19. Dante

19

Dante

M y shoulder is killing me, but I'm not about to stop today's practice. We need it too much.

I've been keeping up with my strength training, mobility exercises, and cardio, but I shouldn't be going full out during practice. I need to keep this shit holstered, keep my shoulder safe, then unleash it in Paris. But we need the win today.

We've been working on fundamentals, but today we're playing an actual game. Our first with Meggie. Another club team happened to be in town for the day and agreed to give us a match. They're good. Not as good as we are, but a solid team, and since we're still getting Meggie up to speed, the game is closer than the last time we played them. Five to four in the third quarter.

Meggie is fitting in well with the team, and she's getting better, but she has a long way to go before the Olympics. Mostly because she keeps forgetting the rules.

"You can't hold on to the ball that long, beta!" I holler at her, and in her haste to get rid of the ball, she fumbles it.

"Don't call me beta! I have a name," she yells back.

She does have a name. One as cute as she is. Which is why I avoid using it. I need to remember she's a beta, and I have reasons for not wanting a beta in this pack.

I race Nils for the ball, but the pain in my shoulder holds me back, and he reaches it first, getting a throw off to Harrison, who scores.

Strong strokes, and we're all speeding towards McQuinn at the other end of the pool. The other team has the ball, but our defense is strong. It's what Nils and Harrison are good at. They're all over the other team, arms raised, ready.

The other team shoots, the ball bouncing off the water in a perfect shot, but McQuinn blocks it. He kisses the ball, the same superstitious way he always does, before throwing it to Ellis, who passes to Meggie. This time she remembers not to hold on to it and pushes it with her head as she swims full speed towards the other side of the pool. This is what she's good at. If I could only get her better at blocking and throwing, we'd have a shot.

Meggie throws the ball to me, a little too far to the left, but I jump and catch, nearly slamming into a player from the other team in the process. I toss it to Oz. He shoots it just over the other goalie's head, bringing us up to six points.

The whistle blows for the end of the third quarter, and we all swim for the sidelines.

"You did good, Megs." Ellis pulls himself up and sits on the edge of the pool. "Didn't she, D?"

"Your throws need more power behind them." I sit down next to Ellis while Meggie holds onto the edge of the pool, pressing her feet into the wall to stretch out her legs.

"She doesn't need to be the strongest. She's got a good arm and she's fast."

He's right. Maybe I'm being too hard on her. But I want to win. Last time we brought home the bronze and I want more than that this year. Especially since it might be our last chance. Harrison is talking about running for office. Nils is ready to quit for medical school. And I'm not sure my shoulder will hold up for another season. Even with surgery. If we're going out, I want to go out on top.

"Don't coddle her, Ellis," McQuinn says, kicking Ellis's back with his foot from where he's standing behind him, not hard, but enough for Ellis to lose his balance and fall into the pool. "She needs to work harder."

There's a brief moment when hurt flashes across Meggie's pretty features, but she doesn't hold on to it.

To my surprise, she says, "Okay, what do I need to do? What can I work on?"

This girl is determined. I respect that.

"You're doing well. But you still need more strength. If you really want to get better, we can start doing extra training sessions in the morning, before the rest of the team hits the pool."

"Alright." Meggie nods. "What time?"

I can feel Ellis's pride through the bond. Pride, and something more. Pleasure, I think. He's pleased that Meggie and I are going to spend more time together. I should tell him not to get his hopes up. I'm still not ready to accept a beta in the pack longterm.

"Five," I tell her just before the whistle sounds and I bark at my team to get back in the water.

We still have a game to win.

***

I enjoy getting up early. It's peaceful. The sun isn't quite up, but a hazy light is breaking on the horizon. Before I have a chance to get into the pool, Meggie steps outside to join me. She's wearing a one-piece swimsuit I haven't seen her in yet. It's got tropical flowers all over it, which makes me think of Ellis's ocean scent. He's been sleeping in my room every night since Meggie moved in, and I can still smell him on me.

Normally, we spend a couple nights a week in our own rooms. Not because I don't like having him in my bed, or being in his, but because we both need a little alone time now and then. But Meggie has him worked up and needing more physical contact, even just the snuggling comfort kind.

I can understand.

She looks beautiful in the soft light. Wet hair spilling over her toned shoulders. Eyes still a little heavy from sleep. We step towards each other at the same time and she licks her lips. My alpha nature feels close to the surface, crowding my chest with heat. I push down the sensation.

I need to focus.

"Alright." I clear my throat, then swallow. "We're gonna work on that throw. You have a decent arm, but you need more force behind it."

I have her get in the pool and start tossing weighted balls at her, having her throw them towards the net the second they land in her hand. She only scores once. Guess we'll have to work on her aim too. Just when she's starting to fatigue, Ellis joins us, holding a mug.

"I brought you some tea." His gaze shifts to me. "If the dictator will let you take a break."

"Don't call him that." Meggie comes to my defense and swims over to my side of the pool. "He's helping me. I want this."

The smile she gives me is as soft as the sunrise behind her.

"I can call him that because it's true. He's a dictator." Ellis winks at her. "And not just in the pool."

Her face turn a beautiful shade of pink, and I'm grateful my dark completion hides the heat in my own cheeks. The thought of telling Meggie what to do outside of the pool, when she's on her knees in front of Ellis, with my fist in her hair holding her still, while he claims her mouth with his cock, has me adjusting myself under the water.

Meggie swallows, then tosses a ball at Ellis. "Maybe I like being ordered around."

There's that fire. It doesn't come out very often. Most of the time, it's like she's trying not to draw too much attention to herself. But sometimes, I can see it below the surface. She's a spitfire under all her reservations and the tight control she keeps on herself.

Ellis's mouth drops open, and he tosses the ball back with one hand, while balancing the tea with the other. "Prove it."

"Alright, you two." I add a little more power to my voice than necessary, and interrupt before things get out of hand. "Enough flirting. Go get some breakfast."

Meggie turns to me, the smallest smirk curling her lips. "Yes, alpha."

Fuck, that does things to me. This woman could easily pull me under and sweep me into her current. I can see why Ellis is so enamored by her. She's sweetness and spice rolled into a tight little body that's been driving me mad.

She hasn't made a move to get out of the pool, still treading water and looking at me like she's waiting for something.

I swim closer, dropping my voice. "I believe I gave you an order, beta. Are you gonna be a good girl and listen to your alpha?"

Her teeth graze her bottom lip. "Are you going to come with us?"

"No." I need a cold shower more than I need breakfast. "Now, go."

"Yes, alpha." There's no teasing in her tone the way there was the first time she said it. Now, it comes out breathless.

A low purr threatens to vibrate my chest, and I barely hold it back as she dunks under the water and swims for the stairs. Ellis smirks at me, then holds a towel out for Meggie, wrapping it around her shoulders and pulling it tight.

As they head towards the house, I call out, "You did good today, beta. Real good."

She smiles back at me, and it feels like a tsunami crashing into my chest. I bite my lip hard. Can't fall for a beta. I promised myself I would never do that. Not until we have an omega first.

But fuck, she's not making this easy.