Chapter 1
1457 Words
AURORA'S POV
The buzzer signaled the end of the game, and I watched as all the players skated off the ice, my eyes focusing on #7, my heart doing a little pitter-patter. Lucas wrapped his arm around me, kissing me atop my head. "That was so exciting, babe. I can't believe you got these tickets!"
I smiled up at him, looking over at Maya and Dylan, who were busy grabbing their things. "That's not all. The tickets also included going to meet some of the players."
Lucas froze. "No f*****g way. Like after-game?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a bear hug, lifting me from the ground, squeezing me tightly. "You're the greatest girlfriend ever!"
When he set me down, Maya and Dylan came up to us. Maya Lucas is up and down. "I see lover boy was told about his big surprise."
I grinned. "He's excited."
Lucas looked over at Dylan. "You guys aren't coming with us?"
Dylan shook his head. "We're sitting this one out. There were only two tickets available this time."
Lucas's face dropped. "Bummer, man. Next time, though, for sure."
Dylan and Lucas were best friends, just like Maya and I were. They did everything together. I was disappointed when I bought the after-game tickets for the Guardians hockey game and couldn't grab four tickets.
But it was Lucas's birthday, and this was his celebration, so meeting his favorite team was a top priority. I had offered to let Dylan go in my place, but Dylan insisted that I go, seeing as I was the one buying the tickets and that it would mean more to Lucas if I was by his side.
Watching hockey was fun, but I wasn't necessarily a fan. I knew nothing about the game. But the Guardians were the local hero team, and I had no problem rooting for the local team. My favorite player was #11. I knew nothing about him, but 7 was my favorite number.
I tightened my grip on Lucas's arm as we navigated through the crowd and headed toward the locker rooms. The instructions hadn't been specific about where we'd meet the players, but we were to head toward where the players left the arena, which I'm assuming meant toward the locker rooms.
Lucas was confident, strolling up to a large security guard in the hallway leading to where we were headed. "Hey, man. My girlfriend got us tickets to meet the players after the game. Do you know where we're supposed to go?"
The guard looked at me critically as I fumbled for my phone to show him the tickets. Once I pulled the email, I held it up to him. He looked over them and grunted, motioning for us to follow him. Lucas looked at me excitedly, kissing my temple as he pulled me along.
The hallways were almost pitch black, and I could barely make out the guard in front of us except for a silhouette. The chill from the arena still reached out, making the atmosphere even creepier. It was cold, dark, and quiet except for our breathing and footsteps. Look behind us; the bright ice could still be seen in the distance. I wanted to run back to the arena and our friends, where it was safe.
Lucas tightened his grip on me, stopping me from walking. The security guard had stopped walking. We were at the door now, the light under the door casting a glow in the hallway. The guard knocked on the door. "Cover up, boys. We have after-game pass holders."
There wasn't a sound of acknowledgment, so the guard held up a finger and slipped inside. Lucas looked at me, leaning in. "Are we going into the locker room to meet them?"
I shrugged. "I guess? Kind of weird place to meet them, but I guess that's just more convenient for them."
The door swung open, and a tall figure standing in a towel, his blonde hair wet and tousled. "Hey, guys. Rick just told us we had some VIP-ers out here. Come on in."
I kept my eyes focused on his eyes, refusing to lower my eyes to his bare chest and half-naked form on display, especially in front of Lucas. The man was stepping aside, waving us inside. Lucas pulled me with him, not seeming bothered that the man was only wearing a towel.
The security guard stood there. "Owen, you could have got some clothes on."
I looked down at the ground as Rick glared at me apologetically. He knew it was awkward. Owen laughed. "We're all adults here. I'm sure she's seen a shirtless man or two. Right...what's your name..."
Owen held his hand to me, which I gingerly took, still averting my eyes nervously. "Aurora."
He grinned at me. "Aurora. What a lovely name."
Lucas coughed, holding out his hand. "I'm Lucas, her boyfriend."
Owen grinned. "Nice to meet you, too, Lucas. Now, I'm sure Rick here has other matters to attend to, and I'm sure the two of you would love to meet some others as well, not just my charming face."
I looked up at Owen then, catching a wink from him. I looked away again. Lucas nodded. "You're great, though. How you..."
"Hey, man, let's meet the crew, and then we'll chat. I can't take all the praise myself. Not everyone sticks around after the game; most are local and like to shower at home, but you'll still meet a few of us."
I nodded. "That's fine."
We were following Owen past the lockers when we heard a female giggling. "We'll see you afterward, Silas?"
"Maybe," a dark voice responded, which sent chills through my body.
As we neared where the sounds came from, two blonde women appeared, wearing matching Guardian crop tops and low-cut jeans. Their hair was slightly messy, and they each had a grin. They shot me a satisfied grin, which I returned. Puck bunnies. I scolded myself. That wasn't nice. They could be genuine friends of the players.
As they disappeared, the rows of lockers disappeared and opened into a larger opening, where team meetings probably happened pre-game—rows of benches lined each side, lockers still down each side.
There were three players, lockers opened, and their backs were to us. Owen was the only one wearing a towel; the rest wore uniforms. He must get naked fast. I stifled a giggle at my joke. "Hey guys, we got some VIP-ers here to meet us."
The players turned to us, plastering exhausted smiles across their faces. Each walked over, held out their hands, and greeted us: Nathan, #8; Keith, #12; Chris, #15; but no #11. I looked around. Where was my favorite? Not that it mattered, but I kind of wanted to see him.
I tuned out Lucas as he started his praise-filled tirade about how great all the players were and how much he loved the game. I knew nothing about the game and was just here for support because I had bought the tickets. I was about to ask where the washroom was so I could excuse myself when a motion caught my eye.
Then, another player emerged from the darkness. He was taller than the rest, and I knew that despite the padding from his uniform, his shoulders would still be broad. His dark hair fell in sweaty tendrils to his shoulders, and his dark eyes bore into mine almost angrily. Number 7 had made an appearance, and he looked mad at me.
*****
SILAS'S POV
Jessica and Jane were bugging me to come to the afterparty like I hadn't just let them service me twice. They couldn't get enough. Being an Alpha did that to Omegas.
I watched as they left, then headed into the recess of the lockers to adjust myself and get my head straight after my little rendezvous with who I called 'the twins' even though they weren't twins. I heard voices, newcomers. I listened to the greetings, ah, VIPs. We hadn't had new ones in a while. Usually, Jessica and Jane snatched up the tickets, and so did their friends.
My ears perked up. One voice seemed to brush against me like it was rubbing against some deeper part of me. I couldn't distinguish what it was saying or why it tickled my brain. I headed towards the voices, but the voice stopped speaking, so I couldn't investigate further. I'd need to get them to talk again.
Stepping into the opening of lockers, my eyes locked on the dark haired woman, a human, standing next to the Beta wolf who was gushing to my teammates. The moment my eyes locked on her, I felt it. 'Mate.'
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