Page 151 of Break The Ice

Raider’s surgery went well, and Wren retired, making the trade void. Our families have backed off a bit, giving us the semblance of privacy tonight for a couple of hours.

Raider comes out of Callan’s office looking dazed.

“What’s wrong?” I ask in concern.

“They want me to stay at the club, they want to train me in whatever I want to learn. I could become a coach or any position I want. I just need to let them know, and they will help me with the study and get me set up. The Demons don’t want to lose me! And they want to sponsor the youth team that Wren is setting up!”

Ryann screams and throws herself at Raider, kissing him hard. He pulls her tight against him before they break away from each other. Wren approaches slowly, I can see he’s struggling with his emotions.

I’d have thought the two would have needed to talk, but Raider just pulled Wren down and kissed him. If they ever discussed what happened, I don’t know. But the rift was healed, and that’s all I care about.

I inhale and exhale. “So, would now be a good time to tell you I’ve decided to open that online store?”

Ryann screams again and rushes me this time. Her soft curves meet my body and set me on fire.

I flick the button on her jeans, but she struggles free.

“We can’t,” she says with regret.

“Why?” I moan.

“Because our family is coming back over.”

I put my forehead on her shoulder and growl. “But I want to make you feel so good you purr.”

She giggles. She’s lighthearted, happy, her smile is joyous, but those shadows return at odd times. She still can’t leave the house without scanning the neighbourhood, and sometimes, at night, I catch her at the window.

Her emotions hit like a storm. It’s a lot to process, and I’ve found our pack a therapist. We’re going to need it. But whatever it takes to not find her curled up on the couch crying silently, too afraid to walk into another room.

The doorbell rings, and I watch in bemusement as hockey players and their families storm our house. They set up a barbecue out the back and crack open the beers.

This is our other family.

Raider and Wren might not be part of the team anymore, but I think that bond is for life.

I circulate around them, and no one treats me as less or like a freak. They treat me with respect like I’m a friend or family.

When the Raines arrive, Bethany approaches Ryann first, and the two hug. Whatever animosity was there before is gone. No one is holding grudges or hostility anymore. It’s all over.

Everyone’s having a good time, lights are strung up illuminating our backyard, the grill sends out an eye-watering amount of meat. Salads appear, people chat in a loud symphony of sound. The mix of alphas, betas, and omegas should be overwhelming, but they aren’t. Not for me, not here.

Wren and Raider lean on each other while Ryann grabs a stick and shows a few of the packs omegas how to hit a puck the right way. I have a feeling when Wren starts teaching kids, she will be right there with him, following her father’s footsteps.

It’s the most perfect night.

Callan wraps his arms around me from behind. “Are you having a good time?”

I nod my head, I’m not anxious or panicking. I’m safe with these people. For me, that’s a really good time.

“I am.”

“Good, let's talk about those bonds.”

I suck in a breath as my alpha grinds his hard dick against my ass.

“I want them tonight,” Callan growls in my ear.

I bite my lip to hold back a groan. “Okay,” I breathe. We’d talked about this off and on, but I need them as much as he does. “Let's convince the others.”

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