Page 90 of Surprise Mother Pucker

Roughly, I grabbed the hand that was clinging to my arm and shoved it away with such force, she staggered back a step.

“Listen, and listen good,” I growled, taking one step forward. The confident expression that she had been wearing mereseconds ago faltered and gave way to one of concern. “I will not stand by and listen to someone talk shit aboutmyfamily,myomega, andmychild. How fucking desperate do you have to be to paw at me in front them?” Every word was dripping in disgust.

Was it overkill? Probably, but I wanted to send a very clear message. “They”—I pointed behind me—“are my family, and I don't know about you, but I never want to associate with someone who would have the audacity to talk badly about my family. Especially about the woman I love and our child. She is thebestthing that’s ever happened to me.”

Her face dropped farther, and she tried to stammer out a reply. “W-well, I?—”

“I don't give a fuck what you want to say,” I snarled. “As far as I’m concerned, the only person ‘slumming it’ was me, when I thought hanging out with girls like you was a good idea.”

Everyone nearby could hear what I was saying. I had no doubt that I was going to get slapped with an improper conduct reprimand from the coach, but it was going to be worth it.

What had I ever seen in women like this? Ever since Kennedy and Charlotte came into my life, my eyes had been opened to how catty and cruelly they behaved. There was nothing wrong with being a fan of the sport or the players, but did they really have to tear everyone down to make themselves feel better?

“I think you need to leave the rink,” Roman said pointedly as he sidled up next to me, giving the puck bunny a no-nonsense look. “We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to the bullying of players and family members.”

“I wasn’t!” she started to cry indignantly. She was focused on me. Once upon a time, Roman had been just as familiar with the puck bunnies, but ever since he had met his omega, Hazel, he had eyes for no one else, and they had stopped trying long ago.

Thank God for Roman, because he was able to maintain his cool when I couldn’t. “If you really want to keep it up, we canalways bring this to the board of student conduct, because this is a university facility, and their policies apply.”

The puck bunny closed her mouth, shooting Roman a withering look before stomping off, her friends scampering after her.

As I turned back to my pack, Kennedy looked up at me, eyes wide, unable to form words as I pulled her into my chest, hugging her tightly.

“Mine,” I muttered.

Chapter 36

Kennedy

Storm had stood up for me.

It shouldn’t have been so damn attractive, but as he guided me out of the rink, not even bothering to go get changed, my stomach fluttered. His scent was so much stronger after the game, all fresh rain and crisp. My core clenched as it reached my nose.

“Let’s go home,” Storm muttered into my hair as we stepped out into the cold air.

I didn't bother to ask which home he meant. Sometimes I got the feeling that the guys forgot that I didn't actually live with them. It was like they were all part of a mass delusion, and it was almost cute.

I would be lying if I said that seeing Storm put the puck bunny in her place hadn't made me happy. When she had called Charlotte abastard, I was getting ready to launch myself at her. It was one thing to say bad things about me; it was another to say bad things about my baby.

Getting her kicked out of the rink had been satisfying to watch.

“Don't let this woman ruin hockey games for you. It won't be happening again,” Charlie insisted as we rode the elevator up to their apartment.

“I know.” I sighed. “Storm made sure of that.”

Charlie winced. “Yeah, there’s probably going to be a few photos of you on social media tomorrow, but Storm's made it clear that he is very attracted to you, so I imagine all posts will be complimentary.”

A small part of me was pleased that I now had a public claim on Storm, even though we technically weren't in a relationship. We were in a weird limbo where I wasn't sure if we were together or not. I was with a few of his pack mates, but we hadn't explicitly had that conversation. He had given me the impression that he wanted to be together, but I was the one who needed to come to terms with that.

“I just want to put my feet up and forget about it for a little while, is that okay?” I asked as we piled into the living room.

“Of course.” Charlie smiled down at me.

“I’ll give tiny terror a bottle while Charlie boy gets you a glass of soda, so you can put your feet up,” Micha said as he held out his hands for Charlotte, a big grin on his face.

I handed over the baby, who happily went with the alpha while Charlie guided me to the living room. Storm went to shower, and Eli started puttering around the kitchen, cooking something that was smelling delicious.

Charlie handed me a glass of soda, and I took a large swig. It was perfectly chilled, and I hummed in happiness as I kicked off my shoes and placed my feet in his lap as he sat next to me. Taking my feet in his hands, Charlie started rubbing circles on my ankles in a move that felt downright orgasmic.

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