Page 93 of Never Bet Against A Hockey Player

“I heard every single one.”

“You did?” he whispered, looking more vulnerable than I thought possible.

I nodded. “I wrote ‘I love you, too.’ in my journal every night.”

His eyes widened.

My voice cracked as I explained. “I couldn’t risk saying it out loud. I was afraid I’d run after you.”

Silence settled over the nest and I waited for August to look at me before finally saying it out loud.

“I love you, August.”

He stared at me, completely stunned. He should have known I’d felt this way since we first met.

“Really?”

“Yes,” I said with absolute certainty. “You sat there every single night outside my window. You made me feel less alone when I felt like the walls were closing in around me. And honestly, I think I’ve loved you since I was seventeen.”

August’s breath caught. Then he kissed me again. This kiss wasn’t tentative and careful like before. It was hungry and possessive, his delta coming out to play. He told me with his mouth just how much he held back before while silently protecting me.

Even now, he treated me like I was something precious. His hands cradled my face instead of pulling me against him, mindful of every bruise still healing beneath my skin.

When he finally pulled away, I instinctively looked toward Conrad and Lachlan.

Conrad was practically beaming and Lachlan looked just as relieved.

“Don’t worry, Gorgeous,” Lachlan said softly. “We’re just happy you’re opening up to us. We know your history with August is different. But I fully intend to surpass him as your favorite. Just give me a few weeks to spoil you rotten.”

Conrad nodded in agreement. “I’d wait for you forever, Baby. Don’t ever doubt that.”

My chest warmed, something stirring under my skin that had my omega perking up. I swear I could almost feel them there, even without a bond.

I settled farther back into the mountain of pillows and breathed in my pack. My omega let out a soft sound that had them smiling down at me.

Needing to touch my pack, I reached for Conrad’s hand. The alpha’s presence was a constant reminder that I was no longer the broken omega I always thought I was.

“Tell me more about these classes you’ve been taking.”

The guys shifted, making themselves comfortable inside the nest now that I was settled.

“I kind of stumbled into the first one by accident. Lachlan and I were shopping for a present for you and the omega assumed I was there for it. I stayed because I realized there was a lot I didn’t know about taking care of an omega,” he explained. “Lachlan keeps calling them cooking classes, but they’re more than that. I’ve learned a lot about taking care of an omega. How to recognize what you need before your omega asks.”

“Oh, wow,” I said, stunned that he’d gone to all that trouble for us. For me.

“It’s my job to make sure our lives are stable and that no one falls through the cracks.” The change in him was obvious. He was such a gentle alpha, but now he had a confidence in his role that was unwavering.

“Thank you, Alpha.” My voice cracked around the words. “No one’s ever worked so hard just to make sure I was safe or loved.”

His gaze burned into me, stirring that feeling in my chest once again. “You’re never going to wonder if you’re loved again.”

Before I could answer, Gavin’s voice echoed down the hallway.

“What happens now?” I asked, curious how this dynamic would truly work.

Lachlan grinned. “Now? Now we take care of our boy.”

He stood before offering me both hands. I slipped my palms into his and let him help me to my feet before pulling me close enough that our noses brushed.