Page 17 of Puck Your Neighbor

Long story short, I ended up with an aunt who let me stay with her so I could finish out high school in one place and actually make some friends. That town was where I found hockey and my pack mates. We've been turning this into a career for years, and we're making a name for ourselves. Perhaps you could check out a game if you're interested.

Sorry, I don't mean to keep suggesting things. I've thought about starting over, but I think being authentic is the best way to go about this. Hockey is just a big part of me. What is your passion in life?

Well, there's a short introduction to me. If you would like to keep talking, without it having to be in-person, here is my number...

Sincerely,

Mav

A smile pulls at my lips for the first time in a while. His awkwardness is palatable through the page, but it's oddly endearing. They're making an effort to get to know me without forcing me to be around them, and that makes me feel safer than I have in a long time.

Setting his aside, I open the next one. The cursive is surprisingly elegant.

Anya,

We met the other night. This is Jenson. I hope you're well. I've never been good at writing out my thoughts. I'm better at speaking, but I also know that taking things slowly is important for us both. I've never met anyone that I want to get to know as much as I want to get to know you.

Leo says I should tell you a bit about myself, and then we can go from here. So, you know my name. I'm 26. How old are you? I grew up in Baltimore but moved here when I was a teen and joined the junior hockey league, where I met the two knuckleheads that make up our pack. Sometimes we can get rowdy, especially after a good game. So if we're ever too noisy, don't hesitate to send us a text telling us to shut the hell up. It won't bother us, I swear.

So you like to smoke. Is it a casual thing or something you do daily? If it weren't for the fact that I like to keep my head as sharp as possible during hockey season, I would probably smoke daily. I get it, it makes everything feel less heavy. But it can also get in the way of life if done too much.

I don't know ASL like the other two, but I've started learning. If you don't mind being a practice buddy, I would be down. I want us to talk without you feeling like you have to write everything out.

Here is my number if you want to chat...

Peace,

Jenson

The last letter is in my hands before I can even think about taking it out. I find myself wanting to text them and answer their questions. But I want to see what Leo said as well.

Dear Anya,

I want you to know that no matter what, you will always have us there for you, even if it's from a distance. All you would have to do is ask for something, and my pack mates and I will do everything in our power to make sure it happens. Even if it's sitting outside your door so that you can feel safe enough to go to sleep at night. And it's not contingent on whether you want to bond with us or not.

You'll always have friends.

So here's a bit about me. I'm 27 and play hockey for the Maten Iron Wolves. If you know hockey, then you'll know we're not the best team, but we're going to change that this year by winning the Alpha Cup. I just know it will happen. I've been playing hockey for as long as I can remember. My dads had me in skates as soon as I could walk. I'm probably the only one of my pack that has had alpha parents and knows the dynamics of what it's like to care for an omega.

I want you to know that if you choose us, your needs will always be taken care of, and if we don't have it now, we'll get it and keep it in the future.

I'm always open to talk. What is something you love doing but don't get to do as much as you like? Here is my number again...

I hope you're well.

Leo

I lean against my kitchen counter as I read the letter again. Taking in where he says they'll be there for me, even if I don't bond with them. I swallow hard as a bit of guilt sets in. The fact that they aren't forcing themselves into my place. They could, by law, if they could prove that we're compatible; from what I hear, it's done through a DNA comparison test, but that could be a myth for all I know.

They aren't being brutes, something I wish I could've dealt with when I was a teenager. Putting the letter down, I look at the food. It smells super good, like something I haven't had in a while, but I like it.

The first container hasVeg & Frywritten on the top, and the next one hasChick & Fry. Then it hits me, they got me wings. I love wings!

I can't help but dance for a second. I've never had veggie wings, but I'm interested in trying it. At the bottom of the bag are a couple of containers of blue cheese and ranch dressing. I appreciate they got me both. I don't mind either, but I like blue cheese a bit more with wings. No drink, but I don't blame them. Trying to guess a favorite soda would be hard. I don't like soda, so I grab some iced tea and lemon to go with my food.

Sitting in my nest with this feast sounds amazing. I glance at the letters. Perhaps I could text them as well. I need to at least thank them for the flowers and food. Sure, they didn't have to do it, and I don't owe them anything, but I would feel like a dick if I didn't say a thing to them about it. I could thank them and answer their specific questions.

Would it be so bad to get to know our alphas?

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