My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 307

“I’ll be right back,” I said, forcing a smile and gently extricating myself from Enzo’s arms. “Don’t miss me too much.”

Enzo smirked. His cheeks were flushed a light shade of red from the alcohol he had been drinking, and his eyes had that look in them that screamed that he wanted me again. “Oh, I will,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my temple before I wove my way out of the room.

As I made my way to the stairs, the sounds of the party began to fade. I just needed five minutes alone to gather myself and take some deep breaths, and then I would be right as rain.

Just then, before I ascended the stairs, I felt a hand on my arm and looked up to see Jessica’s concerned gaze. “You okay?” she asked.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Just overwhelmed. It’s been a long night.”

She squeezed my arm gently. “I get it. But if you ever need to talk…”

“Thanks, Jess,” I whispered, touched by her genuine concern. “I think I just need a moment alone.”

The festive noise from the party grew fainter as I made my way upstairs. When I finally reached our bedroom, I gently closed the door behind me, taking a deep, shuddering breath. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free. Our room was dominated by an enormous glass wall, giving us an unhindered view of the vast expanse of the ocean below. The gentle waves, reflecting the luminescence of the full moon, crashed rhythmically against the cliff, each crest and trough echoing my tumultuous emotions.

Drawn to the sight, I made my way over and sat on the edge of our bed. The moon was full, its radiant glow casting shimmering silver pathways across the water.

For someone like me, with a wolf living inside, the pull of the full moon was undeniable. On any other night, I would have been eagerly anticipating the chance to let my wolf run free, to feel the power and freedom of the transformation.

But tonight was different. The sadness, the impending void Enzo’s absence would create, was too much, and the last thing I wanted was to surrender to my wolf.

“Nina,” a soft, deep voice spoke inside my mind. It was her, my wolf, her consciousness intertwining with mine. “Why do you resist? Let me help you bear this burden.”

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair, struggling to find words. “I’m just… I don’t know how to handle being away from him for so long. Six months feels like an eternity.”

My wolf remained silent for a moment, and then she spoke, her voice gentle yet firm. “Life is full of challenges, and distance is just one of them. Maybe this separation, as painful as it might seem now, will be good for both of you. Time apart can help you grow, see things differently.”

I scoffed, although there was no real bitterness in it. “You always have a way of finding the silver lining, don’t you?”

My wolf chuckled, a deep resonant sound that reverberated in my mind. “It’s not about finding the silver lining. It’s about understanding that love isn’t always about being together. Sometimes, it’s about letting go for a little while, trusting that the bond you share will pull you back together.”

Taking a deep breath, I whispered, “I know you’re right. But knowing and feeling are two different things. It doesn’t make it hurt any less. We’ve been through so much together; the idea of facing challenges without him by my side is… daunting.”

My wolf, ever the comforting presence, responded,

“I know, Nina. But remember, you won’t be entirely alone. You have me. And while it’s not the same, we will face every hurdle together. Let Enzo chase his dreams while you chase yours. When the time is right, your paths will converge again.”

Tears glistened in my eyes as I looked out at the moonlit ocean once more.

The rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves, coupled with the reassuring words of my wolf, began to soothe my aching heart.

The moon hung low in the night sky, its silvery glow filtering through the billowing curtains of our room. Its luminance should have brought tranquility, a stark contrast to the turmoil within my heart. But it didn’t.

I was curled up on the edge of the bed, hugging my knees to my chest, lost in a whirlwind of emotions.

The gentle lapping of the waves from the cliffside below offered no solace. My cheeks felt damp, tears spilling over, my vision blurred by the brimming sorrow.

Lost in my own melancholy, I hadn’t noticed the soft shuffle of footsteps until a warm hand landed gently on my shoulder.

Startled, I looked up to find Luke’s concerned gaze locked onto mine. The lamplight from the hallway cast a dim, golden hue on his features, accentuating the deep worry lines etched on his forehead.

“Hey, you,” he whispered, his voice breaking the quiet stillness of the room. “I saw you run off from the party. I got worried, and then… I heard you crying.”

Swiping at the tears staining my cheeks, I tried to muster a brave face. “I’m okay, Luke. Just a little overwhelmed. You didn’t have to follow me. You should be enjoying the party.”

He sat down beside me, his posture relaxed, though his eyes remained earnest. “Of course I have to follow you,” he responded, offering a soft smile.” What are bodyguards for?”

I chuckled slightly. “You’re more than a bodyguard. You’re one of my best friends.” Letting out a sigh, I turned to look out of the window once more, the vastness of the ocean stretching out before me, seemingly endless. ” Luke,” I started, trying to divert the heavy atmosphere, “we haven’t really had much time to chat, have we? How have you been?”

His soft eyes flickered with an emotion I couldn’t quite pinpoint, but he leaned back, a wistful expression on his face. “Yeah, it has been a while.

Scout duties have kept me preoccupied. Lots of traveling between realms and all.”

I tilted my head, recalling his pivotal role in the pack. “You’re still scouting for any rogues or Crescents, right?”

Luke nodded, exhaling deeply. “Exactly. Though things have been eerily quiet here lately. But that doesn’t mean I get to rest. I’ve been spending more time in the werewolf realm, searching for Edward.” Ah, Edward. The mere mention of his name sent shivers down my spine. The ex-school therapist who turned out to be not what he seemed. The story of Edward’s sudden disappearance months ago still haunted the pack. It still haunted me, every night,after what he did to me and my friends.

“He’s elusive,” Luke said quietly. “And every time I think I have a lead, it turns out to be a dead end.

“Thanks. But it’s not quite the same, Luke. Every nook and cranny of this house holds a memory of us. How do I stay here in this place, with him absent?”

He pondered my words, his gaze thoughtful. “Why not make new memories? Keep yourself busy, maybe even travel? It’s six months. Before you know it, he’ll be back.”

My lips quirked in a small smile. “Traveling. That would be nice.”

Luke nodded, his expression lightening. “That’s the spirit. And hey, remember, love isn’t measured by proximity. You two have something special.”

Before I could respond, a soft voice resonated from the doorway, freezing the words on my lips.

“Nina.” There he stood, Enzo. His silhouette framed by the soft glow of the hallway lights, his soft brown eyes glistening with an unreadable emotion.

“Enzo,” I whispered, heart thudding.

He took slow steps into the room, the tension palpable. When he finally reached us, his gaze was unwavering, locked onto mine. “I overheard,” he began, his voice strained, “and I need you to understand something.”

I swallowed hard, bracing myself for what was to come.

“Nina,” Enzo murmured, reaching out to cup my face, “I would never show interest in another woman. You’re my fated mate. You know that.”

I felt my cheeks redden slightly, and bit my lower lip, staring down at my feet. “I know,” I murmured.

“I’m just…”

“You’re just being paranoid,” Enzo teased, sitting beside me so that I was seated between him and Luke, two of my favorite people in the entire world.

“You know this isn’t like you.”

I nodded, taking a moment to glance back out the window at the silvery moon. “You’re right. It isn’t.”

But lately, ever since everything had happened, I felt as though I was slowly moving more and more away from myself.

And now, as I stared out at the cliff below our home and saw a shadow staring back at me from the edge, its eyes menacing and its spindly hand beckoning for me to take the leap with it, I never felt further from myself.