My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 318

Nina

The brightly lit mall, covered in colorful banners and flashy storefronts, was a stark change from the gentle green and blue hues of Mounta inview. It wasn’t a regular occurrence for us to come to the mall, but when we did, it was always fun.

I always loved browsing the sale racks, trying on funny hats, and pointing out unique displays. But today, I was just happy to be near Enzo. His hand was warm in mine as we wandered through the mall, surrounded by the buzz of Saturday shoppers.

“Let’s check out that store,” I suggested, nodding toward a trendy boutique. “I’ve been wanting to get something new.”

Enzo grinned. “As you wish.”

The store smelled like vanilla and lavender, with tall racks of clothes neatly organized by color and type. My fingers brushed over soft fabrics, lingering on a few summery outfits. I eventually picked out a few things that caught my eye and headed to the fitting rooms.

And yet, as I stood before the mirror in a beautiful green dress, I found my eyes drifting to my midsection. My belly still looked a little more pronounced than usual. For a second, I felt a strange mix of insecurity and concern. I tried to push it away, blaming it on bad lighting or an unflattering angle, but the feeling persisted.

“Hey, babe, how’s it going in there?” Enzo’s voice broke through my internal monologue as he peeked into the fitting room.

I twirled awkwardly, watching his eyes for a reaction. “What do you think? Does it look okay?”

Enzo smiled. “It looks perfect. You should get it.”

I paused, though, glancing nervously in the mirtor. My hand lingered on my belly. “It’s not… too tight around my stomach?” Instantly, Enzo shot me a warning look. “You look stunning, Nina.

You always do,” he assured me, his eyes earnest. “And healthy, too.

Don’t start obsessing over your size.”

I smiled, his compliment soothing my self-consciousness, but a part of me was still uneasy. “You’re right, I shouldn’t obsess,” I agreed, even though something deep within me nagged that it was odd for my belly to be the only thing that had grown a bit.Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free. “Maybe I’ve been eating too much junk,” I thought to myself. “I’II just have to eat better.”

We made our purchases and stepped back into the river of mall-goers, drifting from one storefront to another. We were midway through our window-shopping escapade when I found myself stopped in front of a kids’ clothing store.

My eyes were drawn to a cute baby outfit set displayed in the window—a little yellow jumpsuit with matching booties. A soft, involuntary sigh escaped my lips, accompanied by a pang of sadness as the memories of that morning, which I had tried so hard to push away, flooded back in.

Enzo felt the shift in me instantly, his arm snaking around my waist. “Hey, we’ll have our family someday, okay? Don’t be upset, love.”

Caught off guard, I feigned indifference. “I’m not upset; I was just looking, that’s all.”

Enzo chuckled, his brown eyes twinkling. “Nina, I know you far toowell for you to pull that ‘just looking’ nonsense on me. Is this like the ‘girl talk’ all over again?”

I sighed and leaned my head on his shoulder, enveloped by the comforting smell of his cologne and his natural scent. “You’re too perceptive, you know that?” I teased

“But it’s my job,” he quipped, pulling me closer. “I might as well double down on it now, seeing as how I won’t be around in a couple of months.”

At his words, I playfully punched his arm. “Hey. Don’t go bringing that up when we’re having a nice time!”

However, despite my admonishment, Enzo laughed. And so did I.

As we kept walking, I felt a bit of lightness in my step. The words that Enzo had uttered just the day before —”new beginnings” —now felt even more meaningful. Yes, it didn’t turn out exactly the way that I had hoped, but I wasn’t crushed by it.

If anything, it gave me even more hope for the future.

Hope that, whenever the time came, we would be able to start our family on our own terms.

The campus trails were dappled with morning light, the air rich with the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. Lori, Jessica, and I set off on our Sunday morning hike, the conversation flowing as easily as the streams that criss crossed our path.

“So, how did your chat with Enzo go?” Lori asked, navigating a rocky stretch with practiced ease. “I’m assuming you actually had the chat.”

I hesitated for a moment, measuring my words. “You’re right. We

did calk about it. 1even toolta pregnancy rest.”

Jessica’s eyes widened instantly. “And.?”

*And… It was negative,” 1 replied, feeling a surge of emotions I still couldn’t quite comprehend. A mixture of confusion, relief, and disappointment.

Jessica and Lori exchanged glances. “You sound disappointed.”

Jessica said softly.

“Maybe a little,” I finally admitted, feeling vulnerable beneath my friends’ knowing gazes. “I didn’t think I would be, but…”

Lori stopped, turning to face me. “Hey, being disappointed is okay.

It’s a good sign, you know? At least you’ve got a glimpse of what you want in the future. A family. Something to aim for.”

Her words landed softly, and I felt the truth in them settle over me.

Lori was right; I did know what I wanted now, even if the timing wasn’t right just at this moment. “You’re right, Lori. Thanks,” I said, the tension in my chest easing a little.

We resumed our hike, our footsteps falling into a rhythm that was as comforting as our friendship. I was lost in my thoughts when my eyes drifted upwards, and I froze.

There, peering around a tree trunk, was the shadowy figure that had haunted my imagination for months. Its long, spindly fingers wrapped around the tree, while its hollow eyes stared back at me unblinkingly. Its mouth, as always, was stretched into an unnaturally wide grin.

Naturally, my heart skipped a beat, but before I could fully register the sight, I blinked, and it was gone.

“You okay, Nina?” Lori’s voice snapped me back to reality.

“Um.., Yeah,” I lied, brushing off their concerned looks. “Just thought I saw something weird. It’s nothing, though. Just a… squirrel.”

Lori and Jessica exchanged knowing glances but said nothing more.

“We continued on the trail, but it hadn’t been long when Jessica’s phone suddenly dinged. She pulled it out, her eyes scanning the screen and slowly widening

“Nina,” she said, her voice wavering slightly, “check your phone.

Now.”

Confused, I fumbled for my phone. As it flickered to life, I saw the notification-an email from the university. My heart pounded as I opened it, my eyes skimming the words until they landed on the ones that mattered: “Congratulations, you’ve been accepted to our medical school program for the upcoming fall term!”

“I. I aced everything!” I nearly screamed, the words tumbling out in a giddy rush. “I can’t believe it. I’m going to medical school!” Jessica beamed, enveloping me in a tight hug, “So am I! We’re going to be doctors, Nina!”

Discreetly, I slid away from the revelry and retreated to the bedroom.

The cool sheets enveloped me as I lay down, my hands folded over my belly. I knew I wasn’t pregnant, but I was still feeling intermittently sick. It must have been food poisoning, but it was strange food poisoning at that. I’d never had food poisoning before where I only threw up sporadically.

I wasn’t in there for much longer than ten minutes when my thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open. Enzo peeked in, his eyes immediately narrowing in concern. “Hey,” he said softly, sitting down beside me. “Lori told me you ran off. You okay? You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine,” I lied, trying to muster a smile. “I just needed to rest for a while.”

He sighed, his eyes searching mine. “Nina, I’ve seen you pull all-nighters, down energy drinks like water, and still be the life of theparty. This doesn’t seem like you.”

Thesitated, my gaze dropping. “I know, Enzo. I just feel a bit off, and it doesn’t feel like normal food poisoning. I’m almost wondering if I should take another pregnancy test.”

His eyes met mine, filled with a blend of love and concern that was uniquely Enzo. “If you think it’s necessary, then you should do it.

But if you’re still feeling like this in a couple of days, promise me you’ll go to the doctor.”

I nodded, appreciating the seriousness in his tone. “I promise, Enzo.”

Later that night, I awoke to a room cast in the blue glow of the moonlight streaming through the large windows.

Something felt different. My senses were heightened; I could hear the rustling of leaves outside, the distant hoot of an owl, even Enzo’s soft, gentle breathing next to me. And then I felt it —my wolf was present, not just a lingering consciousness, but as if she were standing right beside me.

“Nina,” she whispered, her voice tinged with an emotion I hadn’t felt from her in a long time. “Something’s wrong.”

I closed my eyes, focusing on her presence inside of me. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure. I can sense another presence inside of you, but I’m not sure what. It’s faint, but it’s there.”

Panic welled inside me, sharp and cold. “It can’t be a baby,” I thought desperately, although a part of me was beginning to wonder if-and maybe almost hope, in a strange way —that the tests had been wrong. ” I took a test earlier, after the party. It was negative.”

“I can’t tell,” she admitted, her voice sounding almost vulnerable. ”

But whatever it is, it’s not just part of us— it’s something else.”

I thought for a moment, confused. If it wasn’t a baby… Then what could it be? I had been followed by the shadow entity, but I knew that was just my imagination, my brain’s way of processing my trauma.

But then, I found myself wondering, my mind darting to the worst-case scenario. My years of medical training suddenly flipped on like a switch, and the worst possible outcome burst into my mind.

“A… tumor, maybe?”

My wolf was silent for a moment before she finally spoke. “I wish I knew, Nina. But all I know is that you are not alone in your own body.

And I’m worried.”

As I lay there, the silence of the bedroom punctuated by the sound of Enzo’s soft breathing in deep sleep, I couldn’t help but think about my wolf’s words. I wasn’t alone in my own body… What did that even mean?

A parasite of some sort? An entity? Some sort of magic?

Or was it somehow even worse?