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.

and my reassurances that it was just a friendly gesture, I couldn't shake the feeling that she might not show up after

and chatting animatedly. Jessica was joking with Luke, her laughter ringing clear above the music, and Matt was sharing a story that had a group of our friends doubled over in

head

a welcome relief from the warmth of the crowded house. I leaned against Enzo's warmth, my eyes scanning the street, still holding onto a faint hope

show," Enzo repeated. "Don't

back and leaned down to kiss me, and then he slipped back inside, leaving me

person in the shadows across the street. My heart skipped a beat as

had put on a cute dress and done her hair, and the transformation from the shy, elusive bird

out softly as she

at the compliment, a small smile playing

her ear. "But remember, I'm not making

her, leading her into the house. "This is

the guests, and I watched as Daphne's eyes

Jessica, and over there is Lori," I said, pointing. "That's Luke.

and sipped her

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

couldn't

her, a sense of being perpetually on the outside looking in. It struck me then just how isolating the life of a

"Are you enjoying yourself?"

brushing mine as she took the glass.

always welcome, you know," I said. "You don't need to hide anymore. I know you're there now." Daphne laughed a little. "You know, I've been watching you and your friends for

shook my head. "No,

a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. "And it's... well, it's made

guess I hadn't really considered that too much before tonight. "It must be hard, always watching and never