EIRA’S POV
The rink felt how it usually did, the smell of metal wafting through my nose.
I stood by the edge of the rink, adjusting my gloves while my eyes scanned the area in search of a familiar face. I spotted Lucien and Kellen on the opposite side, already stretching with the men’s team. Their voices were low as they talked. Seeing them relaxed me more than I could ever imagine.
Then, I saw her.
It was Mara. She stood near the boards, clearly struggling to tie on to her skate laces. Some of her curls had already escaped the ponytail she’d clearly tried to tie up tightly. She looked up at me after a second, and a grin curled up her lips.
“Hey!” she called out to me, waving with her free hand.
I skated over to her, crouching right in front of her. “Looks like you’re fighting a lo
