. “No, that is all Alexis. She’s been taking good care of me.”

“And have you managed to rest?”

“I hardly left my nest all week,” I confirmed.

“Good. This looks like it’s healing really well. Any burning or itching?”

“Just normal soreness and healing,” I admitted.

“That’s to be expected.” He grabbed a cotton pad and doused it in a clear liquid. “I’m going to clean this up and rebandage it. A few more days, and I would start letting it air out. The stitches will dissolve in time, and you’ll be good as new!”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

“Thank you for being such a good patient. Now, your head—any dizziness, nausea, lightheadedness?”

“Nope, I’ve been tired, but I took the excuse to rest and ran with it. I’ll have to go back to classes tomorrow.”

“Hmm, well, doctor’s orders are a little more rest and possibly some ice cream.” He winked at me.

“Who am I to deny the doctor’s orders?” I laughed, and then after a few moments of silence, asked, “Why do I think Lex is off collaring a player for her own nefarious means?”

“She should be careful. All the players are decent guys, but several of them think with the wrong head, if you catch my drift.”

I snorted. “You shouldn’t be worried about Lex. You should be worried about your team. She’ll eat them alive.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Did Wood find you, by the way? Is it true you tried to pay his driver?”

“Yeah . . . In my defence, you gave me some strong meds!”

“That, I did. Good news, though. You’re going to be fine.” Connor stood up, giving the bandage one last check. “I need to go see a player who twisted his knee. Shall I escort you out?”

I nodded. “Thank you. God knows where Alexis is now.”

“I’ll show her out,” a familiar, American voice said from the doorway.

“I was wondering when you would show up.” Connor chuckled. “Seems our girl here is going to be perfectly fine after you crashed into her.”

Grayson smiled from the doorway; he had a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. “That’s good to know.” He wasn’t wearing his hockey uniform. He must have changed and came straight here to find me, since his hair was still slightly damp from sweat, same as last time. “Go see Jensen’s knee, Con. I can walk her out.”

Connor looked between the two of us before he raised his brow at me. “I’ll leave you in Grayson’s hands. If he gets too annoying, just scream for security. I’m sure they would love an excuse to tackle him.”

“Don’t I know it. Come on, Peach.”

“Peach?” I asked with a frown, but before he could answer, it clicked. “Real creative, Peppermint.”

He shrugged. “Peaches are delicious.”

“Maybe I will let security tackle you,” I grumbled as Connor grabbed some kit and made his way out of the room to see Jensen.

He put a hand over his heart and pouted. “Aww, that’s mean. Come on, your ride is waiting.”

“My ride?” I asked dumbly.

“Luca will drive me into a lake if I let you take public transport home.” He turned to leave but paused when his back was to me, turning to smirk at me. “I also had Luca pick up tacos from my favourite Mexican food truck. They’re waiting for you in the car—I’m sure you don’t want to miss that.” He didn’t wait for my answer before walking out of the room.

I scowled. “You play dirty,” I grumbled but followed behind him.

Outside the arena, I looked around for Alexis, pulling out my phone to text her. We were in the back of the arena, so there were no fans milling around.

“Okay, stop for a moment,” I told Grayson, jogging to keep up with him. “Look, I appreciate the offer of a lift again, Grayson, but you don’t have to do this because you feel bad that I was hurt.” I ran my hand over my hair nervously.

He stilled, and his scent changed. Shit. Had I upset him? “You think I’m offering you a ride because I feel bad?” he asked, taking two long strides so he was right in front of me, his scent overwhelming in such close proximity.

“Well, uh … yeah?” I floundered.

Grayson sighed, looking intently at me. His hand gently grabbed my waist, and he stepped forward, so I was pushed softly against the wall.

I wasn’t scared. He was so close, and yet I wasn’t uncomfortable. I felt . . . safe?

The hand not on my waist snaked up to my neck, cupping it. “Let me make one thing clear, Peach. I’m interested in you. I’m more than interested in you. You’re stunning, you smell fucking amazing, and every time I see you, I want to punch any other male in the vicinity. So, clearly there’s something about you that’s riding my instincts pretty damn hard.”

As my heart leapt, forming words seemed far beyond the realm of possibility. I wanted to grab him by the front of his shirt and kiss him. And more. I had only been knotted a few times, and he seemed like the kind of man who knew how to use his.

Lips crashed down onto mine, and I moaned, embarrassingly so. He tasted so good, and his lips were surprisingly soft, yet firm. Pinned in place by the wall at my back and his hands, I had no choice but to enjoy it, which I did—greatly. The taste of mint clouded my senses, leaving me breathless.

Pulling away, he rested his forehead on mine. “Is that clear, Peach?”

I nodded dumbly, unable to articulate what I wanted to say. This was a bad idea, but I was beyond caring.

“Can we go out? On a real date?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, and his grin got somehow even wider.

“Tomorrow?”

I shook my head. “I’ve got a test the following day . . . Saturday?”

“There’s no game, so I’ll see you then, Peachy Girl.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re not going to stop with that nickname, are you?”

“Nope, it’s sticking. You’re the reason I’ve been consuming peach-flavoured things nonstop for the last week.”

I had affected him that much? The thought that I could have such an impact on his life thrilled me.

“I’ll pick you up at your dorm at six.”

“I’ll see you there,” I replied without a second thought.

He leaned down to give me one more long, hungry kiss that I never wanted to end. He pulled away, kissing me on the forehead before softly pushing me towards the waiting car. I didn’t even fight him on taking his car home. Once in the plush leather seats, I greeted Luca and pulled out my phone. Sure enough, there was a text from Alexis.

Heard you’re getting a ride home again! YES! I’m hanging back with some of the team members, wish me luck! I want ALL the gossip when I get home.

She could have warned me before throwing me to the sharks, but luckily, I loved my roommate, and I knew she was probably having the time of her life. Who was I to pull her from that?

With my head in the clouds, I hardly spoke to Luca on the drive home. I kept repeating in my mind how soft Grayson’s lips felt against mine and his erection pressed up against me. If he had slipped his hand into my leggings, not only would I have not minded, but he would have discovered I was dripping wet. Trent had never managed to make me really slick—and blamed me for it—but one kiss with Grayson, and all of a sudden, there was a newly formed river.

The moment I got home, after a rushed thank you and goodbye, I locked myself in my room. Pulling the boxes out from under my bed and shoving aside old discarded cardigans and textbooks, I looked for the plain black box Alexis had bought me last Christmas.

Ripping open the parcel, I was met with a very large, very daunting, bright pink vibrating cock. Alexis had insisted I needed to loosen up and this was one of the best models out there, but Trent had hated it and said I wasn’t much of an omega if I needed toys to get off.

Thank fuck I was done with him, because in that moment, I was so frustrated and needed some relief. Crawling into bed, I figured out how to turn it on, then gave it a go.

I was wet, not only wet, but soaked, as I had thought I would be. I ran my fingers through the sensitive folds and hissed. Oh, I needed relief and I needed it now.

My brain was stuck on Grayson. Did he know how to take care of those needs? Would he be soft and gentle or more demanding? Playing the past hour in my head, I turned on the toy.

It wouldn’t take long. Instead of the toy, I imagined it was Grayson. The thick length I had felt against myself when he had ground down on me outside the arena, where anyone could see us. The idea that he would stretch me and make me feel good was heady. He would be able to make me come, I knew it. There was something about him that made it obvious. I wouldn’t need to sneakily get myself off in the bathroom while he snored in my bed.

When I pictured him biting my neck, it was game over. I came so hard, I saw stars and was left panting in a puddle in my bed. What the fuck was that? I had imagined him biting me.

I had no intention of bonding with a pack. That was an insane idea. I wanted a normal marriage with one alpha or even a beta.

So why couldn’t I stop thinking about Grayson?

Chapter Six

Molly

My head was still aching when I made it to my modern history class the next morning. It was an eight-in-the-morning class, so the students were in various stages of sleep-deprived grogginess, clutching take-out coffee cups as the professor loaded up his slides.

As I was about to enter my phone buzzed. Pausing to check it I saw a new message.

Hello, Peach. How’s your day going?

I smiled to myself, replying immediately. Rationally, I shouldn’t have been so eager to talk to him again, especially after everything I had read about him, but I couldn’t resist.

Good, I’m just going into class.

Anything fun?

All history is fun, Mr Wood!

Ahh, my bad. Go enjoy your class, Peach. I just wanted to see how you were doing and say that I’m excited for our date tomorrow night.

Are you going to tell me where we’re going?

Nope, all part of the surprise. Now, go learn!

I quickly typed out Talk soon, don’t go through any hockey barriers before throwing my phone haphazardly back into my bag, grinning from ear to ear.

Professor Taylor saw me walking in and came over as I took the first seat I could grab next to Ben, a classmate I shared the majority of my classes with and had shared notes with regularly.

“Miss Bennett! I got your friend’s email, are you okay? Do you need an extension on the paper due tomorrow?”

I shook my head. “I already finished the paper. I just need to hand it in. It was all done before the other night. Thank you, though!”

“All right. If you need anything, drop me an email.”

Pulling my folder out of my bag, I opened it to the relevant page. I was wearing a large cardigan over my T-shirt to cover my arm, but it was so warm, I needed to take it off. I resisted, because the bandages weren’t exactly low key. My arm had also been itching up a storm all morning, and it was making me grumpy.

But sweat was starting to gather on my brow, and it would be even more embarrassing if I started to smell strongly of sweat. The class was a mix of designations, but every one of them would be able to smell a strongly scented omega a mile away.

It was a relief when I could feel the air on my arms.

Ben’s face crinkled with concern. “Christ, that looks nasty, Molly. Alexis mentioned you got injured at the game, but that looks serious.”

“Just a few stitches, nothing bad. I’m pretty much back to normal, other than the odd tugging sensation.”

“You really should complain to the arena. Hockey players should be more careful, and they should really check the barriers are more secure.”

“I can’t change it now, anyway. Do you have the notes from the last class?” I asked, desperate to change the subject. I didn’t like all the eyes on me.

“Oh yeah, I did them on my tablet. I’ll email them to you. Did you at least get to meet Grayson Wood? What was he like?”

“He’s okay. I got to meet him, but it was only for a moment.”

“He was seen at the dorms the other day.” Ben turned to me. “Was he here because of you? I thought you were smarter than to go puck chasing.” He frowned.

“Uh, he just returned my purse. I left it in his car.”

“He gave you a lift home?”

“His driver did. He felt bad I got injured.”

Ben nodded, seeming happier. “You should stay away from guys like that, Molly. He’s got a bad reputation.”

“He was being nice, nothing more.” I didn’t mention the fact I had agreed to a date. I didn’t want to deal with the judgement. Ben was a keen friend. He often invited me to go for drinks with him and other classmates, but I usually turned him down. Trent hadn’t liked the idea of me going out with other males around, and I had stupidly listened to him. Now I was single, I could do whatever I wanted, but I wasn’t feeling up to it yet.

I went out with Alexis to the hockey game, and look at how that turned out. I needed to focus on my studies, not socialising.

“I’m serious, Molly. I’m only looking out for you. He’s not the kind of guy you want to be with.”

“I don’t want to be with him. I didn’t ask to get attacked through a barrier, Ben.”

“No, of course not. I’m sorry, I’m just protective.”

“No worries.” I waved him off, turning my attention to the front, where the professor was starting to dive into his lecture on the War of the Roses.

My phone buzzed several times, but I avoided taking it out. I didn’t want to get distracted by Grayson Wood.

I resisted the urge to scratch at the bandage throughout class; it was burning and itchy and I felt like crap. Maybe I should have stayed home a bit longer? With a sigh, I turned back to my notes, settling in for the lecture.

I still felt bad when I got home five hours later. My mind was fuzzy and my skin felt clammy, feeling the back of my neck, I was shocked at how warm I was. I briefly pondered if I was going into heat early, but it had never felt like this before. This felt like I was coming down with the flu. I wasn’t leaking slick or having any stomach cramps and dreaming of some good dick. I wanted to vomit, sleep, and shower. The order wasn’t important.

Alexis wasn’t home—she was visiting family overnight—so I staggered straight into my room and dove into my nest, silently praying that a few hours of sleep would make me feel better.

It could have been minutes or hours later when someone entered my room, crawling into my nest and disturbing me. Sweet peppermint filled my senses, calming me.

Grayson.

What was he doing in my room? Did I have a date with him? Texting him felt like so long ago.

“Peach? Why haven’t you been answering? Are you o—shit. You’re burning up. Can you sit up for me?”

I blearily opened my eyes, taking in Grayson as he stood at the edge of my nest, hand reaching out to me, wearing what looked like sweats and a long sleeve T-shirt.

I let out a pathetic whine as he wound his arms around me, pulling me into a sitting position. “Let me sleep.”

“No can do. You look a mess. Is this your heat?”

“No.” I shook my head. “Sick.”

“Okay, here.” He held a bottle of water up to my lips. “Drink some of this down, and then I’ll let you rest while I make a call, okay?” I scowled at him, and he gave me an easy smile in return. I accepted the drink, chugging the water he fed me.

“There,” I snarled, diving back into my sheets. I didn’t like being away from his warmth, but I wanted to sleep. Preferably with him beside me.

“Someone’s cranky when sick.” His voice held a smile.

“Shut up,” I growled.

“Now, Peachy Girl, don’t go growling at me. It’s just adorable.” He stroked my hair out of my face, and I preened at the sensation. I was so out of it, I wasn’t questioning why this alpha was here, in my nest, taking care of me.

He didn’t stop touching me, and he didn’t pull away. Instead, he crawled next to me and gently started raking his hand through my hair, the sensation almost orgasmic. Who knew hands could make you feel that good?

The soothing sensation put me into a state of bliss, and I didn’t pay attention as Grayson spoke to someone on the phone. Not until he gently grabbed my injured arm, making me hiss in pain. It was throbbing.

“I’m sorry. I need to check for signs of infection.” He moved me some more, my cut stinging as the cool air hit it. “Yeah? Con, you’re right. What shall I do?” He spoke into the phone, and I chose to ignore him, focusing on the sensational head scratches, lulling me to sleep.

“Up you go, Peach.” The deep American accent spoke, waking me. I didn’t want to be awake; I wanted to sleep. He ignored my whine of displeasure. “Now I don’t like those whines, but I’m not going to listen to them. Connor had some antibiotics delivered. Now you need to take them and drink some more water, then I’ll let you nap some more. How about that?”

“Scratchies?” I asked weakly, my voice breaking.

“Take your meds, and I’ll give you all the scratchies,” he confirmed.

I glared at him as he remained calm. “Open,” he instructed. I thought he was going to pass me the two small pills, but instead, he popped them into my mouth and raised the bottle of water to my lips once again. I drank deeply until the bottle was empty. “Good girl,” he soothed. That voice, and those words, had such power over me. Combined with the soothing peppermint scent, I wanted to do whatever he said so he would praise me.

“Now sleep more. I’ll check your temperature in a few hours, see if the pills worked.” Assuming he was going to leave, I whined and turned over. Somewhere in the deep recesses of my brain, I knew I was being pathetic.

Grayson didn’t seem to care because, before I could even close my eyes, I was moving. Strong arms manoeuvring me onto his chest. His bare chest. It should have been mortifying, but it felt so damn good. I never wanted to leave.

Slowly, I cracked my eyes open. They felt heavy with sleep, and my mouth felt like it had been shoved full of cotton. Mentally, I was feeling a whole lot clearer. A steady thumping below my ear drew my attention to the very naked chest under me.

Oh shit. Grayson Wood was there, in my nest, taking care of me. How had he even gotten there? I sat up, looking down at the shirtless sleeping alpha in my nest. I took the opportunity to look at him without him knowing. He was handsome. Dark hair fell in disarray in his face, and he had a thicker layer of facial hair than normal. The entire nest smelled like peppermint and peach, and the combination was both heady and comforting.

Grayson’s eye cracked open, and a smile broke out on his face at the sight of me looking at him. “You look like you’re feeling better,” he said, his voice thick and grumbly with sleep. The sound was almost filthy, and I could feel myself reacting, my perfume bursting in the air, my face going hot. He didn’t even frown. If possible, his smile got even wider. “Well, good morning to you too. How about we get you some food? Hey, don’t be shy. I’ll take your perfume as a fucking compliment.”

Compliment? I frowned.

Grayson quirked an eyebrow. “Well, how else should I take it?” he asked, sitting up and pulling me into him. I didn’t fight him.

“I’m sorry. I’ve got no control over it,” I whined.

“I know you don’t. It’s a good thing.” He looked over to the corner of the room, where Potato’s enclosure was. “Does that little one need feeding? I gave them a few of the pellets, but I don’t know if they needed more.”

“Uh, there’s a box of greens in the fridge. Just a handful of them, and she’ll be a happy camper.”

Grayson got up with a nod, vanishing for a moment before returning with greens in hand. He knelt at the edge of the enclosure, giving the bunny a few head pets when she ran right up to him for food.

“She’s a sweet one. What’s her name?” he asked as he fussed over her, cooing at her with a soft voice.

“Potato,” I admitted.

“Potato?” Grayson looked at me, laughing.

“She’s the exact colour of a sweet potato, and when she loafs, she looks exactly like one,” I grumbled, looking down at my bedspread instead of at him.

“I can see it,” Grayson said as he held his hand out with a sprig of parsley for Potato to nibble. “It’s a good name.”

I adjusted my sitting position with a groan. What was going on? I had a hockey player in my bedroom, on the floor, hand feeding my pet rabbit.

“You gave me medicine?” I asked. “Wait, more importantly, how the heck did you get into my dorm?” Surely everything had been locked. Alexis was away, so she hadn’t let him in.

“I rang Alexis when you didn’t respond for a while, and she gave me your door code to come check on you. She’s been texting me nonstop for updates.”

That woman loved to meddle. I bet she had been ecstatic to give him our door code.

“Thank you. I don’t know when I last had the flu like this.”

“It may not be the flu,” Grayson said, getting up and brushing his jeans before sitting on the edge of my nest. “Your arm was looking pretty infected, so I took a few photos and sent them to Connor, who prescribed some antibiotics for you.”

My bandaged arm was feeling rather sore. There was a clean bandage on it, far neater than anything myself or Alexis had done ourselves.

“Oh, I had no idea.”

“Those boards were probably filthy. You should have had some antibiotics from the start, according to Connor, but he got distracted and forgot. He’s really upset you’re not feeling well. He’s given me orders to ensure you eat, rest, and hydrate well. Do you feel up to eating?”

“I could eat something light.”

Grayson pulled out his phone, tapping a few times. “How about some chicken noodle soup? There’s a great place near here I ordered from the last time I felt under the weather. It was like a hug in a bowl.”

“That sounds lovely.”

“That’ll be here in twenty minutes.” He grabbed my water bottle off the bedside table, passing it to me. “But first, drink this. It’s water and one of those hydration powders. Connor said they would help.”

I pulled a face. Most of those things tasted like chalky dirt. Why anyone would subject themselves to that was beyond me.

Grayson laughed at my face. “This one is my favourite. I promise it doesn’t taste completely terrible. This one tastes like watermelon, in fact.”

That sounded too good to be true. I had been slighted before, so I took a sip very cautiously. Sweet watermelon burst across my taste buds, and I looked at Grayson with wide eyes as I took a few sips.

His laugh was deep and warming. “I told you! That’s not so bad, is it?”

“It’s okay,” I said primly, making him laugh even more.

“I’ve left a box of them in your kitchen, so if they’re just okay, I can always take them back . . .” he trailed off with a smirk.

“Don’t you dare!” I cried.

Grayson got up with a laugh, placing a kiss on my sweaty forehead. That couldn’t have tasted good.

“Your drinks are safe. I’ve been drinking a different flavour lately. Now, I’m going to go wait for the food. It should be here any minute, and you need to rest.”

“What flavour?” I asked, eyes narrowing. “Are you saving all the good stuff for yourself?”

“I’m addicted to the new flavour and don’t want to share,” he admitted with a shrug.

“What is it?”

“Peach.” He smirked, his eyes never leaving mine.

Two hours later, I was full of chicken noodle soup and feeling a lot better. Grayson didn’t let me lift a finger, collecting the food himself and dishing it up.

While he cleaned up, I pulled myself out of the nest and into the shower. It had only been a day, but I smelled ripe. When I padded back out, feeling weak but a lot better now I was clean, I noticed the bedding was fresh.

He’d changed my bedding. My chest warmed at the gesture as I crawled into the clean blankets.

My phone was charging on my bedside table next to a fresh bottle of water. Grayson had thought of everything.

“Hey, Peach.” He smiled at me when he came back in, protein bars in hand, which he placed on my bedside table. “How are you feeling?”

“Better,” I admitted. “Thank you. You didn’t have to do all this.”

“I couldn’t leave you alone. I’m happy to help. I just wish I could stay longer. I have practice first thing. Are you sure you’re feeling okay? You’ve got several drinks, electrolyte packets, protein bars, and even a few candy bars on your nightstand, in case you need anything.”

He really had thought of everything.

“You’ve done more than enough. I don’t know how to thank you.”

Grayson’s hand rested on my sheets as he leaned down, towering over me with a playful smirk. “You can thank me by agreeing to another date when you’re all better.”

“Another date? When was our first date?” I asked, brow furrowed.

“I think laying in bed with you half of the night and feeding you soup counts, doesn’t it?”

“Okay, I think I can do that.” I chuckled lightly as he placed a kiss on my forehead.

“Look after yourself, Peach.”

“I’ll try.”

“Good girl,” Grayson smirked over his shoulder as he left, saying those two words that had way too much power over me.

My needy omega butt needed to behave itself.

Chapter Seven

Grayson

Practice was brutal.

The coach seemed extra pissed at me, since I went through the barriers. Like the arena’s old and failing setup was my fault.

I didn’t care, though. I felt happier than I had in a long time. The freezing air of the arena only invigorated me.

As we skated laps, my mind kept going back to the omega I had left curled up in her nest the night before. Returning home had felt wrong. Empty.

I had been so worried when Molly didn’t answer her phone for two days. At first, I panicked, thinking she was ignoring me. Ghosting me before I could even take her on our first date. Calling Alexis had felt like crossing a line, but Jensen had her number and gave it to me. Her friend was away—something to do with family—and had been more than happy to give me the door code, so I could go check on Molly.

Part of me had been tempted to tell her off for giving out those details, but a larger part of me had wanted to kneel at her feet in thanks.

I didn’t know what I had expected to find, but a feverish Molly, curled up in her blanket nest, wasn’t it. She had cuddled up to my side the moment I crawled in to check on her. She was pretty far gone. There was something about Molly calling to me. No omega had ever smelled that good to me, and every time she sassed me in that goddamned English accent, I would almost come in my pants. The urge to spank her every time was hard to resist.

Maybe in the future.

“Wood! Get your fucking head out of the clouds. You’ve been a worse shot than usual, and that’s fucking saying something!” Jensen laughed as he whizzed past me.

“Eat a dick, I’m a great shot,” I shouted back, laughing.

“What’s got you all a flutter, man?” he asked, circling back to me.

“Can’t a guy be happy?” I asked.

“Of course, but you’ve been the most surly bastard around since you joined the team.”

“I haven’t been that bad!”

I really had. Jensen only laughed, throwing his head back before focusing on a player whizzing by with the puck and giving chase.

I didn’t want to admit it was because of Molly.

To be honest, I was more of a hit it and quit it kind of guy.

Molly wasn’t the kind of omega you had a fling with, though. She was so sweet and soft. She was the kind of omega you settled down with, had lots of babies with, and showed off to the world.

She would be fucking beautiful round with pregnancy. The stray thought entered my brain, and I quickly shrugged it off. Whatever was between me and Molly, it was only temporary.

I knew I should have told her that, but the last thing I wanted to do was admit the shitstorm that was waiting for me back home. Here I was just an alpha, and Molly was a kind, beautiful omega I was loving spending time with.

Luckily, I was nowhere near as well known here as I was back home.

Home.

I wasn’t even missing it. When I first came to England, I had been counting the days until I could return, but now I dreaded returning. The sweet, calm omega was to thank for that. I had only seen her a handful of times, but I found myself thinking about her the moment I woke.

Coach kept us for an extra hour, because we were playing like crap, and he wanted to punish us for that.

As soon as I was out of the arena and walking to my car, I dialled Molly’s number.

“Hello?” the soft, sweet voice answered. She sounded better, not as congested and nasally.

“How are you feeling?”

“Better. Whatever you gave me really helped. My head is no longer pounding.”

“Good. Have you been drinking those electrolyte drinks? You’re probably dehydrated—I hate that I had to leave you. If you need me to come back, I’ll happily come right away. Practice is over.”

As much as I despised her being sick, part of me really wanted her to need me still. Caring for her had sated a deep need of mine I hadn’t even realised I had.

“I’m mainly sleeping. You need to rest yourself,” she assured me. “I feel so bad you were stuck in my tiny, cramped apartment for several hours.”

“I wanted to help. The company was excellent.”

Molly snorted delicately. “I doubt I was good company passed out.”

I laughed indignantly. “I wasn’t talking about you—I was talking about Potato. She’s quite the conversationalist.”

Her loud, happy burst of laughter was music to my ears. “Potato is a sweetheart.” I could hear the love in Molly’s voice.

I could imagine her curled up in bed, Potato snuggled up in her lap, her auburn waves loose and wild. The temptation to say screw it all and run to her place was abnormally strong. As hard as it was, I resisted.

“Okay, how about when you’re feeling better, we do dinner? I need to get some good food in you—I saw the state of your fridge. Mini cheeses are not a meal.”

I joked, but honestly, all she seemed to survive on was potato chips and mini cheese.

“That sounds lovely, Grayson.” She yawned loudly. “I’m sorry! I’m struggling to keep my eyes open.”

“Don’t be. You need to sleep and heal. Go get some rest. Text me when you’re awake, otherwise I’ll have to come check on you.”

Did that sound stalkerish? I didn’t particularly care.

“I will. I look forward to it, Grayson,” she whispered softly.

Chapter Eight

Molly

The next morning, Alexis still hadn’t returned, but I had several texts from her assuring me she was okay, so there was no need to send out a search party. So I made breakfast alone, my mind distracted.

The consideration Grayson had shown me made my chest warm. He had been nothing but sweet and thoughtful, even when I was sick and smelly.

Sure, I could date Grayson, and it would probably be a lot of fun and even more good orgasms. His scent alone got me wet, so that was a good sign. Then again, I was an omega, and hypersexuality came with the designation. It didn’t take much to get me going. As long as I didn’t let myself get attached. He was American, and I was sure he would want to return home one day, and I wasn’t going to move to another country for a man, so there was no long-term viability there. Plus, he had a reputation that wasn’t the best, but he had never behaved in a manner I would consider dangerous or violent. For the short term, I could throw caution to the wind and have a little fun, couldn’t I? As long as I made sure I didn’t fall for him and kept him at a distance emotionally, we could have fun. Fun and orgasms—that sounded like a plan. I deserved to have some fun. Alexis did, and it never impacted her studies or her life goals. One thing was for sure. There could, under no circumstances, be any biting. That was permanent and would open us up to a whole world of problems.

So, when Grayson texted me a few days later, asking me to dinner, I threw caution to the wind and confirmed the date.

That was how I found myself standing in the middle of my room, my floor covered in clothes. I had tried on and removed several outfits, and nothing felt right. I had never really been on a date. I had only been around Trent, and it had happened naturally, so this was a novel experience for me.

I had no idea where he was taking me, so were jeans okay? I needed something sort of in the middle. A dress was the winner, and even that I didn’t feel great about.

Still on for six? Don’t forget me, Peach.

The text had come through at lunchtime while I was running between classes, so I didn’t reply until his second text came through.

Leaving me hanging, Peach? I know where you live! Followed quickly by Oh fuck, that sounded stalkerish, sorry! If you’re not up for tonight, let me know. I promise I won’t be creeping outside your place.

I laughed at that and quickly paused to reply.

Just running between classes. Aren’t you meant to be the one with stalkers, being a big shot hockey god and all?

Hockey god? Keep talking. I like where this is going.

You and your gigantic ego need to calm down.

I laughed at the screen as the little bubble popped up, showing he was typing.

You think it’s giant, eh?

I was talking about your ego. I got a good feel of what you’re packing a few days ago against an arena wall.

Fuck. Now I’m hard. I’ve got to get back on the ice.

I had affected him that much? It was embarrassing for him, but my chest puffed up in pride ever so slightly because I did that. Me.

Oops. Gotta get to class, good luck!

I added a shrugging emoji for emphasis.

Throwing my phone in my bag, I felt lighter. My source materials class was a little less daunting now.

Until I was in my room, trying to pick what to goddamn wear.

I faltered for a moment, looking between a sundress and my favourite patterned jumper, before grabbing my phone and typing a quick question, trying to come across as casual and not give away how much I was freaking out.

Jeans. Yes or no?

Hell yes.

Hell yes?

I’ve seen your ass in jeans. I am totally onboard with them!

You pervert. Are they suitable for whatever you have planned for tonight?

Oh yeah, totally, and I’m not just saying that because I appreciate your ass.

Sure thing, puck boy.

Puck Boy?

If you get to call me Peach, I can call you Puck Head, or maybe Pucky. That’s adorable.

Fair play, Peachy Girl. Now, go get dressed. While I would have absolutely no issues with you turning up for our date in lingerie or your birthday suit, it is unfortunately frowned upon in public. It’s tragic, I know.

You really are an insufferable flirt. I’ll see you soon, Pucky.

See you soon, beautiful.

I threw my phone onto my perfectly made nest. I should be irritated, but I couldn’t wipe the grin from my face. I was looking forward to seeing him, and being called beautiful was making me feel all kinds of warm and mushy inside.

Remember, it’s temporary, at best.

With jeans approved, I put on one of my tighter pairs, giving my ass a quick look in the mirror before throwing on a soft sage green jumper. I left my hair falling in waves. I instinctively went to grab the small perfume bottle of descenter on my shelf but hesitated. It was generally the polite thing for omegas to dull their smell a little in public, because it could be highly attractive. Not everyone did it, though.

Grayson had made it clear he liked my scent . . . so maybe it wouldn’t be the worst thing if I didn’t dull my scent for once. Putting the bottle back down, I picked up my handbag and made my way out. Alexis had late classes, which I was thankful for. Otherwise, she would be hovering like an overprotective mother.

As I made my way out the front door, I saw Grayson walking up the path. His face lit up with a smile when he saw me.

“Hungry?” he asked.

“You did say you would feed me.” I shrugged.

“That I did. I remember you mentioning Mexican food, so I thought I would show you the best, most authentic spot I’ve found in town.”

“That sounds lovely.”

“Come on. It’s only a ten-minute walk, is that okay? If not, I can call Luca.”

I whipped my head around to face him. “Don’t you dare call that sweet man. He deserves a night off. Also, if an athlete like you can’t handle a ten-minute walk, then someone’s rigging those games.”

Grayson gasped theatrically. “Rigging? Me? I shall have you know I am pure muscle and prowess. I was just concerned for you, since you’re wearing heels.”

“I’m wearing boots with a two-inch heel. I don’t know what sort of women you’ve been dating, but I’m made of far sturdier stuff than that. Come on. Feed me.” I playfully pushed him down the path while he threw his head back with a laugh.

The walk was pleasant. The sun was starting to set, and we walked the path that followed the river, so the sun danced off the surface, bathing us in a warm light.

“How long have you actually been here?” I asked.

“About six months. I live in the Riverside apartments not too far from here.” They were nice apartments. He was clearly doing well for himself. From what Alexis had told me, hockey players didn’t make much in the English leagues, but then again, he had come from the NHL, the big American league, where they threw money around with zero issues. “Have you always lived here?”

“No, actually. I grew up about two hours away from here. I decided to come here to study. I loved the historical nature of this town and couldn’t resist.”

“What do you study?”

“History.”

“Ah, nice. I’m doing sports medicine, at the moment.”

“You’re at university?”

“Yeah. I can’t play hockey all my life. I’ll need an actual career if I can’t retire on NHL money. Most players are studying while in the NHL. The teams often have deals with local universities.”

“It’s always smart to have a back-up plan. Do you enjoy it?”

“Yeah, it means I can stay in the hockey world even after I’m done playing. I’ve only recently finished my first year, though. There’s still a long way to go. I’m no Connor yet.”

“Connor seems like his own kind of doctor.”

“That’s true. The team doctor back in California was a right grouchy bastard. He thought ibuprofen healed everything. Connor really cares. He actually ended up yelling at our assistant coach about you.”

“About me?” I asked in surprise.

“Yeah, the coach said that the arena staff should have just bandaged you and sent you to the hospital, because Connor is a valuable resource for the players. Grumpy bastard, that one. Connor, on the other hand, didn’t put up with that shit and got the club’s owner to back him up.”

“I didn’t realise. I didn’t mean to cause an issue.”

“You didn’t!” Grayson shook his head. “I was the one who hurt you. It’s the least the club could do. I still feel terrible about that. I’ve never seen a barrier break, and I’ve been thrown into them many, many times.”

“It was a freak accident. Luckily, I’m almost back to normal.”

“Is it bad to admit I’m almost glad it happened? Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had a chance to meet you.” My face heated at that. I almost admitted that I wasn’t too upset at the situation, either. Maybe sensing my discomfort, he said, “Here we are.”

We were in a car park filled with food trucks and several picnic benches. People milled between the trucks, and most of them had a line. The air smelled of rich spices and fried food—my favourite combination.

“How did I not know about this place?” I asked in awe.

“It travels around, so it’s never in one place for long.” He pointed to a red food truck in the corner. “That is The Spicy Jalapeno. It’s some of the most authentic Mexican food I’ve ever had. Their burritos are amazing.”

“Sold!” I declared before playfully shoving him in the direction of the food truck.

Grayson chuckled, grabbing my hand before I could say another word and leading me in the direction of the food truck. His hand was warm and gigantic, compared to mine. Don’t let your mind wonder what those hands will feel like on other parts of you, Molly, you pervert. I kept my lips sealed and followed behind him.

The menu was handwritten, and the various dishes sounded amazing. My eyes were immediately drawn to several options while Grayson greeted the server by name. Clearly, he had been here a fair bit before.

“What’s looking good, Peachy Girl?” Grayson asked, his arm snaking around my waist and pulling him to me. I didn’t fight him, sinking into his chest with ease.

“Definitely the fajitas. I just can’t decide between steak and chicken,” I mused.

“I’ll get whichever you don’t, and we can share. The fajitas are good, any way you have them.”

I craned my neck to beam up at him in thanks. “Thank you. Should we get more? Or would two orders of fajitas be enough?”

“A girl after my own heart.” His grin lit up his face, the corner of his blue eyes crinkling. “Anything else you’re after?”

I pursed my lips. He had clearly been here before, so I decided, “Surprise me.”

He pushed me gently toward the bench, looking pleased. “Go grab a bench and I’ll get the food.”

I grabbed my wallet from my handbag, rummaging around in it for a few moments. “Here, let me give you some cash for the food,” I said with my head practically in my handbag. Why was it always so hard to find?

“Molly.” His voice was hard, making me stop my hunt and look up. He was scowling at me. Had I angered him? “You’re not paying. Go get our seats.”

“Oh, I’m used to splitting the bill.”

Grayson snorted. “Any man that lets a woman pay on a date is pathetic. Not happening, Peach.”

“Are you—”

Firm hands clutched my waist, dragging me forward until I was pressed up against Grayson, craning my neck to look into his eyes. “Now, listen here, Molly Bennett. I’m an alpha, and any alpha worth their salt loves taking care of omegas. That includes feeding them, so no. I refuse to let you pay. Please, it’ll make me happy.” He pouted at me.

“Okay . . .” I was prepared for a fight, but his calm pleas did something to me. This male kept baffling me. I had dated an alpha before, and it was nothing like this. Trent hadn’t cared for me.

Seeing that I was backing down, Grayson’s grin widened. Using his hands on my hips, he gently spun me towards the picnic tables. “Good girl. Now go find us a seat, little omega.” He spoke into my ear as he nudged me towards the benches.

His words sinking in, my knees weakened as I wobbled over to the nearest table, plopping down. Words had never had a physical impact on me, but Grayson’s soft growly voice calling me good girl and little omega had me feeling like mush inside. It called to that omega hindbrain that was revelling in those words.

Taking a seat on the wooden picnic bench, I glanced around the parking lot, which was vibrant and full of life. Grayson was chatting easily with the server, and I took the opportunity to observe his side profile.

He wore an easy smile; it suited him. The dark brunette strands of hair were combed back, but some fell in front of his face, and he had a smattering of dark facial hair over his sharp jawline. He spoke and behaved with such ease, his movements flowing. He glided with ease, like he did on the ice. He handed over some cash in return for several take-out containers wrapped in a plastic bag. .

The cool peppermint scent washed over me as he walked up behind me, followed by the warm aroma of spices wafting from the take-out boxes.

“I also got us some nachos, a burrito, and a quesadilla. I didn’t think to ask if you liked spicy food, so I loaded up on different salsas with different heat levels and sour cream, so you can make it however you like.”

The thoughtful gesture made me smile. Trent never would have considered my taste in food; he would have just grabbed his choice and left it at that.

For a wildcard, loose cannon, Grayson Wood was so calm and sweet with me.

“I’ll give it a taste, then decide. Is that okay?”

Grayson raised his brows. “Of course it is. Try away, Peach.”

Mulling over my choices, I grabbed the steak fajita first, moaning with joy at the first bite. The meat melted in my mouth, and sweet spices burst in my mouth. The veggies were crunchy and fresh; it was a damn good fajita.

“This is amazing!” I mumbled around a mouthful of food.

“I’m glad you like it,” Grayson said, grabbing a few nachos and popping them into his mouth. When I swallowed, he held out a chip, loaded with melty cheese and salsa. I leaned forward, accepting the bite. Grayson’s eyes darkened in a way that made my belly flip and butterflies flutter. He was caring for me, and feeding me was part of that.

There was something baser about this. Something instinctual. The way he looked at me—like we weren’t Grayson and Molly, but like we were just alpha and omega—was a heady sensation. I didn’t want to leave.

Judging by the hungry look in his eye, he was taking great pleasure in feeding me, so I didn’t object when he grabbed another perfectly laded chip and lifted it to my lips.

“Thank you,” I whispered after another bite.

“You’re welcome,” he said in an equally hushed tone, his eyes still locked on me.

My body was powerless, and I could smell myself as I started to perfume, peach filling the air. Shit. Everyone can smell that. Grayson could certainly smell that, as his eyes darkened and his face stiffened as he inhaled. Focus!

Although focusing was a monumental task while Grayson Wood was staring at me like he wanted nothing more than to drag me across the table and eat me instead of the various dishes in front of us. I doubted I would complain . . .

“Uh, how did you find this place?” I asked, leaning back, breaking the spell and crashing us back to reality.

“I run a lot, and I stumbled across this place one evening. I’ve been coming ever since.”

“I thought athletes had to eat super healthy?”

“We’re supposed to—don’t tell my trainer! He would have me running laps until my legs gave out in the not fun way, if he knew I was eating here on the regular.”

My mouth opened before my brain could think. “Is there a fun way to exercise until your legs give out?”

The smirk on Grayson’s face confused me for a moment, until he opened his mouth. “I would be more than happy to show you, Peach.”

My brain caught up to my mouth, and I blushed furiously, feeling the heat rising in my face. Grayson’s only reaction was to laugh, a deep belly laugh with his head thrown back.

“You’re amazing, Peach. Please tell me you’ll come to my next game?”

“When is it?”

“Two days from now,” he said as his eyes lit up in hope.

“I can do that.” I smiled, a plan already forming in my head. He beamed at me.

We sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the delicious food until we were stuffed.

Chapter Nine

Grayson

It was a sold-out game. The coach made it clear that we needed to be on our best behaviour, because a lot of eyes would be on us.

I didn’t really care. I only cared about seeing her. When I’d texted her this morning between practices, she’d said she was coming. Pulling out my phone, I checked to see if any new messages came while we were in the changing room. There were no new messages, but I could see Molly’s last text, a GIF of a cat with pompoms. I couldn’t help but smile.

After our date, I had insisted on walking her home, like a gentleman, and had only given her a chaste kiss outside the door to her building. I’d wanted to do much, much more, but resisted. Molly was the kind of girl you went slow with and savoured the experience.

“Your head is in the clouds, Wood. Is that omega that good in the sack?” McCormick laughed. The curly red-haired alpha centre was a pain at the best of times. His talking about Molly was too much, though. She was sweet and didn’t need this horny bastard thinking about her that way, let alone talking about her.

“Shut up, fucker,” I snarled at him, letting the alpha growl enter my voice. McCormick’s eyes widened almost comically at the sound.

“Shit, man, you’re serious about her, aren’t you?”

I had given myself away. Normally, I wouldn’t react so strongly when talking about a woman, but Molly was different. I didn’t like the idea of the other guys even knowing about her. It was irrational, but the alpha in me was pissed, and I needed to get that under control immediately, or I would be in a world of hurt.

My response was cut off when Coach came into the room and gave us the rundown of the game.

“As we know, the Giants can play dirty, but we have a lot of eyes on us tonight, so take the high road, and don’t give into their goading.” He gave me a pointed look. “No breaking barriers,” he said. A few of my teammates chuckled. Luckily, there was no heat in Coach’s words. While he was pissed about the broken barrier, it had been a freak accident. I was the only one who should have been hurt, and it would have been my own damn fault.

The crowd was thundering as we entered the ice for warm-up. My eyes immediately searched the block where I had reserved seats for Molly and Alexis. Sure enough, they were sitting there. Molly had her feet up on the small wall in front of her, and she was clutching a soda. Her eyes were narrowed as she looked over the ice, and when she noticed me looking at her, she gave a shy wave. Alexis was far more rambunctious with her wave.

I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Molly. She was wearing black and yellow, and from this distance, I could make out that it was a jersey. So, her friend had convinced her to show some support. I liked Alexis. I needed to buy her a cupcake . . . or overpriced coffee.

I played better than I had in a while. Part of me wanted to impress Molly, and part of me wanted to avoid any nasty hits—not because the coach had asked me, but because I knew they would worry Molly.

We won, by three points, and no dirty hits. I would call that a success.

After the game, she was going to see Connor again for another checkup. They had been texting regularly, and she had been sending him photos of how her arm was healing.

I hung around the locker room long enough for the coach to address us and let us know we did okay.

As I turned to leave the room and go find Molly, Granger, our assistant coach, came over to me. He was frowning, his dark hair gelled back perfectly.

“Hey, Zachariah emailed me. He says stop avoiding his messages.”

“I’ve just been busy.” I shrugged. That was a bald-faced lie. I didn’t want to get into a discussion about Molly. The head of my pack was a surly, no bullshit kind of man. He wouldn’t take well to me having a distraction.

Well, he could fuck off. I hadn’t been this happy in a long time. Not since all the bullshit in Salt Lake.

Granger nodded at me. “Okay, just make sure you give him a call. He’ll start getting worried.”

I nodded before turning to leave. I had no intention of calling Zach anytime soon. He would burst my bubble and ruin what little happiness I had at the moment.

I hadn’t bothered to shower, partly because I was in a rush to go find Molly, so I had thrown on a T-shirt and jeans. I also knew the smell of me all worked up did something to her, even if she refused to admit it. Her sweet scent didn’t lie.

I didn’t even knock before entering the medical room. A dick move, I know, but if I saw her in a tiny little cami top again, I wouldn’t complain.

There was no scantily clad omega this time. Just Molly being her usual beautiful self. She was indeed wearing a jersey as she sat on the medical table, the arm of her shirt rolled up while Connor checked her over.

Her hair was down and falling around her shoulders in waves. Her face was flushed and she smiled as she looked at me.

“Grayson! You’re done already?”

“Yeah, have you eaten? We could grab something.”

Connor coughed, a smirk on his face. “You know, now you mention it, I haven’t eaten. How nice of you to ask, Grayson.” He put his hand over his heart and looked at me with puppy dog eyes. Little shit was playing with me.

The beautiful sound of Molly’s giggle reached my ears.

Okay, maybe I wouldn’t punch Connor.

“I could eat,” Molly admitted as I looked at her, ignoring Connor.

“Good. How are you healing?”

“Connor says I’m doing well.” She looked at Connor in confirmation, and he nodded as he rolled down the sleeve of her jersey.

“She is—honestly, my best work yet. There may not even be a scar.”

I liked that. Not that the scarring was ugly to me, but I knew the large raised red line made Molly feel self-conscious. She always hid it, and whenever her sleeve rose enough to show it, she quickly tugged the sleeve down.

“Good. If you’re all done, you want to head out now?” Molly nodded and hopped down off the table. “I like the jersey, by the way.”

She beamed at me. “Thank you. Alexis picked it up for me.” She did a little twirl and that’s when I noticed the name on the back—Jensen.

Why the fuck was she wearing another man’s name across her back? I had stupidly assumed she was wearing my name.

“Con, give us a minute,” I said.

Connor smirked at me. He knew exactly what was angering me. “Sure, I’ve got to go grab a spare knee brace, anyway.” He gave Molly a quick hug, which did nothing to quell the rising anger and desperation to claim Molly. Show the world she was mine.

“Hey, are you okay?” Molly asked as she turned to look at me, confusion flittering across her face. I wanted to reassure her, but I had other, more pressing, matters on my mind.

Striding over to her, I ignored her little sound of confusion as I slipped my hands around her waist, under the jersey. I lifted it off her in one swift movement, leaving her standing there in only her plain black bra, a look of shock on her face.

“Grayson!” she whisper-yelled at me, her eyes wide in horror as her hands flew to her chest to cover herself. Too late. I had already seen and was hard as fuck. My only reply was to throw the jersey across the room, stride back over to my bag, and pull out the jersey I had just worn.

Usually, the team took the jerseys to auction off or give to raffle winners. I was so glad I had the jersey I had worn today.

Molly looked at me with wide eyes, her sweet, syrupy peach scent drenching the room. I knew I was hard enough to break rock, and she could probably see my boner through my jeans, but I was beyond caring.

Thankfully, she was so startled, she didn’t fight me as I pulled my jersey over her head, threading her arms through the holes. Her eyes darkened as the scent of the jersey assaulted her senses.

Now not only was my name on her, but she was also covered in my scent.

“Much better,” I said while she gaped at me. I cupped the back of her neck and pulled her in for a bruising kiss, the fucking delicious peach taste driving me wild.

Pulling back, I rested my forehead on hers as she panted lightly. “What just happened?” she asked in a breathy voice.

“You were wearing another man’s name,” I said with a grin. “I couldn’t allow that.”

“It was the only jersey I had.”

“Now you have an even better, game-worn, one.”

“You, erm, you saw . . .” She trailed off, blushing furiously. Though my hands had explored, I hadn’t actually seen her topless yet, and it occurred to me that she was probably shy about that.

“Yep.” I smiled down at her, once again kissing her forehead. “I did see, and you’re fucking beautiful, and I’m going to be hard all night. Now, what do you want to eat?”

Molly looked adorable staring at me with wide eyes while her brain short-circuited. I could practically see the wheels turning behind her eyes, and I knew her well enough to know that if I didn’t nip this in the bud, she would spiral in her own thoughts.

“I think some good old-fashioned burgers are in order,” I told her. “What was that place you mentioned that had the peanut butter and jelly burger? I want to try that.”

“Uh, sure,” Molly whispered.

“Perfect. Come on, beautiful.” I tugged her out of the room. I could tell from her scent that she wasn’t distressed, only confused and horny.

Connor was in the hallway, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, a smirk plastered across his face. “Have I just acquired a Jensen jersey?” he asked.

“Burn it.” I laughed, tugging Molly out of the arena.

Molly regained some of her composure once we were outside. “Don’t do that again,” she growled.

“Do what?” I asked innocently.

“You know what,” she grumbled.

“Well, wear the right jersey next time. I don’t like seeing another man’s name on you. I promise I’ll ask next time I rip your shirt off, and I can promise, next time, it won’t be to put another jersey on.”

“Grayson!” she cried. “You’re insufferable.”

“Nope, I am just crazy for you, Peach.”

I could smell her slick and didn’t say anything, to avoid embarrassing her, but walking along the street, hand in hand—because I had refused to let her hand go after pulling her out of the arena—while she wore my name on my back and smelled so sweet . . . Well, I felt ten feet tall.

“You’re too far away,” I said, reaching down and grabbing the back of Molly’s chair, pulling her towards me until her thigh was pressed up against me. Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open.

Don’t think about her mouth too much. Behave.

“Much better!” I smiled, picking up my burger and taking a large bite while my free hand rested on her thigh. The urge to touch her was strong, I couldn’t resist, and she didn’t tense up or object.

Molly only picked at her food, taking small, bird-like bites. She needed to eat more; she had been sick. The conversation had mainly been about practice, Molly getting better, and classes. Most of her sentences were short, and she seemed a little out of it.

“Molly?” I called her name. She had been staring into space for a moment.

She shook herself out of her daydream. “Oh, sorry,” she apologised softly.

“Are you okay?” I asked. She still looked slightly pale.

“I am. I’m having a great time. I think I’m tired,” she tried to assure me.

“You’re still recovering, that makes sense. How about we grab dessert to go? That way, you can curl up in your nest with cheesecake and that grumpy potato rabbit of yours?”

“That sounds perfect,” she sighed. The temptation to ask to join was overwhelming.

“Can we do this again?” I asked, my heart rate increasing. What if she said no? I was used to women throwing themselves at me. I had never really been in a position where I had been told no by a member of the fairer sex.

Molly smiled. “I think I would like that.”

“How about food from that take-out-only place you told me about? We can eat at my place?”

Molly was quiet for a moment, and panic started to set in.

Had I gone too far? My chest tightened. I wanted her in my space—the idea of her in my home was exhilarating—but if she said no, I would be crushed.

“Yeah.” Molly nodded and my face broke out into a grin.

“I look forward to it, Peach.”

Chapter Ten

Molly

Throwing caution to the wind really wasn’t my strong suit, but going to Grayson’s place after only a few dates felt insane to me. Alexis was all for it, though. She’d been a hundred percent Team Grayson when I told her.

Three nights after the game, I learned that Grayson’s place was beautiful. Right next to the water, his flat was on the eighth floor, with a balcony that overlooked the river. When I had agreed to dinner at his place, I had imagined something nice, but not this nice.

I wasn’t naive. I knew that coming to Grayson’s place could quite possibly lead to some heavy petting or even more.

Grayson wasn’t going to hurt me—break my heart, possibly, but he wouldn’t ever intentionally hurt me. And that was all the reassurance I needed.

The kitchen was sleek and modern, and everything was decorated in cool grey tones. I shamelessly snooped while he brought the food containers in.

“Allergic to colour?” I laughed as I wandered through the apartment, trailing after him.

“It came like this. I haven’t had time to do any decorating yet,” he said as he put the take-out containers on the counter, pulling out the boxes.

“Where are the plates?” I asked. He nodded towards a cupboard behind him, and I easily found two plates and handed them to him, so he could plate them up.

“What do you want to drink?” he asked, ducking to open the fridge as I rustled up some cutlery.

“Water, please.” My stomach hadn’t been agreeable for the last few days, and I had been feeling off. Thankfully, my heat wouldn’t be for another week or two, so I was likely coming down with the flu. Yay.

Grayson grabbed a bottle of water and carried it over to the table with the plates as I trailed behind him with the cutlery.

He sat next to me, and when I took my seat, he frowned. Leaning forward, he touched my forehead lightly. “You’re feeling warm, Peach.”

“Probably coming down with the flu. I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have come. I don’t want to make you sick.”

“Nonsense. Come on. Let’s eat on the couch and watch some trashy TV.” He guided me to the couch and sat me down, handing me my own plate before going and getting his own.

“Thank you.” I smiled before taking a bite of noodles as he picked up the TV remote and flicked through the channels.

We finally settled on a random history documentary, food spread out in front of us, and dove in.

I had my forkful of noodles halfway to my mouth when a painful cramp ripped through my stomach, so strong I dropped the utensil and whimpered in pain. Looking over to Grayson in worry, I could see his pupils were blown, his nostrils flared.

“Uh, when are you due for a heat?” he asked, clearing his throat.

“N-not for a few weeks,” I stuttered.

“I think it’s here a little early, Peach.” He got up, looking around the room almost frantically. “What do you want me to do?”

This was happening fast. Usually, there were more warning signs, and my cycle was like clockwork. There was no reason for my heat to be so early and to come on so damn fast.

“Make me come?” I asked. When he didn’t answer, only looked at me blankly, I started to blush furiously. “Uh, you don’t have to, if you don’t want to. I can go home. I’ll dose up and ride it out.” I went to stand, but another cramp and rush of slick stopped me in my tracks.

“I don’t think you’re going anywhere,” Grayson said, taking a step forward and grabbing me by the hips. “And it’s not that I don’t want to. Molly, I want to. Badly. If it were up to me, I would already be knot deep in you, making you scream.” I whimpered at that mental image. “But if you’re in pre-heat, you’re probably not exactly in the right frame of mind to consent, and I won’t be that kind of asshole—no matter how stunning you are.”

“I was already considering it,” I admitted. He didn’t look like he believed me. “Grab my phone,” I said, clutching my midsection as I took my seat again, unable to remain standing.

He looked confused but grabbed my phone, anyway. I said nothing as I dialled.

“Hello, beautiful!” Alexis’s voice rang out as I put her on speaker. “Now I gotta tal—”

“Lex!” I cut her off. “I haven’t got much time. I’m with Grayson. I . . . uh, I’m going into heat and Grayson doesn’t want to take advantage. Can you tell him what we spoke about last week, about my heat?”

“Do you need me to get you? Oh, your heat? You said you were seriously thinking about spending your heat with the hot hockey god.”

“You called me the hot hockey god?” Grayson gave me a lopsided smile as I glowered at him.

“Lex likes to embellish.”

“Either way, she was giving some serious thought to going to pound town with you. If she’s asking you to diddle her fiddle, then this isn’t the heat talking. I can’t believe you’re actually calling me! You’re a sweet one, Grayson. I’ll leave her in your capable hands, but I swear to god, Wood, I know where you live, and I will make your life a living hell if you upset my girl, okay? You can still skate with only one testicle.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He was grinning like a lunatic.

“Also, she’s got the implant—she is 100% safe from making pups—so go have loads of messy, sticky fun! I’m jealous! Oh, and Molly, babe, don’t worry. I’ll take care of Potato—I’m going to stay in the next few nights, anyway.”

I sighed in relief. I hadn’t even thought about Potato! I was a rubbish bunny mother. I was lucky Alexis was such a good friend.

Alexis hung up, and I threw the phone on the sofa, turning back to Grayson with a pleading look as another shockingly powerful cramp started ripping through me. “Okay, now that’s out of the way, are you going to make me come, or shall I go find another alpha to help? Because I’m too far gone for suppressant meds, and I will go crazy soon if I don’t get a knot.”

“Say less,” Grayson said, crawling onto the sofa and over me until his cock rested between my legs, teasing me with the sweet friction.

“Hurts,” I whined. “Please don’t make me wait.” I didn’t want foreplay. I was more than ready.

“Okay,” Grayson soothed. His hand flew to my thigh, pushing the skirt of my dress up. Now I was thankful I had worn a dress. Shimmying out of jeans would have been a real pain in the ass at that moment.

My train of thought was derailed when Grayson’s fingers slipped into my very sensible, full coverage underwear and started flicking my clit. Electricity radiated through my body, and my back arched as I both tried to get away from the intense sensation and craved more at the same time.

“Holy shit,” Grayson ground out as he peppered my neck with kisses. “So fucking hot and wet. You’re more than ready for me, aren’t you, Peach?”

I wanted to touch him, to feel him, but I was so lost in what he was doing to my body that I could only clutch on to his arms and moan loudly.

He removed his hand, but before I could complain, I felt the head of his cock pressing against my folds. Yes, please!

He must have pushed his pants down and freed himself while I was lost in the myriad of sensations, truly distracted.

“Are you sure, Peach?” he asked one last time as a particularly vicious cramp rippled across my midsection, making me shake with the intensity.

“Please, make the pain stop!”

Grayson’s only answer was to push forward, slowly sinking inch by maddening inch. I didn’t want slow and steady. I wanted fast, full, and hard. But I would take what I could get.

Trent had been an alpha, but he had been a soft alpha. He had the cocky attitude of an alpha, but none of the strength to back it up. At times, he came across more like a beta, but I would have never admitted that to him. Alphas like Grayson had a way of dominating things once they entered an omega’s life, and I had been waiting until the right one came along. Someone who I’d had many conversations with, someone whose plans and ideals lined up with my own.

Grayson and I hadn’t known each other for long at all, but in the few short weeks of us talking, I had grown to like him and trust him enough to get me through this heat. Soon enough, I would be falling into the delirium, unable to think beyond my desire for knots and coming. Grayson would look after me—I was sure of it.

It took far longer than I would have liked for Grayson’s hips to sit flush with mine. I felt so full, impossibly so. It was maddeningly good. I could feel the start of his knot forming at the base, teasing my opening even further.

“Fuck me, nothing has ever felt this good,” Grayson murmured as he pushed my hair out of my face, placing a sweet, slow kiss on my lips. He remained still inside me as the kiss grew in intensity. Sweet peppermint filled my senses. He tasted like he had been living on nothing but saccharine mints, and it was delicious. Did this man ever have bad breath? I doubted it. I could kiss him every day for the rest of my life.

My hips started gyrating, seeking out that delicious friction only his cock could give me. “So good,” I agreed with him.

When he pulled out slowly, I wanted to cry at the loss. I felt so empty, almost cold. In the absence of his cock, I could feel the cramps preparing to rage havoc on my body again.

Thankfully, Grayson didn’t make me wait. This time, his thrust was faster, the head of his cock hitting that spot inside me that made my body break out into electric tingles. Repeatedly.

His thrusts were careful, measured. His control was excellent, but I wanted him to lose control.

“Please, alpha, I need to come,” I whined.

Calling him alpha seemed to do the trick. His eyes darkened and his thrusts increased.

“I want your cum. I want you to fill me, please.” My words were a shock to myself. I had never been a . . . shall we say chatty participant when it came to sex. I was usually a lot more quiet, but the sensations Grayson was drawing out of me were making me feel downright feral.

The pace increased until it was a frenzy, our hips crashing together roughly. When Grayson’s fingers found my clit, my orgasm overtook me, hurtling me off the edge as I spasmed around his cock.

Grayson let out a guttural groan at the sensation and followed me shortly after, his cock pulsing as he locked into me. The stretch was the best part. I thought I had felt full when Grayson had first thrust into me, but that was nothing compared to the stretch of a knot. Locked together with such intense pressure, my orgasm stretched on a lot longer than it ever had before until I was a twitching, panting mess under Grayson.

We both took a moment to catch our breaths, looking at each other in amazement.

Grayson flipped us over, so he was sitting up on the couch with me splayed across his lap, facing him, his cock still deeply knotted inside me.

“That,” Grayson panted, “was fucking incredible.”

I could only nod as I tried to catch my breath. I nuzzled my face into his neck as he gently stroked my hair. The more primal part of me wanted my scent all over this alpha, and he was smiling and letting me do it.

“We should have made it to the bed.” Grayson chuckled. “Or at least taken our clothes off.”

I snorted. I was still in my dress, skirt hiked to my hips, and he still wore his T-shirt and jeans, pushed down just enough so his cock could spring free.

“I’m all sweaty now,” I admitted with a blush.

Grayson’s answering smirk was beautiful. He was clearly pleased with himself. “Come on, let’s get clean.”

“We are kind of attached.” I blushed, unable to look him in the eye.

“That’s okay.” He smiled, standing with ease. My arms flew around his neck, and my legs wrapped around his hips. He didn’t even break a sweat as he made his way to the bathroom, setting me on the counter, all while still buried deep inside of me.

“Sorry that was so fast, Peach.” He kissed my forehead.

“Don’t apologise. That was exactly what I needed.”

Grayson pulled off his shirt and kicked off his jeans, all while buried inside me. It was an impressive feat.

“Can I take off your dress?” he asked. I nodded. His hands slid under my skirt as I lifted my arms to make it easier for him. “No bra?” he asked with a smirk as his eyes were glued to my nipples.

We were totally naked. It shouldn’t have embarrassed me, considering he was knotted in me and had made me come harder than I ever had, but old habits died hard.

“The dress doesn’t work with one,” I mumbled.

“Oh, I am not complaining,” he said softly as his hand drifted to my chest, outlining a nipple. “You’ve got amazing breasts.”

I hadn’t even seen his cock, only felt it practically splitting me in two. I would need to rectify that, asap.

He lifted me again and walked us to the shower, deftly turning it on with one hand while I was still wrapped around him, one of his hands cupping my ass to him. Waiting until the water warmed, he stepped in, pressing me gently against the cool tiled wall.

His cock was starting to soften as he grabbed some soap in one hand, running it over my chest as he explored, his gaze hungry. Hands cleaned my sides, my legs, and he even insisted on washing my hair.

Halfway through the shower, he had deflated enough to slip out, a rush of his cum leaking down my leg as he did so.

“Fuck, that’s hot,” he mumbled, watching as his cum trailed down my leg.

He washed me thoroughly with soft touches, his hands gliding over every inch of my skin.

Once on my own two feet, I returned the favour, washing his chest, his arms, his shoulders, all very slowly, until I reached the part of him I was curious about.

His cock.

His very large cock.

“Holy shit,” I whispered. “That fit in me?” I asked in a baffled voice. There was no way; that thing was huge. I had played with alpha toys, and they were bigger than the average beta, but when my hand reached down to touch Grayson’s cock, I couldn’t even wrap my fingers fully around him.

“You are doing wonders for my confidence, Peach.” Grayson smirked at me. The smirk fell into a look of pure hunger as I slowly and methodically cleaned his cock, pumping my hand across the length of him several times.

I needed to taste him before my heat was over. His kisses tasted like peppermint—would his cock?

“Fuck me. As amazing as that is, Peach, we need to get you fed before you fall deeper into your heat.” Grayson pulled back as I made a low, unhappy noise. “Don’t whine at me, young lady.” His eyes narrowed playfully.

We rinsed each other off, and Grayson gave me a long-sleeve T-shirt to wear as we padded to the kitchen to find food. He wore a simple pair of grey sweatpants with no top, so every ridge of his defined chest was on display. Yum. I wanted to lick it.

“You can do that later.” Grayson laughed. My face heated up as I gaped at him. Had I said that out loud?

Sitting at the breakfast bar, I shifted nervously in my seat. Grayson vanished and came back a moment later with several bags in his hands.

“What’s all that?” I asked.

“I ordered some food when you called Alexis. I wanted to make sure I had more to feed you than protein bars and broccoli,” he said, looking rather shy all of a sudden.

My heart warmed at the gesture. He had been concerned about my welfare during the heat and not just thinking about the fun he could have. “Thank you.” I smiled at him as he pulled out several containers and loaded them into the fridge.

“You should probably have something a little carb heavy to prepare for what’s coming,” he said, looking at each packet as he placed them in the fridge. “Carbonara?”

“That sounds delightful!” I nodded enthusiastically. I still had somewhat of an appetite, but that wouldn’t last long.

“How are you feeling now?” Grayson asked as he popped the meal prep container in the microwave before grabbing a bottle of water and handing it to me over the kitchen island. “Drink, you need to stay hydrated,” he ordered. I did as he told me and snapped off the lid, taking several long sips as I waited for the food.

“I’m feeling okay, still a little feverish and a little, uh—”

“Horny?” Grayson asked with a smirk.

“Yes.” My face was probably beet red.

“Don’t be embarrassed, Peach. I’m constantly hard around you.” He gestured to his sweatpants where, sure enough, there was a prominent bulge.

My eyes must have lingered for a second too long because Grayson spoke again. “My eyes are up here, Peach.” He laughed. “You can play with it after you’ve eaten.”

Heat pooled in my belly. I wanted that. I wanted to play with him. I wanted his knot back in me, stretching me so much, it felt like I was going to be split in two.

A bowl of delicious-smelling pasta was placed in front of me as I daydreamed about Grayson and all the filthy things he could do to me.

“Eat,” he commanded. “Play time later.”

The pasta was far nicer than any microwave pasta I had ever eaten. It was rich, creamy, with perfectly seasoned, salty bacon bits in it. I quickly demolished it as Grayson ate his own bowl at a more leisurely pace.

“This is amazing,” I moaned.

“That sound isn’t fair.” Grayson chucked. “I’m trying to be a gentleman, and you’re moaning like that.”

“Ooops?” I asked rather than stated, biting back a grin. My omega was thrilled I could affect him so much.

“Eat your pasta,” he ordered again.

As I was finishing the last few bites, a bowl of chopped up fruit was placed in front of me. I hadn’t even noticed Grayson getting it, because I had been so absorbed in the delicious noodly goodness in front of me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, picking up the bowl and grabbing an apple slice.

By the time I had finished the bowl, exhaustion was creeping in. Being knotted had taken it out of me.

“Let’s get you to bed.” Grayson padded around the island, his bare feet slapping on the hardwood flooring. I went to stand and follow him, but before my feet even hit the ground, I was swept up into his arms. “You need to rest,” he insisted with a shrug as he carried me to his bedroom.

The room was bursting with that sweet peppermint fragrance. It put me at ease, made me feel safe. The bed was large, with black cotton sheets that were far softer than they had any right to be. Grayson placed me on the bed, crawling in after me and pulling me into his arms.

I had intended to talk, get to know the alpha a little more before the heat haze really hit, but once I was wrapped up in his arms, the world seemed to fall away and I quickly drifted into oblivion.

Chapter Eleven

Grayson

How did I get so fucking lucky? Molly was not only in my apartment, but she was going to be staying with me throughout her entire heat.

I didn’t deserve it, but fuck was I going to look after her. When I had first filled her with my cock, I worried that I was going to lose my mind. She had been so warm and wet, strangling my cock in a way no female had ever done before. Combined with that maddeningly sweet peach scent, I was obsessed.

For the first time in months, I felt genuine happiness. My life had been one disaster after another, but when I was with Molly, I felt good. I never wanted to let her go.

Only, in a few months, I would have to go home. It was widely known that my contract was only for one season—no team was willing to bet on me for longer. My pack was waiting for me. Even though we’d been on the outs for several months, we still craved being together.

Molly had mentioned she was a one alpha kind of girl, and while that made me sad, there was no point in worrying about what could have been. I knew it was for the best. We could see her heat out together and go our separate ways.

It would be painful to walk away, but it was best for both of us.

Said stunning omega was snoring softly in my arms. I had never let a female stay over in my bed before—I liked my space and had always worried that a female would change it too much, hog the sheets, make it smell wrong, or irritate me in general.

Molly was another story entirely. She made my bedroom better. Peppermint peach was officially my favourite scent—the smell of us combined.

I never wanted to wash my sheets again. The idea of them only smelling like me made my alpha growl in irritation. She was so soft, comfortable. Rest was easy with her plastered against me. How did I ever sleep before her?

Shy and whitty, this omega had enamoured me. Compared to the overly polished, princessy omega Zach had been pushing on us, she was a breath of fresh air—and I was a suffocating man.

What would the others think of her? She and Mav would get on like a house on fire, and Nils would probably be glued to her side. Zach was the wild card. He craved control so badly, he would probably upset my Peach.

I shook myself mentally. There was no point imagining Molly with my pack—it was never going to happen. She had a life here, and I had a life back in America. After the season, I would go back, do my best to get back into at least one of the lower leagues, and pay my penance.

For now, though, I would enjoy the next few days with Molly and let myself be happy for the first time in almost a year.

I was dreaming. It was a filthy dream, revolving around Molly being spread out in the locker room for me to feast on after a game, wearing my number on her back. She was grabbing my hair and making those adorable keening little whimpers as she begged for me to fuck my cum into her.

No dream had ever felt so good, and I realised why when my eyes flew open, looking down to see Molly on her knees in front of me in bed, my cock sliding in and out of her throat with ease.

“Fuck! Molly, baby,” I moaned. How long had she been there? I was already close. Her tongue flicking my head made me want to fuck my cum into every hole she had.

Molly’s eyes were glassy as she looked up at me. The heat haze was starting to take over. During that phase of a heat, omegas became singularly focused on one thing—sex. And lots of it.

Who was I to deny her?

“Fuck, I’m close!” I moaned, my hands fisting in the sheets so I didn’t grab her hair and fuck her face like my every instinct wanted. “Peach, you need to move, I’m going to—”

She doubled down on her efforts, refusing to stop. When she looked up at me, playfully grinning around my cock, I was done for.

My balls tightened, and I felt the heat licking at the base of my spine as I erupted into her mouth. She didn’t even hesitate, gulping down every drop with enthusiasm.

I stared at the ceiling, panting, trying to regain my bearings. How the fuck did I get so lucky?

Molly sucked and licked me clean, giggling every time she hit a sensitive spot that made me spasm. When she eventually let go of my cock, she smirked up at me. “Good morning,” she giggled, while blushing.

“Aren’t I supposed to be doing that to you?” I asked breathlessly.

“I had an urge.” She shrugged, not looking me in the face. “Is that okay?” she asked, nerves creeping into her voice.

I sat up, grabbing her forearm and dragging her up so she was in my lap, her core pressed against my already semi-hard cock. My recovery time was practically non-existent around her.

“That is more than okay, Peach. Use me however the fuck you want. I’m ready and willing.” I thrust my hips up slightly, smiling when she moaned. “I don’t know if I should taste you or knot you first,” I admitted.

“Knot.” Molly nodded enthusiastically.

My hand fisted in the hair at the back of her neck as I pulled her in for a kiss. She tasted like me, and I didn’t give a single shit. In fact, I liked it—I wanted to mark her inside and out. Coat her so thoroughly in my own scent that no other alpha would come within a mile of her.

I was going to take a moment to enjoy her taste, but Molly had other ideas. Lifting her hips up, she managed to slide herself down on me with ease. There was so much slick, my sheets were drenched in her. Good.

“Alpha,” she moaned as she sat on my cock, gyrating her hips.

“Take what you need,” I told her, leaning back to enjoy the show.

Within seconds, her walls were clenching around me as she came for the first time with a satisfied moan. One wasn’t enough. The moment her walls eased, she started rocking herself on me with abandon again.

I hadn’t been able to look at her body when I first knotted her, since we had kept the majority of our clothes on. This time was entirely different. Molly’s sweet, perky breasts bobbed with every movement. Her head was thrown back in ecstasy as she took what she wanted from me, exposing her throat in a way that made my teeth hurt with the urge to bite it. Claim her.

I couldn’t bite her. Biting was a forever sort of thing, and as much as I wanted to claim Molly as mine and never let anyone else near her, it wasn’t meant to be. Mentally berating myself, I switched my focus back to her chest, deciding that I needed a taste.

Leaning forward, I took one of the rosy nipples in my mouth, kissing it before biting down on it lightly. When her walls spasmed around me and slick rushed around my cock, I knew she liked that. No, she loved it.

Following her lead and her moans, I placed several open-mouth kisses across her chest, nipping occasionally as she worked herself into a frenzy on my cock. It didn’t take long for the familiar tingling sensation to start in my spine, and the familiar stretch of my knot formed as her walls fluttered around me while she came with a long, low moan.

With both of us drenched in sweat, I cupped her ass cheeks, aiding her movement that had become disjointed after two orgasms.

“One more, Peach, then I’ll knot you,” I told her.

“Too much. Knot me now,” she moaned.

“Use those fingers on your pretty pussy and make yourself come. One more, then you get my knot, omega.”

She whined, but her fingers slid down to play with her clit, her walls fluttering around me once again. She was getting close. Thank god, because I wasn’t sure I could hold back my own orgasm much longer.

“Come for me, omega,” I instructed, my voice guttural with need.

Her movements became frenzied as she chased yet another orgasm. I didn’t want to finish before her. I needed to wear her out to help her heat.

This was why most omegas had packs; they could tag team this shit. I was probably going to need IV fluids by the time Molly had drained me dry—not that I was complaining.

Molly threw her head back as her body was overtaken with the spasms from the intensity of her orgasm. My cock felt like it would fall off from the sheer strength of her pussy walls clamping down on me as my knot expanded. Holding her hips to me in a bruising grip, I held her in place while my knot inflated and she writhed and moaned in pleasure on top of me.

Knotting was fun, but knotting Molly was phenomenal. She was perfect, clenching my knot in a mind-numbingly good way. No one had ever felt that good. I would never get enough of filling her with my cum. Her every reaction was perfection.

Molly slouched down, her head on my chest, panting heavily as I tried to catch my own breath.

“Well, good morning to you!” I laughed.

She looked up at me, laughter in her eyes as I wound my arms around her. “Was that okay?” Her eyes were still hazy.

“Fuck, yes. I’m yours to do with what you want.”

Molly hummed in appreciation. “Okay. Rest, then knot again?”

“You’ve got it.”

I had died and gone to heaven. There was no other way to describe it. We could have been in bed for days or even weeks. Time stood still with her. I occasionally clambered out of bed to grab food and bully her into eating before she begged for my knot again.

She was insatiable. My cock had hardly left her warmth, even when we were sleeping. She would wake me, begging for knots.

I was exhausted, so she must have been feeling absolutely wiped.

We had fucked in every way imaginable—her on top, me on top, her bent over and presenting that beautiful slick pussy to me. I swore that one had been a religious experience.

As the heat went on, she had lost all embarrassment, demanding and taking whatever she wanted from me. I woke up to her riding my cock or with her mouth or hand around me.

“Alpha. It hurts.”

The whine pulled me from the light sleep I had fallen into. I had hardly slept, but neither had she. After this was over, we needed a good long, snuggly sleep session. Had there ever been a time my room hadn’t smelled like peppermint and peach? Because I sure as fuck didn’t remember it.

Cracking my eyes open, I saw Molly kneeling next to me in bed, her tangled waves mussed around her head, eyes wide and watering. She had the blanket around her and was biting her lip.

The room smelled so strongly of her perfume, I knew immediately what she needed. Pulling her in for a kiss, I wasted no time in getting her under me, my hips nestled between her legs. She was clearly in pain, and if I could stop it, no amount of exhaustion would stand in my way.

“Don’t worry sweetheart, I’ll knot you,” I soothed her.

She opened her legs impossibly far, begging for entrance. “Knot!” she agreed with a nod.

My cock met zero resistance. At this point, she was so wet that I could fuck her in any position, and my cock would slide right in to her sweet, vice-like pussy.

Molly hummed in happiness as my hips fell flush with hers. I didn’t hesitate, didn’t make her wait. I started thrusting with sharp, measured thrusts, watching her face to ensure I was hitting that spot that made her lose her mind.

“Alpha!” she whimpered, her hand fisting in the hair at the nape of my neck. The feeling of her nails digging into my arm was a drug, pushing me to go harder, faster. To fuck, fill, and claim.

When Molly opened her mouth again, she said those words that had been driving me insane. “Please! Bite. Alpha, I need your bite.”

I focused on making her come, my fingers dancing over her clit. “Not right now, sweet girl.”

Not at all—but if I said that to her now, her omega would see that as a rejection and get upset.

Pulling out of her, I flipped her onto her stomach, lifting her hips so I could plunge back in. Her ass looked fantastic from this angle, so full and fuckable. Maybe after this heat, I could play with her there. Molly was shy, but if this heat had shown me anything, it was that she was the most sexy fucking creature I had ever encountered.

Bending over her, I pinned her wrists next to her face, caging her under me as I set a punishing pace from behind. Every thrust made a lewd, indecent wet sound that was music to my ears. That was the sound of her all messy with my cum and her slick.

“Bite me, please. Need bite,” she babbled. My gums hurt from resisting, but I could control myself.

Until she bit me first.

I had been so focused on knotting her from behind, I hadn’t realised that Molly had leaned over to my wrist and sunk her teeth into the skin.

My body reacted without thinking. My pace became impossibly fast as I roared, leaning over, my teeth sinking into the juncture between her neck and shoulder without a thought.

White hot pleasure burst through my body, and Molly gave a keening scream as she fell apart violently as my cock expanded within her, unleashing rope after rope of cum deep inside her.

I collapsed, rolling us so we were on our sides. A deep, disconcerting feeling settled in my chest.

I could feel her.

I wanted to talk to her, to explain, but she was already passed out, and I wasn’t far behind. Looking down at her, I saw the crescent-shaped bite mark marring her smooth skin.

Fuck.

We had bonded.

Chapter Twelve

Molly

Iwas exhausted. I had no idea how long I had slept for, but I woke with a deep exhaustion in my bones. The last few days were a blur of cock and orgasms, and I felt delectably sore. Next to me, Grayson was still fast asleep, the blanket covering his hips, his arm thrown over his eyes as he snored softly. Smiling at his sleeping form, I extracted myself from the makeshift nest and grabbed the first fabric item on the floor my hand reached—one of Grayson’s T-shirts—and slipped it on so I wasn’t completely naked wandering around his apartment.

Padding over to the bathroom, I felt a weird tug at my chest, and it tightened. I was feeling all out of sorts, but I chalked it up to the heat and the fuck fest.

In the bathroom, I grabbed the mouthwash and gargled. I had no idea when I’d last brushed.

Once I spat out the mouthwash, I took a look at myself in the mirror. My hair was pure chaos. I would have to tame that as soon as possible, but I was so tired.

Then I noticed the bite mark.

Leaning forward, I tugged on the neckline, exposing the red and raised bite that was already healing.

Fuck.

Fucking fuck.

I took a step back, my mind running through all the various things we had done. It had been hazy. I had been in and out of it.

Pacing the bathroom, I cursed that I didn’t have my phone to call Lex. I needed to talk to someone. How badly had I fucked up? My chest felt impossibly tight, and my vision blurred in panic.

We couldn’t have bonded; that wasn’t possible. Bonding was more binding than marriage. Running my hands through my hair, I did my best to catch my breath. I stopped pacing to return to the mirror and check my neck again, like the mark might have magically vanished in the last thirty seconds.

It was still there. Even once it healed, there would still be a silvery scar. All bonding marks stayed visible; they never fully healed.

“No, no, no,” I muttered, furiously rubbing at the mark. Tears gathered in my eyes. “This can’t be real.”

I felt his presence before I saw or heard him. I felt it deep in my chest, the knowledge that Grayson was getting nearer to me—and my omega was happy with that.

If I focused, I could feel Grayson’s worry, his concern . . . but also his happiness.

Why on earth was he happy?

“It’s real, Peach,” Grayson spoke from the doorway.

I spun to face him. He leaned against the doorframe, looking very tired and rumpled, his arms crossed. He had thrown on sweatpants and had no right to look that good, given the gravity of the situation.

“What the hell did you do?” I screeched, pointing at my neck.

“You bit me first,” he said, lifting his hand up. Sure enough, there was a bite mark, just like the one on my neck, across his wrist. His face was serious, no hint of a smile.

Crap.

I started this? A bite from an omega was pretty much the same as laying down the gauntlet. Not many alphas would have been able to resist that.

“You weren’t in heat!” I accused. “You should have been able to maintain control.”

“I’m sorry, Molly. I kept it together every time you begged me to bite you, which was goddamned hard, but the moment you bit me, I lost all sense of reality.” His eyes raked over me, and I wanted to shout, to throw something at him. “I was pretty much gone in a rut.”

Fuck, that made sense. Neither of us were really at fault.

This was meant to be a bit of fun, finally spending my heat with an alpha, instead of avoiding my shitty ex. Instead, I found myself in a much more dire situation.

“Well, we need to break this,” I said desperately, waving at my neck. “There’s got to be a way!”

“I think this is kind of permanent, Peach. If it was one-sided, there may have been a way . . .”

“No! It can’t be.” I started to sob, loud messy sobs. Raking my hand through my hair, I looked around the room, as if the answer would appear between the toothpaste and the face wash.

“Molly.” Grayson kept his voice low and soothing as he reached for me, but I jumped out of the way.

“No, we can undo this. With space …”

“I can feel your panic, Peach. Physically feel it in my chest.” He put his hand over his heart as he spoke. “We are bonded. There’s nothing we can do about it right now.” He strode up to me, gently grasping my upper arms, his thumbs rubbing the skin. “You need to eat and shower. We can talk and sort everything out once you’re more comfortable, okay?”

“What are we going to do?” I asked, my voice almost silent as I hiccuped from the tears. “You’ve got your career and I’ve got classes. We’ve never spoken about the future . . .”

“We will make this work, Peach. However we need to.”

I nodded numbly but didn’t really mean it.

We were fucked, and not in the fun way.

Chapter Thirteen

Molly

Nothing was resolved.

Not truly.

Grayson had spent most of the morning trying to reassure me that things would work out without actually making any plans. We had both dozed off, exhausted after my heat, so when I woke before him, I decided to find some caffeine.

The coffee machine was stupidly expensive, and it took me a few tries to get it working. As it chugged away, I opened a few cupboards, ravenous. When had I last eaten? I knew Grayson had made me eat at regular intervals throughout my heat, but I was downright ravenous now. Heats tended to make me hungry, but this was more extreme than usual. The kitchen smelled liked buttered popcorn, rich and indulgent.

As I was reaching up to one of the tall shelves to grab a box of cereal, a deep, playful American voice spoke behind me. “Well, who are you?”

I spun around with a squeal. A strange alpha stood in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed and smirking at me. His blond hair was short, and the fabric of his grey T-shirt was stretched across his muscles.

“Who are you?” I asked with a squeak, ignoring that he had just asked me the same question. The rich buttery popcorn smell was emanating from him. I leaned forward, subtly taking a deep breath.

“Maverick, Grayson’s packmate. I imagine you’re the reason he’s skipped practice the last few days? I must say, this place smells divine. I’m jealous of the fucker. You look and smell lovely.”

“Packmate?” I asked, perplexed. “Grayson doesn’t have a pack. He would have told me if he did . . .” I trailed off.

Realisation dawned on Maverick’s face. “Ah, he definitely does have a pack, sweetheart.”

I staggered back a step. “In America?” I asked in a quiet voice.

“Yeah, we all live out in California, though we actually come from the Midwest.”

My hand flew to my neck. If Grayson had a pack in America, that meant he had to return to America, which, thanks to the bonding, meant I would have to go with him. Grayson has a pack? In America.

Why hadn’t he told me? Did he never plan for me to stick around long enough to find out? Maverick took a step forward, arms outreached as I wobbled slightly. “Shit. He didn’t tell you anything, did he? Are you still in heat? Fuck. You should be resting. Sit down.” His eyes zeroed in on my neck, on the scar.

“Fuck. Is that . . .?” he asked, mouth opening and closing as he searched for the right words.

“I, uh, I need to go,” I stammered, trying to get my bearings. My head was swimming, and I was still in the finishing stages of my heat and not fully lucid.

“Peach, why did you leave? I was—” Grayson cut off as he entered the room, scratching the back of his neck sleepily, noticing Maverick standing there with concern on his face.

“Mav? What the fuck are you doing here?”

Maverick glowered at him. “Zach sent me when he heard you hadn’t been at practice in days. Please don’t tell me you fucking spent a heat with an omega and bonded her without telling her that you both had a pack and were only here on a temporary basis!”

“I, no, I, uh,” Grayson stammered, trying to find his words. “I didn’t, Mav! Shut your mouth about things you know fuck all about! The bonding was an accident.”

“Well, it’s pretty clear that something crappy has happened here. She had no fucking clue you have a pack?”

“I should go,” I repeated, my ears ringing.

“No!” Grayson’s voice was firm. “Peach, you’re only just coming out of your heat. There is no way in hell I’m letting you go home when you’re in this state. We can’t separate this soon after—we’ll be in physical pain.”

“I don’t want to be here,” I whispered, looking at the floor. Hugging myself. I needed more clothing. I was far too naked around both these alphas.

“Your contract here ends in five months, Gray! Zach is negotiating a contract for us all with the Chargers to start right after! She’s going to have to come back with you. You can’t not take that contract without serious repercussions!”

“I can’t leave. I’m studying,” I told him in a quiet voice. Maverick’s look of concern and sadness was almost too much for me.

I was stupid. I had actually believed that Grayson wanted something serious, that his feelings were genuine. Instead, he had a whole life he hadn’t told me about. A life that I was now going to be subject to. His comments about possibly staying in this country were clearly bullshit, because no alpha in their right mind would leave their pack.

A warm hand cupped my elbow. Grayson.

I jerked backwards, my back hitting the counter and making me yip in pain. “Leave me alone!” I snarled. “I’m leaving.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Maverick looked at me with furrowed brows. “That probably isn’t a good idea.”

I growled. They wouldn’t let me leave. A deeper, more lucid part of my brain knew that was sensible, but I hated it.

So instead, I fled down the hallway, to one of the guest rooms, where I slammed the door, locked it, and promptly burst into tears.

I could feel how upset Grayson was, but I didn’t give a shit.

The stupid bond was my nightmare.

Chapter Fourteen

Maverick

Ilooked down the hallway at the closed door. The stunning little omega was sobbing. I could hear it, even from two rooms away.

Turning to Grayson, I snarled. “You better fucking explain right now, before I call Zach and let him know the mess you’ve made.”

His eyes widened, which was understandable, because I was usually the more easy-going type. But something about seeing the sweet omega distressed pissed me off. He had bonded her—that was a whole can of worms that we needed to figure out. The heartbreak on her face when she said she was studying . . . That was ruined now. There was no way she could stay. The entire pack had careers in California. Grayson had always been a bit of a wild card, but I never expected him to be a complete asshole.

“She’s special . . .” Grayson trailed off, eyes still on the locked door.

“Why does she have absolutely no idea you have a pack?” I asked pointedly.

“Because I didn’t tell her. I let her assume I was single,” he admitted in a small voice.

“You didn’t think to mention that before she had a heat, you fucking blockhead?”

“That wasn’t planned. She was here for dinner and went into heat suddenly. I . . . I would have told her if I had more warning.”

“What the fuck?”

“She sees me, Mav. Not the Pack Stone fuckup. She’s sweet, funny, and caring. I like her. A lot. I thought maybe, in time, she would want to meet you guys.”

“And you thought deceiving her would work in your favour?”

“Who said I was deceiving her?” Grayson shrugged. “You guys exiled me thousands of miles away. For all intents and purposes, I don’t have a pack right now, do I?” He turned to me with a glare of his own.

He didn’t feel like he had a pack? What the ever-loving fuck? Why the fuck hadn’t he spoke to us if he was feeling that way? I ignored the sting of his words. Grayson was pack. He was our family and we were all concerned about him.

“England was a last-ditch effort to save your career! What if she can’t leave?”

“I know. I know! But for the first time in a long time, I was feeling happy, and I didn’t want this to end.” He threw his hands in the air before raking them over his face. “I’ve really fucked this up, haven’t I?”

“Why the fuck didn’t you talk to us?”

“You’re all so fucking busy with your own careers. Do you really think Zach would have time to do anything other than berate me for dating? Fuck that.” He shook his head as he spoke. “You shouldn’t have come here.”

“I’m not going anywhere. It’s a fucking good thing I’m here, because our pack apparently has an omega, and it’s not the one Zach lined up for us to date.”

“Fuck you. You and I both know none of us actually had any interest in that ice bitch. I’m going to shower, then I need to see Molly.” He stormed out of the room with a growl.

Running my hand over my face, I sighed. When the fuck had our pack become such a mess? Experience meant I knew it was best to leave Grayson to cool down for a while, and frankly, I was in the mood to punch him. No matter how hurt or lost he was feeling, he should have treated the omega better.

Grabbing a bottle of water, I rummaged around in the fridge, throwing together a simple snack of apple slices, cheese, and deli meat. With sustenance in hand, I made my way over to the locked door. She was still sobbing but nowhere near as violently.

“Molly?” I knocked on the door. “It’s Maverick. Grayson is in the shower. I have a snack and some water. Will you open the door?”

The sobbing stopped and all was quiet for a moment before the lock clicked and the door opened a few inches, revealing the bedraggled omega. Her messy sex hair looked chaotic, and her eyes were red and puffy from tears. The sight of her so upset did something to me, my chest making my limbs feel numb and heavy. I did my best to ignore her bare legs in Grayson’s shirt. His scent on hers was a heady combination, and I could tell from the smells that she wasn’t wearing underwear.

“Can I come in?” I asked gently. I wanted nothing more than to pull the omega into my arms and comfort her. So soon after a heat, she was still vulnerable, and her emotions would still be running haywire. Omegas should never be left alone after a heat. Even I knew that. They would also be especially fragile after bonding. She should be glued to Gray’s side, solidifying their bond, but I understood her need for space.

Hell, I wanted space from the idiot right now.

Molly frowned at me before opening the door and retreating to the nest of blankets she had made from the bedsheets. A pang of unease filled my chest at the sight. She needed comfort, security. She was feeling emotionally distressed. The peach smell was almost sour with distress. When I had entered the apartment, it had smelled so sweet, my mouth had immediately watered and my body had reacted without thinking. I couldn’t recall when I had last been so hard. I’d wanted to drown in that smell. I could only imagine how she tasted, and I internally cursed Grayson because he had clearly managed to get a taste.

“When did you last eat?” I asked, handing her the plate.

“I dunno.” She shrugged, taking a slice of apple and nibbling on it.

“Do you need to call anyone?”

“No, I can email my professors once I get back to the dorms.”

“You’re a student?”

She nodded. “And you’re …”

“A hockey player.”

“Are all of his pack hockey players?” she asked quietly, her eyes never reaching mine.

“Kind of. Zach is the oldest and the head of the pack. He’s a retired player, and he mainly coaches and manages our careers now. Myself, Gray, and Nils are all active players, though.”

“He mentioned possibly staying in England. That was bullshit, wasn’t it?” Her bottom lip quivered, and she ran her hand over her face with an adorable little groan. “Why am I acting so pathetic over a dick?”

She stood up and started pacing the room. From where I was kneeling on the floor next to her nest of blankets, I was almost eye-level with her thighs, and I could see residual slick and cum coating them.

Think of anything else, Mav. She’s hurting, and you can’t be perverted right now.

“I’m sorry. Grayson has been known to be a bit of a dick, but this seems out there, even for him.”

“Can you take me home?” she asked in a small voice.

“If that’s what you really want, I will. It’ll be uncomfortable, though. Do you want to shower and rest a bit more first?” Pride swelled in my chest that she was comfortable enough to let me drive her home. Omegas in such a fragile state were usually more cautious about who they let near them. Then again, it wasn’t like Molly had many options. Between a stranger and someone who betrayed her, I was probably her best choice.

“I—uh. I probably need to shower, don’t I?” She crinkled her nose, taking an inhale. I knew exactly what she could smell. Sex and slick; she was coated in it. I wasn’t complaining. My dick probably wouldn’t go down for several hours, if not days, but part of me loved it. Undoubtedly, I would have to take care of myself later, possibly several times.

“There’s a shower attached to this room. Do you want me to grab you some clean clothes?”

“Uh, yeah, that’ll be nice, thank you. I think my friend dropped some of my stuff off, actually.”

“I’ll go get it,” I assured her.

“It’s the pink duffel bag in Grayson’s wardrobe.”

I only nodded in answer, getting up and making my way to the closet. Judging by the running water, Grayson was still in the shower himself. Good. I didn’t want to see him at the moment. I probably would have punched the dumbass in the face.

What a fucking mess he had gotten himself into this time. Then again, Grayson was used to getting in trouble, but I despised the fact that he had dragged a sweet, unsuspecting omega into it this time.

I handed Molly her duffel, and she disappeared into the bathroom. As soon as I heard the shower running, I picked up the phone and dialled Zach.

“Hey. Why was the knucklehead missing practice?” Zach didn’t bother with pleasantries.

“You’re going to need to come here. Gray has fucked up big time. Bring Nils.”

Zach sighed. “If it’s bad enough that we need a whole pack meeting, bring him back home. I will talk to his coach.”

“It’s not that simple. He … he bonded an omega accidentally.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah. She’s distraught. She had no idea he had a pack and wants to get as far away from him as possible.”

“We’ll be on the first plane out.”

Chapter Fifteen

Molly

Ilet myself break down into huge, ugly sobs in the shower. The water pressure was thankfully good and drowned out the sound of my cries.

How badly had I just ruined my life?

Once I was sure I had washed any trace of Grayson off my skin, I threw on a pair of leggings and a T-shirt out of the duffel bag. There weren’t any warm tops, and I knew why. Alexis would have wanted me to ask Grayson to borrow a hoodie.

If only she knew how badly things had gone to shit.

Throwing my wet hair into a bun, I slipped out of the guest bathroom and into the room I had been hiding in. Peeking my head out, Maverick and Grayson were nowhere to be seen, so I took my opportunity and slipped out of the apartment, making a beeline for the elevator.

I needed to go home, to spend some time in my own nest and get my head on straight. The ache of being away from Grayson wouldn’t be pleasant, but I would be okay. I had to be.

I kept my head down as I exited the lobby, the doorman giving me a cheery goodbye as I made my way to the path.

“Miss Bennett?” a voice called out.

Luca.

He was standing next to the car, dressed impeccably in a suit and his uniform hat. His brow furrowed at the sight of me—shit. I probably looked terrible.

“Hi Luca. I’m so sorry, but I’ve got to run,” I mumbled, preparing to dart off.

“Do you want me to drive you?” he asked kindly, his voice full of concern.

“I . . . uh. I don’t think Grayson would be very happy if you did.” A lift would have been wonderful. It was freezing and I felt so overwhelmed.

Luca snorted lighty. “I don’t give a shit what that boy thinks. Get in. I’ll drive you wherever you need to go,” he said softly, opening the car door for me.

“Thank you,” I breathed out, gratefully hopping in. Was it an asshole move to flee from Grayson using his own driver? Probably, but I didn’t have the strength to care.

“Now, if you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.” Luca’s voice was calm and steady in that fatherly way that made me want to sob and ask for help.

“Thank you,” I whispered brokenly, my eyes burning as I tried to stop the tears from starting again.

“Has Grayson done something bad? If so, I will happily report him myself.” He looked at me in the rearview mirror.

“No, it, uh . . . was a big misunderstanding. I just want to go home.”

“That, I can help you with.”

The farther and farther I got from Grayson, the more my chest tightened painfully, everything in me demanding I return.

When we pulled up to my dorm, Luca insisted I take his card and call him if I needed a lift, no matter what the time. He also assured me that he wouldn’t say a word to Grayson if I did call him. The elderly man’s kindness broke me, and I threw myself into his arms with a sob, thanking him profusely before retreating back to my dorm.

I made a beeline for my room. I could smell that Alexis was home, but I wanted my nest. My chest felt hollow, painfully so.

Throwing my duffel on the floor, I padded over to the corner of the room, opening Potato’s enclosure before jumping into my nest.

The sweet lop-eared little fluff ball followed me, hopping right into my lap as I sat on my nest. I clutched her to my chest as I quietly cried.

My door opened, and in bounded Alexis. “Molly! Tell me everything!”

That didn’t take long.

“Lex,” I whispered in a broken sob.

Her face went from a shit-eating grin to shock to fury in less than a second. “What did that fucker do? I’ll kill him myself!”

“It’s my fault.” I sobbed, shaking my head.

Alexis crawled onto my bed, so she was only inches from me, her familiar cocoa scent warming and relaxing me. “I’m sure it wasn’t your fault,” she soothed.

“I bit him … and he bit me,” I sobbed loudly.

“Wait, what are you saying?” Alexis looked me over, her eyes narrowing on the healing bite mark on my neck. “Oh, shit.”

“Yeah,” I sobbed, throwing myself into her arms and letting myself fall apart.

“I’ll fucking kill him.” She pulled back, looking me over. “Are you okay to be here?” she asked. “If you’re bonded . . .”

“It hurts, but I can’t be near him right now.”

“I know this doesn’t feel great, and you’re probably worrying about the future, but you can’t leave your alpha after you bonded him. That’s just going to make both of you suffer. You said it was an accident?”

“The bite was,” I admitted.

“Okay, we can work this out.”

“Lex, he has a pack—a pack he never told me about!”

Lex looked at me dumbly. “Wait, what? There’s been no pack with him the entire time he’s been here?”

“They all live in America. Grayson is only here temporarily. He’s contracted to return to America soon. I found out when one of his packmates turned up at the freaking apartment, wanting to know why Grayson hadn’t been at practice!”

“But if he has to go back . . .” Lex trailed off, realisation dawning on her. “Oh, fuck!”

I nodded. “We need to find a way to break this! I can’t do this—” I broke off into sobs again as Alexis held me, muttering that she was going to kill Grayson.

If only it were that simple.

“I’m going to call my aunt Emma. She’s a bonded omega—she’ll be able to tell us if there is anything we can do.”

I didn’t want to let myself hope.

An hour later, I sat in my nest, surrounded by every soft and comfortable thing I owned, Potato sitting on my lap while I scrolled through my computer.

I felt vile. My omega was feeling downright feral, insisting we go back to Grayson’s apartment. My body ached, and I was feeling lethargic. Alexis had gotten me situated with ice cream and snacks before grabbing her phone and getting to work. Everyone had been obsessed with feeding me recently.

Emma finally called us back, and the news wasn’t good.

“The law is pretty clear here—you two shouldn’t be separated. If you wanted to, you could potentially go after this alpha for coercing you during a heat, but that would be a hefty legal battle and ultimately it wouldn’t do you much good,” Emma explained once we told her about the accidental bonding.

“There’s nothing that can be done to separate us?” I asked, my voice desolate. The tears had long since run dry, and now I was in shock.

“The government would offer a chemical solution. Basically, both of you would undergo a series of injections to sever your bond—but Molly, it’s not worth it. People who go that route are mere shells of themselves. To cut yourself off from a bond, you have to pretty much ruin yourself. The safest and healthiest thing to do is to work with this alpha and figure out the best path forward. If he has any sort of decency, he’ll bend over backwards to make you comfortable.”

“Auntie Emma, he’s under contract to go back to America . . .”

“Oh my, that complicates things. Surely there is a way he can get out of it? He should be trying everything for the comfort of his omega.”

“There’s more . . .” Alexis trailed off, looking at the phone in her palm.

“Dear lord, I don’t think this situation can get much worse, Lexi.”

“He has a pack he never told Molly about.”

“Are you kidding me?!” the polite and calm Aunt Emma screeched.

“Nope,” I sobbed lightly.

“Oh, Molly, sweetheart. I am so sorry this is happening. I’ll talk to Jones—one of my alphas. He knows the law better than I do. There may be a way to ensure you can remain in England.”

“Thank you,” I replied, my voice watery.

Alexis took me off speakerphone while she said goodbye to her aunt, who assured us she would get back to us by tomorrow, at the latest.

It could have been one or four hours later when Alexis crawled into the nest with me, handing me a bottle of water. I felt numb. Time was moving far too fast and incredibly slowly, all at the same time. My head pounded with the sheer physical and mental exhaustion of the last few days.

“You don’t look too good, Molls. Is there anything I can do for you?”

I shook my head. I didn’t know what I wanted.

“It hurts,” I sobbed. The deep, wrenching feeling in my gut was only getting worse.

“You need to be near him.”

“Have you got some sleeping pills?” I asked. “I’m so freaking tired.”

“I’ve got some from last year, but are you sure? They’re strong stuff.”

I nodded. “I need to sleep so badly. Between the heat and this, my body is wrecked.”

Alexis nodded, darting out of my room without a word and returning moments later with the tablets. I swallowed them down with a gulp of water.

It didn’t take long for them to kick in. I started feeling the tug of oblivion and gladly followed it into the deepest sleep I had experienced in a long while.

When I started to wake again, the pain was still there, but it wasn’t so bad. Warmth enveloped me, as well as a sweet, buttery popcorn fragrance.

Maverick.

What was he doing in my nest?

Why the hell did I keep waking up with alphas in my nest? First Grayson, while I was sick, and now this?

Kicking at my blanket cocoon, I turned over and came face-to-face with Maverick’s green eyes. He was cuddled up to me like we were best friends, not virtual strangers. Pulling away was futile. He held me close to him in a no-nonsense grip.

“Hey, angel. Sorry, but you’re not going anywhere for the moment,” he said calmly.

“The hell are you doing in my nest?” I growled weakly. No man had ever been in my nest until recently, not even an ex. I didn’t trust anyone enough. Yet here was Maverick, lounging in my nest, snuggled up to me shirtless.

The only other man to enter my nest had been Grayson . . . his packmate.

“You weren’t doing so hot. I tried calling a few times, and your friend picked up,” he explained. “She’s, uhh—” He looked over my head.

“Watching him like a hawk and ready to Taser him if he tries any funny business?” Alexis helpfully answered. Craning my neck, I could see her sitting on my armchair, Taser in hand.

Part of me wasn’t even surprised that Alexis had a Taser. My chest warmed at the care and concern emanating from my friend.

“Yes, your friend is mighty protective.”

“You need to be here to help her, but there’s no reason you need to be conscious. I’m letting you stay lucid while you behave yourself, pretty boy,” Alexis snarled.

“Yes . . .” Maverick tilted his head down to look at me. “Alexis said you weren’t doing too hot without Gray. He’s not doing too great either without you, but that’s the least of our concerns. We thought, because we are pack, just being around me would help.”

We were pack.

That was such a strange thought. I belonged to a pack where I hadn’t even met half the members.

“I never wanted to be part of a pack,” I admitted weakly.

“I know. I am so sorry, Molly. I know none of this is what you wanted from your life. For now, we need to focus on getting you well and making sure this bond doesn’t hurt you.”

“I don’t want to go back to Grayson’s place.”

“That’s more than fair, and I assume you don’t want us trampling through your place, either. How about I rent out a suite at the big hotel near here? I already checked, and you’re allowed to bring pets, so you can bring Potato.”

The tightness in my chest eased a bit when he said I could bring Potato.

“Thank you,” I mumbled into his chest.

“You won’t even have to stay in the same room as any of us. Grayson will be in the next room, and he will have to cope with that. Does that sound okay?” he asked gently.

I wanted to say no. Wanted to throw Maverick out of my home and insist he never return. But that wouldn’t stop the pain of being apart from them. This bond clearly wasn’t going to weaken with time and space. I either had to endure some time with these men while I planned my next steps or risk a heart attack from the sheer strain of being away from my bonded pack.

I nodded in agreement.

“I’ll pack all your comfy clothes, Molly,” Alexis said as she got up, pulling a suitcase from my wardrobe.

“I’ll pack up your little bunny—shall I bring her entire enclosure?” Maverick asked.

“Can you?” I asked. “The hotel?”

“Will let me do whatever the hell I want,” Maverick said confidently. There wasn’t a trace of doubt in his words, so I listened, too exhausted to fight him on whether or not a hotel would let me put a giant rabbit enclosure in one of their rooms.

Both of them got to work while I attempted to pull myself together, sitting up and looking around my room blankly.

Nothing was going to be the same again.

If I had the energy to cry, I would have been hysterical.

Chapter Sixteen

Molly

When I had first visited Grayson’s home, I had gotten the impression that he was well off. When I went to the hotel with Maverick, I quickly learned that they were loaded.

Like stupid money.

When Maverick had mentioned the hotel, I thought he meant the local budget hotel. Not optimal for nesting, but I was screwed six ways to Sunday, no matter what.

When Luca had pulled up in front of the fanciest hotel in town, I was certain he had made a mistake.

“Are you sure this is the place?” I had asked Maverick quietly as bellhops ran to grab our bags for us as we sat in the car. “This place is pricey.”

“It is, but it’s worth it, especially when you need a place to nest.”

“I can’t afford this,” I whispered. “Maverick, I have less than a hundred pounds in my bank account!”

“Molly, you know we do well for ourselves, right?”

“Yeah, but this place is so costly. No one is doing that well,” I hissed.

“Okay, we will need to have a discussion about this soon. We are pack, so we share finances. We have a net worth of over six hundred million between us.”

I stared at him blankly. “What?”

“We each got paid anywhere up to eight million a year to play hockey in the NHL, and then Zach ensured we all invested well and got us endorsements. Nils had a deal with a protein bar company last year that was worth over a million for taking a few photos.”

“Holy …”

“I’m not saying this to intimidate you. I want you to know that a place like this is a drop in the hat for us. We don’t like throwing our cash around, and a lot of the money is invested, but for a situation like this? Fuck yes, I am going to use our money to ensure you are comfortable. Will you let me take care of you? Please?”

I could only nod dumbly and follow Maverick as he made his way through the hotel with ease. Everyone was dressed so nicely, in business casual dresses, heels, smart suits.

Whereas I was wearing an oversized T-shirt and sweatpants, my hair in a messy top knot.

I didn’t fit in this world, and the harsh reminder stung as Maverick led me to our room.

No, not our room. Our suite.

It was bigger than Grayson’s apartment, with four distinct bedrooms, every one with its own bathroom and walk-in wardrobe.

“Holy shit,” I muttered as I took in the sheer bright opulence of it all. Everything was in tones of cream or gold—it could have easily looked gaudy, but it just felt calm.

Maverick got to work in the common room, removing the coffee table and placing it on the other side of the room while I sank down on the sofa. He made quick work of setting up Potato’s enclosure, and it warmed my chest to see him take care to put it up exactly the way I had it, with her hide and blanket next to each other and all her toys scattered around. It was like home, only a lot bigger because there was so much more floor space.

I had carried Potato up in her carrier. It was the only thing I had been allowed to carry, and I’m pretty sure Maverick only let me because he could sense how close I was to a breakdown.

“You want to put the little girl in?” he asked, prodding me into movement.

I nodded, picking her up and giving her a quick cuddle before letting her explore her new area. She hopped around for a moment before flopping over onto her side. That was Potato’s seal of approval.

“Cute little thing. How old is she?”

“Two. I got her when I started university. My dad is allergic to pet hair, so I couldn’t have one growing up.”

“That’s sad.”

“I think my dad loves Potato more than me. He’s constantly sending toys for her and insisting I send him photos.” My chest tightened at the thought of my mum and dad. What would they think of the mess I was in?

“We probably need to talk to your parents about this, don’t we?” Maverick asked.

“I’ll talk to them when I’m ready. I don’t even know what’s going on at the moment,” I admitted.

Maverick nodded. “We’ll take it at your pace, angel.”

I snorted. “Until the lot of you have to go back to America in a few months.”

“We’ll talk when everyone is here.”

“Your pack is coming?” I asked, startled.

“Of course they are. They’re your pack as well now, angel.”

That was a technicality. Sure, the pack would feel something towards me because of my bond with Grayson, but none of that would be solidified until I bonded with each of them individually—which I had no intention of doing at present.

“Can I rest?” I asked weakly.

“Of course! I asked them to put your things in the main room. It’s the nicest one, with the biggest bed. If you need me, I’ll be right here. I’m going to answer a few emails. Are you feeling okay?”

“It feels … wrong. Like I’m missing something and have the flu.”

“Grayson will be here shortly, but I’ll send him to his own room for now.”

“Thank you.”

The room was indeed stunning. The bed was easily three times the size of my bed at home, big enough to fit a whole pack. All the bedding was clean, white, and stupidly soft. It was a bit bland and colourless for my taste, but the comfort was what mattered, and when I lay down in it, I felt my bones scream in happiness at the soft, pillowy texture of the mattress.

This would do nicely.

Pulling out my phone, I ignored the eighty-seven missed calls from Grayson and instead video called Alexis as I nestled down into the ridiculously soft comforter.

She answered on the first ring. “Is everything okay?” It looked like she was in her own room.

“Yeah. This place is nice. Maverick didn’t book a budget hotel—we’re at the freaking Carlisle.”

“Shit! Are you kidding me? A room at the Carlisle is like four grand a night!”

“We don’t even have a room. We have a suite,” I said.

“Shit! That’s some fuck you money.”

“Yeah, Maverick admitted what their net worth is. Lex, I am in so deep right now. I don’t know what to do.”

“Take this day by day, okay? I wanted to give you space with the alphas for tonight, but I’ll be there bright and early with breakfast smoothies, okay? I’ll happily stab anyone if you need me to.”

“Thank you. I think, tonight, I’m simply going to sleep and have a bath. If the bathroom is anything like the bedrooms, I’m in for a treat.”

“Steal me a robe!”

“Alexis!” I laughed. Then again, she held a Taser at Maverick for me. “Because it’s you.”

“Yay! Now go rest, but make sure your phone is charging. If I can’t track you via your phone, I will be calling every authority around and raising a whole new level of hell.”

“Thank you.”

“Always, now rest.”

We hung up and I smiled to myself. Even from a distance, Alexis had made me feel that little bit safer.

Rolling over, I clutched one of the soft, overstuffed goose down pillows to my chest and decided to take a nap, then a bath. It was getting late, anyway.

But not even the thought of a bath could keep me from dropping into a comatose level of sleep.

The next morning, I could smell Grayson on my bed sheets. He had been here. My head was sore, but my chest felt less empty, and I could breathe a little bit easier.

At least he hadn’t woken me.

Getting up, the giant bed was so tall and overstuffed, I had to roll out of it. I padded over to the bathroom, which was as luxurious as I imagined, and the tub was large enough to swim in. There was also a wide assortment of bath products, so I went slightly crazy filling the bath with all sorts of salts and bubbles before sliding into the water with a hiss at the heat. I liked my baths hot. The sheer warmth helped my muscles unwind and my body relax. Giving my body and face a good scrub felt downright invigorating.

I could have stayed in the bath all day, but eventually, the water turned cold, and I knew I had to face what was waiting for me outside of my room.

The bathroom was so well stocked, there were even hair dryers and styling tools, so I made a little effort to blow dry my hair and make myself look a little less like a homeless person that a bunch of handsome hockey players had adopted.

My skin was still easily irritated by fabrics, though, so tight jeans were out of the question. Soft leggings and a large hoodie were perfect.

Once I was dressed, I paced around my room for a moment, trying to gather the courage to go outside. I could hear low voices talking.

They were probably talking about me, and I wanted to know what was being said.

Gathering the courage to open the door, I walked over to Potato’s enclosure, kneeling down and giving her a pet. I went to grab her food dish and was surprised to see it already full of pellets and green veggies.

Maverick had fed her.

The alpha in question was sitting at the table on the far side of the room on a video call.

“Molly, come here, angel.” He gestured at me to come join him. Giving Potato one last pet, I got up, brushing imaginary lint off my leggings and meandering over to Maverick.

“This is Nils.” Maverick smiled, showing me the screen.

What I could only describe as some sort of Scandinavian god was looking back at me. Long, tousled blond hair fell to his shoulders, and his eyes were clearly bright blue, even through the phone screen.

Nils, one of their pack members. One of my pack members.

“Uh, hi.” I waved shyly. What did one say to a godly-looking man who, due to no fault of his own, found himself in a sort-of relationship with you?

“Hello, Molly.” His voice was light and slightly accented. He smiled at me through the phone screen. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay.” I nodded. “It’s, uh, nice to meet you.”

“Lovely to meet you as well. You’re beautiful.”

My face heated at his easy praise. I wish I could see him more clearly, the phone picture was grainy, and kept buffering. I probably looked like a blob, certainly not beautiful.

Maverick’s hand rubbed my lower back, and I found myself leaning into the touch. It felt grounding, relaxing.

“Thank you, uh, you too,” I mumbled.

“I look forward to meeting you in person. I’m so sad I can’t fly out, but I have a sponsorship game I can’t pull out of without a lot of trouble,” he said, glossing over my awkward reply.

“You want to come here?” I asked, looking between the phone and Maverick, who nodded.

Nils gave me an easy smile. “Of course I want to.”

“You seem so calm. Aren’t you angry?” I asked, my voice wavering a bit.

“I’m irritated at Grayson, yes, but you’ve done nothing to deserve my ire. From what I understand, you didn’t get much say in this at all?”

“No, I didn’t, “ I agreed.

“What’s your favourite colour?” he asked.

“Purple, why?”

“Just getting some ideas for my courting gift.” He smirked at me through the screen before looking at something off-screen. “Crap, I’ve got to run. I’ll talk to you soon, Molly. Mav, try not to throttle Gray.”

“No promises!” Maverick laughed before hanging up. “What’s that face for?” he asked when he turned to see me still gaping at the screen.

“Why would he get me a courting gift? He’s stuck with me, no matter what. He doesn’t have to make the effort.”

Maverick frowned at me. “We all intend on doing this the right way. Just because you don’t have a choice but to be around us doesn’t mean we don’t want to court you. We would be a pretty shit pack if we didn’t make the effort. I’ve already ordered you something.” He beamed at me.

“You didn’t need to,” I insisted. “You’ve done so much for me. This place . . .” I trailed off, looking around the room.

“Hush, let us spoil you. It’s the least we can do. Now, I’m pretty sure your tornado of a friend will be here soon. Do you want anything to eat beforehand?”

I shook my head. “She’s bringing breakfast smoothies for us.”

Maverick hummed. “Sounds good. How—”

He was cut off by the door to Grayson’s room opening and him walking out. He looked like shit. Dark circles under his eyes made him look half alive. Separation was worse for omegas than it was for alphas, but it was no cakewalk for alphas, either.

“Hi,” he said weakly as he saw me.

“Hey,” I replied, unable to look him in the face.

“I called your coach. He expects you at practice today,” Maverick said. His tone wasn’t aggressive or angry, but it wasn’t overly friendly either.

“I can’t go, can I? I can’t leave Molly.” He frowned.

“I’ll be here all day with Molly. She’ll be okay while you go get your ass kicked at practice for a few hours. Granger’s already pissed at all the time you missed.”

Grayson swore, turning back around and storming into his room, slamming the door. A second later, the sound of the shower starting filtered through.

“Is he okay?” I asked softly.

“Yeah, he will be. He’s going to have a rough week or two.”

“It’s all my fault, isn’t it?” I asked in a weak voice.

“Not at all.” Maverick’s voice left no room for disagreement. “Come here, angel.” The strong hand that was around my back grabbed me and gently dragged me onto his lap. I didn’t fight it. I was too exhausted.

“Look,” Maverick started. “You are in no way to blame for this, and neither is Grayson, really. We need to take this one step at a time, as a pack. For now, we need to focus on ensuring you’re healthy.”

“You didn’t choose me, though.”

“No,” Maverick agreed. “But that’s not to say I don’t think you’re alluring. When I first stepped into Grayson’s apartment and smelled you, I was obsessed. You smell delightful, and though I won’t admit it to Grayson’s face anytime soon, I can’t blame him for wanting to be around you. When a scent calls to you that strongly . . . it’s just wrong to deny it.”

“I can’t leave,” I admitted in a small voice. “My whole life is here.”

“I know.” Maverick’s voice was sad as he rubbed my back, and I cuddled into his chest.

I heard the door open and slam, and the waft of peppermint hit me as Grayson stormed out of the room. I could feel the anger rolling off him, even from the other side of the room.

“He’s going to hate me, isn’t he?” I whispered.

“Imposible,” Maverick soothed.

“Well, this is adorable, but gimme my bestie back.” Alexis’s familiar voice yanked me out of my buttery popcorn haze.

Pulling my face away from Maverick’s neck, I saw Alexis standing in the middle of the room, two take-out smoothie containers in hand.

“Lex.” I smiled at her.

“How did you get in?” Maverick asked with a frown. “I didn’t clear anyone but pack to come up here.”

“I rang Grayson. That boy is feeling so guilty, he’ll do anything for me. I got approval right away!”

Maverick chuckled lightly. “She’s kind of terrifying, isn’t she?” he whispered in my ear, making me laugh and nod seriously at him.

“Gimme my friend, Maverick! I can still Taser you!” Alexis declared, plopping down on the couch and gesturing for me to come join. I did, accepting one of the smoothies from her and taking a sip as I sat down. The familiar taste was pure comfort. Chocolate banana protein smoothie.

We had been getting the same smoothie from our local smoothie place since we started university. It was cheap, easy, and delicious.

“This place is fancy, Molls,” Alexis said between sips. “Potato seems to be fitting right in.” She nodded at the enclosure, where Potato was lying in a splooting position as she dozed happily.

“I’m glad I could bring her.”

“If I didn’t have class, I would be sticking around here. I swear, this place is some rich people’s bullshit—not that I’m complaining.” She laughed.

“It’s nice. The bath was big enough to swim in!”

“Honestly, though, how are you feeling about this whole situation? I can stay if you need me to.”

“No, it’s okay. I met Nils over video chat earlier, and he seemed nice enough.”

“So there’s only Zachariah to go, right? He’s the pack lead.” I nodded. “They’ll be here soon enough, won’t they? I’ll check in every day, and I expect you to keep me updated. I’ll talk to your professors. Heat leave should cover most things you’ve missed, anyway.”

“Thank you.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?” she asked, checking her phone for the time.

“No, you can’t miss class. Don’t give your sexist professor another reason to dislike you!”

“Ugh, he is an ass. Okay, I’ll be back soon. Keep in touch!” Alexis hugged me before running out with a final glare and threat at Maverick.

Once she left and the room was silent, my new alpha spoke. “Well, what do you want to do today, angel?”

“Haven’t you got work or something to do?” I asked.

“Nope. I’ve got four weeks’ leave before I have to be back on the ice. I’m all yours.” He grinned. “How does a movie marathon sound? You need to rest, recover, and eat all the junk food. This place will literally bring you any food you ask for—we could test those limits.” He waggled his eyebrows at me.

“Okay.” I smiled back at him.

That was how we found ourselves five hours later, sitting side by side, on the floor, backs against the couch while Potato hopped over us, watching terrible movie after terrible movie.

“How could she not know he was the one leaving her love notes? It’s obvious!”

“It’s not!” I defended.

“He was clearly in love with her! How can you watch movies with such idiots in them?” Maverick laughed.

“Excuse me? You just made us watch a horror film where the blonde was so dumb, she ran upstairs instead of out the open door!”

“Fight or flight response!”

“Bullshit!” I laughed, taking the bag of popcorn out of Maverick’s hand and grabbing a handful to shove in my own mouth. We had spent the majority of our day ridiculing each other’s film choices. It had hit a point where I felt like we were both starting to pick daft films to irritate the other.

“Gimme my popcorn, woman!” He laughed, leaning over to snatch the bag back, but I hugged it tightly, trying to lean away from him.

“No!”

“Mine!” he growled playfully.

Maverick was so easy to get along with, he was like a golden retriever puppy. So friendly and lovable. Even when he teased me, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Wait until you see what I have up for us next!” I grinned evilly.

Game on, Maverick.

Chapter Seventeen

Grayson

Using every ounce of strength I possessed, I whacked the puck, making it hurtle through the air with a satisfying crack as it hit the boards.

Of all the fucking days to be dragged into practice. Usually the rink was a sort of sanctuary for me. No matter the shit going on in my life, the ice would be there for me, and the game was always the same.

When Mary Declan had rejected me after I finally mustered up the courage to ask her on a date in middle school, I had retreated to the ice and spent several hours practising. When I fucked up my first game with the Fawkes, I had done the same. And when Zach had admitted to us everything that had happened to his sister, Thalia, I had done the exact same. Being on the ice was therapy for me, part of my very soul.

For the first time ever, the rink was the last place I wanted to be.

I wanted to be with Molly. There was a deep, almost numb sensation in my stomach that felt hollow. The urge to be with her was painful. I needed to be with her.

Under any other circumstance, I would have been granted bonding leave. Sports teams often allowed it because they knew an omega would help their player in the long run by making them more level headed and grounded.

Was I granted that luxury? Fuck, no. Because my pack lead had ordered me away, like some fucking dictator rushing in to make everything right. So I had to drag my ass around the rink, feeling like a lightly animated corpse and skating around a bunch of assholes.

Rumours had reached the team about an omega I was seeing, and if McCormick didn’t stop behaving like a prick, I was going to deck him. Every time he came within a few inches of me, he couldn’t resist making a lewd or snide joke about me getting laid. I hadn’t told the team I had bonded; I hadn’t told them shit. Only the coach knew I’d been away due to seeing an omega through heat, but for Molly’s sake, I refused to tell him more than that. He accepted that answer a little too easily for my liking, so I assumed that Zach had probably called him and thrown his weight around to ensure they would let me practice today.

I felt awful about Molly. In many ways, her life had changed even more dramatically than mine, and I wasn’t sure if it was for the better. The bonding had thrown off the trajectory of both our lives, but I wasn’t a total idiot. I knew that, in our world, omegas were often expected to bend to the will of their alphas. Decades ago, omegas were seen as nothing more than property of the pack they belonged to. Their rights had only improved marginally since then. Zach still had considerable power—though not as much as he would were he also bonded with Molly—ensuring she no longer had full control of her future.

I hated how this had happened and that Molly was hurting. Her feelings of betrayal and distress physically pained me, sending sharp, stabbing pangs through my chest on a regular basis. I would spend the next decade apologising if I had to, proving to her that I am fully in this and committed to her. No matter her fury now, I knew that she would likely come around. Bonding was pretty fucking permanent, so I needed to do everything in my power to make her happy. I knew the others would do their best as well. Maverick had just met her and was already taken with her.

We could make her happy, the four of us. I was sure of it. I had to make sure that Zach didn’t trample over her life to protect ours. He needed to see that she was now officially part of our pack, and he needed to protect her with all the fervour he protected us with.

The bond was nothing like I had expected. It was more. I could physically feel Molly in my chest, a presence that never left me. I could feel when she was happy—it uplifted me and made me smile—and I could also sense every other emotion. We were in tune in a way I didn’t think was possible. Of course, I had read about bonds and seen plenty of TV shows where characters bonded, but this was so … real.

Molly’s happiness when her friend had visited had been overwhelming, like I was the one elated to see Alexis.

Alexis was a good friend and I liked her, but she definitely didn’t spark that much happiness in me personally, just in my bonded mate.

Bonded mate. The idea was going to take a while to wrap my head around. Bonding was more serious than any marriage. Legally, Molly and I were now one. The thought of her bonded with the whole pack was a thrilling one. Only a few weeks ago, I had imagined introducing her to them. She was sweet, calm, and rational and could balance us out in a way we desperately needed.

Practice was a blur. I made the shots and did my best to avoid committing serious bodily harm to McCormick. It was a full day of practice, and after six hours on the ice, I smelled ripe and was bone tired. Exercise and being away from my newly bonded mate was wreaking havoc on my body. The feeling was only amplified by the aching feeling of Molly suffering. She wasn’t taking the separation well, but she was being stubborn about it. Throughout the day, the tightness in my chest from her pain eased somewhat, which made me think that maybe Mav had managed to help her relax or distracted her.

“Wood! You’re shooting like shit. What the hell is going on?” Jensen asked as we towelled off from the showers.

I hummed in acknowledgement as I rummaged through my locker, trying to find deodorant. Personal hygiene products had a bad habit of going on walks out of my locker, but I had no idea which fucker was responsible for it.

“You got some deodorant?” I asked Jensen, frowning at my open locker.

“Yeah.” He threw a bottle at me and I caught it easily. “Keep it, I bloody hate this kind.”

“Why do you have it if you hate it?”

He chuckled. “I get gifted so much of that shit around the holidays, I’m still trying to use it all up.”

Fair enough. I took the bottle from him with a nod. “Thanks, I appreciate it.” As I extended my hand to take it, Jensen’s eyes zeroed in on my wrist. It took a second, but his startled expression spoke volumes.

“Shit!” he whispered. “Is this omega you’re seeing just bitey, or is that …?”

Fuck. I pulled my arm back, discreetly looking around, relieved that no one else was noticing our interaction.

“We aren’t really talking about it at the moment,” I rushed in a whisper, giving Jensen a pleading look.

He nodded, eyes wide. “Okay, dude. Keep that covered, then. Congratulations, though.” He smiled before towel drying his hair, the conversation effectively over.

Congratulations.

That was the first time someone had congratulated me on what had happened, and it made my chest stutter. Our bonding was something to celebrate, but my pack hadn’t come to that conclusion yet.

With a smile of my own, I started to dry off, throwing on a pair of boxers. As I reached into my locker to grab a T-shirt, a warm sensation filled my chest … and my cock stiffened.

Arousal. Pure, unadulterated lust was humming through the bond. There was no mistaking it.

And the feeling wasn’t coming from me. It was coming from Molly, through the bond. She was aroused, and I could feel all of it.

As could my cock.

A shit-eating grin broke out on my face. If Molly was feeling aroused, then clearly things with her and Mav were going well. There was no way in hell Zach was making her feel like that. Zach was an acquired taste, like the stinky cheese that tastes like feet.

Mav was clearly making progress, which meant Molly wasn’t hiding away, terrified of my pack. How much she was doing with Mav, I had no idea. But it was something.

We were going to make this work. All of us, with Molly.

“Wood! I know I’m pretty, but put that away!” McCormick smirked at me, laughing. My other teammates looked over and either raised their eyebrows or chuckled.

I was standing in the middle of the locker room, smirking like a lunatic, pitching a tent for everyone to see.

And I was so happy, I didn’t give a single fuck.

Chapter Eighteen

Maverick

Where the hell had Grayson found this omega? When I had discovered her in his apartment, I’d clearly seen that she was beautiful, but Molly Bennett also had a sweet personality and sass that drew me right in.

One day. That’s all it took. One day around her, and I was sure that I wanted to make this work. That I wanted Molly to be my omega, not just the omega of my pack.

It would have been unconventional, but given the nature of the situation, Molly could have theoretically stayed bonded to only Grayson, and then the rest of us would have remained unbonded. But one day is all it took for me to know that there was no way in hell I was going to allow that to happen.

I wanted her.

When Molly had put on cheesy romance movie after cheesy romance movie in an attempt to combat my tacky horror films in a cinematography showdown, I had been filled with an odd warmth.

“I give in! No more!” I laughed, trying to take the remote from her as she searched for yet another movie. We had easily watched seven of them throughout the day. We had food scattered around us, and her adorable little bunny kept jumping on our laps for pets. Molly had glared playfully at the tiny creature when it kept jumping into my lap instead of her own.

I had only smirked at her and told her that the sweet animal liked me better.

She called the bunny a traitor for half of the day.

“Surely you can handle one more.” She leaned away, so the remote was just out of reach. When I tried to reach it, the new angle made me tower over her.

“Nope, I’m done. I draw the line at fake relationship bullshit. Gimme the remote!”

“Where’s your stamina, Mav?” she taunted. The combination of her words and my nickname coming out of her lips for the first time made my cock stand at attention. Leaning forward to grab the remote again, she fell backwards and I ended up crouched over her.

No. She needs time.

Did she taste as good as she smelled? I had to know. My face was mere inches away from hers.

“Molly.” My voice was breathless.

“Yeah.” She stared at me, wide-eyed, as I towered over her, my arms caging her in.

“I really fucking want to kiss you, but it’s up to you.” She opened her mouth to speak, but I rushed on. “I won’t do shit without your permission. This situation—”

“Yes.” Molly’s voice was firm as she looked me directly in the eye.

That’s all I fucking needed.

Leaning down, I captured her lips with my own. Sweet peach assaulted my taste buds, and I couldn’t help the moan I released at the taste. Good fucking god, she was perfection.

Her tongue reached out tentatively to taste me, and I continued my assault. I wanted to touch her, to feel those soft curves I had noticed the day before when she had been pressed up against me in her sleep.

She was ours. Molly was pack. She was mine. Pleasure unlike any I had ever felt filled my chest.

I had all the time in the world, Molly was mine, and I intended on savouring it.

Her sweet noises of pleasure were like a drug, each whimper spurring me on, making my cock weep with the need to claim her.

“Mav,” she whimpered.

Fuck me.

I was in heaven.

“Mol—”

“Am I interrupting something?” a growly voice said.

Shit. That wasn’t Grayson.

Molly and I sprang apart as we took in the sight of Zach standing in our doorway.

Zach looked pissed.

Shit.

Chapter Nineteen

Molly

Maverick and I sprang apart.

“Zach, you got here fast,” Maverick said, his voice breathless.

Zach. So this was their pack lead.

My pack lead.

Why was every member of this pack ridiculously handsome? Zachariah had sharp, defined facial features. A jaw harsh enough to cut metal, with a light smattering of facial hair. His eyes were dark brown, almost black. He wore a pristine suit and carried a briefcase.

Dark, clean-cut. There was something about him that emanated power and danger.

And he had just caught me with my tongue shoved down his packmate’s throat.

“It seems Miss Bennett works fast, if not twenty-four hours after bonding with Grayson, she’s under you,” he said coolly.

My face heated. I despised what he was insinuating—that I was a tramp.

“It’s not like that, Zach,” Maverick defended me. He stood in front of me, shielding me with his body.

“Either way, we have business to discuss. Would you like to take a seat?” Zach spoke in a very detached, business-like tone as he gestured to the dining table.

Why did I feel like I was about to face an inquisition? I glanced at Maverick, who raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

Maverick and I sat on one side, and Zach stood on the other, opening his briefcase and pulling out several large stacks of paperwork. “I’ve got several things for you to sign. We will get them notarised in a day or two, once we make our way home.” He placed the papers in front of me, as well as a pen.

I picked them up, flicking through them. “What are these?” I asked with a frown. He didn’t seem to want to get to know me or ask me anything.

“Standard NDAs and such, given our status as a pack.”

“Zach . . .” Maverick looked at the pile of paperwork in confusion.

Some legal paperwork was probably normal, but this pile was pretty hefty. There was no way I was going to blindly sign without reading through everything. The paper felt heavy. It was the fancy kind that legal documents were often printed on.

I started reading the papers. A lot of it was in legal wording that was hard to decipher, but some of it was plainly obvious.

The omega agrees to never discuss the pack or pack dynamics to anyone outside of the pack, including family or friends.

The omega will relinquish any rights to the property, investments, and interests of Pack Stone.

The omega agrees that, in return for housing, they will reside in the packhouse in whichever state the pack is working within.

“What the fuck is this?” I asked, my voice harsh. Never talk to my family and friends about the pack? So, I could never ask my parents for advice? As for the packhouse, did they have multiples? And who decided which packhouse was in use? I easily guessed that it was down to the surly alpha sitting across the table from me. With a frown, I kept reading.

The omega agrees that, if they fail to meet any of these conditions, they will be subject to chemical unbonding by force.

My stomach dropped. Chemical unbonding. By force? What sort of manipulation was this man trying to push on me?

“This is standard, as I said. If this truly was an accident, you would be amenable,” Zach said simply.

“Amenable to forced chemical unbonding if I refuse to live wherever you decide is best for the pack?” I asked, shocked. “Or if I talk to my parents?”

“What?! No fucking way!” Maverick snatched the paper out of my hand and started reading. “Zach, what the hell? This is a fucking slavery contract!”

“It’s what’s needed now that she and Grayson have done this. One gold-digging omega can’t be the ruin of everything we’ve built.” He spoke so calmly, and I hated it. I hated him. Who was he to call me a gold digger?

I took the contract and ripped it in half. “There’s no way in hell I am signing this! That is a vicious trap waiting to happen. Isolating me from family and friends, only allowed to live where you choose, or I have to undergo a serious, body-altering chemical procedure?” I snarled. “I had no idea Grayson even had a pack, so how the hell am I after your money?”

“That is only a last resort. I am your pack lead now. You need to sign,” he said simply.

“Zach, there is no way in hell she is going to sign something like that!” Maverick was looking over several more pages, his eyes widening farther with every word he read. “This is barbaric. She’s not a gold digger.”

“If she actually gives a shit about this pack and wants to be part of it, she will have to put her faith in the pack to take care of her. Clearly, she trusts us to do that, or she wouldn’t have chosen to bond with Grayson.”

“No.” I shook with rage. “I didn’t choose that. How fucking dare you!”

“I’m not doing this to hurt you. I am doing this to protect my pack, our pack. You’re one of us now.” Zachariah kept his voice steady, monotone. His eyes were dark, and the emotionless look he gave me chilled me to my bones.

“I’m not signing anything, so you may as well take these papers and shove them up your ass,” I growled. I didn’t have the energy or the willpower to be polite to this alpha. If he wanted to treat me like crap, I was going to give the exact same energy back to him.

“You’re more than welcome to seek your own legal counsel before signing. If you can afford it, that is.” He smiled condescendingly at me. He knew there was no way I could afford a fancy lawyer.

“No wonder Grayson has been happier here. You’re a monster.” I sighed. “I actually feel sorry for him now.”

My words hit their mark. Zach’s cool demeanour fell for a moment, and he looked surprised. Not waiting to see if he stayed surprised or gathered his cool facade again, I pushed away from the table and fled to my room, locking the door behind me.

Crawling into my nest, I wrapped myself in the blankets. The simmering anger in my chest abated, giving way to despair, and I burst into tears.

What the hell had I gotten myself into?

Chapter Twenty

Zach

“Don’t go. We need to talk about this,” I said. Maverick was poised to follow the omega, but I needed him to convince her to sign the papers.

I hadn’t had a chance to see Grayson yet, but as soon as I solved this mess he had created, I would be hunting him down to talk. At least he actually listened for once and went to practice.

“You better have a good reason for that move, Zach, or I swear to fucking god, I will knock you out myself,” Maverick snarled, turning to me.

“She seems nice enough, but isn’t it convenient that she’s refusing to sign and moved so easily onto kissing you?” I asked with a raised brow. “It’s my job to protect this pack.”

“Protect it, not destroy a good thing before it even starts.”

I looked at the locked door the omega had fled behind. I understood why my packmates were obsessing over her. Even I could admit that she had a certain allure to her, with masses of auburn hair, bright green eyes, and freckles. That wasn’t a good enough reason to endanger everything we had worked for, though.

“She refused to sign. Why would she do that if she wasn’t after our money?” I pointed out.

“Because that contract is fucking bullshit. I don’t know what lawyer you hired to pull that shit together, but it’s vile—you would never sign something like that.”

“I’m her pack lead. Whether she likes it or not, she is subject to most of the things in that contract. You know I wouldn’t hold her to half those clauses. Only the ones that protect the pack. She’s got zero power here, and she needs to understand that. She’s an omega.”

“Forced chemical unbonding? Zach, that goes beyond protecting the pack—that’s some fucking villain power trip.”

“I would never do that! It would destroy Grayson as well. You know that. We need to ensure she takes this seriously. We are in charge here,” I reasoned.

Maverick shook his head with a glare. “Not if she goes to the authorities.”

I frowned. What did that have to do with it? “She bit him first. As far as the authorities are concerned, she got herself into this situation. She chose to tie herself to our pack.”

Several of our lawyers had checked the legality of the situation the moment I found out. I wouldn’t be going into this situation blind, not when it came to the welfare of my pack.

Maverick groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Molly was in heat. If you want to be technical about it, this was an unsanctioned, unwanted bonding. She wasn’t in her right mind to consent to this bonding, but do you know who was? Grayson. Do you know what that means? One call to the authorities and our entire pack would be ruined. Our reputations would be in the dirt, and we would probably face criminal conviction.”

“You didn’t tell me she was in heat!” I shouted. Shit. That changed things a little. Her being in heat makes the contract dubious, at best. “Why wouldn’t you tell me that, Maverick? That changes things!” I glared at him. Not only changed things, but it made me feel off-balance. I needed to know everything about the situation we were in. Going in blind went against every one of my instincts.

Maverick scoffed. “Because I expected you to come here and have a fucking conversation about this shit before we made any moves. Not barge in here, doing whatever the fuck you think is best. That’s exactly what you did to Grayson, when we both know the only reason he got banned from the NHL was because he was battering the piece of shit who attacked your sister.”

“I did what I had to in order to protect Gray—we all know and understand why he did what he did. Fuck, if it were me, I would have killed him instead of just beating him to a pulp. I had to move quickly then, like I have to work quickly now. She poses a threat!”

“Are we a pack?” Maverick sighed, giving me a suffering look.

“Of course we are!”

“Grayson said some things . . . and I’m starting to understand where he’s coming from.”

“What do you mean? That crap about Grayson being happier here? We both know that’s bull.” It had to be. No one in their right mind would be happy away from their pack.

“Is it? Ever since Salt Lake, this has felt more like dictatorship and less like a pack. What happened to conversation? Making decisions as a pack? Exiling Gray to England was never discussed; you just did it. Ambushing Molly was never discussed; you just did it. Molly is a fucking sweet girl, who is in a bad situation, and instead of getting us all arrested, she’s trying to make it work. Gray was falling for her—like real, honest feelings.”

“We had a potential omega lined up, one whose interests aligned with ours,” I defended weakly.

“Amber? The fucking ice bitch? I would rather stick my dick into molten lava than her—but because her daddy has business interests that align with ours, you think she would be a good match?”

I raked my hands through my hair. What the hell was going on?

“Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“Because you took over everything! When was a good time to tell you? We love you, Zach, and we trusted you to do what was best for us, but lately, it feels like you’re shutting us out.”

“Gray knew why he had to come here.”

“Doesn’t mean being sent away from his fucking pack didn’t sting. We should have come here together, as a unit. Sponsorships and contracts, be fucked.” Maverick sighed and looked at me with . . . pity?

Surely I hadn’t fucked up that badly? I needed to talk to my whole pack and get to the bottom of what was causing this unrest.

The omega, Molly, did indeed have the upper hand, and I hadn’t anticipated that. I thought if I could get those contracts signed, our interests would be protected and we could move forward.

“It had to be done,” I said simply. “And we all have to be in Kentucky next week. We can’t get out of the charity match. She’s going to have to come with us.”

“I won’t force her on the plane. So, maybe we wait and have a conversation as a fucking pack for once?”

I nodded. “Okay, but how do you propose we protect the pack’s interests in the meantime?”

“We have a little fucking faith?” Maverick frowned at me. “When did you become so cold, Zach?”

Cold? They thought I was cold? I loved my pack fiercely; that’s why I did everything to protect them.

And I would continue to. Maverick gave me one last pitying look before turning on his heel and going to the room where the omega had fled to.

Gathering the torn-up papers, I realised there was another way I could ensure the safety of my pack.

Chapter Twenty-One

Molly

Iwas stupid for thinking that Grayson’s pack leader would be a reasonable person. For a moment there, I had honestly thought I could work something out with this pack. Maverick and I got on well. Grayson and I . . . well, we had some crap to work out, but things had been good between us before the bonding. And from our brief phone conversation, I got the impression that Nils was nice enough.

Zachariah, on the other hand . . . he was an asshole. A cold, calculating asshole with a lump of coal where his heart was meant to be.

If the bed and the little makeshift nest wasn’t so damn comfortable, I would have insisted on leaving. My emotions were turbulent at best, and I wanted to be alone. The silky, soft blankets provided a sanctuary from the alphas outside of my room.

But I also wanted to be with Grayson.

His sweet peppermint smell coated the bedding, comforting me in spite of my objection to the owner of the scent.

Where could I go? I wanted out, but I was stuck.

I stayed in the nest, ignoring several knocks on my door, allowing the body-racking sobs to work their way out of my system until I was too tired to continue crying.

My head felt tight and my muscles ached. Between the surprise heat and all the stress of bonding, my body had been through the wringer the last week. I was well overdue for a breakdown. Or ten.

Once my eyes stung from the sheer number of tears, and exhaustion was starting to tug at my mind, a waft of peppermint assaulted my senses. Warmth enveloped me as someone slid under the comforter, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me into a familiar chest.

The empty feeling in my gut dissipated, and the tension leached from my body.

“I know you hate me right now, Peach, but please don’t kick me out.”

Grayson.

I didn’t have the energy to kick him out, and there was no way I could deny how calm my body felt with him near. At that moment, resting was more important than shouting.

“Your pack lead is a twatwaffle,” I grumbled, nuzzling into his chest, his sweet peppermint soothing my frazzled nerves.

“He really is,” Grayson conceded, his hand gently running over my hair. “I am so sorry I didn’t talk about them. Then again, can you blame me, having met Zach?”

“If he wasn’t so much bigger than me, I would have slapped him.”

“If you decide to do that, could you give me a heads-up? I want to film such a glorious sight.”

I laughed weakly. “I will.”

“As for the contracts, you don’t have to sign anything. Ignore Zach. If he tries again, I’ll deck him myself.”

“Thank you.” I sighed. “Where do we go from here? I’m missing classes, you’re missing work. We can’t stay hiding in a hotel forever, Grayson.”

“It’s tempting, though, isn’t it?”

Our conversation lapsed into an easy silence. With him next to me, I experienced an ease I had been missing. His smell was a soothing balm on the ragged and raw edges of the bond.

“Do you hate me?” Grayson asked, his voice pained.

“No. I’m feeling a lot of things right now, but I don’t think hate is one of them.” I nuzzled into his chest, my omega preening at the contact. “I think it’s going to take time to figure this out. The pack was . . . unexpected. Maverick isn’t all that bad, though.”

“And Zach? I think we’ve established that neither of us is his biggest fan right now.”

“He can take a long walk off a short pier.” I laughed weakly and waited a moment before speaking again. “I get why he dislikes me. It’s not fair, but I think I can see his twisted, fucked-up logic. What did he do to you? You guys must have been close once?”

“We used to be inseparable. We all grew up near one another. Maverick and I lived on the same street and played hockey at the local rink from the time we were in middle school. Zach was a few years older than us and looked out for us a lot on the ice. Then, when we hit high school, we met Nils. He’d moved from Europe because one of his dads had an amazing job opportunity. He fit right in. We spent all our time together, on the ice and off.”

“How old were you when you started skating?”

“Young, probably only two or three. My dads loved hockey and got me into the sport young. I was lucky they were so supportive because it’s an expensive sport to be in. Most of our teammates come from packs, funnily enough.” The rumble of his voice echoing out of his chest soothed me. I couldn’t see his face, but the movement of his breathing was relaxing.

“I suppose it does make things easier, financially speaking.”

“My mom always used to say that many hands make light work. The woman is spoiled rotten by my fathers.” His hands gently ran over my hair. “Why did you not want a pack?” His voice was tense.

“I dated an alpha for about a year. It was exhausting.”

“It shouldn’t be.”

“Nothing was ever enough for Trent. He never even knotted me because he said I wasn’t acting like a proper omega. Turns out, he was knotting another omega. Real winner, that one.” I took a deep breath. “The idea of having to deal with several alphas like that is honestly my worst nightmare.”

Grayson’s fingers tilted my chin, so I was looking up at him. “Okay, that is not what a real alpha is like. That guy sounds like a douchebag.”

“Yeah, but it was hard enough to keep up with the appetites of one alpha, let alone several. Heats, I understand, but day-to-day? Surely keeping four alphas would be difficult. I wanted to save myself the stress.”

“I’m sorry I dragged you into this, Molly,” Grayson whispered, his voice ragged.

“Neither of us was in our right mind.” I rubbed my chest absentmindedly. “It’s weird, isn’t it?”

“The bond? It’s gonna take a bit to get used to. I can feel so much, like how you got aroused this afternoon. . .” He smirked at me.

I groaned and buried my head into his chest again, unable to meet his eyes.

“Don’t mention it,” I grumbled before attempting to wriggle away. Grayson’s arms tightened around me as he chuckled, drawing me somehow closer.

He was lucky he was comfortable and smelled so damn good, otherwise I would have booted him out of my bed.

“I’m not complaining, Peach. Though you did give me a boner in the middle of the locker room.”

“Wait, did I?” The burst of laughter tumbled out before I could stop myself.

“Yep. McCormick thinks I have a thing for him.”

“I mean, I’ve seen those dimples.” I shrugged, barely holding back my laughter.

“True, but that man is a walking venereal disease, and my body is a temple not to be sullied by the likes of him.”

I snorted, a very unladylike sound. Not that it mattered. Since we were bonded, he had to get used to the unfiltered, sometimes unladylike, version of me.

We lapsed into a peaceful silence.

Turning over to look up at him, I took a deep breath. “Grayson?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you tell me about what happened that made you have to come here? I know a little, but it’s all second-hand knowledge. I want to hear it from you.”

Grayson nodded with a frown. “I suppose you have a right to know everything, as my bonded mate. I should have explained on our first date, but it wasn’t my place, and I didn’t want to send you running for the hills. I really fucking like you, Peach.”

I chuckled lightly. “Well, you’re kinda stuck with me for now.”

“That feels like the opposite of a problem to me,” he laughed, before sighing deeply. “How much do you know?”

“That you beat up a referee?”

He nodded. “I did. I put that bastard in the hospital, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.” He spoke lightly, like he was asking for a soda.

“Okay?”

“So, Zach has a baby sister, Thalia, and we all freaking love her. While we were growing up, she was always around and at our games. Well, she went off to college a few years ago. We all hated her leaving, but she was determined to spread her wings. Stubborn.” He laughed.

“Sounds like her brother,” I said.

“Those two are cut from the same cloth, although Zach is a little more . . . well, more. Anyway, a few months into college, she was assaulted at a frat party.” I gasped, horrified for the girl. “It’s not my story to tell, but it was pretty bad. We wanted her to press charges, to go after the bastard, but she refused. Thalia just wanted to get on with her life, and she knew it would be a long, drawn-out process. She never even told us the fucker’s name.”

“It can be hard to prove cases like that. It’s terrible and so unfair.” I frowned.

“Yeah, we wanted to do everything, but we ultimately listened to her. Thalia wasn’t the same for a long time. She was scared of every loud noise, hardly slept, it was horrible to watch. Eventually, she went back to classes and demanded we go back to our lives and let her have her independence. The guy apparently went to a different college, so she felt safe. It was relatively calm for a year, until we had a game in Salt Lake City, near Thalia’s college.”

Grayson took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair. My anger at him melted away at the agony in his voice. Reaching out, I gently ran my hands over his arms, trying my best to soothe him.

“So, what happened?” I dreaded asking, but I had to know.

“It was him. The referee. We knew after the first period that something was seriously wrong. Thalia was white as a ghost and hiding. We thought maybe it was a spectator, but when we started playing again, he spoke to me while the others were discussing a power play. He mentioned that I was related to the little mouse—that’s what the bastard had called her when he . . . you know. That, his shit-eating grin, and Thalia’s terrified face . . . I connected the dots. I can hardly recall the next ten minutes. I saw fucking red. All I remember was I wanted to hurt him. The next thing I knew, I was being pulled off him and they needed a stretcher to get him off the ice. The damage to him was serious, and as much as I want to reassure you and say it was an accident, I don’t regret it.”

“Good,” I replied simply.

Grayson looked down at me, eyes wide in shock. “G-good?” he asked, opening and closing his mouth in surprise. If the current topic hadn’t been so grave, I would have laughed at the adorable confusion on his face.

“Grayson, I am the last person to condone violence, but in a situation like that, I think it was warranted. I’m guessing doing that on the ice cost you pretty badly?”

“One-year ban from the NHL, and even once that is lifted, it was doubtful any team would want to touch me again. That’s why Zach made the decision to send me to the Polar Blades without even asking. He knew that if I missed an entire season my career was pretty much over. Nils and Mav were locked in contracts and couldn’t come with me, so I didn’t really have a choice.”

“Why didn’t Zach come with you?”

“What do you mean?”

“The others had contracts, sure, but Zach? From what I’ve been told, he mainly does phone calls and online meetings. He could have done that here, with you. That way, you wouldn’t have been totally isolated. I don’t know much about pack bonds, but being apart must have sucked.”

“I was okay. I could handle myself,” he insisted.

My chest felt like there was a crushing weight on it, and it took a moment for me to understand that what I was feeling was Grayson’s sadness.

I frowned at the alpha. “That’s bullshit. You forget I can feel your emotions, and I can tell them leaving you hurt. When you speak about them leaving you, I can tell how sad it made you—and it’s not fair at all. Mav and Nils could have been together in California, and you and Zach could have been together here.”

Grayson sniffed, looking up and taking a deep breath. “Yeah, it really did suck,” he admitted. “I don’t know why Zach didn’t come with me. It probably didn’t even cross his mind.”

“He should have,” I said firmly.

“He should have,” Grayson agreed.

“Even if you were seen as the fuckup because of this, you did this to protect his sister, and he basically abandoned you. That isn’t okay, Grayson.”

Grayson chuckled lightly. His hand cupped the back of my head as he pulled me farther into his chest, tucking my head under his chin. “What on earth did we do to deserve you?”

I nuzzled into his chest, my heart heavy for him as the bond purred in happiness at our closeness. Despite everything—the bonding, the Zach situation, and everything being so upended—I couldn’t help but feel bad for Grayson. His family had left him, and while he pretended to be okay with that, I knew better.

“I don’t think you’re a bad person, Grayson. We’re in a bad situation.”

He chuckled lightly, pulling me into his chest.

“Can I stay?” Grayson asked after a moment. “The last thing I want to do is presume, but it’s just . . .”

“Easier?” Being close satiated the bond, eliminating that hollow feeling.

“Like I can actually sleep,” he admitted, kissing the top of my head as his hand rubbed circles on my lower back.

“Sleep then. I’ll wake you for dinner.”

“Thank you,” he mumbled, squeezing me gently before his eyes drifted shut.

I wasn’t far behind, lulled by the sweet smell of peppermint.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Molly

“Wakey wakey, eggs and bakey! Zach ordered breakfast, so come and grab it!”

A loud voice pulled me from my slumber, grating on my nerves. The violent urge to throw something at whoever was disturbing me filled me.

I had been so comfortable, every muscle relaxed and at ease. My head felt heavy, and upon waking, I almost asked what year it was. There was a stiffness in my body that could only be achieved by some damn good deep sleep.

Lifting my head off the pillow, I squinted at Maverick, who was standing at the edge of my makeshift nest, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Maverick? What time is it?”

“Seven, time to get up!”

“In the morning?” I asked in horror.

“Yep. I checked in on you guys last night, and you were dead to the world. You—” He broke off, bending over slightly, resting his hands on his knees as his rich, deep laugh echoed throughout the room. “You’ve got a crease on your face from the pillow. Damn, that must have been some deep sleep.”

I glared at him. “It was until you woke me.”

“Mav, get the fuck out,” Grayson growled, his arm flopped over his eyes.

“No can do, sleepy heads! Zach has breakfast, and it’s time for a family meeting.”

“Well, then, you don’t need me,” I grumbled, pulling the blankets up to my neck. “Mav! Wh—” I was cut off as the blanket was ripped from me, and the cold stung as it hit my skin.

“You’re family now, so you’re going to suffer with the rest of us.” Maverick chuckled.

“It’s cold,” I whined, blindly clawing at the air in a futile attempt to get the warm blankets back.

“Well, if you get up, there’s hot coffee, and I promise to keep you warm.” Maverick smiled down at me, holding out a hand.

With a grumble, I detangled myself from Grayson, taking the hand offered to assist myself from the nest.

“I’m just gonna . . .” I gestured to the bathroom.

Maverick’s face broke into a grin. “If you’re going to shower, I would be more than happy to join!”

“Just going to brush my teeth,” I said with a small smile.

“Okay, I’ll get you some coffee. How do you take it?”

“The more syrup and cream, the better.”

“Vanilla or caramel?”

I thought for a moment before settling. “Caramel.”

“Good choice.” Maverick leaned in and kissed my forehead before turning to leave, and I took the opportunity to inhale the warm popcorn scent. He smiled, smacking Grayson’s leg on the way out. “Come on, man, Zach is waiting!”

I scampered to the bathroom, closing the door and resting my back against it as I took several deep breaths now that I was away from the alphas and the air around me wasn’t full of sexy smells that made me want to drop my underwear and present like a good little omega.

Although, I wasn’t entirely alone. Grayson’s amusement was clearly humming through the bond—and that didn’t horrify me as much as I thought it would.

After I did my business and scrubbed my face and teeth, I dithered in the middle of the bathroom. I didn’t want to see Zach again, but there was no point in delaying. I would have to face him sooner or later.

My clothes were rumpled, but I didn’t want to put on clean clothes until I had a chance to shower, so the T-shirt and sleeping short set would have to do.

I wasn’t going to make myself look good for them.

Or, at least, that’s what I told myself as I brushed out my hair and applied my favourite glossy chapstick.

My phone buzzed from where I had left it on the counter. A message from an unknown number popped up.

Hello, Molly. I asked Grayson for your number. Nils.

I smiled at the screen, quickly typing out a reply.

Hello . . . I’m not sure what to say. What does one say to their new packmate they’ve never met?

I’m flying blind here, darling. I know your favourite colour, and I’ve seen a very blurry image of you over video call, but I want to know so much more. I’m twenty-six. I’m a Taurus and I have a deeply personal love of hot chocolate. But it has to be real hot chocolate, made with real chocolate, not sugary powder. I also love dogs, but I travel so much, it’s not fair for me to have one.

With the message, he’d attached a photo of himself. A selfie, wearing his hockey gear sans helmet, making a peace sign at the camera as he grinned at me from what appeared to be a hockey bench at an arena.

That does sound delicious. I agree, real chocolate all the way.

Tell me more about yourself.

I’m a student, studying history. I’m a Virgo. I have a pet, a mini lop rabbit called Potato. I’m a typical Brit and love tea, and I am bloody nervous about being part of a pack.

I attached a photo of myself, one Alexis had taken a few weeks ago of me sitting in the living room, holding up Potato as I smiled at her. My sweet pet looked grumpy, as I had just finished trimming her nails.

Beautiful. Both the rabbit and the woman.

I looked up from the phone and noticed the blush covering my face in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, I decided to wait until my face had eased up before going out and facing the alphas. Grayson would be able to feel my emotions, but I didn’t need to declare them openly to the others.

Thank you. I need to go have breakfast with the others. Maverick woke us up at the crack of dawn.

We are hockey players, we are used to early mornings.

I’m a student, I am not used to early mornings!

I’ll let you sleep in.

That’s dirty talk, Nils. I take my sleep seriously.

I laughed to myself.

And I take your wants and needs seriously. Go eat with the grumps. Try to avoid mauling Zach. He’s all bark and no bite.

I make no promises.

You’re perfect. Go eat.

With a smile, I slipped my phone into my pocket.

The smell of coffee tempted me, calling out to my caffeine-deprived soul. With a huff and one last look in the mirror, I padded out of the bathroom and back to the main room of the suite.

My new packmates were sitting around the table, a variety of food in front of them. There was no paperwork in sight, thankfully.

Grayson was slouched in his chair, glaring at Zach, who was already dressed in a suit and looking far too put together for so early in the morning.

My first priority was Potato. Without giving Zach a second look, I went over to her pen. I had been a horrible bunny parent, leaving her out in the main room with an asshole like Zach.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I cooed as she hopped right up to me, asking for fuss. I scratched the back of her ear for a moment, before glancing up to see where I had left her food.

Only, her bowl already had food in it. From what I could tell, there had been a bowlful of kale and parsley that had been generously nibbled on, and there were only a few scraps left.

“I got room service to bring some food up for her. It’s all organic and stuff, and she seems to love it,” Maverick said with a small smile. “Is that okay? I looked up what was safe for rabbits to eat before ordering!”

My chest warmed. He had thought about my pet, like Grayson had.

I looked up from Potato to smile at him with appreciation, my gaze purposefully ignoring Zach. “That’s perfect. Thank you, Mav.”

Maverick’s face lit up at my approval. He gestured to the seat next to him. “Come eat. Did you even have dinner?”

“No, I got an interrogation, not a meal.” I glared in Zach’s direction. He didn’t say a word, just took a sip of his coffee, looking as bland and stoic as ever.

Why were assholes hot? It wasn’t fair to the universe for a man to be that much of a monster and have a stupidly chiselled jaw that was just asking to be bitten.

“I’m sorry about that.” Maverick also glared at Zach as I padded over to the table, sitting in the vacant space. My plate wasn’t empty for long. Maverick started grabbing several dishes and added a small mountain of food to my plate. Scrambled eggs. Bacon. Pancakes. Sausage. There was so much, and I was tempted to tell him to stop. But there was something comforting about having an alpha sort a meal out for me. My inner omega was swooning at it. My omega instincts were a lot more prevalent, thanks to the recent heat and bonding, so I needed to satiate her somehow.

Letting others care for me in small ways seemed like a good option.

The food was exquisite, far better than anything I could have made at home. The fancy hotel stay had its perks, and ooey gooey melty eggs was apparently one of them. Humming in appreciation, I started shovelling the eggs into my mouth.

“We need to talk about Kentucky,” Zach said, addressing us all.

I swallowed my mouthful before speaking. “Kentucky?”

Grayson frowned. “We have a charity game. I was supposed to fly out to play, but there’s no way I can do that now.” He looked at Zach as he spoke, a deep frown on his face.

“It’s not that simple, Gray. We all signed contracts and we have to be there,” Zach replied coolly. “Do you want to explain how you fucked up to the coach of the Chargers?”

Grayson’s frown fell, and he took a deep breath as he rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and glaring at Zach. “Well, what do you propose?” he asked.

Zach turned to me. “Do you have a passport?”

I did have one. The year before, I’d gone on a girls’ trip to Spain. But I didn’t like where this line of questioning was going.

“I do,” I admitted, pushing a bit of bacon around my plate. A lie would have been better, but I couldn’t do it.

My stupid moral compass needed to learn to pick its moments.

“In that case, she comes with us. We will only be in Kentucky for a week, at most, then we will return here, so Grayson can see out the rest of the season with his new bond mate.” His tone was icy on the last two words.

My exams weren’t for five weeks, so in theory, I could travel with them to this game, but something about Zach’s tone and his inability to ask me rubbed me the wrong way.

“I will be coming back, yes?” I asked, levelling him with a glare.

“Yes, as I said.” His tone was clipped. “Grayson needs to finish his season.”

“I can’t afford a ticket to America. I’m a student,” I reminded him pointedly. Not all of us could afford stupid fancy suits. The navy suit he was wearing fit him so well, it looked expensive and fit him a little too perfectly.

“I remember.” Zach glowered at me. “You don’t need a ticket. I’ve chartered a jet for all of us.”

“A jet?” I asked dumbly, his words not computing.

“Yes, a jet. When there’s more than one of us, it makes sense. It helps us avoid any unwanted press. The last thing we want is them hearing about you right now.” His tone held clear disapproval at the idea of anyone knowing about me.

“Ahh, yes, I’m your secret shame.” I nodded sagely, anger bubbling in my stomach.

“Would you rather have a press conference announcing you’re our bonded omega and officially part of Pack Stone?” He cocked his head at me.

“I’m good,” I grumbled, stabbing a bit of sausage a little more aggressively than I intended.

“Thank you, going means a lot to us.” Maverick gave me an easy smile and patted my knee.

“What happens after this season?” I asked, pointedly.

“And then Grayson will be returning to California, where we are doing our best to secure a contract with the Cali Chargers for next season.”

“I could stay with the Polar Blades for another season, since Molly has another year of college left,” Grayson said, taking a sip of his orange juice.

I turned to him with a smile. Could he do that? There was no way I was giving up my education to follow a bunch of hockey players around.

Zach sighed. “You and I both know that would be career suicide. But there’s no point in discussing it now. Your head is still messed up from the bonding. Let’s just get through the Kentucky game first.”

“You’re a ray of sunshine, aren’t you?” I snarked.

Maverick snorted, quickly distracting himself with his toast, which was fascinating now that Zach was glaring at him.

“I am,” he replied tersely. “I’ve also organised a vet appointment for your pet.” He gestured to Potato’s enclosure as he spoke.

I stilled. “Excuse me?” Why the hell was he making appointments for my goddamned rabbit? That crossed a line. She had nothing to do with him. I got the distinct impression this alpha wasn’t exactly a fan of boundaries—unless they were his own, of course.

“I’m assuming you want to take the creature with us when we travel, and I am also assuming you don’t have the paperwork to travel with her internationally. I’ve paid for a vet to give her a checkup and sign the paperwork, so we can rush travel papers.” He looked at me with a small, smug smile.

“Oh,” I said, dumbly. “Uh, thank you.”

Zach’s eyes widened at my thank you, but he schooled his features so quickly, I wondered if I had imagined it. Despite his bossy and brutish attitude, my chest warmed at the gesture. He somehow knew that I preferred to have Potato with me.

“Travel may be a little stressful on her,” I admitted. “Rabbits can spook easily.”

“I spoke to the vet when I booked the appointment. Since we are travelling privately, we can give her a large carrier and reduce her stress. Talk to the vet yourself today when you take her.” He took a bite of his toast, like he was commenting on the weather. Next to him, Maverick was grinning madly.

“You like the little fluffball, don’t you?” Mav smirked at Zach.

“Molly likes her. That’s what matters,” he said, never looking away from the newspaper he was reading.

“Sure.” Maverick smirked at me.

I barely held back my giggle.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Grayson

Molly was coming with us to Kentucky. Knowing she would be near was a weight off my shoulders. I knew I needed to attend this charity game if I had a snowball’s chance in hell at saving my career, but if she had insisted on staying, I had been completely prepared to fight Zach on it. Molly was going through enough upheaval; she deserved a say in how the next few weeks would go.

Mav took her to her vet appointment, then to her place to grab some clothes while I went and packed a few things myself. Zach came with me, hardly speaking on the drive over. Things had been tense between us ever since he had thrown those contracts at Molly.

“We are keeping the bonding somewhat private for now,” Zach told me as I threw clothes into a suitcase.

“Why? Surely having an omega is a good thing?” I asked, grabbing the first items of clothing my hands touched in my closet.

“We were supposed to be courting another omega.”

“None of us wanted that,” I reminded him. “You just wanted the business connections.”

“None of us wanted Molly, and yet she’s here and has zero business connections.”

“Don’t talk about her like that.” I glared at him over my shoulder. “Like it or not, Molly is pack now. You need to protect her.”

“What do you think I’m doing, Gray? You’ve landed us in an impossible position.”

“I didn’t plan for this. Cut me some slack—it was one mistake.”

“Your fuckup led to your being stuck here!” Zach growled.

I stilled, turning to look at him with straight-up fury. “Are you fucking suggesting that what I did in Salt Lake was a mistake?”

Zach deflated. “No. You know I don’t. You’re being perceived as a fuckup, though, and there will probably never be enough evidence to clear your name about what happened in Salt Lake.”

“Please, try with Molly. For me. For our pack.”

“I’m going to have to, aren’t I?”

We met up at the airport. Molly looked nervously at the plane, her hair twisted into a loose braid, and she wore leggings and a gigantic, baggy-fitting knit sweater. She wrung her hands as she looked at the plane. I was used to private travel, but for Molly, it was an entirely new experience. What did she think of us? Of the way we lived? Some omegas would be lapping it up, loving the luxury, but Molly wasn’t like that.

I wanted to scoop her up and keep her close. The bond hummed with her nearness. I rushed forward and took her suitcase off her, inhaling her sweet peach scent as soon as she was close. Maverick followed behind her, a giant pet carrier in hand. It was far larger than the one we had used to move the rabbit between her dorm room and the hotel.

“Hey, did it all go okay?” I asked gently.

“Yeah. Potato was all up to date, and Mav got her an amazing carrier for the trip, so she’ll be comfy.” She looked between me and the plane. “Are you sure it’s safe to fly in that thing? It’s tiny.”

“Completely safe,” I reassured her. “I’ve flown private more times than I can count. Have you flown before?”

“A couple of times. I went to Spain not long ago, but this seems . . . more. The longest flight I’ve ever been on was a few hours, and this is going to be nearly ten hours.”

“It’ll be over before you know it. There are like a million different movies we can watch, snacks we can eat, and once we are in the air, you can play with your fluffy little Potato.”

Molly took a deep breath and nodded. I could feel her worry nagging at me. I didn’t know what to say to reassure her. Instead of saying anything, I reached out, gently rubbing her lower back. She leaned into my touch, in a move that made me feel a hundred feet tall.

“Take off is in five minutes. We can’t be late,” Zach said as he walked to the stairs, his own duffel bag in hand.

“Does he own any clothing that isn’t a suit?” Molly mumbled under her breath as she watched him jog up the stairs.

“Before he started managing us and was a player himself, he despised wearing ties. Anytime he wore a shirt, he would complain that it was strangling him.”

Molly snorted. “Oh, how things change,” she murmured, trailing after Zach up the stairs herself.

The plane was no different from any other I had been in before, but I tried to picture it from Molly’s perspective. With rich leather seats the size of armchairs, pristine upholstery, and sleek interiors, the small plane did scream quiet luxury.

“Molly, you take one of the middle seats. I can put Potato next to you,” Mav called out as he followed her, arms full of carrier.

“Will that be safe for take-off?” she asked, nerves lacing every word.

“This kind of carrier can be buckled down for safety. She’ll be snug as a bug in a rug.” Mav spoke with confidence as he beamed at Molly.

“Thank you.” Her voice was quiet as she took her seat, watching intently as her pet was clipped in next to her.

The flight attendant came in and gave us all the usual safety briefing. We hardly listened, having heard it so many times before, but Molly kept her attention firmly on the young blonde attendant, who didn’t even bother to look her way.

I took the seat next to her, and Mav didn’t stop me. He could probably tell that the bond was making me desperate to stay by Molly’s side.

During take-off, her hand found mine, clutching it intently as she took quick short breaths. She was obviously anxious, but she was seeking comfort from me, which made my alpha want to beat his chest in happiness.

Once we were in the air, her breathing evened out a bit, and she opened her eyes to check on Potato, who was happily sitting in the corner of her crate, munching on hay.

“Movie time,” Mav declared as he grabbed the remote and started flicking through the movies. “Anything look good to you, Molly?”

She frowned at the screen. “Half of these films are still in cinemas.”

I shrugged. “Money,” I explained simply.

“Ah.” she nodded sagely before picking a science fiction movie that had only recently come out. None of us had any objections—probably because everyone in the plane, with the exception of Zach, just wanted Molly to be happy—so once we all had drinks from the minibar, we settled into the movie. Well, Molly, Maverick, and I did. Zach was busy on his phone, but that was nothing new.

Molly sat with her legs tucked under her, the sweet peach smell filling the cabin.

About twenty minutes into the movie, I noticed that she hadn’t touched her lemonade, and she was shifting in her seat uncomfortably. Through the bond, I could feel unease.

“What’s happening, Peach?” I asked gently. Everyone in the cabin could hear me.

“It’s nothing, just the bond.” She rubbed her chest as she spoke, eyes glued to the TV as a light pink hue took over her face.

“Come here,” I commanded softly.

She looked between me and the TV, worrying her bottom lip as she did. Eventually, the need gave out and she undid her belt and wobbled over to me. She sat on the arm of my chair, so she was near but not touching.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

I rolled my eyes. Snaking my arm around her waist, I dragged her onto my lap, ignoring the cute little squeak of surprise as I did. I laid her sideways across my legs, her face pressed into my neck.

“I, uh . . .” She looked up at me with confusion.

I pulled her even closer to me. “Please? The bond is riding me hard,” I murmured. It wasn’t a lie. Some time with her close would help relax me.

“Okay,” she conceded quickly, relaxing in my arms.

Mav smirked over the rim of his drink at me, and I smirked back. The fucker was probably jealous. I buried my nose into her hair and inhaled the sweet peach.

The flight passed in amicable silence. Zach hardly looked up from his phone while the rest of us settled in for a movie marathon. Molly snoozed in my lap, peacefully watching the movies. My bond hummed in contentment at her nearness.

I didn’t want the flight to end.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Nils

Pacing the floor of the Kentucky rental house, I checked my phone for possibly the hundredth time.

My pack had landed an hour ago and would be arriving soon, so I was waiting in the entryway, bouncing on the balls of my feet in excitement.

I had seen photos of Molly, the grainy and pixelated video call and spoken to her a fair bit over the last few days, but nothing could compare to actually meeting her.

Grayson and Maverick both seemed excited and smitten with her, and it wasn’t hard to see why. She came across as sweet, a little stubborn, and goddamned beautiful. When I had initially texted her during practice, I had done so only to satisfy my curiosity. When she had responded to my picture with one of her own, I could see why Gray was going crazy for her.

Molly was part of our pack now, and I was very excited to meet our newest member. If I hadn’t needed to stay and play a game with the Baltics, I would have flown to England with the rest of my pack. Instead, I had to wait. The moment I finished playing, I boarded the first flight from California to Kentucky, where the charity games were being held. Zach signed us up for charity games regularly because it was good PR.

As I paced, I kept thinking about what I would say. Was my courting gift enough? The large lavender-scented pillows were just the start. I had decided I would have to buy her several courting gifts.

I wasn’t a monk. I was a professional hockey player. I had dated—a fair bit, in fact. Those trysts had been quick, cheap fun, though. Molly was something serious. She was bonded into our pack, and Mav had made it clear to me that he fully intended to bond with her in the future. This was real, and I couldn’t afford to mess this up. From the sound of it, Gray and Zach were doing a damn good job of that themselves.

I was reaching into my pocket to check my phone again when I heard the crunch of gravel as a car pulled into the driveway.

She’s here.

Striding outside, I made a beeline for the SUV. I could see Zach and Mav in the front seats, so I opened the back passenger door as soon as the car halted—maybe even a little before. I was excited, okay? My entire pack had met this woman, and I had only shared a few texts and a selfie.

Molly looked at me with wide eyes as I beamed at her.

“Hello, Molly, nice to meet you.” I held out a hand to help her out of the car.

The first thing I noticed upon opening the door was the smell. Peach. Sweet, juicy, and delicate.

Fucking perfect.

My dick stiffened at the scent, and I instantly knew that Gray had made a good choice.

“Hi,” she said, her voice breathless with surprise.

“Hello there.” I beamed at her as she got out of the car, her hand tiny and soft in mine. In comparison, my own hand was full of calluses from playing—all my pack members had them.

She slid out of the car, stumbling slightly due to the sheer height of the SUV. We tended to use bigger cars because we were four large hockey players, but I made a mental note to look into steps or something to help Molly get in and out easier.

“It’s nice to finally meet you.” She smiled at me, somewhat shyly. Was she as nervous as I was? Her eyes raked over me, and I started to worry. Did she like what she saw? Would she find me attractive? I sure as fuck found her attractive.

Her hair was in a braid, and she was wearing comfortable clothes from the journey, but she still looked amazing. The tight black fabric on her legs hid nothing of her shapely legs. I cursed the baggy sweater that was far too long for her and covered her butt—I had a feeling those leggings would show me every delectable curve of her ass.

“It’s amazing to finally see you, Molly. Are you hungry? I’m about to make some lunch. Nothing fancy, just chicken and veggies, but I imagine it’s better than what you could get on the plane. Shit, are you vegetarian? Or vegan?” I repressed a shudder at the last part. We were a pack of athletes and had a deep love affair with meat. Having a vegan member of the pack would be quite the challenge.

Molly nodded. “That’ll be lovely, thank you. I’ve got no aversion to meat.” Maverick snorted at her words as he hauled his bag out of the trunk. Molly glared at him. “Don’t be an ass,” she admonished, a blush rising in her cheeks. The soft English accent was like music to my ears.

Maverick gaped. “I’m never an ass, Molly dear!”

“Ignore the caveman.” I smirked, taking her handbag from her and gently touching her at the waist to guide her towards the house. “Let’s go get food.”

Zach walked past us, making a beeline for the house. “Once we’ve eaten, we need to discuss the plan for this game.”

“He’s got a stick up his ass more than normal,” I observed.

“I seem to have that effect on him,” Molly mumbled, making me laugh.

I pushed her lightly towards the door. It was cold out, and I didn’t want her catching a chill, so I ushered her to the kitchen.

Looking around with wide eyes, she took the place in. “This isn’t your normal pack house, right? Isn’t that in California?” she asked.

“Yes, this is just a rental while we play a few matches here. I’ve got a few weeks before I have to go back to California to be with the Chargers, so Zach booked plenty of charity and PR activities.”

“Sounds exhausting,” Molly commented.

“It is, but that’s the life of an athlete. Do you play any sports?”

“I’m more of a book kinda girl, if I’m honest,” she admitted.

“Nothing wrong with that,” I said, gesturing to a barstool. “Take a seat. You must be exhausted after all that travel, but we can still chat.”

She turned behind her, to where Grayson was walking in with a giant pet carrier in hand.

“I’m going to set up the fluffball in your room. Do you want me to do the same as we did at the hotel?” he asked.

Molly nodded. “Please.”

“In that case, how about I let her explore the kitchen while I set things up? There aren’t any carpets for her to ruin. Can you keep an eye on her?”

“I can. Thank you, Gray.”

“Who do you have here?” I asked, walking up to Molly, who was looking in the carrier.

“Potato—you saw a photo of her.” She reached in and pulled out the same brown floppy-eared rabbit that had been in the selfie she had sent me. Clutching the bunny to her chest, Molly scratched her behind the ear and cooed at her.

The rabbit snuggled deeper into Molly’s chest, and I couldn’t resist smiling at them. I was a fan of all critters, so the idea of having a pet in the house suited me just fine.

“Isn’t she adorable—can I?” I asked, extending my hand toward her pet.

“She’s super friendly, go ahead.” Molly smiled at me, and I gently patted the bunny’s head. Said bunny did seem very relaxed, considering she had travelled so far.

After a moment of attention, Molly plopped the bunny on the floor, sitting on the floor cross-legged while I got to work cooking.

She watched the rabbit with a serene smile as it hopped around the kitchen, sniffing and inspecting everything. She had pushed up the sleeves of her baggy sweater, and I could see the fading red scar that ran from her wrist to mid forearm, curving around. Gray had told me about her injury when the barrier broke, and while it was terrible luck, it had led to us having an omega in our home.

“We’ve got a bunch of fresh produce here, if she wants anything,” I said as I grabbed the chicken out of the fridge.

“She can eat loads of fresh herbs.”

“We’ve got mint. Is that okay?” I asked, grabbing the small bushel out of the drawer and passing it to Molly, who was nodding enthusiastically.

“That’s perfect!” she exclaimed, ripping off a few leaves. Before she could even look, the small fluffball had bounded up to her and hopped right into her lap, solely focused on the herb in her human’s hand.

“She loves it!” I laughed as I grabbed a frying pan and started seasoning the chicken.

“Mint and parsley are her favourites!” She laughed, petting Potato as she laid in her lap, happily munching the greens.

“She’s lovely—like her human.” I smirked at Molly, pleased at the blush rising in her cheeks.

“Uh, thank you?” She sounded unsure, her focus returning to the rabbit.

“You’re welcome.” Her reactions were adorable. Only five minutes together, and she already came across like her messages and as described by my packmates—sweet and calm.

Then again, if Maverick was to be believed, she had yelled at Zach to shove some contracts where the sun didn’t shine, so she clearly had some fire.

As I started cooking the chicken and sauteing the broccoli and green beans in garlic, Molly spoke. “So, you’re originally from Sweden?” she asked.

“Yep, until I was eight. My parents are still over there, and I visit them regularly. Both to see them and to stock up on all my favourite childhood snacks.”

“Are you a gummy or chocolate sweet person?” Molly asked.

“Sour gummy candy all the way!” I said, chuckling at the gagging noise Molly made in response. “Not a fan?” I asked.

“Not at all. I’m a chocolate girl.”

“I’ll have to remember that,” I said, storing that information for later use.

Maverick ambled into the kitchen, looking at the omega on the kitchen floor with the rabbit in her lap.

“Hey.” He smiled at me, pulling me in for a quick hug. I had missed my packmates, and part of me felt far more relaxed with them here.

“How did it all go?” I asked.

“Well, I’m here, so a disaster?” Molly laughed lightly.

Maverick tapped his chin with an overly thoughtful expression. “Yeah, but you’re a very pretty disaster, Molly.” He crouched next to her, giving Potato a quick pet. “Is Gray setting up her house?”

“Yeah, I was letting her explore the kitchen, but it seems she wants cuddles now.” She smiled affectionately down at her pet.

“I can’t blame her. You’re good at cuddling.” Mav smirked, his hand gently grabbing the back of her neck as he stole a quick kiss. Sweet peach exploded in the room, and Molly gave my packmate a startled look as he pulled away with a smirk before getting up and wandering over to the breakfast bar.

“I . . . uh,” she scrambled to find words, her face bright red. The thick peach scent didn’t lie; she liked being kissed by Mav.

I found myself wondering how long it would be until I kissed her.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Molly

Iwas feeling frazzled.

Nils was lovely, kind, and looked like a hotter version of Thor, which I didn’t think possible. He’d pulled his hair back into a messy bun, and he had a smattering of facial hair. I did briefly wonder how that hair would feel on my thighs as he did unholy things to me.

When he’d opened the car door, I had wanted to drool at the scent of gingerbread. Every member of pack Stone smelled delicious and edible, and Nils was no different. Casually dressed in grey sweatpants and a black Henley, he looked far too good.

Then he offered to cook for me, fussed Potato and gave her mint, and acted all around sweet. How the hell was I meant to resist that?

Maverick had been worming his way into my affection over the last few days, and Nils had barreled in with a sweet, boyish smile.

Zach … he could still get bent.

When Maverick kissed me in the kitchen, I had been shocked that he would do that in front of Nils. Then again, they were a pack. They shared—everything.

Including me, potentially.

I could feel the panic rising in my chest as Nils went back to cooking. How was I going to handle multiple alphas? I would fail, I couldn’t do it. There was no—

“Molly, do you want to bring Potato on in? Everything is set up.” Grayson spoke from the doorway, his gaze concerned.

Taking the opportunity, I scrambled up, Potato in my arms, and scampered over to him. I followed him down a short hallway to the conservatory, where there was everything Potato could need. Space, litter tray, hay, toys, and even a few blankets.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, gently placing her in the run. Unfazed, the rabbit made herself at home, burrowing right into the blankets.

Standing up, I took a deep breath. Unease and a shaky sensation filled me. Turning to leave, I was about to give Grayson a small smile and another thank you when his arm snaked around my waist, pulling me back and gently pressing me against the wall.

“Hey,” he said in a low voice. “I can feel what you’re feeling, remember? Talk to me, Molly. What’s going through your head?”

“It’s all a bit . . . much. I didn’t plan for this and it’s feeling very real.”

My scent was probably making my emotions crystal clear. Stupid bond. Stupid scent. Keeping a secret from Grayson would be downright impossible, thanks to the bond.

“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to, Peach,” he soothed, his hand coming up to cup my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek in a gesture that calmed me somewhat.

“I know … but what if I want to?” I whispered.

“What do you mean, Peach?”

I groaned, resting my forehead on his chest, so I didn’t have to look at him. “You’re all stupidly hot, okay? Like, it’s not fair how hot. Yet when Mav kisses me or I think about how hot Nils is, I feel like I’m cheating on you. I’ve only ever been monogamous. I feel like I’m messing this up.”

“Hey, Peach.” He tilted my head up so I was looking at him. “There is no right way to go about this. Just do whatever feels right to you. Want to kiss Mav, then kiss Mav. Wanna jump his bones, go ahead. I’ll probably have a boner harder than steel from feeling that through the bond, but it’ll be so worth it.”

I started worrying my lip again, so Grayson moved his thumb gently across my bottom lip, startling and distracting me.

“What about, uh …” I trailed off.

“Talk to me, Peach.”

“Sharing. Is that a heat thing? I mean, I know that every pack is different, and during heats, it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation, but outside of heats? What does that look like?” I was rambling, the words tumbling out of my mouth faster than my brain could keep up.

“Hey, deep breath, okay?” Grayson smiled gently at me, both his hands cupping my face. “What does it look like? Well, that’s up to you. I speak for myself, and I bet my pack would agree that we wouldn’t mind sharing. Fuck, watching one of my packmates and you could be glorious—but only if that’s what you want, Molly. We can do one-on-one things or explore group things. We will follow your lead and do what you feel like doing. There’s zero pressure here.”

“There’s a little pressure,” I mumbled.

Grayson chuckled. “You smell like sex, Peach. We’re going to constantly have boners. Just ignore them, unless you want to play with them, then feel free.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his grin. “It was a pretty damn fun heat,” I admitted, my face warming.

“It was hands down the best sex I’ve ever had. You’ve ruined me for all other women, Molly Bennett, and that was before you bit me.”

Truth be told, I felt the same way. I was just reluctant to admit it.

“Come on, guys! Food is ready!” Nils called down the hallway.

I peered up at Grayson, who looked amused at the situation.

“Nils is stupidly attractive, total Thor wannabe,” he whispered so Nils couldn’t hear him.

“That’s what I thought!” I whisper-shouted.

Grayson let out a loud laugh. “We called him Thor a lot in high school—there were many dick and hammer jokes made.” He stepped back. “Let’s go eat.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime, Peach.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Nils

Dinner passed without incident. More than that, it was enjoyable. Even Zach joined us as we settled around the breakfast bar in the kitchen. I watched Molly like a hawk as she ate, wanting to ensure she was enjoying the food. There was a drive in me, insisting I care for her. She seemed to have calmed down after Grayson had chased her out of the kitchen. He knew Molly better than any of us, and that both excited me and made me want to know her more.

“This is really nice, thank you,” she praised me as she ate, making me feel ten feet tall. Mav and Zach discussed the upcoming games while Grayson asked me about my recent work.

Despite the frosty nature of Zach and Molly’s relationship, I couldn’t help but revel in having my pack all in one place again. Nothing had been the same since Gray had left for England, and while I understood why it was necessary, the fracture it created in our pack was hard to endure.

Molly and Mav got into a heated debate on the history of the UK monarchy—Mav had watched a few TV shows and thought he knew everything. Molly, on the other hand, was majoring in history and was adamant that Mav was wrong about many, many things.

“But on the TV show, she had two kids!”

“Henry the eighth’s second wife only gave him a daughter—never a son.”

“Okay, but what about the streaming show about the modern royals? That’s got to be fact, right?” Mav asked around a mouthful of green beans.

Molly’s only response was to groan and slam her face into her hand. “The American education system has failed you,” she mumbled.

Gray laughed. “Hey! Don’t blame the education system—blame Mav. I went to the same school as him, and even I know that.”

“He really is a special one, Molly,” I chimed in. “He thinks Vikings actually wore horns on their helmets like in the cheap costumes.”

“I wore one Halloween costume and Nils, being our resident Viking expert, gave me an hour-long lecture,” Maverick groaned, throwing a playful glare my way. “But I know I’m right about Henry. I know it! I would bet on it!”

Molly’s smile widened. “Oh yeah? What would you bet on that?”

“I would clean Potato’s litter tray for the next month and take you to see one of those old castles you’ve been talking about!”

Molly grinned. “I’ll take that bet!”

“But if you lose, I want three dates of my choosing,” Maverick insisted. “One of them will be ice skating. You need to learn. You’re part of an ice hockey pack—it’s just not right.”

It made sense for our omega to be able to skate, but I had a suspicion Molly was right, so I slid out my phone and started typing.

Molly laughed. “Normally, I would say hell no, because last time I went on the ice, I nearly broke my ankle, but I’m so confident I’m right. Nils, care to do the honours and look it up?”

I smirked at Maverick. “I already did. She’s right, Mav.”

Maverick’s face fell as Molly yipped in delight and she high-fived Gray. I burst into laughter at Mav’s pout, and even Zach cracked a smile over his cup of coffee.

Once the laughter died down, Maverick got up, kissing Molly on her forehead. “I’m going to go shower. I reek of plane.”

“Good idea,” Gray agreed with a laugh. “You do smell ripe.”

“Fuck off. Not all of us can smell like a stick of gum.”

I laughed.

“I’m probably also going to get some rest and make sure that Alexis knows I got here safe,” Molly said, stretching before climbing out of her seat.

“Please do, that woman scares me,” Grayson mumbled. “I have no doubt that she would find it easy to Taser me from across the world.”

After Molly padded up to her room and Zach left to take a call, only Grayson and I were left in the kitchen.

“It’s good to see you again, brother,” Grayson said, sighing. “It’s been a weird few months.”

“You seem to have landed on your feet, though. Molly seems sweet. And she’s gorgeous.”

“She really is. I think she’ll get along with everyone, even Zach, once he gets his head out of his ass.”

“Does she want that sort of pack relationship? Wasn’t she a bit torn on that, given your bonding was an accident?”

Grayson pursed his lips. “She originally had doubts, but that’s normal when being thrown into a situation like this. From what I can tell, her ex was a real pile of shit and made her worried that she wouldn’t be able to keep multiple alphas happy if she couldn’t keep him happy.”

“What a dick,” I growled.

Grayson nodded. “She’s attracted to all of us, though. She admitted it to me. Well, she admitted that she finds you, me, and Mav attractive. She refuses to say she likes Zach, but her scent doesn’t lie. There’s a chance we could have a real good thing here.”

“So you wouldn’t mind if I spend some time with her, one-on-one?” I asked. “I’m not stepping on any toes? Even though I saw Mav kiss her, I wasn’t sure.”

“Go for it, man.” Grayson’s face lit up. “Actually, she has a real sweet tooth. So maybe Frankies?” He mentioned the local ice cream shop.

I grinned at him. “Okay, I’ll go talk to her now. It’s only seven, so we have time.” I clapped Grayson on the back as I left the room.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” he shouted after me.

“That’s a very short list, Gray!”

Despite getting to spend time with Molly over dinner, I was excited at the prospect of a little one-on-one time with her.

Knocking gently on her door, I waited until I heard her soft “come in,” before entering.

She was lying on the still-made bed but had changed her clothes and showered. The ends of her hair were still damp. Potato lay next to her, and she idly stroked her as she flicked through her phone.

“Heya,” she said when she saw me, putting her phone down and sitting up. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s great. I just wanted to see if you wanted to go grab some ice cream. I realise dinner was very . . . healthy. We didn’t get any sweet foods when we ordered groceries for this place. That’s okay for the athletes in the house, but it’s rather unfair to you,” I explained.

Her face lit up at the mention of ice cream. Gray was right—she did have a strong sweet tooth. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother, but I would happily kill for some chocolate ice cream right now!” She laughed.

“If you’re going to kill anyone, make sure it’s Mav. I owe him twenty dollars.”

Molly threw her head back in laughter. The movement displayed the bite mark on her neck. My teeth hurt at the sight of it. I wanted to mark her.

All in good time.

Hopefully.

“If I’m going to kill anyone at the moment, it’ll be Zach,” she admitted.

“Understandable.”

“And Maverick lost our bet and is on litter duty, so I won’t kill him while he’s useful! Are you sure you want to go for ice cream? You’re not doing this to be nice? Would it just be us?”

“I’m doing this because omegas love sweets, and honestly, I want something drowned in caramel sauce. It’ll be just us, if that’s okay with you? I would love to get to know you better.”

“I would like that as well,” she admitted. “As long as it won’t be a bother.”

“It’s no bother at all. Come on. There’s a good place a short drive from here.”

Molly beamed as she picked up the bunny and gently put her away before grabbing shoes. As she did, I glanced over at the bed and noticed she’d been leaning on the pillows I’d bought her—she clearly liked them. “Let’s go!” she squealed excitedly, practically pushing me out of the door.

We took my Jeep that I had leased in Kentucky. It was bright blue and, despite being several years old, it was in pristine condition.

Molly shivered as she got in the car. It was pretty cold, so I cranked up the heat and even turned on the heated seats, much to her pleasure.

“I could get used to these fancy cars. Heated seats are so nice,” she groaned, melting into her seat.

“We do like our cars. Do you drive?” I asked, looking behind me and pulling out of the driveway.

“I can drive, but I’ve hardly ever done it. Also, I’ve driven in England, where it’s a little different. Isn’t it confusing for you every time you go home to Sweden?”

“Nope, we also drive on the right.” I laughed as Molly groaned at my answer. “You’ll have to get used to it. Then again, there should always be one of us around to drive you.”

Although, if she wanted to drive herself, we needed to look into a safe car for her. Knowing Zach, he was already making plans.

“I live on campus, so there really isn’t a need for me to drive.”

“But what about here?” I asked, not realising I had just put my foot in my mouth.

“How much did Grayson tell you about what happened?” she asked in a small voice, wringing her hands in her lap.

“Just the basics. You’re a student, accidental bonding, Zach’s an asshole and tried to make you sign something. The footnotes.”

“Zach tried to force me to give up all my rights and basically follow the pack wherever you go. He wanted me to stop studying, leave my country, my family, and friends, and follow around a bunch of alphas I don’t know.”

“What the fuck? That sounds extreme, even for Zach.”

“Oh, there was more. If I signed, I would have zero claim on pack Stone’s assets, be unable to work for myself because I had to go where the pack went, and if I failed to meet any obligations, I would be forced to go through chemical unbonding.”

I turned to gape at Molly, slamming on my brakes. Luckily, the roads were deserted.

“He. Did. What?” I asked, my voice low and dangerous. Molly’s scent spiked with fear and I took a deep breath—I didn’t want to scare her. Anger gnawed at me, but only because of Zach’s behaviour. She had done nothing wrong.

“Uh, yeah. I didn’t sign,” she mumbled.

“Even if you did, I would be tearing up those fucking papers. That’s not okay. I’ll be having words with Zach tonight.”

“No! Please. I don’t want you to fight because of me,” she rushed to say.

“We won’t fight because of you, Molly, but his behaviour is downright disgraceful.”

“I won’t disagree, but for now, can we go enjoy some ice cream?” she asked, her face hopeful.

“Of course we can, beautiful.” I didn’t want to stress her out. Clearly, Zach was doing that plenty. I reached out and took her hand in mine as I kept my eyes on the road.

She didn’t pull away.

The ice cream place was a typical mom-and-pop shop with a dizzying array of flavours. Molly went straight for the glass display case, eyeing several flavours.

“What looks good?” I asked, leaning down to talk in her ear as I stood behind her. The shop was a little loud, and I wasn’t opposed to getting closer to her.

“All of it,” she replied, her eyes never leaving the display. “How on earth can you expect me to pick?”

“You can get a hot fudge sundae with three different flavours, toppings, and whipped cream. I know, because I’ve snuck out a few times when I needed something with copious amounts of sugar.”

Molly groaned in delight. “That sounds perfect—I’ll have that!” She eyed the flavours with hunger. “But what to pick?”

“Do you want things that go together or totally random flavours, like some sort of ice cream renegade?” I asked, my tone conspiring.

“I mean, as long as they’re all chocolate based, I’m happy. You want to pick for me?” she asked, looking up at me with a stunning smile that made my heart stutter. Picking out flavours for her satisfied that deep alpha craving to look after her.

“I’ll happily pick. Do you want to go grab us a table?” I looked around. There were a few booths open.

“I’ll grab us a good one!” She leaned up and kissed me on the cheek before fleeing to one of the nearby booths.

My cheek burned from the kiss, and I resisted the urge to touch where her lips had been as a goofy grin spread across my face.

Considering her chocolate request, I ordered a chocolate monstrosity for Molly before ordering myself a more fruity sundae. Usually, I would opt for chocolate as well, but I wanted Molly to have options.

After placing my order, I eagerly made my way over to Molly.

Who wasn’t alone.

Someone, an alpha, was standing at the edge of the booth, hands on the table, leaning forward. Encroaching on Molly’s space. My omega was doing her best to shrink back from him. He smelled of something metallic and not very pleasant.

“Hey, babe, our order will be out soon.” I spoke in a bright, cheery voice as I made my way to her side. “Who’s this?” I turned to him. “Are you a friend of my mate?” I asked, all friendly smiles.

The alpha got the idea and glared at me before mumbling something under his breath and taking a step back. Taking advantage of the opening, I slid into Molly’s side of the booth, putting myself between her and the stranger I knew she had no affiliation with. Slinging my arm over her shoulders, I was pleased when she snuggled into my chest.

Was it all an act? Possibly. Was I enjoying every second of it? Fuck, yes.

The metallic asshole took one look at us before turning and leaving without another word. Once he’d left the shop, I spoke.

“He seemed like a charmer.”

“Thank you for that.” Molly didn’t pull away from me as she spoke, remaining snuggled up next to my chest. She was so small next to me. Delicate.

“What did he want?”

“He was asking for my number and wasn’t taking no for an answer.”

“You’re too damn pretty. I can’t leave you alone for a second.” I chuckled.

Molly looked up at me in surprise, a blush spreading on her cheeks. “I’m sure you’re used to pretty girls, being a sporty star and all that,” she mumbled, going to push herself off my chest, but I tightened my grip, keeping her plastered to me.

“None as pretty as you.” I smiled and she snorted. “It’s true!” She looked at me in disbelief, so I leaned down to whisper into her ear, so no one could hear us. “If I wasn’t such a gentleman, I would have shown you several times already how attractive I find you.”

Her blush deepened, but she didn’t look like she believed me. “Is that because of the bond with Grayson, and he’s your packmate?” she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

“Nope.” I leaned back down. “It’s because you are fucking with my mind in the best way and smell like sex. The moment I met you, I was thinking about what sounds you would make as I fucked you from behind. Maybe in front of the bathroom mirror, so you can watch every fucking beautiful reaction.”

Her scent bloomed, the peach overwhelmingly strong. I was thankful she had picked a booth in one of the far corners, away from people. I could enjoy the smell without needing to murder anyone nearby.

Molly brought out my feral side, it seemed.

“Oh,” Molly said, fidgeting in her seat, pressing her thighs together.

It seemed I had an effect on our omega.

We were distracted from any further conversation by the arrival of our ice creams. Molly took hers from the server with a bright smile, eyeing the sundae hungrily.

Grabbing her spoon, she took a huge bite, humming in approval as I grabbed my own with my left hand, never removing my other arm from her. She didn’t pull away, staying so close, I could feel her body warmth.

It was a challenge to eat with my non-dominant hand, but I didn’t give a shit. Having Molly so close, so happy, and smelling like fucking sex was the sweetest torture.

“Do you want to try a bite?” she asked, holding out a spoonful of the chocolatey concoction. I let her feed me happily, and of course, it was delicious. It was the same combination I had indulged in several times, but somehow, it tasted better when being fed to me by a small, delectable omega.

Taking a spoonful of my strawberry ice cream, I offered it to her. The sight of those full lips closing over the spoon had all my blood rushing south as I thought about those same pouty lips with my cock between them.

Molly was going to be the death of me.

Twenty minutes later, we made our way back to the car. I had taken her hand as we slid out of the booth, and she didn’t complain. In fact, she smiled, which I was taking as an excellent sign.

Letting go of her hand to get in the car made me unreasonably sad, especially when I was going to be sitting next to her in just a moment.

Once in our seats, she leaned over to me and took my hand again. “Is this okay?” she asked, nodding at our joined hands.

“More than okay,” I replied, lifting them to kiss the back of her hand, and was rewarded with a bright smile.

Molly sighed. “I don’t want to go back yet, I’m enjoying this.” Her thighs rubbed together again, and the car filled with the smell of her slick. Resisting the urge to groan, I smiled at her. “Don’t you say anything,” she grumbled, smiling at me. “This is your fault for saying those dirty things in there!”

“Oh, there are many, many more things I wanted to say, Molly.”

“Like what?”

“Are you sure you want to hear, little omega?”

She nodded.

I pulled onto a side street, putting the car in park and turning to Molly. Her gaze held zero fear, only excitement. The car smelled so strongly of peach, and I wanted the scent to never leave. I would do whatever it took to brand my car with peach.

My hand tangled in the back of Molly’s neck, pulling her in for a hungry kiss. I didn’t expect her to take it a step further and clamber over the centre console and onto my lap, but I wasn’t going to complain. The moment I understood her intentions, I did my best to help her manoeuvre into place, her core right over my very prominent erection.

Molly, completely unashamed, ground down on me, moaning at the friction.

Had I died and gone to heaven? Because a beautiful omega was grinding down on my dick, hands buried in my hair and demanding kisses.

Her lips were soft but forceful, and for a few moments, I let her take control. She tasted exactly how she smelled, like sugary floral peach. It reminded me of peach pie. Or cobbler.

After one more long, languid kiss, Molly pulled back. Her blush had spread down her chest, and I wanted to see how far the blush went.

“Sorry, I kind of mauled you there.” She laughed.

“There will be zero complaints from me, beautiful.”

Her blush deepened and she bit her lip, a worried look entering her features. Her scent soured a bit, much to my displeasure.

“Hey, what’s going on?” I asked, gently rubbing my hands over where I held her hips.

“It kind of feels like I’m cheating. Does that make sense?” she asked, biting her lip so hard, I was worried it was going to bleed.

“It does. Gray told me you never wanted to be part of a pack—do you still feel that way?” Considering she was sitting on my cock, I really hoped she didn’t.

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “I like all of you. It just feels weird.”

“I understand that. What can I do to help alleviate your fears?” I asked gently.

“I wish I knew!” Molly cried, slumping over so her head rested on my chest. “I wanted to crawl into your lap and do filthy things after you got that dirty image in my mind, but then my mind had to go and ruin that!”

I laughed. “I’ve got an idea.” Pushing the seat back, I manoeuvred us so she was sitting in my lap, facing the steering wheel. Luckily, there was a lot of space for what I had planned.

Pulling out my phone, I clicked on the familiar contact, opening a video call. While I waited for it to be answered, I perched the phone on the wheel, the camera pointing right at me and Molly.

“Who—” she started to ask, before noticing the contact. “Oh.”

Grayson’s face appeared on the screen, clearly lying in bed. Sans shirt. “Nils! Is everything okay? Hey, Peach,” he said, grinning at Molly, who only blushed harder.

“Our girl’s having some concerns,” I said, my hand trailing lightly over her stomach, close to her waistband.

Grayson lay back down, his head resting on his arm. Looking oh so casual, he said, “Really? What sort of concerns are you having, Peach? Because you forget that I can feel what you’re up to, and I know you’ve been wound up tightly for over an hour now—and judging by Nils’s hair, you’ve been having fun.”

“That doesn’t bother you?” she asked softly.

Grayson chuckled lightly. “Not at all. In fact, feeling you getting all hot and bothered makes me happy.”

I trailed my hand over her stomach, slipping under her shirt, so close but so far from where I wanted to be. My lips found her neck and I nipped lightly. I was rewarded with a moan as Molly went boneless in my arms.

“Do you want me to continue?” I whispered the question in her ear.

She hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking to the phone and back before slowly exhaling and nodding.

Fuck, yes.

With her approval, I wasted no time sliding my hand into her leggings, searching for her clit.

I couldn’t help but moan when I felt how slick she was. My hand was coated in seconds. Her scent was so damn good. I wanted to keep it on my fingers and never wash it off.

If I didn’t have to occasionally shake people’s hands as part of my job, I would. This scent was for me and my pack alone. Sharing with my pack was exciting, but if anyone else got to smell her or see her, I would get violent.

My alpha had fully claimed Molly. I just needed to bite her to seal the deal.

Impatient, I wasted no time in circling her clit several times, using her own wetness to make my fingers glide. She moaned throatily, throwing her head back onto my shoulder. The angle exposed her throat beautifully, and it took all my willpower to ignore the burning in my gums, demanding I bite, claim, and fuck.

“Are you having fun, Peach?” Grayson smirked at her from the phone screen.

“Yes,” she moaned, arching her back, head still thrown back on my shoulder.

“I’m going to make you come, and Grayson is going to watch,” I muttered into her ear before gently biting her lobe. “Do you want that, sweet girl?”

“Yes!” she repeated with a whine. “Please, Nils.”

Grayson smirked. “Tell Nils exactly what you want.”

Molly lifted her head to look at the screen. “I want to come. Please, Grayson.”

“How wet is she?” Grayson asked me, his eyes dark with arousal. The fucker was probably jealous, but he’d had her for an entire heat. Now it was my time for fun.

“So fucking slick, such a needy little omega,” I cooed.

“She tastes so fucking good, so damn sweet.”

I slipped my fingers out, smiling at her whine, lifting them to my lips. Sweet floral peach exploded on my tongue, and I moaned. He was right—I wanted to drink it straight from the source.

Molly’s ass ground down on my cock, and the friction alone almost made me see stars.

I chuckled. “Someone’s impatient.”

“She’s such a good needy omega.” Grayson’s voice crackled from the phone speaker.

I returned one hand to her clit while my other hand trailed under her shirt, up to her chest and into her bra, thumbing her nipple gently. It instantly pebbled under my attention.

“So damn responsive,” I muttered. “I’m going to have to see how much you can take one day before you come. Do you know what I would do if we had more space and time? I would bring you to the edge time and time again, until your sweet slick-coated pussy is drenching us and begging for a knot.”

“No, please let me come,” she whined.

I slid deeper, my fingers curling up to find her G-spot as I spoke into her ear. “Do you have any idea how jealous Grayson is right now? How badly he wishes it was him feeling your pussy clamping down on his fingers?”

“I’ll have my fun later.” Grayson smirked, his eyes never leaving Molly.

“As much as I would love to draw this out, sweet omega, we are parked on a random road where anyone can see us—and only me and my pack get to see you come.”

I flicked my fingers faster, pinching down on her nipple at the same time, making her writhe with need.

“She’s getting close,” Grayson observed. “Listen to how high pitched her whines are getting,”

“Hmmm, does she whine like that when she’s knotted?”

“Even better.”

“Fuck, I’m looking forward to that.” My lips trailed along her neck, sucking and nipping under her ear.

Her walls tightened around my fingers, so damn tight, I could feel the circulation to my fingers being cut off. What would that feel like on my cock—on my knot?

This was all going to be at her pace, but fuck, I wanted that. Badly.

My thumb roughly rubbed her clit as my fingers slowed from the sheer strength of her pussy.

She came with a sharp cry, her body convulsing in my lap as I kept her pinned to me, nibbling at her shoulder.

After she slumped in my arms, I relented, slowing my pace and retracting my fingers. I couldn’t resist tasting her again, considering her slick was coating my hand.

“Fucking beautiful,” I muttered as she came down from the high.

“Jesus, I don’t think I can feel my legs,” she panted.

I laughed. “You’ll recover.”

“I’m going to go grab a shower, because I’ve made a mess of myself,” Grayson said.

“Wait, did you?” Molly asked.

“Fuck, yeah. I made myself come so damn hard watching my packmate get you off, Peach. I’ll see you when you get home.”

We took a moment to right ourselves. Molly scrambled back into her seat, looking wonderfully dishevelled. Anyone who saw her would know what we did. She smelled like slick and sex.

“What about you?” Molly asked, biting her lip as she looked at the significant bulge in my pants she had been grinding her ass on.

“All in good time,” I said.

Molly pouted, making me grin. Did the omega want to play with me? Logistically, the car wasn’t the best place.

At the next stop sign, I leaned over, giving her a brutal kiss that was more of a claim than anything else. “The next time I have you on my lap, I promise I’ll be so deeply knotted in your pussy, you won’t know where you end and where I start.”

“Oh.”

“Yes, oh. I have every intention of making you come so many times once I’m buried inside you that you’ll be ruined.”

Her eyes widened, pupils dilating as the car filled with a fresh wave of perfume.

I needed to get her home, otherwise our first date was going to end in a deliciously filthy way.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Molly

What the hell had come over me? One moment, I’d been sharing a nice ice cream with Nils, and the next, I’d been screaming in the car as he made me see stars.

We drove back to the house in comfortable silence, Nils holding my hand the entire way. There was a magnetic force pulling me to this man, just like I had felt with Grayson and, fuck me, I didn’t want to fight it anymore.

I was sad that I didn’t have a chance to touch him, but I also got the impression that I could corner him at the house any time I wanted and he would be more than receptive.

My eyes struggled to stay open. The dark roads, combined with the warm car smelling of sex and pleasure, lulled me into a comfy state, and the exhaustion chose that moment to start catching up with me.

Nils smiled at my yawn. “Jet lag?” he asked, glancing over at me. “It’s like five in the morning in England. You must be exhausted.”

“I am,” I confirmed, my words almost slurring. Now that I was giving into it, the exhaustion was slamming into me like a truck.

“Let’s get you back to the house and into bed. I ordered extra pillows in case you wanted them.”

“Ugh, don’t say such dirty things while I’m too tired to act on my horniness.” I laughed weakly.

He smiled. “Hmm, bedding kink, good to know!”

“I’m an omega. We all have a huge pillow and blanket kink! My first boyfriend got me a fuzzy blanket and, ugh,” I sighed wistfully. “I’ll never forget Kevin.”

Kevin was an asshole. His only redeeming factor was the soft, fuzzy blanket I had slept with for months. But Nils didn’t need to know that.

“Where is this Kevin now?” Nils asked, an edge to his voice.

“Scared of the competition?” I laughed.

“Oh, there will be no contest. I’ll get you twenty fuzzy blankets. I just need to make sure I don’t need to punch this Kevin.”

“I haven’t heard from him in years,” I admitted. Twenty fuzzy blankets did sound pretty fucking amazing—part of me wanted to hold him to that offer.

“Good,” Nils declared as he turned into the driveway. “Do you like the cushions I got for your nest?”

“The lavender ones?” I asked, turning to him.

“You said purple was your favourite colour.” He smiled.

“They’re amazing, thank you! I didn’t realise.” They were so damn comfy and relaxing, smelling like lavender.

“No worries. I think we got caught up in your arrival. I’m happy you like them.”

“I really do,” I confirmed.

The lights were on downstairs. Shit. They were still awake. I stank like slick and perfume. “Uh, they’re going to know, aren’t they?”

“Are you ashamed of it?” Nils’s voice was quiet.

“No . . . at least, I don’t think I am,” I admitted. “It’s so different from what I’m used to.”

“Just go with your instincts. You’re an omega. You know what you need—even if you don’t realise it right now.”

I snorted. “Following my horny omega feelings led to me being finger banged in a car on a random road while the alpha I accidentally bonded watched via a video call!”

“See! And wasn’t that a good time?”

“I’m not complaining about that.” I smiled, opening the car door and letting the frigid late fall air fill the car, making my nipples pebble.

Nils slid out of the car with a chuckle of his own. I made a beeline for the front door, not bothering to knock. What was the etiquette in that situation, to knock or not? I didn’t have time to think about that. I wanted to get clean and collapse into bed.

The house smelled so strongly of the pack members. All together, their smells blended perfectly. Even—as much as it pained me to admit it—Zach’s scent fit perfectly.

Nils gave me one last smile, pulling me in for a quick kiss before sauntering off in the direction of the kitchen as I scampered upstairs to my bedroom.

The bed was looking so plush and inviting, but I wanted to clean up somewhat before I got into bed. My thighs were coated in slick. I didn’t want to get the bedding wet. It would be a shame to ruin such a comfy setup.

The bathroom attached to my room had a large claw-foot tub, so I decided to take advantage of it. Filling it with hot water, I grabbed a random bath bomb—there seemed to be a stockpile of various bath products—and threw it in. A strong smell of strawberry emanated from the fizzing water.

Shedding my clothes, I threw them in the corner to wash later when I had more energy, and stepped into the tub with a moan of glee. The water felt so damn good, soothing my aching muscles. Once I was submerged to my neck, I closed my eyes, willing my body to relax.

Sleep tugged at my consciousness, so I let myself drift—just resting my eyes.

All I needed was a glass of wine and some music, and this would be an ideal evening. I was already feeling boneless from the mind-blowing orgasm. The bath was the cherry on top.

Blissfully relaxed, I let my mind drift.

I must have fallen asleep for a few moments, because one moment, I was thinking about Nils and the car, and the next, someone was gently shaking my shoulder. My eyes shot open as I turned to look at my unexpected visitor, sitting up so quickly, water sloshed over the edge of the tub and onto the floor.

Grayson was crouched by the side of the bath, a concerned look on his face as he reached out to me.

“Crap! Grayson!” I gasped, my hands moving to cover my breasts, like he hadn’t seen them several times, or bitten them, or kissed them . . .

“Are you okay? I tried calling your name and heard nothing, and the bond was oddly quiet, so I came to check on you. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to sleep in the bath?” His voice took on a growly tone towards the end.

“I didn’t plan to fall asleep!” I snapped, trying to rub the sleep from my eyes while covering my chest with my elbows.

“Hey.” Grayson’s hand reached out to cup my neck in a familiar and comforting gesture, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Is everything okay, after you and Nils?”

“Yeah.” I waved him off. “I’m just exhausted. The jet lag clearly caught up to me at the wrong moment.”

Grayson frowned at me, standing up in a single fluid movement and striding over to the towel rack, grabbing a large one and coming to stand next to the bath. “Can you get out or should I help?”

“I can get out. You can leave,” I said, my voice shaky.

Grayson’s eyebrow cocked. “You fell asleep. In the water. I am not leaving you; it’s not safe. I’ve seen you naked many times, Peach. I saw you coming on my packmate’s fingers a few hours ago. While you are beautiful, I don’t really give a shit about that right now. I just want to get my omega dry and safely in bed. Falling asleep in the bath is risky and it’s aggravating my alpha. So, are you going to get out or should I lift you out?” He gave me a look, as if inviting me to challenge him. Maybe if I had more energy, I would have taken him up on the challenge, but I was nowhere near awake enough.

He would pick me up; I knew he would. So, with a grumble, I pulled myself out of the water. Grayson kept his eyes and his smirk on my face as he held the towel out and bundled me up into it.

I glowered at him as he rubbed every inch of my skin with the towel, ensuring I was dry. I was peeved that he was insisting I needed help, yet at the same time, my omega was basking in the care. He looked at me with care and concern, taking his time and ensuring I was comfortably dry, not even lingering on my breasts, much to my surprise.

“Do you want pyjamas or my shirt?” Grayson asked when I was mostly dry. “My scent could probably help a bit with the bond unease,” he explained.

I nodded. Yes, I wanted his shirt. I also wanted Maverick’s and Nils’s—but that was a discussion for another day.

I lifted my arms, too tired to care about modesty anymore. Grayson took his shirt off and slipped it over me, still warm from his body. Peppermint flooded my senses, and my bond hummed in appreciation at being covered in my alpha’s scent.

I padded over to the bed, intending to flop down and sleep, too tired to get into the blankets. It wasn’t that cold—I would survive a nap on top of the blankets. Grayson could see my intention as I stumbled to the bed and yanked the blankets back as I clambered in, throwing them gently over me so I was warm.

Grayson dithered at the edge of the bed, indecision clear on his face. The uncertainty radiated clearly through the bond. I didn’t have the energy to deal with his emotions as well as my own. I needed to make the bond happy and get a damn good sleep to kick the jet lag.

“Get in,” I grumbled, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to my chest as I turned my back to Grayson.

He didn’t need to be told twice. A smile spread across his face as he slid next to me, spooning me.

I wanted to open my mouth, to say something about the past twenty-four hours, about what had happened in the car with Nils.

But instead, I fell asleep, safely tucked up in my bonded alpha’s arms.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Molly

The next morning, Grayson kissed me goodbye at some ungodly hour while it was still dark outside, leaving me tucked up in bed while he headed to practice. I grumbled, turning over and falling back to sleep for several more blissful hours.

When the sun was up, I crawled out of bed, cranky and hungry. Grayson’s adrenaline was throwing me off. Every now and again, I would get a flash of excitement or mild pain through the bond. Luckily, the pain wasn’t too bad, and I could tune it out pretty easily.

It didn’t feel great, though.

Throwing on a pair of jeans and keeping the same shirt of Grayson’s I had slept in on, I trudged down to the kitchen in search of food and drink.

My day was alpha free—They were all working or practising. So, I made the most of the time, grabbing food from the kitchen, where several non-healthy snacks had suddenly appeared, much to my delight. Which alpha had done that for me?

Taking Potato with me, the morning passed quickly in a blur of research and bunny fusses. The work consumed me, and before I realised it, I had missed lunch.

Padding down to the kitchen, I rummaged around for a snack.

As I was pouring my popcorn into the large plastic bowl I had located, my phone rang.

Alexis.

I answered immediately, the video call popping up and my friend’s face filling the screen, the familiar blue wall of our dorm behind her.

“Molls! How are you? Do I need to come rescue you?” she asked before I even had a chance to say hello. It was late in the evening there, so she had probably just finished her classes for the day. I put my popcorn down and made my way across the room to Potato, who was lounging in her enclosure. Sitting on the floor, I fed her a few snacks while I spoke.

“No, it’s going okay,” I reassured her, lying back on the pillows, work forgotten.

Alexis looked concerned, but smiled. “The room looked swanky from those pictures you sent me!”

“It’s seriously nice—you would be having an aneurysm if you saw it.”

As I spoke, Potato hopped over to where I was sitting, her adorable little face popping into Alex’s view, making her coo in happiness.

“I miss that moody cutie!”

“She’s getting spoiled here, so much space to run around. We know what she’s like. Her affection is easily bought.” I laughed, turning the phone around to show off her space.

“A woman after my own heart! Now, Molly, tell me—has anything happened now you’re sequestered away with the whole pack?”

I didn’t say anything, but Alexis could read my startled face before I could deny it. “Lex—”

“Something did happen. Tell me. You’re blushing, so it’s got to be good!”

Taking a deep breath, I started discussing what had happened the previous night, and once I started, the words tumbled out like a flood. Talking about it with someone who wasn’t a member of Pack Stone was helpful.

“Holy fuck, that is hot,” Alexis cried when I finished up my tale. “How did you find it? They didn’t make you uncomfortable, did they?”

“Not at all, it was good. Very good.” I resisted the urge to burrow my face into the nearest pillow in embarrassment.

“Are they pressuring you at all?”

“No! This is all happening at my own pace,” I told her. Giving Potato one final pet and a chew to keep her entertained, I got up as I spoke, making my way back to the kitchen, the popcorn calling my name.

“It sounds like a damn good time, but I miss you!”

“I’ll be home after the guys finish with their meetings. I think there’s two or three of them and, of course, their game—I think I’m actually going to that game. How are things there?”

“Things are good. I’m probably going to get dinner with one of Grayson’s teammates tonight—Jensen. He’s been following me around like a little lost puppy, and I am being kind and giving in to him.” She smirked.

“You’re evil!” I laughed as I shoved a handful of popcorn into my mouth, clutching the bowl in one hand and my phone in the other as I dashed back to my room. The bed was calling me.

“The joys of being a beta. I could never do that bonding bullshit. I would eat alphas alive.” Alexis shrugged.

“Keep lording your power over the weak-minded men, and I’ll continue to get amazing orgasms,” I declared with a chuckle, pushing my door open with my ass because my hands were full. Thankfully, it hadn’t latched or I would be in a tricky position.

“Yes! You do that! You’re in a terrible situation. The least you can do is get some good sex out of the situation!”

A chuckle from my bed made me jump, almost making me drop the popcorn in shock. I looked between Alexis on the screen and Maverick, who was sitting on my bed, hands behind his head, a grin on his face.

“I agree with the good sex idea!” he declared gleefully.

“Is that one of your guys?” Alexis asked.

“It’s Maverick,” I told her, blushing furiously as I looked between the two of them.

“Oooo, hello, Maverick!” Alexis shouted, obnoxiously loud.

“I’ll call you back later,” I told her, quickly hanging up and throwing my phone down, turning to face the still grinning Maverick. My face felt red hot, and I probably looked like a tomato.

“So, that Alexis is just a ball of smart ideas, isn’t she?” he asked, smirk still in place and eyebrows raised.

“She’s okay,” I grumbled, turning my attention to the popcorn bowl, which I put on the dresser near the door before padding over to the bed. “What are you doing in my bed?” I asked.

“It smells real pretty here, I couldn’t resist!” he said, grabbing one of the pillows and smashing his face into it, inhaling deeply, moaning at the scent.

“You really are a goofball,” I observed from the edge of the bed.

He tossed the pillow aside, still beaming at me. “You know what?” he asked, touching his chin in thought as he scrunched up his face. “I bet this beautiful smell is better straight from the source!”

Before he finished speaking, he had his hand gripping my wrist, dragging me onto the nest in a move that was both firm and gentle.

With a laugh, I landed half splayed over him as he buried his nose in my neck, inhaling as his own buttery popcorn scent filled my nose, making me sag against him with a smile of my own.

“So, I heard that you and Nils had a mighty good time last night . . .” Mav trailed off with a smirk that betrayed all his dirty thoughts.

My face heated furiously, and I would have buried my head in the pillows myself if Mav’s firm hand wasn’t cupping the side of my neck, making me look at him. “We did have a lovely time,” I told him in a prim voice, making him laugh.

“Oh, really? Please, tell me all the details!”

“Which one of them blabbed? Nils or Grayson?” I asked with a pout. Usually I didn’t pout, but these alphas brought it out of me.

Maverick’s eyes widened, making a small choking sound before asking, “Both of them?”

I probably looked like a tomato with how hot my face felt. “Oh . . .”

“At the same time?” he asked, beaming like he was happy.

“Well, uh … Kind of?” I admitted.

Mav tugged me so I was sitting in his lap, holding me close to him. I wanted to pull away from him in embarrassment, but his grip tightened, keeping me close.

“Do tell me more, sweet omega! How did you only kind of play with two alphas?”

I sighed, burying my face into his neck and let the buttery popcorn scent relax me somewhat. “Because Nils and I did some, uh, things, while on a video call with Grayson,” I mumbled, my lips moving against his skin.

“Well, damn, Molly, that sounds hot as fuck! When was this? Did you two call him from the other room?”

I shook my head. “It was after our ice cream date, in the car,” I admitted, biting my lip.

“Holy fuck, you’re perfect.” Mav threw his head back with a groan before laughing.

“You’re not mad?” I asked in a small voice.

Maverick manoeuvred me so he could look down at me. “Mad? Why the hell would I be mad? Sad that I wasn’t on such an amazing call? Sure. Mad? Nah.”

“When Nils and I . . . at first, it felt like I was cheating,” I admitted.

“Oh, banish that thought. I fucking love that you’re covered in my packmate’s scent. Hot as fuck.” He smirked down at me lazily.

“You’re not jealous?” I asked.

“Oh, I am, but all in good time. I’m sure we will have our fun. Now—the reason I came in here. I was wondering if you wanted to spend some time with me. The night is young, after all.”

“What do you have in mind?” I asked.

His hand gently ran through my hair, and I closed my eyes and hummed at the sensation. “I was thinking just a good movie night and some cuddling could do the trick?”

I beamed up at Maverick, leaning up to kiss under his chin. “That sounds lovely.”

“Nils didn’t tire you out too much, did he?” he asked with raised brows.

“I can handle a few movies.”

“In that case, let’s do this!” Mav didn’t bother removing me from his lap as he clambered out of bed, somehow making a graceful exit from the pillows while holding me bridal style.

“What are you doing!” I cried.

“If we are going to be spending time together, I would much rather I get your delectable scent all over my bedding, it smells so boring right now. That okay?” He looked down at me as he carried me to his room.

I glanced at the various doorways. What if someone saw me? What if Zach did? He would probably make some sort of snarky remark.

“I, uh . . . I don’t just smell like me, though. I’ve been wearing Grayson’s shirt all night,” I reminded Mav. In fact, I was still wearing it. I had considered getting dressed in the morning, but the oversized shirt and my thin pair of cycling shorts were so comfortable, I couldn’t bring myself to change.

“Oh, I know. I know.” He chuckled. “You smell like sex and one of my packmates—and I fucking love it.”

I didn’t recognise the room he walked into, placing me gently on the bed, but there was no denying it was Mav’s room. Buttery popcorn filled the air and permeated every surface—the sheer intensity of the smell reminded me that I had left my snack on the dresser.

“You’re looking far too good in my bed, Molly. Get comfy, get naked if you want.” He waggled his eyebrows.

“Maverick!”

“What? I’m only thinking of your comfort, sweetheart—clothes shouldn’t be worn in bed.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, I’m not wearing any underwear, so I’m pretty dang comfortable,” I said, pulling back the duvet and sliding into the buttery-scented sheets.

“Excuse me?” Mav asked, eyes wide, distracted from flicking through the TV channels, trying to find a movie.

Maybe everything that had happened with Nils and Grayson had made me bold, because playing with Maverick was a special kind of fun now.

“Science fiction or horror?” he asked, turning back to the TV, his black sweatpants now sporting a considerable bulge. “I’m up for horror. I wouldn’t mind having a cuddly, scared omega in my bed.”

As he paused on a true crime documentary, I laughed. “I watch those for fun. I won’t be scared—I’ll be criticising the bad guy’s technique!”

“Oh god, you and Nils are the same in that regard.”

“Nils? Really?”

Maverick nodded, sliding next to me, pulling me into his chest. We settled on the pillows to watch the TV. “He can be a stickler for details.”

I pursed my lips. “Good to know!”

Wrapping my arm around Mav, I sank into his side, cuddling up close.

The show started. It was a TV show about witches, instead of a film, which usually would have demanded all my attention. But all I could think about was Maverick’s chest under my ear, the steady beating of his heart lulling me into a blissfully relaxed state.

The hand attached to the arm thrown over my shoulder trailed up and down in a light gesture over my upper arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake.

The sun was starting to set outside, bathing the room in an orange glow.

One episode turned into two, into three, and so on. We stayed wrapped up in each other for hours, enjoying the comfort.

“Did Gray stay with you last night?” Maverick muttered in the gap between episodes.

“He did.”

“I thought I could smell him on your bed.” He smiled. “How would you feel about staying here tonight?”

Stretching, I smiled lazily at him. The idea of staying with him didn’t make me panic or stress. In fact, I liked the idea. “I think I can do that.”

Instead of answering, he pulled me tighter to his chest, kissing the top of my head.

Several episodes later, I drifted off to sleep in Maverick’s arms, the TV show still playing in the background.

The first thing I noticed as I slowly woke the following morning was how warm and comfortable I was. The now familiar buttery popcorn scent surrounded me as I stretched lazily. The weight of Maverick’s arm around my waist alerted me to the fact we were spooning, his nose buried in my hair as he snored lightly.

I snuggled backwards into him and his snores didn’t falter. At some point in the night, he had taken off his shirt, leaving him in just his sweatpants.

Being wrapped up in him felt nice, and I didn’t want to leave.

The hardness of his predominant bulge on my lower back made me blush as I shimmied against it ever so slightly.

“Keep doing that and it’ll attack,” Mav said on a chuckle, his voice raspy with sleep.

“Ooops, sorry!” I tried to pull away, but his arms tightened around me.

“Who said you could go anywhere? I happen to quite like having a sleepy omega who smells like peaches curled up with me.”

“Ahh, so an omega who smells like apples wouldn’t cut it?” I asked.

“Oh no, I wouldn’t be able to stomach that. Peaches or nothing for this guy,” he said behind me.

“Good to know.” I shuffled against him again and was rewarded with a light groan.

“It’s not even six in the morning, sweetheart. You should get some more sleep—we both should.”

“But I was having fun!” I whined, my voice needy and pathetic.

Mav hummed. “I guess I could find a way to make you sleepier,” he said.

My entire body heated at his insinuation. “Why yes, you could,” I agreed.

Maverick shifted, and the next thing I knew, I was flat on my back with him hovering over me. His short blond hair fell in front of his bright blue eyes as he beamed down at me.

“I think I need a taste, may I?” He asked so politely, it was in complete opposition to the burning look in his eyes that made me want to whimper. Unable to form words, I simply nodded.

With my approval, his hands flew to the waistband of my thin cycle shorts, ripping them off.

“Fuck me, you’re already leaking slick,” he moaned.

“I’m sorry,” I apologised on reflex.

“Don’t you dare apologise!” Mav snarled before diving in. He didn’t tease me or build up to it, no. Maverick dove in headfirst and lapped at my clit with hard, measured licks that made my eyes roll back into my skull. If it hadn’t been for his hands gripping my thighs, I would have wiggled away from the intensity of it.

“Shit!” I hissed, making him chuckle as his ministrations never faltered.

“Fucking delicious, just like Grayson said.”

“Grayson told you how I taste?” I asked, surprised, but still moaning in pleasure, panting as I felt my release rapidly rising.

“Yep. He said you tasted like a goddamn peach cobbler, and it was the best thing he ever had his mouth on—I have to say I agree.” Maverick grinned up at me, and as he spoke, his fingers circled my entrance, slipping in and setting a firm and fast pace.

“Shit, I’m close!” I whined. For some reason, knowing they had spoken about my taste pleased me—I had expected it to upset me, to make me panic about what they were saying, but no. I was preening at the praise.

“Good. I want to taste your cum before we go back to sleep, and then I can do it all again when we wake up.” His tongue returned and my core tightened as I hurtled towards my release.

“Mav!” I cried his name, not caring if anyone else in the house could hear me.

“Such a good, beautiful omega, you’re doing so good getting me covered in slick, aren’t you? Now come on your alpha’s hand. Now. “

With his last word, my body was powerless to do anything but comply. Gasping as my walls clamped down on his fingers, he sucked my clit roughly throughout the waves, making me twitch with the sheer intensity of the blinding white orgasm.

Even when the waves had ebbed, he leisurely lapped at me, cleaning up every drop with a happy hum.

“How was that?” he asked with a smirk.

Sleep was already creeping in, so all I could do was give him a weak thumbs up as I panted.

With a chuckle, Mav crawled back up the bed, pulling me into his arms. “Get some rest, omega.”

“But I didn’t get to play with you!” I whined.

“You can do that when we wake up,” Mav reassured me. “Trust me, I’ll still be hard as a rock.”

I wanted to pout, to stomp my feet and say no—I wanted his cock and I wanted it now. It had been a while since I had last been knotted, and I was craving it.

My body had other ideas, though, and it wasn’t long at all before I passed out in his arms again.

The next time I woke, Maverick was still passed out, lying on his back in bed, his cock standing to attention in his boxers. The sight of him lying there, naked and on display for me, lit a fire in my core. Now I had rested some more, I wanted him.

Mav had made it clear I was free to play with him whenever I wanted to. Had that been a legitimate offer?

Rising to my knees, I reached out, slowly pulling his length from his boxers. Hard and ridged, he was perfect. I wanted to taste him, to play with him. Glancing up, I could see that he hadn’t even flinched as I withdrew him, so I took my chance, gently licking the tip of his cock where a bead of precum was leaking.

He tasted amazing. Buttery popcorn, just like his scent, exploded on my tongue, making me moan in bliss.

I wanted more. I wanted his knot.

My pussy was still bare—Mav had thrown my cycling shorts into a corner somewhere and I hadn’t bothered to go find them—so crawling over him and lining us up was easy. Still soaked from Mav’s earlier attentions, I easily slid down, throwing my head back as the delicious stretch made me feel wonderful. If I already felt so stretched out like this, how would his knot feel?

I didn’t know, but I needed to.

Once I was fully seated, I shifted my hips a few times, moaning at the sensations. Hands slowly found my hips and Maverick’s eyes opened blearily.

“Holy fuck,” he groaned, voice thick with sleep.

“Morning.” I grinned down at him.

“Very fucking good morning!” he said, pulling me down harder onto his cock so my clit ground against him. “Was someone feeling a little impatient?” he asked with a sleepy smirk.

“Is that okay?”

“Oh, sweetheart, you can use me however you want,” he said, using his hands on my hips to help me set a gentle pace that had my release building slowly, like a burning sensation lower in my abdomen, increasing in intensity with every thrust.

“I could get used to this,” I hummed.

“Shirt off,” he commanded, and I did as he asked, not even taking a second to be self-conscious. Mav’s gaze was downright reverent as he watched my naked chest bounce with each thrust. “I want to wake up to this every morning,” he moaned.

“I thought you were all for sharing?” I asked with a smirk. “You can’t do that if you have me every morning.”

Mav laughed, one hand gripping my hip, the other flying to the back of my neck as he flipped us so he was on top of me, thrusting so deep, I almost came apart right then and there.

His lips found my ear as he spoke. “Oh, I didn’t say I had to be the one in you. No, sweetheart. I want to watch these sweet tits bounce as you get fucked every morning, whether it’s you on top of me, or maybe Grayson fucking you from behind as I watch. Watching my packmates fuck you would be a dream come true. Fuck, I can just imagine how much you would writhe between two of us, a cock down your throat while your pussy is being filled.”

“Fuck,” I moaned.

“Oh, you got tighter—you like that idea, don’t you? While you may be a sweet English lady, you’re still a damn good omega who wants to be rutted, fucked, and filled with cum, aren’t you? Shit, how did you get tighter?” He groaned, his mouth finding my neck and sucking.

“Please,” I begged, not sure what I was begging for. All of it. I was begging for all of it. I wanted to give in to all those omega instincts and enjoy it. “Can I knot you, Molly?”

I dug my nails into his neck with a growl. “You better goddamn knot me or I’ll make you suffer!”

“Your wish is my command.” He chuckled, his pace increasing as his hand snaked down to my clit, making my vision blur with the sheer intensity. “Just imagine how this would feel having one of us fuck this sweet pussy from behind while one of us is below you, lapping at your clit.”

That picture sent me over the edge, throwing me into a mind-blowing orgasm. My nails scraped over his neck, and if I had been more lucid, I probably would have panicked about leaving marks. Only, I was too far gone to care anymore. I needed him to be closer to me, deeper, faster, more.

“I’m going to knot you and keep you with me all fucking day, omega.”

“Please,” I whined.

“Do you like that idea? Being stuck on my knot all day while I play with your pretty pussy? Because that sounds like a perfect fucking day to me. Fuck, I’m close.”

His lips found mine and he devoured me, his pace getting somehow faster.

“Knot!” I demanded—that seemed to be a demand I had been making a lot anytime these alphas had me semi-naked.

“Oh, I will. I’m going to wait until you’re close, then I’m going to stretch you over my knot until you’re a sweaty, whimpering mess of an omega.”

He didn’t have to wait long. My core tightened, and with a final thrust, his hips sat flush with mine and the delectable stretch started, burning in the best way and throwing me over the edge as I came with a cry. Mav growled through his release, every twitch of his cock sending aftershocks through my body. I was stretched so tightly around his knot that every jet of cum made my body ripple. I could feel everything he gave me, and I loved it.

I wanted more.

Maverick turned over, just as Grayson had done with me, so I was on top of him, still locked together and relaxing as his hand ran gently up and down my back while we both did our best to catch our breaths.

“Best. Morning. Ever.” Mav chuckled finally.

“Can we stay here all day?” I asked, blissed out on his knot and thinking of what had sounded to me like a promise to do just that.

“No can do, sweetheart. It’s game day. I need to be up in an hour.”

I whined, not wanting to leave.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Molly

The idea of going out and seeing the alphas I was officially in a pack with was so exciting, especially after being cooped up for the last few days, working tirelessly on several papers I had due, while they practiced. Zach had to go to the actual games as their manager, so it apparently made sense for me to join them.

We drove to the arena in one giant SUV. It was stupid sized—like something the army would use—but when we all piled in, I understood. There was plenty of space in the back for myself, Nils, and Grayson to sit comfortably, and they weren’t small guys.

Maverick drove, chattering away happily as Zach answered texts from the front passenger seat.

“You’ll love the arena, Molls. It’s gigantic compared to the UK ones—there’s like three times the seating.” Maverick spoke quickly, practically bouncing in his seat.

I looked to Grayson, who nodded in confirmation. “We have a box, though. You and Zach will be watching from there.”

“Actually, I may not be there the entire time,” Zach said, not looking up from his phone. “I need to go talk to Coach Keller from the Gofers about the signings last week. Molly will be safe in the box, though, as long as she doesn’t leave. I also need to go and schmooze with the organisers—it took a lot of convincing for them to let the whole pack play, considering Grayson’s current sanctions.”

“I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine,” I said in a firm tone, pointing my words at Zach. He needed to understand that I wasn’t helpless and could function quite well on my own.

“It’s a much larger event than you’re used to, Molly. There will be press. I think it best you avoid them for now, unless you want to spend the next week answering incessant calls and questions?”

“I’ll stay in the room,” I grumbled, crossing my arms and sitting back.

Zach didn’t reply, but I could practically feel the smugness rolling off him.

“Play nice, you two,” Maverick chided from the driver’s seat.

They were right; the rink was nothing like I had seen before. It easily fit over twenty thousand people, whereas the small one back home maybe sat six thousand, at a push. We parked in the back, and the guys took their gear out of the trunk, each of them giving me a kiss goodbye before leaving me with Zach.

“I’ll show you to the box before I have to go find the organisers.”

“Thank you,” I said as I kept my head down. The box was like the one I had watched a game in after I had been injured by Grayson—that felt like so long ago now. The box was clearly meant for multiple people; there were large chairs for at least ten.

And I was going to be on my own.

Sinking down onto one of the chairs, I observed the rink. It was completely empty. We were early. The guys needed time to get changed and warm up, so people weren’t even allowed in their seats yet.

Pulling my book out of my bag, I cracked it open and settled in for the wait. It was a historical romance. The historical aspect let me delude myself that it was relevant to my degree. I was a student of history, after all.

How that linked to sexy Highlanders running through old Scottish castles with their tops off, I hadn’t figured out yet.

I had managed to read three chapters before people started milling into the rink, taking their seats. Most of them carried food—hot dogs and fries and such. My mouth watered at the sight. I really should have packed a snack.

The warmup was still half an hour away, so I rummaged in my bag to find my purse. One of my credit cards could be used abroad, so I silently prayed that it would work.

That’s something else I probably should have spoken to the pack about, but I had been so dang worried about Zach calling me a gold digger. There was a mini fridge full of drinks, so I didn’t need to worry about that.

Poking my head outside of the door, I clocked a security guard in the hallway, probably watching over a few of the boxes.

“Is everything okay, miss?” he asked.

“Hello. If I go and get some fries, would I be able to get back up here?” I asked.

The security guard smiled. “I’ll remember your face and let you back in—go get your food. If you are fond of sweets, there’s a stall that does bundt cakes.”

“Thank you!” I beamed at him, scampering down the hallway.

Cake sounded amazing.

The rink was bustling with people, and I almost retreated back to the quiet of the box. The smell was the only thing that made me stay. There was something about venue food that smelled so disgustingly good.

Bracing myself, I waded through the throng of people, doing my best to avoid knocking into folks and failing terribly. I kept apologising until I found my way to a kiosk line.

When I tried paying, the card reader made a loud beeping noise, rejecting my card. I blushed furiously.

“That card doesn’t seem to be working. Do you have another?” the kiosk worker asked in a bored voice.

I shook my head. “I’m so sorry. That’s my only international card. I’ll leave it. I’m so sorry to bother you!” I spoke in a rush.

“I’ll get these,” a deep voice spoke behind me as the stranger put his card in the reader, tapping in his pin before looking back at me with a smile. “English?” he asked.

“Is it that obvious?” I asked. “Thank you so much. You didn’t have to do that,” I said, gesturing to the kiosk as I waited for my fries.

“It’s just some fries, no worries. It meant I got to talk with a pretty omega.”

I blushed. “Thank you, seriously.”

“What’s your name?”

“Molly, yours?”

“Dale. How long have you been in town?”

“Just visiting to support a friend.”

I only had to wait a few moments for the fries. I took them gratefully, turning to Dale with a smile and thanking him again.

Food in hand, I made my way back to the box, a smile on my face.

Zach was pacing around the box when I got back. His head whipped up to me as I entered, eyes wide. “Where the hell were you?” he asked. The whole box smelled like stress.

“I, uh, I wanted to get fries,” I said, holding up the box.

“You should have let me know!”

“How?” I asked with a frown. “I tried using my card, but it bounced. I would have called you, but unfortunately when I took out my phone plan, it was for use in England, you know, where I live? Judging by the copious fried food and very synthetic looking cheese surrounding me, I am no longer in England.”

“Only American cards work in rinks, so why do you have food?”

“Oh, this nice guy behind me got them for me when my card bounced. Are you all right?” I asked, frowning. Zach’s eyes were wide and almost panicked. If I didn’t know better, I would say he was worried about me.

“You could have asked me. I would have gotten a card for you.”

I snorted in a truly unladylike fashion as I sat down, munching on a fry. “You’ve accused me of being a gold digger several times, Zach. Do you really think I’m going to ask you for shit?” I cocked my eyebrow at him.

“You should. I’m your fucking pack lead. You shouldn’t be letting random men buy you food!”

“He did something nice when my card was declined. It’s not a big deal, Zach. Why are you so upset?”

“You shouldn’t have left the goddamned box. I didn’t know where you were. One of us needs to know where you are at all times! While the guys are playing, that’s me.”

“I don’t need a keeper, Zach. I am perfectly capable of getting myself fries.”

“Fuck.” He ran his hand over his hair, messing up his otherwise perfect appearance. “We are trying to keep your presence quiet, Molly.”

“No one knew who I was. I wanted some damn fries. Don’t worry. I won’t fucking leave again,” I grumbled.

“Molly …”

“I’m doing the best I can, okay, Zach? Cut me a fucking break already.”

“I didn’t—”

“Haven’t you got people to see?” I asked, interrupting.

Zach opened and closed his mouth a few times before striding out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Had Zach actually been worried about me, or had he been more concerned with keeping me under wraps?

It would eventually come out that Grayson was bonded. There was a big old scar on his wrist from my bite mark—that wasn’t something he could hide forever.

Turning my attention to the ice, I munched on my fries as the players came out for warm up. The announcer’s voice kept running through the players. From what I understood of Grayson’s explanation, there were two teams made up of multiple different teams. This game didn’t count toward any league or career stuff. It was mainly a PR thing because all proceeds from the game went to a charity—in this case, a children’s hospital.

Grayson was banned from the NHL but was allowed to play in games like this.

The game started, and just like before, I did my best to keep my attention on the puck, but my eyes often wandered to my three pack members. I knew nothing of hockey, but even I could see the difference from when Grayson played in England. Back home, Grayson seemed to do his own thing on the ice, whereas with Mav and Nils, they worked like a well-oiled machine. In fact, they were so in sync, they scored a point within the first two minutes of the game.

During the first break, they were winning two-one. I grabbed my book, planning to spend the twenty minutes between periods reading.

I had only read two lines when a knock on the door of the box distracted me.

“Come in!” I called out, curious who was there. Maybe Zach was being polite? I laughed off that idea very quickly.

A blonde opened the door, looking at me with an overly sweet smirk as she sauntered into the room. “I heard there was a pretty English girl in Stone’s box, and I had to come say hi.” She sat next to me with a wide grin. “I’m Amber—who are you?”

“Molly.” I held my hand out, and she shook it, her eyes raking over me. Next to her, I looked downright shabby. Her hair was straight without a single flyway, and her dress and heels looked like they cost more than a year of my degree.

“Nice to meet you! Are you a friend from England?”

“Uh, yeah.” I nodded.

“How nice! I’m sure you’ve heard of me. I’m Grayson’s fiancée.” She smirked as she looked down, eyes clearly lingering on my arm, which, despite being healed, had left a scar that was slowly going from red to white.

“H-his fiancée?” I asked, my voice shaky.

“Yes! I’m courting all of Pack Stone. Zach set it up a while ago . . . oh wait, did you not know that?” she asked innocently. “I know that Gray likes to have his . . . fun, but we’ve been courting for almost a year now.”

A year. That meant he had been courting her when he crashed through the barrier. When we had gone on our first dates. When we had shared my heat.

My stomach turned. Surely this wasn’t the case? Both Mav and Nils had gotten close to me as well. There’s no way they would do that if they were actively courting someone.

Then again, the active courting would have been destroyed the moment Grayson and I bonded. With two quick bites, Grayson and I had tied ourselves together forever, whether we liked it or not. Did the others follow him just because it was easier?

“Oh, well, that’s lovely,” I said, plastering on a smile, though my performance was pretty abysmal.

“It really is! They even gave me this stunning heirloom ring.” She flashed her hand, where an impressive ruby sat on her finger. She took in my shocked face and tilted her head, a look of pity on her face. “Oh, honey.” Amber pouted. “Did he not tell you? It’s okay. You can go home soon. You know what men are like—they want to have some fun before settling down.” She patted my hand with a sinister grin.

“I’ll be fine,” I ground out.

“Good! Now I need to dash. My daddy and Zach are currently talking business, and I want to spend some time with him before the game is over and I go see my other guys! I got to spend last night with Grayson, but I have enough love for all of them! It was lovely meeting you, Molly.” She got up with a smile and strutted out of the box, leaving me there, reeling.

I tried my best to watch the rest of the game, but my mind wasn’t in it anymore. Instead, all I could think about was Amber. She was one of those perfect, immaculately dressed omegas. With a good pedigree and manners and wealth.

Next to her, I was nothing.

Turning back to the ice, I did my best to focus on the game and ignore the omega who had rattled me.

On the ice, Pack Stone dominated.

There was no other way to describe the way they worked together. They easily beat their opponents, their team winning eight-two.

At the end of the game, after their victory lap, I found myself wondering where to go. Was I meant to go find them? Zach seemed pretty firm that I shouldn’t leave the box.

I decided there was no point just waiting around; they were probably with Amber. Maybe that was why Zach had insisted I stayed in the box, so I wouldn’t find out that they were engaged to another omega.

Grabbing my bag, I stomped over to the mini fridge, taking several cans of over-priced soda. Zach could fucking pay for that. Let him call me a gold digger.

Every one of my omega instincts were freaking out. My alpha had spent the night with another woman. Was that even possible? I thought the bond was a pretty permanent thing.

Then again, I had been getting my freak on with other men, and my bond was totally okay with that.

So, maybe he had spent the night with pretty, perfect Amber.

I paced the box, my thoughts running wild. No one else was here, and I realised I had no choice but to wait. But why was I waiting around for these alphas? I wiped tears away, both distraught and furious.

I looked around the empty box, overlooking the now desolate rink as it dawned on me that I was totally alone, in a country I didn’t know, with alphas I hardly trusted.

Running my hand through my hair, I thought about what I could do—could I get myself home? I had less than a grand in my account, so that was unlikely. I could walk out of the box and try to leave, but I wouldn’t get far at all.

I was screwed.

Chapter Thirty

Grayson

It felt so damn good to win again, especially to win with my packmates. The game had gone smoothly, even though I could feel every single referee glaring at me, waiting for me to inevitably mess up so they could give me a smackdown.

After the first period, my stomach felt heavy, and I wondered if it could be the bond. During the break, I’d texted Zach, asking him if he was keeping an eye on Molly, but I got no reply. Shoving it from my mind, I focused on the game, which was a resounding success.

In the locker room after the game, we celebrated. Zach came down to let us know how well we had done.

“Dan was watching, the Chargers’ head coach. He was impressed by you, Gray. This is good!”

Dan was one of the few men who could secure my future back in the NHL. I beamed at Zach. “Fuck, yeah!” I shouted, pulling him in for a hug.

“Hurry up and get changed, then we can talk with him before he leaves.” Zach smiled widely, practically shoving me towards the showers.

I washed and changed quicker than I think I ever have, getting my slacks and shirt on so I looked presentable.

Zach and Dan were at the bar just outside the locker rooms. I paced over to them with a grin. “Hey.”

Dan, a plump middle-aged man with thinning grey hair was once a hockey legend. Now he was the head coach of the Chargers, the team my entire pack was hoping to sign to. Nils and Mav had contracts starting next year. They had been unwilling to sign me after Salt Lake, but now they had been in discussions with us, possibly to change their minds.

“Grayson! Nice to see you, boy. How’s England been treating you?”

“It’s been treating me well, thank you.” I took his extended handshake before taking a seat at the table.

“I’ve gotta say, your game hasn’t faltered one bit.”

“I’ve been practising hard. My coaches in England wanted to put the NHL player through their paces, so it’s been gruelling but also the best thing for me.”

“Good to hear! I’ve been talking to Zach here about you joining us next season. You’ve done an excellent job keeping your nose clean. Is that still something you want?”

“More than anything.” I nodded. “I miss playing with my pack. I’m half the player without them.”

“You three do work together mighty fine.”

“Grayson’s only been going from strength to strength. There’s been no violence. He’s kept his skates on the ice and played the game.”

“I did see that little stunt with the boards.” Dan laughed. “That had to hurt like a bitch.”

“I think the omega I crashed into was the most hurt. She’s all healed up now, though.”

“Good to hear.” Dan nodded. “Look, I can’t put anything in writing yet, but I’m going to talk to the owners and seriously float the idea of you joining your pack with us next season. Keep your nose clean, and you have every chance of it actually happening.”

“That’s amazing, thank you, Dan!”

“If you are in California at all before the next season, come with your packmates to practice. We can show you off a bit to the owners, show you’re a solid investment.”

“He is the best investment. Gray is a brilliant player and a decent guy.” Zach grinned.

I thanked him profusely, shaking his hand again as he left. Zach had already taken care of the bar tab, so I quickly gulped the rest of my soda and got up. “Let’s get home,” I said to Zach, who was beaming at me.

“It’s all falling into place. Salt Lake is going to be a blip in the rearview soon,” he said, getting up himself.

We met up with Nils and Mav, who were standing outside the locker room, chatting with a few other players. Upon seeing us, they said their goodbyes and walked over to us.

“Molly still in the box?” Mav asked.

“Yeah, Zach told her to wait there,” I said, and we all got into the elevator to go up to the private hallway to the boxes, nodding at the security guard as we passed.

“The bond feels a bit off. Was she okay when you saw her?”

“Just a bit cranky—why? What are you feeling?”

“It’s a little . . . cold?” I shook my head. “Never mind, let’s go find her.”

“We need to get her a US cell phone,” Nils said as we went.

“And a credit card,” Zach agreed as he pressed the elevator button. “She let some random guy buy her fries today because she doesn’t have a card she can use.”

All of us exclaimed at that. No way in hell would we let another alpha provide for our omega.

“You better order a card first thing,” I muttered.

“I ordered it an hour ago,” Zach replied.

I smiled to myself.

The mood of the pack felt good, triumphant. It had been so long, and it felt like, in many ways, I had finally come home.

Opening the door to the box, I strode in, fully intending to sweep my omega off her feet and kiss her until she was dizzy—only to be met with the sight of her curled up on one of the chairs, hugging herself and looking desolate.

Molly had been crying. Her eyes were red and puffy and she was hugging herself.

And she was glaring at me.

“Peach?” I asked, rushing over to her. “What the hell happened? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she ground out, not looking me in the eye as she got up from the seat. “Can we go now?” she asked, her voice wavering.

“Well, that’s bullshit—Peach?” I grabbed her elbow gently, and she yanked it away with such force, she stumbled slightly.

“Where the fuck were you last night?” she snarled, rounding on me.

“practice?” I said, looking at the others, who looked equally confused.

“Oh, really? Well, your fiancée came to say hello to me during the break, showing off a gaudy ruby ring and saying you spent the night with her last night.”

I stilled. Fiancée? Who the fuck was she talking about? She was my fucking bonded mate. There was no way in hell I could have a fiancée.

“Who the fuck are you talking about?” Maverick asked, coming up behind me.

“Amber! Perfect little designer dress Amber!” Molly growled.

I turned to glare at Zach, who looked shocked. “I thought you had taken care of that?”

“I did!” he insisted, looking between the two of us with a look of confusion.

I turned back to Molly. “We were courting an omega before you—fuck it, we hadn’t even met her yet because of everything that happened. Zach was setting it up because her father is a business associate. The moment we bonded, that went completely out of my mind. We would never have another omega around after one of us bonded.”

“I called her father myself and made it clear that it wouldn’t work out. It took a bit of smoothing, but I did it,” Zach said.

“But she said—” Molly broke off with a sob that pained me to watch. I tried to pull her into my arms, but she shoved me away. “She said she had been with you last night and this wasn’t the first time you found fun while travelling.”

“That is bullshit. Surely you see that?”

“It doesn’t matter! It made me realise just how stuck I am here. No working cell phone or card. No money because I don’t want him,” she pointed at Zach, “accusing me of being a gold digger.” She raked her hand through her hair as she spoke.

“Molly—”

“No! It’s not fucking fair. I’m stuck here with nothing, and I want to go home.” She looked at me, her eyes pleading.

“Molly, I was with Mav and Nils last night at practice. I swear I didn’t go anywhere near her,” I reassured her.

I went to grab her again, to pull her into me. Even though she was mad, my alpha was riding me hard, insisting I comfort the omega, keep her close.

“I can’t do this!” she sobbed, taking another step away from me. “I need some space to fucking breathe!” She pushed past me and out of the box.

“Molly!” I called after her.

“Look, can we please get out of here?” she asked. “I’ve been waiting around for hours for you to finish, and I want to go nap and figure out what the fuck I’m doing going forward!”

“Going forward? What the fuck do you mean by that?”

“Well, I clearly don’t fit in here, do I? Shoved into a box and not allowed out, in case I fucking shame you.”

“It’s not like that,” Maverick spoke from behind me.

“Can we go back to the house?” Molly sighed, looking utterly defeated.

“Let’s go,” Zach said. “We can go out the back. No one will see us.”

“Our bond is so bloody shameful, right?” Molly asked with her brow cocked, her eyes dull.

Zach sighed, and I wanted to shake Molly for thinking we could possibly see her as shameful. We needed to get back home before this argument broke out.

Molly looked between us before huffing, leaning down and picking up her bag and barging past us, out of the box.

We all followed. For a small omega, she set a quick pace, and even I was struggling to keep up. She nodded and smiled at the security guard as she slipped out the back door to the parking lot.

Right into a swarm of press.

Bright lights flashed and Molly stilled. I could smell the fear rolling off her.

“Grayson!” the photographers shouted upon seeing me, the camera clicks getting more and more incessant.

“Who is this?” one shouted.

“Is it true you’re bonded?”

I whipped my head around, trying to figure out which photographer yelled that. How did they know? Those fucking vultures had a way of finding out private information and I hated it.

Molly visibly trembled, rooted to the spot as they converged on us.

Of all the people to defend Molly in that situation, the last person I expected to jump to protect her was Zach. Yet with the calm front he always seemed to have on, he reached forward, dragging the still unmoving Molly under his arm and gently ushering her through the crowd, glaring at several photographers to make them move.

She was visibly trembling into Zach’s side, and my chest burned with her panic and fear.

Maverick ran ahead of us, shoving several members of the press away to clear the path somewhat for Zach and Molly. Once he got to the car, he opened the back door as Zach bundled the small, shaking omega into the car.

The moment she was safely in the car, I jogged around and practically dove into the seat next to Molly. She was sitting in the middle seat, wringing her hands in her lap. Without a word, I pulled her into my arms, one of my hands buried in her hair as she shook.

“Why the fuck were they there?” Maverick asked from the front passenger seat. Nils was driving, and Zach was on the other side of Molly, looking pissed as hell.

“Did someone leak the news about the bonding?” Nils asked, turning to look at the omega curled up in my arms as we hit a red light.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “My wrist isn’t always covered—they could have easily put two and two together.”

“What do we do about it? Do we put out a statement?”

“We could deny it,” Zach said with a frown. “That’s probably the only path that’ll lead to less press.”

“No.” My voice was firm.

Zach looked at me, his jaw clenched. He hated when we weren’t in control, and a press intrusion was something that easily threw us off kilter.

My pack lead sighed, looking at the shaking omega in my arms. “We’ll take steps to avoid this happening again.”

“I don’t want to hide it anymore. It’s not fair to any of us. The shit Amber pulled today is not okay, and if we were public about our bonding, it never would have happened.”

Zach nodded. “We’ll give it a few days to die down, then address it.”

Molly pulled out of my arms, hugging herself as she sat between me and Zach.

I wanted nothing more than to pull her into me again, but there was something gut-wrenching about the desolate look on her face that gave me pause.

She didn’t speak a single word on the way home, instead opting to stare straight ahead.

Once back at the house, she made a beeline for her nest, throwing on some lounge clothes and diving into the nest, ignoring me following her. I hesitated at the edge of the nest, unsure if I should follow her.

She was out like a light, so I opted to join her, pulling her close and inhaling the sour smell of burned peaches.

Chapter Thirty-One

Molly

Grayson Wood tricked into bonding?

Downfall of one of the greatest hockey packs?

Sporting dreams crushed by an English omega.

Each tabloid headline stung as I scrolled through them. I had woken alone, so the first thing I did was check my phone, shocked to see several messages from Alexis asking if I was okay and to check the tabloids websites.

That was a mistake.

My face was plastered over all the newsfeeds, photos of Zach leading me through the throng of photographers and bundling me into the SUV.

The pictures were hardly pleasant to look at, reminding me of the sheer panic that had engulfed me when faced with all those blinding lights. I had frozen up. The headlines were what stung the most, though.

None of them were too kind to me.

At best, I was out of Pack Stone’s league. At worst, I was a gold-digging vulture who had lured Grayson into bonding and ruined his career because I was refusing to move to America.

My stomach turned in revulsion as I read each and every article.

I was still sitting in my nest reading them when Maverick knocked and poked his head round my door, frowning when he saw what I was doing.

“Don’t do that. That’s the worst thing you could be doing right now,” he tutted, striding over to the nest, leaning over, and plucking the phone from my hands, despite my protests.

“Pack meeting.” He smiled ruefully. “Come join us?”

I shrugged. “You don’t need me for a pack meeting.”

“You are pack,” Maverick admonished.

“Has anyone told Zach that lately?”

“Oh, we have. He’s got a hard head that needs reminding several times.” Maverick grinned.

“Leave me be.”

“Nope.” He reached out to grab my arm, gently pulling me from the nest. “You’re pack, so you’re coming to the meeting.”

“No!” I growled.

“Okay, hard way it is.” With a smirk, Maverick leaned down, his shoulder hitting my midsection as he swept me up in a fireman’s hold, striding out of my room and down to the den while I thumped him on the back several times in frustration.

The muted conversation in the room halted as we entered and I was unceremoniously plonked onto an armchair.

“She didn’t want to join,” Maverick said in explanation as the rest of his packmates looked at him in surprise. “She was looking at all the trashy gossip sites.”

“Everything they print is bullshit.”

My eyes flew to Zach, and I did a double take.

For the first time since I’d met him, Zach was wearing something that wasn’t some sort of variation of a suit. No, instead the alpha was wearing grey sweatpants—possibly the sluttiest thing a man could wear in general. And his hair was sticking up, making him look thoroughly exhausted.

They all looked like they hadn’t slept well.

“We tried to stop them from printing that trash,” Zach said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“It’s no use, they’re fucking parasites,” Grayson said, looking over at me. “Everything they’ve printed is bullshit. You have to know that, Peach.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s real or not,” I said with a sigh. “My name will forever be attached to those articles making me out to be some sort of vindictive gold digger. What is that going to do for my career?” I asked, looking between the pack members.

“It matters to us,” Nils said, offering me a mug of tea.

Taking it gratefully, I said, “I want to go home.”

Grayson grimaced. “We’ve still got a few things we need to do here.”

“Then you stay and do them.” I shrugged. “But I want to go home.”

“You can’t go without Grayson—fuck, without any of us. We are a pack. We all go together.” Nils said.

“And how is that going to work?” I snapped. “Because I am goddamned powerless, and I hate it here.”

“I know the press situation wasn’t good, but we will get security—” Grayson started, but I cut him off.

“What about your fiancée?” I raised my eyebrows at him, anger rolling off me.

“She’s a bitch who needs to get the fuck away from us. I have met her twice in my life, briefly, when she was with her father. I certainly didn’t spend the night with her.”

“And that tacky pack ring?”

“We have a ring that belonged to my grandmother. We said in an interview once that we would give it to our omega eventually,” Zach said.

“And she’s the one you gave it to?”

Zach shook his head. “You said she showed you a ruby ring?” I nodded. “Well, our pack ring is a fucking emerald.”

“So why did she say . . .” I trailed off, feeling stupid.

“She’s got a lady boner for Grayson. I bet she saw you as competition and wanted to upset you.”

“Well, it fucking worked,” I growled. “The bond stung in a way I never want to experience again. Thinking that my bond mate had been with another omega nearly destroyed me. Then, to top it off, she’s saying all this stuff about an engagement? How can I trust you?”

Grayson crouched in front of the armchair I was in, shuffling close, as my legs were tucked under me.

“Feel me when I say this. I never touched Amber, nor do I want to.” His eyes bored into mine so earnestly.

I mentally reached out to him, feeling that thrumming connection in my chest. He was stressed, but nothing about his words made me feel wrong. In fact, they comforted my omega.

Maverick glared at Zach. “It’s kinda on you that the bitch even got into our box. You were supposed to be keeping an eye on Molly, or at least ensuring she was safe.”

“I fucked up there,” he admitted, turning to look at me.

“We can return to England tonight if you want,” Grayson assured me.

“I’ve got nothing here. I’m on such uneven footing. I can’t even buy myself some goddamned fries.” I wiped away the tears gathering in my eyes.

“We’ll get you a credit card.”

“I don’t need that. I have my own money. If I take your money, I’m a gold digger. I refuse to prove the press and Zach right.”

Zach’s eyes widened and he spluttered for a moment. “I’ve been insulted many times, but comparing me to the press? That’s brutal.” He chuckled weakly.

“Kinda fair, though. I saw those contracts.” Maverick shrugged.

“Molly, you’re pack,” Zach said, his voice softer than usual. “No matter how this happened, I need to accept that you will forever be a part of our pack, and pack cares for pack. I’ll get you a card that draws from our joint account. The pack has one shared account we all use. Please, use it. Maybe don’t go buying cars, but use it for whatever you need.”

“Oh, she needs a car, though,” Grayson insisted. “She’s using public transport back in England.”

Zach frowned at Grayson’s smirk. “Didn’t we get you a driver?”

“Oh, yeah! I do like Luca.” He turned to me, a large grin on his face. “I’ll give you Luca, Peach. He’s all yours.”

I nodded. I liked the old man who had been shepherding Grayson around.

While I wanted to cling to my independence with a vengeance, I also needed to come to terms with the reality of my situation. If worse came to worse, I could easily be stuck in a bad situation. If a pack credit card could get me out of that situation, then I should take it.

“It won’t mess with your work too much to go back?” I asked.

Grayson frowned. “I had a few meetings scheduled but there’s no more charity games or practices, but they were supposed to be today, and in all the press chaos, I missed them.”

“Oh no, Gray, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean . . .”

He shook his head. “I know you didn’t. Don’t you dare apologise for this situation.”

“How about we go home for a few days?” Zach suggested. “Molly, can you keep up with your classes online for another week or two?”

“I can email my professors and ask.”

“How would you feel about coming to California for a week or so? It’ll give us time to regroup, organise a make-up meeting for Grayson with the Chargers, and he can even do a few practices before he goes back to England. And we can just get our heads on straight.”

I mulled the idea over in my head. Part of me wanted to see their pack house, their main home for the last decade.

“The pack house is also in a gated community, so the press won’t be able to come anywhere near you.” Grayson smiled.

I nodded. “Okay. But can we contact my bank, so I can use my own money?”

“I’ve already ordered you a pack bank card.” Zach shrugged.

I sighed. “I’m going to buy a pony.”

Everyone, other than me and Zach, laughed at that.

The guys worked as a well-oiled machine to pack and get us to the airstrip that night. Nils had insisted on packing up Potato’s enclosure. He was really taken with her and used any excuse to be near her.

I curled up in the same gigantic armchair on the plane as Nils, next to Potato’s carrier.

“Your first courting gift from me is actually at the pack house,” Maverick reminded me from his seat halfway across the plane. Luckily, the space was small, considering it was a private jet, so we could easily converse from one side to another.

“Oh yeah!” I smiled. “Are you going to tell me what it is yet?”

“Nope, it’s a surprise.”

“I’ve already got another courting gift planned, but it’ll take a bit of time to work out the details,” Nils muttered, kissing the top of my head as I curled into his side.

“You really need to stop buying me things,” I chided him. “All of you do.”

“Not happening.” Nils chuckled.

The flight was short, nothing like the first flight I had taken with the pack. It felt like no time at all had passed before we were touching down in LAX and loading into the SUV.

Grayson was practically vibrating with happiness as he looked out the window. With a pang of sadness, I realised he probably hadn’t seen his home in months and missed it sorely. I was missing mine after just a week.

The pack house was even nicer than the rental property. Pulling up at the gated community, Zach had to flash some sort of ID to be allowed onto the premises. There were mansions lining the streets—large, very expensive ones.

“Uhhh, this neighbourhood is fancy,” I commented.

“It’s over the top, but it’s secure. We decided to buy a pack house in a gated community after our first few NHL seasons. Mav got himself an obsessed stalker, so the extra security gave us peace of mind. Unfortunately, the only properties in gated communities tend to be somewhat extravagant, but we could afford it, so it made the most sense,” Grayson admitted as we pulled up into the drive.

The large house was clearly only a few decades old, at most, consisting of a brick exterior and large windows. It reminded me of the old Tudor-style houses I had seen back in England.

“Oh, wow,” I muttered when it came into sight.

As soon as I exited the car, Maverick grabbed Potato’s carrier in one hand, my hand in the other, and dragged me towards the house.

“Let’s go set up the little madam, and then I can show you my gift!” he exclaimed gleefully, like a child.

“You know she may want a tour of the place,” Grayson shouted from where he was pulling bags from the trunk.

“After,” Maverick yelled behind him as he dragged me into the house.

I got fleeting glimpses of polished wood floors, large arched doorways, and deep wooden textures as Maverick herded me upstairs.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“You’ll see!”

We walked into a large room with a four-poster bed that was twice the size of a normal bed. Soft grey curtains surrounded the bed. It was a nest.

“This is your room,” Maverick explained. “But through here—” He ushered me through a door, which I thought at first was a walk-in closet but turned out to be another small room with gigantic windows and beautiful hardwood flooring.

The first thing that caught my eye was the setup. The whole room was filled with various rabbit items—an enclosure for Potato, a litter tray. . . .and a castle.

“Is that a castle?” I laughed.

“It is!” He grinned, putting Potato’s carrier down. “I read about these. They’re really good for rabbits. The wood is safe for them to chew, and it gives them a way to go to higher ground, or they can use the lower part to hide.”

“Is this my courting gift?” I asked.

Maverick looked unsure for a moment. “Yes, but if you don’t like it, I tota—”

I threw myself into his arms, cutting him off. Grabbing the back of his neck, I placed a quick kiss on his cheek. “I love it!” I squealed. “Oh, Mav, it’s perfect. The whole room is!”

“I thought this space would work well, since it’s right next to you. There are big windows for lots of sunshine and fresh air and plenty of space for her to run around.”

He had thought of everything. There was even a shelf filled with a variety of rabbit treats and the exact same brand of hay and pellets I fed her at home.

“You even got the right food!”

“I was hoping you guys would come here,” Maverick admitted.

“I love it, I really do.” I went up onto my tiptoes to kiss him properly.

After a moment, he reluctantly pulled away. “As much as I want to continue that, it feels a little mean to keep her in her tiny carrier when this room is all ready for her.”

I nodded in agreement, dropping to my knees and unzipping Potato’s carrier. It took her a moment to feel safe enough to poke her head out, but I sat on the floor and gave her gentle head pets while she gathered up the courage to go explore her new place.

Once she was out, she was off like a shot, exploring every crevice of the room and clambering all over the castle. Maverick was beaming at her as she hopped around, his phone out as he snapped a million pictures of her while she perched on one of the wooden turrets.

“I’m sending this to all the guys.” Maverick laughed as he snapped picture after picture.

Once Potato was settled in, lounging on her new furniture, we left her so Maverick could finally give me a tour of the house.

While my room had smelled neutral, the rest of the house, especially the common rooms, smelled divine. That beautiful combination of all their scents melding together that I wanted to bathe in.

The luxurious house was more than I could have imagined. They had a pool and a gym in their home.

“Where’s the ice rink?” I laughed as Maverick led me through the various rooms.

“Out back,” he said, completely serious.

“You have an ice rink?” I cried, gaping at him.

“It’s just a small one for practice. We have a huge outbuilding we iced the floor of—it’s as big as a jumbo pool.”

“My word.” I shook my head. “I knew you did well for yourself, but this is—”

“Crazy? We’ve lived here for years, and I’m still not used to it. We tend to stick to the same handful of rooms. My lair is up here.” He led me into his room, and I was pleasantly surprised with how clean it was. There was the odd hockey jersey thrown around and some clutter, but the room smelled so strongly of buttered popcorn and I loved it.

“You even have nice bed sheets,” I commented, running my hands over the silky fabric. “You must impress all the girls.”

“Well, I am rather impressive, but I haven’t had any women here—none of us have.”

“Wait, what?” I turned to him, dumbfounded. They were athletes with a surplus of money. Women must have been throwing themselves at them.

“It’s a pack house. It’s for pack members. It felt a little disrespectful to bring women here when our omega would live here with us one day.”

“I really messed up your plans, didn’t I?”

Maverick shook his head. “Not at all—I think you were exactly what we needed. Sure, it’s shaken things up a bit, but that’s good for us. We had become so set in our ways. Seeing Zach loosen up has been fucking surreal. It’s like he’s remembering who he used to be. And Gray. I think our pack was on a really bad path before you.”

I sank down onto the bed, frowning at Maverick. “What do you mean?”

“Grayson wasn’t doing well in England before you came along. He was struggling with being away from us, and Zach was so hell-bent on fixing Gray’s career, he lost track of what was important—his packmate. You coming along forced us to reassess everything. Now, no matter where we end up, it’ll be as a unit. You didn’t plan for this, either.”

“No, I certainly did not.” I sighed. “I want this to work. I feel like it could. But the logistics of working this out kind of blow my mind. I’m guessing money really isn’t an issue, judging by this house.”

“It really isn’t.”

I opened my mouth and then closed it again, unsure whether to say what I’d been considering.

Maverick sank down next to me. “Talk to me.”

“There’s a university near here, about an hour away, that does online classes and has a stunning campus. They have some big names in historical studies as part of their faculty. I could do my last year of studying there. They allow for transfers from my university, but it’s expensive.”

“Whatever it is, we’ll pay it.”

“I know you will, but don’t tell Zach. I’m still mulling over my options. If I came here, I would be away from my friends and family, in a whole other country, where so much is unfamiliar. For what? I like you guys, don’t get me wrong, but we barely even know each other. I certainly don’t know you well enough to uproot my entire life.”

“That is logical.”

“I also would have no independence here. Financially and legally, I would be dependent on you. I haven’t been dependent on anyone since I was a child, and it’s a scary prospect.”

“You could be independent here. You could get a job teaching here—that was what you wanted to do after college, wasn’t it?”

“Teaching, maybe a master’s degree, maybe research work. I was considering all my options when this happened.” I waved my hand in the general direction of my neck.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Molly

Isat on the kitchen counter as my bowl of various Mexican leftovers spun in the microwave. The cumin smell made my mouth water. I had already gotten out the obnoxiously large, American-sized tub of sour cream because I was a total baby when it came to spice, and Maverick had made it extra spicy.

I stayed perched on the counter as I slowly ate my gooey pile of cheesy Mexican food, humming happily to myself.

“Hey! I see you’ve claimed the leftovers!”

Speak of the devil. Maverick bounded into the room, followed by Nils. Their hair was ever so slightly wet from showering. I pouted internally—was it wrong I kind of liked them all sweaty and stinky after they practiced?

“I did.” I smiled from my perch as he gave me a quick peck on the lips before heading to the fridge, rummaging around for an evening snack of his own.

Nils took his place, his hand gently cupping the back of my head as he kissed me without a word of greeting. He tasted like sweet spices and chocolate—like he had snuck a candy bar on the way home.

“How was practice?” I asked once he pulled away from me.

“Good,” Nils confirmed. “How does a glass of wine next to the fire sound?”

“Lovely,” I sighed. There was a large fire pit out on the patio, surrounded by several benches and couches. It was perfect on cool evenings.

Nils grinned, pulling away and crouching in front of the smaller fridge. I had never stayed anywhere so fancy that it required a wine fridge.

“What sort of wine do you like?” Nils asked, ducking down to look at the selection.

“Something sweet, preferably. I tend to drink the cheapest wine I can find,” I admitted.

“Luckily for you, the cheapest wine also tends to be the sweetest!” Mav smiled, looking at me from the fridge door. He lifted the bag of marshmallows in his hand. “S’mores?” he asked.

“I’ve never had a s’more, but I kind of know what they are.”

Maverick’s face dropped. “You’ve never had a s’more?”

“We don’t have graham crackers.” I shrugged.

“Well, you need an education.” He chuckled, rummaging through a few cupboards, grabbing supplies and heading out to the patio, leaving me with Nils, who was smiling indulgently at the doorway his packmate had just left through, still crouching on his haunches in front of the open fridge.

“You’re going to have a stomachache from how many s’mores he’s going to feed you tonight, you know that?” he asked.

“I accept the challenge,” I said as Nils returned to hunting through the wine fridge.

“Here, this should work.” Nils pulled out a bottle of white wine and proceeded to pour me a liberal cupful.

Strong hands gripped my hips, helping me hop down from the counter. Keeping his hand on my lower back, Nils gently guided me out onto the patio.

“Your feet are bare,” he observed, looking down at my offending appendages.

“It’s hardly cold, I’ll be fine. There are blankets outside,” I assured him.

“If you start to feel cold, tell me. I’ll go get you some socks.” His steps faltered. “I should get you some socks.”

“Or you could come cuddle up to me by the fire,” I pointed out, gently grabbing his forearm, dragging him with me so he didn’t decide to go on an adventure to find socks that I didn’t need.

The air was cooler. The weather was getting colder in general, but it was still California. Wearing just an oversized T-shirt dress and a cardigan, I felt comfortable.

Mav was already standing at the edge of the firepit, hands on his hips as he inspected his work. Flames were slowly growing, and in no time, it was roaring beautifully.

Sitting on one of the squishy looking sofas in front of a small coffee table, I took a large sip of my wine as Nils sat next to me.

Sweetness burst on my tongue, and I hummed in happiness—the wine was perfect for me.

Mav started gathering the bits to make s’mores, handing me a long metal skewer with a large marshmallow on it. I took it without a word and started toasting it.

And proceeded to set it on fire and burn it to a crisp.

Both the alphas laughed at me as I gaped at the smoking lump. “I hardly touched the fire!” I cried.

“Maybe I’ll toast for you.” Nils smiled as he gently took the skewer out of my hand, replacing the blackened marshmallow with a fresh one.

Pouting, I sat back, knowing better than to complain. Nils toasted the marshmallow with a delicate hand and, moments later, I had what I could only describe as a gooey, sugary, and glorious treat in my hand.

Taking a bite, I groaned, wiggling slightly in sheer happiness. It was a chocolatey sugary overload and I loved it.

“You can’t be making noises like that unless you want to be eaten next.” Maverick smirked as he sat on the sofa opposite me, his eyes dark and suggestive.

Nils chuckled next to me. “I think she likes that idea, Mav. She just perfumed.”

Heat rose in my face as I glared playfully at Nils. “Hush, you.”

“Nah.” Nils’s arm came around my shoulders, gently pulling me into his chest in a move that was becoming somewhat familiar. I chewed on the last few bites of my s’more while curled up next to him, the hand that was around me playing gently in my hair.

After the entire bag of marshmallows had been eaten, mainly by Maverick, he started hunting around.

“What are you looking for?” Nils asked.

“I knew I had some around he—aha!” With a flourish, he pulled out a deck of cards. “Fancy a game of poker?”

I snorted. “I have no idea how to play poker.”

“Go Fish?”

“Now that is much more my speed,” I laughed. Mav beamed and started taking the cards out, shuffling them. “Are you playing?” I asked Nils, looking up at him.

“I wouldn’t miss a chance to play with you,” he said softly, kissing the top of my head.

“We could raise the stakes.” Maverick smirked.

“What are you thinking?” I asked, drawn in by the excitement on his face.

“If I take one of your cards . . . you also have to take off an item of clothing.”

My body heated at his words. I wasn’t wearing much—one of Grayson’s hockey T-shirts as a dress, underwear, a cardigan . . . and no socks.

“I should have let Nils get me socks.” I sighed, grinning.

Nils chuckled behind me. “You don’t have to play,” he reminded me.

“Deal the cards!” I instructed Mav, who wasted no time in dishing out five cards each onto the table, facing down, so we couldn’t see what the others had.

Pulling away from Nils, I shuffled across the couch into the corner on the opposite side so Nils couldn’t see my cards.

Three of hearts. Six of Clubs. Two of Diamonds. Eight of Diamonds. Three of Spades.

As soon as I memorised my cards, I rested them in my lap so the others, who were doing the same, couldn’t see.

“Ladies first,” Nils said, eyes raking over me.

“Got any threes?”

“No luck, sweet girl, go fish.” He smirked.

Drat.

As Nils looked over his cards, looking between me and the cards, I cursed my lack of clothing. They were wearing loads more than me. Jeans, sweatpants, T-shirts, socks, shoes.

Then again, the idea of being naked in front of them didn’t terrify me. It excited me.

“Do you have any twos?” Maverick asked Nils, who simply shook his head.

Nils turned to look at me with a smile. “Do you have any threes?” He smirked. He knew he had me.

“I do.” I took the card and passed it to him. Knowing what was coming next, I slipped my arms out of my cardigan and handed it to him, a grin on my face.

Maverick paused for a second, turning his attention to the fire pit, adding a few extra logs. “We can’t have you getting cold.” He winked at me.

Once he returned to his seat, I asked, “Do you have any eights?”

He smirked, pulling a card out and handing it to me. “What do you want me to remove?”

I gave him an overly exaggerated look of thought, cocking my head and tapping my chin. “I think the shirt can go,” I declared.

“Whatever my girl wants.” Mav smirked, putting his hands behind his head to pull off his shirt. Why was that manoeuvre so dang hot?

Throwing the fabric in my direction, he lounged back, like he was displaying himself.

“Thank you!” I smiled.

I wasn’t going to complain. Lifting the shirt he had tossed in my lap, I inhaled deeply, humming at the buttery scent I was becoming obsessed with.

“Baby, you can’t go huffing my shirt and perfuming. How the fuck are we supposed to maintain control when you’re doing that?” Maverick moaned.

“Don’t listen to him. You can sniff us whenever you want.” Nils gave me an easygoing smile.

“Oh, Molly can smell me anytime. I would like her to get it from the source!” Mav chuckled. “Back to the game!”

Twenty minutes later, I was in my T-shirt and underwear, Mav was left in nothing but his boxers, and Nils’s shirt was long gone.

The pair of them made for rather nice viewing.

“Molly, do you have any sevens?” Maverick asked.

“Go fish.”

Nils looked between Maverick and me before turning to me. “Any tens?”

“Go fish.” My voice was taking on a suspicious tone. “Any sixes?”

“Go fish. Any eights?”

Oh, dear.

“Why do you keep asking me?” I growled. Both the alphas were asking me for cards, not each other. “Two against one isn’t fair.”

“We never said we played fair.” Nils shrugged. “So, any eights?”

Reluctantly, I handed him my card with a pout. Now I had two options. I was down to my oversized T-shirt and a thin, lacy pair of underwear. The T-shirt was the obvious choice, though I doubted we would be playing for much longer if I removed that.

So I settled on a power move.

Looking Nils dead in the eye, I stood up, reaching under my shirt and sliding the scrap of lace down, my eyes never leaving him as I stepped out of them, lightly throwing them in his lap.

It had the desired impact. Nils’s face went slack, his eyes going wide as he gripped my discarded underwear in his hand. They looked so small compared to his bear-like hand. His nostrils flared, inhaling deeply as his eye contact never wavered.

“You’re playing with fire,” he finally spoke.

I shrugged, sitting back down primly, my legs firmly together. That did nothing to hide the fact I was perfuming like there was no tomorrow.

“Whose turn is it?” I asked, ignoring Nils, doing my best to avoid looking at the cock straining against the fabric of his clothing.

“Fuck that,” Nils growled, pouncing. Cards went flying as he grabbed me, pulling me into his lap, my back pressed against his chest, his arm wrapping around my waist.

Lips found my neck, and I melted into his embrace as he nipped and sucked, my core tightening, my perfume almost attacking the air with its intensity.

A hand trailed up my thigh, dragging ever so lightly over my lips.

“Fuck, she’s so swollen and juicy,” Nils groaned against my neck, his fingers seeking my slit and rubbing gently.

Too gently.

I needed more.

“Show me,” Maverick commanded, his gaze firmly on where his packmate’s hand was disappearing under my shirt.

Spreading his legs, Nils hooked each of my legs over his, leaving me spread open, on display, as he thumbed my clit. “How does that feel?”

“So good, more. I need more,” I told him, arching my back, trying to get closer to his hand and increase the pressure, but he kept me firmly in place. Trapped by him, splayed open for him to do whatever he wanted with.

“This seems familiar, doesn’t it?” Nils chuckled. “Except this time, it’s not Grayson on a video call.”

Maverick’s eyes lit up. “So, this is what you did in the car, dirty girl?”

I nodded, squirming in Nils’s grasp. “He didn’t let me play with him,” I whined.

“What did I say about the next time I had you like this?” Nils’s voice rumbled in my ear.

I stilled. “Something about being knot deep?” I asked hopefully, my breathing speeding up. My body felt electric.

“Hmm, I did say that, didn’t I?” As he spoke, his fingers gently circled my entrance.

I couldn’t take the teasing. I had gone from having fun to a pile of horny, needy omega in seconds.

“Stop going slow,” I begged.

“Are you sure about that, sweetheart?” Maverick asked with a smirk. “Just say the word and you can scamper back to your nest and play with yourself until your heart’s content. Or you can stay here—I have a feeling you won’t be empty very long.”

“I’m not going anywhere, please. Fuck me!” I snarled, which only made Mav’s grin widen.

“You heard the lady, Nils.”

Nils gently bit my earlobe as he spoke. “I’ve been fucking dreaming about how you’ll feel on my cock. I’m not sure I can be gentle.”

“I’m not made of glass,” I whined, throwing my head back on his shoulder.

“She’s desperate for it, she’s leaking slick all over you.”

“Good,” Nils groaned, his breath hot in my ear. “I want her to cover me in her scent, and I intend to fill her with so much cum, she’s going to smell like me forever.”

Oh, fuck.

Yes, please.

Thankfully, they didn’t make me wait much longer. With one hand, Nils lifted me a few inches off his lap, the other going to his waistband and letting his cock spring free.

My mouth watered at the sight. I had never been the sort of girl to obsess about dicks or call them pretty—but from what I had seen so far, these alphas were damn impressive.

Simply having his cock pressed against me was enough to send me into a frenzy as I tried to move my hips and gain some friction.

“Now are you going to be a good girl and sit on my cock?” Nils asked.

I nodded, unable to find the words, only needy moans.

“Good girl,” Maverick cooed as he lounged back, watching my pussy while he palmed his cock through his boxers.

“Your other alpha is going to watch as my cock stretches your sweet little pussy, and he’s going to be so jealous that it’s me and not him getting soaked in your slick.”

Maverick smirked. “All in good time.”

Nils’s cock nudged at my entrance, teasing me. I wanted to snarl and impale myself on him. I was so painfully empty.

Only, Nils was being a bastard and taking his time, inching his cock in slowly as I writhed in his lap.

“Holy hells, she’s hot,” Nils groaned.

“She’s perfect,” Maverick agreed.

I whimpered. The stretch of Nils’s cock was maddening. I needed more, but I was already impossibly full.

“Stretching so good for me, aren’t you? Your greedy pussy wants this.”

Fully seated on his cock, I tried moving, but he held me firmly in place.

“Nils,” I whined.

“Hush, I’m enjoying you clenching around my cock, sweetheart, and Mav seems to be enjoying the show.”

He had pulled his cock out and was fisting it now, eyes half lidded with lust as he watched me.

“I’m going to ruin your pussy now, okay?”

“Yes!” I cried as I was lifted and dropped back onto his cock several times in quick succession. Sensation exploded throughout my body, the tips of my toes going numb.

The patio filled with the sound of our collective grunts and moans as I writhed on Nils’s cock. It wasn’t going to take me long. Just like when Nils finger fucked me in the car, having an audience only heightened my lust.

“Once you’re full of my cum, Maverick is going to fuck it deeper into you. You’re going to be our pretty little mess by the time we are done with you.”

His hand that wasn’t helping my movement trailed up to my neck, holding lightly and keeping me arched. I was completely helpless in his arms, and instead of panicking, I revelled in it.

Nils nipped at my neck, sucking at it so he left his mark.

It was too much. With a long, pitiful whine, I fell apart, my orgasm so intense that Nils had to hold me in place while cooing in my ear about how good I was doing.

“That’s a fucking marvelous show,” Mav sighed, still fisting his cock in a leisurely pace.

“I want to play with you,” I panted.

“What do you want to do with me?”

“I want to taste you,” I admitted, blushing furiously. It was odd to get shy over admitting I was curious about how he tasted when I was spread open with his packmate’s cock lodged inside me on full display for him.

Nils gently lifted me off his cock, ignoring my whine of protest.

“Oh, I’ll be back soon, but first, I think you should go taste Mav.”

I nodded. Getting up on shaky feet, I made my way over to Maverick, who was watching me with an almost predatory gaze.

His cock was glistening, a bead of precum gathering at the tip. Without preamble, I sank to my knees, looking him in the eye as my tongue darted out to taste him.

Butter and a bit of salt, just like his scent, burst on my tongue.

I wasn’t a prude. I had sucked a few dicks in my time, but none had ever tasted as good as Maverick’s, and I had a sneaking suspicion that all of the alphas had delicious-tasting cocks.

That’s one thing about omega biology I wouldn’t complain about.

Mav’s hand circled my throat as I worked slowly down his length. “I can feel my cock working down her throat—holy shit,” he groaned, watching my every move.

My position was leaning forward, so my pussy was on full display for Nils, who was humming in appreciation at the sight.

Relaxing my throat, I took Mav deeper with each pass until my nose was touching his pubic hair.

I was so distracted looking up at him as I worked over his length, watching the way his face contorted in pleasure, that I didn’t hear Nils come up behind me. Strong hands gripped my waist, and I spread my knees, presenting myself to him. He was somehow even larger at this angle, like I was impossibly full. How the hell was I going to take his knot?

I was going to take it with a smile and copious orgasms, that’s how.

“Keep your eyes on me,” Maverick instructed as I continued to swallow around him, being bounced between the pair as my pleasure only intensified. “It feels nice, doesn’t it? Having both of us? Fuck, your eyes are nearly pure black, they’ve dilated so much!”

I basked in the praise, my own release fast approaching.

“I’m not going to last,” Nils gritted out, his thrusts becoming erratic. “She’s choking my cock with her pussy. She’s milking me for everything I’ve got.” He thrust a few more times, sending my body into a tailspin as I screamed around Mav’s cock, never stopping sucking him.

“Shit. Shit. Shit. I’m going to come in your mouth if you don’t stop,” he warned me, but if his cum tasted anything like his precum, I wanted it, so I doubled down on my efforts and was rewarded with a strangled groan. “Fuck, Molly!”

Seconds later, sweetness burst on my tongue as I swallowed down every drop Maverick gave me, lapping at his cock and ensuring I had every last drop cleaned up.

Nils had slowed somewhat while Mav had finished, but as soon as Mav slid from my mouth, Nils’s tempo ramped up, hitting that sweet spot inside me with every thrust. I had only just finished but, already, I could feel another orgasm creeping up on me.

Having taken a moment to recover from finishing, Mav leaned down, gently grabbing me by the chin, making me look up so he could kiss me—a sloppy, filthy kiss.

I felt dirty, but in the best way. I had cum on the corner of my mouth, but Mav didn’t give a fuck. He kissed me like his life depended on it.

“So close,” I panted when he pulled away. “I can’t,” I whined. Everything was so sensitive.

“You can, sweet girl,” Maverick muttered, his thumb gently rubbing back and forth across my throat as he kissed me, a subtle reminder of how much power he had over me. I loved it.

Nils’s fingers found my clit and started roughly rubbing. I was already soaked, so his hand made a delicious wet sound that I couldn’t find it in me to be embarrassed about.

There were no more words. There was only us and the sounds of grunting as Nils increased his pace, chasing his own orgasm.

He slammed into me a few more times, his pace erratic as his cock throbbed, setting off my own release. The pressure of his building knot prolonged everything, and I convulsed on his cock for longer than I ever had and was reduced to a babbling mess by the end of it.

It was so intense, I hardly remember clambering onto Maverick’s lap, burying my face in his neck, and desperately trying to catch my breath.

“I think Go Fish is my new favourite game,” Maverick finally admitted.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Molly

We had to leave early for practice. I’m sorry, beautiful. Zach will be with you today.

Ifrowned at the text from Grayson.

The guys had left me with the grumpy bastard again.

Traitors.

I was surprised that Zach even bothered to stay, considering the guys had been so busy since their win.

My head spun as I sat up and crawled out of bed, and my stomach cramped painfully. Not the needy, give-me-a-knot cramps I had become used to, but a painful, sick-feeling one.

“On babysitting duty again?” I asked, doing my best to hide my discomfort as I grabbed a mug and flicked the kettle on.

“The others didn’t want you to be left alone. You’ve got them wrapped around your fingers, don’t you?” he asked as he sat at the counter, in a suit, as always, a few pieces of toast on a plate in front of him while he scrolled through his phone and drank coffee.

I cocked my eyebrow. “Because they’re not heartless assholes?”

“They have to focus on their careers right now. You’re a distraction.”

“Am I stopping them?” I asked pointedly. The room spun as I put my teabag in the mug, channelling all my energy into staying upright.

“Your very presence is messing things up,” he said, putting his phone down. His toast looked damn good. I needed something solid in my stomach to stop it churning. Checking the bread bin, I found it empty.

“Well, I’m not going to apologise for that. Grayson bit me—I didn’t want this. I may as well make the best out of a bad situation,” I said, closing the breadless bin with a pout.

I padded up to Zach, plucking a piece of toast from his plate and taking a bite. His face somehow turned even stonier at me stealing his food. But I wasn’t scared of him.

“A bad situation? It looks like you’ve landed on your feet,” he snarked.

“Please,” I snorted. “In an ideal situation, I wouldn’t be stuck with a mean, crude ass like you.” I took a bite of the toast, slowly chewing.

“You seem happy enough,” he observed.

“I’m part of a pack where one of the members actively hates me, I don’t know where I’ll be living tomorrow, and the press is doing their damned best to make me seem like a villain. What’s not to love?” I growled sarcastically.

“The press is being unfair. They’re a bunch of vultures,” he admitted.

“Aren’t I lucky?” I smiled gently.

Zach stood, towering over me. It took every ounce of control to stop myself from perfuming. Why was this complete ass of a man so damn hot?

His face dropped when he got closer to me. “Are you okay?” he asked, his hand reaching up like he was actually going to touch me.

I wasn’t okay. The toast had been a bad idea. My stomach churned violently as I looked at Zach, all my bravado fleeing as bile rose in my throat.

Turning on my heel, I fled to the downstairs bathroom, quickly emptying my stomach contents into the toilet.

With a groan, I sat back roughly, running my hand through my hair and closing my eyes in a desperate attempt to stop the room from spinning. I felt like crap and needed to go back to bed.

Sweet almond assaulted my senses as Zach crouched down next to me, his hand going to my forehead.

“You’re sick,” he observed.

“No shit, Sherlock,” I snarled.

“Did Mav take you out for fish tacos?” he asked.

I cracked my eyes open and glared at him in confusion at the question. How did he know where we were the night before? He had been holed up in his office.

The bastard chuckled at my look of shock, and I wanted nothing more than to punch his handsome, annoying face, but I was too weak.

“Mav has a love of food trucks, and it has bitten all of us in the ass a few times. Last time I went to one of those places with him, I got food poisoning and needed to go to the hospital. While I was holed up, praying for the vomit to end, I missed one of the biggest games of the year.”

“Please tell me he suffered as well,” I groaned.

“Mav has an iron stomach. He can eat anything, and it never touches him. It’s infuriating.”

“Make him practice more as punishment,” I mumbled.

Zach laughed.

Actually laughed.

“Are you okay?” I asked. “You just made a bloody weird sound. I didn’t think you could laugh.”

“Haha. You’re grouchy when sick, aren’t you?”

“Grayson is well aware that I get pissy when ill—though I think Maverick needs to feel this rage. Summon him, let him suffer.”

I closed my eyes, leaning back against the bathroom wall. My muscles already ached, and I didn’t want to move.

A bottle of water was pressed into my hands. “Try and drink something. If you’ve got food poisoning, then you are going to get dehydrated fast, which can get dangerous.”

He had even opened the bottle for me so I could easily take a few sips.

“Why are you helping? Surely if I demise due to bad fish poisoning, that’ll solve a lot of your problems.”

Zach snorted. “While it may make things simpler for me, I am not, in fact, a heartless bastard, no matter what you believe.” He took off his suit jacket, the waft of almond cookie oddly comforting. Alpha.

“Can you call one of the others?” I asked, gently rubbing my hand over my stomach.

“They’re going to be unreachable for a few hours while they’re on the ice.”

“That’s okay, I’ll wait here,” I waved him off sleepily.

“Yeah, not happening,” Zach growled, his arms slipping under my legs, picking me up bridal style.

Part of me was thankful, part was confused. There was also a tiny part of me that couldn’t help but be snarky.

“Wow, such strength for an old man,” I whispered in faux amazement, which was somewhat ineffective with my weak, shaky voice, making Zach glare down at me. A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, though, so he clearly wasn’t that peeved at my snark.

“When it comes to weightlifting, I trounce the others, I’ll have you know.”

I hummed, letting my head rest on his chest. “If you say so,” I mumbled.

Zach snorted. “I only retired because I fucked up a knee. I guess I’ll just have to prove myself.”

“It’s probably a good thing you retired. Someone needs to keep an eye on Mav. He’s like a German shepherd puppy who keeps getting into trouble,” I mused.

Instead of carrying me to my room, Zach opted to put me on the large sofa. As soon as I was seated, he disappeared, reappearing a moment later with several blankets and pillows. The sight of Zach, of all people, bringing me comfort items was a weird one. He was usually so grumpy, but I didn’t question it. Instead, I reached out to grab the blankets with a smile. Comfort. Soft. Nest.

That’s what I needed. Soon enough, I was bundled up on the couch, comfortable.

I closed my eyes, revelling in the comfort when something pressed up against my lips. Opening my eyes with a frown, I glared at the alpha, who was holding a thermometer to my lips.

“Open. I need to see how high a temp you’re running.”

I had a sneaking suspicion that if I was running too warm, he was going to take some of my lovely blankets away. Still, I stupidly opened my mouth, letting him gently place it under my tongue.

Zach frowned at the thermometer as it displayed a reading. “That is way too high. When’s the last time you had any water?” he asked.

“I had a soda last night,” I mumbled, clinging to my blankets. If he tried to take them, I was going to hurt him.

“Soda isn’t water,” he said with a glower.

I smirked. “It’s delicious water!”

“Okay, I’m getting you another bottle of water—drink that one, or I will be calling a doctor to get you IV fluids.”

“I don’t need an IV!” I cried. He was overreacting. There was no way in hell I was going to let a doctor stab me just because my body was a little thirsty. Connor had been allowed to stab me, but that was because I’d been actually hurt and bleeding. This was totally not a stab-worthy instance.

“Then, get drinking,” he said, nodding at the water bottle he had placed on the arm of the chair next to me.

“Bossy alpha-hole!” I shouted at his retreating back, and he fucking laughed.

Again.

The others needed to get back soon, or I was going to stab him.

Three hours later, I was still alone with Zach, and I hadn’t been able to keep anything down, even the water. My new shadow followed me to the bathroom every time I needed to empty the contents of my stomach, holding my hair and rubbing my back. Even going so far as offering me mouthwash after I finished emptying what little I had in my stomach.

He was still an asshole when he spoke to me, and yet, he handled me with such care.

My little couch nest had expanded, with several more comforters and pillows lining it. Zach had switched the TV to an old classic show with several seasons that was all small town cozy vibes.

I was left on my own for half an hour while I drifted in and out of consciousness, my mind only vaguely watching the show.

The next time Zach came into the living room, he looked a lot more comfortable. His suit jacket and tie were gone, and his shirt sleeves were rolled up, displaying several forearm tattoos. His top two buttons were undone.

Yum.

Down girl, you feel like you’re dying and he’s a grade-A butthead!

“I’ve made some chicken broth soup—do you think you can try it? You haven’t eaten a bite all day.”

I waved him off sleepily. “It’s one day. I’ll be fine.”

“No, it’s not. You need to be eating three meals a day. Grayson told me you get mean when sick, so I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“No!” I whined, burying my head under the covers.

“It’s for your own good, Molly,” he said, sitting on the edge of my nest, mug of soup in hand.

The soup did smell lovely, I couldn’t deny that. “But what if it makes me sick again?” I whined. “I don’t like being sick.”

“Then I’ll call the doc, and we will look at getting you some anti-sickness medication.”

“No!” I glowered at him. “I don’t want to be stabbed.”

“Who said you would be stabbed?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“I’m sick, not dumb. I know full well that I can’t take pills while I can’t keep even a few sips of water down, so the next logical step is a needle.” I picked up one of the pillows I wasn’t as fond of—its texture was just a bit too scratchy—and threw it his way.

It missed by a mile.

Zach had the audacity to laugh. “We really ended up with the least athletic omega out there, didn’t we?”

“I’ll hurt you,” I growled.

“Yeah, yeah, you have all the fight of a feral kitten. Now, sit up and try a few sips of this, or I will be calling the doctor to start fluids and anti-sickness medications.”

“You’re cruel,” I grumbled, sitting up and snatching the cup from him.

“I know, omega. I’m so mean. Now drink your soup.”

I took a tentative sip, humming in pleasant surprise when it tasted good and my stomach didn’t revolt at it. “This is nice. What brand is it?” I asked, looking at the mug as I took another small sip.

“I made it,” Zach admitted.

He cooked? For me? My chest warmed. My omega was preening that the alpha was taking care of us. My omega was a fickle bitch; she didn’t seem to care how much of a gigantic ass Zach had been, toting around stupid contracts and being an all-around bully. Part of me wondered if he still had those contracts and if it would be totally unreasonable to break into his office and set said contracts on fire while giggling maniacally.

That was probably overkill, but it would be fun, and Alexis would 100% approve.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Maverick

Ihad thought once the charity game was over, we would actually get some time with our newest pack member. Instead, we had been thrown into a series of press events and even more practices. We only had a number of weeks until Grayson was needed back in England, and I wanted to make the most of the time.

The Chargers coach, Dan, had been watching us, so we had to do our best as a unit to show how well we worked together. Dan was the only coach who had indicated any interest in signing us as a unit—which is what we wanted more than anything.

Downside being, we’d had to leave our omega at the house with Zach, instead of giving her every minute of this time to get to know us.

The moment practice was done, we barrelled out of there as quickly as possible, only bothering to take a quick shower so we didn’t smell when we returned home.

As we piled into the car, Grayson rubbed his chest absentmindedly.

“What’s up? Is it Molly?” I asked as we stopped at a traffic light.

“She’s been out of sorts today, some stress and exhaustion—that’s all I’m getting from her,” he admitted.

With a frown, I subtly pressed on the gas, pushing the car to go that little bit faster. Maybe Molly needed some alpha cuddles, and I was more than happy to provide.

I was the first one through the front door, and I was greeted by the sound of a very pissed-off Molly coming from the den.

“Don’t you fucking dare, Zachariah. I will fuck you up.”

My eyebrows raised as I glanced behind me at Nils, who appeared equally as shocked.

“We shouldn’t have left them, should we?” he asked.

Instead of answering, I made my way to the den, my packmates hot on my heels.

Molly was wrapped up in what I could only describe as a small hotel’s worth of blankets and pillows. Her face was pale, eyes bloodshot, and there were bags under her eyes.

Zach was sitting on the other end of the couch, his cell phone in hand. What had he done to piss her off this time?

“What’s going on?” Grayson asked, his voice tense.

“Molly here is sick—food poisoning. Likely from a food truck. She’s not been able to keep any fluids down all day, so I’m calling a nurse who can administer an IV, so she doesn’t become dehydrated.”

“That’s a good idea,” Grayson said, striding over to Molly and gently feeling her forehead.

“No, it’s not!” she snapped. “I don’t want to get stabbed by a needle. It’s not happening!” she growled.

The taco truck had clearly been a bad idea. I had been so excited to show her the type of food I liked, I had forgotten that sometimes it had . . . uncomfortable repercussions.

Now my omega looked like shit, and I was the cause.

“Get the IV,” I said to Zach, my voice firm. He cocked his eyebrow at me but didn’t say anything as he dialled the number, despite Molly’s continued protests.

“I’m going to hurt you,” she growled at me as I smiled calmly at her.

“You can kill me as soon as you’re feeling better.”

“Asshole.”

It took thirty minutes for the nurse to arrive. A sweet, plump, blonde middle-aged woman who gave off a motherly vibe and smelled like freshly cut grass. Molly glared at her and shimmied back, her movements sluggish and lethargic.

I was about to take a step forward and physically hold her in place, but Zach beat me to it. With a single swift movement, he was sitting behind Molly with her tucked between his legs, his arm around her waist, effectively pinning her to him. Despite her weak attempts to wiggle free, she was stuck.

“Butthead!” she growled, face furious for a second before turning to me. “Mav!” she whined, “Tell him I don’t need to be stabbed!”

“Oh no, don’t look at me,” I chided, holding my hands up in surrender.

“I’m here to help. My name is Francis. I’m guessing you are the lovely Molly?” the nurse asked gently.

She pouted, eyes filling with tears. We all knew I was probably the biggest pushover when it came to Molly. Then again, Grayson was also wrapped pretty tightly around her finger, thanks to the bond.

I glanced at him next to me. I was wrong. His arms were crossed, and he was frowning at Molly. “I can feel how sick you are—you’re getting the fluids, Peach. Don’t try to influence me through the bond.”

“Gray!” she cried, tears filling her eyes.

“Nope.” His voice held no sympathy, and Molly’s face twisted in frustration.

“Stop squirming,” Zach ordered in a firm voice. “This is for your own good. Now if you behave, Nils will take you for ice cream once you feel better.”

“Nils will take me for ice cream, anyway, because he’s not mean like the rest of you!” she growled.

She looked to Nils, who had joined us and was also looking at Molly with concern. “How long has she been sick?” he asked.

“All day, and she hasn’t drunk water in days. Only soda.”

“Lies!” Molly exclaimed grumpily.

Zach glared down at the omega, who looked tiny in his arms, making her pout.

“You’re sick. This will help you feel better. You want to feel better, don’t you?”

“I do . . .” She trailed off, glaring at the nurse.

“Don’t worry, I’m used to reluctant patients. I was a paediatric nurse for several years. Now, you’re bonded to this handsome boy here, aren’t you?” she asked gently, nodding at Gray.

Molly sniffed and nodded. “I am.”

“Well, you know how bad you’re feeling right now? That’ll be hurting him as well.”

Molly’s eyes flew to Gray at her words, brows furrowing, lip trembling. “Y-you can feel that?” she asked in a trembling voice. Grayson nodded.

“So, how about we get this over and done with, that way we can help your alpha feel better?” Francis asked gently.

Molly nodded, sitting up straighter, and Zach let her without releasing his grip on her. One of her hands reached up, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand before rolling up her sleeve and exposing her arm to the nurse, who wasted no time in wrapping a thin band of elastic around her upper arm. Zach gently rubbed his thumb along her thigh as the nurse got to work, distracting her in a move that all of us noticed but didn’t dare say a word regarding.

When the needle pierced the skin, Molly whimpered, a sound that hurt me to my core—and I wasn’t even bonded with her, so Grayson was probably feeling a hundred times worse.

Once the drip was set up on the metal stand and the liquid was slowly hydrating the sickly omega, the nurse busied herself grabbing supplies. “I’m just going to pop back to the car and check on a few bits. I’ll be right back,” she assured us, bustling out of the room.

“I don’t like you,” Molly sniffed, clearly talking to Zach, even though she refused to look at him.

“I don’t like you either, trouble.” Zach laughed lightly, kissing the top of her head gently.

My eyebrows flew so high, I was surprised they didn’t disappear into my hair. Molly’s eyes drooped, the adrenaline from fighting the IV wearing off and exhaustion taking over.

“Do you see what I see?” I whispered to Nils, who was closest to me.

“You know Zach—he’s a caretaker through and through. I bet his alpha is thriving off this experience.” Gray replied.

I nodded absentmindedly, not taking my eyes off them. After weeks of them snapping at each other, this was a downright bizarre sight. “It’s like those internet videos of people trying to tame feral kittens with cuddles,” I whispered.

Grayson snorted. “Not far off.”

“I can hear you,” Zach snarled quietly. “Go make yourself useful and order some dinner. Something not fried, preferably. I’ve made a bunch of bone broth for Molly as soon as she feels better.”

Zach had cooked? For Molly?

I felt like I was in upside down land.

I kind of liked it.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Grayson

It took Molly another twenty-four hours to feel better. The IV worked wonders, and she perked up somewhat, even letting Francis add some sort of anti-sickness medication to her bag before she left.

The colour had returned to her face, and after Zach had detangled himself from her and bundled her up on the sofa in the little mini nest, he went to the kitchen to grab her soup and crackers.

Throughout the day, she managed to keep a few bites down, spending most of the day napping on the sofa, Zach hovering over her.

It was like he had experienced a full personality change. He didn’t snipe at her. Instead, he was attentive, caring, even. He stayed with Molly and ensured she was making regular attempts to eat. He was gentle when he guided her from one spot to another, his eyes filled with concern.

She was improving quickly. I could feel her getting more calm and balanced. I wanted to crawl into her nest with her, but Zach had kept her on the sofa overnight as he fussed over her. His phone had been discarded on the kitchen counter for hours, and he hadn’t even bothered to look for it, so absorbed in his task of caring for the omega.

We had three days off, and I had intended to take Molly out and show her some of the sights, but her sickness had nixed that plan. So as soon as she was better, I hoped to convince her to curl up with take-out food and spend the day with her in the nest, watching movies.

Zach had gently nudged Molly into her nest in the morning, following her like a mother hen, water bottles and snacks in hand. If I wasn’t so damn happy with that development, I would have been teasing Zach mercilessly.

Jogging down the stairs, I grabbed my keys off the entry table. Molly had a vicious sweet tooth at the best of times, so I decided a run to the grocery store to stock up for when she felt better would be a good idea.

Then again, Zach was only letting her eat proper food with real nutritional value, which meant Pop-Tarts were probably out of the equation, but I would sneak some her way when he wasn’t looking. He had to go back to his phone, eventually.

Keys in hand, I turned to the door at the exact moment the doorbell rang. Confused about who would be at our house, I opened it.

Amber was standing in the doorway, a predatory grin on her face that I imagined she thought looked alluring.

It was far from it.

“Grayson!” she exclaimed. “How lovely to see you—I was hoping you were home.” She shoved past me and into the entryway.

Too surprised to stop her, I stood by. “Amber, what are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see you! I’m so sad that Daddy and I didn’t get time to see you at the game. You played beautifully.” Her face was covered in the type of makeup that took hours to apply and she refused to get messed up. It looked like a highly pigmented mask that hardly moved when she spoke or smiled. She reached out, her arm touching mine.

I shrugged it off, taking a step back. “I’m very busy with my pack,” I deflected.

“I thought so—pack is so important.” She nodded, a smirk on her face.

“I’m sorry I can’t chat, Amber. I have things I need to attend to.”

“Grayson, don’t be coy—I’m sure you have time for me.” She took a step forward, her hand flying to my hip, attempting to snake a hand under my shirt but was stopped by me grabbing her wrist in a tight grip as she did her best to press her front to mine.

“Leave,” I snarled. Touching me was a step too far. Her scent would be on me, and that would distress Molly, who was only just starting to feel a bit better after her bout of food poisoning.

“Grayson!” Amber admonished. “Why are you treating me like this? I’m your omega.”

“You’re not!” I snarled.

“Daddy and Zach already discussed me joining the pack. Surely, you want to get to know me better. How long has it been since someone took your knot? I can make you feel good,” she simpered, reaching for me again.

“I’m not interested.”

Her face turned to stone. “Does this have something to do with the English slut you had in your box? She’s no one!”

Anger unlike any I had felt in a long time welled up in me, and it took all my strength not to grab her by her hair and forcibly remove her from my packhouse. No one would speak ill of my omega in my own home. The thought was abhorrent.

Amber had clearly come with the intention of getting laid, and it disgusted me.

I was about to open my mouth to hurl insults at the pampered little bitch when Zach’s voice rang out behind me, filling the entryway.

“Amber. I think it best you leave now.” His expression was thunderous. Amber did a double take at the sight of it.

Pulling out of my grasp, she righted her stupidly tiny shirt. It wasn’t attractive to me—in fact, it was pathetic.

“May I use your bathroom before I leave?” Amber asked Zach in a sweet voice.

He nodded, gesturing to the kitchen. “Through the back of the kitchen.”

“Thank you—I’ll tell Daddy about my visit and let him know how . . . hospitable you’ve been.” Her voice held a clear threat.

I started physically vibrating with anger as she flounced down the hallway, her ass swaying in an obnoxiously exaggerated way.

Once she was out of sight, Zach strode over to me, his hand reaching for my shoulder. “Remain calm,” he instructed.

“She touched me,” I gritted out, “even though I told her not to.” My skin burned where her hand had touched. I needed a boiling hot shower to ensure every scrap of her scent was removed from my skin before I could cuddle up to Molly and let her sweet peach make everything better.

“I’ll get her out of here. Just keep your cool for now. I know another female touching you is probably making you crazy, but it’s better for Molly if you remain calm.”

He was right. Newly bonded alphas were territorial at the best of times. The thought of another woman’s scent on me made my stomach turn.

I needed Molly.

Amber strutted back into the entryway a moment later, looking at me with a gaze I could only describe as predatory. She was the last omega on the planet I was interested in.

“Call me, Grayson,” she pouted at me.

“No,” I responded simply, waving her out. She stilled, like she wanted to fight me on that, but instead of saying anything, she glared between me and Zach before stomping back to her tiny little car and peeling out of the driveway.

“Is her father going to be a problem?” I asked, hardly containing my rage.

“No. I’ll make sure he isn’t. His daughter doesn’t control him, and even if he’s pissed, he’s a donor. He doesn’t get to make any decisions for the Chargers.”

“I want the world to know about Molly,” I admitted. “I’m done hiding her.”

Zach sighed. “I agree. We need to be open about the fact you’re bonded, but do you want to do it now or give Molly more time to get to know the pack? Once the press gets wind of it, it’ll be worse than Kentucky.”

The thought of Molly suffering more headlines and bad-mouthing pained me. All I craved was her happiness and peace. I wanted to come home from my games to my bundled-up and sleepy omega reading in her nest, a bunny hopping around her.

“Give her a week or two—I’ll take care of Amber,” Zach assured me.

“She’s it for me, Zach.” I almost sobbed with the strength of my emotions. “I don’t give a fuck about anything else. I want her happy. I can’t picture staying here to play hockey without her. I would be hollow. She’s mine just as much as I’m hers.”

Zach gave me a small smile. “I can see that.”

“I feel like I’m being torn in two—by two halves of my own pack. Molly and you guys.”

“Molly is fitting in with the pack well,” Zach admitted.

“You’re not exactly her biggest fan.” I raised my brows as I spoke.

Zach shrugged, shaking his head. “I’m not. She was a complication I never wanted. After Salt Lake, I wanted you to get your career back, but you can’t even think about your career right now, can you?”

“Nope, not without her.”

“She’s . . . sweet. Beautiful, even. Fuck, if it hadn’t been for all the complications, I would have been so attracted to her.”

“Would have been? I’ve seen the way you look at her. You like that she challenges you.”

“Let’s be real, she doesn’t want me.” Zach laughed lightly.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I burst out laughing, and Zach looked at me, utterly confused.

“No …”

“You two are dumb as rocks. You forget that I am linked to her.” I lifted my wrist to emphasise my point. “When she’s looking at you, she most certainly is attracted. Molly could be the perfect omega for us if you don’t completely scare her off.”

Zach just looked at me like I had grown a third head.

Dumbass.

When he and Molly finally gave into each other, it was going to be amazing.

With one final laugh, I turned to leave. I needed a hot shower and omega snuggles, asap.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Molly

“You’ve had a stick up your ass all day. What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked, following Zach into his office as soon as the guys left for practice. I was left alone again with the grouchy bastard, who was acting like he had a thumbtack forever stuck in his shoe.

“I’ve got a million and one things to do, and you’re distracting me!” Zach barked, picking up a pile of paperwork.

“You’re upsetting the others. I’m sorry if looking after me was such a damn hardship.” Zach’s eyes flew from the papers in his hands to me, a look of shock on his face. “But that doesn’t give you an excuse to be an insufferable ass!”

“I am not an insufferable ass.”

I stomped over to him, stabbing him in the chest with my pointer finger. “Oh, yeah? What was that bullshit with Mav? He was so fucking excited to talk to you about his new ice times, and you brushed him off with a growl. You’ve been on edge for days and won’t talk to the others about it. Why?”

Zach’s gaze was wild as he looked down at me, like he was warring with himself. I pulled my hand back to poke him again but was stopped by his hand grabbing my wrist in a firm grasp, pulling me closer as he held my hand up.

“You want to know why? Why I can’t fucking think straight?” he snarled. “Because of you. You’re everywhere—your scent, your laugh. Do you know how many times I’ve had to listen to my packmates as they make you come? It’s fucking infuriating, and I can’t focus on anything.”

“Wait, you’re mad because I’m getting along with your pack? Do you want us to fight?” I asked incredulously.

Zach’s spare hand flew to the back of my neck. I should have been scared, trapped in his grasp, but instead, my perfume filtered throughout the room, making his nostrils flare.

I wanted to taste him, to feel him. My rational mind knew he was mean and a general piece of work, but my omega didn’t. No, my omega side wanted to bend over and present for the dominating alpha like a good little submissive omega and beg him to fuck me until I saw stars.

“Why do you do this to me?” Zach asked, his voice strangled.

“I’m not doing anything.”

I stepped closer, or at least as much closer as I could get while still being held in his grip. Hardness pressed into my belly and my perfume intensified. He was just as turned on as I was.

“Say no,” Zach growled. “Walk away.”

“I’m not going anywhere, alpha.” I tacked on the last bit, pleased at the way his pupils dilated as I said it. He liked that—he liked control—but I wasn’t ready to give it to him yet.

“If you don’t leave, I won’t be gentle, omega.”

I smirked up at him, leaning up and nipping his ear. My smirk grew as a shudder ran through his body. “Maybe I don’t want you to be gentle,” I growled back, though my growl was pitiful compared to his.

The growl that left his lips was animalistic as he held me in place, lips devouring mine. Zach tasted bittersweet, and I loved it. Of all my guys, I could see myself becoming the most addicted to his taste. I was hauled up and onto his desk, his hand grabbing at the thin lacy underwear I had chosen that morning and tearing them, all while his mouth devoured mine.

Something about his brutal attack had my every nerve ending on fire, like my entire body was electrified.

There was no preamble as Zach’s fingers sank into me, setting a pace that made me want to scream. “Fuck,” Zach snarled. “How did I know you would be so fucking slick?”

“Alpha,” I whined, my hand flying to his cock and palming it, making him growl once again. “Fuck me with your fingers.”

Zach tsked, pulling away slightly, glaring down at me with a look I could only describe as predatory. “You’re not in charge here, omega.” His fingers slid from me, and I groaned at the loss.

He flipped me over so I was bent over and clutching at the air in front of me, my bare ass exposed to him. Papers and various ornaments went flying as Zach landed several quick smacks on my ass.

No one had ever spanked me before, but if he was intending to punish me, it had the opposite effect. My body vibrated with pleasure, and I could feel my slick flowing down my thigh at the sensation.

There was no time to gather my breath before I felt the head of Zach’s cock pressing against my entrance. “Last chance to say no.”

“Don’t you dare stop,” I panted, feeling downright animalistic. I needed to be knotted, and I didn’t want him to be gentle. I wanted him to rut me like an alpha crazed.

Zach moved forward, filling me with one brutal, thick thrust that had me howling in pleasure and grasping at the desk in front of me. He gave me no time to adjust, thrusting with quick, deep movements. His hand landed on the desk near my head, the veins bulging as it gripped the wood.

“You like being spanked, don’t you? Your pussy doesn’t lie and, fuck me, you’re dripping. Such a filthy omega. I should punish you for constantly tempting me—running around in my packmates’ clothing. Having to listen to those sweet cries and you coming on their cocks. Now you’re going to do it for me, aren’t you?”

“Yes, alpha!” I shouted, lost in the sensation of his cock tunnelling in and out of me. His words lit a fire under my skin, and all I could think about was his knot, his cum. I wanted him to mark me, to own me. That was my hind brain talking because, normally, I considered Zach a giant dick.

Teeth found my neck and bit down hard, but not hard enough to break the skin, making me howl. “Please.”

“That’s it, beg like a good omega, and I am going to paint your pussy with my cum. I’m going to fuck, mark, and punish you for every time you’ve teased me. By the time I’m done with you, you won’t be able to walk straight, and it’s all your fault, isn’t it?”

“Yes!” I nodded. I would say anything to please him, to make him cover me in his scent, his cum.

“Fuck me, why are you so fucking perfect?” he growled against my neck, his cock throbbing.

I could have said the same thing about him, but I didn’t want his ego to swell up—I was having a damn good time, but I didn’t want to egg him on in that regard.

In the rough fucking regard? Hell, yes, I wanted that.

“Fuck me, make me come,” I whined, pushing back, trying to make his cock hit deeper, even though it already impossibly deep.

“So impatient.” Zach nipped at my neck, making me shiver.

One of my hands flew to my clit, desperate to launch me over the edge before it was ripped away and pinned to the desk by Zach, making me whine in need. “No, omega. I’m the only one who gets to touch you right now.”

Letting go of my hand, he started rubbing my clit in time with his thrusts. Two thrusts and I was gone, coming with a violence I didn’t know was possible of me, fire erupting under my skin.

The sheer pressure of my walls contracting pushed Zach into release. With a roar, he clamped his teeth into my shoulder, giving me one last, rough thrust before filling me completely, stretching me so I felt utterly full of him, unable to tell where he ended and I started.

“Fuck,” Zach ground out, his voice hoarse.

Catching my breath, the situation I was in became blindingly clear to me. Bent over the desk and knotted, I was well and truly stuck. The post orgasm clarity was hitting, and unease settled over me. I was far more exposed to Zach than I’d ever intended to be, but I was also blissed out, and part of me didn’t care.

Shifting, I tried to pull free from his knot, but he was lodged in there pretty deeply. Naturally, the asshole had the biggest knot of them all.

“Stop wriggling. You’re going to hurt yourself,” he admonished gently. His breath fluttered across the back of my neck as he spoke, leaving goose bumps in its wake.

“I should go,” I whispered, staring ahead at the door that I wanted nothing more than to be scampering through. I needed to get away and hide in my nest.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Zach huffed, gently sitting back in the desk chair, bringing me with him, as I was still attached. Sitting in his lap caused his knot to increase pressure on new parts of me, making me flush with heat.

His hands found my hips, where he had been gripping so tightly I thought they would bruise, and started massaging the area gently.

“Are you okay?” he asked gruffly. “Did I hurt you?”

I chuckled lightly. I shouldn’t have been enjoying his hands on me as much as I was, but it was just too hard to resist.

“You didn’t hurt me,” I reassured him. “That was actually kind of fun.”

Zach stilled for a moment before releasing a chuckle, his forehead resting on my shoulder. “Yeah, that was kind of fun.”

“If this is hating me, then I am all for it!”

“I don’t hate you, Molly. I think it’s quite the opposite,” he admitted.

I shifted on Zach’s lap, trying to figure out if his knot had loosened at all. It was just starting to deflate, but it would probably still hurt to remove.

Once he had deflated enough for me to slip free, I slid off his lap, my legs shaking violently. Strong hands grabbed my waist. “Gently.” Zach’s voice was gruff.

“Sorry,” I mumbled.

“Come on.” Before I could take another step, I was swept up in a thick set of arms, my face pressing into Zach’s neck.

“I can get back to my room by myself,” I said, inhaling the bittersweet almond.

“Not with legs shaking like this,” he muttered.

With my face firmly pressed against his neck, I was unable to see where we were going, but I assumed Zach was going to dump me in my room and then flee. When he lowered me to the floor, my bare feet hit cool tile. I took in the room around me, realising I was in a bathroom that was all dark grey slate tile and sleek countertops.

I didn’t need to ask whose bathroom this was; the smell made it obvious. Zach had brought me into his space. Without a word, he pulled his shirt off, his back muscles moving in a hypnotising way as he leaned into the gigantic shower stall, turning the shower on and testing the water temperature with his hand.

Once the temperature was satisfactory, he turned to me, gazing over me with a small smile. “Come here.” His hands gently tugged at my clothing, pulling the few items I was still wearing. I lifted my arms, shocked. Was he trying to take care of me?

“I can see the cogs turning in your mind, Molly,” he muttered as he pulled my dress over my head, exposing my completely naked body.

His eyes darkened as they raked over me. He was still semi hard, his knot slightly inflated. In the bright light of the bathroom, I couldn’t resist looking him over. Red marks marred his neck from where my fingers had dug in. His hair was a mess, sticking up at all angles. While he looked thoroughly dishevelled, I found it slightly comforting.

Guiding me under the water, Zach stayed close to me as he gently tilted my head back, getting my hair wet before lathering up his hands and massaging the shampoo into my scalp.

The moan that left my mouth at the sensation of his fingers scraping lightly across my scalp was downright pornographic, and he chuckled, the sound vibrating in my chest. My eyelids drooped and I leaned back against his chest.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I want to,” he admitted. “Please let me.”

His hands felt so damn good. I wanted to curl up in his lap and purr like a kitten. “I’m so tired.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I bared my teeth at him and growled, but it was light-hearted and pathetic.

“It was pretty good,” I admitted as he finished rinsing my hair and turned the shower off.

Bundling me into a fluffy towel, Zach took his time carefully drying every inch of my skin, dabbing at the skin of my neck. At one point, I winced, and Zach adjusted accordingly, his touch somehow becoming impossibly soft.

“You’ve got some bruising.” Zach frowned. “I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for that.”

“I’m not that breakable.” I smiled up at his intimidating glare.

“No, it’s not okay. I’m not supposed to hurt you, I—”

“Hey,” I cut him off gently, plucking the towel from his grip. “I’m okay.”

Zach sighed. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Give me plenty of orgasms and tell me I’m pretty?” I suggested.

Leaning down, he captured my lips with his. In a stark contrast to his earlier demanding, domineering kisses, this was a slow burn, sweet and gentle.

“You already know you’re beautiful,” he grumbled.

“You never admitted it, and I’m not sure all the stuff you growled while you had me bent over a desk counts.”

Zach groaned, pulling me into his arms and kissing the top of my head. “I can’t deny there’s something here, Molly.”

“I guess we will just have to give it time, but Zach, I’m not running yet. I want you to be yourself—but maybe a bit less grumpy.” I giggled.

“That, I can try.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Molly

Iwas sick of feeling sick. Before joining this pack and travelling with them, I had been healthy as a horse—which was a weird saying, now that I thought about it. Ever since I had met Grayson, I had been sick multiple times. Infected cuts, food poisoning, jet lag.

I blamed the food. American food, while delicious, was full of a variety of chemicals. The bread lasted almost three times as long as ours before growing mold; that was just weird.

Ever since Zach and I had pretty much attacked each other in the office, we had been polite but said nothing about it.

He was less frosty to me, though.

Sitting in my nest, I was clicking through the slides for my Petty Plantagenets class as my head pounded and my skin itched.

Reaching out to my bond, I could feel Grayson, all excitement and elevated heart rate. He was feeling downright playful—the way he always did when he was on the ice.

Sighing, I threw down my textbook and clambered out of the nest. A snack would help me feel a little less icky, or at least, I hoped it would.

Nils was in the kitchen, stirring a pot of something that was bubbling away and smelled divine.

“Ooo, what’s that?” I asked, craning my head to look into the pot at the white sauce.

Pulling me into his side, never faltering in his stirring, Nils replied, “It’s going to be mac and cheese with bacon.”

“Oh, that sounds amazing,” I groaned. “How long will it be?”

“About forty minutes. I’m going to bake it in the oven.”

“I’ll have a snack first. If I wait, I may cause violence.”

“We can’t risk that. A hungry omega is a cranky creature.”

I frowned at him.“Are you calling me cranky?”

“Not at all, my dear. In fact, I was just about to tell you how pretty you are and ask if you wanted to go for ice cream again tonight.” He looked down at me, his face the picture of innocence.

“Good answer.” I laughed, hugging him tightly.

Nils’s hand came up to my forehead. “You’re warm. Feeling off again?” he asked with a frown.

I shrugged. “It’s probably the food again—I need to learn to distrust Mav’s food choices.”

Nils hummed. “In that case, I probably shouldn’t feed you this mac and cheese that’s full of preservatives. I mean, look how orange it is—probably not the healthiest for you.”

“Deny me the mac and cheese, and you’ll be in for a very sorry existence with only one bollock.”

“Noted. Don’t fuck with my omega’s food.” He smirked, like he was trying to hold back a laugh.

My heart soared at him calling me his omega. The animalistic part of me wanted to grab him and drag him to the nearest flat surface, but then the delicious-smelling sauce would burn.

“Can I help?”

“Can you grab a baking dish while I drain the noodles?”

I nodded, kissing the underside of his chin before pulling away. Padding to the cupboard, I bent over to rummage through the very well stocked pan cupboard. There was every possible size and shape, and I had no idea what would work best.

Settling on the pretty-looking casserole dish, I reached out to grab it, my fingers brushing the cold ceramic surface as a cramp tore through my midsection.

“Holy shit,” I hissed, hand flying to my stomach. If I wasn’t already bent over, I would have bowed from the sheer pain of the cramp.

“Molly?” Nils’s footsteps behind me alerted me to his presence a moment before his hand was on my lower back. “Are you okay?”

“Cramp,” I explained, gritting my teeth as it slowly eased up. Tentatively standing, I looked at Nils. “That one hurt, damn.”

“Go sit down. I’ll get the dish.” He nudged me in the direction of the barstool, and I did as instructed, slowly stumbling over and taking a seat.

Nils bent down and retrieved the exact casserole dish I had been looking at. “Are you due for a heat soon?” he asked as he placed the dish on the counter next to the drained noodles.

I frowned to myself. Was I?

“I’ve been taking the suppressants Zach’s doctor got for me, so I shouldn’t be.”

It did feel vaguely similar to the early stages of my heat with Grayson, but we had taken steps to avoid that again.

“Period?” he asked.

“No, I’m not due for another week. Maybe it’s coming early and my body hates me.” I waved off his concern.

Busying himself with assembling the dish, Nils’s eyes flicked to me every few minutes, concern filling his eyes. “Molly?” he asked after he put the dish into the oven, taking off the oven gloves and throwing them onto the counter. “Have you been taking the suppressants every day?”

“Without fail.” I nodded. “They’re strong, so this can’t be a heat.”

“Even when you had food poisoning?”

I stilled. “Fuck,” I muttered. I had missed a few days while I had been unable to keep anything down. It had been a few days because when I couldn’t keep food down for twenty-four hours, Zach had insisted on the IV and I’d threatened to stab him with the needle several times. “I’m going into heat. Shit.”

Nils sidestepped the counter, gently gripping my upper arms. “We can deal with a heat,” he reassured me.

“Grayson can’t miss any more games! He’s got the test game with the Chargers in a few days. Shit. I’ll be doing this alone,” I babbled as the panic rose in my chest.

“Who said you’re going to be alone?” Nils asked with a frown. “Mav and I will happily help you—unless you don’t want us to?” The latter part of his words took on a vulnerable tone, and I wanted to kick myself. I had several alphas who could help me now.

“Do you want to be there?” I asked. “I didn’t want to presume. The last heat didn’t go exactly to plan, and when I’m in heat, I become a needy, cantankerous bitch who wants nothing but knots and bites!”

“Of course, we want to be there, Molly. We are one-hundred-percent in this thing. There’s no other omega for us.”

“Zach and I fucked!” I blurted, eyes wide, before burying my face in my hands.

Nils stared at me, eyebrows raised.

“Are you okay with that? Do you want him to join us?” Nils asked.

“I don’t know!” I wailed. “Maybe?”

“Everything is up to you.”

“What if the same thing happens as last time?” I asked, biting my lip.

“Bonding? Well, that’ll hardly be the end of the world now, would it? Like I just said, you’re it for us, Molly. If you don’t want us to bond, though, we won’t. If there’s more than one of us there, it’s way less likely there will be an accident.”

What did I want? Part of me loved the idea of solidifying my bond with Nils and Mav, the same way I was linked to Grayson, but part of me knew it would probably complicate things further.

“As much as I want to,” I started, and Nils’s eyes lit up. “We probably shouldn’t talk about bonding until we have a solid plan about how we are going to move forward. Where we would live, teams and careers, all that stuff.”

“All that boring, unimportant stuff,” Nils pouted.

“I know, I’m such a spoilsport.” I rolled my eyes, then bent over as another cramp hit me.

“We’ve got twenty minutes until I need to get the mac and cheese out,” Nils said, cocking his head and grinning at me. “How about we take the edge off while we wait?”

I nodded excitedly. “Where?” I asked, breathless.

Nils smirked as he lifted me in one easy, fluid movement and deposited me on the kitchen island, smirking at me.

“Here?” I asked in surprise. “Anyone could see!”

Nils’s hand flew to my sleep shorts, gently sliding them down my legs, the cool air hitting my exposed core. “Hmm, yes, any of your alphas could walk in and see me worshipping our omega,” he hummed.

Fuck, why was that so hot?

“You can say no, beautiful,” Nils said, leaning down and gently kissing my inner thigh. He paused, looking up at me.

There was no way in hell I was going to tell him to stop now. The entire room was coated in my perfume, and the cramps were upping in intensity the longer he waited.

“No, no, don’t stop,” I whined, lying back with a huff.

Nils chuckled as his lips returned to their ministrations. He peppered my inner thighs, getting close but never going where I desperately needed him to.

“It hurts,” I whined.

“I won’t make you wait, then.”

His lips found my clit and sucked hard at the exact moment two of his fingers slid home, hitting that spot that made me see stars and writhe in need. An alpha of his word, Nils didn’t hesitate, setting a quick and hard pace.

“Oh, fuck yes, right there,” I whimpered, my hand tangling in his mess of hair.

Every brush of his tongue on my sensitive bundle of nerves made my back arch off the cool countertop. Nils’s gingerbread scent filled my senses, both comforting and alpha, only heightening my need.

I wanted him to knot me, but given he was in the middle of cooking, that could be deemed a little unsafe.

I would just have to make do with mind-blowing oral. How terrible.

It felt like only seconds before I was crashing over the edge, my thighs clamping around Nils’s head as I desperately tried to get away from the intense sensations.

“Holy shit,” I panted, coming down from my high, lying back on the countertop and staring at the ceiling as I drew in ragged breaths. “That shit is dangerous.” I laughed.

“Happy to help.” Nils smirked from between my legs, my slick covering his face, a look of intense pride on his features.

“Looks like you’re having fun,” Maverick said from behind us.

Turning my head, I blushed as I observed Maverick leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and a cocky, smug look on his face as he watched us have our fun, happy as a spectator.

“I’m having loads of fun,” I agreed with a light chuckle, which only made Maverick’s grin widen.

“It smells delicious in here, and I’m not talking about the food. I’ve suddenly got a fierce craving for peach cobbler.”

Nils’s fingers were still buried in me, and for some reason, I didn’t feel awkward being splayed out on the kitchen counter, one alpha’s fingers deep in me while the other watched.

I jumped as his fingers scraped that spot again. “What I really want is a knot,” I admitted.

“I’ve got to feed you first.” Nils smiled, turning to Maverick. “Do you want to keep her entertained while I finish dinner?”

“With pleasure.” Maverick strode into the kitchen, capturing my neck and pulling me in for a kiss.

“No knotting. She needs to eat. She’s in preheat.”

“Preheat?” Maverick asked in surprise.

“I didn’t take the suppressants while I was sick, so, uh . . .” I trailed off.

“She wants us there,” Nils said as he pulled on the oven gloves.

It was weird having this conversation with my business on display. I went to close my legs now Nils was no longer between them, but Mav’s hand flew to my thighs, keeping them open.

He tsked. “You’re going nowhere, little omega. You’re the reason I’m craving peaches, so I think it’s only fair that I get a taste.” As he spoke, he took Nils’s space between my legs, spreading them wide. “Now, isn’t that a perfect sight,” he muttered.

“It looks better stuffed with a knot and plenty of cum,” I growled.

Both alphas groaned at my words. Maverick reached up to tweak my nipple through my shirt, making me jump. “Behave,” he admonished.

“I’ll be very good for you, alpha,” I purred.

Maverick laughed. “She’s going to kill us.”

“But what a way to go!” Nils replied.

Twenty minutes later, I was sitting in the den on a comfy armchair with a bowl of mac and cheese in hand. My shorts had mysteriously vanished, and Maverick had been reluctant to let me go find replacements. I was getting my slick scent all over the place, but I had a sneaking suspicion that was what he wanted.

“This place is going to smell like a porno if I don’t shower and put on some clothes,” I said between bites of the glorious, gooey mac and cheese.

“I see no problem with that.” Nils shrugged.

“Filthy peach. I think that’s the perfect scent for a packhouse,” Maverick agreed.

“You two are incorrigible.” I laughed. My hand went up to my neck, brushing over my bond bite from Grayson. “We probably made practice interesting for Grayson,” I admitted sheepishly.

They both broke into laughter. “Serves the fucker right. He got to bond you first, so he gets to suffer the consequences!”

I rolled my eyes.

“Oh, he’ll get his revenge later.” Nils pursed his lips.

“Oh, fuck no,” I cried. “He is not allowed to do that evil edging thing again, not while I’m in preheat. That’s just mean!”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Zach

Everything was falling into place for Grayson. His career was almost saved. Dan was a big fan, and he had been playing perfectly over the last few days, impressing the coaches at every turn.

The Chargers pack contract was so close, I could almost taste it.

Part of me was sure that if I pulled this off and got our pack all together again, it would make up for some of my failings. I owed everything to Grayson—he’d protected my sister when I couldn’t, and I needed to make it right. The most important thing in Grayson’s life was his career, so I became a goddamned shark to ensure he was able to get back onto NHL ice.

The only thing giving me pause was Molly. Ever since we had fucked, I couldn’t get her off my mind. She plagued my thoughts. Crawling into my own bed at night felt like a special kind of torture because I craved her presence.

It was easy to see why my packmates were smitten.

Fuck, I was already starting to get attached.

When she had been sick, I had struggled to keep my cool. All I wanted to do was bury her in blankets and keep her close and safe. Worry had consumed me, and the thought of her getting severely unwell terrified me, like I was going to pass out from sheer panic.

Everyone thought I had been overreacting by calling in a nurse to give her an IV when, in fact, I had a doctor on speed dial and had been considering either taking Molly to the nearest hospital and throwing my weight around until they ran every test in the book, or having a team of doctors at the packhouse if that made her more comfortable.

Were it not for the logistics of our situation, Molly could have been an amazing omega for us—she was sweet, calming, and fit into our day-to-day life pretty well. Were she an American student, this would have been easy. I would have bent over backwards to make commuting happen, but that wasn’t exactly an option between California and England.

There was no denying I wanted her. My body reacted every time she was near, and sometimes her residual scent alone was enough to give me a hard-on. Usually, I prided myself on control—but Molly shredded it.

Like most days, I had spent the majority of the day in the office, taking various phone calls and meetings via video call. Grayson’s job prospects were improving by the day.

My phone had buzzed while on a video call to a sponsor manager, and I had ignored it until twenty minutes later, after the call, when I finally checked.

All hands on deck. Heat time!

I stared at my phone blankly. Why the hell was Molly in heat? She was taking the suppressants I got her.

The food poisoning! She had probably missed a few doses over those days. And she’d been spending so much time with alphas that just a few suppressant-free days would send her body into overdrive, no doubt.

Putting my phone back down on the desk, I got up, making a beeline out of the office. Where would they be? I passed the nest, but there was only a faint scent clinging to the open doorway—Molly wasn’t there.

The moment my foot left the bottom step into the ground floor entryway, the smell of sweet, caramelised peaches and pastry hit me like a truck. It was so thick in the air, it felt almost solid.

Striding over to the den, deep moans reached my ears before I walked in on my packmates.

Nils was sitting on the sofa, legs wide, head thrown back, a look of ecstasy on his face.

That probably had something to do with Molly, who was on her knees in front of him, his cock buried down her throat. The shirt she was wearing was hiked up over her hips, giving me the perfect view of her slick-coated pussy. Perfectly ready and begging to be fucked.

Fuck me, that was a stunning sight. She swallowed down his length with enthusiasm, moaning herself as she did. The peach scent was somehow even more intense than in the entryway. My mind zeroed in on her, mesmerised.

“The heat is hitting hard and fast,” Maverick said to my left. He was lounging on an armchair, watching the show with a grin.

“When?” I asked.

“Last thirty minutes, at most. We were trying to convince her to go up to the nest, but she kind of launched herself at Nils and, well, as you can see, he was powerless to stop her.” He chuckled lightly.

An omega as stunning as Molly begging for a taste of my cock? That would test even my will power.

“Why did you call me? To make sure you guys behaved?” I asked.

“She said she wouldn’t mind having you around. She admitted you did the nasty—no wonder you’ve been more chipper. I’ve been saying you need to get laid for months!” Nils laughed before groaning, his hand clutching Molly’s hair as she swallowed down his cum like it was easy—and Molly was moaning in enjoyment.

My spectacular view ended as she leaned back, Nils’s cock leaving her mouth with a pop. She smirked up at him while he panted like she had just sucked his soul out through his cock.

“Okay.” I stepped forward. “Nest time.”

Molly’s eyes widened as she turned to me. They were hazy, her expression a touch lax, like she had been drinking, and her pupils were impossibly large.

She was in heat. There was no denying it.

“Alpha!” she whined, stumbling to her feet and reaching for me as I walked over to her. My hand flew to her elbow to steady her as she looked up at me with excitement on her face.

That made me falter. Was she excited to see me? I knew we were doing better lately, but I hadn’t imagined . . .

“Steady.”

“Knot?” she asked in an adorably sweet voice. She wasn’t being snarky or sarcastic, so clearly, she was feeling the heat.

“Nest,” I instructed, trying to guide her by her elbow out of the room and upstairs.

She jerked from my hold, pouting at me. “Knot!” she cried and stamped her foot. Stamped. Like a child.

Why the fuck did I find that endearing?

“No. Nest,” I reiterated, ignoring her pout. “Mav, add water and granola bars to the mini fridge in her room. I’m pretty sure she’s only got soda and chocolate in there.”

“No! Don’t take my chocolate!” she cried, stabbing my chest with her pointer finger. She had all the strength of a baby kitten, so it hardly touched me.

“Then behave!” I growled, bending down to pick her up, throwing her over my shoulder and making a break for her nest before she could complain too much.

The close proximity of the hold meant that her core was inches away from my face. Fucking torture. I wanted to taste her again.

Molly’s hands grabbed my ass cheeks, squeezing them through my slacks. Jesus Christ, I wanted to turn her ass red before I fucked her. She was such a naughty omega, but I knew from experience now that a good knotting made her so damn sweet and pliable.

The nest was a mess of pillows and fabric. Various shirts and pillows from the others’ bedrooms lined the nest in a sight that made my heart sink. I could see everyone else’s items—Mav’s gym shirts, Grayson’s pillows, and even Nils’s scarf—but nothing of mine.

Placing Molly on her feet, I watched as she clambered straight into the nest and started rearranging the soft items. The sight of Molly preparing a nest for her heat made me smile.

“Nothing of mine?” I asked with a smirk, trying to hide how much that stung.

Molly whipped around to look at me, panic in her eyes. “No! You can’t take it!” she cried, turning and diving for a pillow.

I was so confused by her answer, I didn’t even take the time to appreciate the sight of her bare ass or the glimpse of her folds before she was pulling something out from under her pillow and clutching it to her chest protectively.

The small pile of grey fabric looked familiar, and I couldn’t help the smile that broke out on my face.

It was my shirt from when we’d fucked. I had assumed that, because she had ripped the buttons off, the shirt had been discarded after I left it on the floor, but no—she had kept it.

“You were going to get rid of it because it was damaged,” she sniffed. “So, I thought you wouldn’t be mad,” she admitted, looking at the ground.

It felt like a punch to my stomach. She thought I would get mad at her for wanting my scent around her?

Had I truly been that much of an asshole? I knew I came on hard to protect my pack, but I didn’t think I had been that bad.

I should have listened to the others.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I said, leaning forward to cup Molly’s face as she quietly sobbed, my shirt still clutched in her arms. “I’m not mad, okay? Do you want more things of mine?” I asked gently.

Her sobs stopped, and she looked up at me with excitement twinkling in her eyes. “Yes, can I have more? My nest is all unbalanced and I hate it.”

“Stay here with Mav and Nils, okay? I’ll go grab some bedding, would that work?”

Molly nodded, smiling as she wiped away her tears.

When I returned, Molly snatched the sheets from my hand and immediately set to work adding them to the nest while we alphas stood on the edge, feeling rather useless.

I hated feeling useless.

“We’ve got drinks, protein bars, and some snacks, like mini cheeses and chicken in the mini fridge,” Mav told me as we watched her prepare the nest. “I also added a bunch of food, fresh water, hay, and new toys into Potato’s enclosure to ensure she’ll be entertained and well fed in case we get a little sidetracked.”

“Good, have you told Gray?”

“Not yet—you know he would leave practice in a heartbeat. This way, he’ll just come home to a surprise.” Mav smirked.

I snorted. He wasn’t wrong. “I’m surprised Gray isn’t feeling it,” I mused.

“Oh, I bet he’ll be home soon.”

Molly turned to face us, a look of pride on her face. “All done!” she declared.

“Such a good nest,” Nils cooed, leaning down to give her a sweet and slow kiss that had her squirming.

“Knot?” she asked, pulling back. “It hurts,” she said, rubbing her hand across her stomach.

“We can’t have that, can we?”

Molly shook her head with a pout.

“How about we let Mav go first, because you just made me feel so damn good.”

“I made you feel good?” Molly asked.

“Fucking amazing,” Nils confirmed, following Molly deeper into the nest and settling in a corner to watch over us.

We both followed them; it was impossible to resist.

Molly sat up on her knees, pawing at Mav’s shirt. “Off,” she demanded. He complied without complaint.

“Where do you want me?” Maverick asked with a cocky smirk.

“Lie down,” she instructed, her voice whiny but also demanding. She was lucky it was Mav—he was the biggest pushover out of the group of us.

The second his back hit the pillows, Molly descended, pulling his sweats down and exposing his cock. She gave it a few quick tugs, using her thumb to play with the bead of precum.

Once she was happy with him, she swung her leg over his hips and immediately sank down on his length with ease.

“Fuck!” Mav groaned. “A little warning next time?”

“Knot,” Molly growled back, baring her teeth at him. The growl melted away when she started moving, her face morphing into one of pure pleasure.

She wasted no time in taking exactly what she wanted from Mav, rolling her hips to her own rhythm, eyes closed and head thrown back.

“Fuck, you’re going to make me finish quicker than a damn teenager,” Mav growled, his own head thrown back.

“Yes! Please. Knot me, alpha,” Molly begged, leaning forward and clutching at Mav’s pecs so hard, I could see the indent her fingernails were leaving. Buttery peach scents filled the nest, and I marvelled at how well their scents melded together.

Would our scents match up that well? I wondered as I watched Molly’s movements get more frantic until they became jerky as she reached the edge. Mav grasped at her hips, holding her in place as his knot swelled. She mumbled in happiness, a blissed-out look on her face at being stretched.

“Fuck me,” Mav panted.

We were just getting started.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Grayson

Molly was aroused, that much was plainly obvious. Her feelings were so damn erratic and strong, I couldn’t think straight. Halfway through practice, I told the coach I was feeling dizzy and acted like I was coming down with something.

It had the desired effect—he sent me home to rest and be ready to practice before the game next week. It was only a friendly game, but it would be good for the coach to see me play with my packmates before making the final decision to sign me.

The old Grayson would have baulked at the idea of leaving practice, especially a practice with a team that was considering adding me to their NHL roster next season, but nothing mattered more than Molly.

I didn’t even bother to shower, opting to go straight home. The urge to see my bondmate and figure out why her emotions were so haywire was riding me hard.

Could she be sick again? The bond had felt weird when she was sick, but that was more of an uncomfortable ache. This was more erratic, more desperate.

The moment I opened the front door to the packhouse, the overwhelming scent of peach hit me in the face. Not just peach—slick. The smell was so familiar, making my cock rock hard from the memories and the anticipation of what was about to happen.

Molly was in heat.

Grinning to myself, I bounded up the stairs, straight to the nest.

I expected Mav or Nils to be helping her.

The last thing I expected was to see Molly bent over in the nest, facing me. Her hands clutched at the blankets in front of her as her eyes screwed up in pleasure. Her back arched beautifully as she was fucked roughly from behind.

By Zach.

I looked over to Nils in surprise, since he had noticed my entrance. “Uh, what is going on?” I frowned. Did Molly want him there? Sure, she wanted him there at that moment, but I could tell by the glassy look in her eyes and the sheer intensity of her slick that she was well and truly lost in the heat haze.

“Turns out our omega and Zach fucked recently, so when a surprise hit, she said she wanted Zach there as well. He mainly watched, but once Molly had taken her fill of both me and Mav, she got, well, she got a bit demanding and Zach couldn’t resist.”

“So fucking good. Fuck. Alpha!” Molly made a keening whine as she came around Zach’s cock.

“Such a good omega, coming on my cock. You’re going to do that again before you have my knot,” Zach told her, a smile on his face.

“Nooo,” Molly whined.

“Do you want my knot?” he asked, his tone playfully threatening. Molly nodded and hummed in approval, thrusting her hips back to meet his every thrust. “Then you’ll be a good girl and come on my cock. Good little omegas get knotted, not bratty ones.”

“Yes, fuck, yes alpha!” she whimpered.

“See, you’re so good at doing what you’re told while full of alpha cock, aren’t you? Maybe we should just keep you like this. Constantly full of cock, messy, and dripping with cum. How does that sound?”

“Yes!”

Zach threw his head back, his thrusts faltering slightly before he returned his attention to Molly, leaning forward to nip her shoulder gently. “I can feel you getting tighter. Do you like that thought, being fucked and filled by every one of your alphas until you’re physically full? That’s it. Clench down on me. Come for me. Now!” he snarled.

Molly did as she was told and climaxed with a scream so loud, I was shocked the windows didn’t shake with the intensity of it.

Her release triggered Zach’s, and with a roar, he emptied himself into her, pinning her in place.

“Take every drop of it. Let me paint your sweet pretty pussy in my cum,” he murmured into her ear, holding her to him as she squirmed on his knot.

Once their releases were finished, Molly slumped forward, still attached to Zach. She was so still that, were it not for the cute little snore that left her after a second, I would have been worried about her.

“Fuck me—my teeth kill.” Zach moaned, gently manoeuvring Molly so they were both on their sides. The urge to bite could physically hurt. I almost felt bad for him.

“Now, imagine she was begging you to bite her while you were knot deep inside of her,” I said with a grin. “Really think you would have been able to say no?”

“Fuck.” Zach closed his eyes, burying his nose in Molly’s hair. “What you did was wrong, but I fucking understand it. She’s like a drug, isn’t she?”

I smirked. “More potent than crack.”

My own cock was throbbing uncomfortably, but I could wait until Molly was awake. It wouldn’t take long. “She never slept for more than maybe two hours during the last heat—it was exhausting,” I admitted.

“Now you’ve got backup.” Nils smiled. “We aren’t going anywhere.”

Zach groaned. “I’ll have to make calls to ensure none of us gets into trouble for missing meetings.”

“You want to leave?” Mav asked with a growl.

Zach snarled. “I don’t want to leave, but I have to. I’ll be as quick as possible while she’s asleep. I just need to wait until we can separate.”

“Good luck,” I snorted. “She’s too fucking good. It makes it hard to deflate sometimes. You may be trapped there for a while.”

“I’m okay with that.” Zach looked down at her with a small smile.

He was gone for her. It was obvious to me—but was it to him?

—

When Zach did finally manage to detangle himself from Molly, he looked crestfallen, slipping out of bed and going to make his calls.

Throwing my shirt and sweats off, I slid into the nest next to Molly, who was currently feeling somewhat sated, but I could tell she would need knotting again soon.

I probably stank of sweat from the rink, but Molly didn’t care. She turned to me, nuzzling into my chest with a contented hum.

Our reprieve didn’t last long. Her hand started reaching, grabbing my length while her eyes were still closed.

“Someone’s awake,” I observed.

“Yep,” Molly whispered, grinning. “I’m sore, but I want more.” She opened her eyes and pouted at me.

“Luckily, you’ve got several alphas ready to help.” I smirked down at her as she stretched lazily.

“Lucky me!” she giggled.

All her prior nerves appeared to have left the building. Not that long ago, she had freaked out at the prospect of being kissed by Nils because she felt like she was cheating.

Now she was lounging in the nest, looking thoroughly fucked, smelling like all my packmates’ cum and slick.

Fucking beautiful.

Molly winced and scrunched her eyes closed as another cramp took over. “Okay, that one was nasty. Can we stop talking and start knotting?” she asked through clenched teeth.

“Where do you want me?”

Her head popped up slightly, taking in the rest of us. She frowned. “Where did Zach go?” she asked in a small, wavering voice.

“He’s making a few calls, so we don’t have to leave your side for the next few days. He’ll be right back,” I told her as a dazzling smile broke out on her face.

“Okay!” she chirped, her smile faltering as another cramp made itself known.

Normally, I would let her choose what position we did, but I could feel how turbulent her emotions were. Her emotions through the bond were muted at best, so she must have felt really unhappy because her feelings were broadcasting loud and clear, her unhappiness burning in my chest.

“Present,” I ordered, letting my voice take on the growly tone I know she adored. Her eyes widened and perfume bloomed in the air.

There was no hesitation as she scrambled to her knees, bending over low like she had been for Zach.

“Fuck, such a perfect messy pussy,” I murmured. “How many times have you been knotted today?” I asked, my fingers gently running over her supple ass cheeks and down her slit, making her jump in surprise, then release a low, throaty moan.

When she didn’t reply, I swatted her ass, making her squirm. “How many times?”

“Twice!” she cried.

“Nowhere near enough, poor omega. Have your alphas been neglecting you?”

She nodded empathetically, making Nils and Maverick chuckle.

“Are we being cruel, beautiful?” Nils asked.

She whined and nodded again.

Grasping at her hips, my cock met zero resistance as I slid home, my hips bumping into her ass, making it jiggle in a way that could have hypnotised me.

Molly was drenched with slick and my packmates’ cum, and she was still so damn tight, strangling my cock.

“Yes! Alpha!” she cried happily, trying to push her hips back farther, but I kept my grip tight, controlling the pace.

I teased her for a few moments, only giving her shallow, measured thrusts. She made a low keening sound of desperation as she tried her best to buck back onto my cock.

When she started growling in frustration, I took pity on her, thrusting deeply at a speed I would never have been able to reach were I not an athlete.

She was already close, the heat making her so much more sensitive. When I felt her tightening in that maddening way, I leaned forward, my lips finding my mark on her neck and sucking at it. Hard.

It was as if a bomb was detonated. Her walls clamped down on me so hard, a deep part of my brain started to worry she had cut the circulation off so badly that I was going to lose it. Molly convulsed as I held her to me, my own orgasm fast approaching, her own release egging mine on.

“So good. Yes. Fuck. Gray,” she moaned as I followed her over the edge, locking her onto my knot just as Zach had done not that long ago.

We lay on our sides, trying to catch our breaths. Molly’s hips started moving ever so slowly, grinding down on my knot.

“Do you need more?” I asked, grinning. Excitement built in my chest. The last heat we had spent together had been amazing, up until the accidental bonding, and this time I was getting to share her with my pack.

“Yes,” she moaned. “More.”

Powerless to deny her, I let my hand trail to her clit, wasting no time in bringing her to another release.

“Time for the marathon to start!” I laughed.

Chapter Forty

Maverick

Six days. It took six days for Molly’s heat to break, and they were the best fucking six days of my life. Exhaustion deeper than any I had ever experienced from training or games settled over me. The bone aching soreness that could only be achieved from several days of fucking like wild rabbits.

Molly was still recovering, curled up in her nest and demanding regular cuddles. Post heat, she had become very bossy when it came to who she wanted to cuddle her and when. At one point, she had insisted that Zach needed to cuddle her right that moment, and the poor man had no choice but to miss a work call, since the tiny omega had strong-armed him back into the nest and nuzzled into his chest.

We were the only two left in the nest. The others were either napping, sorting out food, or working. I had been too tired to ask where exactly they were.

“I need a shower.” Molly groaned, rolling over, her hair sticking up at all angles, a stated, sleepy look on her face.

“Want me to join?”

“As fun as that sounds, I think a shower will lead to sex, and my vagina needs a rest day.”

“Understandable. A wet, soapy omega is hard to ignore.”

Molly stumbled to the bathroom, grabbing her phone off the bedside table along the way, completely unabashed at her nakedness.

I guess a six-day fuck-fest quickly rids someone of their shyness.

As the water started to run, I extracted myself from the nest as well, looking around for the first pair of basketball shorts I could find and slipping them on.

My stomach rumbled angrily, reminding me that I had just done several days of intense exercise without much fuel.

Walking to the bathroom door, I leaned on the open frame. “I’m going to go grab food. Are you craving anything?”

“If Nils is making waffles again, I’ll devour some,” she yelled over her shoulder as she scrubbed at her scalp. The entire room was steaming up from the sheer heat of her shower. Why women liked to bathe in water hotter than Satan’s tight asshole, I’ll never know.

“Waffles, it is!”

Nils was already several steps ahead of me. Despite it being almost noon, he was making a variety of breakfast foods while Grayson and Zach sat at the breakfast bar, drinks in front of them as they chatted.

“Hey,” I greeted. “Molly’s showering. She’ll be down soon.”

Nils hummed. “Good, I’m just about to put the bacon in.”

“She said she could devour waffles.”

“I’ll heat up the waffle iron,” Nils said with a serene smile, excited to do anything for his omega.

Pouring myself a glass of orange juice, I was eyeing the hash browns when Grayson groaned. I turned to him with a confused look—he was hunched over, clutching his chest.

“Gray?” Zach called his name, all business and firm voice. He stood next to Grayson, trying his best to get him sitting upright.

Was he having a heart attack? His face was deathly pale.

“What is it?” Nils asked, breakfast forgotten.

“It’s the bond,” he ground out.

Molly.

Fuck.

I turned to the door, intending to bolt up the stairs faster than an Olympic runner to check on my omega, only she was storming down the hallway wearing a tiny bathrobe that hardly covered her ass, hair soaking wet from the shower. The puffiness of her red eyes made it clear she was very, very upset.

Storming into the kitchen, she made a beeline for Zach, thrusting her phone in his face. The entire room was clogged in the scent of burned fruit, and it made my stomach turn. The scent was wrong, very wrong.

“What the fuck is this?” she snarled, pure, unadulterated rage in her voice. “I knew you were a fucking ass, Zachariah, but I didn’t think you were this much of a cunt!”

Zach, confusion evident, took the phone from Molly and peered at the screen.

The change in his face was so fast, it scared even me, and I knew he was a softie at heart. One second, he was confused and looking ever so slightly scared of the pissed off omega, the next his face was thunder.

“Where the fuck is this?” he asked Molly.

“Everywhere! It’s fucking everywhere!” Molly sobbed. “You said this packhouse was safe. That you ran the cameras. So, what the fuck did you do?”

“What is going on?” I asked.

Grayson had gotten up, his face still queasy, but also extremely pissed at whatever was on Molly’s phone.

“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Molly snarled. “There are photos of me in all the tabloids.”

“Oh shit, did they discover the bonding?” I asked. That wasn’t ideal, but we could work with that. Hell, I wanted the world to know that Molly was our omega. I had every intention of biting and bonding her during her next heat—with her permission, of course.

“They’re photos taken here, in the kitchen,” Grayson said, his voice oddly devoid of emotion. “Of Nils and Molly,” he clarified.

I looked at Grayson, trying to figure out what was so bad about that—although how they got a photo taken in our house was odd. Maybe it was one of the selfies we had taken?

Zach turned the phone to me, showing me the image and the headline attached to it.

Looks like Pack Stone is favouring English cuisine nowadays.

Underneath the headline was indeed an image taken in the very kitchen I was standing in, with Molly splayed out on the kitchen counter, Nils’s head between her legs.

Fuck.

My first reaction was shock.

The second was fury.

“How?” I snarled, turning to Zach. Someone had invaded our omega’s privacy and released a picture of a private moment. I recognised it—it was the start of her heat, when Nils and I had made her come on the kitchen counter. That was only a week ago, and now it had spread everywhere, from the looks of it.

We were supposed to protect our omega, and judging by the distraught look on Molly’s face and the way her body shook as she hugged herself, we had failed miserably.

“This isn’t one of our cameras,” Zach said, zooming in on the picture like he was trying to figure out where it was taken from.

The smell of burnt peach was overwhelming. I reached out a hand to Molly, intending to comfort her, only to have her shrink away from me, her movement almost violent in her desperation to escape. She was sending a clear message that she didn’t want to be touched.

“Molly …” I trailed off.

She simply shook her head as more tears fell.

“You said you control the security in this house and that there were no cameras inside. You fucking lied!” she snarled at Zach, whose face was bouncing between anger and shock.

“Molly, this isn’t one of our cameras!” he insisted. Striding from the breakfast bar to the kitchen island, he looked around, his eyes almost wild. “We are tearing this place apart! Find that fucking camera!” he barked.

Grayson jumped into action, pulling down jars from the open cabinet and rummaging around while Molly stood, back to the wall, her expression oddly blank.

“Molly, sit down, sweetheart.”

She shook her head. “Everyone’s seen it. It’s everywhere. Mav . . . my parents will have seen it.”

“How did you see it before us?” I asked. We hadn’t been looking at our phones—even Zach had hardly glanced at his, given Molly’s heat.

“Alexis sent it to me,” she said. “I need to go get dressed, but . . . what if there are more cameras?” she asked faintly.

“There won’t be any upstairs. If there were, photos would have been leaked long ago,” I assured her.

“Everyone has seen me . . .” Her words broke off as tears fell down her cheeks.

I couldn’t watch her anymore. Despite her weak protests, I pulled her into my arms, cocooning her. “I fucking swear we will figure out who did this.”

“I am going to call every tabloid who published it and threaten to sue them into the ground. The articles will be gone,” Zach growled.

I wanted to disagree—the internet was forever. Now that those pictures were out there, there was no getting them back.

“I need to deal with this—don’t let her out of your sight. We shouldn’t be in the kitchen,” Zach instructed, storming out of the kitchen, heading towards his office.

“Molly, come on, let’s go back to the nest.”

She shook her head again.

I had the feeling that some real damage had been done. Maybe the kind of damage we could never come back from.

Chapter Forty-One

Molly

Zach hadn’t given back my phone, and I couldn’t find the strength to be pissed at him.

I was too numb to be angry.

When I had checked my phone and seen the hundreds of concerned messages from Alexis, I almost didn’t believe it.

Until I started opening the links.

There I was, lying on a kitchen island, head thrown back, while a famous hockey player ravished me. The experience was so surreal, I had trouble believing what I was seeing. It was like viewing myself through a hazy lens, my brain screaming that it couldn’t be real.

Did they have photos of everything that had happened that day? My stomach turned just thinking about it. The packhouse didn’t feel safe. I needed to get out.

Home.

I wanted to go home. To curl up in my old nest and pretend none of this had ever happened. The photos had been circulating for over twenty-four hours. God knows how many people had seen it.

I threw on the first items of clothing my hands touched, a large hoodie and leggings, and dressed in a corner. I trusted nothing anymore.

“Molly.” Grayson called out my name when he entered the room as I was running a brush through my hair.

I looked at the alpha I had accidentally bonded with—the alpha I never would have even met if it hadn’t been for a stupid broken board at a hockey game my best friend had dragged me to.

“Yes, Grayson?” I asked, distracting myself by picking up various pillows and returning them to the nest. Cleaning helped somewhat.

“Zach’s got a team on their way to check for any more cameras—we’ll know for sure the packhouse is clear in a few hours.” He smiled, like he was trying to reassure me.

I wanted to believe him, to fall into his arms and let my alpha fix everything. Only, there was no fixing this. At least, I didn’t think there was.

“You know, Zach made it very clear that a single photo could ruin me—and lookie here! How can you be so sure that wasn’t a camera he planted in case I was going to rob you guys blind?” I asked with a growl.

“I can feel how desolate you are right now, Peach, b—”

“Don’t call me Peach right now. I can’t take it.”

Grayson’s face twisted in pain, his anguish burning a hole in my own chest.

Stupid fucking bond.

Deep down, I knew the reason I couldn’t meet his eyes was because I loved him. Grayson Wood was my bonded mate and I fucking loved him. It should have been a fairy tale, only I felt like I was in a nightmare.

His love for me was glaringly evident through the bond, even while he was panicking over my emotions.

“Molly.” He strode over to me, his hands resting on my upper arms, forcing me to look at him. “I am so fucking sorry. This is a disgusting invasion of your privacy, and I fucking hate that it happened in our packhouse—”

“Your packhouse.”

“Our packhouse. What’s mine is yours, Molly. I dragged you into this world, and I swear to god, I will do whatever it takes to make this right. Zach is on the warpath, threatening to murder or sue people. I believe there was one guy he threatened to kill, then sue his lifeless corpse—he’s really losing it over this.”

“Will this damage Nils?” I asked, looking up at him. “He was in the pictures with me.”

“He’s a man, an alpha. He’ll be fine. Don’t you dare worry about any of us at the moment. So what if the NHL is pissed at us? We did fuck all wrong. You are the victim in the situation here, and I refuse to let anyone else say different.”

“Everyone seems to think I’m a gold digger who is blinding you guys with sex.”

“I mean, you’re a fucking wet dream, but getting you to accept gifts is like pulling teeth. If you’re a gold digger, you’re a terrible one.”

I chuckled weakly, wiping my tears away.

“Grayson . . .” I sighed. “I want to go home.”

He nodded. “Then we’ll go.”

“Just like that?” I asked, surprised. I was expecting a fight, discussion, demands. Not for him to accept what I wanted so easily.

“You’re my omega, and you aren’t happy. All I want is your happiness. We are a team, you and I, Molly.”

“What about the others?” I sniffed.

Grayson shrugged. “They come or they don’t—but that’s up to them. Can you please just give us a few days to sort out things here?”

I nodded. That made sense.

“Thank you,” Grayson sighed, kissing my forehead.

We spent the next few hours in the nest, curled up under the covers. I hardly spoke to Grayson, unsure what to say.

Zach’s team barrelled through the house. When they checked my room, Grayson and I hung out in the den, which they had already cleared.

Strangers were in my nest, moving things, looking for bugs, and I hated it. I wanted to scream, to throw things, to kick them all out and make my space safe again.

Logically, I knew they were there to make my space safer, but my omega instincts sure didn’t feel that way.

When I was finally allowed back into my room, I broke down crying, and no soothing words from Grayson could help. It all smelled so wrong; there were loads of scents I didn’t recognise.

Nothing felt safe. I was open and exposed and I despised it.

“Molly, sweetheart?” Nils rubbed my back gently as I cried. “What can I do?” he asked desperately.

“It smells wrong!”

He nodded, sitting me at the vanity in the corner while he and Grayson changed all my bedding. Getting clean sheets and ensuring all the soft furnishings were changed, so the only scent left in the room was mine.

It was an improvement for sure, but the nest no longer smelled like my alphas, and my omega was distraught over that. I needed familiar, something comforting.

While they worked on sorting my nest, I went to Potato’s space. Thankfully, she hadn’t really been disturbed, and at the sight of me, she hopped right over as soon as I sat on the floor, going straight for my lap.

I fussed her, leaning back against the wall with a sigh.

Time passed much easier while I focused on playing with Potato, who wasn’t getting anywhere near enough attention from me because of the alphas demanding my attention. Then again, said alphas often fussed and played with her. A few days prior to the heat, I had found Maverick playing video games in the den, lying on his back with Potato draped over his chest.

Unable to handle the sheer cuteness, I had snapped a photo on my phone and had been considering making it my lock screen.

Eventually, someone would come check on me, but I wanted to enjoy the solitude for a bit.

Of all the alphas I expected to come find me, Zach was the last one I imagined.

He looked like a mess, hair sticking up at every angle, his face gaunt. It had only been half a day, but somehow, he looked like he had been in a war zone for the last week.

“The house is clear. I hired two different teams to check.” He sighed, sitting down next to me. Reaching over, he fussed Potato, who immediately hopped over to his lap. Traitor.

She was lucky she was so damn cute.

“Thank you.”

“I need you to know I had nothing to do with this, Molly. None of us did. We all feel disgusted.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I was just so . . .” I struggled to find the words.

“There’s no need to explain.” Zach sighed, reaching out to me and pulling me into his arms, and I resisted the urge to bury my nose in his chest and inhale the almond aroma. “I failed you, Molly. I’m supposed to protect this pack, but from the moment we met, I let my desire to protect the others cloud my judgement.”

“I get why,” I admitted. “Grayson told me about your sister.”

“I failed to protect her, and now I failed to protect you. Most of the pictures are down, but . . .”

“The damage is done.” I finished the sentence for him. “I saw the things they were saying about me.” I sniffed.

“The press are assholes and jump to conclusions. I should know—I’m exactly the same.”

I nodded. “I’m not going to deny that.”

“There’s press outside the neighbourhood. We are lucky this place is gated so none of them can come here. We’ll need to lie low for a while.”

“They’re here?” I asked in a shocked whisper.

“Outside the gates, so our street is clear, but usually, this only lasts a day or two. We just need to wait out the worst of it before we make our next move.” Zach looked at me. “I need you to understand that we are lying low because the press are assholes, not because we are ashamed. When it came to Grayson and Salt Lake, I ploughed ahead and never explained to him, and it caused a lot of damage to our relationship.”

“It did. He was so alone in England,” I agreed.

“I never should have split the pack, even temporarily. We are in no way ashamed of you or our relationship with you. In fact, Grayson is going to be making a statement regarding that. We felt it’s best coming from him, if you are okay with that?”

Was I okay with that? I wasn’t sure, but I kind of liked the idea of lying low, burying my head in the sand for a few days.

Zach knew the media. He had been managing the guys’ careers and his own for a long time. He protected them fiercely, and despite my initial reaction to finding out and thinking it could have been him, that thought evaporated quickly. If it was him, he wouldn’t have hired several teams to check the house for bugs or looked so truly terrible.

Was I now part of the people he needed to protect? Would he do what was best for me and not just the guys?

I wasn’t sure, but my gut told me to trust him.

“Do whatever you think is best. I’ll focus on getting my sourcing final paper written for a few days.”

“Good. We found the camera in the kitchen. It was attached to the window frame somehow. Gray wanted to smash it, but I had a friend pick it up. One who can track where the hell it came from, so we can make whoever did this pay.”

“How long has it been there?”

“I don’t know. There really hasn’t been anyone here since we came home.”

I sighed. My eyes stung from how much I had been crying. “This is a complete mess.”

“That it is,” Zach agreed, reaching into his pocket. “Here’s your phone.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled, quickly deleting all the message notifications and social media pop-ups. My phone had clearly been blowing up for hours.

One post caught my eye. Ben. My classmate and sort of friend had posted on his special media.

You think you know a woman, think she’s sweet, kind and loving and then she just turns out to be a whore who wants wealth and multiple dicks.

I frowned at the screen, did he mean me? My stomach dropped and I bit back tears. There was nothing between me and Ben, but I thought he was a friend.

Turns out he was an ass.

As I went to turn off the screen, I noticed a few emails from my university. I had a few tests coming soon after I was due to go home, so I opened them, thinking it would be the normal communication about reading materials and such.

Dear Miss Bennett,

The faculty and staff here at Oakland University have been made aware of recent events in your life that have been made publicly viewable.

As you know, our university prides itself on maintaining a strong moral code and creating smart, driven, and serious professionals. As such, your recent activities have proven to be a breach of our student code of ethics and morality.

It is our decision that your place and any funding at the university is immediately withdrawn. If you wish to attend a new establishment, we will happily provide your transcripts.

Sarah Killen, Faculty management.

“What the fuck,” I mumbled, looking at the screen in shock, reading and rereading.

“Please don’t tell me you’re looking at tabloids. I’ll take your phone,” Zach grumbled, eyes closed, head thrown back.

“No … they’ve kicked me out of university,” I whispered.

His eyes flew open, and he leaned over, plucking the phone from my hand and reading through the email several times, his face turning red.

“This is fucking bullshit!” he growled.

I stared at my lap.

Everything I had worked for over the last several years was gone, just like that. I was less than a year away from graduating, from starting a job. That was gone. There was no way I would be granted a research position without my degree.

Not only were private moments of mine now online, I had lost the one thing I had been working towards, the thing I valued above all else.

Chapter Forty-Two

Molly

When Zach said he wanted to speak with me, I assumed we would be in the office, so I was surprised when he guided me to the den.

It had been a few days since the photos broke, and while I still felt like a butt, I knew there was nothing I could do other than wait it out and pray that it died down in time.

Alexis had called me in a rage after I let her know I had been kicked out of university, swearing up and down that she was going to storm into the dean’s office and make it known how angry she was.

It took a while, but I was able to talk her down. I’d insisted that it was done now, and even if I could get back in, I didn’t particularly want to.

“Uhh, what’s going on?” I asked nervously, taking a seat in the armchair Zach indicated to.

“So, I—uh.” Zach scratched the back of his neck, looking nervous. “I got you a courting gift,” he admitted with a bashful smile.

“You didn’t have t—”

“I know. I wanted to. Even if we don’t keep courting after everything, I wanted to get you this.”

My chest warmed and I smirked at him. “Ahh, I see the gold digging has worked!” I teased.

Zach gave me a deadpan look, making me laugh. “I’m not going to live that down for a long time, am I?”

“Oh no, I’ll be reminding you until you’re old and grey.”

“Oh, so only the next few months, then?”

“For a senile old man, you’re sharp as a tack.” I giggled. “So, a courting gift?”

“Oh, what was that? Sorry, I forget. I’m senile, remember?” He put on a look of obviously fake confusion, so I grabbed the nearest throw pillow and hurled it at his head.

Zach plucked it out of the air with ease, grinning. “You going to sit down and behave?” he asked, cocking his brow.

“Yes, sir!” I smirked. Zach’s eyes darkened at my words and his almond scent intensified.

“Stay put,” he growled, no real heat in his voice. “I’ve got to go get your gift—close your eyes.”

I did as I was told, and the telltale sound of his footsteps retreating let me know he had left the room, but he returned only moments later.

“Is it a pony?” I asked, trying my best not to giggle.

“Hands out,” he commanded, and I did just that.

A second later, something warm, soft, and fluffy dropped into my hands.

I didn’t even wait for Zach to tell me to open my eyes. They flew open of their own accord when I felt the fur.

It was a rabbit. A baby rabbit.

Lifting the little guy up to my eyeline, I immediately cooed at the sight of him. Cream-coloured lop, the same breed as Potato.

“Zach, what . . .” I trailed off, flabbergasted. The baby was beautiful, so calm and sweet.

The sofa dipped next to me as Zach took the spot next to me. “This is Parsnip. No matter what we do as a pack going forward, I thought that you’re probably going to be busy teaching, researching, or being distracted by us. You mentioned that you were concerned about Potato being left on her own, so I did some research.”

I set the little bundle of fluff in my lap and started scratching him behind his ear gently. “He’s perfect,” I whispered, mesmerised by his twitching little nose.

“Boy and girl pairings tend to work the best when bonding rabbits together, so I thought he would make an ideal companion for Potato and keep her company when you’re not around.”

“You said his name was Parsnip?” I asked.

“I thought it went well with Potato—he’s the right colour and the names start with the same letter and they’re both root vegetables,” Zach admitted bashfully.

My chest felt like it was going to burst with sheer emotion.

“Zach . . .” I struggled to find the words to express how happy I was, and his face fell, reading my inability to find words as a bad sign.

“Was this the wrong call? I can—” He went to lift the fluff baby off my lap, and I quickly scooped Parsnip up, clutching him to my chest as he wiggled with the sudden movement.

“Don’t you dare! He’s perfect,” I said, eyes wide. Zach’s face relaxed and broke into a smile. “I always wanted to get her a friend, but in the dorm, it seemed cruel because I couldn’t give them enough space.”

“Well, now they have an entire castle they can run around on. I’m pretty sure Mav is looking at extending the current one as well.”

I snorted. “At this rate, this pair will have more space than I had in my entire dorm room.”

“They deserve it,” Zach muttered, leaning over to gently fuss Parsnip, who was happily cuddled in my arms.

“They do,” I agreed happily. “Don’t tell the others, but I think this is officially my favourite courting gift,” I whispered with a smirk.

“Oh, really?” Zach asked as he beamed. “The guys are all waiting to come in as well. There’s more.”

“How can there be more?” I asked, incredulous.

Zach smiled, getting up in one swift movement, heading to the door and shouting at the others to come in.

Grayson came through the door first, striding over to me and planting a kiss on my forehead. He knew exactly how overwhelmed with happiness I was—the bond was broadcasting my emotions loud and clear. After a quick bunny fuss, he threw himself down in the nearest armchair.

“Oh, he’s so cute!” Mav cooed as he made a beeline for Parsnip.

“He’s pretty lovely,” I admitted as Nils sank down on the sofa on the opposite side to me. Their various alpha scents blended together, and a feeling of peace settled in my chest.

If Potato was here, it would be perfect.

Zach cleared his throat. “So, Molly. We wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Yes?”

He leaned over the sofa, grabbing two manila folders from the table and holding them. “These are for you.”

I reached out with one hand but realised Parsnip was feeling wiggly. “Swap?” I asked.

Zach nodded, gently lifting the bunny from my arms.

Big bossy alpha carrying a baby bunny? That was some potent shit and stirred up all sorts of feelings in me.

I opened the folders, trying to make heads or tails of the paperwork. They were contracts for hockey clubs and some property papers.

“What is this?” I asked.

“Those folders have two different plans for the next year of our lives,” Zach said, absentmindedly petting Parsnip as he spoke. “With the guys’ permission, I’ve spent the last week negotiating some new contracts and purchasing property.”

“Okay . . .” I trailed off, unsure what that had to do with me. Zach tended to conduct business without discussing it with me.

“This folder contains contracts for all of us to work with the Chargers next year and the deed for this packhouse. The other folder contains contracts for us to work with several teams, all within an hour or two commute to the packhouse I purchased back in England, just a stone’s throw away from the university.”

I must have looked dumbstruck. There were two contracts? Two houses? Why?

“We’ve all agreed on this, Peach.” Grayson grinned.

“On what?” I asked weakly.

“Our next move is up to you, Molly,” Zach informed me. “Look, I haven’t always made the best choices and jumped to conclusions, but you are pack. The way this situation came about was far from ideal, but we all care about you deeply and want this pack to work. We decided the best way to do that is to hand over the choice of where we go next year.”

“Wait, but—”

“We are all on the same page here. If you want to return to university in England we will either fight and sue the hell out of your university for discriminating against you, or help fund you going to another university to finish your education.”

“Is this because of the photos?” I asked with a frown. “Is your career damaged here?”

“Not at all,” Zach said. “We can salvage our career here, or we can move over to England. It’s whatever you want, Molly.”

I sat for a moment, looking between all the alphas.

“What do you guys want?”

“We want you to be happy, and we want to be a pack, a proper one.” Nils shrugged with a grin. “We love you, and you’re part of the family.”

I looked down at the folders, biting my lip. I missed home, sometimes terribly.

But I loved them, and it was becoming obvious they loved me back. Could I really let them downgrade their careers?

“Well, it’s going to cost,” I said.

“I’ll sort all the moving costs. It will be fine,” Zach started. “And we—”

“I’m not talking about moving costs,” I told him.

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Well, there’s a university here I can transfer to, but it’s expensive. I sure as hell can’t pay for the tuition, so if we stay here, you’re going to have to pay that. I’m not giving up my education—it doesn’t matter how good your dicks are!” I muttered.

“You want to stay?” Grayson asked.

“I think I do. I mean, your contacts are only a year or two at a time, right? We could always reassess in a few years if this doesn’t work. Is that okay?” I asked, biting my lip and looking at Zach.

“Of course, it is,” he said, smiling at me.

“We’re going with the Chargers?” Maverick grinned. “We get to play together again?” he asked, excited. Before I could reply, he leapt at me, kissing me so hard I lost my breath. “I fucking love you, Molly.”

“I love you too.” I giggled, elated.

“I guess I need to make some calls.”

Zach smiled. “I’m sorry you bought a house in England. You probably should have consulted me before doing that. How hard will it be to sell the house?” I grimaced.

“No need.” He leaned down and kissed me, handing me Parsnip again. “We’ll keep the English house—I imagine we will go there a lot in the off season to spend time with your family and friends. We’ll probably spend a few months there every year.”

I beamed up at him. “That would be amazing.”

“I love you,” Zach declared, giving me one final kiss before standing.

“I thought I was a pain in your ass?”

“Don’t sass me. You can be both,” he informed me as he left the room.

“I guess I’m moving to America,” I whispered, shocked.

“Yes, you are!” Maverick jumped up and down where he sat like an overexcited puppy.

Chapter Forty-Three

Grayson

The next day, the interview was released. Earlier, I had sat down and done a short video interview with a reporter that we had vetted. We had discussed how we would go about this interview while Molly was asleep in the nest, having worn herself out with all the excitement. She had stayed up half the night settling Parsnip into his new home.

When it came time for the interview to air, we all gathered in the den, Molly curling up to my side.

“Next up, we have an exclusive interview with Grayson Wood from Pack Stone, one of the NHL’s favourite Pucking packs!” the newsreader announced before the screen cut to me, sitting in Zach’s office just that morning. I wore a Henley with the sleeves rolled up and rested my chin on my clasped hands, elbows on the table, so my bite from Molly was clearly on display.

“Hello, Grayson. As you know, the press has been blowing up with your pack’s most recent escapades. What do you have to say about that?”

“Frankly, that I am horrified at what has occurred over the last forty-eight hours. For the past few weeks, we have been trying to keep our personal lives private. While living in England, I bonded with an omega, one who I greatly adore. It wasn’t particularly planned, but we were trying to enjoy the early days of our bonding when a camera was planted in our home and captured a private moment between our pack.”

“Let me clarify—Pack Stone officially has an omega?”

“Yes,” I beamed. “Molly. She’s sharp as a tack, was a history student, and I love her. We all love her.”

“So, the leaked pictures?”

“They were taken without our permission and invaded our family’s privacy. We have since discovered that the camera was planted by the daughter of one of the investors of the California Chargers who had an . . . infatuation with me. I assure you, we shall be taking all relevant legal action.”

“And how will your bonding impact your career?”

“It’ll improve it! Having an omega join our pack has only brought us closer.”

“And what do you say to people who think you being seen with this omega was just a publicity stunt to make you appear more approachable?”

“That, if that were the case, I wouldn’t have picked Molly! She’s stubborn, pure fire and sass. Bonding with her was complicated, messy, but really worth it. You can’t help who you love. I know my reputation isn’t the best, but I am reassured that those closest to me know what kind of person I am.”

“Public opinion has certainly swayed since Joe Heart was sentenced to life for assault of a minor.”

I beamed down at Molly, kissing her on the forehead. We had received the news only a week before the interview. The asshole that had hurt Thalia was going away for a very long time and her name was never even dragged into it. Public opinion on my actions swiftly changed when he was outed as a trash human who liked assaulting teenagers.

“My actions on the ice last year weren’t becoming of the sport, and while I can’t discuss the details, I am never going to apologise for attacking that pitiful excuse of a man.”

“So, what is next in store for Pack Stone?”

“That is still somewhat up in the air. Ideally, we would like to sign with the Chargers as a pack—but only if we can assure the safety of our omega. She is looking at attending a university in California because her prior university in England decided to blame the victim of a crime and rescinded her admission when the photos were published.”

Molly gaped at me.

I shrugged. “I had to call them out on their bullshit.”

Maverick cackled. “They’re going to be begging you for forgiveness now that they’ve been called out on national TV.”

I had made a point to discuss Molly’s education. The fact that her old university was punishing her for this situation when she was a victim infuriated me.

“This is the only statement we will be making about the situation, but our entire pack is happy, and we want to enjoy this time together without vile press intrusion.”

The interviewer nodded sympathetically. “Well, it looks like the future is bright for Pack Stone!”

Grayson beamed at the interviewer. “It really is.”

“How much attention is this going to get? Is this going to make you look worse?” Molly asked, biting that plump bottom lip, distracting me momentarily.

“Probably a fair bit, but we can deal with it. I love you,” I reminded her, kissing the top of her head.

Now that we had admitted our feelings for Molly, it was like the floodgates had opened and I couldn’t stop telling her.

“I love you too.” She beamed up at me. “All of you.”

Chapter Forty-Four

Molly

Three Months Later

The carpet muffled my steps as I tiptoed down the hallway to Zach’s office, giggling to myself. Excitedly, I hovered in his doorway, observing him for a moment before he noticed I was standing there.

Sitting at his desk, his top button was undone, his suit jacket thrown over an armchair in the corner. His hair was mussed—he had been foregoing his usual ultra sleek, almost Ken doll-like hair for a much more relaxed appearance lately. His cell phone was pressed to his ear as he tapped away on his laptop.

Zach had scaled back on work somewhat, but he still had to take phone calls and attend the odd meeting.

“Yeah, I need to check the return numbers, but I can do that,” he said, his eyes leaving the laptop screen as he looked at me with a bright smile, gesturing with one hand for me to join him.

I walked over to him and he took my hand, gently pulling me into his lap, all the while talking on the phone. Nuzzling my face into his neck, I inhaled the sweet almond scent that was already drenching my clothes.

“But what if we pushed the marketing until the third quarter? Would that impact—yeah.”

I tuned him out, choosing to focus on his scent instead of the business talk. My hand subtly rubbed over my stomach, cramps already starting to rear their ugly head. They weren’t the on-my-knees-begging-for-cock cramps, but they were pesky and irritating.

My alpha was engrossed in his call, his spare hand absentmindedly stroking my hair as he spoke. Pulling back and tilting my head to look up at him, I was rewarded with a lazy grin. The same I had woken up to many times. His eyebrows raised and his nostrils flared, eyes widening when the scent of my arousal hit him. His cock stiffened under me, and I couldn’t resist moving a little, rubbing my ass against him.

My scent wasn’t that potent. Yet. I only smelled a little needy, not like I was in heat. That would change soon.

With a matching smile, I pulled away, sinking to my knees in front of him, under the desk, wanting to play with his cock.

“Molly!” he hissed quietly at me with a wide-eyed stare. “Uh, no, I’m still here! Three was the starting number.” His voice returned to normal—albeit, a bit strangled—as he pressed the phone back to his ear.

On my knees in front of him, I gently reached inside his slacks, pulling out his rapidly hardening cock and giving it a few pumps before beaming up at Zach, whose face was set in almost pained concentration as he spoke to whatever business acquaintance was on the other end of the phone.

“And we can always move those dates. What if we—” Zach’s words cut off as I took his length into my mouth with a satisfied hum.

Delicious, slightly salted almond taste burst across my tongue. Zach’s thigh muscles tensed as he continued with his conversation, even though his tone was rough.

Taking my time, I licked up and down his length, occasionally taking it deep into my mouth, grinning to myself when he tensed up or stumbled over his words.

The office door opened, but no one spoke. Gingerbread wafted through the room. Nils.

Smirking to myself, I never let up my assault on Zach. The desk was solid oak, so no one would be able to see me on my knees, enjoying myself. A hand reached down and tangled in my hair, gripping so hard it tingled, hurting, but also making everything feel more intense.

“Well, thank you for your time. Goodbye.” Zach’s answer was short and he slammed the phone down.

“That was ru—” Nils started to speak, but Zach had sprung into action, pushing his chair back and standing. He gripped my upper arms, pulling me up with him so I was standing in front of him, my back to Nils.

Zach’s eyes were dark, pupils blown. He panted deeply and had a feral appearance, which only excited me.

“Heat?” He growled the question.

I nodded, beaming at him. We had discussed this. During my next heat, we would bond. Zach had been the most impatient of the pack, regularly nipping at my neck whenever we fucked, which was a lot. The entire pack agreed that bonds made in heats were stronger, though, so they agreed to wait.

Now it was time.

“I’ll go get supplies! Have fun, guys. I’ll be joining in as soon as everything is set up and I’ve called Mav!!” Nils laughed, quickly dipping out of the room.

“I’m going to make you pay for teasing me,” Zach growled.

I grinned. “If that punishment involves your cock and your teeth buried in my skin, I won’t complain.”

Instead of replying, Zach hauled me into his arms, rushing out of the room, taking the stairs two at a time until he got to my nest.

“You’re wearing too many clothes,” he said as he gently threw me down on the nest. “Strip.”

“Yes, alpha.” I smiled, pulling my shirt off with one simple movement, enjoying the way his eyes widened at the sight of my bare chest. His hands flew to his opened slacks and quickly removed them and his shirt.

Halfway through shimmying out of my leggings, he got impatient, grabbing the offending fabric and ripping it from my body, exposing my pussy to the cold air and filling the room with the scent of my slick.

“How do you want me?” I asked, my tone innocent.

He didn’t answer, opting instead to stare at me as I was splayed out in front of him, his cock standing to attention.

“Zach?”

“I’m not sure I can control it. I don’t want to lose my mind rutting,” he growled. His fists clenched at his sides, making the veins in his arms pop.

“Do it, alpha.” I wanted him wild and feral. He wouldn’t hurt me. In fact, it would be fun. Very fun.

“Present,” he growled.

I rolled over on the silky sheets and lifted my butt, presenting my slick-covered pussy to him. He loved commanding me to present, and in the bedroom, at least, I was happy to be a good girl and do what I was told—especially when it led to mind-blowing orgasms.

“Please, alpha, I need your knot,” I sighed, swaying my hips gently.

The sight of me on display easily threw him over the edge. Hands gripped my hips and with one quick, brutal thrust, I was full.

He gave me no time to adjust, and the stretch only added to the sensations. There was enough slick that it didn’t hurt—quite the opposite.

I was lost to the sensation, babbling happily, demanding he knot me. Every thrust set my body on fire. It only took seconds to get me to that edge.

“Fuck, I’m gonna—” I whined as Zach pulled out, anger rising in my chest. I had been so close, and my inner omega was not happy with that.

The hands on my hips flipped me onto my back, and Zach sank into me again, this time facing me while my back was pressed into the nest.

“I’m going to fucking bite you the moment my knot is in you,” he growled. “I’m going to make you mine. Mark you with my cum and my bite.” His pace increased, and my rising orgasm quickly returned.

“Do it!”I cried.

As my first orgasm hit, I grabbed the back of Zach’s head, bringing my lips to his shoulder and sinking my teeth in.

Just like when I had bitten Gray, the bite sent Zach into a frenzy. His pace was so brutal, I would be feeling it the next day, despite being an omega and literally built for several day fuck fests. I threw my head back and held on to his forearms, loving the ride.

Zach howled as his knot expanded in me, leaning forward and latching on to my neck with his teeth. He left his mark higher up than Grayson’s, somewhere it would easily be seen. The blinding white pleasure of the bite set off a wave of orgasms that all blurred together.

When I came down from the high, I was still thoroughly locked onto Zach, but he had flipped us again, so I was lying on top of him, his hands gently running over my back and hair.

“Fuck me,” I panted.

Zach chuckled. “I’ll be doing that very shortly.”

I turned my head to look up at him with a smile. My chest hummed with his presence. I could feel how pleased he was through the bond. “I love you.”

“I fucking love you.” Zach grinned, kissing my forehead. “How do you feel? How fast is the heat coming?”

I shifted, groaning at how the slightest movement made his knot hit every single spot inside me as I took stock of my body. “I feel good. The heat is ramping up, but I’ve got a few hours before I’m totally out of it.”

“Good, because I’m betting there are two alphas who will be here any minute just desperate to make you theirs before the heat kicks in too strongly.”

I hummed. “A heat with my whole bonded pack—I’m excited.”

“Good, because that’s how all your heats are going to be now.”

“Sounds amazing,” I sighed.

And I was completely honest.

When Nils bounded into my room, he wasn’t alone. Mav eagerly followed after him, and Grayson sauntered behind them with a grin, putting down the box of supplies and coming over to give me a quick peck.

“How are we feeling?” he asked quietly, his eyes raking over me.

“Good.” I nodded. “I got a new shiny bite mark!” I tilted my head to show it off, which made Zach hum in happiness as he kissed my throat.

“Looks lovely, Peach. You’ll have two more very soon.” He tilted his head towards Mav and Nils, who were hastily putting water bottles on the bedside table.

“I don’t want to let her go.” Zach’s tone was both a whine and a growl, making me smile.

“That’s the bond. Don’t worry, we aren’t going anywhere. I’ve made the calls, fed the rabbits, ordered more food. We aren’t leaving this room anytime soon.”

“Yay!” I said sleepily. I refused to succumb to exhaustion, even though knots and bites tended to take it out of an omega. Now that I was finally going into heat again, I wanted all of my pack’s bites.

Grayson smiled before throwing himself into an armchair that had a perfect view of the nest. He knew the others were eager to bond and had reassured me several times that he was happy to take a step back when my heat hit. Just until we were all bonded—after that, he had made several filthy promises.

The nest dipped as Maverick climbed on, having already removed his shirt. “Hey,” he greeted, giving me a quick kiss. “You seem tired.”

“Nope, as soon as Zach’s knot goes down, I want you two,” I said.

“If you don’t stop clenching around my knot, then I’m not going to deflate anytime soon.” Zach chuckled. “You’ve got me in a vice, trouble.”

“You love it.”

“Oh, I do,” he agreed.

It took almost half an hour for his knot to ease enough for me to slip off, and once I did, the arousal hit me with full force. The sensation of being empty sent my omega into a tailspin.

Reaching for the first alpha in grabbing distance, I clambered over to Nils, who was already naked.

They had thought ahead. No clothes.

I approved. There should be no clothes in the nest. Especially during a heat.

The air was thick with slick and perfume, and the addition of all my pack’s scents made my heart soar with joy.

Without any foreplay, I lined myself up, sinking down slowly onto Nils’s cock, humming in pleasure at being full again.

“I’m never going to get used to that,” Nils groaned.

“It’s even better once she bites you,” Grayson chuckled from the edge of the nest.

Warm breath on the back of my neck and the aroma of buttery popcorn alerted me to Mav’s presence as he slid behind me.

“Do you want to be even fuller?” he asked, kissing the space under my ear as I ground down on Nils’s cock.

I nodded. He had played with my ass a few times, but he hadn’t fucked me there yet.

His fingers reached around, flicking my clit a few times before sinking lower to where Nils was filling me, gathering some of my slick and using it as lube. He took his time, slowly sinking his fingers in, relaxing me as I moved slowly with Nils.

It was more of a slow burn, the sensations building gently. Not the rushed, rutting glory that I’d just had with Zach.

Both were amazing. I was greedy and wanted it any way I could get it. One perk of being an omega was that I stretched pretty easily—even back there.

“Stop playing,” I growled. “Fuck me!” I looked over my shoulder at Maverick, who smirked at me before swatting my ass, the sting making me moan and increase the pace of my grinding.

It felt like an eternity later when Mav pulled his fingers out and lined up his cock with my back entrance.

“You ready, sweetheart?”

“Yes! For god’s sake, alpha, fuck me! Bite me, claim me, and fill me with cum!” I growled, the arousal getting the better of me. If someone didn’t knot me soon, I was going to go feral.

“Since you asked so nicely . . .” Mav chuckled, slowly inching forward. “Holy fuck, so tight. So perfect. You fit me just right, like you were made for me. For us,” he cooed as he placed open-mouth kisses on my neck, his hands cupping my breasts from behind, gently tugging at my nipples.

I threw my head back onto Mav’s shoulder as he eased in, babbling incoherently.

So full.

So stretched.

So good.

Once he was fully seated in me, the pair of them must have communicated silently, as they started moving in time, both thrusting so that, one second, I felt unbearable empty, the next, impossibly full.

Every time they thrust, my clit hit Nils’s pelvis, sending sparks through my system.

“Harder! I need to come!” I whined, trying to increase the pace, but their hands on me were firm and controlled every one of my movements. I was powerless in their hands and that thrilled me.

Well, it would be more thrilling if they made me come quicker.

“Patience. I fully plan to stay right here for a while. I’m going to keep my knot in your delectable ass, and when it deflates, I’m just going to fuck you again. Sometimes slow, sometimes hard. We’ve got all the time in the world.”

“Please.”

“You’re going to be a good girl and come all over our cocks, aren’t you?” Nils grinned, sitting up so I was sandwiched between the two alphas, utterly stuffed. “Are you close?”

“So close,” I moaned. I was so close to breaking, every muscle in my body felt wound tight like a single release could shatter me entirely.

Nils kissed under my chin gently before baring his neck to me, a clear offer. “Claim your alpha.”

I didn’t hesitate. Leaning forward, my teeth found the juncture between his neck and his shoulder and bit down hard.

Gingerbread filled my senses, sweet and spicy, as I hurtled towards my own release, so close but not quite there. My chest felt so full, Nils’s elation rattling through my body, his arousal only heightening mine.

Nils was mine.

Three down, one to go. My only unbonded alpha was behind me, though. I couldn’t reach his neck.

Like Mav had read my mind, his wrist appeared in front of my face. “Mark me like you marked Gray, sweetheart. Make me yours.”

My teeth latched on like I was a hungry vampire, biting him with glee, desperate for more of the popcorn taste. His thrusts faltered but never stopped as he moaned in my ear. “Fuck me. You’re doing so good, sweetheart. We are going to make you come so hard.”

I whimpered, kissing the already healing mark on Mav’s wrist before his fingers trailed to my clit and started moving gently.

“You ready to finish this? To be fully bonded to all of us?” Nils asked, his lips against my ear.

The realisation that they planned to bite me at the same time hit me, and my body reacted. Nils’s thighs were drenched in slick, and my core tightened so hard, I was shocked the guys weren’t hurt.

“Oh yeah, she liked that idea.” Maverick chuckled. “But first, we want you to come for us. We are going to knot and bite you right as you fall apart, okay?”

I nodded frantically.

My vision blurred as the sensations overtook me, Nils and Mav upping their pace, making me wild. There were hands touching me everywhere. Not just the two alphas who were currently fucking me, but all of my pack was there, touching me, whispering filthy things. Their scents were so potent, I never wanted to clean the nest again.

Right as I reached the precipice of what I felt was going to be one of the most intense orgasms of my life, they bit me.

Their teeth found either side of my neck, and like they had practiced, bit down in a synchronized move right as their cocks expanded, throbbing with every spurt of cum filling me impossibly full.

I detonated.

All I could see was white as I convulsed in their arms, shouting with the intensity of the release, with the bonds snapping into place.

It felt so right and so overwhelming.

It took a while to come down from the seemingly never-ending orgasm. When I finally came to, I was still pressed against the alphas, both of their cocks locked into me. My head rested on Nils’s chest as we all did our best to catch our breaths.

I couldn’t move in the slightest without their cocks brushing some part of me that made me see stars, so I nuzzled into Nils’s chest and sighed contentedly.

Satiated, well-fucked, and loved.

I was home.

Chapter Forty-Five

Molly

Five Months later

The rich, chocolatey scent reached my nose before I heard Alexis’s approach.

“You are going to damage your eyes if you keep squinting like that.” She laughed, plopping down into the seat next to me.

“It’s not my fault historians wrote in such tiny writing!” I grumbled, closing the textbook and grinning at my friend.

We were sitting in one of the many libraries on the Hawking University campus. I had intended to apply just before Christmas, understanding I would likely have to take a year off, but after Grayson’s interview, the university had actually reached out to me, offering me a place with immediate effect.

It probably helped that my pack was loaded, but I tried to forget that little detail as often as I could. I was regularly reminded when they did sweet things, like fly Alexis out to California, first class, just so she could be with me at their first game as a pack.

Inhaling again, I frowned at Alexis. “Have you been rolling around in raspberries?” I laughed. “You almost smell like an omega!” Her scent was stronger than normal, still rich and sweet chocolate, but there was an undercurrent of tart fruit.

“Damn, my new perfume must be good!” She laughed, but it didn’t quite reach her eye. “Anyway, we need to get moving if we are going to make it in time. Your guys are probably losing their mind.”

“Did you do everything you wanted?” Alexis had decided she wanted to explore the campus herself, so while I studied, she’d adventured out.

“Yep, the engineering labs are insane here! They have a freaking aeroplane hanger! I wish Oakland had these sorts of facilities.”

“Any cute boys?” I teased.

“None worth noting!” Alexis rushed to say, but her blush gave her away.

“Sure.” I drew the word out, looking at her, eyebrow cocked. “Let’s get moving, then—let me just return this book.” I shuffled away quickly, putting the book on the shelf.

Once I had grabbed my bag, I pulled out my phone. “I’ll call a car.”

“The rink is like a twenty-minute walk away, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but you’ve met my pack, right? They freak out if I don’t use a driver, and the last thing I want to do is stress them out before this game,” I pointed out.

“That’s fair. Okay, then, let’s go!” Alexis looked around as she spoke, like she was trying to avoid someone. I frowned but followed her out of the library and into the waiting car.

“Are we in a box again?” Alexis asked with a smirk as I directed her to a side entrance.

“Of course, we are—I told Grayson I wanted to sit rinkside again, but he refused, saying he didn’t want another hockey player crashing into me.”

Alexis snorted. “What is the actual likelihood of that happening twice?”

“Pretty much nonexistent, but I love the dufus, so I’ll be good for him. Plus, the security in boxes is better.”

“Has there been any sign of that Amber bitch?”

“Nope, social media has gone dark. Her father apologised a million times to us, and he even gifted us a stupidly expensive luxury holiday. I think he sent her to live with a relative in the middle of nowhere as punishment.”

Alexis snorted. “Serves her right!”

A security guard showed us to the box, and Alexis spent several minutes simpering over the amenities.

We settled into our seats as Zach entered, wearing a pristine suit, looking like the utmost professional. In his hand, he had a tray that was steaming.

“Hey.” His face morphed into a smile when he saw me, and he leaned down to give me a quick kiss. “Hey, Alexis.”

“Hello, Daddy Zach!” Alexis smirked, but he only rolled his eyes. Of all the pack members to get along with Alexis, I hadn’t expected Zach and her to get on like a house on fire.

“These are for you,” he murmured, handing me the tray.

I grinned when I saw the fries. “You remembered!”

“How could I forget?” He gripped the back of my neck, pulling me in for another kiss.

“Bleh! Guys, get a room. We are here to watch hot men beat each other up, not watch a porno. You guys are sexy, but not my sorta thing.”

“Sorry.” I laughed, pulling away from Zach.

He took the seat next to me, his hand grabbing mine as he grinned at me. “I like the jersey.”

I had opted to wear an old Chargers jersey that belonged to Zach when he used to play. It was so large on me that, coupled with my hair being up, the series of bite marks were on display, sending a clear message—taken.

There was something about showing them off that made me proud. Plus, it got the guys all horny and territorial. I was starting to love poking that particular kinky bear.

“It’s starting!” Alexis squealed, clapping excitedly.

The players filtered onto the ice as I kept an eye out for my packmates. They weren’t hard to miss, giant hulking guys who stuck together. As the buzzer sounded and the game progressed, I noticed that they were almost always on the ice together.

Zach hummed, and I looked up at him. “What’s up?” I asked.

“Nothing.” He smiled, his eyes bright, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “This just feels . . . right. For the first time in a long time.”

“I get what you mean,” I said, snuggling into his side, eyes on the ice.

Keep in touch for more news, books and giveaways!

Join the FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/584666279823542

Sign up to the newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/BQ3iyV