My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 415

Nina

Luke’s sudden, unexpected offer sent a cold shiver of fear down my spine.

“Luke, that’s ridiculous,” I breathed, letting out a wry chuckle that sounded hollow even to my own ears.” My champion? Are you kidding?”

But Luke simply shook his head. “I’m serious, Nina.

This could be the only way to save both of you, and the baby as well.”

“But I don’t understand.” I furrowed my brow, taking a shaky step back. “I don’t even see how this would help.

Mila made herself clear; it’s either me and the baby, or Enzo. One of us has to die. You taking my place won’t make a difference.”

“I know a bit about Dragon rites,” Enzo chimed in softly. “It’s possible for Luke to take your place as your champion; and her apparent love for tradition might sway her.”

“Enzo is right.” Luke sighed, pushing himself to his feet. “Maybe we can strike a deal with her; I’ll take your place as your champion, and if I lose— and I will lose—maybe she’ll send you and the baby home. She’ll still get her fight, and her blood, and her ritual. But at least you and the baby, Nina, will live.”

I swallowed, taking another shaky step backwards. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing; Luke, one of my most beloved companions, really wanted to die for me? For my unborn baby?

“No.” I shook my head. “No, Luke. I won’t let you fight for me as my champion; I won’t put you in that kind of danger. There has to be another way for us to escape without having to go through with this horrible fight at all.”

As I spoke, I began to circle the cell like a caged animal. The bars were narrow, but maybe with mine and Enzo’s combined strength of our wolves, we could bend them enough to get through.

But even as I considered this, I reached out and barely touched the silver; it burned my fingers, causing me to cry out in pain and recoil, holding my hand desperately. Visit J o b n i b.com to read the complete chapters for free. If you are not reading this novel on Job ni b .c o m, some sentences are incomplete. Luke gripped the bars that were separating our cells, his eyes blazing with conviction. “Nina, listen to me,” he said softly. “I know you want to protect everyone, but we’re running out of options here. I’ve had my time here on this earth; l’ve lived for hundreds of years.

Maybe it’s time…”

Enzo came up behind me, resting his blistered hands on my shoulders. The silver cage was taking its toll; his usual golden complexion had faded to a sickly pallor. Even as he circled his arms around me and pulled me close, the usual heat from his body had turned into cold flesh.

And the longer we spent in here, the worse it would become.

I whirled around to face him, my eyes wild. “Enzo, you have to see how ridiculous this is!” I exclaimed. “We can’t seriously let Luke die like this. We have to find a way out—”

“Nina, maybe he’s right,” Enzo interrupted quietly.” Believe me, I wish there was another way-any other way—for us to get through this. But Mila has us trapped. The only sliver of hope we have is letting Luke take your place tomorrow.”

I vehemently shook my head. “No. I won’t do it. I won’t put his life at risk. I’ll find a way for us to get out of here, I swear.”

When I was finished, I wrenched myself free from Enzo’s arms. I marched back over to the bars, drawing upon what little strength my wolf had left as I braced myself. Then, I wrapped my hands around the bars and began to pull. No matter how badly it seared into my flesh, I wouldn’t let go.

“Nina!” Enzo’s voice shouted after me. A moment later, I felt arms around me, pulling me backwards.

We stumbled back, away from the bars.

When I looked down at my hands, there were two burnt marks along my palms.

Luke cursed under his breath, raking a hand through his blond hair in frustration. “Nina,” he pleaded, “I took a vow to protect you when we first met. I’ve never broken that vow.”

Neither of them answered me. And that was confirmation enough-there were no other options left. No more moves to make that wouldn’t end in sacrifice and heartbreak for someone I loved.

In the morning, l awoke curled up against Enzo’s chest, his labored breathing stirring my hair. The silver exposure was taking an immense toll on both of us; we didn’t have long before our wolves would be too weakened to emerge at all, sealing our fates.

Suddenly, we heard the tramp of metal boots and jangling keys signaling the guards’ arrival. Without a word, they marched into our cell and hauled Enzo and I away to face Mila’s judgment, leaving Luke behind in his cell.

Neither of us struggled anymore. What was the point?

A few minutes later, we were being shoved into Mila’s private chambers; she was lounging casually on top of a bed with red silk sheets, her nude body barely covered by the dark green robe she wore. The guards shoved us to our knees as Mila slowly rose, seeming to float across the floor to us.

“Well? Have you decided to face righteous tradition… or a cowardly death?” she murmured.

I lifted my chin. “I will not fight.”

Rage flashed across Mila’s flawless features before she composed herself. “No?” she purred softly. Too softly. “Then you leave me no choice.”

She casually flicked her fingers. Two guards grabbed Enzo and forced him to his feet in front of me. He struggled weakly, the silver having drained most of his supernatural strength. The pure exhaustion he felt was evident in his eyes.

Then, another guard appeared, his silver dagger glinting in the flickering firelight, and pressed the razor-sharp blade to Enzo’s vulnerable throat.

A trickle of red slid down his skin.