Page 4 of Knot Sharing the Ice

"We can do that, can't we, Cotton Candy?" Jayce—Twenty-Six—says with that coy smirk. "After all, it is Christmas."

I force down my simmering anger, because I'm worried if I let it boil over, some far less convenient feelings are going to leak out in the process. It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing."Fine," I grit out. "But if this doesn't work out, I'm going straight to the rink manager."

"Fair enough," Thirteen says. He extends a hand over the barrier. "I'm Adder, by the way. You already know Jayce." He glances at Twenty-Six. "Mason," he says, nodding toward the alpha with hazel eyes with the thirty-seven on his jersey. "And Carter," he finishes with Fifty-Seven, the one with hair nearly as dark as his eyes. The only one out of the group who hasn't spoken a word yet, but he gives me a flicker of a genuine smile. Not a smirk, at least.

I hesitate for a moment before taking his hand. As our skin touches, a jolt of electricity shoots up my arm. Thirteen's eyes widen slightly, and I know he felt it too. For a moment, I'm so startled I can barely remember my own name.

"Ember."

"Ember?" Twenty-Six echoes with a laugh. "Your name is Ember and you're a figure skater?"

"Ooh, so creative," I say, dropping Thirteen's hand to plant mine on my hips. "You and all the girls from sixth grade would get along so well."

To his credit, Twenty-Six laughs at that.

I've already forgotten his name.

I think.

It doesn't matter.

"Well, Ember," Thirteen says, his blue eyes twinkling. "Looks like we'll be seeing a lot of each other this week."

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the way my heart races at the thought. "I guess so. Just... try not to get in my way, alright?"

Mason chuckles. "No promises, darlin'. But we'll do our best."

As I skate back to my chosen side of the rink, I can feel their eyes on me. This week just got a whole lot more complicatedthan I bargained for. But I've never backed down from a challenge.

I launch into a triple axel, pushing all thoughts of the four alphas from my mind. I have a competition to prepare for, and I won't let anyone stand in my way.

No matter how hot they are.

Chapter

Two

ADDER

Islam the puck across the ice, aiming for the goal, but it veers wide. Damn it. I'm off my game, and I know exactly why. My eyes flick to the other side of the rink where Ember glides gracefully through her routine, oblivious to the chaos she's causing.

We're all professionals at the top of our game, but this one little omega in a pastel pink-and-blue leotard has us all fucked up.

"Mason, what the hell?" Jayce barks, skating up to our goalie. "Did you forget your position or something? That's the third easy shot you've let by!"

Mason bristles, pushing off his mask. "Maybe if you'd pass the damn puck once in a while instead of showboating, I wouldn't have to work so hard!"

"Showboating? I'm trying to score, you idiot!"

"Enough," I growl, skating between them. "Cool it, both of you."

They're all on edge, tense and distracted. Hell, we all are. It's not just the omega's presence—though that's a big part of it.

It's the knowledge that she's our match.

Even if she doesn't realize it yet.

I steal another glance at Ember. She hasn't looked our way once in the hours we've been here. And I'd know if she had because I can't seem to take my eyes off her for more than a few seconds at a time.

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