Page 101 of Puck My Life

For a moment, I weigh everything, letting the words my heart is screaming into my mind last a lifetime, and then I release them into the world.

“I don’t want her to have that with someone else.”

“Yes, so?”

“We need to step up and give her the life she deserves.” I look at Mal, fear in every part of me. I can’t lose her or them. “I’m not sure I can be what she needs.”

“You’re not going to know unless you try.”

Mal sits beside me, reaches out, and places a hand on my thigh. “If there was only one truth in my life, it’s that the four of us belong together. We are a pack.”

I close my eyes. “We are.”

“And she is willing to forgive us, and we can be better and learn. All she wants is for us to try.”

“All right.” I make a decision and stand up. “Then I need to go see the coach.”

Mal and I get dressed, then go to the office and wait until he shouts for us to come in.

He narrows his eyes and leans back in his chair. “What can I do for the two of you?”

It’s hard to start, but I open my mouth and force the words out. “I need to tell you I’m sorry, Coach. I am very sorry.”

The coach freezes, his lips parting.

“I have behaved in an appalling way, and while I didn’t think I was hurting anyone else, I now understand that my carefree need to enjoy life has been at the expense of my family, pack, team, and the Scorpions. And especially you, Coach. You could have given up on us. You could have fired us and replaced us, but you-”

“I see something great in you, Katz, and you as well, Evans. I believe in both of you. But this really is the last chance. No more being late to games or practice. No more slacking off. And no more parties, girlfriends, and drama.”

“Coach, to be honest, I don’t need another. I understand what I need to do, and I’m going to get it done.”

Mal leans against me. “What he said.”

“And what’s this all to do with?” Marilyn asks. “What caused this change of heart?”

Mal looks at her and smiles. “Vae.”

“Vae?” Marilyn looks surprised, but I get the distinct feeling she isn’t and is just hiding her smug satisfaction. “I thought you were dating Indy.”

“We were, but Vae is…” I search for the word. “Ours.”

Marilyn’s lips curl up in a satisfied smile. “Is she now?”

“She is,” I say confidently, but the confidence falters. “But she’s going into her heat soon, and we won’t be here for a few days.”

The coach and Marilyn exchange a meaningful look.

He waves his hand at us. “By all means, go and take care of your omega.”

Coach leans back and chuckles as we pass Marilyn and head for the carpark.

“Is there anything else we need to do?” Mal asks.

I glance at him sharply. “No, why?”

He looks at his phone. “It would appear Vae is close. Really close.”

I stop walking, trying to control my instinctive reaction to rush to her, to panic and mess everything up. “Let’s go to the shop and make sure we have food, supplies, so we don’t have to go anywhere. Raynor is with her?”