MIDWINTER MATE

The cold air of Austin, Texas, didn't bother Diego Alvarez. As a shifter, the chill was a comfort, but the fire currently roaring in his veins had nothing to do with his internal temperature. He had just slammed the puck into the net, securing a victory for the Austin Wolves, and the primal rush of the win was better than any high he’d ever known.

The thunderous roar of the crowd at the Austin Ice Arena still echoed in his ears as the team spilled into the locker room. The scent of sweat, ice, and victory filled the air—a perfume Diego lived for.

"Hell of a play, Alvarez!" Ethan Brooks shouted, clapping Diego on the shoulder. Ethan’s golden hair was a damp mess, his face split by a jagged, triumphant grin.

"Couldn’t have closed it out without that pass, Ethan." Diego gripped his friend's shoulder. As the team captain, Diego knew he was the spearhead, but his pack was the shaft that gave him weight.

"Must be that pre-game meditation," Javier Morales joked, miming a series of ridiculous stretches.

"Don't knock the ritual if the scoreboard says we won!" Diego barked back with a laugh.

Stepping onto a wooden bench, Diego let out a piercing whistle that sliced through the locker room chatter. Every eye turned to him. The Alphas in the room felt the subtle shift in his posture—the quiet intensity that made him their leader.

"Listen up!" Diego commanded. "We took a bite out of them tonight. Ethan, that setup was perfection. To the rest of you—way to stay aggressive. We showed them whose territory this is." He paused, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Now, go get reckless. You’ve earned it!"

A chorus of howls and cheers erupted. Diego hopped down and headed for the showers, his mind already drifting to the next steps. He noticed Daniel Torres, the new freshman, had been hesitant on the defensive line. He’d need to work with him at the Austin Wolves Training Center on Monday. As a senior, this was Diego’s last shot to take the university to the state finals. He wasn’t just playing for a trophy; he was playing for his legacy.

After scrubbing the scent of the rink off his skin, Diego dressed for the night. He pulled on a fitted white tee that hugged his frame, dark denim, and his leather jacket. Checking his reflection, he flashed a confident, sharp-toothed grin.

"I’m not coming back to the Alvarez Residence alone tonight, boys," he announced to the locker room.

He waited by his car for Ethan, who was notoriously slow with his hair. A few fans lingered in the parking lot, and Diego caught the scent of several interested omegas and humans, but he remained focused. Finally, Ethan emerged, breathless.

"The party's already swinging at the Riverside Duplex, and you're the reason I'm late," Diego grumbled, peeling out of the lot.

They arrived at the duplex to the sound of bass rattling the windows. Diego pushed through the front door, his presence immediately commanding the room. "Your captain has arrived!" he called out, heading straight for the drinks.

Ethan nudged him. "Is Isabella coming tonight?"

Diego groaned, pouring a drink. "My sister has cheer practice at dawn. And seriously, Ethan? My twin? That’s basically family. Keep it in your pants."

"She's striking, man, you can't blame me," Ethan defended.

"I'm not intoxicated enough for this," Diego muttered, scanning the crowd. He wasn't looking for a casual hookup—his wolf was restless, pacing beneath his skin.

He brushed off a guy with heavy bangs who was staring too intensely and began to navigate the sea of bodies. That’s when he saw him.

Standing near the staircase was a man who seemed to exist in a different atmosphere than the rest of the sweaty, shouting party-goers. He had wide, soulful brown eyes and dark, silken waves of hair. He was tall but moved with a lithe, rhythmic grace that suggested he spent his time at the Sunrise Dance Studio rather than a rink.

The man looked completely unaware of the magnetic pull he exerted. Diego felt a tug in his chest—a sudden, sharp recognition that made his pulse spike.

"Ethan, talk to Bangs over there," Diego ordered, not breaking eye contact with the stranger.

Diego moved through the crowd, his shoulders clearing a path until he stood directly in front of the beautiful man. For the first time in his life, the confident captain was nearly speechless.

"Hi," Diego said, his voice dropping to a low, gravelly register. "It’s a pleasure to meet you."

The man, Kol Reyes, looked up, his warm eyes meeting Diego’s intense gaze.