Chapter 3

Chapter 3 

I woke up the next morning to a text that made my heart jump straight into my throat. The Ice Wolves team offered me the sports medicine job. After years of applying and getting rejected every single time, months of waiting and hoping they would finally see me, they said yes. I stared at my phone in the lodge room, smiling so big it hurt my face. “Finally,” I whispered to myself. “They see me. All those applications weren’t for nothing.”

The roads reopened by breakfast time. I packed up Whiskers and my small bag, ready to head out into the day. Rowan was still in the main area, drinking coffee near the fireplace like he had all the time in the world. I walked over, heart picking up speed even though I tried to act normal.

“Thanks again for the hot chocolate last night,” I said, shifting my bag on my shoulder. “It was nice. Really nice after everything that happened at the festival.”

He looked up and smiled that easy smile that made my stomach flip a little. “No problem at all. You handled a crap night better than most people would. Where you headed now with that determined look on your face?”

“Job interview at the Ice Wolves Arena. Sports medicine position. I’ve been trying to get in there for years, sending applications over and over.”

“Good luck,” he said, standing up and stretching his arms. “You seem like you’d be great at it. Tough enough to deal with guys like me who think they’re invincible on the ice.”

We talked a few more minutes about the storm that stranded everyone and the festival drama. I laughed at one of his comments about pack politics. 

“Yeah, the whole mate rejection thing is still blowing up online I bet,” I said, trying to keep it light. He nodded, eyes steady on me. I kept hoping he would ask for my number or say something about seeing me around. Anything to show he was interested. But he didn’t. 

He just wished me well, patted my shoulder lightly in a friendly way, and headed out to his car. Expected with this body, I thought, the self-doubt hitting quick. Why would the famous hockey star bother with someone like me after seeing what Zayne said? I pushed the hurt down hard and drove off toward the arena, whispering to myself the whole way. “Focus on the job. That’s what matters now.”

I walked into the Ice Wolves Arena with my bag over my shoulder, nerves buzzing but excitement winning out in the end. The head physician met me right away in his office. He smiled wide like he really meant it. “Maeve Carter. Your experience with trauma cases and athletes is perfect for what we need here. You’re hired. Start today if you can handle jumping right in.”

I laughed a little, still not believing it after all this time. “Really? After all the applications I sent in over the years? I thought you’d never pick me. I kept getting turned down and figured it was because of my background or something.”

He nodded and leaned back in his chair. “Timing worked out this time. We need someone tough who won’t baby the players. The team has too many stars who get whatever they want. Welcome aboard. Let me show you the treatment room.”

He walked me through the arena, explaining the schedule. I felt happy, really happy for the first time in days. Minutes later I was setting up in the treatment room, organizing supplies when the door opened. Rowan walked in carrying his hockey gear, wincing with every step. Separated shoulder. Bruised ribs. Typical captain stuff from pushing too hard in practice.

He stopped dead in the doorway and looked shocked. “You really got it? You now work here? For real?”

I smiled awkwardly, trying to play it cool even though my heart started beating faster just seeing him again so soon. “I guess I’m officially your therapist now. Sit down before you make that shoulder worse than it already is.”

He sat on the exam table, eyes still locked on me with surprise. “Didn’t expect this at all. After the lodge last night and the hot chocolate and talking this morning. Small world, huh?”

“Yeah, well, life is weird like that,” I said, grabbing my supplies and gloves. “Let me check that shoulder. This might hurt a bit but tell me if it’s too much.”

I pushed on the joint, not gentle like most people probably treated the big star. He sucked in a sharp breath. “Ow. You’re not going easy on me, huh? Most people would have me on ice already.”

“Nope,” I replied, keeping my hands firm and steady. “You’ve been babied as the big celebrity captain long enough. Work with me here. Push back against my hand. Harder than that. Come on.”

He did it, grunting through the pain. “Most therapists just ice me and tell me I’m great and untouchable. You’re different. Annoying but different.”

“Good. Because if you want to keep playing at your level, you need to actually heal right. Stop favoring that side. Lift it again. Don’t quit on me now, Rowan.”

We went back and forth like that for a while, the room filling with our voices. I challenged him on every single move. “Higher. Put some effort into it.” He snapped once, breathing hard, “Easy for you to say when you’re not the one with bruised ribs.” I snapped right back without missing a beat, “No, it’s not easy, but you can handle it, captain. Try harder or you’ll be sitting out games. Is that what you want?”

He grumbled but pushed through. “Fine. Like this?” 

I could tell it threw him off completely. He kept glancing at me between sets, eyes curious and a little annoyed but also respectful. Sweat beaded on his forehead as I made him do the exercises again.

“You’re not bad at this pushing thing,” he said after a tough set, wiping his face. “Most people are too scared to talk to me like that.”

I shrugged, helping him with a stretch. “Someone has to. Your body will thank me later even if you don’t right now.”

When the session finally ended he stood up slow, testing his shoulder. “Thanks, Maeve. For last night too. And this tough love today. Not many people push me like that. I think I needed it.”

I felt my cheeks warm up. “Just doing the job I fought years to get. See you tomorrow for follow up.”

He paused at the door, that kind smile on his face again. “I’m glad you’re here. Really. Don’t let the pack drama or the videos get to you. You’ve got this.” Then he left, gear bag over his good shoulder, walking a bit easier than when he came in.

My heart was already beating for him a little more than I wanted to admit. That kindness from the lodge and now this genuine respect made something flutter inside my chest. I shook it off quick. Too soon. Way too soon after Zayne’s public mess. I couldn’t let myself fall for another Ashcroft, even if this one seemed different.

Later that day videos of Zayne rejecting me exploded across social media. Everyone was sharing clips from the festival, the words, the crowd reactions. Comments flooded in fast, hundreds turning to thousands. Some mocked my appearance bad. “No wonder he rejected the curvy half-blood. Who wants that as Luna?” Others called Zayne cruel. “Alpha or not, that was messed up. Poor girl didn’t deserve that.” The kingdom started taking sides hard. Posts supporting me popped up everywhere. Posts against me and my family too. Mia was liking all the mean ones, of course, adding her own comments disguised as sister jokes.