My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 416

Nina

My eyes widened as a small trickle of blood made its way down Enzo’s neck.

“Stop!” I shrieked, my voice having more power in it than I expected after a long night of misery. “Please, don’t hurt him.”

“It’s okay, Nina.” Enzo’s voice was more hoarse than mine. “I’ll be okay.”

But it was clear that he wasn’t; he swallowed against the guard’s blade, his Adam’s apple bobbing beneath the cold metal. I turned to Mila then, deciding to throw away any dignity I had left in that moment to pray for my husband’s safety.

“Please don’t hurt him,” I begged desperately. “You can’t—”

Mila examined her dagger-sharp nails, looking bored by our misery. “You knew the rules,” she said coolly. “Refuse to comply, refuse to fight, and I’d have no choice but to punish this insolence.”

She flicked her cold ruby eyes to Enzo. “One or both of you will have to die if you continue trying to resist the pull of our tradition. So, who will it be?”

“I-”

Suddenly, before I could finish, I heard Enzo’ voice in my head through our Mindlink; somehow, he was calm despite the blade at his throat. “Use Luke as your champion, Nina. I have a plan, but I need you to trust me.”

I took a deep, shaky breath. Something in Enzo’s voice made me wonder what he had planned or if he was just saying that to get me to comply, but I had no choice. I couldn’t bear to see that knife at his throat.

“I said that I wouldn’t fight, but I only meant that Iwant to appoint a champion,” I said hoarsely.

”

Enzo swallowed again. “I know a little bit about your traditions,” he said softly. “I know that champions are a viable option. And I know that you’re not unreasonable, Mila.”

Mila’s eyes flashed with a mixture of satisfaction and cruel contempt. I couldn’t decide which was more terrifying. ” You’re not wrong,” she retorted. “Very well. I’ll allow the champion to take the whore’s place.”

Hope leapt wildly in my chest, although it stood no chance against the dread for the upcoming fight. The knife was finally pulled away from Enzo’s throat and he sagged forward, sucking in a large lungful of air.

After a moment, he lifted his head to face Mila. “So we have a deal, then?” he muttered. “When I defeat Nina’s champion, she and the baby will be allowed to return home, unscathed?”