Page 163 of Puck & Her Blades

Then I push open the gate and step out onto the ice.

The crowd goes wild with excitement.

As we’d arranged, Christina Perri’s romantic “A Thousand Years” begins to play.

There are shocked cries from the fans.

Instantly, I’m dragged back to the night that I fell and broke my leg.

Can I do this?

I tilt up my chin.

I’m fucking reclaiming my dancing and this song.

My leg twinges.

“Strong on the ice. Fly on the ice. Free on the ice,” I whisper, determined.

The two teams move to the sides, and I skate out into the center of the rink.

Already, I’m lost in the rhythm of the music. I spin, and its emotion courses through me.

I’m soaring.

Flying.

Free.

It’s electrifying.

I laugh.

I skate faster and faster.

I make a jump and then another.

It’s exhilarating.

My heart is beating faster.

How many Omegas are watching me now?

We didn’t want this night to only be about the abuses. We wanted it to be about inspiring another generation, millions of Betas learning that they can be the reason that a hockey team wins the Alpha Cup and Companions knowing that there’s hope that they’re claimed by a pack.

Most special to me, however, I wanted it to be about Omegas watching an Omega Reject not only working as a mascot or loved by the star players they admired but skating because they want to.

Inspiration and hope are more powerful than hate.

If only people use them more often, then the world will realize that.

I take a deep breath.

This will be my only ever chance to skate like this in front of millions.

Should I try to land the move that stole everything for me?

If I can land that backflip, then will it wipe clean the pain that failing to land it caused me?

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