My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 330

My mother tsked. “More like the treatments and all that herbal medicine from the witch,” she explained, grinning. “Does he look great, Nina?

Why, you’d never think…”

Her voice trailed off. The truth was, Tyler had suffered from a curse for his entire life — a curse which, up until last year, we had thought came from Enzo’s father. But in reality, it was Tyler’s father who laid the curse on him.

But it didn’t matter now. Ever since Tyler and my mom came to join my dad in the werewolf realm, he had improved immensely. I could tell just from looking at him.

“Well,” I said, giving my brother another squeeze,

“whatever it is, keep doing it. But don’t do too much, okay? You’re still my little brother, so you’re not allowed to get stronger than me.” Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free.”Sure, whatever,” Tyler grinned.

“Tyler,” my mom chimed in again, “tell her about the cute werewolf girl you met.”

Tyler blushed furiously, his eyes darting towards me. “Mom, stop.”

“Nuh-uh,” I intervened, my curiosity officially piqued. “You’re not getting off that easily. Who is she?”

“Fine, fine. Her name is Angie,” Tyler mumbled, still blushing. “We met at the library. She’s… really cute.”

I giggled, squeezing my brother’s arm. “I definitely have to meet her then. If she captured my brother’s heart, she must be special.”

“I didn’t say she captured my heart,” Tyler protested, but his grin betrayed him.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of joyous moments. Mom cooked up a feast, filling the house with the scent of roasting meat and seasoned vegetables. I helped set the table, all the while glancing at Enzo, who seemed to have been roped into a deep conversation with my dad about ancient werewolf folklore.

Dinner was as delicious as any feast, but I could sense the underlying current of anticipation. I exchanged glances with Enzo, who nodded ever so slightly. It was time.

“Dad, there’s something we want to tell you,” I began, gripping Enzo’s hand under the table for support. “Something important.”

My father set down his fork, his eyes meeting mine. “What is it, Nina?”

I took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “Enzo and I are expecting a baby. I’m pregnant.”

For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Then my father’s face broke into a grin that could outshine the moon. “A grandchild!” He roared with laughter, standing up to pull both Enzo and me into a crushing hug. “I’m going to be a grandfather!”

“And that’s not all,” I added, pulling away just enough to look into my dad’s eyes. “I’ve also been accepted into medical school, and Enzo has taken his dream job.”

My father looked at me, his eyes brimming with emotion. “You two continue to make me proud every day. A toast is in order!”

Glasses clinked and laughter erupted. My father raised his own glass high, capturing everyone’s attention. “To the newest member of our family, yet to be born but already loved. And to my daughter and Enzo, who have proven that they can capture any dream they set their sights on. I propose a ball this weekend — to celebrate!”

“A ball?” I chuckled. “Dad, you really don’t have to…

“Nonsense,” he interrupted, his eyes twinkling like the stars above. “It’s not every day a man learns he’s going to be a grandfather and that his daughter is going to be a doctor. These are moments to be celebrated, cherished!”

I looked around at my family— some of the people who meant the most to me in the world-and felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. My parents looked content and excited for the new journey Enzo and I were about to embark upon. Tyler looked healthier and happier than I’d ever seen him before, and even had a budding romance on the horizon.

“Is Angie coming to the ball?” I asked Tyler after dinner, nudging him playfully.

He looked at me, clearly flustered, but then his eyes twinkled with a newfound confidence. “I’ll invite her. You can meet her then.”

Mom laughed, giving Tyler a knowing look as she passed by us. “I guess I’d better add one more to the guest list then.”

Nina

The night sky was a tapestry of stars, seeping through the curtains and casting an ethereal glow in the bedroom of my father’s mansion. Enzo was sprawled on the bed, lost in a book, while I sat at the vanity, running a brush through my hair.

“My dad’s really going all out with this ball, huh?” I finally said, setting down the brush.

Enzo looked up, marking his page with a thumb. ” He’s excited. Can’t blame the man. A grandchild and a doctor-to-be daughter in one go. That’s a lot of happiness.”

I bit my lip, gazing at my reflection. “I know, but… a ball? It feels… overwhelming.”

“What’s on your mind?” Enzo asked, closing his book entirely now, his full attention on me.

“I’ve danced with you before, Enzo. But a ball is a whole other story. I never really grew up with… well, princessy stuff. It makes me nervous,” I confessed.

Enzo’s lips curled into a small smile, and he got up, crossing the room to stand behind me. He met my eyes in the mirror. “Dancing at a ball is different than dancing in the club together, you know,” he teased. “Galas are a common thing here in the upper echelons of the werewolf realm. Get used to it.”

“What, you mean I have to actually dance and not just move my hips?” I quipped, but my eyes were serious.

“Yes,” Enzo laughed, turning me to face him. ” How about we practice? Right here, right now.” I shot him a sideways glance. “You’re serious?”

It led me to the room – that room, where Edward had held me captive. I hesitated, dread forming a heavy knot in my stomach. But some invisible force propelled me inside, and the moment my foot crossed the threshold, the door slammed shut behind me.

Panicked, I lunged at the door, pounding on it with my fists. “Let me out!” I screamed, the sound of my voice mingling with the rusty creak of the door’s porthole window opening.

Through the glass, I could see it —the shadow entity, now wearing a grotesque parody of a grin. Its teeth were as white and jagged as ever, somehow longer and pointier now than they were before. It was mocking me without ever uttering a single word.

My breaths became shallow, the walls closing in on me. My knuckles ached from beating on the door, but it was futile. I was trapped, the malevolent gaze of the shadow drilling into me.

Tears spilled from my eyes, hot and salty.

With a start, I woke up, gasping, drenched in sweat. Enzo was beside me in an instant, his eyes clouded with concern. “Nina, what’s wrong?”

“I had a… nightmare,” was all I could manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

Enzo didn’t ask for details. He didn’t need to, because he already knew. This was slowly becoming a part of our routine.

Instead, he pulled me tightly against him, enveloping me in his arms, his warmth chasing away the lingering terror that was quaking my body.

He began rocking me gently, back and forth, whispering, “It’s okay, it’s okay,” in a soothing voice.

As he held me, my thoughts scattered, trying to make sense of the dream-of the recurring shadow entity, and its malevolent glee. Could it signify an aspect of my subconscious? A warning of some sort?

Or was it simply the manifestation of my fears, haunting me even in my sleep?

I had been considering turning Enzo down about therapy; the notion seemed too risky after what had happened with Edward.

But maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. I could almost hear the slew of questions a therapist would ask. How does that make you feel? What do you think this dream symbolizes?

But the most challenging part would be explaining my past— a past that included realms and powers, and things most humans would find incomprehensible. Could a human therapist ever understand a life torn between two worlds, a lineage fraught with responsibility and intrigue?

Still, as Enzo held me, his heart beating steady against my ear, I realized that maybe it was time to seek help, in whatever form it came. I was about to be a mother, about to bring a new life into a world that was as wonderful as it was dangerous.

And as I lay there, enveloped in Enzo’s arms, it struck me that perhaps not getting help could only be detrimental to my future child.

If I failed to get these nightmares, this shadow entity, under control, what would happen then?