Page 58 of Ice King

Being with Georgia had not gone as expected. Not even a little bit. The taste of her had been… amazing. Shit. What was I doing to myself?

Being lost in her wasn’t going to advance my career. Falling into some crazy notion we belonged together was an old wives’ tale, not anything that I’d ever wanted in my life. Plus, she was freaking human.

I wasn’t paying any attention, but knew daydreaming wasn’t going to win a single game in the playoffs. But damn it, being with her had awakened a need within me that I didn’t need and couldn’t explain. Being attracted to her was easy because she was freaking gorgeous, but my desires had drifted into something else entirely.

Need.

Unrequited need that created thoughts I shouldn’t be experiencing.

“What in the hell is going on with you?”

Hearing Beck’s voice finally drew me out of the intense fog. “What?”

“You haven’t uttered three words since we left the house. You’re fucking lost in space somewhere. Thank God I’m driving or we might end up in Oregon.”

I leaned my head back, offering a harsh glare. “We’re headed to a council meeting. You know how much I love those.” Of course I’d expected my father would make an early morning call, requiring his sons to be at the combined pack meeting.

After the horrific news of the night before with another shifter’s murder, tensions were running high. However, I wasn’t interested in becoming embroiled in pack politics. Not when the playoffs were just days away.

“Yeah, but something else is going on,” Beck teased. “It wouldn’t happen to do with that sexy therapist who was sitting with us at the game. Now, would it?”

“Don’t go there.”

“Oh, come on. Both Samantha and Roxanne pushed her into going to see you before that last period and poof, you were a different player when you returned. Even I can say you were on fire last night. Plus, you left with her. So what gives?”

“She wanted to help. I was in a cranky mood and told her she had to go have a drink with me if I allowed her to help. That was it. Well, that and I almost beat the shit out of a couple good ole boys hitting on her.”

“Wow,” Beck mused. “You’re finally rising from the dead. Maybe because of how she stood up for us.”

Yeah, well, I’d overheard some members of the team talking about how sexy she was and I’d almost beaten the crap out of the Dominator.

“Very funny. Just drive and keep the shock comments to yourself.”

He laughed while I remained uncomfortable in my seat. At least I hadn’t experienced a nightmare the night before, but I had left her after the passion had ended, fearing I’d scare her half to death.

“I heard about the dreams you’re having.”

I smacked my head against the leather headrest. “This family can be such a pain in the ass.” Even through being incensed, I couldn’t ignore the fact she’d also had a dream. In the woods. What the fuck? I’d left it alone, but our connection was odd to say the least.

“Jesus. I overheard you at dinner the other night. I might have an answer for you as to why you’re… more of a pain in the ass than normal.”

When I popped him in the arm, he winced as if I’d really hurt him. The man could both take and give a punch with the best of them, so I wasn’t buying it. “Fine. I’ll bite. Why is my wolfie driving me nuts?”

“You need to mate.”

“Wha… What? Not you too. You don’t believe that old wives’ tale bullshit.” As I glared out the window, I did my best to ignore the pain in my torso.

And in my groin.

“Maybe if you’d spent more time with Grampa you’d respect the old ways and legends.”

Beck wasn’t kidding, which shocked me. We adored our grandfather, but most of the old stories had either been debunked or no longer applied since shifters were more humanlike in every aspect. Food. Drink. Sex. How we lived our lives. Most didn’t consider getting married and having kids anything to do with traditional mating. The word was even frowned upon by our generation and younger. “So I’ve reached some magical age and now I’m required to mate or I’ll be exiled into being in wolf form for the rest of my life?”

“Don’t be so damn dramatic. It’s different for every wolf, but given our bloodline is pure, supposedly the hunger is unforgiving.”

I waved my hand, mentally tossing the thought aside. “I’m not settling down. I’m about to embark on the career I’ve always wanted.”

“With the Hellions?”