My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 314

We did good,” Enzo corrected with a grin.

As Matt and Enzo chatted about their final victory together, I glanced over, distracted from the festivities, and my gaze settled on a familiar figure. Luke stood by himself, leaning against the dimly lit wall. His posture, though relaxed, belied the concerned expression on his face. Our eyes met, and he nodded slightly, beckoning me over.

Taking a deep breath, I weaved through the crowd, finally reaching him.

“Hey, Luke, what’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light despite the heaviness that seemed to emanate from him.

He hesitated for a split second before speaking. “I was out on a scout mission in Riverford today, and I found something,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

I frowned, trying to keep up. Riverford was a town close to Mountainview, only a thirty-minute drive away. My friends and I often visited the area to go shopping at the mall that was there.

“What is it?” I asked.

Without responding to my question, he pulled out his phone and handed it to me. On the screen was an image, and as the image came into focus, a chill ran down my spine.

It was Edward. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free.He sat in an old pickup truck in the parking lot of a gas station, the rusted body and chipped paintwork of the vehicle evident even in the grainy photo. Edward looked different-a thick beard covered his face, and a tattered baseball cap sat askew on his head.

Despite these changes, recognition hit me like a punch to the gut. Memories of our past flooded back, and I felt a pang of nausea.

I forced the words out. “This was today?”

Luke nodded. “Yes. I tried to stay on his trail, but he noticed. Before I could approach, he opened a portal and vanished.”

“And you have no idea where he might’ve gone?”

My voice trembled slightly.

Luke shook his head, his frustration evident.” Somewhere in the werewolf realm. That’s all I can assume. But I won’t give up. Edward has to face justice for what he’s done.”

Swallowing hard, I tried to regain my composure.” Thanks for letting me know, Luke.”

His gaze softened as he scrutinized my face. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, even though everything felt far from alright. Edward had returned, in disguise, just a stone’s throw from me. Was he planning a return to Mountainview?

“Yeah, I am,” I lied. “Please, don’t say anything to Enzo, at least not tonight. Let him have this one night.”

Luke looked like he wanted to argue, but after a beat, he relented. “Alright. But Nina… he needs to know. Maybe he shouldn’t leave.”

“And that’s exactly why I need to wait before telling him,” I said. “I don’t want this to get in the way of his dreams.”

“But Nina…

“Enough, Luke,” I spat out, shaking my head and handing his phone back. “Let’s not talk about it anymore tonight.”

Luke shot me a worried look, but said nothing. He nodded and slipped his phone back into his pocket without a word.

We made our way back to the table, attempting to biend into the jovial atmosphere once more. It was then that Matt, ever the life of the party, slapped the wooden table and declared, “I think it’s time for another round! On me, your new hockey captain!”

Everyone cheered in agreement. But when the waiter approached, asking for drink orders, I declined. “Just a soda for me, thanks.”

Matt raised an eyebrow, a playful grin on his face.

“Really? You’re turning down a free drink?”

“I’m not keeping anything from him!” I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air in an exasperated manner. “I don’t even know if I’m pregnant or not.

At least give me time to figure it out on my own before you start accusing me of lying to my husband.”

A tense silence fell over the room. Lori and Jessica’s unwavering gazes never left my face, eventually causing my resolve to crumble ever so slightly.

I sighed, feeling my shoulders slump a little as my hands began nervously picking at a stray thread on my jeans. “Look. It’s complicated, okay?

There’s more to it than you think.”

“Well, either way, you should be open with Enzo,” Lori insisted, her eyes not leaving mine. “He’s your husband, Nina. Secrets don’t make for a good marriage.”

The weight of their words sank in, but also tightened the knot in my stomach. “I can’t,” I finally admitted, the words barely more than a whisper. “At least, not yet. If it turns out 1 am… well, pregnant, Enzo won’t want to leave. He’ll give up his dreams for me. And I can’t be the reason he doesn’t go after what he wants. Not after everything he’s been through.”

“So what’s your plan then?” Jessica prodded, her voice filled with a combination of annoyance and disbelief. “To keep it a secret and deal with it on your own?”

I looked down at the cold tile floor, contemplating my options. I had dreams too; medical school was just around the corner. Could I manage all that with a baby?

“Maybe,” I mumbled, almost too low to hear. “I’ve thought about…well, not keeping it. Having an abortion.

The silence that followed was heavy, almost suffocating. I could feel both of their stares, now filled with a mixture of confusion and concern.

“And would you keep that a secret too?” Lori finally broke the silence, her tone softer now.

“From Enzo? Maybe,” I said, looking up to meet their eyes. “We can always have a family later, right? He goes off to pursue his dream, I go to medical school, and then we can think about a family once we’re really ready.”