My Hockey Alpha novel Chapter 517

Nina

The letter crinkled in Enzo’s hands as he held it out for me. I took it, my hand already shaking even though I didn’t know what was inside.

“More bad news?” I murmured, slowly lifting my gaze to meet Enzo’s. “I can’t handle any more bad news.”

Enzo shook his head. “No. Just read it.”

Carefully, I unfolded the paper and began to read. I realized almost immediately what it was just upon reading the first few lines: a summons to the Alpha Council.

The council that Enzo had attended once, and never again.

A thick knot instantly formed in the pit of my stomach as the meaning behind the letter sank in. The entire realm knew about my father’s passing, and although I hadn’t had my coronation yet, news had spread like wildfire that the Alpha King’s daughter would take his place.

The magnitude of the situation crashed over me like a wave, the breath stolen from my lungs and replaced with water. All at once, it felt overwhelmingly, paralyzingly real in a way it hadn’t quite before. This was it—my introduction to the ruling elite as the reluctant heir to a throne I had never envisioned claiming.

“They’re summoning me to a Council meeting,” I said softly, folding the paper back up with shaking hands. “I don’t …”

“You have to go, Nina.” Enzo’s firm tone brooked no argument, although his gaze was soft. “It’s what your father would have wanted.”

I opened my mouth to protest, to say that I wasn’t ready, that we’d have to reschedule, that I’d have to return to school soon and that I couldn’t take on this role-that someone else needed to do it.

But Enzo simply fixed me with that steady, unwavering gaze of his, and I knew that I had no choice. Like I had promised my mother, I had to take on this role even if I wasn’t ready. With a resigned sigh, I gave a solemn nod.

“Alright. I’ll go. But I can’t promise that I’ll know what the hell I’m doing.”

The wry smirk playing at the corners of Enzo’s lips told me that he had expected as much. “You don’t have to know what you’re doing. It’s just a formality.”

It really was a beautiful uniform, too. It was ceremonial, made specifically for Council summits, and tailored to my exact measurements.

But as I slipped into the dress and turned toward the mirror, only to see the luxurious taffeta and brocade stretching taut to accommodate my swollen belly, a frustrated tear slipped down my cheek. I looked… absurd. Like a bloated idiot waddling beneath this mantle of extravagance that was never meant for someone like me.

“Something wrong?” a familiar voice called out from the doorway.

I looked up to meet Enzo’s gaze in the mirror. He looked as handsome as ever, leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets. He wore an exquisite suit of his own, but it was far simpler than what I had squeezed myself into.

“Why do I have to wear this ridiculous costume while you can get away with a suit?” I asked through grit teeth, tugging uncomfortably at the fabric.