My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 395

Nina

I woke up that morning with the same sense of calmness that I had felt over the past couple of days still enveloping me. The first rays of the morning sun were beginning to shine through the large window of our bedroom, casting a warm amber glow across the room.

I always liked waking up in this room, with the sun coming up over the horizon; it was like a natural alarm clock. Even though the bedroom in my father’s mansion was luxurious and beautiful, Iloved our home much more.

With a soft smile ommy face, I turned over expecting to see Enzo still sleeping there, only to find Enzo’s side of the bed empty, the sheets cool to the touch. As my foggy brain began to clear, I realized that he must be downstairs, finally making that call to Tim about Mila. He had promised he would do it last night, after all. And it was a long time coming.

I had realized that Enzo had been stalling, but I didn’t push him. I knew that he would do it in his own time, and now, it was finally time. It was a big deal, to report a coworker for sexual misconduct; even more so for a man, in a world where it was considered taboo for a man to be the victim of such things. But he had me- and I would be there for him every step of the way.

Pushing the covers a side, I got out of bed, stretching my arms above my head. There was a lightness in my step, a feeling that hadn’t left me since the Moon Goddess Festival. I headed to the bathroom, turning on the shower and letting the warm water cascade over me.

It was during moments like these that I often found myself talking to my wolf.

*Why do I still feel so light, like the shadow entity isn’t following me anymore?” I asked, closing my eyes as the water ran through my hair. I had thought the feeling would fade once the afterglow of the offering I had left atthe party had faded, but it never did. Visit Job n i b .co m to read the complete chapters for free.Something told me that it wasn’t just in my head; something had, in fact, changed. I didn’t know why, or how, but it had

My wolf considered my question for a moment before replying, her voice a comforting presence in my mind. “Hmm… I’m still not sure, Nina,” she said softly. “But I can feel it too; there’s definitely something different. Perhaps your offering to the Moon Goddess made a difference? Maybe she blessed you after all.”

I didn’t think I ever would have admitted it, even to myself, but my wolf’s words made me smile, I had never been one to believe all that much in religion or spirituality, but something had changed ever since the festival.

Maybe there was even more to the realms than I knew about. After all, just a year ago, I had been utterly convinced that everything supernatural was just a myth; and now here I was, talking to a spectral wolf in the back of my head.

After the shower, I wrapped myself in a towel and checked the clock. My first real doctor’s appointment-not a visit from a witch, but rather an actual visit to an office with tiled floors and white coats-for the pregnancy was today.

I was eager for Enzo to come with me, but I wondered if he was still on his call. I dressed quietly and padded down the stairs, not wanting to interrupt or make him feel uncomfortable just in case he was still discussing the Issue with Tim.

But as I descended the stairs, I spotted him. Enzo was sitting at the kitchen counter by himself, quietly contemplating. I made my way over to him and planted a kiss on his cheek, but as I did, he seemed so lost in thought that he didn’t even react right away.

“Morning.” I said, pulling back a bit to look at him.

He blinked, clearly having beer pulled out of a deep train of thought, and offered me a tense smile. “Morning. Sleep well?”

*Mhm. Did you make your call yet?” I asked as I walked around the counter to turn on the electric kettle.

His eyes followed me as I moved. ‘7, uh. I did make the call,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of something that I couldn’t quite place.

I leaned against the counter, my heart racing slightly. “Well, how did it go?” I asked tentatively. “What did Tim say when you told him about what Mila had done? I hope he was supportive.”

Enzo shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. “I… I couldn’t do it,” he admitted sheepishly. “Right when I was about to tell him, Mila and the whole team came in.”

My brow furrowed in confusion and frustration. “Why didn’t you ask Tim to speak privately, then?* | asked, feeling a mixture of disappointment and concern.

He sighed, running a hand through his tousled, curly brown hair. “I just.. I think it might be best to talk to Tim in person about this,” he said, looking at

• me with a vulnerability I rarely saw in him. “I know it sounds silly, but-* I found his response odd, but I nodded nonetheless. “No need to explain,” | said, reaching for his hand across the counter. “If that’s what you want, then I’ll support you.”

Enzo let out a breath that I don’t think el ther of us knew he was holding, and squeezed my hand. “Thanks, Nina,” he sald. “Excited for your appointment today?

Despite my reservations about the situation with Enzo and Mila, I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. “I’m over the moon. I hope we’ll get to hear our baby’s heartbeat today.”

Enzo grinned. “Me too.”

Together, the two of us prepared to leave for the doctor’s appointment. The ride there was quiet, both of us lost in our own thoughts. I kept thinking back on what Enzo had said, and wondered if there was more to his reservations regarding telling Tim about Mila than he was letting on.

As I glanced over at him, driving with one hand on the steering wheel, I felt my heart twist in my chest. His jaw was clenching and unclenching, just as it often did when something was on his mind

But I wasn’t going to pry, and besides: we had our baby’s heartbeat to look forward to today.

The doctor’s office was bustling with activity. Pregnant women sat in the waiting room, some with partners, others alone. I checked in, filling out the paperwork, my hand unconsciously resting on my belly.

After finishing the paperwork, Enzo took the clipboard from me and returned it to the receptionist. I glanced around as he walked away, observing the other expectant mothers.

One particular couple caught my eye; the woman was beaming, her husband tenderly rubbing her round belly as they whispered in each other’s ears. The doctor called them in, and they walked past us, their happiness infectious.

Ilooked up at Enzo as he returned. He sat back down beside me, wrapping his strong arm around me and pulling me close.

“I hope that’s us soon,” I said, using our Mindlink to speak as I glanced toward the happy couple.

A soft smile twitched at the corners of Enzo’s lips, and he pulled me a littlecloser, planting a soft kiss on the top of his head. “It will be, my love.” His words and his affection made me smile, and I leaned my head on his shoulder, my hand still resting on my belly. I hoped that he was right-and something told me that, after my offering to the Moon Goddess, he was.

But then, suddenly, a volce carried across my room and made my heart begin to race.

“Nina and Enzo?”

Nina

“Nina and Enzo?”

Enzo and I both looked up, both relieved and nervous to see the nurse standing in the doorway. I took a deep breath and stood, nervously holding my barely-showing belly. However, despite my reservations, the nurse looked like a kind young woman and flashed me a warm smile as we approached

“Good morning,” she said, jotting something down on her clipboard as we walked up to her. “Ready for your appointment?”

I nodded, glancing up at Enzo. “Ready as ever.” I said softly.

The two of us followed the nurse into the exam room, Enzo’s hand clasped tightly in mine. The room was a stark white color but surprisingly warm, with a comforting scent of antiseptic mingled with a faint floral air freshener.

Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting striped shadows across the floor. Lastly, there was an ultrasound machine pushed up against the wall, and just seeing it made my heart race.

Today, we would finally be seeing the very first images of our baby. I just hoped that everything would be alright.

“Hop up here and let’s get started.” The nurse patted the exam table, and

• began asking a series of questions while taking my vitals.

“So, Nina, how have you been feeling? Any bad morning sickness?” she asked, wrapping the blood pressure cuff around my arm.

I glanced over at Enzo and shrugged. Obviously there was so much that I couldn’t tell her, but morning sickness was at least one thing that I could talk about. “It was a rough start, but I feel much better now,” I replied, trying to sound as normal as possible. “I still have moments, but..”That’s good to hear. You’re a few months along now, so the morning sickness should start to subside. But don’t be alarmed if it returns,” the nurse said, scribbling something on her clipboard. Morning sickness can sometimes last through the entire pregnancy.”

“Yay.” Ireplied sarcastically,

The nurse chuckled. “I know, I know,” she said. “The joys of motherhood. Be prepared for other symptoms like swollen feet and a sore back, too.”

She handed me a few pamphlets, tapping the topmost one. “I’d highly recommend trying out some prenatal yoga classes,” she said. ‘It’s important to stay flexible throughout the pregnancy, and a lot of expecting mothers also wind up enjoying finding a community with other wornen in the same boat as them.”

Itook the pamphlets, my brow furroning as l locked at the picture of a heavily pregnant woman doing a headstand. it seemed unrealistic, and almost made me laugh. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was photoshopped

“Thanks,” I said. “T’ll check it out.”

Next, the nurse checked my heart with her stethoscope, listening intently for a few moments. But as she listened to my heart, her brow furrowed slightly. I felt a spike of anxiety.

“Is something wrong?” | asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

“I’s nothing, just your heart is beating quite fast,” she said. “But your blood

• pressure wasn’t high.*

I knew it was because of my werewolf nature, our hearts beat faster than humans: But I couldn t reveal that here. 1 just get a little nervous during appointments,* I lied smoothly.

The nurse nodded, jotting down a note. ‘I let the doctor know,” she said, leaving us alone in the room.

As we waited, I turned to Enzo, my expression troubled. “Do you think my werewolf nature will keep worrying the doctor? There are so many things about me that might seem unhealthy to a human but are normal for us.”

Enzo squeezed my hand reassuringly. “It should be fine,” he said calmly. *I can show you some breathing techniques to slow your heart rate and appear more human.”

I nodded, letting out a breath that I didn’t know I had been holding. A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door. An older woman stepped in a moment later, wearing a white lab coat.

“You must be Nina and Enzo,” she said, rubbing her hands with disinfectant as she entered. “I’m Doctor Jamison. Are you ready to see your little baby?”

My heart leaped with both excitement and nervousness, and I nodded vehemently. The doctor instructed me to lay back on the table, and as the cold gel spread over my belly and the doctor began moving the transducer, Enzo’s hand tightened around mine.

“Let’s see… Aha! There’s your little one,” the doctor said, turning the screen so we could see.

There on the screen was our baby, barely more than a blob, but unmistakably ours. The sound of its little heartbeat filled the room, rapid and strong. Tears of joy streamed down my face; our baby was healthy, his or her heart beating despite everything.

“I’m trying,” I snapped, pushing the poor old pickup truck to its very limits.

The truck whined beneath the strain, but managed to push just a little faster.

Trees and bushes blurred past us, creating a swirling tunnel of green and brown. –

“Left, left!” Luke directed, and I swerved sharply, narrowly avoiding a curve in the road. The wolf seemed to be toying with us, always just out of reach.

“Damn it!” | cursed, frustration boiling inside of me. This damn wolf was elusive as ever, like a spectral figure taunting us with its agility and speed.

Luke leaned out the window, trying to keep a visual on the wolf. “It’s heading towards the old creek,” he said, pointing. “We can corner it if we go down Miller Road.”

I jerked the wheel to the right, sending the pickup truck careening down a narrow dirt road. The creek came into view up ahead, its water shimmering in the fading sunlight. The wolf was nearing the edge, its pace unrelenting, but still not darting out of sight even though it could have easily disappeared into the forest.

“Come on,” | urged, my knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel so tightly. But as we neared the creek, the wolf seemed to vanish into thin air, , disappearing into the dense underbrush.

I slammed on the brakes, the truck skidding to a stop just before we reached a small bridge that went over the creek. Panting, I slammed my hands against the steering wheel in a mix of anger and defeat.

“Fuck,” | hissed. “What the hell?”

Luke let out a long sigh, disappointment etched onto his own face as well. ” We’ll catch that wolf eventually,” he said, even though I don’t think either of us believed those words. “We just need to find a way to trap it, that’s all. But it’s incredibly elusive.”

I chuckled wryly, the adrenaline from the chase slowly ebbing away. “Yeah, you can say that again.” I said. “That thing is smart.” Luke paused, shooting me a glance. “Do you think…”

“That it was egging us on?” I asked. Luke nodded. “Yes,” I continued. “Yes, I do. But why disappear at the last moment?”

“I think it was toying with us,” he said. “Leading us on a wild goose chase, just to win in the end.”

“It seems so.”

I turned the truck around and began the quiet drive home after that. The sun had almost disappeared behind the horizon now, leaving the sky a beautiful tapestry of purples and oranges. It should have been peaceful, but it felt anything but that. I wanted to catch that damn wolf, but instead, it played a game of tag with me just before it pulled the wool over our eyes right at the end.

But why?. Why do that?

I dropped. Luke off in town, then drove in silence the rest of the way back to the house, without even the radio to keep me company as my mind whirled with thoughts. Finally, though, my home came into view, and I let out a soft sigh of relief that I didn’t know I had been holding once I pulled into the driveway. At least here, in the privacy of my own home, my dad’s spies couldn’t see me.

Or so I hoped.

I spent the rest of the evening trying to distract myself with reading and housework. Enzo was at the hockey arena, playing a scrimmage with the team. I almost considered heading back down there at one point to watch, but I was admittedly exhausted after that chase.

These days, the pregnancy was sapping my energy. just couldn’t do as much as I could before the pregnancy, but it was okay. At least my baby was healthy.

However, as I was dusting the living room, a sudden whoosh of displaced air and the sound of fizzling electricity made me jump. I spun around to see a portal rippling open in the middle of the room.

My eyes widened in shock as my mother, brother, and father stepped through, the portal closing behind them with a soft hum.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice a mix of surprise and anger.

My parents exchanged worried glances before my mother stepped forward.” Nina, honey, we want to talk to you,” she said gently, holding her hands out for me. “After you ran off-”

I stepped back, shaking my head. “Whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it,” I spat, my frustration boiling over.

My father frowned. “Nina, you need to start acting like an adult,” he chided, clearly still just as angry as he was on the night of the party. “You can’t just run away like that.”

*I’m an adult, and I made an adult decision to come home,” I said. “And besides, I’m fine here. I’m happier here. I don’t want to live with you.” But my father just stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. “Does an adult go- on a high-speed road chase when she’s several months pregnant?”

My eyes widened. So he knew already. “I was trying to track down this yellow eyed wolf spy of yours,” I hissed. “So I could finally send it back to you. So If you don’t want me to be doing crazy stuff like that, call the spy off.”

A silence fell over the room as my family glanced around at one another.

My father looked genuinely puzzled, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“A wolf?” he questioned, looking from me to my mother and then back again. I sent a bird shifter as a spy. Not a wolf.”