Page 2

TWO

Playing: Hurt Somebody by Noah Kahan & Julia Michaels

“Alright, everyone.” I clap my hands. “Let’s go kick some ass!” My teammates hoot and holler in response, a feeling of camaraderie rippling through the locker room.

It’s the second game of the season and as the new captain, it’s my job to hype up the team and keep everyone out of trouble. Based on the buzzing energy flowing through the room, I think my speech had its desired effect.

My pack mate, Kendall, pats me on the back.

He has a huge smile on his face, which is his default.

He’s full of both sunshine and mischief.

Our other pack mate—who just happens to be Kendall’s natural opposite—comes up on my other side.

Uriah’s stoic face has mustered up as much excitement as it can.

“Did Ciro send you an overly enthusiastic text, too?” Uriah mutters, flicking some dirt off his hockey stick.

“Of course,” Kendall laughs. “He could just send it in the group chat but I think he wants each of us to feel special.”

I smile at that. Even though he’s our pack mate, Ciro can’t stand sports. Still, he’s out there in the stands, probably eating nachos and drinking some mixed concoction from his steel water bottle.

“Let’s win so he doesn’t have to give us those pity-eyes like he usually does,” Uriah says, marching ahead of us.

Both of my pack mates love hockey, but I live and breathe it. It is the first thing I’ve ever loved. Every game feels like a battle. I thrive in the intensity of it. There’s nothing that compares to the thrill each game gives me, and I doubt there ever will be.

“You ready, sunshine?” I ask Kendall, knocking him with my stick.

He returns my playfulness with a hit of his own. “I’m ready. That was a great speech back there, really riled me up.”

My chest shakes as I laugh. “At least I riled up one person. That was the goal.”

“Everyone was inspired, Atlas. You were the best person for this job. I’m proud to play beside you. I always have been.” The seriousness in his tone halts our descent. My eyes meet his and all I see there is admiration. It makes me choke up a little.

Before I can respond, he pats me on the back. “Now, let’s go kick some ass so we can party hard tonight.” I shake my head at him as he laughs completely unphased.

We make our way into the arena, and the fire settles under my skin.

I want to put everything I have on the ice this season. Blood, sweat, and tears. It’s time to properly prove myself, prove that our last captain made the right choice, and lead my team as far into the season as I possibly can.

“That’s what I’m talking about! Fuck yeah!” Kendall’s yells pierce through the team’s rowdy, joyful cheers echoing through the locker room. I haven’t been able to stop grinning since the final play. It was a stunning display of teamwork, one that I am very proud to have been a part of.

Uriah flashes one of his rare smiles. It’s small and more of a smirk than anything, but it’s good to see. He claps me on the back, thanking me for the many assists out there. I wave the statement off before wrapping my arm around his neck.

“Party at Alpha Xi!” Dax—one of the team’s enforcers and our frat brother—yells across the room. Coach Zane normally lectures us about boasting, but right now he’s smiling. Shaking his head, yes, but still smiling. He congratulates us, and tells us to hit the showers.

Although I would normally prefer to crawl into my bed with a good book and relax, the idea of celebrating with my teammates sounds perfect right now.

As everyone heads to the showers, I stay back and continue to take off my chest protector.

I look over, noticing the only other person still here is Derek Kirkpatrick.

He’s also in Alpha Xi, but we’ve never been close.

“Sam might have an aneurysm, but I’m sure he’ll join us in no time,” I state, bringing up our Fraternity president. He’s a fantastic dude. And—unlike other frat presidents—he’s in his position to spread some goodwill, not to obtain popularity.

Derek scoffs. “For all we know, his prudish ass will still be at the library.” His words sound innocent enough, but the bite in his tone makes me pause. He continues undressing, ignoring my obvious disdain.

Derek is normally a stand-up guy. There’s only been a few moments here and there where he’s shown some not-so redeemable qualities.

Recently, I’ve noticed he’ll take any opportunity to put down Sam.

Not only is it rude in general, but it’s a great show of disrespect towards our presidential Alpha.

Sam may be academically inclined, but he earned his spot fair and square.

The frats here don’t have a voting system.

He got the spot by pure dominance alone.

Sam is only a sophomore, which makes him the youngest fraternity president at Bensen University ever . That’s no small feat. Maybe that’s why Derek takes jabs at him whenever he can, because he’s embarrassed that someone like Sam could be considered a “better” alpha than him.

That thought alone makes me want to roll my eyes.

“He has just as much fun as the rest of us,” I respond, trying to stay cordial. I don’t want to be at odds with one of my teammates, especially not after our shutout of a win.

“Yeah, sure.” He closes his locker and doesn’t meet my eyes as he walks toward the exit.

“Are you not showering?” I ask. I understand waiting to be home, but Alpha Xi is about to be full of guests.

He turns back to me with his bag on his shoulder. “Nah, I’ll take one at my girl’s place. She’s probably waiting for me.”

“Ah, okay. Will I see you guys at the party?” I thought he would be there because of what he just said about Sam.

“My girlfriend’s not really into parties,” he says flatly. “But I’ll be by later.” He salutes me and heads off again.

I turn back to my locker as he exits, the door swinging shut behind him. I go to tug my undershirt off before I’m halted by a sudden smell.

What the hell is that?

It’s the most beautiful smell I’ve ever encountered.

It flows over the space so quickly, I’m stunned.

My eyes close as I breathe it in. It’s only a sliver, the tiniest indulgence granted to me, but it’s glorious.

Lavender and vanilla all tangled together in an alluring aroma.

It crawls inside me and curls up, making itself at home in the deepest part of my chest.

I turn towards the door slowly, trying to calm the alpha within me. He’s yelling at me to go , to find the source, but my feet are frozen.

My alpha finally wins our little tug-o-war as I dart towards the exit. The scent hits me in the face, its decadence much stronger in the white halls. I look each way to find the walkways completely empty.

The longer I stand there, the more the scent dissipates. My alpha stirs, making his disappointment apparent.

I give a heavy sigh . I know. Me too, buddy.