The team was meeting near the court. The organized fans made their scream to motivate the players, who looked happy and surprised to see a whole class there cheering for them. Passing the plays, the coach gave his final guidance to the team realizing that his captain was absent.
Looking for it in every corner, it does not turn.
― Where the hell is Howard?
― I am here.
The boys looked back where the little man stood on the court with his hand bandaged. They would be curious, and even wanted to know what could have happened, but something in Nicolas made it clear that any approach would lead to a certain death. Maybe it was his dark, gloomy eyes, or the aura that surrounded him.
— Right... Are you okay to play? ― Nicolas answered with a silent nod. ― Okay. I want you to stick to Jones, to make his quick attacks. The opponent is not used to this, we will use to our advantage.
The whistle of the judge sounded and the players positioned themselves on the court. Standing between Gabriel and the other alpha, Nicolas adjusted the band between his fingers feeling a weight on his shoulders. He didn't have to raise his head to know how to be Milles facing him. The feeling... No. The bite made it clear it was him.
Admitting that was devastating.
― Hurt your hand is? You're gonna fuck up...
― Shut your fucking mouth. ― Growled Nicolas furiously, squeezing his fingers in fist trying to contain that feeling.
The crowd ceased when the whistle sounded and the ball was out. Nicolas had not tried to concentrate on the game. I mean, it was natural for him to follow the ball and position himself on the court... The problem was the anger that only grew inside him.
How could he let things get to that point?
Did he bite Milles?
Did he bond with him?
If it wasn't humiliating enough for your instincts to yell that the creep was your soul mate, did he have the itch to bite him? By forcing him to create a bond that would never be broken?
Nicolas had run around the court jumping as high as he could when Gabriel raised the ball directly into his hands. The force he had used to score the point was so much, that both teams on the court were stunned.
His legs vibrated with the force exceeded. Nicolas could feel the blood flowing through his veins along the adrenaline. A small percentage of his anger was outweighed by the ball. And the feeling was pleasurable, though inexhaustible.
What the fuck was on your mind when kissed Milles? If he had never done that, he probably wouldn't be living that nightmare. If Milles had never come into his life, Nicolas could just be a captain of a team and a sleepy best friend. He wouldn't have to worry about an alpha.
He wouldn't have to hide.
He wouldn't have to control yourself.
He could be himself.
Why... did he have to bite Milles?
Shaking his head to keep his thoughts away, Nicolas wiped sweat from his face with his arm.
— You're okay? ― He heard Gabriel's voice in his ear, and all he could do was nod. ― Stay close to me, captain. I'll cover for you.
Nicolas did not have the strength to fight with Gabriel, despite knowing that he was doing it for Theodore. Agreeing again the captain remained close to him, feeling his scent enveloping his body hiding the presence of a cheap omega.
Thanks to the alpha's help, Nicolas had managed to concentrate for a few moments and score more points by securing the lead on the scoreboard. To the extent that rotation had occurred, his cover had been lost when he was away from Gabriel. Confusion resumed his feelings along with the fury.
― What the fuck is this? Can you focus?
Eyes glued to the ball.
Ignore the voice of Milles.
As exciting as it is to whisper and husky, ignore it.
He's the one who left you like this. He's the one who dared to go against, even though he knew he'd suffer the consequences. He's suffering because of him.
Still...
― Can you play with me?
The look that Nicolas had directed at Milles silenced him immediately. He had no idea what kind of face the devil himself would have, but it would probably be as terrifying as Nicolas's.
― Playing with you? Being on your side is already a nightmare.
― What?
― You stink like omega girl. ― Growled Nicolas turning attention to the game to the sound of the whistle for the next rally.
Nicolas felt Milles trying to cover him with his scent. Having no idea if it was something conscious or not, he just ran away from Milles trying to get into Gabriel's tracking camp. Not only to get his scent, but also to form the team's most formidable duo and score points.
But every time he smelled Milles on the court, omega's instincts screamed to come to him. His head seemed to crack in half, especially when he accidentally bumped into the alpha and smelled someone else in it. The fury increased with that detail. The will to physically fight with the alpha or to blame him for something became present.
What the fuck was that feeling?
― Hahaha, it looks like Gabriel is cheating on you with the captain, huh Milles? ― Played one of the players to celebrate another point.
Treason.
Paralysed on the court with wide eyes, the omega realized that feeling extremely repulsive.
Nicolas felt betrayed.
Ah...
What was that all about?
It seemed to bubble inside him.
The clenched fists and the strength that accumulated in his legs. Nicolas simply exploded in the first set. He had played so well that even the crowd was frightened by his presence. The court seemed to catch fire with his presence, and Gabriel had worked very hard to keep up with that agility.
The team captain seemed to be the devil turning that court into hell. Using every drop of his rage in his attacks and completely ignoring Milles with his smells. Even if his head hurt, even if his instincts were against him, Nicolas did not give up.
With the end of the first set, the teams went to rest a few minutes. Nicolas drank water without giving courage to his best friend try to talk to him. He also did not approach the team to listen to the coach. He just leaned on his knees closing his eyes fighting with himself for having made his life a chaos.
And the same rhythm of the first set spread to the second. Nicolas carried the whole team on his back. Even dripping with sweat, having his scent escaping, he had received the covering of Gabriel completely repudiating the alpha that his instincts desired.
In the midst of what became known as the infernal match, Nicolas's team had secured a place in the quarterfinals.
Breathless, the omega closed its eyes by throwing its head back at the end of the set. Its lungs burned trying to recover the lost air. The legs tingled, but the feeling was like a drug.
— Why are you doing this? ― He had heard Milles' husky voice tell him. Nicolas had not moved, he had just taken a deep breath trying to stay in control. ― Why are you hiding on him instead of me?
He had not answered.
Milles cluttered his hair looking around before whispering to the captain again.
— What kind of game are you playing with me, Nicolas? Didn't you say you will take responsibility? Then why the fuck are you hiding in Gabriel's scent?
Ah... It was possible to hear the sound of the last drop falling on an overflowing chalice. Nicolas had opened his eyes immediately and held the nape of Milles aggressively, forcing him to bow. Containing the exasperation, the captain dragged the alpha among the players of his team plucking prying eyes, but without anyone daring to argue.
He had dragged Milles sinking his fingers into his hot neck. He wanted to choke him. He wanted to get into a physical fight until all that anguish was gone. Nicolas had hated playing in those conditions, even though his victory was glorious.
In some empty hallway where they could talk, Nicolas had pushed Milles by the neck releasing him, watching him straighten his posture and face him furiously. Taking a few steps to stand before him, he grabbed his uniform forcing him, once again, to bend down again.
It was in that way that Nicolas would lower himself before his presence.
― What is it, you big turd? Didn't the cocoon satisfy you? Is the girl bad in the mouth and you came looking for me with your tail between your legs?
Milles watched the brown eyes at the captain, releasing a nasal laugh.
― I can assure you that her kiss was very good.
― Playing the tough guy now? When you didn't have the guts to tell me you were bitten by me, you coward.
Again Nicolas could see that little bit of pain in Milles' brown eyes. It had been a torment to drive away his instincts to cast away that sentimental shadow of the alpha. He wouldn't back down. He was also suffering because of that.
— Ah, now you know what you've done. What a convenient memory yours is, isn't it captain? Just now that I was about to pretend that nothing happened either, and everyone could move on. ― Replied the exasperated alpha ― But you insist on fucking me! Is this your game, you piece of shit?
— Of course, it's part of my game to want to bite you and fuck up my life by tying you up. Why not disgrace my life like that? As much as you hate me, you bet it's reciprocal.
Milles had pushed Nicolas enough to be freed and gain distance. However, the omega was unwilling to end the discussion right there. Even if the bite warned him that the alpha was seeking to calm down, Nicolas would not let him cool his head. Not when his was getting more and more messed up because of the feelings.
― So, you don't have the guts to say I bit you, but you have the nerve to stick your tongue in someone else's mouth and still come to piss me off about me being protected by Gabriel and not you?
― Unfortunately I can't control certain things thanks to you, Nicolas. The alpha in me who wants to protect you, not me.
― Do yourself a favour and send your alpha, and you go fuck yourself. I almost got benched because of the shit you did, Milles!
— What did I do? I think that whoever is not understanding things is you, you shit. ― Growled Milles, approaching menacingly Nicolas. ― Because that girl was fucking beautiful, she was a good kisser, and I still couldn't go on because of the damn bond you made with me. If you suffered from it, it's what you deserve.
Right.
It was he who let his guard down and bit Milles. He had already promised the alpha that he would take responsibility for his pain, even though he did not know what it was. Did he wish so much to be free of it? Would that point come just to get rid of it?
Milles hated him that much?
With a grip on his heart, Nicolas accepted its consequences.
Taking a step back and pointing back, Nicolas arched his eyebrow.
— Then go and look for her. I said I'd take responsibility for making your life a hell, didn't I? So whatever this damn call is gonna cause me every time you touch someone else, I'll take it quietly. Since I deserve it. You don't have to feel guilty like now. Just go away and don't dare look back.
Milles stared at him without saying anything at all. And it was so strange to be able to feel that he was also nervous. Damn connection. Damn bite. Bloody Nicolas.
That game has gone too far.
Just shouldn't have reached such a point to admit things.
It all started with a provocation. A dangerous game where they could show to another how good they were. A game of ego only. From the moment he felt Milles was his soul mate, the game was lost. Nicolas could not be at peace, as another battle was being fought.
This time against himself.
Like it or not.
Fall in love or not.
Declare Milles yours or not.
Taking advantage of the stunned reaction of Milles, Nicolas had once again approached the highest. Reaching out to take the bandage off his right shoulder with brutality, the omega pulled him by the nape of the neck again curving in his direction without leaving his eyes.
― Now, if you stay then you have to deal with reality. I am your omega and you are my alpha, Milles Mckenzie. What is your decision?