The Mate He Can't Claim

Gathering Wolves

The days leading up to the championship tournament blended together in a -stop cycle of hard work and intense emotions. Lyra pushed through every drill still feeling the effects of her recent challenge fight and Kaels constant claims on her. The connection between them had grown stronger pulsing with energy every time they touched or looked at each other.

This mornings practice was brutal. Coach Harlan had the team running simulations against a mixed group of players from the academy and visiting scouts. Lyra and Kael were on the line again and their teamwork was unstoppable. Every pass they made connected and every check they delivered sent their opponents flying.

During one breakaway Lyra stole the puck from a Riverrun scout. Dodged two defenders before scoring a goal that hit the back of the net with a loud clang. Kael reached her first slamming into her in celebration. Their helmets clicked together. Through their bond Lyra felt his desire. Hot and immediate.

"You keep playing like that. Every team here will want you " he said, his voice low and rough just for her. ". They can't have you. You're already mine."

These words sent a thrill through Lyra. She pressed closer letting her thigh brush against the growing hardness in his pants. "Then prove it later " she whispered back "I need you inside me again."

His eyes flashed golden. He said, "Tonight. My room."

Selene watched from the bench her arm still bandaged from their fight. Her hatred for Lyra hadn't faded; if anything it had grown stronger and colder. She skated onto the ice during the shift and delivered a late hit on Lyra sending her crashing into the boards.

"Accident " Selene called out with a smile.

Lyra rose slowly power rippling under her skin. Their bond gave her Kaels strength. She channeled it into a powerful shove that knocked Selene off balance. "Keep testing me " Lyra warned, her voice carrying alpha weight " time I won't stop at yielding."

Coach Harlan blew the whistle hard. "Save it for the tournament. Riverrun arrives in force tomorrow. They want blood. They want Lyra. Play smart. We lose before the first puck drops."

After practice Kael found Lyra in the locker room. He locked the door pulled her into the showers and stripped her under the spray without a word. Water cascaded over their bodies as he dropped to his knees and devoured her. His tongue plunged deep licking every drop of her arousal while two fingers pumped inside her. Lyra gripped his hair moaning loudly as the orgasm ripped through her fast and sharp.

He stood, spinning her around and bending her forward against the tiled wall. In one thrust he buried himself inside her from behind. The angle was deep and perfect. He f****d her hard and fast one hand covering her mouth to muffle her cries while the other rubbed her c**t in circles.

"Come for me mate " he growled, biting her claiming mark. "Let me feel you fall apart on my cock."

Lyra shattered again clenching around him tightly that Kael followed with a deep groan. His knot swelled, locking them together as he filled her with pulse after pulse of heat. They stayed joined under the water breathing hard until the knot eased. He cleaned her afterward kissing every mark on her body with tender reverence.

"I love you " he said simply eyes meeting hers full of visible emotion. "More than the pack. More than hockey. More than anything."

"I love you too " she replied, pressing her forehead to his. "We're going to win this tournament. Then we make our rules."

The day Riverrun arrived in force. Their buses rolled onto academy grounds with windows and heavy security. The alpha heir a brutal-looking wolf named Darius led the group. His eyes found Lyra during the welcome assembly scanning her with open hunger and calculation.

"So this is the latent one " he said enough for everyone to hear. "Pretty. Powerful. She would look better wearing Riverrun colors."

Kael stepped in front of her instantly alpha power rolling off him. "Touch her. Die."

Tension crackled through the hall. Coaches intervened quickly. The challenge had been issued. That afternoon the teams shared an exhibition practice. Riverrun played dirty targeting Lyra every chance they got. One enforcer slashed her across the back of the legs when the refs turned away. Pain flared,. She channeled it into a vicious check that sent the offender flying.

Kael was a storm on the ice. He dropped gloves twice defending Lyra. Scored three goals with brutal precision. Their bond kept them connected when separated by play allowing perfect coordination. By the end of the session Frostfang held an edge but bruises and threats lingered.

In the locker room Kael cornered Lyra again. His hands were gentle as he checked her injuries but his eyes burned with fury. "I hate seeing them touch you " he admitted, voice tight. "Every hit feels like it lands on me through the bond."

"Then use that fire " she said, pulling him close. "Channel it tonight. I want you rough. I want you to remind me who I belong to."

His control snapped. He took her there against the lockers after the team had cleared out. Hard,. Possessive. He lifted her legs around his waist. Drove into her with deep punishing strokes. Lyra moaned into his neck nails digging into his shoulders as pleasure mixed with the ache of bruises. He knotted her quickly this time the pressure intense and perfect. They came together locked and trembling.

That night in his alpha suite they went slower. Kael laid Lyra out on his bed. Worshipped her body for over an hour with his mouth and hands until she was shaking and begging. Then did he enter her again, deep and steady eyes never leaving hers. Their bond glowed between them letting them share every sensation every emotion. Love, protectiveness and fierce determination flowed freely.

Elias visited briefly before curfew with warnings. "Riverrun has allies inside these walls " he said. "Be careful who you trust. Your full shift may come during the tournament. When it does don't fight it completely. Let the power guide you but stay in control."