My Hockey Alpha



Chapter 0799

Enzo

The heavy punching bag sailed through the air like it weighed nothing as I delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, the dull thud of the impact reverberating through my bones. Sweat beaded on my brow, trickling down my temples, but I paid it no mind. The adrenaline coursing through my veins propelled me forward, each strike sharper, more precise than the last.

Training had always been my escape, a way to quiet the relentless storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. And lately, that storm had been raging like a hurricane.noveldrama

With each punishing blow against the unyielding leather punching bag, I replayed the events of the past few weeks in my head.

No sooner had we escaped Mila's clutches and rebuilt the mess we had made did we uncover more layers to the utter bullshit that had become our lives. The discovery of the warehouse where it seemed as though something sinister was going on inside, the drugged wolf and its terrified eyes, our tenuous deal with Ronan-it all felt like pieces of a larger, more sinister puzzle that I couldn't quite put together.

And at the center of it all was Nina, my beloved wife, and the child growing inside of her.

A surge of fierce protectiveness washed over me, fueling my strikes against the punching bag with renewed vigor. The idea that this mysterious Schreiber family posed a threat to any of us, especially so soon after what Mila had done, had ignited even more searing rage deep in my core than I thought possible.

No, I couldn't fail again. I had failed to protect my family from Mila, and it had nearly cost all of our lives-and, quite possibly, had cost the Alpha King his life. This time, I had to be ready. If these mysterious Schreibers were really as much of a threat as they seemed, then I needed to prepare to rip them apart with my bare hands if the need arose.

I couldn't let any more harm come to Nina or our baby.

But that was barely even scratching the surface. There was still no news of Aldric, and after Angelica's sudden visit to the human realm the day before, it seemed as though the chances of his return were growing more and more slim by the day.

The thought made my heart clench with a dull ache. Despite our somewhat complicated history, I had grown to respect the man his strength, his wisdom, his unwavering love for his daughter. To lose him now, especially with a grandchild on the way, would be a devastating blow.

And if he didn't return...

My fist slammed into the punching bag with bruising force, the impact and the sensation of the shock traveling up my arm jarring me out of my reverie. I pulled my fist back, panting heavily, as the weight of that possibility truly sank in. Finally, I lowered my fist.

If Aldric didn't return, it would fall to Nina to ascend to the throne.

A bead of sweat trickled into my eye, stinging, but I blinked it away, my brow furrowing. Could she handle such a burden, especially in her condition? The life of a royal was one of constant scrutiny, political maneuvering, and impossibly high expectations. Would the stress prove too much for her and the child?

Thinking of Nina being stuck in that role, a role that I knew she didn't want, left me feeling wary. We had talked about it briefly last night, and I had seen the way her eyes went dull when she said that she would follow her duty.

Seeing her like that broke my heart.

But at the same time, I knew that she would be just fine if she had to take it on. Nina was stronger than she gave herself credit for her resilience, her courage, her unwavering spirit had seen us through countless trials already. Yes, she wasn't perfect, but no one was.

If anyone could shoulder the mantle of leadership, it was her. Still, the thought of her being thrust into that world so abruptly, with everything else we were already facing... it made my heart clench.

Especially if it meant leaving Mountainview, leaving the human world, for good.

"Goddess," I muttered to myself, shaking my head. This was supposed to be a good summer a summer of relaxation. We were supposed to be excitedly preparing for the birth of our child, not...

This.

I stepped back from the bag, running a hand through my sweat-damp hair as I tried to catch my breath. Perhaps a hot shower would help clear my mind.

A few minutes later, as the steam billowed around me in the locker room, I couldn't help but dwell on another lingering concern the ritual we had performed just a few days ago.

At the time, it had seemed like our only hope of protecting the child from the strange shadow entity. By binding Selena's spirit to the baby, we had ensured that the generational curse had been broken.

But the words of the ancient spell still echoed in my mind: Upon her ascension into adulthood, the child shall inherit the memories and powers of her predecessor.

Was it true? Would our daughter one day awaken to a lifetime's worth of experiences that weren't her own, memories and power that could overwhelm and consume her very sense of self?

The thought made my blood run cold. I had sworn to protect her, to shield her from the darkness that had nearly destroyed us all. But if the ritual's consequences came to pass...

I slammed my fist against the tiled wall, gritting my teeth against the wave of frustration and helplessness that threatened to overwhelm me. There had to be a way to prevent it, to keep our child's mind and soul intact. I would scour every book, consult every mystical expert if I had to. I would not let her true self be taken over by the weight of another's existence.

Not on my watch.

After toweling off and dressing, I made my way out of the gym's locker room, my footsteps heavy with the burdens weighing on my mind. The warm evening air was a balm against my flushed skin, and I paused for a moment, inhaling deeply in an effort to center myself.

"Now isn't the time for self pity, Enzo," I thought to myself. No, I had to stay strong, stay in the moment. I had to be the Alpha of our pack, just as Nina might need to take on a throne that she hadn't asked for.

It hurt, but the truth hurt sometimes.

As I approached our house a little while later, the soft glow of the pool lights caught my eye. I made my way toward the backyard, wondering if Nina had invited Lori and Jessica or some of the others over for a dip, since it had been so hot all day.

But as I rounded the corner, I saw that she was sitting by herself on the edge of the pool, her feets dipped below the surface of the water.

And as I approached, there, in the blue glow of the pool lights, I could see the tears streaking down her face.