Page 3 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

My protective instincts flared to life. He was a preteen. The implication of someone taking advantage of her when she was far too young made me want to rage. For now, I swallowed it down. I didn’t know the details yet and showing my alphahole side wouldn’t help anyone feel at ease.

“That was amazing! Thank you!” he said emphatically.

Then his entire expression shifted. He gasped, startling Dhara.

“Wait… you’re Conrad Flynn! I don’t know how I didn’t recognize you!”

“Probably because I’m not wearing my goalie gear,” I joked. “But I know my way around the ice regardless of the position I play.”

He started rattling off my stats to Dhara, trying to give her context for why this was such a big deal to him.

She smiled and nodded along indulgently, her expression open as if she genuinely wanted to soak in his excitement.

I’d just met this duo, and I was already hooked.

Hell, I’d been hooked from the moment I saw her.

Not just because she was gorgeous and perfect, but because she was also a good and compassionate person.

Nobody who looked at their kid that way was a bad person.

The fact that she kept this job just so he could play meant not only that she needed the money, but that she would do anything for those she loved.

That was something I could relate to.

“Well, I didn’t realize you were a celebrity,” she said when he finally skated back to try again.

“Only in the hockey world,” I reassured her.

“He’s talked about you before,” she admitted. “I usually just gloss over the details, though. Hockey is his passion, not mine.”

“Oh? And what’s your passion?” I asked.

She looked startled by the question, like she’d never considered it before.

Between that and her careful wording and guarded expression, I couldn’t help but wonder what these two had been through.

The idea of anyone treating my omega terribly made me want to rage almost as badly as I had when I found my sister after her pack neglected her.

Something that never should’ve fucking happened.

I wanted to ask, to make sure they were safe, but she would clam up in a second or lie if I did. Instead, I was forced to be patient.

Something I usually pride myself on. Not today.

“Do you need somebody to clear the ice for you after this?” I asked instead.

“Oh, no.” She shook her head quickly. “The coach arranged for the morning crew to do that. He knows we’re here.”

“And here I thought you were just a rebel,” I teased.

She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling now. I was relieved to see it. She had grown far too serious.

“Not a rebel. Just grateful to have somewhere he can practice.”

“Are you guys from around here?” She hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Yeah. We grew up here in South Lake.”