Page 153 of Power Shift

It might seem backward since Briar’s only a few rows behind our bench, but it’s the truth. Having her here tonight is different than it was the last time. The only thing I’m focused on tonight is impressing her and showing her why I’m the best player in the league.

It wouldn’t hurt to play like a team tonight, either. We’re her pack, and I want her to be able to trust in our commitment to not only her but each other. That’s the sort of stability we all need.

“You’re one away from a hat trick,” Jasper states from my right side.

Adrenaline scorches my blood. “I want it.”

“You’ll get it. We’ll do whatever you need us to to make it happen,” he swears.

“Does she look impressed?”

“With you?”

“With us.”

“Fuck, here it comes. Lovesick fools,” Coach says with a dramatic whistle before focusing on the tablet that’s handed to him.

I ignore him and lean forward to grab the boards, prepared to jump back onto the ice any second.

Jasper does the same but leans close to me. “She’s been shaking all the ribbons off the pompom Dash gave her.”

“Good.” My grin is wide.

“Let’s make her even happier, Lan. One more goal and we’ll get to take her home.”

I look at our net and where Dash is squatting low, the blade of his stick caressing the ice in short, arched movements. His smile is loopy, the light colour of his eyes even brighter than usual as he stares behind the bench.

The shift in him has been incredible to watch. I’ve felt the bond between the four of us strengthen and grow and at times become so overwhelming that I have to separate myself from them just to catch my breath.

I wouldn’t have believed that it was possible three months ago. Instead, I thought we were going to wind up completely shattered.

Nodding at Jasper, I wait for the second line to start filtering in before hopping over the boards and skating onto the ice. The temptation to look at Briar is a constant gnaw in my gut, but I focus on the game and use every inch of my drive to give her a show she’ll remember.

Ronan stays on the ice once Jasper and I have skated over and takes his spot guarding Dash as possession changes.Suddenly, our goalie is locked in. He tracks the puck through his custom blue mask and sinks lower into his squat.

I filter through the players clogging our zone and attempt to block the passes that come close. Ronan plays his position with an ease that makes him an incredible addition to the league and successfully steals the puck from a Chicago player.

Anticipating this, I’ve already shaken two defenders by the time the puck hits my blade, and I take off down the ice. The blue line disappears behind me, and then Jasper’s there, carving up the ice beside me.

My breath saws in and out of my lungs. The fans are loud, and I give in, darting my eyes to the seats behind the bench. I tell myself it’ll only last a second. One look and I’ll be able to focus on the game.

Only once I catch sight of her standing amongst sitting fans, I can’t look away. Wearing a Riptides jersey with the C on the shoulder, Briar waves her silvery-blue pompom in the air and screams my name. My heart goes wild, smashing against my rib cage like it’s pissed it can’t plop onto the ice.

I’m close to where I want to be now. I move the puck to the middle of the tape on my blade and shift my body to block the Chicago player when he attempts to move around me.

Briar’s eyes grow wide, and I know what’s going to happen before it does. Anticipating the hit, I spin as much as I can and pass the puck off to Jasper. It’s a perfect pass. Tape to tape like we’ve practiced and pulled off a million times.

I shoulder the player and block his path when he tries to go for Jasper, buying my packmate a chance to use his speed to find an opening. He doesn’t hesitate, and a heartbeat later, I watch in awe as he flicks the puck off the ice and buries it in the bottom left corner of the net.

The arena screams as the blowhorn blares, and Jasper hits the boards, a gloved hand raised in celebration. I skate towardhim and smack the back of his helmet. The rest of the Riptide players on the ice join us before Ronan congratulates Jasper with a smack on the ass.

My chest warms, content with how the game has turned out. There are a few minutes left, but I’m not worried. My confidence is in this team and my pack and the future we’re building. A hat trick suddenly means nothing.

I was just a fool to think this wasn’t possible for me.

This time when I look into the stands, I don’t care how long I stare for. Briar still hasn’t sat down, and her enthusiasm is a fucking sight to see. We’ve made a hockey fan out of her after all.

She blows me a kiss and wiggles her fingers in a dainty wave. I return the kiss but don’t bother trying to wiggle my fingers in my gloves. When I point at her, the omegas seated around her turn to stare, but she doesn’t give them any attention.

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