Finding the Forward, Part One (HockeyVerse)

Chapter Thirteen

Dean

M y hand danced across the page as the lines slowly came together, creating an image. My bedroom had gigantic corner windows looking out over the city, which made for brilliant light in the daytime. Tonight, I had on my drawing lamp as I sketched at my art table.

The room was a mix of warm browns, reds, and oranges, with an enormous bed and a plethora of throw pillows. A cozy chair sat in the corner by a big cabinet with all my supplies. Net curtains and lights sectioned off my loft nest above my closet.

Hmmm. I paused, looking at my sketch. What did it need?

“It’s late. We have to be at the rink in the morning, Love.” Jonas leaned in the doorway, only in boxers, hair wet.

“I’m trying to wait up for Grif so I can hear about his date. ” Ugh, I couldn’t believe he’d kept her all to himself tonight. I’d been tempted to look up his location and join them.

Instead, I’d pumped the rest of the Knights for info on her in the group chat. It blew up after Carlos posted a picture of her and Grif in the ice bath together. Apparently, she’d been around since the end of August. Some players knew her from all the time she spent at the training center with her little sister.

How had we missed her?

“My door’s open if you want me.” Jonas came over and gave me a goodnight kiss. His mossy scent surrounded me. He eyed the sketch of them in the ice bath. “That is incredible. But I think they were wearing clothes in the pictures.”

“It’s more fun to draw them naked,” I laughed. Everything was better without clothes. “Good night, Babes.”

He gave me another kiss and left. I continued sketching until another familiar scent tickled my nose.

“You’re up, Jellybean? It’s so late.” A sleepy but happy Grif came into my room and kissed me.

“Did you have fun, Gumdrop?” I cupped his bearded face with my hand. He smelled of driftwood and pizza. Yum.

“So much fun. We had coffee. I took her to that little Thai place AJ likes. Then we went to her apartment, and I ate her out on the counter. We fucked. When her sister came home, we ordered pizza.” His eyes gleamed with happiness.

“Oooh, do tell?” I wanted to hear all about it. Now I also craved a warm and gooey slice of cheesy pizza.

“It had the cheesy crust. Wow, that’s amazing. I should hang that in my locker.” His eyes fell on the picture. “Though we were wearing clothes. Shower with me, and I’ll go into more detail?”

I’d already showered, but why not? “Sounds great.”

Yes, tell me all the details.

His step held a lightness as he led me out of my room and into his. Grif’s room had a window seat. A swing hung in the corner next to his bookshelves. Everything was done in dark green and navy, the cover on his bed plaid.

“How did you have her?” I peeled off his sweatshirt and shirt. Mmmm, it smelled like her. I’d have to steal it.

“Against the wall. She likes it when I’m in charge.” His eyes gleamed as he turned the water on, the shower filling with the double spray.

Even when we were kids, Grif liked to be in charge. He was the leader, the peacekeeper, the problem solver, and had been team captain our last year at BosTec.

“Show me,” I breathed as we got in under the spray of the double shower heads.

He pushed me against the shower wall. His hand curled around my throat with the perfect amount of pressure. Grif’s mouth conquered mine as his large body pinned me to the tile.

Fuck, that’s hot. My ass clenched, and I slicked a little, my omega perfume filling the small space.

“She’s absolutely willing to share you.” He lubed up his fingers with the bottle we kept in the shower and started working my ass.

Sure, as an omega, I was self-lubricating, but a little extra never hurt. A needy whine leaked from my throat at his ministrations. Yes, please.

“She’s never been with two people at once. Also, get this...” He nuzzled my neck near the silvery bite mark from when Jonas had claimed me.

“What?” My eyes closed as he slipped another finger inside me.

“She has a thing for big omegas,” he whispered. “Kitten’s not a beta. She’s an alpha. She was hiding her designation on the plane.”

“Alpha? She’s an alpha? Oh, fuuuuccccck.” While I loved Jonas and Grif, I’d never been with a lady alpha...

Grif described their date as he teased and taunted me with his lips and hands.

“Please, Grif, take me,” I begged, at the brink. “Fuck me against the wall like you did her.”

“I’d love that.” He lubed up his cock, which was longer than mine and not quite as thick. His hand curled against my throat again.

Lining himself up, he thrust into my slick and waiting hole. Pleasure shuddered through my body as pre-cum and slick beaded on my erect cock.

“Take me like a good boy,” he growled.

My ass thumped against the shower wall as the warm water sprayed down on us. Grif sucked on my neck. My hand wrapped around my cock as he brought us closer and closer to our release.

“Grif,” I cried as his warm cum spurted into my ass. I gave myself a few more hard jerks and came all over us.

He dragged me closer to him so I got more water.

I rested my head on his muscular chest, satisfied and happy. “It sounds like you had a great night.”

“Oh, it was. You know what else? She locked me. Saw fucking stars.” He leaned in and kissed me.

“Fuck. I want to hear what that felt like.” I went semi-hard again.

He grabbed his de-scenting shampoo. “Let’s wash up and get into bed and I’ll tell you all about it.”

The next day, I was in the small workout room, getting in some time on the bike. I’d head to lunch soon, but for now, it was nice to have a moment of quiet.

“Dean?” Driftwood hit me before she spoke from the doorway, cascading over me like high tide in a storm. A trendy backpack was over her shoulders, a tote in her hand, as she leaned on a pink crutch.

“You must be Verity.” I flashed her a charming smile. At least now I knew what had been taunting me all over the arena. Hints of her.

Had I ever thought I needed a lady alpha in my life? No.

Did I want her with every fiber of my being now that I’d gotten a sniff? Yes. Yes, I did.

Verity was tall and striking, like most alpha females. Though I might not immediately think alpha. Her dark hair hung in soft waves, and her pastel outfit was stylish, except for her athletic shoes.

It did nothing to lessen her allure. If anything, I liked it even more.

I did think model. Yes, I wanted to see those perky boobies in more bikinis.

“You can come in. It’s okay,” I told her, not stopping peddling. Almost there.

“I feel positively dreadful about invading your space. I wanted to offer my apologies.” She came all the way in, looking like someone would shout at her to leave at any moment.

Oh. It was her using the room. Everything made so much sense now.

“I made you these. When Rusty said I could use this room, I didn’t realize it was the no-alpha room. I meant no disrespect.” Verity hung the tote from the handlebars of the bike next to me.

“It was a mistake, I understand. You made me something?” I smiled at her as I kept going, the timer taunting me.

When did she have time to make these? Grif had come in pretty late.

She nodded shyly. “I know you’re probably on a special diet, so I modified one of the snacks I make for the Maimers to be omega-friendly. If you don’t like it, it’s fine. Maybe next time I’ll make the power muffins my dad likes.”

“I hope you cleaned the counters first,” I joked.

Her scent took on the bitter undertones of embarrassment. I regretted my words immediately.

“He’s my husband. I had questions, he had answers.” Note to self–don’t tease the little alpha.

Dabbing my face with a towel, I gave her a look. “Did you say you make snacks for the Maimers?”

She shrugged. “I’m Team Mom. I help with the snacks.”

“You do know that they’re hazing you, right?” I didn’t want her to be taken advantage of for one of their pranks. She seemed so kind.

“Oh, I know.” Verity grinned.

It was such a pleasant smile. One that should be selling toothpaste or lipstick. She had a cute little southern drawl, too.

“Well, I’m looking forward to trying your... snacks.” I winked. That was probably how she showed her love.

Also, alphas had a thing for feeding their omega and providing. The way to my cock was through my stomach.

And if she baked bread? I was screwed.

“I... I’m not going to steal him from you. I’m not here to disrupt your pack.” Her look was earnest as I caught the acrid tang of nerves.

There was a story here.

“I know, Little Alpha. I’m happy to share. Please, make him happy in a way only you can.” It surprised me that he was still moving forward even though she was an alpha. He always said he wasn’t interested, well, other than whatever was going on between him and AJ. Because he fought the omega part of him, hard .

Certainly, I wouldn’t mind having this pretty little alpha around.

I didn’t know what Jonas and AJ would think of that. Of her. Alphas could get territorial.

“I have your sweatshirt. I washed it. Grif said I could keep it, but I wanted to check with you first. I never meant to walk off with it,” she added.

“It’s fine. Please, keep it.” Last night in bed, Grif told me how worn it was. How her little sister said Verity had slept with it throughout her entire time in the hospital and rehab facility. The omega part of me liked that something of mine helped our little alpha get through something so big.

Rehab. I eyed her crutch and the way she moved. The stroke had hurt her. That’s why she used this room. Injured alphas were the worst. Never wanting to get treatment in front of other alphas for fear of being seen as weak.

She bit her pink, glossy lip. “Would you like me to replace it?”

“Are you courting me? Making me food, buying me clothes?” My look went coy as the tease slipped out.

The smell of burnt wood filled the room. Fear. Shit. I wasn’t supposed to tease the little alpha.

“No, Dean. Of course not.” Her eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously. “Not that you’re not an omega worth courting. I’d never do such a thing without having an honest conversation with everyone involved. The last thing I want is for anyone to think I’m an omega-stealer. I’m not that kind of alpha. It’s bad enough that I’m after your husband. However, I assure you that my intentions are honorable.” The words came out quickly, her knuckles white.

They also attacked me viscerally, with such ferocity that I stumbled on the pedals of the bike. My omega didn’t like her being so swift to tell me that she wasn’t courting me. Even with her adding that I was worth it. The omega also didn’t like the fear, the quickness in her words to assure me that she wasn’t being improper.

That was the sound of someone who’d been hurt.

Someone had hurt my little alpha. This was such a stark contrast to what Grif had told me about her last night. Which meant that she was comfortable with him, but not us.

Oh, I didn’t like that one bit.

“I was teasing. Apologies.” I slowed my pace on the bike but didn’t stop. If I did, I’d hop off and comfort her.

Not only would that be most improper to just hug some alpha I’d barely met, I didn’t want to frighten her further.

Jonas leaned in the doorway, having heard the whole courting exchange. Didn’t she smell him? She did seem quite flustered.

While I’d enjoy flustering her, I had to be careful. Still, did she not have siblings who teased the daylights out of her growing up? I hadn’t. But Grif’s siblings had made up for it.

“No, my apologies. I was just trying to be kind.” Her blue-green eyes pleaded with me, as fear still flooded the room.

Right. She was from the south. Baked good apologies were common courtesy, not come-ons. What would I have to do to get her to bake me bread? I’d absolutely love a good loaf of sourdough bread. Or focaccia decorated with edible flowers.

“Dean, Grif will be impossible to live with if you scare her away. Little Alpha, my omega was teasing you. He knows very well what you meant. As do I.” Jonas’ arms crossed over his muscled chest in an easy gesture.

“Oh.” She jumped.

More little wisps of fear danced in the air as she carefully turned so she faced both of us.

“Alpha Jonas. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Verity Thorne. I hope you don’t think I’m presumptuous in speaking with Dean first. You were next.” She inclined her head and flashed a pleasant smile.

Alpha Jonas? If I wasn’t afraid of offending her, I’d snicker.

“We’re all adults here. Dean can speak with who he likes. I appreciate your courtesy.” Jonas looked her up and down, appraising her.

He wore long mesh shorts and a ribbed tank top, showing off his tattoos and muscles. The arm sleeve was his favorite story that his dad always told him and his sister. Jonas also had two cranes on his chest and several other smaller ones, including our pack tattoo on his bicep. I’d helped design the sleeve and the one on his leg, which he’d gotten after we mated.

“While I’d like to see Grif, I’ll respect all your pack rules and boundaries. I have no desire to disrupt and make no assumptions.” She bit that plump pink lip again.

What did her lips taste like? From here, I had a good view of her ass. What sound would she make if I bit it?

I knew what sound I’d make if she sank her teeth into me.

“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you as well. Grif’s been looking for you for a while. I’m glad he found you.” Jonas gave me a sharp look, getting my lust for her through our mate bond.

“Yes, well, I’m not the easiest to find. The treats were simply an apology.” While she didn’t bare her neck in submission, she didn’t meet his eyes in challenge, either.

“Please make us treats. I like bread.” While I loved to cook, I was shit at making bread.

“Grif likes chocolate cupcakes.” Jonas smirked.

She smiled shyly. “He may have told me that. I... I have to get to class, but it was very nice meeting you both. I can’t wait to see you play–and meet the other member of your pack.”

With a wave, she made her way to the door. Jonas blocked her with his body. With a smirk, he slid over so she could pass.

She ducked her head. “Alpha Jonas.”

Verity strode off down the hall, her crutch making a soft thumping noise with each step.

“Alpha Jonas,” I cackled, wiping my face with my towel.

“Southern alphas are built differently.” He leaned against the doorway again. Jonas had played for the Carolina Lightning Bugs for a bit before coming to the Knights, though he’d started off in Toronto.

“Are those the ones who are masters at backhanded compliments?” I asked.

“That would be southern omegas.” He gave a little shudder.

“I like her.” I grabbed the spray bottle and wiped off my equipment.

“She’s not just a power-up, is she?” Jonas looked back out at the hallway.

I got the tote and put it over my shoulder. “Nope. Not one bit. They’re both drawn to each other like little magnets.”

Yeah, she wasn’t a quick fuck to make Grif play better. Earlier, I’d seen her in the stands watching the Maimers’ practice when I’d been with the goalies. He came and sat next to her, handing her a cup of something. Her face had lit up, and she’d scooted closer to him.

Sure, that was my husband. But I also liked a happy husband, and I felt zero jealousy. Not to mention, Grif had been denying that part of himself for so long. Maybe she’d help him come to terms with it, ease into his omega-ness, before it blew up in our faces.

After all, those heavy-duty blockers only worked for so long.

“She’s an alpha. Didn’t expect that.” Jonas grimaced as we walked down the empty hall.

“A wounded little alpha.” Exactly what a wounded giant omega like Grif needed.

“We should invite her over, get to know her. She absolutely needs to meet AJ.” Jonas said this with finality.

Good. He got it. After hearing about their night, I knew she wasn’t going anywhere.

“Please be careful with her until she gets used to us? I don’t want to scare her away. We also need to be sure she fits,” he added, taking the bag from me and putting it over his shoulder.

Oh, she fit. In his bed. Last night, Grif was so happy. There was a lightness I hadn’t seen since our honeymoon.

Yes, I liked this little alpha quite a bit. Sure, she might wake up Grif’s omega. But I didn’t think it would have the impact everyone else did. My career was fine after I was outed. His would be too.

No, she was exactly what we needed.