My Hockey Alpha by Eve Above Story PDF

Chapter 0772

Nina

I watched with bated breath as the weathered village leader, whose name I had learned was Kai, walked up to the hut where my friends and I were being held. As the others murmured amongst themselves, I kept my gaze fixed on the old leader.

"Sir, please, you have to listen," I said as soon as he opened the door. "We have to--"

"Let me show you what happens to those who venture into Mila's palace."

Kai's voice was low and steady, but his eyes were filled with the look of someone who had been through much in his life. I swallowed, pulling my shoulders back. "show me," I replied as calmly as I could muster."

"Follow me."

Kai didn't turn to face me as we wove our way through the small homes and cooking fires. The distrustful stares from the villagers seemed to burn into the back of my neck, but I kept following the weathered old leader. "Where are you taking me?" I asked, pushing aside some plant fronds on the pathway.

"There was only one who made it out of her palace alive," Kai explained, his voice nearly lost beneath the vibrant sounds of the forest. "We have had to hold him apart from the rest of the village, because he's too dangerous."

"Dangerous?" I murmured, quirking an eyebrow.

Kai merely grunted in response.

Finally, we reached the small hut on the outskirts of the village. Kai gestured for me to enter first, his expression unreadable. Steeling myself, I brushed past him and stepped inside.

The dim interior of the hut reeked of hot animal musk, nearly causing me to gag. In the corner, a large shape shifted restlessly, letting out a low, rumbling growl that set my nerves on edge.

adjusted, I made out the unmistakable form of a massive

at the sound of my voice, registering my presence. It became clear to me, then, as I looked into its cloudy, greenish eyes, that it couldn't see me; it could

me. "The only known survivor to escape the Dragon

flickered between the feral panther and the village leader, realization dawning. "Is he stuck like this?" I

everything to bring him back," he said, a flicker of sorrow crossing his weathered features. "But it is as if his human mind is gone, lost to the

steady. Up close, I could see the telltale signs of insanity written across its snarling features the wild, uncomprehending gaze, the constant twitching and pacing, the foamy drool leaking from

just like the Crescent rogues all over

I can help," murmured, mostly to

you can do, wolf girl,"

I asked, whirling around to face the old man. "We have seen a similar affliction like

furrowed his brow.

me?" I asked. "We really could

old man just stared at me, a million different emotions flickering through his eyes. Then,

back towards the entrance, I called out, "Jessica!

them ducked inside, their expressions a mixture of

she hissed, taking

alright." I held up my hand placatingly. "He's just... trapped, that's all. But

rogues. We always kept it on us, ever since everything that had happened. It had come in

brow furrowed as he watched me prep the syringe. "What are you

become human." A beat passed before I added, "He'll

leader simply stared at me, his expression inscrutable.

on then," he rasped. "Do it. But it won't

flank me, prepared to shift in case of necessity. Meanwhile, Lori stood beside me, helping me