The mate he can't claim

Fractured Lines

Lyra sat on the edge of her bed the morning after the Riverrun game her body a map of fresh bruises and lingering heat. The kiss with Kael still burned on her lips every time she closed her eyes. It had been raw desperate and completely forbidden. She could still taste him salt and frost and that underlying wildness that made her wolf blood whatever it was stir restlessly beneath her skin. She pressed her fingers to her mouth willing the memory away. Focus on hockey she told herself. That was why she had come to Frostfang. Not for stormy gray eyes or a bond that threatened to unravel her entire life.

A sharp knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. She opened it to find Rylan leaning against the frame two coffees in hand and his usual smirk in place. Morning sunshine. Captain wants the whole team on the ice in twenty for film review. And by the look on his face last night did not end well for anyone.

She took the coffee grateful for the warmth against her chilled fingers. Did everyone see? she asked voice low.

Rylan shrugged. Enough to start talking. Selene is already sharpening her claws. Word is she went straight to Kael father after the game. You two need to be careful. The Draven alpha does not tolerate weakness and right now that bond you are both fighting looks like the biggest weakness of all.

Lyra pulled on her practice jacket the one that still carried a faint trace of Kael scent no matter how many times she washed it. I did not ask for this she muttered. I just want to play.

Rylan walked beside her as they headed toward the rink. Yeah well the ice has a way of deciding things for us here. And you are not as human as you thought Vale. That surge during the game when your eyes flashed that was real. Coach saw it. Kael definitely saw it.

The arena felt different in the quiet morning light. The stands were empty but the ice gleamed under the overhead lamps like a battlefield waiting for war. The team was already gathered when they arrived some sprawled in the bleachers others stretching on the rubber mats. Kael stood at the front arms crossed over his broad chest his expression carved from stone. His eyes found hers immediately and the pull hit her like a body check. Visible tension rippled through his shoulders. She saw the same conflict there the same hunger he refused to name.

Coach Harlan started the film review without preamble. The projector flickered to life showing highlights from last night. Lyra watched herself score that second goal the way power had flooded her veins unnatural and intoxicating. Murmurs rose from the team.

What the hell was that one of the defensemen asked. She lit up like a full moon shift.

Coach paused the video. Vale has latent blood. We all saw it. Questions later. Right now we break down Riverrun weaknesses because they will be back for the conference finals and they will come hunting.

Kael voice cut through the room cold and commanding. Focus on positioning. No one goes rogue out there. He glanced at Lyra his jaw tight. Especially not you. Stay in formation.

The words stung. She lifted her chin meeting his stare head on. I scored the winning goals Captain. Maybe your formations need adjusting.

A few teammates chuckled but the tension thickened. Selene sat near the front her dark braid coiled like a snake. Her lips curved in a smile that promised trouble. Careful human she said sweetly. Some of us have pure lines. We do not need strays messing up the pack order.

Enough Coach Harlan barked. On the ice. Full contact. Show me you can work together or I will bench the lot of you.

Practice was brutal. Every drill felt personal. When Lyra and Kael ended up on the same line the chemistry was undeniable. They read each others movements as if the bond fed them thoughts. A perfect pass from him a blistering shot from her. The puck flew true. But off the puck the contact was electric. A brush of gloves a bump of shoulders and fire raced through her blood straight to her core. She hated how her body responded how wet she became from nothing more than the heat of his proximity.

During a break Kael skated close under the pretense of adjusting her stick tape. His breath brushed her ear. Last night was a mistake he said voice rough. It cannot happen again. My father already suspects something. If he finds out you might be mate material he will test you until you break.

Lyra heart clenched at the word mate even as desire pooled low in her belly. Then stop looking at me like you want to devour me she whispered back. Because I feel it too and it is driving me insane.

His hand flexed on his stick knuckles white. You think I do not want to pin you against these boards and finish what we started? His eyes darkened with raw visible hunger. But the pack comes first. Always.

Before she could reply Selene slammed into their space during the next drill. She checked Lyra hard sending her sprawling across the ice. Oops she called out voice dripping false innocence. Thought you could handle it stray.

Rage surged through Lyra hotter than before. She pushed up eyes flashing with that same golden light from the game. Power crackled under her skin begging to be released. She launched forward stick handling the puck with ferocious speed and delivered a legal but punishing check that sent Selene crashing into the boards. The impact echoed.

Kael blew his whistle stepping between them. Enough. Both of you.

But his hand lingered on Lyra arm a fraction too long. The touch sent sparks racing up her skin straight to her n*****s which tightened painfully against her sports bra. She wanted him. Badly. The need was primal and embarrassing in its intensity. She could smell her own arousal mixing with his and from the way his nostrils flared he could too.

In the locker room after practice the air was thick with unspoken challenges. Lyra changed quickly keeping her back to the room but she felt Kael eyes on her the entire time. When most of the team had cleared out he cornered her near the showers.

We need to talk he said voice low. Alone.

He led her to a small equipment room off the main corridor. The door clicked shut behind them. The space was cramped shelves of pads and sticks surrounding them. Kael paced like a caged wolf.

This bond is getting stronger he said stopping in front of her. I can feel your emotions Lyra. Your desire. It is messing with my head during drills. I almost lost control out there.

She stepped closer drawn by the same invisible thread. Then what do we do about it? Because I cannot stop thinking about that kiss. About how you felt against me.