Page 5 of Pack End Game

Zak doesn’t argue this time. “Fine.”

We reach the fork in the tunnel where the players are separated from the rest of the staff. Left toward the coaches’ offices and equipment storage, right toward the locker rooms.

Spencer and Zak get ready in the locker room with the rest of the team, but I have my own dressing room. Most of the players are alphas, so it’s safer for me to have my own separate space. But because I’m a beta in a bonded pack, I luckily don’t have to be too far away. The guys made sure I would have a private space for getting ready, and I always rejoin my alphas before warm-ups.

“Try not to freeze before kickoff,” I tell Zak.

“Try not to overheat before halftime,” Zak shoots back.

The possibility is less of a concern on days with weather like today, but I have had the displeasure of overheating a few times during hotter days in early fall.

Blowing him a kiss, I say, “It’s cute that you’re concerned, Zakyboo.”

He rolls his eyes but catches my air kiss anyway.

Spencer’s eyes flick between us. “We’ll meet back up like usual.”

I nod, “Wouldn’t miss it.”

Our private, pre-game cuddle-puddle ritual started long ago, and I bask in the glory of their arms every time. My alphas obviously play so well afterward because I’m their good luck charm.

I send them off with a wave and watch as they head toward the locker room, their voices fading as they round the corner.

Turning the opposite direction, I pass a couple of equipment carts and nod at a facilities worker before arriving at the door to my private room. Pulling my staff badge out of my pocket, I scan it to unlock the door and let myself in.

This space is small but sacred. I straighten the sign on the outside that says “Simon’s Sanctuary”. My sign’s been stolen numerous times as a prank or by adoring fans, but it’s always replaced, most likely by Spencer.

Once, a fan broke in trying to impersonate me, and Zak flipped out so badly that he personally oversaw the installation of the new keypad entry. The poor contractor who installed it had my alpha breathing heavily on his neck the entire time.

Stepping inside, I deeply inhale the very essence that is Simon.

In my quaint sanctuary, there’s a small bench on one wall and a long mirror on the other. There are hooks and hangers for my personal clothing. The most important part of the room, though, of course, is the clear display case that glistens under the fluorescent lights.

My face hurts from the wide smile that takes over, something that happens every single time I step into this room.

“My dear friend, have you missed me?” I ask lovingly, knowing that I’ll get no response, but determined to show the necessary respect nonetheless.

As I begin to strip, I continue with pleasantries.

“You look phenomenal. I always leave you in perfect condition, not a claw out of place.”

I change into my appropriate undergarments: thin brown tights and a short-sleeve compression shirt.

Standing in front of the case, I can’t help but admire him.

“Have you missed me as much as I missed you? It feels so wrong to be parted when we are clearly one person in two different clusters of flesh.”

Slowly, I open the glass door and run my hands over the fur that has no right being this soft and heavenly. The groan I let out is deep, my body overtaken by the feeling of merging two beings into one soul.

My hands hug the belly padding, inhaling and becoming what I was always meant to be.

The head sits on a shelf above the suit, its smile sparkling. Two buck teeth and an adorable pink tongue are on display, the perfect combination of dashing and mysterious. Friendly enough that children will want a hug, but handsome enough to make the chicks swoon when I throw them a finger gun and head nod.

His eyes are comically wide, the expression showcasing our fun and dazzling personality.

I look down and examine the feet. God, the feet. Large and absurd, but also incredibly powerful. Stomping around while swinging my belly, exerting true masculinity on the field, is my life’s calling.

My personal jersey hangs nearby, ready to slip over my fur and protect the suit’s innocence.