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.

it was just a friendly gesture, I couldn't shake the feeling that

Luke, her laughter ringing clear above

head was

a welcome relief from the warmth of the crowded house. I leaned against

Enzo repeated.

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

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

and the transformation from the shy, elusive bird

as she

the compliment, a small smile playing

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

reassured her, leading her into the house. "This is just a friendly invitation. You're not

among the guests, and I watched as Daphne's eyes darted around the room, taking

Lori," I

sipped her

demeanor. She even laughed at a joke Matt made, her face lighting up in a way that made me think she didn't often have the chance to enjoy moments

the evening, I couldn't help but observe

in. It struck me then just how isolating the life of a spy must be,

offered her a friendly smile. "Are you enjoying yourself?" I asked, handing her a glass of wine while I continued drinking

fingers brushing mine as she took the glass. "Yeah," she finally said.

to hide anymore. I know you're there now." Daphne laughed a little. "You know, I've been watching you and your friends for so long now," she admitted, her voice barely above a

head. "No, not at

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

a bit taken aback. I guess I hadn't really considered that too much before tonight. "It must be hard, always watching and