My Hockey Alpha by Eve Above Story PDF

Chapter 0669

Nina

"Do you think she's coming?"

Enzo's voice and the feeling of his strong, warm arm wrapping around my shoulders pulled me back to the present. I had been staring longingly off the front of the porch, hoping that she would come.

"I don't know," I said, checking the time on my phone. The party had started a couple of hours ago, and Daphne still hadn't shown up.

"She'll show," Enzo said after a moment. He wrapped his arm around me a little tighter, and I let myself lean into him. His scent was always a comfort.

I just hoped that he was right.

I remember that evening vividly, the warm glow of our living room lights spilling out onto the porch as music and laughter filled the air. Enzo and I had thrown together a last-minute party at our house, with plenty of food, drinks, and music.

All of our friends were there; my mother had gone out for the night to a local book club in an attempt to get out of the house and maybe even make some friends. Tyler was milling around and trying to sneak alcohol. I pretended I didn't notice when he snuck his first beer, but I slapped his hand away after that.

"Why?" Tyler whined when I wouldn't let him have another beer. "It's just beer."

"You're too young," I said. "Drink some soda or something instead. One is enough."

Tyler stuck his tongue out at me. "You're just full of yourself because you only just turned twenty-one. As if you didn't drink all through college."

I rolled my eyes at him. I let him drink another beer after that, so long as he didn't tell our mom.

As I sipped my soda out on the front porch, my gaze wandered over the crowd. I was looking for Daphne, the elusive bird shifter who I had invited earlier that day.

friendly gesture, I couldn't

animatedly. Jessica was joking with Luke, her laughter ringing clear above the music, and Matt was sharing a story that

head was

porch for a moment of quiet, the cool night air a welcome relief from the warmth of the crowded house. I leaned against Enzo's

show," Enzo repeated. "Don't

and leaned down to kiss me, and

red bird materializing into a person in the shadows across the street. My heart skipped a beat

on a cute dress and done her hair, and the transformation from the shy, elusive bird to the young woman that was walking toward me

softly as she approached.

blushed a bit at the compliment, a small smile playing on her lips. "Oh, uh... Thanks,"

a strand of red hair behind her ear. "But remember, I'm not making any

I reassured her, leading her into the house. "This

thank you". We mingled among the guests, and I watched as Daphne's eyes darted around the room, taking in the

is Lori," I said, pointing. "That's

sipped her drink. "I

initial hesitation giving way to a more open demeanor. She even laughed at a joke Matt made, her face lighting up in a way that made

evening, I couldn't help but observe

being perpetually on the outside looking in. It struck me then just how isolating the life

drinks, I turned toward her and offered her a friendly smile. "Are you enjoying yourself?" I asked, handing her a

took the glass. "Yeah," she finally said.

"You know, I've been watching you and your friends for so long now," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, "it kind of feels like I'm a part of

shook my head.

"And it's... well, it's made me a bit jealous of your friendship, if I'm

before tonight. "It must be