My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 461

“Enzo is still in the infirmary.”

My father’s voice suddenly cut through the room. None of us had noticed him as he had cracked open the door, and he now stepped into the room, his hulking form seeming to tower over the bed as he entered.

“Dad,” I croaked.

“May I have a few moments alone with my daughter?” he asked, turning toward my friends. They all nodded and left the room, and once we were alone, he turned back to me. “Nina, I’m so sorry.”

I didn’t know what to say. ‘Sorry’ wouldn’t exactly cut it right now, and besides, it wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, really. Like my wolf had said, something dark had latched onto my husband; but whatever it was was beyond our reach. This early on, I didn’t know what to do.

“Dad,” I whispered, “I think there’s something… wrong with Enzo.”

“He’s been evaluated, Nina. There’s nothing wrong with him. Not physically, at least.”

“I mean inside,” I said. “There’s something dark. Something evil. And my wolf could sense it.”

My father looked at me for a few moments, processing my words, then sighed and passed his hand over his face. I hadn’t seen him this weary since the day he had pulled Enzo and me out of Mila’s lair.

“Nina,” my father finally said, coming around to sit beside me on the bed, “he has been fully evaluated. We have checked not only for physical and mental ailments, but for the arcane as well. I’m afraid that he may have simply… snapped.”

“Snapped?” I asked.

My father nodded. “He has been through a lot. But it is no excuse to torture my daughter. Especially not with a baby in your belly. I won’t stand for it.”

“So what are you saying?” I asked, managing to sit up again with some effort.

“I’m truly sorry, Nina,” he said softly. “But the pain will get better, day by day.”

I nodded stiffly, even though I didn’t fully believe his words right then. He stood and crossed over to the door, his hand resting on the doorknob.

“Please stay here,” he said softly. “I know you want to return to Mountainview, but-”

“I’ll stay.”

After all, the last thing I wanted to do was return to Mountainview anyway.