Page 24

“I 've put in a notice of retirement to the NHL, and…I would like to join your pack,” Khaos announces directly to me, then smiles at Leera.

I immediately throw up my walls to my men, always leaving Leera access to reach me. A couple of them hop off the couch, looking at him like a madman. I honestly thought I'd heard him incorrectly and was waiting for the “gotcha" moment.

“Why?” is all I can get out, but Leera is there with all of her questions spilling out without her control.

“Are you okay? This isn't because of me, is it? I thought you loved hockey? But you're an Alpha, don't you need your own pack?” she rambles as all of her thoughts pour straight from her mind to her mouth.

He laughs again, and it's still a strange sound when it comes from him. It's almost like Leera knows how long he went without laughing because every time he does it, her eyes twinkle a little, and if he weren't her brother, I would probably have to kill him.

“Yes, I'm okay. Nothing is because of you, but you may have influenced that decision. I do love hockey, but I haven't gotten true joy from it, just from using it to take out my frustrations on others. While I was the Alpha of my pack, Alpha energies can exist at any level in any wolf. Some choose to never act on their energies and never lead their own packs. I guess you could say it's kind of like a power some wolves are given. It's up to them to use it. With my pack being gone—with the exception of Runa—I figured I might as well be where my family is.”

Leera is gaping at him, slowly closing her mouth as his words process, until she's nodding. Then she stops, and her gaze swings between Khaos and me. I realize she's waiting for my response. I haven't said anything. It seems as though everyone in the room is hanging by a thread, waiting for my answer.

Just for fun at this point, I make a show of sternly thinking about it. The moment I realized Leera’s soul still had an attachment to him, I knew I had no choice but to let the past go and start anew. It's also logical that he be part of the pack since Runa will be when Eris gets his shit together. He would also be able to communicate with Leera. I can't argue with anything that makes her happy and protects her at the same time.

There's a fiery warning in her icy-blue eyes when I look over at her, and I can't help the laugh that booms out of me, and the room visibly relaxes. “You all really thought I would reject his request?” I ask in jest, but I can feel it; some of them weren't sure. “I was just giving you a hard time. Of course you can join us. I'll get with the pack and schedule an addition to the next full moon ceremony. When are you planning to announce your retirement?”

He pulls Leera into his side, and with the mate bond so fresh, an unconscious snarl leaves me. Leera's head whips to mine while Khaos just laughs. “It's your mate bond. When it's new, the males are very jealous and protective. He can't help it,” he explains for me, and Leera smiles and blushes at me.

I love you, Big Guy, and just like that, my wolf relaxes beneath my skin.

“As soon as they accept it.”

Having been focused on Leera, it takes a moment for his words to register. “So, this will be your last season?” I ask to clarify, to which he offers a sharp nod.

I nod to myself in understanding. I've been thinking similarly since Leera came into my life. I also realized that hockey was an outlet, not a passion. I’ve been good because it was the only thing that could make me feel. Even if those feelings were mostly rage and adrenaline. With her in my life, I don't need something to get me by. Even still, it's not something I would decide so quickly, but I also didn't lose my entire pack and play with an entire team that wasn't part of my pack.

“And you're sure that's what you want?” Leera asks quietly, wanting to make sure he's happy with his decision but also hopeful. She clearly wants her brother around more, and I can't blame her.

Just as I think of Runa, she pops around the corner from the hallway. “Oh, hey, Alpha,” she greets him with a smile and a nod.

I've noticed that she's a very different woman than Leera in more than the obvious ways. Basically living in hiding her whole life has left its mark, like living like a human left its mark on Leera. She's more withdrawn, not as animated. I've only seen her really let herself go when she's with Leera.

I offer up a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess that Eris gets his head out of his ass and the twins make her happy. She deserves to be happy. She deserves to have a real family. She deserves to stay with us forever. I'll be damned if she isn't able to move from just existing to truly living…like me.