My Hockey Alpha

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Chapter 0678

Enzo

Ilay there in the darkness, watching Nina sleep peacefully beside me.

She looked like an angel. There was a serene expression on her face, and her chest was rising and falling gently. The faint moonlight streaming in through the large window illuminated her face, accentuating the gentle glow of pregnancy.

I reached over and lightly touched her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin and the newfound roundness of her belly. She nuzzled up against me in her sleep, a soft sigh escaping her lips. In that moment, she was perfect, peaceful, and utterly unaware of the turmoil swirling inside of me.

Sleep was elusive that night. With the upcoming trip to the city to talk to Tim, it was no wonder. Time didn't even know that I was coming; it was all a surprise. And not the fun kind of surprise.

I let out a slight sigh as I laid there. At least Nina was happy and healthy, and that was all that mattered. Aside from whoever or whatever this yellow-eyed wolf was, everything was calm here in Mountainview.

But then, as I laid there, a sudden chill ran through me.

I shuddered.

It was an inexplicable sense of foreboding that something bad might happen while I was gone. It was just a fleeting moment, a shadow of doubt, but it made me shiver. I swallowed, glancing down at Nina again; she was still sleeping peacefully, even snoring softly now.

I decided to quickly dismiss whatever that was, and just try to go to sleep. I was just tired and worried, imagining things. After all, I would only be gone for 24 hours. There was no reason to get myself worked up about what-ifs.

Right?

I pulled into the airport parking lot just before the sun was getting ready to rise, casting the surroundings in a pale blue glow.

It was still chilly here in the mornings, and it would stay like that until July. I was wearing a warm flannel to ward off the chill, and Nina was sitting beside me, bundled up in a sweatshirt and leggings.

When I put the truck into park, we both just sat there quietly for a few moments. I reached over and held her hand, feeling how small it seemed in my palm as I gently ran my thumb over her knuckles.

"Ouch, Enzo," she winced, the sudden sound of her voice pulling me back to the present.

My eyes widened, and I looked down to see that I had been squeezing her hand hard. Too

hard.

"Sorry," I apologized quickly, loosening my grip and kissing her fingers to make up for it. "I guess I'm just... nervous."

She looked at me, her brown eyes filled with concem. "Do you have a plan for what you'll say to Tim?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "I'm going to tell him the truth. That Mila tried to kiss me, and when I pushed her away, she hit her head. She grabbed my wrist, threatened to ruin me if I said anything."

"And what do you think Tim will say?" she asked, her voice soft.

I shrugged. There was a weight in my chest that had been constant ever since the incident. "Tim seems like a decent guy, so maybe he'll understand," I said quietly. "But Mila has also been working with him for years, and he might believe her over a new guy like me."

I paused, the reality of my situation sinking in for what felt like the millionth time. "Before you ask, I'm prepared to lose this job, Nina. Maybe even face a lawsuit if Mila claims I assaulted her. I have no tangible proof, just my word."

Nina squeezed my hand, her voice firm yet reassuring. "It will turn out alright, Enzo."

I smiled at her optimism. "You're right," I said, although the words sounded hollow even to my own ears.

We got out of the truck and walked into the airport, our steps in sync. At the departure gate, I turned toward her, pulling her close. She looked up at me, and her eyes were already glistening with tears.

"Nina," I murmured gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "don't cry. It's only one day."

She sighed. "I know. I just..." Her voice trailed off then, and she didn't finish. For a moment, my mind drifted back to that sudden chill I had felt the night before, laying in bed beside her. Did she feel the same way, and she just wasn't saying?

"Just promise you'll keep me updated, that's all," she said, managing a smile despite the way her voice caught in her throat.

"I promise." I pulled her closer, realizing that now wasn't the time to be thinking about unreasonable premonitions and bad feelings. I'd be home in a day. Just one day. "And I'll be thinking about that favorite meal you're planning to cook."

She smiled, quickly reaching up to stop a tear from rolling down her cheek, as if I wouldn't notice. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I whispered. I placed my hand under her chin and tilted her face up to look at me, kissing first the freckles on her cheeks, then the tip of her button nose, and finally her

soft lips.

As I walked through the gates, I turned to wave at her one last time. She stood there, instinctively holding her belly. She blew me a kiss, and I pretended to catch it, tucking it into my pocket.

Her giggle echoed in my ears as I turned away and continued inside.

The airport was bustling, the cacophony of voices and announcements filling the air. It was a welcome distraction from the unease in my mind, and as I made my way through security and into the waiting area, I occupied myself with people watching.

Nearby, an older couple sat alongside one another, hand-in-hand, dressed in their vacation clothes. Off to the side, a businessman tapped furiously on his laptop.

And by the window, two young parents held their toddler up to see the airplanes out on the

tarmac.

"Look, mommy!" the toddler cooed, pointing her stubby little finger at the glass. "A big bird!" The father and mother chuckled. "Yep, that sure is one big bird," the father replied.

"The biggest," the mother added.

I couldn't help but smile at that. Maybe someday, that would be me and Nina; traveling with our little one, a happy family.

God, I hoped that would be the case.

Before I knew it, it was time to board the flight. I made my way onto the plane, carefully tucking my carry-on into the luggage rack before settling down in my window seat. Soon enough, the plane was taking off, and the little island that I called home was shrinking into nothingness below.

I must have fallen asleep at some point-a welcome reprieve after my mostly-sleepless night. But it was anything but relaxing.

I had dreams about Mila, about that strange glint in her eyes and the superhuman strength in her delicate hands. I had dreams about her laughing as I laid helpless below her.

Finally, I awoke with a jolt as the plane intercom came on.

"We have arrived at our destination," the pilot said. "Thank you for flying with us, and enjoy

your stay."