Page 151 of Puck & Her Blades

It’s risky but it’s one that we’re taking on together as a team.

We’re not going to continue to be at the non-existent mercy of a coach and Head Alpha who measures the worth of his pack by how many games they can win.

Who is happy to threaten even his sons.

Roarke pushes himself up, stalking to the photograph of himself holding the Alpha Cup, before pointing at the empty space on the wall next to it. “Twenty-six years. Twenty-six damn years, I’ve waited for a team who can repeat my success, so that I can hang a second picture here next to mine. I managed to win twice. Why is it so hard to win once?” His hard gaze slides to Cygnus. “Look what I got for a son. An Omega who can barely run up the stairs without coughing. Also a daughter who’s more interested in how much money we make, than playing sports. Fuck, I had to adopt a son and make him a Guardian to the best player in the state, while taking in strays who were disowned by their own pack, to start building a team with any chance of winning.”

I can feel my pack’s distress and rage through the bond.

It hits me in waves.

Roarke is a predator who clothes himself in the mantle of savior.

He’s made these three men commit themselves to punishing levels of schedules and practice out of gratitude that he adopted or took them into his pack.

But he didn’t save them.

He found talented young men who were vulnerable. Then he exploited them.

I’m shaking with anger.

Now, I have no second thoughts.

I’m going to enjoy wrecking Roarke.

Jackson turns to Roarke, taking a threatening step forward. “I used to look up to you. You were my hero. I took your strictness and discipline because I respected your achievements. Part of me hoped that you truly had our best interests at heart. But I’m seeing you clearly now.”

Roarke narrows his eyes. “Don’t back talk me, son.”

“I’m not your son.”

Roarke’s mouth twists, meanly. “No, you’re not.”

The air is so tense that I can barely breathe.

All of a sudden, the door bursts open, and Sydney sweeps into the room. She’s wearing a designer off the shoulder velvet crimson dress, which trails behind her.

She looks like a slit artery.

She’s dragging Lark behind her. Her nails slice into the soft skin of his wrist, and he’s grimacing in pain.

Lark’s straight inky black hair falls over his jade eyes. He’s dressed in a stylish suit with bird decorations on his waistcoat.

Cygnus and I exchange a glance.

His brother-in-law is an awesome guy and great dad.

He’s also an abused Omega.

We’re not going to allow Sydney to continue to hurt him.

My resolve steels, as she throws Lark to his knees in front of us.

“Alpha, Millie will be scared,” Lark pleads. “You forced me to leave her alone downstairs. Let me go back to her…”

“Silence,” Sydney snaps. “I hope that you’re not picking up bad habits from my brother, or I really will have to muzzle you.”

Lark pales.

---