Page 22 of Baseball and Shifters

Lucas

Coach’s sharp voice cuts through the haze that takes over when the mate bond snaps into place.

Holy shit. It’s really her. I can’t believe I found her.

I snap my head back to glare at Coach, ready to demand he give me just a fucking second so I can at least get my mate’s name, but I’m pushed off the wall and only my quick shifter reflexes stop me from eating dirt. I twist around and look up into the stands just in time to see her long black hair swaying as she runs up the steps.

My breath catches. Even in motion, she’s mesmerizing. Petite but strong, with a lithe grace that makes my wolf perk up in fascination. Her skin glows under the stadium lights like polished gold. She turns for a brief moment and those eyes, gorgeous and brilliant green, lock onto mine for just a second. It’s like getting struck by lightning and wrapped in warmth all at once.

My heart aches at the sight of her retreating form and my wolf whines his agreement. But Coach is screaming my name again, so I have no choice but to get my head back in the game.

Not knowing where my Moonbeam ran off to is driving me crazy. Landing in the lap of my fated mate during the most epic pop out catch of my life was never in the plan. Finding out that my mate forms a bond upon first skin-to-skin contact is even more wild. I never thought I wanted a mate, thought they would only tie me down and hold me back. But the second I caught sight of those gorgeous green orbs peeking out from behind a curtain of dark black hair I was hooked. My wolf had known the moment we walked out onto the field that our mate was in the stadium. But my focus was on the game, I figured I’d have time to worry about mates later. Then I had to go and crash into her like a big buffoon.

Oh fates, I hope I didn’t hurt her when I dove into her lap. She didn’t seem hurt, just shocked. Maybe scared? I need to check on her.

The last few innings drag on. I’m distracted, constantly switching between looking for her in the crowd and staring at the intricate design that appeared on the inside of my arm. It’s a fox, well I think it is. The sweet mark wraps up the inside of my forearm ending about three inches from the crook of my elbow and looks like a playful fox mid pounce. The fox has four tails, one of which starts on the heel of my palm where I made contact with my mate’s skin. I know Mace is gonna ream me for not paying attention when the game’s over, but I can’t help it. I still play a good game, but for the first time ever, my full focus isn’t on baseball.

It’s on her.

The game ends and we win. Not a big surprise. But I’m thankful for it regardless. If somehow we had lost, I know all of the blame would have been placed squarely on my shoulders.

Pulling my cleats off I chuck them in the locker and hastily shove my feet into my sneakers.

I have to find her… now.

My wolf is pacing just under the surface. It feels like he could burst out any moment. Without bothering to change I shove what I need in my gym bag and sling it over my shoulder before running out of the locker room. Voices call after me, but I don’t stop.

Hopefully she’s still here.

Bursting out of the locker room into the team hall I make my way back towards the main entrance. I’m barely out of the stadium when someone tugs me from behind. Spinning I hope to see my mate but instead I see D staring back at me with a look I can’t decipher.

“Yo, Lucas, what’s the hurry? Got an angry dragon after you?” Derrick chuckles, catching me off guard.

“No, I’m looking for my mate. You didn’t happen to see her, did you? Beautiful black hair, green eyes, smells like a forest run on a summer day?” I question him even though I know it will be fruitless.

“Woah, woah, woah, calm down. One thing at a time bro. What do you mean mate?” His more mannered tone makes his concern for me clear.

Thrusting my arm at him I show him the most wonderful mark I’ve ever seen on a human body. His eyes widen in shock and a small puff of smoke leaves his nostrils.

“That girl I crashed into during the game today is my mate. But Coach dragged me back on the field and she bolted.”

“Holy shit, congratulations, bro! I saw you fly over the wall but then the guy running from home nearly crashed into me so I didn’t see what happened after. I haven’t seen anyone fitting that description, but if you give me like five minutes I’ll help you find her. I promise.” He turns and hauls ass back the way I just came.

With D’s help I’m sure to find her so I wait for him to get back.

I have to find her. I have to make sure she’s okay. I have to know her name.

I'm frantically pacing the hall waiting for Derrick to return when a hand lands on my shoulder and spins me around.

“What the fuck was that about?” Bas snarls. “I told you I found my mate so you go and mate her in the middle of the fucking game?”

“What are you talking about? Are you seriously pissed that I found my mate? You just said you found yours first. So what if I mated mine first? Besides, it was an accident. It's not like I intentionally sought her out and bonded her in the middle of a game,” I roll my eyes. “I don't even know her name.”

“Her nameis Rachel, and she'smymate,” he growls, cutting me off but I persist.

“I never even wanted a mate, man. If I was planning on bonding with anyone I would have picked a different time and place that’s for sure.”

Bas is the one pacing now. “At least… I thought so. Now, I'm not so sure. Tigers aren’t known to share mates. So if she's really your mate, she can't be mine.”

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