Page 101 of Puck & Her Blades

The scent of angry Alpha is terrifying.

Instantly, Zev sends a burst of calming chocolate scented pheromones to counteract it, and Cygnus relaxes in his arms.

Zev catches my eye, but I don’t take up his offer to move closer.

Instead, I stand, stepping to Jackson’s shoulder.

Jackson arches his brow at me in question.

I won’t be dominated into submission by Roarke.

I also won’t risk my Alphas’ shot at winning the Alpha Cup.

Yet I need to show them all who the true Omega is underneath the mask.

“Jackson has chosen me. The fans want me. And so does your son and Zev.” I tilt up my chin. “You can hide me away in the Omega Cottage and bellow all you want. Beating your team, however, is only damaging their chances of winning. Pressure, fear, and negative reinforcement don’t work as tactics. They’re going to destroy your chances. That’s you doing that, not me. I know more than any Omega about the demands of professional sport. You have to see the opportunity that you have here with me, right? I promise, I’ll spend my life helping my pack to achieve their dreams.”

Jackson smirks, slipping his arm around my shoulders. “What she said.”

Zev nods. “Puck’s on our team and she rocks.”

“She’s the reason that the Blades will win,” Cygnus adds. “I may be a disappointment of a son to you because I’m not a jock. I can’t play sports like you want. But it doesn’t matter. You can think all that about me. Sydney can as well. You just need to trust me on the fact that Puck is the best thing to ever happen to our pack.”

Roarke looks between each of us and then laughs. “I never thought that you’d meet your match, Jackson, but you just may have. She’s as stubborn as you are and appears to have infected each of you as well. She’s even somehow helped my own son to find his backbone and grow into a man. Damn it, fine. You can bond, but only after the Alpha Cup finishes. Nothing is taking your eye off that prize. And I swear to God, if you do anything, Omega, to risk that win, then I’ll destroy you.”

CHAPTER 14

Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

“Mine, mine, mine,” Cygnus chants the word happily underneath his breath, as he nuzzles against me, even if I’m once more dressed in my mascot costume.

Perhaps, Puck the Mascot needs some loving too.

Perhaps, this is going to end up being a mascot kink for Cygnus.

The vast arena is packed for the final game at the conference stage, before the finals.

The lights are bright, and the air is thick with hyped up Alpha pheromones.

I’m sick with nerves.

I’m also hot, sweaty, and dizzy.

Is it just the heat inside this costume? It’s so fucking heavy. Plus, after the anxiety and stress of the last few days, my head is all over the place.

Maybe I’m going down with something?

Still, my heart swells at the thought of how my guys stood up with me against Roarke.

I never imagined anyone would speak up for an Omega, let alone claim that they were on their team.

Yet Cygnus finally talking back to his dad hit me the hardest because he did it for me.

He spoke the raw truth.

It must have hurt but that’s what being a true partner means, being brave enough to fight, even if it’s with words, for your mate.

And that’s what being a true man means.

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