Page 31 of Puck Your Neighbor

She gives us a small, watery smile. It's the most genuine smile I've seen from her since we found her, and it makes my heart ache even more.

I reach out and grasp her hand. "We'll protect you, Anya. No matter what. Those bastards will never hurt you again." Never, my inner alpha agrees, a fierce, protective surge.

She leans forward and buries her face in my shoulder, her body shaking with silent sobs. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight, letting her know that she's not alone anymore. Leo and Jenson join in, surrounding her with their warmth and strength. We stay like that for a long time, a silent promise passing between us. Protect. Always. Forever.

Eventually, her sobs subside, and she pulls back, wiping her eyes. She looks exhausted, drained, but there's a new spark of determination in her eyes.

She types on her phone again, her fingers moving with a newfound purpose.

"Thank you. I'm really glad you're my pack."

The words, spoken by the robotic voice, send a thrill through me. My pack. She's accepting us. My inner alpha purrs in contentment, a deep rumble in my chest.

We stay like that for the rest of the night, holding her, comforting her, letting her know that she's safe, that she's loved. My inner alpha is still restless, still on edge, but it's quieter now, soothed by her presence, by the knowledge that she's here, with us, where she belongs.

It's going to take time, a lot of time, for her to heal from the trauma she's endured. But we'll be here, every step of the way. We'll be her strength, her comfort, her protectors. We'll be her pack.

It's been a whole month since we officially started courting Anya. A month of movie nights, of gentle touches, of learning her likes and dislikes, of building trust.

And now, here we are, at the arena, ready to face off against the Bears. It's a big game, one that could bring us closer to the playoffs. The energy in the building is electric, the stands packed with screaming fans. But my focus is split. Part of me is hyped for the game, ready to hit the ice, but another part is focused on the bench, where Anya's sitting, watching us with wide, curious eyes.

We decided against putting her in a private box tonight. She wants to be closer to the action, to experience a real game, and we want her close, where we can keep an eye on her. So, she's sitting on a folded chair next to the bench. It's a different kind of thrill, having her here, witnessing the game we love.

The ref blows the whistle, signaling the face-off. The puck drops, and the game begins. The Bears win the initial face-off, gaining possession. It's a brutal match-up, fast and physical. The Bears are a tough team, known for their aggressive play. They're not afraid to throw their weight around, and within minutes, the first fight breaks out. Rhys, always ready to defend his teammates, drops his gloves and goes at it with a big Bears defenseman. They exchange blows, their fists flying. The crowd roars, a mix of cheers and boos.

I glance over at Anya. She's watching the fight, her expression unreadable. I hope it's not too much for her. We've explained that fights happen sometimes, that it's part of the game, but it's different seeing it up close.

The refs break up the fight, sending both Rhys and the Bears player to the penalty box. The game resumes, the tension on the ice thick enough to cut with a knife.

We're down by one in the first period, and my frustration is building. We need to turn this around. My inner alpha is restless, pacing.

Win. For her.

I take a deep breath, trying to focus. We get a power play, a chance to even the score. Jenson passes me the puck, and I see an opening. I skate hard, dodging a check from a Bears player, and fire a shot. It goes in! The crowd erupts, and I raise my stick in the air, a surge of adrenaline coursing through me.

We're tied. Game on.

The second period is a back-and-forth battle. Both teams are playing hard, determined to win. Leo takes a nasty hit, sending him sprawling to the ice. My inner alpha snarls, wanting to retaliate, but I hold back. We need to keep our heads in the game.

Leo gets up, shakes it off, and gets back in the play. He's tough, my pack brother. We all are. We have to be.

Later in the period, I get another chance. I steal the puck from a Bears player, skate down the ice, and fake out the goalie, sending the puck into the back of the net. Another goal! The crowd goes wild, chanting my name.

I spot Anya in her chair, clapping and smiling. My heart swells. For her, my inner alpha purrs.

The third period is even more intense. The score is tied, and both teams are fighting for every inch of ice. The clock ticks down, and the tension is palpable. Every check, every shot, every save is crucial. We are so close to winning, I can taste it.

Then, with less than two minutes left, Jenson gets called for a penalty. A questionable call, in my opinion, but the refs are sticking to it. We're shorthanded.

My inner alpha is furious. Not fair. We need to win. But I know we can't lose our cool. We have to play smart.

The Bears are pressing hard, trying to capitalize on the power play. They're firing shot after shot at Finn, but he's holding strong, making save after save. He's playing like a beast tonight.

I glance over at Anya, and see her biting her lip, her brow furrowed with worry. I give her a quick nod, trying to reassure her. We've got this.

With seconds left on the penalty kill, I see my chance. I intercept a pass, a risky move, but it pays off. I'm on a breakaway.

It's just me and the goalie. I skate towards him, my heart pounding. I deke left, then right, and fire a shot.

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