The Mate He Can't Claim

Blood on the ice

The puck hit the ice with a crack. The game turned into a fight away. Lyra pushed hard with her skates trying to get of a player from Riverrun who was twice her size. The crowd was cheering,. Lyra could hear the sound of wolves growling, trying to show who was in charge. This was not a normal game. Every hit meant something about the pack and its leaders. Every time Lyra looked at Kael she remembered what was really at stake.

Riverrun started playing rough from the beginning. Their big players targeted Lyra from the start. One of them hit her hard from behind sending her sliding across the ice. It hurt a lot. Lyra got up fast not wanting to show she was weak.

Kael shouted from across the rink "Stay on your feet Vale!" His voice was loud and clear like a leader giving orders.

Lyra nodded, her jaw tight. Kept moving forward. She could feel the connection between her and Kael giving her strength and focus. She knew he was worried about her and that he wanted to protect her. This made her feel strong and ready to fight.

Rylan passed the puck to Lyra. She moved quickly dodging the other players. She shot the puck. It hit the post. The Riverrun goalie said something mean. Lyra just kept going.

Then things got really tough. Two Riverrun players pushed her against the wall away from the rest of the game. One of them leaned in close his breath smelling bad. "You are a latent " he growled. "We know what you are. After this game you will be ours to control."

He hit her hard in the ribs. This just made Lyra stronger. She felt a surge of power like an animal waking up inside her. Her eyes got sharper. She could see everything more clearly. She pushed back using all her strength and got free.

The crowd went wild. Lyras team, Frostfang was cheering, while the Riverrun players looked at her with hate. Kael skated over to her his eyes blazing with anger and worry.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice rough.

"It hurts " Lyra said, breathing fast. ". I am stronger now. Whatever is inside me likes to fight."

Kaels thumb touched her wrist sending sparks through her body. "Later " he promised. "When this is over I will take you somewhere private. Show you who you belong to."

Lyra felt a rush of heat. She wanted him right then. She needed his hands on her skin his body close to hers while their connection sang between them.

The game was not yet. Selene scored a goal. Then the second period started. Riverrun played dirtier trying to hurt Lyra. Kael lost control fighting one of the Riverrun players. He got a penalty. He just looked at Lyra, his emotions raw and strong.

When Kael came back on the ice the game changed. Lyra and Kael moved like one reading each others moves anticipating the players. Their connection on the ice was electric. During a power play Lyra set Kael up perfectly. He scored a goal putting Frostfang back in the lead.

As they celebrated Kaels body pressed against Lyras, his hand on her back. Then on her ass for a possessive moment. "You are amazing " he whispered in her ear. ". When we win I will show you what it means to be mine."

Lyra shivered, her body aching for him. She wanted to drag him off the ice and let him fulfill his promises.

The final period was the worst. Riverrun targeted Lyra trying to hurt her.. She was not alone. Something inside her. She felt a surge of power. She rose up her eyes glowing gold. Pushed the Riverrun players back.

The crowd gasped. People whispered about the latent alpha blood, about mates. Kael was at her side his eyes mirroring hers. "Breathe " he said softly. "Control it."

Lyra nodded, her body trembling with the force of the change. They finished the game together Frostfang winning in the end.. Lyra felt the danger, the hunger from the Riverrun players. Their alpha heir skated close his eyes on her. "This is not over " he said. "Your blood belongs to the pack. We will come for you."

In the locker room the mood was tense. Coach Harlan clapped Lyra on the back. "You awakened out there Vale. No hiding it now."

Kael waited until the room was almost empty then pulled Lyra into a storage area. He locked the door. Gently pushed her against the wall. "Let me see " he said, his hands checking her injuries with tenderness.

Lyra pulled him down into a kiss. The. Their connection combined into pure fire. She needed release needed him. Kaels fingers slipped beneath her pants finding her ready. "So wet for me " he growled, circling her c**t with strokes.

Lyra rode his hand moaning into his mouth. When she came it was with his name on her lips her body shaking against him. Kael watched, his eyes burning with hunger and love.

"We cannot do more here " he said, regret in his voice. ". Tonight after the party I will take you to the cabin. No interruptions. I will claim you properly knot you and seal this bond so everyone knows you are mine."

The promise sent heat through Lyras exhausted body. She kissed him again slower this time pouring all her emotions into it. "I am ready Kael. For all of it. For you."

They rejoined the team. The air, between them crackled with anticipation. Selene watched from the shadows her eyes narrowed with jealousy. Rylan gave Lyra a nod.