My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 351

“You think I don’t know that?” I answered as I stared at my reflection. “She’s clearly fishing for something, probing for weaknesses. And she’s not doing a great job at hiding it.”

My wolf paced in my mind, just as restless and agitated as I was. “Should we tell Enzo? Maybe he doesn’t see it like we do.”

I shook my head, dabbing my face dry with a paper towel. “No, not now. I trust him, you know that.

Besides, he’s so excited about this opportunity. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on Jobnib.com. Visit Jobnib.com to read the complete chapters for free.I won’t throw a wrench into it because of my insecurities.”

“But she’s poking around, Nina. She could -”

“Could what? We’re fated mates, bound by something stronger than whatever petty game Mila’s trying to play. No one has ever come between that, and no one will. We know from experience, remember?”

My wolf seemed to settle at that, but not without a final growl. “Fine, but I’m keeping an eye on her.

And so should you.”

“Always,” I promised. I turned off the tap, another wave of nausea washing over me as I did. “I just wish this morning sickness would give me a break.”

“Perhaps it’s your body’s way of telling you to be cautious. It’s not just us anymore.”

I placed a hand over my still-flat belly. “I know.

And I’m not about to let anything harm our family.

Not Edward, not the Crescents, and especially not some supermodel doctor from the city.”

Taking one last glance in the mirror, I re-adjusted my posture, squared my shoulders, and put on my most confident face. I was prepared now to go back out there and handle all of the bullets Mila threw my way in stride, because I had handled far worse.

I had fought in battles, allayed curses, taken a silver bullet to my leg. The scars were still there, and they would never fully fade. A few snide remarks from a jealous woman was nothing to me.

As I opened the door to step out, I couldn’t help but glance at the table through the small window that separated the restroom from the dining area.

Enzo was in deep conversation with Tim, both men lost in the language of hockey.

And then there was Mila, seated exactly where I had left her, sipping her wine with an enigmatic smile. She turned her head at that moment, as if sensing my gaze, and our eyes locked.

She held my gaze for what felt like a fraction too long. A message without words, a challenge issued and received.

I didn’t need supernatural senses to know that she was going to be a complication, but as my eyes shifted to Enzo, I was reminded that we had already won the most crucial battle. We had found each other, against all odds, bound by something unbreakable.

I pushed the door open, returning to the dining area. Mila looked up, her smile as immaculate as it was insincere.

“Feeling better? she asked, her voice dripping with faux concern.

“Much better, thank you,” I responded, sliding back into my chair next to Enzo.

Enzo glanced up, and I softened a bit. There was that look in his eyes, the look that I had grown to love so much. I reached under the table for his hand and gave it a squeeze, reveling in how warm and calloused his palms were. As he continued his conversation with Tim, his thumb ran across my knuckles, soothing me.

But as the night wore on, I could sense something else in his eyes. Some hurdle that we would, no doubt, have to scale later.

Nina

We walked into the hotel room, the tension from dinner still palpable but left unspoken. Enzo set down his jacket and turned to look at me. Instantly, I knew that something was wrong.

“Why were you so vague about how we met, Nina?

It seemed like you didn’t want to talk about it,” he said, his voice low.

I sighed, unsure of where to start. “It’s not that I didn’t want to talk about it,” I said.

“Then why did it seem like you were nervous to tell the truth?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I just… I didn’t want to say we had a one-night stand, Enzo. It’s.complicated. You know, given the nature of our relationship now.”

“Are you embarrassed about it?” he asked, his voice rising ever so slightly.

I felt my face flush. “No, I’m not embarrassed. It’s just—»

“You are embarrassed!” He cut me off, his tone tinged with disbelief. “Your face is all red, Nina.

Don’t lie to me. I know you too well.”

“It’s not about embarrassment,” I shot back, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “It’s about privacy. Not everyone needs to know our business.

Enzo sighed. “You don’t think I understand that?

But our story is beautiful, Nina. How we met, how we connected, it’s all part of who we are.:

“It may be beautiful to us, but it’s also intimate and personal. Mila was prying, Enzo. I didn’t want to give her anything more to scrutinize.” Enzo shook his head. “She wasn’t prying or scrutinizing. She was just curious, trying to strike up a conversation with you. And you seemed ashamed.”

“I don’t feel shame, Enzo,” I said. “But I also don’t need to divulge every intimate detail of our relationship to people we barely know.”

I felt like I had been slapped. I broke down, sinking onto the edge of the bed with tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Look at me, Enzo. I’m 5’2″, dorky, with stupid hair and I’m gaining weight from the pregnancy.

Mila is tall, slender, and drop-dead gorgeous. How can I not feel threatened by her?”

With a sigh, Enzo knelt in front of me, taking my face in his hands, forcing me to meet his gaze.

“You listen to me, Nina,” he murmured. “You are the most beautiful woman in the entire universe.

You think Mila is beautiful? That woman cakes her face in makeup, and I’m pretty sure she’s had work done. You? You’re naturally stunning. Your caramel skin, your long black hair, your striking features, your freckles. You’re amazing just the way you are.” I wiped my tears, sniffing. “You’re just flattering me, Enzo.”

“No,” he said firmly. “I am telling you the truth.

You have nothing to worry about. I am madly in love with you, my wife, the woman carrying our child. No one could ever take your place.”

“It’s just…” I sobbed, burying my face into his chest. “These pregnancy hormones are making me feel so down on myself.”

He chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around me.

“Maybe that’s so, but you should know, you’re even more beautiful now, especially with our baby inside of you. You’re glowing, Nina. Glowing.”

“Really?” “Yes, really,” he reassured me, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.

His words were a comfort, but for all the beauty he saw in me, I couldn’t help but be haunted by the idea that someone else might snatch him away. It was a ridiculous thought, utterly illogical given our history, our chemistry, our love.

Yet the worry lingered, fueled by a dizzying cocktail of pregnancy hormones and insecurity.

“Promise me something,” I whispered, looking up at him.

“Anything.”

“Promise me you’ll never leave.”

His eyes met mine, and the look he gave me was so intense, so filled with emotion, it took my breath away. “I promise, Nina, I’ll never leave you. How could I? You’re everything to me. Everything. I made that vow on our wedding day for a reason.” I sighed, feeling the weight of my worries ease, if only for a moment. It was enough. Enough to remind me that despite everything, despite the obstacles that were constantly thrown our way, we would always have each other. Through thickness and thin, life and death.

“C’mon,” Enzo said gently, standing. “Let’s get ready for bed.”

He held out his hand for me, and I took it.