The Beta's Blood: Rewritten

Chapter Fifteen

The night air bit at Ace’s skin, sharp and clean. Even layered under a jacket and scarf, she could feel the cold settle into her bones. Her breath fogged before her as she slammed the door of her grandmother’s old sedan, the metallic thud echoing in the open air.

From across the valley came the faint roar of the crowd. Teenagers cheering, whistles cutting through the crisp dark. The sound tugged her forward, toward the glow of the football field lights blooming against the night sky.

The bleachers shimmered with frost when she arrived. Every step clanged, ringing hollowly in the cold. She carried the thickest blanket she owned, soft and heavy, smelling faintly of cedarwood and the lavender sachets Jean tucked into every drawer.

Wrapping it around herself felt like armor. She found a quiet corner halfway up the stands, sheltered from the wind. The metal beneath her chilled instantly through her leggings, but the view was perfect. Wide field, golden lights, the distant shapes of players darting like shadows on the snow-dusted turf.

“Hey, Ace! You made it!” The familiar voice made her smile. Gloria, Mitchell’s mother, was climbing the steps toward her, wrapped in two scarves and still shivering. “I came prepared,” Ace said, lifting the edge of her blanket like a cape.

“Mind if I join you?” “Only if you’re ready to share warmth,” Ace teased, holding the blanket open. Gloria slid under it with a sigh of exaggerated bliss. “Oh, this is heaven.” They settled in together, their laughter melting some of the chill.

“Where’s your mate tonight?” Ace asked casually. Gloria huffed, rubbing her gloved hands together. “Border patrol shift change. He’s on nights now. I hate it the bed feels too big, too cold.”

Ace chuckled. “I keep hearing shared body heat is nature’s best survival tool. Makes sense. Wolves love warmth and company.” Gloria gasped in mock offense. “Ace! You can’t just say things like that in public!”

“I said warmth!” Ace protested, laughing. “You made it weird.” Before Gloria could respond, someone dropped onto the bleacher beside her with a heavy thud. A familiar masculine laugh followed. Allen.

His blond hair was windswept, his grin too easy, and before she could object, he tugged a corner of the blanket over himself. “Hope you don’t mind,” he said, flashing that roguish smile.

“I do mind,” Ace said, though she couldn’t keep the laughter out of her voice. “But fine. You’re warm, and I’m desperate.” “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” “Tragic.”

Gloria shook her head, trying not to laugh. Allen leaned back, elbows propped behind him, eyes gleaming in the floodlights. “Still flying solo, huh?” he asked, tone teasing but not cruel. Ace arched an eyebrow. “What gave it away? The way I’m laughing at your terrible jokes instead of someone else’s?”

Gloria snorted softly. Allen grinned wider. “You’re picky. Or waiting for someone who doesn’t exist.” Ace shot him a look. “Wow. Thanks for the optimism.” Gloria patted her hand. “Don’t listen to him, honey. But it’s okay to want someone. Everyone does, even if they pretend not to.”

“I know,” Ace said softly. “Maybe one day. But right now, I kind of like the freedom. No promises, no heartbreak. Just… me figuring out who I am.” Her words came out quieter than she meant, carried away by the wind.

Allen’s expression softened a little. “Well, if you’re done figuring out who you are this weekend, some of us are heading to the movies. Pizza after. You should come.” Ace tilted her head. “You mean you and your pack buddies?”

He grinned. “Yeah. Nothing fancy. If you hate it, you can blame me.” She tried not to smile, but failed. “I’ll think about it.” “Good enough,” he said, his voice warm with something almost hopeful.

By then, the bleachers had begun to fill. Families wrapped in blankets, teens passing cocoa cups, laughter and cheers rising together in the cold night. A pocket of warmth formed around them, a little community of shared heat and small joy.

“Is it always like this on game nights?” Ace asked. Gloria shook her head. “Not usually. But it’s nice, isn’t it?” Ace nodded. “Yeah. Feels like family.”

The referee’s whistle blew. The crowd roared. Mitchell sprinted across the field, the pack’s emblem gleaming on his helmet. The energy rippled through everyone. Excitement, pride, belonging.

Then the cheers shifted. Lower. Respectful. A familiar power moved through the crowd like a current. It was Alpha Kai. Ace didn’t even have to look. She could feel his presence before she saw him, his calm authority threading through the chaos.

“Of course,” she muttered under her breath. Kai climbed the steps with easy confidence, coat open, scarf slung loosely around his neck. “I should’ve guessed you were behind this blanket commune,” he said, his voice teasing as he reached their row.

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your royal presence, Alpha?” Ace teased without turning her head. “Allen,” Kai said, deadpan. “Move over.” Allen blinked. “Uh...”

“Not that way,” Kai added, smirking when Allen scooted closer to Ace instead. Then, with infuriating grace, he slid onto the bench beside Ace and pulled part of her blanket over his lap, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“You’re letting the cold air in,” Ace hissed. “Would you rather I sit on your lap?” he countered smoothly. “The audacity,” she muttered, refusing to look at him. Kai chuckled low in his chest, the sound rich and warm. Their shoulders brushed beneath the blanket. The contact sent a small, unexpected thrill up her spine.

Gloria leaned forward, wheezing with laughter. “You two bicker like an old married couple.” Ace groaned. “We do not.” Kai smirked, saying nothing. “Anyway,” Gloria continued, ignoring their protests, “You’ll understand someday Ace. Love changes everything.”

Ace forced a laugh. “Right. Can’t wait for that magical experience.” Her tone was sarcastic, but her chest tightened as the words left her mouth. For a heartbeat, her thoughts flickered to Jameson’s haunted eyes and the ache that has followed her.

“I think,” she said quietly, “I need to get my life figured out before I find someone and start making more of them.” Kai’s head turned slightly, studying her. His teasing expression softened as she turned her focus back to the field, letting the noise swallow the ache in her chest. But Kai was still watching her. She could feel it, the weight of his gaze.

“What?” she asked, half-laughing, half-nervous. “What are you thinking about right now?” he asked softly, voice nearly lost in the wind. Ace smirked. “I’m thinking of filing a formal request with the Alpha for an indoor stadium.”

He nodded solemnly. “I’ll be sure to let him know.” “I expect a written response within seven to ten business days.” “You’re awfully demanding,” he teased. “The Alpha might not appreciate that tone.” “Then maybe he should stop asking silly questions,” she said sweetly.

Their eyes met. The world blurred for a moment... just the two of them, the blanket, the shared breath. Something shifted. And then Allen cleared his throat loudly. “Sooo, Ace, about this weekend…”

She startled slightly, the moment breaking. “Right, the movies. Maybe Sunday. Saturday I’m babysitting.” Gloria nudged her gently. “Don’t overthink it, Ace. Some things are better when you let them happen.” Ace nodded faintly. “Yeah... I’ll come.”

“Wait,” Kai interrupted. “Why wasn’t I invited?” Gloria grinned. “It’s singles only, Alpha.” Kai raised an eyebrow. “Singles only, hmm?” Allen shifted uncomfortably. “Well, you’re, uh, technically not single, Alpha. But you’re welcome to come anyway.”

Kai leaned back, eyes glinting under the stadium lights. “Maybe I will.” Ace shot him a side-eye. “That would defeat the purpose of ‘singles only.’” “Who’s to say?” he murmured. “Maybe the Alpha’s looking for new hobbies.”

The whistle blew again, sharp and bright. The crowd erupted as Mitchell’s team scored. Gloria cheered so loudly the people in front of them turned to stare. Ace laughed until her ribs hurt.

As the crowd’s roar softened, she leaned back, just a little, her shoulder brushing Kai’s again. He didn’t move away. The blanket shifted. Warmth seeped through the cold night. His body heat, the shared laughter, the hum of community.

Ace let herself sink into it, her breath misting in the air, her heart strangely steady. She was just there. Under the lights, between friends, the Alpha beside her and that, somehow, was enough.