My Hockey Alpha



Chapter 0679

Nina

I didn't tear my eyes away from Enzo until he finally disappeared through the gates.

Once he was gone, it felt as if the knot in my stomach was growing tighter. I knew that he was only going to be gone for a day, but something just felt off-I couldn't put my finger on what, exactly. It just felt as though an ominous cloud seemed to follow us both to the airport, and it now lingered even as I returned to my truck alone.

I drew my oversized sweatshirt tighter as I climbed back into the truck, although the morning mountain chill wasn't the only reason I was shivering.

Sighing, I turned the key in the ignition and began the fifteen minute drive back home. Secluded dirt roads wove between the towering pines that marked the way back to our house on the cliff.

Normally, I loved driving these roads, humming along to the radio with my hand resting lazily on the open window. But today I felt too tense to hear any of the music, and so I switched off the radio, strangely preferring the silence over the staticky noise.

When I pulled into our gravel driveway, I spotted my mom through the large window that looked into the kitchen. She was flitting through the kitchen already, probably making breakfast. I couldn't help but smile.

At least I'd have family to distract me while Enzo was gone.

My brother poked his head out the front door as I walked up to the porch.

"There she is," Tyler said, stepping out completely to shoot me a confused look. "You're out early."

I punched Tyler in the arm as I passed, a childhood habit that had never faded. He used to get mad at me over it back when he was sick, but now he just rubbed his arm in mock pain.

"I just took Enzo to the airport," I said.

Tyler furrowed his brow. "The airport?"

"Business stuff," I replied vaguely. "He'll be back tomorrow."

"Honey, where's your pancake mix?" I heard my mom call out from the kitchen. "I can't seem to find it."

I let out a soft chuckle and rounded the corner to the kitchen, where I leaned down and pulled the box of mix out of a low cupboard. My mom, still dressed in her robe, already had the counter covered in bowls, syrup, and butter, and the smell of bacon cooking filled the room.

"Man, it sure is nice having someone to cook breakfast for me," I teased as I slid up onto one of the stools and leaned on the counter."

My mom smirked. "Don't get too used to it."

"Too late."novelbin

The three of us sat in silence for a bit, but my mind was anything but silent. I kept thinking back to Enzo, back to the sense of dread that had made its home in my stomach since last night. My mom pressed a cup of steaming tea into my hands, bringing me back to the present.

"How are you feeling, Nina? You look tired, sweetie."

I managed a weak smile, wrapping both hands around the warm cup. "I didn't sleep much. Just worried about Enzo." "I thought the trip was routine business?" Tyler asked innocently. "Should we be concerned?"

I stared into my tea, watching the chamomile flowers slowly spin. Sighing, I finally shrugged and offered my mom and my brother a stiff smile. "No. There's no reason to be concerned."

A whine of annoyance escaped my brother's throat at my vagueness, but he didn't push. Neither did my mom, although I think she already knew what was going on. But it wasn't my place to tell everyone about what had really happened, about why Enzo had to go there in person. It was his battle; I was just here for support on the sidelines.

We were finally sitting down to enjoy the pancakes and bacon my mom had made when something happened.

We all jumped as a sudden crackle of electricity filled the room, and then a swirling portal opened right in front of us. Jumping up from my seat, I gasped as a hulking figure emerged from a portal of blinding light in our living room.