Coach had arranged for a post-game press conference for Flurry and me. After our performance during the game, it would have seemed like business as usual. They certainly weren’t expecting the bomb we were about to drop on them.
Flurry and I shimmed behind the long table that was set up in front of the Growlers banner, each of us taking a seat behind a microphone. Holly sat in the front row of a buzzing sea of reporters, and I quickly scanned the crowd for Mike’s face. The primal part of me was delighted when the little prick was nowhere to be found. I caught Holly’s eye, and she beamed up at Flurry and me. She seemed totally unaware of what was happening. I hoped she’d still be smiling once we made our announcement.
I cleared my throat and leaned over the microphone. “I’d like to make an announcement before we take questions.”
All the hushed chatter ceased, and every eye in the room focused on me.
I opened my mouth to speak but snapped it shut, feeling anxiety creep over me. Flurry leaned over and gripped my leg with one of his large palms, drawing my gaze to him. He grinned and nodded.
“After this season, I’ll be retiring,” I said bluntly, the little reassurance from my mate giving me all the confidence I needed.
There was a collective gasp from the room, the click of camera shutters, and the frantic scribbling of pens on paper. I pushed all of that aside, though, delighted by Holly’s shocked expression and the ‘o’ shape of her plump lips.
Lips I hoped would be wrapped around my cock later.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I continued. “I’ve found my mates and I’ll be pursuing life outside of my hockey career. The life I’ve always dreamed of with the people that I love.”
I was met with a barrage of questions from the media.
“Who are your mates, Klaus?”
“Care to comment on your mates, Powerhouse?”
Flurry glanced over at me and smiled before speaking into his mic. “Well, one is me.”
The room broke out into utter chaos. Reporters shouted questions, photographers surged forward to capture shots of the two of us together.
“Enough!” I bellowed, drawing all the noise out of the room. I gave Holly a sincere smile. “Come up here, princess.” There was kindness in the way I whispered, a tenderness in my voice that I reserved only for my mates.
Holly bit down on her lip, then slowly rose from her chair. I had to fight the growl that threatened to tear from my chest as every gaze in the room followed her up onto the stage.
I slid my chair back and patted my wide thigh, encouraging Holly to sit where she belonged. She sat on me, wiggling her plump little ass until she was comfortable, and making my dick as hard as steel.
Fuck.
I had half a mind for Flurry and I to take her right there. Stake our claim in front of the media and everyone watching the broadcast.
Holly felt tense in my lap, her body rigid and her breaths coming out as sharp pants. Flurry sensed her discomfort and scooted closer, until the three of us were snuggled together. He placed a reassuring hand on Holly’s thigh, and her body seemed to relax.
“It’s alright, snow angel,” he murmured. “Sorry to spring this on you, but it’s for the best.”
I leaned against her temple and pressed my lips to her ear. “And don’t worry about your job. The rules don’t apply to mates.” She let out a deep breath, letting her stress go with it, and leaned into me, giving me the acceptance I needed to continue. “This is Holly. A sports journalist assigned to the Growlers, and our mate. Go on, princess.”
She cleared her throat and moved closer to the mic. “H-Hi.”
The press went wild once again.
“Holly, can you tell us what it’s like to be mated to two of the best hockey players in the NMHL?”
“Flurry, how does it feel to replace Klaus as first line center for the Growlers?”
“Klaus, are you retiring to start a family? Is Holly pregnant?”
Holly swallowed hard, and my hands instinctively wrapped around her stomach. She wasn’t pregnant, not that I knew of at least, but part of me was delighted at the idea of her body swelling with our child.
Flurry grinned at me, like he was reading my thoughts. “We’re not expecting. Not anytime soon, at least. This is all very new and we’re enjoying our time together as mates. We won’t be taking any further questions at this time, thank you.”
He grabbed Holly’s hand, leading her offstage, and I followed close behind them. We were silent as we filed down the hallway that led out of the stadium, waiting for Holly to scold us, but she didn’t say a word.
I couldn’t take it anymore. “Holly, we—”
She whipped her head to look at me with tears in her eyes. “You’re really retiring?”
I smiled softly and nodded. “Yes, princess. It’s about time. Flurry will still play and we’ll travel with the team. The three of us will still be together, but I’ll have time to devote to you.”
Holly looked at Flurry. “And you’re fine with this?”
He stroked his hand over her cheek. “I love you and I love Klaus. If this is what he wants, then it’s what I want.” Flurry leveled his blue eyes on me and smirked. “Besides, we both know the old man is slowing down.”
I scoffed. “You certainly don’t seem to think so when I’m pounding your ass.”
Flurry broke out into laughter, and Holly’s cheeks flushed red. The scent of her arousal filled the hallway, drawing our attention towards her.
“Come on,” I purred, grabbing Holly’s hand and then Flurry’s. “I want to go home, take a shower, and fuck my mates.”
They didn’t protest as I tugged them along beside me.
“What was with them assuming I’m pregnant?” Holly huffed. “Of course, their minds would automatically go there.”
Flurry pushed into her shoulder. “Don’t act like you don’t get off on the thought of us breeding you, little mate. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you’re begging us to put a baby inside of you.”
Holly fought back a smile, but her scent gave away her true feelings.
I gripped her hand tighter and nuzzled her head. “And until you’re ready, we’ll have plenty of fun trying.”
This was just the beginning. The media was sure to hound us, pressing for more details of our personal lives, but we’d handle it together.
CHAPTER 13
HOLLY
Christmas Eve
Warmth spread through me as I sat on the edge of the couch, a cup of hot chocolate in one hand and my phone in the other. Flurry and Klaus both settled down on the floor, a pile of presents stacked between the three of us. The fire crackled in the hearth, we were all full from a glorious dinner, and our stockings were ready to be filled.
It turned out that Christmas was one of their favorite holidays. I’d never really had a true holiday like this before, and Flurry and Klaus had gone all out. Decorating the tree in the corner was one of my favorite parts.
“Smile,” I told them.
“Oh my gods,” Klaus groaned. “You’re making us take pictures.”