Nine.

Winston's pov 

I checked out the stock in my hands, pretending to use it to push a puck. 

 I tune out the sounds of my teammates who were also preparing to head to the ice for practice.

“Captain” 

“Captain” 

I felt someone tapping my shoulder.

“Hm?” I turned and it was Xavier.

“You good?” He asked and I nodded.

No I wasn't. I am still very much worried about Orson keeping my real secondary gender a secret.

Sweat from against my forehead.

“Yeah…yeah just a little…” I laughed nervously.

“Okay, I, Martins and the guys are going back to Howard’s place for dinner. He and his mate are cooking” Xavier said to me, “Will you join us?”

“Hm?”

“Will you join us?” Xavier repeated,

I nodded, “Yes…I will” I smiled, my eyes searched the entire room until it stopped on Howard and Martin who were talking at a corner.

“Cool…” Xavier said as he made his way towards some group of guys.

I stood up, putting on my gears. I grabbed the bottle of water beside me and chuged down the entire bottle.

•••••

“The Crimson icehawks are playing today, They won't go easy on their opponent after all we beat their ass three days ago” 

One of my teammates said as we made our way into Howard’s place after practice.

I laughed and everyone else did too.

“Hello.” a cheerful voice greeted us, Wren. Howard's mate a male omega.

“Hey, Babe” Howard greeted as he stepped away from us and kissed his mate.

Wren chuckled as they pulled apart, My teammates were making stupid remarks.

“How was practice?” Wren asked,

“It's was okay” 

“Coach was harsh” 

“I almost broke my arm,”

Everyone replied before Howard could answer his mate’s question as they made their way further into the kitchen.

I smiled, nodding at the couple as I made my way past them.

I joined Martin on the couch, “Hey” I smiled, he smiled back.

“I can smells Wren’s cooking from outside” He said instead making Laugh,

Someone stepped out from the kitchen, an omega too. Looks almost the same as Wren.

Everyone turned to the doorway that leads to the kitchen.

I could literally see every alpha’s eyes popping out in surprise.

Alphas have no way of concealing their attractions.

“Oh…Guys. This is my younger brother, Nolan. He helped with today's cooking” Wren said from behind us.

Nolan gave an uncomfortable smile as he avoided gazes.

Of course he is uncomfortable and not shy but everyone else will mistake as shy.

Too many alphas.

“You didn't say you have a very beautiful brother,” I heard Xavier said, he stood up from his seat and made his way to Nolan.

“Xavier Hier, Howard’s teammates” Xavier introduced himself, putting his hand forward for a hand shake 

“N..Nolan” Nolan stammered, he didn't take Xavier’s hand.

“Come on, I won't bite,” Xavier urged the omega.

Nolan stepped back slightly.

“Xavier, Let him be as you can see he isn't okay with it” I said to Xavier, Nolan glanced at my direction.

Nolan’s eyes widened then he gave me a smile and I smiled back at him.

Xavier mumbled something before returning to his seat, the rest of us introduced ourselves from our seat.

I stabbed my knife into the cut steak while Martin kept putting his veggies on my plate.

“Are you not eating?” I asked him,

“I just want the steak” Martin replied, I smiled and shook my head looking up. 

My eyes fell on Nolan, whose eyes were on me.

He quickly looked away, his cheeks pink.

I frowned and continued with my food, at the end of the table was Xavier and two other teammates gossiping.

“You know about Perry’s scandal?” One asked,

“No” Xavier asked,

“I heard he is messing around with his brother's mate” another one said,

“What?! I can't believe it. Well he was rude on ice” Xavier shrugged.

“Guess who exposed him?” The one who started the conversation asked,

“Who?” Xavier and the other one asked.

“Orson, Allegedly.” The first one answered,

“Really?” Xavier asked,

“My source said, Orson also was messing with Perry’s sister in law and Orson hates Perry….”

And that's all I heard.

My heart started thumping real fast.

He will expose me.

It was just a matter of time.

“Winston”

“Winston”

“Yes?” I answered, turning to Martin.

“Are you okay?” He asked,

“I am,” I answered, grabbing my fork and finishing my food. I tried hard not to listen to my heart beat, if it thumped too hard everyone would hear it.

I grabbed my plate as I finished and headed to the kitchen.

As I entered I shot the door behind me, leaning against it.

“Are you okay?” A voice asked, I turned sideways.

It was Nolan, he is near the faucet.

“Y.. yeah, I am” I smiled, walking towards him.

“Okay…” Nolan said as he washed his hands. “You're the captain” Nolan said, I nodded.

Looking down at him, I am taller than him with a few inches.

“Yes, I am,” I said with a smile, putting the plates into the faucet.

“Thank you” he said,

“For what?” I asked, turning to him.

“When you asked your team…” he paused,

“Oh…it's okay” I tell him, “I don't like someone talking to me when I am interested too” I tell him.

He lets out a small laugh.

I joined too.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I see Nolan grabbed a towel. He handed it over to me when I finished washing my plate.

“Thanks,” I took it from him.

“You are welcome” He smiled, I noticed his cheeks reddened.

The door pushed open and Xavier stepped in, “Helloooo”

“What are you two doing?”. He asked, looking between I and Nolan.

“Nothing” I answered,

“Really?...why do I smell something in the air?” Xavier said in his stupid tone when he was suggesting something.

“I am just washing my plate and Nolan is keeping me company” I brushed off, cleaning my hand.

“Okay…” Xavier shrugged, “If he didn't ask for your number, may I have it?”

“Xavier, No” I said as I pulled him towards the door.

“Why?”

“No” 

“He likes you”

“He doesn't” 

I answered, closing the door.

My phone buzzed.

Xavier made a face before returning to the table, I took out my phone.

                                                     Unknown 

                                         Have you made 

                                          up your mind?

                                           Time is ticking.

“Sh*t”