Page 60 of Traded

“Noted.” He breathes in again. “I’m booking you a medical appointment at the NOC tomorrow.”

“What?” I tense. “Why?”

“Your scent.” He leans in, running his nose over my cheek. “It’s… I don’t know. Sharp? Are you in any pain?”

“I just smashed my forehead into playoffs. Obviously I’m in pain.” I hate NOC medicals. Invasive, nasty things.Nobodyneeds to know that much about my cycle. “Feel free to push that check-up until next season.”

It’s irritating as hell that he has to do that for me. Some kind of alpha caretaking thing. “Do I get to book my own check-ups if we’re officially mated? Is this some weird responsibility thing from the NOC?”

He yawns. “I’ll check. You hungry?”

I shake my head. This feels… normal. He’s closer to me than he’s been in days. “I think I should rest for a while. Will you stay?”

“Try and stop me.”

We talk until the noise from outside dies down. “I think everyone’s heading home.”

I don’t mention the bedroom ban, and neither does he. Surely head injuries count as an exception.

Liam can't seriously expect me to sleep alone after this.

Carter grunts as he shifts, pulling a pillow underneath his head. I covertly check out the tape covering his shoulder. There seems to be an awful lot of it. Several bruises litter his skin, courtesy of Saturday’s game. “I left my painkillers in my room.”

“I have some here.” I run my hand through his hair, reveling in the familiarity as his eyes close. Liam has always been impeccably organized when it comes to nest stocking. “I should take some too.”

“Not those,” he mumbles under my touch. “Special prescription.”

“What kind of prescription?”

“One that’ll get me through eighty games. C’mere.” He tucks me under his arm, pulling me into him. “You good? Comfortable?”

“Mmm.” This is my favorite sleeping position.

“Good.” He kisses my forehead. “Expect a few wake-up calls during the night. Mina can check you tomorrow.”

Ugh.“Feels like overkill.”

“And I’m not taking any chances with you.”

Chapter nineteen

Alphas In The Wild

“See?” I wave my feet in the air and push myself off the exam table. “I told you I was fine.”

Carter looks at Mina for a response. The team doctor shrugs. “I have no concerns.”

“Great.” I eye my alpha cautiously. “Actually, Mina, I was wondering if I could have a word about Carter’s schedule? I just want to make sure I’m doing everything I need to.”

“Sure.” Mina glances down at her charts. “I’m tied up after this, though. Can I find you later?”

“What are you doing now?” Carter draws me in outside her office, his eyes resting on my egg-shaped bump. It’s glorious. I’ve never felt so attractive. “I always wondered how unicorns spend their days.”

I swat at him lightly. “I want to do some voiceovers. I’ve got an idea for a nature show. Documentary-style but with hockey players. Gonna sit in the stands for some inspiration, so give me the good stuff.”

His forehead wrinkles in confusion. “That sounds… petrifying, actually.”

It’s going to beincredible. He pecks my lips and slides his keys into the pocket of my jumpsuit. “Liam wanted to talk before we hit the ice, so I’ll see you at home. Call if you need me.”