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W aking just before dawn with her perfect little body still connected to mine is my new favorite thing. After our spontaneously fierce love-making last night, we both fell into a deep sleep. I hadn't expected to be so rough with her so soon, but I will not be denying my mate her wants. To wake her, I allow my fingers to skitter across her body, tracing her lush curves and soft skin until her eyes flutter open. She doesn't say anything. She just releases a soft, happy sigh.

Without a word, I nuzzle her before lifting her into my arms once more, carrying her to the bathroom, making sweet, slow love to her in the shower before lathering every inch of her body in sweet vanilla body wash and washing it all away.

Fucking her is amazing, but taking care of her in these little life moments is what I refuse to ever take for granted. We don't say much, her still sleepy, just allowing me to care for her. Words aren't needed here. In this calm place before the chaos that lies ahead of us.

My mind tries to escape to worry about everything we still have to overcome, but I won't allow it. Instead, I choose to focus on my miracle who wanted to return the favor and scrub my body clean as well.

When all the suds have been rinsed down the drain, I swing the shower door open and grab a soft white towel for Leera first, then grab my own. She moves to step out of the shower onto the tiled floor, but I scoop her into my arms and set her on the bathroom counter. She giggles and tucks her towel into itself under her armpit while I run our toothbrushes under the tap, adding toothpaste and handing it to her.

The quiet and happy routine of this morning is wonderfully domestic and unexpected, and I vow to create more of these moments intentionally.

Today, I convinced Leera to walk into the game with me on my arm. Usually, we get ready together, and then the men and I arrive separately for the game day walk-in in our suits. The whole thing has always felt ridiculous. Why do people care what we wear before a game? The twins used to be the ones who seemed to enjoy it the most, with Benny running a close second.

But today, with Leera on my arm in our almost matching outfits, I find I might actually love this. The couple of cameras awaiting our arrival begin clicking as we cross the cheesy maroon carpet they've started laying out for this. In the middle of our walk, I lean down, scooping Leera into my arms so that I can kiss her for the cameras. I would have tried to lean in and drop one on her if her perfect little cheek wasn't so far down.

After dropping my bag off in the locker room, I have enough time to walk Leera to her seats where Fran and a surprise are waiting. I managed to snag some seats near the end of the team bench, closest to the net, for this game. The further we walk to her seats, the more excited she gets about the seats, not even knowing there is a surprise waiting for her.

The fans are slowly starting to trickle in, all decked out in their maroon, black, and white Predators gear. The Zamboni is making its last turn on the ice, and the music is blaring through the speakers. The chill of the hockey arena nearly matches the current conditions outside, though the energy in here is incomparable. The excitement of the fans is already palpable in the large space.

When we finally reach the seats I got for Leera, Fran stands and nods curtly, not saying a word, but Leera still tries. “Hey Fran! Are you ready for a good game?” she asks her cheerfully, not having yet noticed the other person. “I feel like I haven't seen you in forever. What have you been—”

Leera's words are cut off by her own squealing when Fran rolled her eyes and gestured around her to the unnoticed individual. The squealing is then joined by jumping and clapping because she's so happy. I knew she'd be excited to spend some time with Willa, but I didn't realize just how happy. “Oh my gosh! It's so good to see you!” she raves, launching herself at the witch for a hug before whipping her head around to face me. “You did this?” she beams.

I pull her up and into me, nodding with a chuckle. “I did this. I thought you'd like to spend some time with her at the game, and if you get bored, you can talk about Sabbax.” I kiss her on the cheek and pull away. “I've gotta get ready before Coach comes looking for me.”

“Oh, right, of course! Have fun.” She waves after me before shouting, “I love you!”

I stop dead in my tracks.

We've told each other we love each other plenty.

We've completed our mate bond.

We're solid.

But she has never been the one to initiate public displays of affection.

I slowly turn to take her in with what must be the goofiest smile on my face. Fans with their phones and the team's cameramen are capturing everything, but I don't give a fuck.

She notices the cameras and phones pointed in our direction and puts the pieces together, realizing what she did. She blushes a furious red and practically hides behind Fran.

If she wants some PDA, she's gonna get it.

I march right back to where she's standing, frozen in place. When I reach her, I lift her again, wrapping her legs around my waist this time, and bring her in for a burning kiss that has her panting when I pull away and rest my forehead against hers for a moment. The moment is broken by whoops and hollers all around us, and she's a blushing mess all over again.

I laugh as I set her back on her feet and hustle to the locker room just in time for Coach to tear me a new one for being late.