Page 28 of Puck Your Neighbor

Back in Maverick's truck, we drive around as we wait. Each minute feels like an eternity. Finally, a ping from Maverick's phone signals the arrival of the email. Pulling into a parking lot, he turns off the engine, and we glance at each other.

He opens it, his eyes scanning the document. Leo and Jenson lean in from the back seat. I can barely look, my heart pounding in my chest.

Maverick lets out a breath, a smile spreading across his face. "It's confirmed. We're a match."

Relief washes over me. Leo lets out a whoop, and Jenson pumps his fist in the air. They're excited, happy. And me? I'm relieved, yes, but also...something else, and I'm not sure what it is.

Maverick uploads the results to the league website, a few quick taps on his phone. "All done. Now they have no reason to give us grief."

"So, what now?" Jenson asks, looking around at us.

"Now," Maverick says, turning to me, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "we take our omega to practice."

My eyes widen. "Practice?"

Leo chuckles. "Don't worry, sweetheart. It'll be fun. You can watch us skate."

"I don't know," I sign, hesitantly. "A lot of people?"

"Nah," Jenson says, shaking his head. "It's a closed practice. Just the team and some staff. You'll be fine. Besides, we want to keep an eye on you."

His words send a thrill through me. They want to keep an eye on me. They care. It's a new feeling, one I'm still getting used to.

I take a deep breath and nod.

When we arrive, the building is bustling with activity, even without fans. We enter through a side entrance, the scent of ice fills my nostrils. It's a surprisingly comforting smell.

Maverick leads us to the stands to the front row, right near one of the penalty boxes. "Best seats in the house," he says with a wink. The seats are right up against the glass, giving me an unobstructed view of the ice. It's almost like being on the ice myself.

Their team is already on the ice, warming up. They each give me a kiss before they head off. I watch the others skate around, and soon the three of them come out with helmets, hockey uniforms, and bulky looking skates on. I know a little bit about hockey. My grandpa was a fan, but I don't know a lot.

The practice is intense, a whirlwind of motion and energy. They move with a speed and precision that's breathtaking. I find myself captivated, my earlier anxieties melting away as I watch them skate. The sounds of the rink surround me - the scrape of skates on ice, the thud of the puck against the boards, the shouts of the players. It's a sensory overload, but in a good way.

Maverick, Leo, and Jenson are in their element, their movements fluid and powerful.

As I watch them, a strange feeling washes over me. It's more than just admiration. It's...hot. Seeing them like this, in their element, showcasing their skills, their strength, their dominance...it ignites something within me. My inner omega purrs, a low thrum of contentment and desire.

My cheeks flush. I steal glances at them, at the way their muscles flex beneath their jerseys, at the sweat glistening on their skin. I can hear them shouting to each other, their voices rough and excited. They're beautiful and they're mine.

The realization hits me like a slap shot to the chest. I feel for these men. Deeply. It's more than just attraction, more than just the bond of compatibility. Could it be...love?

I've never been in love before. Never allowed myself to even consider it. But with them...it feels different. It feels possible.

The whistle blows, signaling the end of a drill. Maverick skates over to the boards, right in front of me, leaning against them. He looks at me, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. He winks, and my heart skips a beat. I can hear him panting, his breath fogging slightly in the cool air.

Leo and Jenson join him, their chests heaving, their faces flushed. They look happy. Content.

And I realize, with a jolt, that I am too. For the first time in a long time, I feel safe. Protected. Cherished.

This...this is what it's supposed to feel like. This is what a pack is. And maybe, just maybe, it's what love is, too.

As they start skating again, a small smile tugs at my lips. I have a feeling my life is about to change, in ways I never could have imagined. And for the first time in a decade, I'm not afraid. I'm excited. And maybe, a little bit in love with my three hockey playing alphas.

I can see them turn to look at me, and I blush, ducking my head slightly. They're so hot. My gaze goes to the ice, and I see a few of the other guys staring at me. My face heats up even more. One of them looks as if he might fall over, and another is looking between his legs as if checking something. I gasp, and my eyes fly back to my pack.

Jenson, who's closest to me now, shakes his head and hits his stick on the ice, hard. Maverick turns to look at the other players, his eyes narrowing, and he growls, low and menacing. It's the first time I've heard him do it, and my inner omega can't help but preen at the sound. It's so hot. It sends a shiver down my spine.

The practice ends, and I wait for them to shower and get changed. Soon, they come out to me

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