My Hockey Alpha



Chapter 0597

"You turned her into a werewolf, didn't you?" Enzo asked, his voice so low it was barely more than a whisper.

My eyes flickered from Enzo, to the floor, and then to the window through which I could see Lori and Jessica, still locked in a tight hug. Jessica was grinning, her face as bright and vibrant as ever. Even though her hair was shaved, she still looked just as beautiful as always.

"I... Um.." I stammered, unsure of how to start.

It was clear that Enzo had caught on to what happened, and I knew it would come to this. But at the same time, I hadn't prepared myself for this moment.

Claiming someone was a big deal. We made a promise when we turned the hockey team into werewolves that we would only do it in circumstances in which the recipient could consent, but Jessica had been in a coma when I did it.

But what else was I to do? My healing didn't work on her. Hell, I didn't even think that the Claiming ritual had worked.

"Nina," Enzo pressed, taking a step closer to me. "Just tell me. Did you or did you not have something to do with Jessica's 'miraculous' recovery?"

I took a deep breath, realizing that there was no getting out of this. I had to tell him the truth; as my husband and the father of my child, he deserved to know.

"Okay," I finally said, running a hand through my hair. "Last night, I came here and performed a Claiming ceremony on Jessica."

Enzo's brows knit together as his gaze intensified. "You're kidding," he hissed quietly. "Nina, why didn't you tell me? You told me that you were at home all day taking care of Lori."

My heart pounded in my chest as I stared down at the floor. "I didn't tell you because I thought it didn't work. And I swear, it really didn't work." I slowly lifted my gaze to meet Enzo's. "At least, that was what I thought. But apparently it worked after all. I guess the results were just a little... delayed."

Enzo's perturbed expression deepened, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt in my chest. I knew that he might not react well to this news, but I had been desperate to save my friend. And last night, after finding out that she was close to death, I felt as if I had no other choice.

"Look, I know it may not have been the smartest decision, especially since using my abilities makes the pregnancy react negatively," I said, my voice trembling. "But she's alive now, and from the looks of it, she's going to be okay. I had to do what I had to do to save my friend."

Enzo ran a hand through his curly brown hair, clearly conflicted. "Nina," he said with a soft sigh, obviously choosing his words carefully, "I understand. But it's not just that. The risks... They're greater than you realize."

I frowned, trying to comprehend what he meant. "What do you mean? I'm fine. I'm here, aren't I?"

Enzo sighed, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Listen,. Nina... When a pregnant woman with the Claiming ability performs a Claiming ceremony during her pregnancy, it can have certain... consequences."

My heart sank as his words registered. "Consequences?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. "What sort of consequences?"

Enzo nodded solemnly, his gaze finally meeting mine. "Look, it's rare, but it's a possibility: the baby can be stuck in pup form until coming of age."

I gasped, my hands trembling at my sides. I had never heard of such a thing before. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. If what Enzo said was true, then I had unwittingly placed Enzo' and my unborn child in jeopardy.

"I didn't know," I stammered, tears welling up in my eyes. "I had no idea this could happen. When my healing ability didn't work, this seemed like the only other choice to save Jessica."

"So you tried to heal her, too?" he asked.

"Don't tell me there are consequences for that, too."

Enzo shook his head, but still looked worried. "No. But I wish that you had just told me. I had to call Luke just to find out where you were, and now this?"

I swallowed hard. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner. But I was preoccupied. I thought my best friend was going to die."

Enzo nodded, his eyes filled with understanding, but there was still a hint of pain in his gaze. "I know," he said. " And I'm glad Jessica is alive. But it's a matter of principle, Nina. You should have talked to me first. It's not like this is the first time-*

"The first time?" I asked. "What are you talking about?"

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Need I remind you that I had to pry the information about Edward out of Luke? That you tried to keep it from me? Or maybe that you hid the pregnancy from me and were even considering having an abortion without my knowledge?"

As Enzo spoke, I felt my heart sink. He was right; I had done all of those things.

And truthfully, I didn't know why. Maybe it was because of my own twisted sense of independence. Maybe it was because I had spent so long dealing with things on my own that I didn't know how to talk to others. Maybe it was the last vestige of those days I spent alone in Mountainview, a bullet wound in my thigh, feeling like I was the last woman on earth.

A tear slipped free from my eye, and I nodded, meeting Enzo's gaze. "I know. I should have told you, but..." Enzo shook his head. "Look, Nina, there are no buts. There are no excuses. Lately, it's been feeling like... like..." His voice trailed off, and he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

I furrowed my brow in response. "It's been feeling like what?" I asked.

He paused for a moment, then shrugged, looking both exhausted and defeated. "Like you think I can't handle the truth," he said quietly. "And that really fucking hurts, Nina."

His words made my heart clench. I took a step forward, reaching for him, but he backpedaled and put space between us again.

"Enzo-"Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"I'm sorry, Nina," he said, shaking his head slightly. "I just need a minute. I'm gonna get a coffee from the cafeteria. You want anything?"

I shook my head, feeling a mixture of dread and regret blossoming in my chest. "No, thanks," I said, my voice hardly more than a whisper.

He nodded. "Okay. I'll be back in five. And Nina... I think after this, we really should hurry to the werewolf realm. Just to be safe."

I paused for a moment, my gaze flickering to Jessica and Lori again, and then I nodded. "Okay. We can do that." Without another word, Enzo spun on his heel and stalked away, looking stiff and tired. I watched him go, not only worried but also confused, because this sort of reaction wasn't like him.

And something about it made me wonder if he was being entirely truthful with me about recent events, either.