Three

The next couple of weeks went by in a blur for Rovak.

He accepted the offer, he met with the team officials. He signed the contract and was assigned to a dorm with the other rookies.

Rovak was happy. He was going to be away from River and his father.

"Don't be giddy yet, they will realize you are a pathetic excuse and send you back here" River told him.

Rovak bit his tongue, he was so close to freedom, he wouldn't risk it by talking back to River. He just had to have patience.

He went down to meet his father before making his way out of the pack.

"This isn't a permanent thing, do you understand?" Alpha Perez asked.

"Yes father"

"And make sure you defeat that Vergara's brat"

"I will do so father." he replied softly.

....

It was the first game of the season. Rovak nervously tapped his leg in the locker room.

He could barely hear a word the coach was saying.

He was playing against the Edo Sparrows. If he didn't win this game, his father could still pull him out of the team. He wasn't legally an adult yet, he was still under his father control.

He just had to wait till he was eighteen. Then he would be free.

"Rovak! Are you with me?" the coach asked in a loud voice.

"Yes, Yes, I am with you coach" he stood quickly.

"Good, now normally I wouldn't put a rookie on the field so soon. But I have seen you play and you are good. So don't fail me"

"Yes coach understood" Rovak nodded.

....

The game was intense.

The Delta Eagles and Edo Sparrows were evenly matched teams and neither side was willing to give an inch.

Rovak and Tanner clashed repeatedly throughout the game.

At one point, Tanner stole the puck from Rovak and sped across the ice.

Rovak chased after him.

"In your dreams Vergara!" he shouted.

Tanner laughed and passed the puck to a teammate who immediately scored.

The Sparrows bench erupted in cheers.

Later, Rovak got his revenge by intercepting Tanner's pass and assisting a goal.

The crowd roared as the score became tied.

By the final minutes of the game, the score was three-three.

Everyone was on the edge of their seats.

Rovak could remember his father's words, he knew exactly what Alpha Perez expected.

Defeat Alpha Vergara's kid so he could have something to brag about.

The puck slid across the ice.

Rovak snatched it before Tanner could.

The two raced across the rink.

Tanner tried to block him but Rovak slipped past him.

For a brief moment, it was just Rovak and the goalkeeper.

The crowd held their breath.

Rovak swung his stick.

The puck shot into the net.

GOAL!

The arena exploded into cheers.

The Delta Eagles had won.

His teammates swarmed him immediately.

Rovak grinned as the final whistle sounded.

He had won.

More importantly, he had beaten Tanner.

As the players lined up to shake hands, Rovak stopped in front of Tanner.

"Looks like you'll be baring your neck after all."

Tanner groaned.

"You are never letting that stupid bet go, are you?"

"Not a chance."

"Enjoy this victory Perez."

Rovak smirked.

"Oh, I will."

Tanner rolled his eyes and then he looked serious. He stepped closer to Rovak and then he bowed slowly, baring his neck to him.

For a moment, it was like everything went still. Rovak's mouth went dry. His nostrils flared.

"Well, see you next game Vergara" he replied and quickly left.

Tanner looked up bewildered, he would have thought Rovak would want to rub it in. But instead he left. He shrugged and went with his teammates into the locker room.

When he came out, he met his parents.

"Good game sweetie" His mother hugged him.

"Did I just see you baring your neck to Perez kid?" Alpha Vergara asked.

Tanner was startled. His father had seen that?

"I...I...I"

"Tan, did you do that?" his mother asked.

"No, dad must have been mistaken. We were just shaking hands" Tanner replied quickly. He had discovered the key to deceiving his father was being confident.

Alpha Vergara peered at him suspiciously.

Tanner remained calm, eventually his father relaxed.

"I must have misunderstood things" Alpha Vergara said at last.

"How could Tanner do that? He is the next Alpha of our pack" his mother chimed in.

"I know, by the way, good game son"

"But Rovak's team beat my team"

"so, you will beat him next time. I know you can"

"Thanks dad"

"Come on, let's have dinner." Alpha Vergara led them outside.

....

The Delta Eagles and Edo sparrows had a good season. Both Rovak and Tanner had showed their talents this season as well. Despite being rookies, both of them had quickly become noticeable. The both of them were in the lead running for the rookie for the year award.

Tonight was the night of the dinner, Rovak was dressed in a tuxedo. He looked at himself in the mirror. He did look nice.

His father couldn't even be bothered to come for the event. Alpha Perez didn't even come to any of his games this season.

He just knew Tanner would be there with his parents fawning over him. He just hoped he got the award.

Goddess! His father would make it a whole big deal if he lost that award to Tanner.

He sighed, smoothened his hair down once again and left his hotel room. The award nominees had been given a room in this hotel.

Just as he had predicted, he saw Tanner and his parents in front of a photographer posing. Great! He rolled his eyes, they were just the perfect little family.

"Hey kid!" Alpha Vergara waved him over.

He sighed and went over.

"Good evening Alpha Vergara"

"Good evening son, how are you doing?"

"I am doing well sir"

"You have had a pretty good game this season, well done"

"Thank you sir"

"Will your father be coming?"

"No, he had a pressing issue at the pack"

"well, we will see you later" as they left, Rovak avoided eye contact with Tanner as they passed him.

And to make his bad evening, even worse, Tanner won the award.