My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 405

Broad shoulders, jet black hair streaked with silver-

“Dad?” I exclaimed.

He looked much more tired than when I had seen him last, with more pronounced wrinkles across his forehead and around his striking eyes. He looked as if he hadn’t slept in days. Those same eyes looked at me now with profound warmth and… was that regret?

“Hello, Nina. Tyler. Angelica.” My dad’s voice still resonated through the room with alpha authority, although today, it carried a softer tone than I had heard in a while.

“Aldric,” my mother breathed, slowly rising from her chair with narrowed eyes. “What are you doing here?”

My father sighed. He glanced back and forth between all of us, and then his shoulders slumped a bit.

I approached slowly. My dad watched me, uncertainty clouding those familiar, steely eyes.

“Nina…” he began formally, then paused. When he continued, his voice was gentle, even vulnerable. “I’m so sorry about what happened. I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and…

”

His words dissolved the last bit of defenses around my heart. I collapsed into his strong arms, holding him tight.

“It’s alright. I forgive you,” I whispered into his chest.

When we finally pulled apart, there was a newfound light in his eyes. “I really am sorry,” he said softly, then turned to address all of us. “I’m sorry to all of you. And you, Angelica, my love.”

My mother paused, her arms folded across her chest.

Her jaw was set hard. She was angry.

“You don’t get to do that,” she hissed, her eyes narrowed.

“You don’t get to berate my daughter and then give me an ultimatum.”

“Angelica-”

“No. You listen to me, Aldric,” my mother interrupted. ” Pull a stunt like that again, speak to my daughter like that again, speak to me like that again… And you can go ahead ‘ and live your sad, lonely life in that mansion all by yourself.”

The room was silent, the only sound that of the birds chirping outside and the portal still crackling behind us.

The tension between my parents was almost palpable, but then…

A smile broke across my father’s face. “You’re a firecracker, Angelica,” he murmured. “A real firecracker.”

My mother scoffed, but I could see the light dancing in her eyes. “Get over here, you old brute,” she said.

My father, laughing, strode across the room and pulled my mom into his broad arms. Tyler and I watched from the sidelines, smirking at each other. It was so unlike our mother to be this openly affectionate, at least in front of us.

Things really had changed lately.

Finally, they pulled apart. My dad turned to Tyler, and they exchanged no words; they simply nodded at each other, a silence exchange of forgiveness. Then, he turned to me. ” The portal is still open,” he said. “I’d like my family to come home with me, if you’ll have me.”

“Or say the word and we’ll stay here until Enzo returns,” my mother added.

I hesitated, chewing the inside of my cheek. The idea of returning to the werewolf realm, after everything, almost made my stomach churn. “I’m staying,” I said firmly, taking a step back. “You guys can go, but l’m staying here.

Where I belong.”

My father’s face fell slightly, but he said nothing. It was, clear that he had learned not to argue the matter recently; and if it was true that I had inherited his oxlike stubbornness, then I wasn’t budging. This was my home. I had made my decision already.

Finally, my father nodded. “Very well,” he said gently. ”

Remember, you’re always welcome.”

I nodded as well. “Don’t worry,” I replied, flashing my dad a relieved smile. “You’ll be hearing from me.”

Enzo

The flight had felt endless. Between fitful attempts at sleep and staring absently out the window, my mind raced in endless circles. What would I say to Tim? How would he react? Would he even believe me over his trusted team doctor, Mila, who he had known for years?

By the time the plane landed, my mouth felt bone dry.

“We have arrived at our destination,” the pilot announced through the intercom. “Thank you for flying with us, and enjoy your stay.”

I hurried through the terminal, the sound of my pounding heart drowning out the ambient noise. With my carry-on clutched in my hand, I didn’t even bother to check into the hotel first; I simply called a cab straight to Tim’s office, not wanting to waste any time.

I needed to get this over with.

Before I knew it, I found myself outside Tim’s office. I hesitated for just a moment longer, steeling myself, and then turned the handle.

“Tim.”

“Enzo!” Tim jumped up from behind his large oak desk, a look of surprise flashing across his rugged features. He crossed the room in three long strides, checking his watch. “What on earth are you doing here?”

Profound relief washed over me at his words. He wasn’t being unreasonable, at least. That was all I had really hoped for.

Tim massaged his temples, staring vacantly at the paperwork on his desk. “Thank you for sharing your story,” he said quietly. “I’ll… I’ll investigate the matter and get back to you as soon as I can.”

But I shook my head. I stood, picking my bag up off of the floor. My decision had already been made; I had told my story, and I was done here.

If anything, this entire experience had just taught me that for now, my place was at home in Mountainview, with my pregnant wife. The broad strides in my career could wait until a better time.

“There’s no need. I’m afraid this is goodbye, Tim,” I said stiffly. “I can’t continue to work in an environment with someone like Mila, and besides, my wife is pregnant. I belong with her, not a plane ride away.”

Tim simply nodded, profound sorrow etched across his features. It was clear that he didn’t want me to go, but neither of us had much of a choice. He stood, extending his hand to me.

“I’m sorry to see you go, Enzo,” he said. “You could have been a great asset to this team.”

I blinked against the sudden sting in my eyes and shook his hand. “Thank you, Tim. For everything.”

And with that, I turned and walked away from the future of my career; for now, at least.

My watch read barely past noon by the time I made it back to the hotel. The day already felt endless, and now I was stuck here in this city, just yearning for home. I needed a stiff drink and some time to process before returning home to Nina tomorrow.

The hotel bar sat nearly empty save a few other early afternoon patrons perched on vinyl stools.

Perfect.

I settled onto the barstool furthest from the entrance and ordered a double bourbon, neat. The bartender placed the glass down without a word. I swirled the caramel liquid around in the glass, then downed it in two gulps.

As the alcohol sent warmth spreading down my chest, my jumbled thoughts slowly began to untangle. I knew I had done the right thing coming clean about Mila-I felt reasonably certain of that.

Bridges had burned today, painful as it was. But from the ashes, Nina and I could start building again. We would be okay. And maybe this would be for the best. I could remain in Mountainview, with my wife, my child, and my pack. It was where we belonged.

Something else could come along as far as my career went; maybe I could apply to be the official hockey coach for the university. I think I’d like that.

lifted a finger toward the bartender, signaling a second round. But then, just as the bartender approached, a delicate hand suddenly grasped my shoulder.

“Well, well… fancy meeting you here, Enzo.”

Every muscle in my body went rigid. Icy fear trickled down my spine at the familiar lilting voice. Slowly, I turned, and that was when I saw her.

Mila