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I woke up reaching for a lover I knew wouldn’t be there. Sure, I was the one who’d rushed him out, but every bit of me cried for him to stay. To be held by those strong arms, to be kissed by those hungry lips, to have him take me by the hips and…

It was a one night stand. The hottest, steamiest hookup ever in the history of the universe. I’d only let Casimir in because of that. At least that’s what I told myself.

A half hour after my dad knocked on my door, I ushered Casimir out of the suite and stole another kiss before closing the door on us forever. Even if his business kept him in Winnipeg for a while, it didn’t matter, because I was going to escape to Nicolette’s house in Alaska the next morning.

I’d collapsed, thoroughly exhausted, and slept until…

Cracking open one eye, I glanced at the clock. Noon!

I jerked up and gaped at the stupid lying box. It couldn’t be midday already!

Scrambling, I tried to find my phone and then remembered I’d lost it. I smacked my forehead and then ran out of my room into the living area of the suite to check the time on the big clock hanging over the fireplace.

12:03.

“Fuck!” I fell back onto the couch and kicked my legs like a kid throwing a fit. Okay, maybe I was being a bit child-like. But I’d been an idiot not to set an alarm. Taking a deep breath, I sat up and breathed out, spreading my hands as if I could grasp some sort of serenity. “Half the day wasted, but whatever. I can still do this.”

I had to get as far away from here as possible. For many reasons. Several tall, muscly, and handsome reasons.

Shower first. I still had Casimir’s scent all over me. His big hands, his glinting eyes, his lapping tongue… Oh God. My body betrayed me with a gush of slick as I hurried to my bathroom. I cranked on the cold water and threw myself under the stream, squealing as the icy jet hit my scorched skin.

I stayed still, forcing myself to stay in the cold until I could get Casimir out of my head.

Which I knew would be impossible. Damn him .

“Think of the bustling streets of Dublin, the windy Irish cliffs and foggy beaches, dimly lit little pubs older than the history of America.” Yes, Ireland. I should be there right now. I shouldn’t be damning Casimir. It should be my dad. None of this would have happened if he hadn’t bought the Rampage. If only he wanted to spend time with me. Why didn’t he want to have a vacation with his only child?

I gritted my teeth and hissed out a breath, letting my anger push against the chill of the shower. “My dad is an ass. All of this is his fault. Screw him and his fucking hockey team with hunky players!” I straightened and lifted my chin, standing defiant against the white tiles in front of me. “Yes, Kienna. Give in to the dark side. There might be cookies. Hell, there can be anything you want. You’re free to choose whatever you want to do.”

Freedom. Nothing about being an Omega would hold me back.

I flipped on the hot water and washed myself, never ceasing my internal movie rip-off pep talk. Once I was done, I dried and put on a fluffy robe before sitting myself in front of my father’s laptop. There was a big bouquet of lilies on the table, and I paused to give them a sniff. The gentle scent of honey and almonds calmed me further. Time to get to work.

I ordered a new phone first and put the shipping address to Nicolette’s. Quick and easy. Next I checked the flights going out of the Winnipeg airport and groaned. Most flights had already left for the day, but there was one. A single flight going to Denver at two o’clock. From there, I could catch a plane anywhere.

After sending a quick email to my bestie, I dressed in jeans with flared bottoms and a bright sea green cashmere sweater. Everything else I stuffed into my suitcase. I brushed out my hair and threw on a few hair clips to keep it back before adding on a light layer of makeup. I topped it off with a touch of dusty rose lipstick. Deciding I looked like a sane person again—mostly sane—I set the sign on the suite’s door for it to be cleaned and took the elevator to the front desk.

I had the man behind the desk call me an Uber to the airport since I no longer had the rental. I’d called the company last night from Tiergan’s parents’ house, and they promised to take care of the vehicle. No one asked any annoying questions, and as I went out to catch my ride, there were no lurking hockey players stalking around the exits. I still couldn’t believe Kane and his pack did that.

It was a fifteen minute drive to the airport. I thanked my driver and made my way inside, locating the company I knew had the flight out to Denver. No one was in line.

“Hi!” Giddiness flooded through me. I was so close to getting away from here. “I’d like a first class ticket on the next flight to Denver, please.” Then just to make certain I got on the plane, “Or any seat that’s available.”

The woman had tired eyes and her blonde hair was pulled back into a severe bun. “Sorry, miss. The flight is completely booked, but I can get you on Friday’s flight.”

No, no, no. She didn’t understand the urgency of it. “Surely there has to be at least one seat.” When she didn’t say anything, I asked, “A cancellation?”

“Sorry. The flight is full.” She was patient and calm, and I was feeling none of that.

My giddiness had turned into desperation. “What if I sat where the attendants sat? I don’t care. I have to get out of here.” I gripped the edge of the counter, hoping that I didn’t look crazy. I needed to give her a good reason. A reason she could put me on that plane. “My aunt, she’s very sick. I need to get home today. Isn’t there any way you can get me a seat? Money isn’t an option.”

“I’m sorry, miss.” She was sounding like a bot on repeat. “There isn’t anything I can do.”

I bit back the urge to yell at her, to plead and cry. It wasn’t her fault. The logical part of my brain knew that, but my turbulent emotions demanded I get on that flight through any means possible.

Pushing away from the counter, I hurried into the middle of the waiting area dragging my suitcase behind me. “Anyone taking the two o’clock flight to Denver? I need to buy your ticket from you. I’ll pay twice the amount.” When no one even looked my way, I shouted, “Three times the amount! I have to get on that plane. Please!”

Some people glanced up from their phones, and one woman holding the hand of an elderly man gave me a condoling look. I didn’t want to be pitied. What I needed was to get away from Winnipeg!

“Group Four now boarding at gate three for Allies’ two o’clock flight to Denver.” The stiff female voice crackled as it made its announcement throughout the terminal. “ Le groupe quatre embarque maintenant à la porte trois pour le vol Allié de quatorze heures à destination de Denver. ”

Group Four? Shit. That meant they had already boarded the first three groups. This could be the last one. My final chance.

I raced after the people who had risen and started to walk toward gate three. “Five times!” I ran around them and stopped near the gate where the guard was giving me a side-eye. “I will pay five times whatever you paid for your ticket. I only need one seat. There’s another flight going out on Friday. You could fly first class!”

Not one person made eye contact with me. I waved and pulled out my credit card. “Five times whatever you paid. I need to get on that plane! Please help a girl out.”

Tickets were checked and people loaded. The last cold-hearted businessman in a wrinkled suit disappeared through the door. I nearly crumpled to the floor.

“All remaining passengers now boarding at gate three for Allies’ two o’clock flight to Denver.” The announcement zapped me with renewed energy. I straightened and bounced on my toes as a new group of travelers approached. “ Tous les passagers restants embarque maintenant à la porte trois pour le vol Allié de quatorze heures à destination de Denver. ”

“Excuse me, please!” I clasped my hands in front of me as my heart pounded. “I need to get on this flight. Would anyone be willing to sell their seat to me? I can pay five times the amount you paid. That’s enough to get you a first class ticket and stay a few more days in Winnipeg at the finest hotel. Please, I’m desperate!”

When the first couple of folks didn’t take me up on the offer, I darted directly up to a group of people who looked my age. Surely they would understand my need to get far away from here. “Can you please help me? It’s an emergency.”

“Sorry.” One of the guys shrugged. “I’d love to stay another few days. Winnipeg is totally happening. But we’ve got to get back to work before our boss fires our asses.”

Right. Winnipeg was totally happening. I immediately turned to a pair of older women behind them. “Please, I’ll pay five times the amount for both of your tickets if you want to fly together.”

“No, thank you.” One of the women tried to step around me, but I moved back in front of her.

“This is so very important. You have—”

“Miss,” the tight voice of the guard coupled with his stern look. “Please step away from them and stop harassing people.”

“I’m not harassing people. I need to get on that flight!” My voice cracked. Dammit. I didn’t want to start crying.

“If you don’t have a ticket, you need to step away from the gate.” He motioned with one hand. “If you do not comply, I will take you to our holding cell and call the police.”

Fuck. Having the cops called on me was the last thing I needed. I wasn’t afraid of being accused of trying to buy someone’s ticket, but they’d demand identification. Then they’d discover I was an Omega and traveling without an escort. That would be a gigantic mess. My father would be called, and if they thought I was a flight risk, they could put an ankle tracker on me. I’d never known any Omega who had gotten one, but that threat hung over our heads like a black storm cloud of doom.

Grabbing my suitcase, I zoomed away from gate three. Okay, flying wasn’t an option. There weren’t any buses, but I could still get a car and drive across the border.

Ten minutes later, I screamed out my frustration and scared the pigeons off the edge of the roof of the rental agency which sat across the street from the terminal. A person had to be twenty-five to rent a car. Twenty-five!

“Winnipeg is like a black hole that refuses to let go.” Neither the birds nor the employees suspiciously eyeing me from inside the building cared for my opinion.

I refused to give up. Last night, I had considered hitchhiking, but that would be my last resort. Even though I hated to do it, it was time to plead with my father. I’d tell him Callista needed me to come immediately to help with some wedding stuff or that Nicolette needed extra help with her pregnancy. He was a good man, and I hated to play on his generous nature, but this was an emergency. I was in heat—not that I would tell my dad that—and the longer I stayed here, the worse it was going to get. Actually, it would get bad no matter where I was, but at least I would be far away from temptation on the other side of the continent.

It was time to think happy thoughts. Escape from Winnipeg and being forever tied to a hockey player or a whole team of them. Maybe my dad would hire a private plane to get me to Seattle. If he wanted to send me with a hired escort, I could live with it. Anything to get me away from this city, away from the hot Alphas whose touch was forever seared onto my skin.

Hopping back into an Uber, I told the driver to drop me off at Bell Arena. Since I didn’t have my phone, I couldn’t call my dad and ask where he was. Plus, it was better I make my plea in person. Yet there was the danger of running into Kane and his pack. No, wait, they said their practice was in the morning. It was nearly two now.

“Let’s do this.” I really needed to stop talking to myself. Anyway, that was a future me problem. It was time to focus on the issue at hand.

I marched into the arena and mentally recounted the route to the offices. A pair of security guards smiled as I walked by, and a series of electronic boards visually blared ads and facts about the Rampage. Tiergan’s handsome face popped up on one monitor reporting his recent shutout, and then Kane with a smoldering gaze. Damn them.

Rushing away from the front of the arena, I made my way down a set of stairs to the offices and knocked on the head coach’s door. I rested a hand on my chest and demanded my heart slow down. It would all be good. Everything would work out.

I knocked a second time, even though I realized no one was there.

Would they still be at lunch? It was possible. Or maybe my dad had another meeting. Was there a conference room here? We had gotten a small tour the other day, but I didn’t remember much besides the plush VIP lounge and boring coach’s office.

The lounge would be my dad’s preference for a meeting. He was very good at schmoozing with a drink in hand. And if he was having a good time in the lounge, he’d be more inclined to let me go to Nicolette’s.

Heading down to the lounge, I smiled to see the door open, but when I stepped inside, the only person there was a dark haired young woman clearing glasses from the tables. She paused and tilted her head my way. “Hello, may I help you?”

“Yes, hi.” I walked further into the dimly lit room. “I was looking for my father, Marcos Birk. I thought he’d still be here.”

She perked up and smiled sympathetically. “Sorry, you just missed him. Mr. Birk and Mr. Taylor left about fifteen minutes ago for another meeting downtown.”

Of course. My fucking luck today. “Oh, alright. Thanks.”

“They will be back. I heard that they’re taking the team out to dinner this evening. You’re free to stay if you’d like.” The woman stepped over to the windows looking into the arena. “In fact, the first line is coming out for more ice time now. Every single one of them is incredible. If you’re interested, you can watch. I’m Esha, by the way.”

I was moving toward the windows before I could tell my feet to run away. There was no reason I ever needed to see the pack again. Nope.

Except, dammit, I ached for one more look. They’d never have to know.

Ewan and Alderic were the first onto the ice. They picked up speed, playfully elbowed one another, and made a few tight circles. Tiergan followed more slowly, and even though he was decked out in his goalie gear, he seemed elegant as he skated in.

Kane was next, holding his stick in one hand and his helmet in another. He yelled at Ewan and Alderic to stop horsing around as Maddox skated out. He dropped three pucks onto the ice and shot one at Tiergan. It bounced off the side of his left goalie pad, and Tiergan flipped Maddox off. They were all laughing as a sixth player came out. He was almost as big as Maddox, but clearly was not part of the pack as the rest of them ignored him.

My heart pounded in my chest as Kane motioned for them all to gather round the center. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but just watching his gorgeous profile, those hot lips moving…

“Shaw is the perfect captain.” Esha hummed and sighed. “That whole first line is the reason we have so many wins this year.”

Kane was perfect in many ways, but he wasn’t the Alpha for me, no matter the wave of arousal surging through me. Fuck, why did he have to be one of my dad’s hockey players and live in the middle of nowhere? If I had met him somewhere else at another time, oh man, I would make sure we never left the bedroom.

“Kienna!”

My mind was snapped out of my daydream by Alderic shouting my name. He was already skating towards me as the others turned and followed fast behind.

Oh shit.

Alderic took off his helmet, his dark hair messy in the most sexy of ways. “Hi! How are you doing today? Did you get a good sleep?”

“You know them?” Esha gasped, gaping at me.

There was no denying it as there was a round of hellos. Helmets came off and every pack member grinned. Their gazes bore into me as if they could see to my very core.

“Um, yeah. Sorta.” What else could I say to Esha? I wasn’t going to confess trying to run off over the border and being rescued by the pack on the side of the highway. “My dad owns the team.”

I lifted my hand and waved, nodding to Alderic’s question. There was no way I was going to stay and watch them practice. Already slick soaked my panties, and there was a wall between us. I had no doubt they’d ask me to come into the arena proper, so I had to make a quick exit.

“I was just looking for my dad. So I have to go now.”

“Come on. Stay and watch. We can go party later.” Ewan smirked and nodded to Esha. “Bring your friend as well.”

Esha sucked in a trembling breath.

“Stay.” Kane’s request, no, his order, reverberated through me and right down between my legs.

“Please,” Tiergan added. His dreamy eyes layered on the allure I was having trouble fighting.

Maddox removed a glove and placed a hand on the glass. Not an Alpha of many words, but fuck, I bet his tongue had other talents.

The sixth player stood behind them and silently removed his helmet.

I jumped away from the window and gripped the bottom edge of my coat.

Casimir .

Fucking Casimir was on the Rampage.

“What the fuck?” The exclamation burst out of me as it felt my head exploded.

“Kienna.” How I hated that I loved the way he said my name. He moved toward the window, a little smirk on those sinful lips.

“No!” This was not happening. I backed away from the glass and thrust a finger toward him. “Fuck you! You lied! How could you lie to me?”

Okay, maybe he didn’t lie at all. I never asked him what he did for a living. I didn’t want to know. I assumed he was in Winnipeg for work as he was dressed in expensive business casual clothes. Not at all like the laid-back manner the rest of the team had been dressed when I met them.

“What? I never lied to you. I would never lie to you.” Casimir shook his head, totally unaware that the other five players all were glaring at him now. A growing ache between my legs reminded me of what his mouth felt like sucking on my clit.

Shit.

I turned and ran. Tears stung my eyes. I would not let being an Omega take away my freedom and choice.

Now more than ever, I needed to get away from Winnipeg.