Page 65 of Ice Wolf
“There was no luck to the game. All skill,” I muttered and managed to jerk open the steel locker door.
“Yes, but you played entirely differently tonight. You were definitely on top of your game. The relationship is good for you.” This came from another reporter who’d managed to weasel his way to within inches of me.
I’d had enough, the anger brewing to the point my chained wolf was highly irritated. That didn’t bode well for ridding myself of the ridiculous memes and aggravating assault on my personal space.
Lily had been right. I was a hardheaded ass or as my coach had once told me, a bull in a china shop on steroids.
“I think we should stick to aspects of the game,” Coach Cavanaugh threw out in an attempt to deflect the focus.
His booming voice managed to draw some attention until finally I had some space to breathe.
“You’re an asshole,” Pete hissed at me as he backed against the lockers.
“Why is that?”
“It’s all about you. Every. Single. Fucking. Time. The game. This bullshit with Rocco. Now a woman.” He smashed his fist against the steel, rattling the entire wall full of lockers. I doubted anyone heard from the chaos that had erupted.
I was about to respond, and not in the best way, when another reporter shouted, the announcement creating another cringeworthy moment.
“There she is! Lily Weathers. How does it feel to be getting married to the hottest hockey player in the last twenty-five years?”
Oh, great. This was getting out of hand.
Instantly, Lily was surrounded and I was provided with breathing space. I glanced toward the coach and he simply shook his head. I’d hear more about my faux pas later. Of that I had no doubts.
Thank God I was taller than most people in the room. But in being able to see her crushed by the chaotic crowd, the fury of the possessive beast inside me increased to a dangerous level.
She appeared so tiny standing in my jersey. She’d rolled up the sleeves, but the material still dwarfed her small frame. The reporters ate it up, already taking dozens of photographs. God, she looked so beautiful tonight, her long hair sweeping across her shoulders in dancing curls. Although her hair was damp. Who the hell had poured some shit on her? That pissed me off enough my chest was rising and falling rapidly.
Another sign controlling my wolf was getting dicey.
Her lips were pursed and all I could think about was how incredible they’d tasted when I’d kissed her.
I dragged the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip and I’d be damned if my cock wasn’t awakened. Like the true beast he was.
The possessiveness I felt for the woman was already taking a toll.
A snarl pushed up from my throat and I yanked people away from her, using enough force a couple were pitched against the bank of lockers. Both the coach and the captain tried to intervene, but it was too late. I’d reached a point where no one would be able to control me.
With my wolf close to the surface, I made it by Lily’s side, immediately wrapping one arm around her. I had no idea how she was going to react. She was far too innocent for the wolves in the room. The pun forced a chuckle.
If only they knew.
While still in a daze, Lily highlighted that she was a true professional. She placed her palm against my chest, tilting her head in one of those movie star perfect moments. The photograph would be captured and tossed out on the internet with hundreds of captions, but all would mention the true love seen in her eyes.
I stared into them for several seconds, drowning out the insanity. The golden glow in her irises was a powerful draw.
Lust.
Hate.
Fury.
All three volatile emotions were reflected and it allowed a grin to cross my face.
This was my woman.
My mate.
