Falling For My Mate's Hockey Captain

ISABELLA My phone pinged with a text: “Izzy, I'm so sorry—but you've got to see this.” Before I could reply, a short clip followed. My fingers hovered above my phone, eyes glued on the familiar figure that moved on my screen. Loud moans and grunts filled my room. My fingers trembled around my phone. I could barely breathe. It was Jace. My boyfriend and mate. And he was— No! I tossed my phone on the couch as tears streamed down my cheeks. Jace was screwing another woman on the same bed he made love to me. And she was wearing his jersey. The same one I wore each time I visited his apartment. No. This can't be true. Jace would never cheat on me. He'd never ruin our matebond for some strange woman. Sarah texted me again. I ignored it, then shoved my phone into my pocket. The harsh truth slammed through me with a force that seized my breath. I choked on a sob, my fingers digging into my own skin. I need to see him. Grabbing my hoodie, I wore it over my head, then ran straight out of my dorm room. Presently, I was sure he'd be on the ice practicing with his friends. I didn't care about how miserable I looked or how my own tears soaked my face. The pain….it was killing me, making me dizzy, driving me insane. The dry sound of skates on ice jolted me back to reality. Jace was there, just like I thought, smiling like he didn't just drive a dagger through my heart. Pushing past the blue chairs in the arena, I ignored the cold biting by skin, and charged toward him. “Jace!” He halted, a look of surprise crossing his handsome features. “Izzy?” The only distance between us was the transparent glass wall. He placed his palm on the glass, his smile blinding. “Wasn't expecting to see you here, babe.” His smile almost made me believe he wasn't the one in that video, but as soon as I placed my phone on the glass for him to see, his smile faltered. His friends were staring at us, but I didn't care. I wanted an explanation. Something. Anything to stop me from going insane. Jace pulled his hand away, a look of disapproval flashing through his eyes. “Who sent you the video?” “Why don't you explain this to me first? Who is she?!” I snapped, tears streaming down my cheeks. “And why was she wearing your jersey? Why were you f*****g her?” “Isabella—” “Don't you dare call my name without giving me an explanation, Jace. I am your mate! How can you do this to me?” “Aren't you going to tell her the truth, Jace?” One of his friends moved toward us, a cunning smirk playing on his lips. “You going to let her keep embarrassing herself?” My legs swayed. I nearly lost my balance. What was he talking about? “Jace—” my voice broke. “Jace, tell me—” “I don't want you anymore, Isabella.” Jace growled low, his sharp gaze burning through me. “I…we can't be together. You're an omega, too weak. My parents will reject you without a second thought.” “But…but we talked about this…” My voice cracked. This can't be happening. No! “Jace!” I yelled on top of my lungs. “You told me your parents know about me. You told me you introduced them as your—” “I f*****g lied!” He growled, a distant look in his eyes. He looked so disgusted, he could puke. “I'm going to be the next beta of the Alpha's son. My family is highly respected in the pack, Izzy, you know that. But yours? It's going to be a damn stain to my reputation.” My breath caught in my throat. His friends laughed at his statement. One smirked at me. “f*****g leave already, he doesn't want an omega for a mate.” My eyes burned. “Jace….” Jace ripped his gaze from me like I never mattered. Not even once. “I, Jace Brook of Silverblood pack, reject you, Isabella Peterson as my fated mate.” A sharp pain ripped through me like lightning. I fell to my knees. I couldn't speak, couldn't breathe—but I could hear his rich laughter echoing around the arena. They were making fun of me. Jace was making fun of me. “Get the f**k out of here, bitch.” “Jace, maybe she needs you to carry her princess style.” “Yeah, Jace. I bet she can't handle the pain of rejection.” Getting up was hard—but I couldn't stay here and listen to them humiliate me this way. I gave Jace one last glance and stumbled out of the arena. I just kept dragging my feet along the pavement. The tears kept streaming down my cheeks, while my lungs nearly gave up on me. I walked for hours until I finally stopped before a night bar. My phone pinged with another text: “Izzy, where are you? I'm worried. I shouldn't have sent you the video. Tell me where you are.” I shoved my phone back in my pocket, then pushed the doors of the bar open. The loud music pulsed through my veins with each step I took. Slamming my palm on a small table, I met the bartender's gaze. “I want a drink.” He sized me up hungrily. “What drink does the pretty lady desire?” “Anything that'll knock me out for a few hours.” The bartender smirked, grabbing the empty glass next to him. “Coming right up, my lady.” I knew coming to this bar was a stupid idea. I could get in trouble. Worse, get assaulted by the scary looking wolves eying me hungrily. But I didn't care. Not when the moon goddess took the one thing that made me happy for the last two years. The bartender pushed an amber liquid toward me, the neon lights dancing on his face. “The very best, my lady.” I grabbed the glass and drank it in one go, ignoring the burn in my throat. “More.” The bartender swallowed hard and walked away. He returned with another glass, and I drank it all up without thinking twice. He pushed a third glass toward me, but before I could drink it up, some strong arms grabbed my wrist. “The f**k do you think you're doing, Ella?” A cold shiver ran down my spine. Only one person called me that. My brother's best friend, Killian. He tightened his grip on my wrist, his gaze burning through me. “Do you think your brother would love to see his priceless princess in a bar filled with wolves in heat?”