Chapter 113 – Celebration After the Storm

Title: "More Than a Team"

The locker room had never been this loud.

Laughter, cheering, the sound of sneakers stomping the floor—pure, unfiltered joy.

Ben was sitting on the bench, shirt drenched in sweat, still catching his breath, but the smile on his face refused to fade. He leaned his head back against the wall, letting it all sink in.

They did it. They qualified.

Ryan rolled in, clapping his hands. "Alright, alright! Before we break something—" he laughed as someone knocked over a water cooler, "—just know that what you did today? That was heart."

Coach Daniels nodded beside him, a rare smile stretched across his usually serious face. "This team isn't just talented. You're resilient. Quarterfinals next. Stay sharp—but tonight? You earned this."

Tyler bounced excitedly in place, barely able to contain himself. "Ben! That shot, man! That was insane!"

Ben chuckled. "I just did what Ryan told me. Trusted myself."

Anna and Savannah entered a moment later—Savannah still in her cheer uniform, face flushed from shouting.

"You guys were amazing!" she said, hugging Ben tightly. "I nearly lost my voice in the fourth quarter."

Anna moved to Ryan, smiling softly. "You… you looked like a real coach out there."

"I felt like one," Ryan said, voice quiet but proud. "We're building something here."

Someone brought out cupcakes—courtesy of Sarah, of course—and soon enough, music played from a speaker one of the players brought in. The team sang, danced, shouted their chant together: "Wolves never back down!"

For a moment, it wasn't about the next game.It was about being together.

Family.