Chapter 46: Teasing
**Nat**
Noah, James and Robert arrived, shaking up the hotel. They were three tall, handsome and muscular men. In addition to Mat and Liam, who were also tall, although younger. The guests and employees were all sighs and screams.
When they entered the Tea Room, the waiter had to bring another table to join ours.
“I must say that I am very honored that you all came.”
I wanted to break the atmosphere of competition they were in. Their smug little smiles were irritating Mateo, I could feel it. One by one they kissed my hand and sat down, greeting Mat with their eyes. It was Noah, the oldest, who started the conversation.
“I feel like you are happier to see us than your partner,” said James, teasingly. “Oh, it’s normal to look so grumpy before a game, James. When they lose, you’ll see the puppies whining,” said Noah. “You learned from us, Mat. Don’t believe that your team can beat us. You better get real. We’ll make a scene to honor Bella’s birthday,” Robert added.
“You know what I really think? That you three are pathetic if you think that talking a bunch of nonsense will intimidate an alpha and captain of a team that won the national championship. Where were you guys? In fourth or fifth place. Well, nobody cares about those who don’t bring trophies, right?” Mateo became serious and ironic. It didn’t suit him.
“Well, Nat, I appreciate your attention. I loved meeting you, cousin. Welcome to the family. Full of egos and alpha hormones from Canada to Colorado. I’m not going to waste your time with these idiots. They just came to provoke Mat.” Bella got up to leave. I could only smile and kiss Liam, who was slightly uncomfortable. “It’s just a pre-game mood, Nat, forgive us, after the adrenaline has worn off everything goes back to normal,” Liam said quietly.
They all got up and left happily, lifting Bella by the waist and passing her around. Poor girl, they loved her, but it was still a huge embarrassment. Mat laughed and laughed, I didn’t understand the context. “What was that, love?”, I asked. “He who laughs last, laughs best, right? I just found out that John is Bella’s partner. We need to win so he can be at the party and I want to see what they’re going to do with it!”.
“Well, Mat, there are feelings involved between John and Bella, two people we like, this is much more than winning a hockey game. We need to think about all of this,” I said worriedly.
“That’s why I love you, Nat. So thoughtful and sensitive.” He kissed me, paid the bill and we went to the room where John was staying. We walked in and John was sitting on the bed looking like a fool in love. I already considered him a little brother and Mat was happy that he had finally found his mate blessed by the goddess, but I knew that this would be a big challenge, especially because of his uncle.
John
I was feeling a lot of things, as if I was on a roller coaster of emotions. Joy, fear, nervousness, anger, love, euphoria... How could I know if she would like to find out that she was my mate? How could I know if she would face her own father for me? And would she be happy if she had to give up all her luxury to have a simpler life with me? Not to be a luna, but the wife of a beta? There were so many things going through my head that I was really confused, I needed to organize everything.
“John, I was very happy, but you know that now we need to ensure our victory so that you can be at the party, of course, if that's really what you want. Nat reminded me that we have two hearts that can get hurt by all this, and I really want you not to suffer, nor Bella. If you two make up, there is much more at stake, my uncle is a powerful alpha, he has old values, he makes marriages for business, we don't know how he will react. Besides, Bella has four alpha brothers, so you may have 5 and not just one on your heels”.
“Well, the only alphas I care about and care about are alpha Krig and alpha Mateo.”, I said and felt Mat's chest swell and we held hands, with the touch of our team. “My father and I are with you”.
Mateo
Well, now let's set up our strategies for several possible scenarios: if we win, if we lose, if Bella wants to be your partner, if she doesn't, if my uncle accepts it, if he doesn't accept it... We have to think about everything…
“What if you draw?”, Nat asked because she didn't have much experience in the game. John and I laughed, “No, no, that doesn’t happen,” John said. “Honey, we either win or we lose. We’re very competitive.”
“But you yourself told us to think about everything, so I think that no matter how unlikely, it’s better to have it thought about than for it to be a surprise.” “Good, Nat, it doesn’t hurt to exercise your mind. If we think like that, they must think like that too and they will be caught by surprise and a second of anticipation can be an advantage. Presumption can bring defeat.”
We spent the afternoon and evening thinking about plans A, B and C. Now it was time to rest and count on the routing of the moon goddess too.
Bella
I would have to check if everything was okay for the game. The fans, the safety of the boys, whether they win or lose. How to get them out of here safely, I had everything prepared. Including a little extra help, if necessary, and although it cost me a lot, I knew it might be necessary. So I convinced my father to take advantage of the moment and call some of the main economic alphas who currently hold positions on the Council of Wolves. Old men, but who still preserve the tradition and the nickname for the moon goddess. This would be great to distract my father and restrain him if necessary.
As a ploy, I used the brand of Rebeca Florença, married to the president of the council, the old Alpha Rudson, to sponsor Mat and John's team in this tournament and, that way, we would have an insertion of beautiful women promoting the brand at my ball, and that would really catch my brothers. All that was left was to confirm this detail.
I opened my email and the answer was there. I had done it, now I had to see what it would be like.