Page 17

Roman

My eyes adjust slowly to the darkness in Dakota’s room, Holt sprawled on the other bed, one arm flung over his face, snoring softly. Brogan and Maya are gone, their absence hitting me all of a sudden. I grab my phone from the nightstand, the screen’s glare making me squint, and a loud groan rumbles from Dakota behind me. Before I can move, his arm snakes around my waist, yanking me back against his chest. “Stay,” he mumbles, voice thick with sleep.

I huff, flipping around so my back’s pressed to his chest, his heartbeat steady against my spine. “Easy, grump,” I mutter, smirking even though he can’t see it. I check the time—barely 9 p.m.—and spot a text from Brogan.

In the gym with Maya.

My stomach growls, loud enough to make Dakota shift, and I grin, scrolling through delivery options. I’m hungry as shit and since Holt’s passed out, that means I’m on food duty. I find a sandwich shop still open, punching in orders—Italian for me and Holt, meatball for Dakota, grilled cheese for Maya and Brogan. I have no idea what he eats but something tells me that he’ll eat anything she does.

I pay, yawning, and almost drift back asleep when my phone buzzes again, a picture popping up of my brother Gray. I frown, then chuckle, recognizing the sender—Violet, Gray’s Beta, not Gray himself. It’s my nephews, cheesing in front of her, their gap-toothed grins bright under messy curls. Gray’s behind them, his arm around Violet, looking tired but happy.

I remember meeting them four years ago—Gray’s Beta and his Omega both pregnant, a whirlwind of pack life I didn’t understand then. Those kids are adorable menaces now, ones I don’t see nearly enough, mostly because their pack’s always on the move, chasing art shows or whatever else keeps them roaming.

The pang deepens, a mix of sadness and want, because I don’t have that yet—no pack, no kids, no anchor like Gray’s got. I text back.

Good thing they don’t look like you.

Gray fires back almost instantly.

Har har. How’s hockey going? This your last year, right?

I shift against Dakota, his arm tightening like he senses my mood.

Got one more year, then yeah.

You looking to the pros or what? How does all that work?

I hesitate, staring at the screen. “Not really, to be honest,” I mutter to myself, then type it out.

Maybe coaching or something.

Roman, we’re not super close, but I’ve seen you play. For you to give it all up…

Not giving it up. Just priorities have changed.

I can almost hear his raised eyebrow through the next text:

It’s a girl, isn’t it? Or a boy? Both? Did my little brother find a pack?

My chest tightens as I glance back at Dakota, his breath warm against my neck, then think of Maya, the way she’s burrowed into us all without trying. Brogan’s with her now, probably coaxing that spark back. I want to tell Gray everything—about her, about us—but it feels like spilling that over text isn’t the right timing. I settle for:

Something like that. I’ll call later, we’ll catch up.

Make sure you do. Wanna know who’s got my brother’s heart.

I set the phone down and expertly untangle myself from Dakota’s grip, my Omega grumbling in his sleep. My body’s stiff, muscles aching from whatever position I fell asleep in, and I frown, stretching as I shuffle to the bathroom. I’m still half-asleep as I use the bathroom, wash my hands, the cold water jolting me awake, and I’m about to head back when something stops me. I blink, rewinding— wait, did I just see that?

I glance down, pulling out my cock from my boxers, and stare at the base. It’s thicker than it should be, almost swollen. The tip’s fine, but when I brush my fingers over the base, I hiss, the sensitivity sharp enough to make my knees buckle. “Fucking hell,” I mutter, laughing despite myself, because of course there’d be something wrong with my goddamn cock right when Dakota’s become an Omega, all needy and purring, and Maya’s back, her vanilla scent driving me up the wall. “Just my luck,” I say to the empty bathroom, sputtering another laugh, but it’s edged with worry.

Blowing out a deep breath, I stuff myself back into my boxers, wincing as the fabric rubs against it. Holt’s sitting up when I step back into the room. “Where’s Maya? She wasn’t here when I got in but I assumed she’d be with Brogan.”

“He’s still got her,” I say as I slip on a pair of sweatpants and a shirt before grabbing my phone. “I’m gonna pick up the food. I’ll let him know it’s here.” My hand drifts down, rubbing at my cock through my pants as I step outside, trying to ease the ache. I’ve been hard on and off all day—Dakota’s scent does that to me, especially now—but this is different. It’s painful, like a wisdom tooth coming in at twenty, but worse, way worse , a deep throb that’s got me hissing as I move.

I try to ignore it, waving down the delivery driver in the parking lot, the smell of fresh deli meat and cheese making my stomach growl despite the discomfort. However, every step of the way back is like torture, the pressure building at the base of my cock. I’m all but panting when I reach the dorm room, shooting Brogan a quick text.

Food’s here.

Maya’s passed out. We’ll be there when she gets up.

Every move has me clenching my jaw as I set the bags on the floor, Dakota all but crawling over to find a spot next to another pillow. Holt joins us and I’m about to sit down when the pain worsens. I’m half-convinced my dick’s about to fall off.

“Forgot something at the rink,” I mumble, shoving toward the door, wincing as the movement sends another jolt through me. “Be back soon.” Holt’s look lingers, suspicious, but he doesn’t call me out.

Back outside, I relish the cool air of the evening but it does nothing for the fire in my groin. I’m too embarrassed to tell them what’s going on, because who the fuck wants to admit their cock’s swelling like some horror show? I jump into my car, jaw clenched, and peel out toward the hospital, one hand gripping the wheel, the other reaching down to adjust myself. The base is thicker now, way thicker, a hard, sensitive ring that’s got my heart racing with panic. My cock’s still swelling and every bump in the road makes me hiss, pain spiking through me.

I skid into a hospital parking space, nearly clipping a curb, and rush inside, trying not to bend over like some guy who took a puck to the nuts. I mumble through an explanation, a nurse leading me over to a small cot and pulling the curtain around us for privacy. She lets me know that she’s already paged a doctor and that just to sit tight as I’m bending over, holding my junk in my hands.

“God, this is fucking humiliating,” I push out, trying to breathe through the pain. A sudden urge to come slips through the torture before being overshadowed again, the confusion giving me a second of relief before the pain comes barreling back at me.

I don’t have to wait long, a Beta stepping in through the curtains and making sure it’s fully pulled shut behind. He’s wildly handsome—model material, all sharp jaw and warm brown eyes, a comfortable smile playing on his lips. “I’m Dr. Windham but you can just call me Lincoln. Jules wasn’t really clear on...”

I huff out a laugh, wincing as I shift. “My dick’s on fire,” I blurt, no point sugarcoating it. “It’s swelling.”

Lincoln nods, unfazed, like I didn’t just announce my cock’s staging a mutiny. “I have an idea of what’s going on,” he says, pulling on gloves.

I raise a brow, skeptical. “How? You haven’t even seen it!”

“I’ve been at this a long time,” he says, “but I do need to check and take a blood test. Got a name we can work with?” I mumble ‘Roman’ and he nods again, plopping onto the stool with a grace that doesn’t seem possible before scooting a little closer. “This is going to be uncomfortable but can you drop your pants for me? I need to see what’s going on.” His nostrils flare and I can’t imagine why unless he’s scenting Dakota which does something to me.

A snarl plays on my lips at the thought of Lincoln taking my Omega before I swallow that reaction and do as he asks, shoving my pants and boxers down, the cool air hitting my skin. Lincoln leans in, takes a cursory look, and then gestures for me to get dressed again. “When did this start?”

I rub my neck, trying to think past the pain. “Few days ago, I guess? Thought I was just… I don’t know, growing into my dick or some shit. But it didn’t—fuck, this hurts like a bitch.” I laugh because what else can I do? “I just need to know if it’s going to fall off.”

“I need to do a quick blood test, but it looks like you’re growing a knot.”

I blink at him, brain stalling. “What did you just say to me?”

“It’s not common to present this late,” he says, pulling off the gloves, “but it’s not as rare as people think. A few of us have dormant genes that don’t manifest until we’re in the presence of our mates. Betas don’t always stay Betas.” He shrugs, like he didn’t just upend my entire world, and turns to a drawer, pulling out a syringe before unearthing a small vial from his lab coat.

“So you’re saying I’m… what, turning into an Alpha?”

“Likely. A blood test will confirm that. I’m gonna give you a painkiller to take the edge off, but your, uh, equipment’s gonna be sensitive for a while.”

I swallow, my mind racing to Dakota, Maya, the pack, and blurt, “Can I still have sex?” Because that’s definitely the most important thing right now.

“Everything’ll work, but you might not last long, and your knot may not swell fully the first few times.” He injects the painkiller into my arm, and I hiss, then relax as warmth spreads, dulling the fire to a manageable throb.

“Damn,” I mutter, “that’s some good stuff.”

“I’m guessing some things have changed recently in your relationship? Your pack?”

I laugh, leaning back on the bed, the painkiller loosening my tongue. “Yeah, my Beta mate showed up, and my other Beta presented as an Omega. Shit’s been wild.”

Lincoln’s eyebrows shoot up, but he recovers, nodding. “Well, that’d do it,” he says. “Sounds like the changes around you threw your system into overdrive. Explains why you’re presenting now. Your scent seems to be shifting, becoming more dominant. There’s nothing extra you need to do, but your pheromones will be chaotic until you fully present. Emotions might fluctuate, too.”

I don’t like the sound of that at all. “What do you mean?”

“As a Beta we deal with less instinctual responses. Alphas are more reactive, protective. You might act before you realize it, especially around your mates.”

I snort, shaking my head. “Great news for a hockey player,” I say, half-joking, but my mind’s on Maya and Dakota. If I’m an Alpha, what does that mean for us? Hell, how is Holt going to take this?

Lincoln chuckles, oblivious to my spiral. “Nature’s got a funny way of telling us she’s in charge,” he says, preparing another syringe. I don’t even notice him sticking it in my arm and pulling a vial of blood. Guess whatever painkiller he gave me truly is the good stuff. He packages it all up, discarding the syringes and then grabs a clipboard, making a few notes before he speaks again. “Take a few minutes to let the painkiller settle. I’ll check what we’ve got in stock to help you through this—some supplements, maybe a cream for sensitivity. I’ll grab pamphlets, too, to explain what’s changing. The blood test will take a day or two which will help confirm things.” He slips out, leaving me alone with my thoughts, the curtain swaying slightly.

I lean back, staring at the ceiling, the painkiller dulling the ache but not the panic. Alpha. I’ve been a Beta my whole life—cocky, sure, but steady, not some instinct-driven knothead. I think of Gray’s text, his question about a pack, and my chest tightens, because yeah, I’ve got one—Dakota, Maya, Holt, maybe even Brogan—but this changes things.

What if I fuck this up? What if I’m too reactive, too much, and scare Maya off when she’s already running from Nox?

I sit with those thoughts for a while until I’m steady enough to stand, Lincoln handing me a multitude of reading materials, cream, medication, and his number if I need to talk. The only thing I want to do is curl up in my bed and block out the world. When it was just the idea of Dakota changing, I could handle it, but me too? I’m not sure this is going to go very well.

I’m barely up the steps of Frosbite Hall when I catch Holt glaring at me from the entrance of Dakota’s room. “Want to tell me what’s going on? Because I’ve been sitting here, wondering what you could possibly need from the rink. Then I checked—you weren’t there. And for the second time today, I felt this terror in my chest, like I was gonna lose one of you. So, please , explain, because I can see it in your eyes that something is wrong.”

I want to tell him about the knot, the doctor, the whole Alpha thing, but shame chokes me. What if he thinks I’m broken? What if I am ? What if Holt doesn’t want another Alpha in the pack? Holt steps closer, his mahogany scent wrapping around me as his tone softens. “Babe, talk to me. What’s going on?”

A rough, shaky exhale falls from me as I meet his gaze. “Remember how I said we’re basically our own little fucked-up pack?” I start. “I thought my dick was gonna fall off.”

Holt’s brows shoot up, confusion flickering in his expression. “What does that have to do with anything?” he asks, stepping closer, worry creasing his face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not a Beta.”

“Excuse me?”

I groan, pacing a step, the ache in my cock flaring as I move. “Thought it was a fucking joke,” I mutter, “but the doctor said blood tests’ll confirm in two days if I’m an Alpha or not.”

Holt’s brows raise higher as he lets out a low whistle, a grin tugging at his lips. “Yeah, we are a little fucked-up pack. Jesus Christ.”

I huff, feeling wildly out of place, like I don’t fit in my own skin anymore. “Apparently, I’ve been growing a knot, but it really hit today, and I just…” I groan again. “Doctor gave me pamphlets, painkillers. I was fine being a Beta, Holt. This…”

He steps forward, clapping a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, we’re figuring it out with Dakota, so we’ll do the same with you. How’s your dick feel?”

I snort, caught off guard, and glance down, shifting uncomfortably. “Sensitive as fuck,” I admit, “and I’m hard. It’s… uncomfortable.”

Holt’s grin widens, a mischievous edge to it as he nods toward the door. “I think we can do something about that,” he says, pushing it open. “Hey, Kota Bug, Roman’s got a knot for you to play with since you’re done eating.”

My eyes widen, heat rushing to my face, because fuck, he just said that, like it’s no big deal. Dakota’s on the bed, re-propping pillows, little grunts and purrs spilling from him, his brown eyes hazy with that Omega fog. He looks up, catching sight of me, and grins—an animalistic, hungry smile that sends a jolt straight to my already aching cock.

Holt laughs, leaning against the wall, his scent spiking with amusement. “Damn, that’s cute,” he says, and I shoot him a glare, ready to snap that it’s not cute, but Dakota’s already moving, stalking across the room like a predator. He drops to his knees in front of me, hands tugging my pants down before I can blink, and I hiss as the fabric drags over my swollen base. His purr rumbles louder, vibrating through me, and then he’s on me, swallowing me whole.

“Jesus Christ,” I choke out, my hands flying to his hair, gripping tight as pleasure crashes over me. The sensitivity’s insane, every lick, every pull sending sparks up my spine, and I’m already shaking, barely holding on. Holt’s still there, watching with that grin, and I want to be pissed at his teasing, but Dakota’s mouth is relentless, his purr humming against me, and I can’t think straight.

It’s sweet, how easy this is—Dakota taking me as I am, knot and all, no questions, just need. I groan, head tipping back as Dakota’s hands grip my thighs, steadying me as he works, his tongue curling just right. The pain’s gone, drowned in heat, and I feel it—that knot swelling, tentative but there, a new weight that’s both foreign and right. I’m not ready for this, not for Alpha instincts or blood tests or any of it, but here with them, I think maybe I can be.

“Kota,” I gasp in a warning, but he just hums, taking me deeper. Then I’m gone, coming hard, stars bursting behind my eyes. He stays with me, purring through it, and when I finally catch my breath, he pulls back, grinning up at me, lips slick with my release.

The haze seems to have dimmed a little bit, Dakota standing up to his full height, murmuring words before he claims me in a kiss. “I think I like the knot.”

I just hope I enjoy it as much as he does.