Page 152 of Puck My Life

When I swing her up, Mal skates back and blows her a kiss, returning to his workout. Deacon goes to the captain and hugs him.

The vibe of this game is a hundred times different. The team is flowing together. They are happier.

They win.

On the way out, I find Marilyn waiting for us. She raises an eyebrow.

I shrug and put my arm around Vae.

The approval in her eyes and the way she relaxes says all I needed to hear. She glances to the side, and I see Jansen. He waves, but his arms are around another alpha, and he barely even looks at us, though he and Vae, much to Deacon’s disgust, have become best friends.

The roar and the scream of the crowd continues as everyone celebrates the win.

I’m happy for them, I really am, but this right here is what I’ve always wanted. Ever since I walked into that house and saw the tiny girl.

A pack of my own. People who won’t abandon me.

People who won’t forget me.

Someone that, when I love them, it’s enough. It’s more than enough.

I walk with her, guiding her through the crowd. In the distance, I see Deacon and Mal, both with wet hair, surrounded by fans, but when they spot us, their smiles change. They become something radiant.

I thread my fingers through Vae’s.

Are you happy?

She smiles, seeming to hear the silent question I haven’t voiced. “Yeah, I am.”

“Me, too.”

Deacon

PAST

I show Henry my secret move, helping him to perfect it. We’re on the ice for hours, but when I look up, she’s there sitting, waiting, watching.

Never rushing.

Always there.

Whenever I need to see her, to speak to her, or just feel her, Vae is there.

“She sure does love you,” Henry says.

I lift a hand and wave.

She waves back.

“Yeah, she does.”

PRESENT

The siren sounds, but I just stand there on the ice.

The crowd is roaring. The lights in the arena are flashing. I can hear the screams of my teammates.

We won?