THE WIN

Thelma’s POV

The buzzer screamed first and red light blinks causing the whole arena to become a war cry.

The buzzer screamed. 

“KANE! KANE! KANE!"

They roared, humans in their wolf forms leaped, pups close to their moms bath them with popcorn and furs flies like snow drops.

Everyone around where I sat wore his face and mine wore the brightest smile.

Jax Kane.

He held the cup in his hand.

I was already on my feet, screaming so loud my throat burns with a sign in my hands, viberating.

It had the inscription #BLACK ICE BELONGS TO US# in cracked red marker.

Three months of being an intern here, I gave him my plays, my nights. My 3AM film breakdowns, mostly breakdown on captain Rhys defense, his rival team.

“Trust the delay, Captain. Then burn them.” "Hit the delay, Kane. He drops his shoulder. Every time.”

He did and we won.

Jax rose the cup high up, for the cameras and I felt it was to me.

Confetti was stuck to my lashes, my voice gone from the shout.

This had to mean something. Right? 

Then the crowd around me moved like a wave closer to me. Hands grabbed me, fans pulled my sign, my arm, my jersey.

“Sign it, sis! For Kane!”

“You were at every game!”

“Get him to sign the marker!"

They tossed me forward like I belonged on the ice with him.

I didn’t. I was just an intern with a marker and a stupid, hopeful heart. 

Stumbling on the blue line, my boots were slipping but I was chuckling because now, the crowd would know we were beyond just intern and captain.

"Jax!” I called blushing, I didn't turn to look at the crowd who were dying to be on the ice.

The security personnels were already keeping them off zone.

Jax turned, I forgot I had lungs. How he had grown from attractive to being gorgeous.

There was sweat on him, blood on his lips...my poor baby, playing with that Viking Rhys really brings bruise.

His eyes switched to mauve and for a second he saw me, and his lips curved upward in a smile.

My wolf lagged her tongue, excited that our mate would be ours at last.

Butterflies hovered in my stomach, my heart yelled a yes and it took just two steps to be really close when someone pushed me.

All my eyes spot was blonde hair juggling and running feet to Jax with wild arms, screaming his name too.

I'd almost fallen if a player hadn't held me and tilting my eyes up to find Jax, I froze.

It was Giselle, the club owner's daughter in his arms as he lifted her up, twirling her around.

And when he had dropped her, his lips smeared on her, hard with cameras flashing on their faces.

The cup was between them.

For a moment, time stopped, my breath hitched and my heart was shattered.

His teammates cheered, juddering me about to get to him like kissing her was also a trophy.

Jax canines showed, his eyes went full mauve and into the mic, his voice claimed;

“Mine.”

The arena lost its mind the rink viberated under a thousand feet but I lost my breath.

Shock had brewed up as tears in my eyes. It was a nightmare I believe... maybe a promo for something, I accepted, sniffing.

"Finally! The couple we shipped together" one of the players affirms skating around and chanting their mantra.

"Oh yes, the hot Captain and his mate, it would make the headlines thrilling"

A mic was suddenly in my face like it was targeting me. My eyes hovered around the reporter whose eyes were wide and thrilled.

“Miss! You’re Jax Kane’s intern, right? The one with the signs? How do you feel watching your captain claim his mate, right after the Cup win?"

How do I feel?

My sign hit the ice, the marker dropped under someone's skate and I just...stood there, smiling.

The marker snapped under someone’s skate. 

Because if I didn’t smile, I’d break.

“I’m… happy for him,” I fancied in a shaky voice as my whole body quake.

I feel like I’m choking on 2 years of my life.

Because two years ago we were on the same flight out of Melbourne. 

Two suitcases, two dreams. “Greener pasture, eh?” he’d said, laughing and planting a kiss on my forehead.

He had talent. I had a pen, so I wrote it.

His contract. His Club tryout application. 

The recommendation letters to the GM that said “He’s not just fast. He’s loyal. He’s family.”

I was a foreigner with a Student Visa that let me intern.  

He was a foreigner with a P-1 Athlete Visa because the Club sponsored him.

Mine was temporary. His was tied to hockey. 

I thought… if he made it, he’d make me.

That’s how it works, right? 

In shifter hockey, a public mate-claim is a legal sponsorship. 

If your Captain claims you, the Club’s lawyers file you as "Mate of Athlete". You get to stay Work. Breathe.

I did everything right for him but tonight he used that power on her.

My Student Visa doesn’t convert. It expires. "42 DAYS" stamped in red on my lanyard.

He got his greener pasture. I got a flight back to Australia. Alone.

Unfortunately, the girl who built Jax Kane broke on the blue line… because she was never in his contract.

My wolf died as the walls around her were terrifying.

Okay, Jax. I swiftly accepted because was there even a need to ask? She was perfect for his position and I was just an omega who shouldn't exit.

He wants to leave me behind?

Fine! I’ll burn the whole league down before I go home.