Page 132 of Puck & Her Blades

“Yes, Zev scored!” I punch the air and launch myself onto Cygnus, who tumbles backward underneath me onto the blanket.

Our small radio drops next to me, as the commentator praises the play between Zev and Ash, who set up the goal.

Cygnus laughs and kisses me in celebration.

I’ve demanded a kiss for each goal scored in the rematch against the Philadelphia Panthers.

There have been three kisses so far.

One more, and the Blades have won.

My stomach is tied in knots.

How long is left of play? Only minutes, right?

I’m thrumming with nerves and excitement. I’m on edge, waiting for the sound of the siren.

The match has been tight.

I was desperate to watch, but the mandatory bond leave meant that Cygnus and I needed to stay here on the estate. Jackson insisted that knowing we were safe meant that Zev, Asher, and he could focus all their attention on the game.

It felt strange to have an Alpha say that to me.

But he’s right.

For the sake of the entire pack, the Blades must win the match this evening.

This is larger than just me.

Cygnus pulls me closer into his warm side, dragging the blanket more firmly over me.

When I shiver, he shares his candy scented cashmere coat with me. He’s wrapped snugly in both coat and scarf.

We’re so close that our noses are touching.

We’re lying together on a blanket on the banks of the frozen lake, which I’ve been looking at over the last few weeks through the wide windows of the Omega Cottage.

It’s surrounded by thick forests that are heavy with snow.

The light from the lanterns, which are on the corners of the blanket on the ground, illuminates us in a golden glow.

Darkness presses all around — sheeting ice and endless trees — but together in this slice of false sunlight, we’re safe.

Or at least, it feels like we are.

I stare into Cygnus’ intense eyes. Out here in the dark, they look to be glowing violet.

They’re brighter than stars.

I push Cygnus’ glittering scarf to the side, drawing my finger down the line of his long neck. I trace over the bond bites from our Alphas, and his eyelashes flutter.

He whines, before kissing fervently down my jaw.

Then he edges his thigh between mine, before we’re lying impossibly closer. “They’re going to win.”

He says it with such faith.

“They will,” I reply, hoping that it’s true. “If they don’t, then we’ll still find a way to help Ash. I’m the backup plan Omega. More than that, I’m the fight at the side of my pack Omega.”

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