Page 154 of Puck & Her Blades

“So?”

Jackson’s smile is wicked. “Then who do you think has the control? Who do you think’s going to end up being the puppet?”

Roarke looks between us. “Funny. Now, go down to the arena and get on with your stretches and—”

“No,” Jackson’s voice is like a whiplash, “you don’t get to tell us what to do. Not right now. Us three…” He points at Zev and Ash. “…have the power. You act like simply because you own the team and are the coach, then you must hold all the power. On the ice, however, it’s the players who win or lose. We need to take ownership and responsibility for that, and you need to start accepting it. I’m the Captain, Zev is the fastest player on the ice, and Ash is the top scorer in the country. You’re such a fucking knothead, however, that you still think you need to micromanage us and beat us into performing well.”

Roarke snorts. “Tantrum over?”

“This isn’t a tantrum.” Zev bares his teeth. “If you want to see one of those though, I’m close to tearing this office apart.”

Jackson rests a calming hand on Zev’s shoulder, restraining him. “That’s what he wants. To prove that you’re a volatile liability who needs his strong guiding hand. But we’ve all of us grown up. We don’t need that. Now, we’re making a stand.”

Roarke narrows his eyes. “What is this? A pay negotiation? Okay, whatever you want. Zev and you can have a bonus if you win.”

Jackson’s eyes flash. “Far from it. We’re not playing.”

I hold my breath.

This is it.

What the hell is Roarke going to do?

This match means everything to him. I know how he feels because I know what it was like for me at the World Championships.

Back then, before I learned about love and pack bonds, I’d almost have sold my Soul to win.

I can see by the way that color leeches from Roarke’s face that he feels the same way.

This is my gamble, however, which I hope pays off because I know that the chance to win the Alpha Cup and become sporting legends is just as important for the Blades.

They’re risking the most important thing in their careers for our love.

Roarke lets out a roar, as he rushes Jackson and grabs him by the throat.

Jackson lets him.

Roarke smashes Jackson across the desk. The glass logo rolls off and smashes on the floor.

When the rest of us dive to help Jackson, however, he shakes his head at us.

Even in this position that’s been used to humiliate him for years, I now understand that he’s always been in control.

He’s been protecting his pack.

He’s taken the beatings to save his team mates.

He’s been working out a longterm plan to free us.

He’s better than any fantasy that I used to have about my favorite star player.

He’s everything that I want in an Alpha.

“Do you feel like you have the power now?” Roarke tightens his hand around the back of Jackson’s neck, kicking his legs further apart and snatching up the paddle.

I shake, high on adrenaline.

My pulse is roaring in my ears.

---