CLAIMED ON ICE

TWO

"Cat got your tongue, captain?"

Rowan blinked to see Adrian Voss was smirking at him from the treadmill beside him.

The smug bastard looked exactly the same as always. Silver hair tied in a manbun, blue eyes twinkling with amusement, and lips curled in a smirk that Rowan has spent years wanting to punch off his face.

"Or are you that mesmerized by me?”

Rowan regained himself and shot the other a cold look. “You wish, Adrian.”

“There's nothing attractive about you.”

Adrian chuckled lightly, getting on the treadmill beside him. “My fans will argue otherwise, captain.”

He turned it on and began running. “I won't mind if you—”

“Not everyone has good tastes,” Rowan snapped, getting off the treadmill. He sat on a bench, searching his bag just to keep busy.

He grabbed a water bottle and uncapped it, taking a sip. His gaze strayed to Adrian who was still running on the treadmill.

The other's movements were controlled, just like his breathing and it didn't look like he was breaking a sweat.

Rowan's gaze lowered to Adrian's legs that were exposed by the black shorts he was wearing.

It flexed with every run and it was—

“Did you watch my interview?” Adrian asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Rowan blinked before a scowl overtook his features. “Why the hell will I do that?”

“Because rivals keep tabs on each other,” the other responded, throwing him a glance.

“At least, I do.”

Rowan rolled his eyes. “I’m not a stalker.” He stood up and made to leave.

“I'm thirsty,” Adrian called out.

Rowan's fingers clenched tightly around his water bottle before turning to meet the other's gaze.

Adrian was looking at him expectantly, though his eyes were filled with mischief, lips slightly curled in a smirk.

The smug bastard was just definitely testing him.

“Whatever,” Rowan muttered and threw the bottle at him. “I won't be so kind next time.”

Adrian caught it with one hand. “Thanks, captain. I'll keep it in mind.”

His eyes gleamed as he unscrewed the cap. “You know you're very different from the player on ice. Kind and considerate too.”

Rowan stared as the other took a gulp of the water while maintaining eye contact and his gaze lowered to the single drop of water that slid down Adrian's throat and into his black vest.

The alpha lifted his eyes, breath hitching when he met Adrian's amused gaze. “What?” he asked, inwardly hating how defensive he sounded.

It wasn't like he was doing anything wrong.

Adrian had the audacity to laugh. “I didn't say anything, captain.”

“I'm keeping this.” He wiggled the now empty bottle in his hand. “It will be a souvenir for our delightful conversation.”

“f**k off, Voss.” Rowan walked out of the gym, irritated. His fingers slid to the patch of scent blockers on his neck and he huffed, finding it wet.

He briefly wondered if any of his scent had leaked during his time in the gym.

“Damn you, Adrian.”

******************

“And the player of the year goes to,” the presenter looked at the black envelope before a smile spread on his face. “Adrian Voss!” he announced and the audience erupted into cheers.

Despite the fact that Rowan knew this was inevitable, it didn't erase the hurt. His chest tightened as he watched Adrian get on stage to receive the award.

The camera panned to him, displaying Rowan's face on the big screen. He maintained the smile on his lips, clapping to show his support

He didn't want to wake up the next day to blogs saying that he was jealous and bitter about Adrian's win.

Jonah leaned over after the camera moved away. “Are you okay, buddy?”

“Yeah,” Rowan breathed, tugging at his necktie. “I just hate wearing suits.”

His friend snorted. “You and me alike.”

The audience quieted as Adrian leaned over the mic to give his speech.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, my team, my coach and the Aurelian Ice Honors for giving me this award,” he stated.

His gaze swept over the crowd and Rowan's heart skipped a beat when they landed on him.

“I also want to use this opportunity to thank the person who has been my muse and inspiration throughout my life,” Adrian continued. “They have been my biggest strength and my reason to live.”

“You mean so much to me.” He lifted the award with a smile. “Thank you.”

The audience cheered once more as Adrian made his way back to his seat.

“That was one hell of a speech,” the presenter said.

Rowan let out a shaky breath, recalling Adrian's gaze on him as he spoke and briefly wondered who the other was talking about.

Was it a secret lover, perhaps?

The alpha downed the rest of his wine abruptly, causing his friend to look at him in worry.

“Are you okay?”

Rowan nodded curtly, keeping his gaze fixed on the stage as the awards kept getting announced.

Jonah clicked his tongue beside him. “I hate sitting here.”

The alpha threw him a glance. “You just want to go back to Jacqueline and the kids.”

“They're better company than you,” his friend shot back and Rowan rolled his eyes, automatically clapping when an awardee got on stage.

“I'm bored,” Jonah groaned after a while. “Tell me why we're representing the team again?”

“I'm the captain and you're the goalie,” Rowan stated calmly. “So quit whining.”

“We're not getting any awards tonight,” his friend grumbled. “There was no need to come here.”

Rowan's lips parted to respond when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He brought it out, shoulders tensing at the caller.

Of course, Jonah noticed this. “Your parents?” he guessed.

The alpha swallowed, standing up. “It's my father. I'll be back.”

Without waiting for a response, Rowan made his way to the restroom. He placed the phone against his ear. “Good evening, Father.”

“You sure took your time,” came his father's gruff voice, ignoring his greeting.

“I was trying to go somewhere more private to answer the call,” Rowan murmured. “I didn't mean any disrespect.”

“Come home tomorrow,” his father instructed. “I want to speak with you.”

“I will, Fath—” Rowan's words were cut off when the call was hung up.

The alpha stood in the restroom for a while, staring at his reflection with no expression on his face at all.

His gaze slid to the black, three-piece suit he was wearing and his traitorous mind decided to remind him of another person who was dressed like him tonight.

Adrian Voss.

Rowan released a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair. “You’re the reason why everything is falling apart.”

“I'm going to beat you, Adrian Voss,” he swore, eyes flashing red in anger as the scent of sandalwood crowded everywhere for a moment.

After a while, Rowan smoothed his suit and walked out of the restroom in confident strides.

As the alpha rounded the corner, his vision turned blurry and he grabbed the wall for stability. His blinked multiple times, a shaky breath escaping his lips.

“What the hell—” he whispered as the world turned dark.