Page 76 of Puck & Her Blades

As the paddle cracks down for the first blow, the first tears also fall down my cheeks.

In silence, I cry for the Alpha whose scent already feels like mine but who I don’t know how to save.

CHAPTER 11

Blade Arena, Washington

It’s Thursday night at the Blade ice rink, and here on the ice, I don’t need to think about the crack, crack, crack as Jackson was hit last night to save his teammate, the wetness of Cygnus’ cheeks against mine, or the fear curdling my stomach about the match tomorrow and what will happen if the Blades lose.

Instead, I can escape into the dance.

My iPod blazes Everybody Loves an Outlaw’s “Give ‘em Hell.”

It’s not Swan Lake, but fuck, there’s something liberating about skating to a rebel anthem.

Right now, I need that.

The lights are dim, apart from the spotlights that are directed onto the vast rink. The red and blue markings on the ice stand out in pretty lines. The shielding glass around the rink has been retracted, leaving it open.

I’m only dressed in my thin black top and pants, apart from a pair of sparkling lilac gloves and scarf, which Cygnus has lent to me. My hair is scraped back from my head and pinned down.

I was born to skate.

Out here on the ice, I’m alive.

Free.

After Cygnus finished with my tutoring this morning, he gripped my hands between his. “I’m not strong. I can’t fight Dad like I wish I could. I didn’t want you to find out everything like you did yesterday. But I’m trying my best. So, I’ve arranged for you to dance on the rink tonight. No one else is on it, so you’ll have it to yourself.”

I stared at him, as my heart thumped in my chest. “Please don’t tell me that you’re joking because that would fucking kill me.”

“I’d never joke about this. I pulled rank as your mascot handler to Sydney and insisted that you needed to practice your skating because of your hurt ankle.”

“My ankle’s fine now.”

“She doesn’t know that.”

I chuckled. “I really have corrupted you.”

He shot me a shy smile. “You’re happy with me, right?”

I tipped up Cygnus’ chin, kissing his plush lips. “I’m so fucking happy, my good beauty.”

Now, I fly across the ice, skating faster and faster.

I let the sensation of freedom settle over me.

It’s exhilarating.

I grin, caught in it.

The emotion welling through me is so powerful that tears chase down my cheeks.

I’ve missed this more than anything.

I keep skating like it’s breath itself.

My ankle twinges, but I ignore it.

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