Chapter 6

Drake's Pov

I stared at Nick for a long moment, trying to read beneath his tone. His face gave away nothing, that usual smirk playing on his lips, but his eyes—those were watching me closely.

“I’m not interested in your sister,” I finally said. “She’s just… daring.”

Nick let out a laugh, sharp and knowing. “Right. Daring. That’s one word for it.”

“She’s got bitten,” I added, leaning back against the bench, hoping to end the conversation.

“Let me guess,” Nick grinned, “she hit you with one of her speeches? Something about not making me feel like a slave or something?”

I furrowed my brows. “What are you talking about?”

“My mum said she was upset last night,” Nick explained, stretching his legs. “Because I left dinner to attend to the pack. She said it was typical, me running after you. Betsy told her she didn't know that's how they treat Alphas. And she's tired of everyone treating you like royalty just because you’re the Alpha.”

I blinked. “She said that?”

“Oh yeah,” he nodded. “As far as Betsy’s concerned, there’s nothing she can’t handle or isn’t entitled to. Girl’s been like that since she was born. I can't stand her sometimes, but I love her and it's one of the reasons I can trust her on her own. She’ll speak her mind, whether or not it gets her in trouble.”

“She’s bold,” I muttered, mostly to myself.

Nick glanced at me again. “I’m guessing she stuck up to your face? I apologize for that.”

I smirked. “Far from it. I don’t think she even cares that I'm the Alpha.”

Nick laughed harder. “Well you show her who's boss. I mean, you barely take it easy on these girls. Why do that for Betsy? And don't tell me it's because she's my sister.”

I didn't know what to say. Betsy had my tongue tied. I still needed to figure out how she could cure my color blindness when she's around. What if I kept her forever?

But I tried to bury that thought deep, especially here with Nick sitting next to me. I wasn’t about to spill that his sister stirred something in me that no other girl had. Not the random flings, not the confident she-wolves throwing themselves at me… none of them.

Betsy was just… different.

Nick tossed his towel aside and stood up. “Come on. Let’s get back to practice.”

I nodded and got to my feet, but my mind wasn’t on the game.

It was on her.

The way she didn’t stutter when talking back. The way her chin lifted just slightly when she was annoyed. And damn it, the way her hoodie clung to her like a second skin this morning. The way she challenged me, straight in the eye.

It wasn’t just her attitude.

It was what she made me feel.

The colors. I could see them around her just clearly.

I was starting to wonder… What if she wasn’t just someone I found daring?

What if she was more?

But I pushed the thought aside. That wasn’t part of the plan. I had responsibilities. An image. An entire pack depending on me.

Still…

I couldn’t help but wonder how her lips would taste. How long it would take to break down that hard shell and get her under my control. Not in the forceful way, but in the way my wolf wanted. To mark her. Claim her. Keep her.

Because something about her drew me in, and no matter how hard I tried to act unbothered, the pull was there.

But Nick… he was still my best friend. And as much as I outranked him, I respected him.

Which meant, if I ever wanted her… I’d have to go through him first.

Back to the ice, the cold breeze whipping against my skin as I gripped my stick tighter. This time, I didn’t hold back.

Every pass, every block, every shot—I gave it my all. Mercilessly.

The ice beneath my skates didn’t slow me down. My thoughts stayed buried under the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

Nick skated up beside me after I scored another shot past the goalie, panting but laughing. “And that right there is why you’re the Alpha.”

I smirked, catching my breath. “I’ve always competed against you since we were pups and you've been as good as I was. That hasn’t changed.”

“Yeah,” Nick chuckled, bumping my shoulder. “And that’s why I’m your beta. The only one crazy enough to keep up with you.”

“My only trusted companion,” I said genuinely. “Loyal as hell, too.”

Nick grinned, but his face shifted into something more serious as he leaned on his stick. “Just make sure you get yourself a mate who can rule beside you. Someone who’s strong, grounded… or I’ll be disappointed.”

I went quiet for a moment. My gaze dropped to the ice, then flicked back up to his.

“Are you thinking about Shea?” I asked.

His expression softened. “Yeah. She’s out of town, visiting her aunt, but she’ll be back next week.”

 “You guys don't seem like you're dating. Are you sure she's still yours?”

“Always,” he nodded. 

I let that sit for a beat, then said, “Bring her when she returns. And bring Betsy too.”

Nick raised a brow. “Why?”

“Why? Well, I command it.” 

Nick chuckled. “Seriously? You sound so casual, I can't figure out if you actually mean that or it's just one of your jokes.” 

“She needs to see more than what Sierra and Caroline are feeding her. You sold her out, I'm saving her,” I said plainly. “She has no idea what it really means to be in the pack. And you haven't told her anything.”

“I told you. She'd rather prefer to remain low-key as she used to be.” 

“Well, I'm your Alpha.” 

“You really are invested in my sister,” Nick muttered under his breath, eyeing me sideways.

I didn’t flinch. “Isn’t it better that I look out for my pack members as their Alpha?”

“She hasn’t been officially welcomed,” I added, “She’s one of us, yes. But she doesn’t act like it.”

“She's not going to turn even if you want her to.” 

“Why not? How would she find a mate if she doesn't connect with her wolf??” I asked, my tone laced with pressure.