More than Rivals, less than Mates.

The beginning

Rovak took a deep breath as he drank from the flask in his hand. He had played games before but this particular game filled him with trepidation. This was not the high-school games, he used to play. This was the game that would decide his future.

Would he go back to his pack and live a boring life as the second son of an Alpha or would he have something different.

He remembered his father's words earlier today.

"I really don't care much for this hockey of yours. You could be in the pack doing better things" Alpha Perez had said.

River sneered. "No, he would rather play make believe with those humans and deceive himself that he belongs with them"

He had wisely kept quiet. It wasn't worth it to argue with River.

"Just make sure you beat that Vergara kid" his father had said before leaving the house.

Rovak sighed, his father and brother couldn't even be bothered to attend his games.

He took another drink from the flask.

"You shouldn't be drinking that" a low voice said.

Rovak turned to see another boy close to him. He was wearing the uniform from the preppy school, he was supposed to play against today.

"And what am I drinking?" Rovak asked with an arch of his eyebrows.

"Wolfgang. It won't show on the humans alcohol tests but you shouldn't be taking that before games." Tanner replied.

Rovak examined the newcomer from head to toe. He looked vaguely familiar.

"I am Tanner Vergara" The boy said eagerly stretching his hand out for an handshake.

Rovak didn't take his hand. "So you are Alpha Vergara's kid. Last I saw you, you were a short little thing in your preppy shirts"

Tanner withdrew his hand. "And you looked like a scrappy little feral child" he snapped back.

"Ooh little werewolf has claws" Rovak whistled.

"I have to go, my parents will be wondering where I am" Tanner replied.

"Your parents come to these things?"

"Yes, they attend all my games. Doesn't Alpha Perez attend your games?" Tanner asked.

Rovak clenched his jaw. "My father has way more importance things to do than to attend high school games"

"Do you think you will be drafted to join a team?" Tanner suddenly asked.

"I don't care. I just want to win your preppy ass" Rovak smirked.

"In your dreams Perez"

"want to bet on it?" Rovak asked.

"sure, what are we betting on?" Tanner asked, an interested gleam in his eyes.

"The loser bares his neck to the winner during the next game they meet"

In the werewolf world, baring your neck meant submission. No self respecting werewolf would take such a deal.

"Deal" Tanner replied, shocking Rovak.

"Deal" Rovak replied, stretching forth his hand. The two shook on it.

"See you later Perez" Tanner turned to leave.

"Later Vergara" Rovak replied.

...

The hockey game was intense, the crowd watched in bated breath, wondering which team would win. Everyone's focus was drawn to only two players. Rovak Perez and Tanner Vergara. They were fierce, attacking each other with fierce strength.

Their pucks clashed against each other occasionally.

Eventually the game came to an end. Rovak's team had won.

Rovak smiled in relief. He had played a good game which would attract scouts and also beaten Tanner.

As they shook hands before leaving. He leaned in to whisper.

"don't forget our next game, you have to bare your neck"

Tanner rolled his eyes. "what makes you certain we will ever play against each other again?"

Rovak shrugged, "Just a little feeling"

...

"So did you beat Vergara's kid?" Alpha Perez asked as soon as Rovak walked in.

"Yes, my team won" He replied.

"Good" Alpha Perez replied. That was all, no further comment about it. Neither did he show concern about his game.

Rovak was used to it though.

"That was your last game right?"

"Yes father" he replied.

"So you are done with that annoying human game, right?"

"Father, I could get scouted into a team. And play professionally."

Alpha Perez looked at him disdainfully. "And of what use would that be to the pack? You are done with hockey, understood?"

"But father..." Rovak attempted to protest. His father slapped him.

"You don't talk while I am talking. And we are done with this conversation. Do you understand me?"

"Yes father" Rovak replied quietly and went to his room.

"If it's not the star hockey player" River mocked as he went to his room.

Rovak ignored him, River was an annoying snitch of an elder brother who was always looking for ways to be their father's favorite.

"Are you ignoring me?" River asked. He slammed Rovak against the wall.

"listen to me you little brat. Your days of being the star hockey player is done. From now on, you are going to be the has been washed up hockey player who peaked in high school and will spend the rest of your life as a miserable pathetic pack guard" River whispered.

Rovak kept quiet. He could absolutely beat up River, he could. But then his father would get involved. So he simply kept quiet.

"You are pathetic" River sneered and released me.

Rovak entered his room, the moment he did, he went in a frenzy and threw things to the ground. His hockey medals, his championship cups. He threw them all.

His father's words echoed in his ears. He would never play hockey again. Hockey was his only escape from his horrible home. And now he couldn't even have that.

He would never leave this pack. He would die here.