16. Sixteen - Tate

sixteen - tate

. . .

"Good luck, man," Ellers tells me with a pat on the shoulder as he strolls past me on the way into the locker room. My brows lace together, confused by his comment, I shake it off and keep walking. Another few guys razz me as I make my way through to my locker cubby, and it has me on guard. What the fuck are they talking about? Drake is barely able to conceal his amusement as he sits next to my cubby like the cat who ate the fucking canary. My eyes trail down, and I find the source for the comments

A bright pink, glittery box pristinely sits upon my bench. I make my way towards it and chuckle when I see the tiny camera's lining the box. "Mystery girl found out your secret, huh?" He gives me a cheeky grin as he nods to the top of the box. Indeed. " She left a note, too."

Found your little secret. Try a little harder next time? Your move, big boy. - RD

I bet she doesn't realize she just waved a red flag in front of an already on edge bull. Challenge accepted…

Her words have a smile forming on my lips and my cock rising. The slight pinch of pain has me frowning as I try to adjust my cock in the cup I'm wearing. I need to get this thing fucking off. Before I drop the note back into the box, I hold it to my nose and inhale. The sweetest scent of apples and cinnamon hits me like a smack in the face, and I'm instantly hard.

Saliva pools in my mouth.

Gunnar swaggers over while I'm removing all my gear, but I don't pay much of what he says any mind. Until… "Girls are here with Penelope."

What the hell?

The reasons she would join the ice crew flip through my mind like a rolodex. The no fraternization clause? If that's what she's thinking, she can knock it the fuck off right now. If she thinks I'm going to leave her alone just because she's on the ice crew, she can forget it. She's my girl, and I will make sure the whole damn world knows it anyway possible.

There's paperwork that can be filled out for mates now, anyhow. We just have to be on suppressants through the season. The thought burns my gut. I want a to share a heat with her. Fuck… Just the thought.

And whether she chooses to believe it or not, she is mine. My fucking mate. It's my damn mark on her neck. It's my scent that's started to mingle in with hers.

Another thought creeps into my mind. Does she want to play games? Because, hell, those are what I live for. Game on, baby. Let's hope you can keep up.

Time seems to drag like molasses from a glass jar as I undress and head to the showers. The water turns on, and I moan when I feel the hot spray pulsating against my shoulder blades. There's just something so good about a toasty shower.

It should make me feel relaxed, but knowing Rebel is in the building and I'll be able to see her has every nerve standing on end, waiting for the next move. The mere implication of seeing her has me rushing to scrub myself down and rinse off.

Getting dressed takes no time at all, and before I know it, my feet are making their way towards the arena again. Penelope's voice echoes around the rink as she calls out things for Rebel to do. If I thought my girl was sexy before, put her in some damn hockey skates and I'm popping a fucking boner.

Rebel passes every test with flying colors. Her ass sticks out on the backward skating, and all I can manage to think about is taking a bite out of it. Nova stands just inside the rink, watching and squealing with excitement.

She's as good on skates as Rebel is. I wonder if Gunnar knows… My thoughts are cut off when I hear the scuffling of feet behind me. "Hot, aren't they?"

Anger pools in my chest. "Don't fucking look at her."

Putting up his hands in a non-defensive manner, he takes a step back. "Dude, check yourself before you wreck yourself."

I snort. "How old are you again?"

He grins at me before letting his eyes trail back to Nova as she skates around the ice, the blades of her skates making scratching noises against the ice as she travels. And he says I have it bad? Laughable.

She catches me watching a time or two, and I can tell when the audition is ending. Things are wrapping up, and she's laughing with Penelope and Nova as she makes her way off the ice. She won't notice me now that I've moved down into a corner of the tunnel concealed from the ice rink. Doesn't mean I'm not watching, though.

Rebel Davis has managed to captivate me, heart and soul. Mine are forever bound to hers for the rest of our days. I claimed her, and one day, she will return the favor. I will make her fall in love with me, and if it takes some scare tactics and manipulation to have her come running, then I'm not above being the devil.

"Welcome to the team, Rebel."

Two tones of squeals rise up and bounce off the glass walls surrounding them. I knew it would make her happy. Even I'm fucking smiling like a loon. I like seeing my omega happy; the way her face lights up and her eyes twinkle when something good happens.

They part ways with goodbyes and practice times for the next few days. Nova heads towards Gunnar; a bright white smile reaching her eyes. Penelope makes her way down the hall. I'm assuming she's headed back to her office. Rebel stands back, watching, as they both depart; that sexy as hell bottom lip caught in the embrace of her perfectly straight teeth.

Her shoulders hitch and then fall as she makes her way to the bench to get rid of the skates. Sitting down, she starts untying her laces as she looks around. It's like she's prey watching for any predators that may come her way. Oh, baby. Nothing is scarier than I can be, yet you seem to come to me like a lamb to slaughter. T hinking those thoughts has me thinking about how good she would look coated in blood.

My fingers twitch with the desire to see if her blood is as pretty as she is, if it tastes as sweet as she does. Fuck, I have problems… but I can't find a single part of me that gives a shit.

Watching her had a dizzying effect on me. She was flawless, the perfect omega for me in every way, shape, or form. The whole package; an angel dropped down from the heavens to ease the burden of my devilish soul.

I continue to watch from my alcove until she stands up and starts walking my way. The only things along this hallway are the equipment room and the zamboni station, and while I have designs about the zamboni station, I only want one thing today; her submission.

Everything about this girl… her lips are full and pouty, asking to be nibbled on. Her breasts are confined to the tight little shirt she's wearing. Leggings glue themselves to her legs, and I can admit that I wish I was them.

I slip into the equipment room before she can spot me but leave the door open just enough so I can reach out and grab her as she goes past. I can't stand another minute passing without having my hands on her.

Desperation.

A feeling I find myself steeped in all too often these days. It's on replay constantly, the fervor of my need hammering like a drum roll every minute of every day that I'm away from her.

Her footsteps grow louder the closer she gets, and my heart rate kicks up into overdrive. Is it wrong being turned on, knowing that I'll probably scare the shit out of her? Probably. Do I let it stop me? Nope.

When she's just outside the door, I reach out and grab her, pulling her into my chest and throwing my other hand up automatically around her mouth to cover the scream trying to force its way out. She struggles against me, hitting my arms and trying to say something, but I can't understand what she's saying.

A few seconds later, the painful slice of teeth cuts into my skin. Blood trickles from the site as she immediately lets go. The bond snaps into place like a gun going off, and I can feel the absolute horror radiating down the bond. Her scent has turned bitter. She didn't intend to bite me. That's pretty obvious, right? I'm warring with myself. The alpha side is thrilled the omega has claimed him. The human side is trying not to feel hurt at how absolutely appalled she is by her actions.

Pushing the feelings aside, the instinct to soothe her kicks in. "Shhh… relax. It's just me," I whisper into her ear, a purr simmering in my chest. "If I move my hand, are you going to be my good little omega?" She nods, letting me know she hears what I'm saying. "We can talk about this, but you need to remain calm."

Again, she nods. The whites of her eyes are like a beacon of light in the darkness that surrounds us. Suppose turning on the light may have been a helpful idea, but I like the anonymity the dark gives, initially. Pulling her with me, my fingers finally find the light switch, and I flip it on.

She struggles so beautifully, my little Rebel. Even though she's agreed to be quiet when I move my hand, I haven't done it yet. The need to keep her close wears on me, but I eventually give in.

I remove my hand from her mouth, and she abruptly gasps in complete horror at the blood dripping from the spot where she bit me. Her lips have a cherry hue where my blood has started to seep in.

"No…" she whispers.

"Oh, yes, looks like your omega wants me just as much as my alpha wants her."

She scowls while the tips of her ears turn a soft red. So she does want me. "That may be true, but the human side does not want you."

Her words are wobbly as if she doesn't even believe them.

I give her my best shit-eating grin. "Well, looks like you're officially stuck with me now."

Granted, I realize that doing some crazy shit lately is probably not helping my cause. The way she reacts to certain things makes me think that maybe these are trigger warnings. Or maybe it's just self-preservation.

I walk towards her, caging her against the wall behind where she's standing. Her gaze is unsteady, her breathing labored. If I put my hand to her chest right now, I bet her heart would feel like a bass drum at a rock concert.

My attempt at sending calming vibes down the bond starts to work after a few minutes.

"I bit you," she says breathlessly, as if she can't believe it.

I can't help the smile of pride that forms on my lips. "Sure did."

Her gaze is glossy and fucked as those gorgeous golden eyes stare up at me. There's a hint of awe as if she feels seen for the first time in her life.

The truth is I do see her. I have since the first night where she got stupidly drunk in the bar to drown out the feelings. There's a sadness in her that calls to me like a wounded soldier on the battlefield, seeking any type of help or reinforcement I can provide.

I don't know how to help. I've never had strong feelings like these towards a female, let alone an omega, before, and I truly believed I would walk through this life alone. Then I saw her. Before her, females were there to quench thirst and desires. A means to an end. They knew the score when they walked into my room. I've never promised them anything more. But I will give her everything.