Page 39 of Puck Your Neighbor

I backhand the puck to him, a good pass. He takes the shot.

Time seems to slow. The puck sails through the air. It hits the back of the net.

The buzzer sounds.

We're ahead!

The crowd erupts. Leo throws his hands in the air, yelling. I skate over, and we bump shoulders, both of us grinning.

But the game's not over.

Maverick's penalty is up, and he's back on the ice. We still have to hold the lead.

The last part of the period is tense. The Vipers are relentless, throwing everything they have at us. We're giving it right back, every hit, every block, every shot.

I take a hit, a hard check that sends me into the boards. My shoulder hurts, but I get back up. No time for pain. Not now.

We're a flurry of motion. The clock ticks down, each second feeling long.

Finally, the buzzer sounds.

It's over.

We won.

The noise is deafening, the crowd on their feet, cheering. We did it. We won the Alpha Cup.

My teammates are celebrating around me. But my eyes are searching for her.

I spot her near the bench, her face glowing, her eyes bright. She's clapping, a huge smile on her face. My heart feels full.

I skate over to the bench, ignoring the ache in my shoulder, the tiredness in my limbs. I just want to be near her.

"You did it!" she mouths, her eyes shining.

I grin. "We did it," I say, my voice hoarse.I pull her into a searing kiss, she stands on her toes and wraps her arms around me. Cameras flash off to the sides.

"Marks, get over here!" Coach yells, wanting us all gathered for the trophy presentation.

I break the kiss and steady her on her feet. "Wait here. We'll be right back."

She nods, her smile unwavering.

We line up, accepting the Cup; the cheers of the crowd wash over us. It's a moment I'll never forget.

As soon as we're able, I break away from the celebration, skating back to where Anya is waiting. Leo and Maverick are right behind me.

"Come on," I say. "Let's celebrate."

She looks at me, her eyes wide, then at the ice, then back at me.

"On the ice?" she signs, her fingers hesitant.

"On the ice," I confirm, grinning.

Leo opens the gate, and I reach down, scooping her into my arms. She's light as a feather, her body fitting perfectly against mine. My inner alpha purrs, a deep rumble of contentment.

*Ours.

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