My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 385

Nina

After spending the afternoon reading and laying in the sun, Lori, Jessica and I made our way inside to get ready for the party. The servants were still bustling about making final preparations, and as we stepped inside, my mother just happened to be rushing past and stopped to talk to us.

“Hello, girls,” she said, shooting Lori and Jessica a warm smile. ” The hair and makeup artist is here. All three of you can enjoy it.” My eyes widened slightly. “Mom, that’s not necessary,” I said,-feeling spoiled once again. “What about you?”

“i’ll be heading up later,” she replied. “And really, I insist. It’s a big event. You deserve to be pampered. All three of you.”

“Wow. Thanks, Ms. Harper,” Lori said with a shocked expression on her face. “That’s really nice of you.”

My mother smiled and ushered us away. But as we reached the bottom of the stairs, she grabbed my hand, pulling me close to whisper in my ear, “I told your father about Lori. Just so you know?” My eyes widened once again. “What? Why?”

But before I could get a response, someone was calling my mother away. And just like that, she was gone. I was left bewildered and a bit perturbed, but figured that if she had told my father, then maybe that meant a good thing. Right?

“Hair and makeup, huh?” Lori said as we climbed the stairs to my room. “You really are a princess.”

“Stop it,” I chided. “i’m not a princess. My parents just go… overboard.”

Jessica giggled. “Nina, your dad is literally called the Alpha King.

Emphasis on ‘king’. You are, quite literally, a princess.”

As we stepped into my room, I couldn’t help but sigh a little. Jessica was right; I was the daughter of the Alpha King, the missing princess. “But I don’t feel like one,” I muttered, still feeling rather like an outsider looking in on this strange, royal world.

Lori was the first to dive into the whirlwind of makeup and hair styling, taking a seat in front of the vanity mirror. Jessica, always the sillier one, teased Lori about her growing fondness for girly rituals.

“Oh, hush,” Lori said, waving Jessica off. “I’m only doing it because it’s the polite thing to do.”

“Mhm,” Jessica teased. “I guess that’s why you’ve started wearing makeup around the house, then. Because it’s proper.” Lori stuck her tongue out, eliciting laughs from us.

Once Lori was finished, her dark eyes sparkling with a shimmery green eyeshadow and dark red lips that matched her aura perfectly, . it was Jessica’s turn. The makeup artist carefully curled Jessica’s hair and put it up into an updo, then gave her a golden eyeshadow and clear lip gloss that made her look like she was glowing.

Once it was my turn, I sat in front of the mirror and waited for my own transformation to begin. The makeup artist chatted amicably as she styled my hair into soft waves that cascaded down my back, then added a subtle silver eyeshadow and cherry red lipstick for my makeup.

It was understated, but it was perfect. When she was finished, I thanked her profusely and we watched as she left.

“You look stunning, Nina,” Jessica said as she pulled the dress out that she had brought with her for the party. It was a simple gold dress, which the makeup artist had taken inspiration from for Jessica’s makeup.

Lori nodded in agreement, already slipping into her simple black dress. “You really do. This pregnancy has you glowing.” I smiled, my hand floating over my belly as 1 looked in the mirror.

Maybe I really was glowing. And maybe, just maybe, this pregnancy would be smooth sailing from here on out.

With our makeovers complete, we began getting into our gowns.

The gown that my mother had made for me had arrived this morning, and I slipped it out of the bag, eliciting a gasp from Jessica.

“You really are a princess,” she teased, touching the shimmery red fabric. “You’ve got the dress and everything.”

I blushed as I held the gown up to myself. It was perfect, really: simple and elegant, a dark red color that was somehow the perfect shade to match my lips. I had expected a gaudy ball gown, but this was muted and perfectly me.

And when I put it on, it fit perfectly, hugging all of my curves in a way that I had never expected. My slightly growing belly was showing through the fabric, and for a moment, I allowed myself to admire how it looked on my body, baby bump and all.

But as the time for the party drew near, there was an important task that couldn’t be ignored. Lori’s transformation was the final piece of the puzzle, and I knew she was apprehensive about it.

“Lori,” I began gently, “I know it’s not ideal, but you’ll need to wear the special perfume. It’s the only way to ensure you can move freely without drawing attention to yourself.”

Lori sighed, her frustration evident. “I get it, Nina, but it’s just hard. I hate having to hide who I am. Is this how you feel in Mountainview?”

“Sort of,” I chuckled. “So I understand your pain, really. But someday, things will change. It’s just gonna take time. The Luna’s control ran deep here, and it’s only been a few months since she’s been gone.”

Jessica chimed in, placing a hand on Lori’s shoulder. “We won’t let anyone mistreat you, my love. We promise.”

Lori nodded, smiling softly. “Okay. I’m ready.”

With that, I pulled out the small vial of shimmering perfume. It had a strange golden color to it, and yet it somehow seemed clear at the same time. When I pulled the cap off, there was no scent. I handed it to Lori, allowing her to do the honors.

But then, suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Before I could answer, I heard my father’s voice come through.

“Can I speak with you for a moment, Nina?” he asked, his voice muffled by the door.

I exchanged a worried glance with my friends but agreed, slipping out of the room to see my father standing there. He smiled as he looked down at me, taking in my appearance.

“You look beautiful, my dear,” he said as he guided me away. ” So much like your mother.”

“Thank you, dad,” I said as I followed him. “Did you need something?”

Once we were out of earshot, he stopped, sighing softly as he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. I knew where this was going.

“I heard about the perfume.”

I swallowed, then nodded. “Yeah. My mom said she told you.” My father sighed, his expression softening. “Listen, I understand the sentiment, Nina,” he said softly, “but I want to make sure you’re aware that it could be unsafe. If the perfume were to suddenly stop working, you should take Lori somewhere private before anyone picks up her scent. Understood?”

I nodded, my heart heavy with the responsibility. “I promise, dad.

I’ll be careful. We all will.”

He offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Nina. I know it’s not easy, and none of this— pardon my language —bullshit would exist if it wasn’t for my late wife sowing these seeds of hatred. It’s a shame what I allowed to happen to my realm. And really, it’s my fault.” I reached out and hugged my father tightly, leaning against his chest. “It’s not your fault, dad,” I murmured. “It’s not. Really.”

My father said nothing. Instead, he patted my back, and when I pulled away, he had a soft smile on his face.

As the waltz came to an end, Enzo and I made our way outside, hand in hand. The cool air of the gardens, although bustling with partygoers, was a welcome reprieve from the heat and the throng of inside. We each took a deep breath, inhaling the night air.

“This is quite the turnout,” I said as we began to stroll through the garden pathways. “I didn’t expect so many people to be here.”

“Me neither,” Enzo said. “It’s packed inside.”

We kept walking for a few moments longer, just taking in the sights and sounds and smells of the gardens, before I suddenly remembered something. I stopped, reaching into the small dutch I was carrying and retrieved the delicate feather I had found on my sister’s grave the other day.

“What’s that?” Enzo asked, eyeing the feather curiously.

“I found this the other day,” I said, holding it up in the light so Enzo could see the way the colors changed when I moved it around. ” I was thinking I could offer it to the Moon Goddess.”

Enzo shot me a surprised expression. “I didn’t think you believed in that sort of thing.”

I shrugged, still gazing down at the feather in my hand. “I just thought it would be nice,” I said with a smile. “I… I found it on Selena’s grave. It felt like a sign. That’s not weird, is it?”

Enzo paused for a moment, taking me in, before he smiled softly and shook his head. “Of course not,” he said gently. “We can put it on the altar. What do you want to wish for?”

“I’d like to wish for a healthy baby,” I said.

Enzo’s eyes lit up. “That sounds perfect.”

Together, we walked to a small altar that had been set up outside, where other offerings had been left. Sitting there were various fruits, crystals, stones; and even money. I carefully placed the feather on the altar, placing it beneath a small rock someone had left so it couldn’t fly away in the wind.

Beside me, Enzo bowed his head, clasping his hands together. 1 followed suit and did the same. We both closed our eyes, and I spoke, feeling compelled to say my wish out loud.

“Moon Goddess, please make sure my baby is happy and healthy,” I said quietly.

“And that the pregnancy is smooth and there are no obstacles,”

Enzo added.

When we finished, we opened our eyes and our gazes met. My cheeks were Dushed red, feeling a little silly. But I leaned my head on Enzo’s shoulder, nestling into the warmth of his body.

Enzo and I looked up at the sly, and in that moment, a shooting star streaked across the dark blue abyss, leaving a trail of light in its wake, I gasped and pointed, my heart shipping a beat.

“Enzo, look! A shooting star!”

Enzo turned to me, a tender smile on is lips. He took my hand and kissed my fingers, then leaned in, his breath warm against my ear.

“It seems like the Moon Goddess is listening,” he whispered into my ear. “And now, let’s seal that wish with a kiss, shall we?” Our lips met, and Enzo pulled me dose, dipping me low beneath the night sky.

And in that moment, I felt as though the Moon Goddess really was smiling down at us, watching and promising to grant our wish.