Dalia's POV
The roar of the crowd still echoed in my ears as Orion finally set me down from his victory parade around the court. My heart hammered with a mixture of triumph and disbelief. We had actually beaten the Dolphins. After all Rosalia's attempts to destroy our chances, we had won anyway.
Orion was practically glowing with pride, his chest puffed out like some conquering warrior. The way he had carried me around on his shoulders, howling like a wild animal, made me laugh despite everything. He could be such a ridiculous show-off sometimes. But through our mate bond, I felt his genuine happiness radiating toward me. The warmth of it made my chest tight with emotion.
Coach Zella approached us with tears streaming down her face. She grabbed me in a fierce embrace that nearly knocked the breath from my lungs. When she pulled back, she wiped her cheeks with shaking hands.
