Rhys

"It is a pleasure to finally meet the stars of Northern Avalanche, Rhys Calder and Kayden Vale."

Andrew spoke with an easy smile stretched across his face, his tone warm and welcoming as though this entire meeting was nothing more than a casual introduction instead of a discussion that could decide Kayden’s future.

For several seconds, I could not even bring myself to respond. I simply stared at him in silence.

This man was our new owner?

He looked far too young to own an organization as massive and influential as Northern Avalanche.

Everything about him felt strangely out of place. The expensive suit, the calm confidence in his posture, the casual way he held himself in a room filled with executives and former players twice his age.

"You seem shocked to see me, Mr Calder," Andrew said amusedly after catching me staring for far too long. "Is there a problem?"

Damn.

He was observant.

The truth was that I had not only been staring because of how young he looked. Part of the reason I could not take my eyes off him was because I had been searching for some sort of resemblance between him and Nico Park.

The similarities were nonexistent.

Or maybe I simply could not see them.

"Anyways," Andrew continued casually, leaning back slightly in his chair, "I am genuinely glad to be here. Northern Avalanche has always been a team I admired, so investing in this organization was not a difficult decision for me."

Then his attention shifted toward Kayden.

"Mr Vale, please raise your head for me," he said politely. "I would like to see your face while asking whether you agree with the Sports Committee’s decision regarding your suspension for this season. The official memo has not been released yet, which means discussions are still ongoing and—"

"No."

Kayden immediately lifted his head before slowly rising from his chair.

"I agree with whatever decision the committee decides," he said firmly, his voice calm despite the pressure surrounding him. "I do not care if I have to remain benched this season as long as this creates an opportunity for other omegas to finally play beside alphas and betas openly."

I turned toward him immediately, shock hitting me so hard that for a moment I forgot where we even were.

Why was he agreeing so quickly?

I knew how badly Kayden wanted to play this season again. Hockey was not simply a career to him. It was part of his identity. Part of his soul.

A part of me wondered whether he was only saying this because of the pressure inside the room. Because everyone was staring at him. Judging him. Waiting for him to say the wrong thing.

But I did not want him sacrificing himself like this.

"Kayden, what the hell are you—"

"Rhys, it is fine," he interrupted softly before turning fully toward me.

There was no sadness in his expression.

And through the bond, I could not feel regret either.

That was when I realized he had already made peace with this decision long before anyone else inside this room had.

Was this because of the baby?

The thought crossed my mind instantly.

Then Kayden smiled at me softly, and I immediately understood.

Yes.

This was because of the baby.

He was choosing safety.

Even if it meant sacrificing the thing he loved most.

I slowly curled my hands into fists beside me until my nails pressed painfully into my palms.

"Very well then," Andrew said after a moment before turning toward Thomas Brown. "Is there anything you would like to say before the final voting regarding Kayden Vale begins?"

Thomas released a long sigh before looking between Kayden and me thoughtfully.

Then, without hesitation, he raised his hand.

"The first vote comes from me," he announced clearly. "And I vote in support of Kayden Vale remaining in Northern Avalanche."

My eyes widened immediately in shock because Thomas Brown was the last person I expected to openly support Kayden first.

For a moment, I genuinely thought I had heard him wrong.

"Kayden Vale is a generational talent," Thomas continued seriously. "Northern Avalanche has not seen a player like him since Rhys Calder himself, and if this organization loses someone with that level of potential, then this team will ultimately destroy its own future."

A warmth spread through my chest hearing those words.

I turned toward Kayden almost instantly before grabbing his hand again beneath the table.

He looked back at me and smiled softly.

Then Andrew slowly raised his own hand.

"Over the course of these meetings, I spent several days reviewing Kayden’s games, statistics, and performance history," he announced. "And after everything I have seen, I believe he belongs on this team. Therefore, my vote is for Kayden Vale to remain in Northern Avalanche."

Then he gestured toward the man seated beside him.

"Hello everyone. My name is Jeremy Young, and I am the co-owner of Northern Avalanche," the man introduced calmly. "I also vote in support of Kayden Vale remaining with the team."

I tightened my grip around Kayden’s hand before glancing toward Leo, who stood quietly near the corner of the room with a satisfied smile resting on his face.

This was all because of him.

Without Leo, none of us would even be sitting inside this room right now. Kayden would have been banned from the league permanently before ever getting the opportunity to defend himself.

Leo caught me looking and gave both of us a small thumbs up.

I released a slow breath before looking around the room again as the voting process officially began among the board members and former players.

Some voted in support of Kayden remaining with the team.

Others did not.

"We can always replace him."

"There are plenty of talented players available."

"This scandal will permanently stain the legacy of Northern Avalanche."

The comments continued one after another, and with every negative vote, the tension inside the room became heavier.

Coach Reddick voted for Kayden without hesitation.

Even Miller voted in support of him while acting in place of his late father, who had once been a respected Northern Avalanche player himself.

Eventually, the votes became completely even.

And then only one person remained.

My grandfather.

The moment all eyes shifted toward Rami Calder, my heartbeat immediately began pounding violently inside my chest.

I already knew the type of man he was.

There was absolutely no way he would willingly choose Kayden after everything that had happened between them.

Slowly, I tightened my grip around Kayden’s hand and mentally prepared myself for the possibility of walking away from Northern Avalanche entirely if Kayden was forced out.

But then my grandfather calmly cleared his throat before slowly raising his hand in Kayden’s favor.

"I believe the young omega possesses extraordinary potential," he announced while staring directly at me.

But somehow, his words sounded less like encouragement and more like a warning.

Shock hit me so hard that for a moment I genuinely could not process what had just happened.

Why?

That was the only question running through my mind now.

He could have finally achieved exactly what he always wanted by forcing Kayden out of Northern Avalanche forever.

Yet instead... he voted for him to stay.

Why?

What kind of game was he playing now?

Because I knew Rami Calder very well.

And men like him never protected the people they intended to destroy.