Page 29 of Puck & Her Blades

Has Cygnus already fallen for me?

“And that’s your cue to leave.” Blushing, Cygnus bustles between his brother-in-law and me. Then he whispers, “Thanks for being kind to my niece. Few people are. Many people in your situation would take out their distress on us. I’d understand that.”

He rubs his cheek against mine, and I accept his gesture. He’s one of the most tactile people who I’ve met.

He needs touch desperately.

“She’s pack, right?” I reply. “I’m not going to blame you for the fact that I’m a Rej and you guys aren’t. I know you don’t want to use that word but I can’t get rid of the bracelet around my wrist. I want to make the best of this. All I want is not to be abandoned again.”

I don’t add, to be loved.

To be bonded.

To be fully part of the pack.

It feels too much.

For now, this is more than I’d hoped for.

Yet Cygnus’ look is knowing like he can read it in my expression anyway.

He traces his finger down my cheek. “Are you ready, treasure? It’s time for your debut for the Washington Blades. Make Puck a star.”

Fear clenches my heart.

I force myself to nod.

Yet my heart is pounding, and my pulse is roaring in my ears.

I’m about to step back onto the rink, where all my hopes and dreams of victory, leading to a life of independence outside the chains of my dynamic, were shattered, along with my leg.

I’m shaking.

Terrified.

Now, I have to face my worst fear.

I must prove that even if I fall, I truly can get up again.

Yet I must do it in front of a crowd of thousands, while cameras beam my performance around the world to millions.

If I screw up, will I be destroyed for a second time?

CHAPTER 5

Blade Arena, Washington

My heart is hammering in my chest. I gasp in desperate breaths.

I’m back on the fucking ice.

My rink.

The rink.

I have one shot at my debut.

I can’t screw up…again.

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