LOGINRivenWe stood at the door for a long moment, reluctant to let go. Kael leaned in and kissed me deeply, slow and full of promise, his hand cupping the back of my neck right over the fresh mark. When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine.“I’ll call you later,” he whispered.I nodded, smiling softly. “Drive safe.”He kissed me one last time, then watched as I stepped inside and closed the door. The second I was alone, I slumped onto the couch, a stupid, lovesick smile spreading across my face. Everything from last night replayed in my head — the way he fucked me on the counter, the way he marked me, and the way the bond had flared between us like a living thing. I reached up and touched the mark on my neck. It was still tender and warm and sent a spark of heat through my whole body. I let out a small whimper, thighs pressing together at the memory.My eyes drifted to the band-aid on my finger. It was already peeling at the edges. I shook my head with a quiet laug
RivenI woke up slowly the next morning, body heavy and deliciously sore. My neck throbbed where Kael had marked me, and between my legs I felt the deep, used ache from how thoroughly he had fucked me last night. The sheets smelled like him… like us.I sat up, blinking. The room was tidy. Clothes were folded, the floor was clean, and even the mess we’d made on the bench last night was gone. Kael had changed me into one of his soft shirts while I slept. I smiled despite the soreness, warmth blooming in my chest.He wasn’t in bed. I got up carefully, wincing a little, and padded out of the room.I found him in the kitchen, shirtless, wearing only low-slung sweatpants, humming quietly as he made coffee. The morning light caught on the fresh mark I’d left on his shoulder last night. He looked up when he heard me and smiled, soft and warm.“Good morning. You’re awake.”I nodded, smiling back. I glanced around the quiet house. “Your dad and May… they’re not home?”“They headed out earlier,”
KaelI thought it was time.Riven had been through enough, and so had I. After everything that happened, I wanted our families to start healing too. So one evening, I brought it up while we were lying in bed.“I think you should come with me to visit my dad,” I said softly, tracing circles on his arm. “Just dinner. No pressure.”Riven tensed immediately. He looked nervous, almost shy, biting the inside of his cheek. “I don’t know, Kael… what if he doesn’t like me? What if it’s awkward?”“He already knows about us,” I reassured him, kissing his temple. “And he’s been asking about you. Come on. For me?”He hesitated for a long moment, then sighed. “Okay. I’ll go.”***The dinner was at my family home. The table was full — Dad at the head, May beside him, and Riven sitting right next to me. At first, things were surprisingly smooth. Dad and Riven clicked faster than I expected. They talked hockey, strategies, and even old games. Dad laughed at one of Riven’s jokes, and I felt something w
RivenThe stadium was electric.Thousands of fans filled the seats, chants echoing off the walls as the Vipers faced off against one of the league’s strongest teams. I sat in the stands, hood up, heart hammering in my chest. I wasn’t playing tonight. Coach had given me the night off after everything that had happened but I couldn’t stay away. I needed to see Kael play.The game was intense. Fast-paced, physical, every shift full of energy. Kael was on fire. He skated like a man with something to prove, threading passes, throwing checks, and scoring two beautiful goals. Every time he flew down the ice, my chest tightened with pride and nerves.When the final buzzer sounded, the Vipers had won 4-2. The crowd erupted. I stood up with them, clapping hard, a wide smile breaking across my face after what felt like forever.Then, over the speakers, I heard Kael’s name called.“Kael Dravin, you can now come to the ice.”The arena quieted a little as Kael skated to the middle of the rink, stil
RivenWe decided to go back to the hospital together. Kael’s hand found mine as we stepped out of the locker room, fingers lacing tightly. We didn’t hide it. We walked through the parking lot like that — two rival hockey players holding hands in public. People recognized us almost immediately. Phones came out, cameras flashed, whispers spread. But we didn’t care. Not anymore.We got into a taxi. The whole ride, Kael kept his thumb stroking the back of my hand. It felt like the only thing keeping me grounded.When we reached the hospital, I saw my father standing in the hallway. The moment our eyes met, I looked away, jaw tight. All the hurt from before came rushing back.Kael squeezed my hand gently. “I know your father disappointed you. He pissed you off. But just… give him a chance. Please.”I looked at Kael for a long time, then at my father, who was watching me with regret in his eyes. I sighed heavily.Dad walked up slowly and took my other hand. His voice cracked.“I’m sorry, Ri
RivenWe lay on the cold ice, chests heaving, staring at each other like the rest of the world had disappeared. The kiss I gave him moments ago still lingered on my lips. My heart was racing so hard I could feel it in my throat.Kael’s eyes were dark, full of everything we’d been holding back for a month. “Riven…” he whispered, his voice rough.I didn’t let him finish. I leaned down again and kissed him — deeper this time. Messy. Desperate. Our mouths moved together like we were starving, tongues sliding, lips pressing hard, teeth grazing. A soft, wet sound filled the empty rink as we devoured each other. His hand came up to cup the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair, pulling me closer. I moaned into his mouth, the sound vibrating between us.We broke apart only when we needed air, foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling.“I missed you so fucking much,” Kael breathed.I didn’t answer with words. I just kissed him again, slower this time, savoring the taste of him.
KaelI stared at the screen, my pulse kicking up.Me: Are you sure you’re on heat? Have you experienced it before?Riven: No.Me: Then what makes you think you’re on heat?The typing bubbles appeared, disappeared, then appeared again. When the message came through, I had to read it twice.Riven: I
KaelThe evening air was cool as we piled into the big team bus headed for Millbrook. The guys were already loud — some talking shit, others with headphones on, a few half-asleep before we even left the parking lot. I greeted a couple of them as I climbed aboard and dropped into the seat next to Ol
RivenKael was standing outside my door when the taxi pulled up.I saw him before I got out, leaning against the wall beside my door with his hands in his pockets, looking entirely too comfortable for someone who had no business being here. He straightened when he saw me coming, and something cross
RivenThe morning light felt too bright and too loud. I barely slept after what happened last night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my own slick-covered fingers and heard the broken way I’d moaned Kael’s name while I came.I couldn’t ignore it anymore.I needed answers.I had a shower, pulled o







