My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 0636

Nina

Enzo and I slowly pulled apart from our lingering kiss, our lips parting with a soft, shared breathlessness. It felt like the world had faded away in that moment, leaving just the two of us, lost in each other's eyes.

He placed me back on my feet, and I let out a soft breath, meeting his gaze with a smile on my lips.

"We should head back inside," Enzo said, brushing a stray strand of hair out of my face.

I nodded, trying to regain my composure after that breathtaking kiss. "Yeah, we should. I don't want our friends to think we've abandoned them."

We began to head back toward the mansion, but as we did, I kept thinking about that magnificent shooting star. I was certain it was just a coincidence, but it felt so magical during that moment

"You really think she listened?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Enzo chuckled as he looped his arm around my waist and held me close while we walked.* Maybe," he said. "Although, I've never been the biggest believer in the Moon Goddess. But hey, maybe I'll start believing if you're this into it."

"We'll see about that," I said as I glanced over my shoulder one last time. The altar was fading into the distance, and there was my little feather, gleaming in the moonlight.

As we continued, another couple walked past us; the woman had to have been at least six months pregnant, with her husband walking with his arm around her. They were headed to the altar, just like us. I couldn't help but smile.

Hand in hand, we made our way back into the lively gala. The enchanting atmosphere still surrounded us, the charmed ceiling creating an otherworldly appearance. Enzo and I scanned the packed room for our friends, but I couldn't see them through the throng.

"They're over here," Enzo said, pulling me after him. He was so much taller than me that he barely had to search, and I was grateful for it. I followed obediently, still too entranced from our visit to the altar to say much.

There, by the bar, I spotted Lori, Jessica, and Matt engaged in conversation. Matt was no longer with the mysterious woman from earlier, but was instead sipping on a martini while he watched Lori and Jessica bicker with an amused expression on his face.

I couldn't resist nudging Matt playfully with my elbow as I approached. "So, Matt, where's your redheaded lady friend gone off to?" I teased, a mischievous glint in my eye.

Matt's cheeks flushed crimson, and he stammered, "I-I don't have any lady friends. Just mingling, you know?"

Lori couldn't help but join in the fun. She leaned closer to Matt and said in a conspiratorial tone, "Don't worry, Matt. We'll find you a pretty werewolf girlfriend for the night. You won't spend the night alone."

Matt waved her off, his embarrassment slowly giving way to a bashful grin. "Let's not make a big deal out of this," he replied, eager to change the subject.

I couldn't help but laugh, and even Jessica joined in. The atmosphere was light, and it was the kind of camaraderie that I cherished with my friends. The thought of having to be apart from therm for the foreseeable future, stuck in two different realms, broke my heart.

As we continued chatting, Matt looked up, his gaze fixing on the magnificent charmed ceiling that resembled the night sky. "This is amazing, by the way," he said. "How did they do that?"

I followed his gaze to the ceiling and couldn't help but agree-it was amazing. The shifting colors of the aurora borealis dancing across the starry expanse were nothing short of breathtaking. It really did feel just like we were in a fairytale.

"It's been magically charmed," Enzo explained, leaning on the bar as he waited for his drink. It takes some pretty strong spells. Nina's parents must have paid a witch to do it."

"I wish I could do that," Lori said under her breath. "Nina, can you make me into a-*

*Shh," I said, placing my finger to my lips and giving Lori a warning look. Like my father had said, we never knew who was watching. And we didn't need to give away Lori's true nature tonight. Lori, her eyes widening slightly, quickly got the hint and returned to sipping her drink.

Suddenly, the music picked up, shifting to a higher tempo, and the dance floor came alive with energetic, younger partygoers. The rhythm was infectious, and I couldn't resist the urge to dance.

"I want to join in on the fun!" I exclaimed, already moving toward the dance floor.

Lori, Jessica, Enzo, and Matt followed suit, and soon we were all swept up in the lively atmosphere, our laughter and voices filling the air. It felt good to just let go for a little while, just like all of the nights we had spent dancing back in Mountainview.

I wanted to savor nights like this, because we wouldn't get to see each other so easily between realms. And with the baby on the way, who knew what I'd have the time and the energy for. For now, all I could do was enjoy our time together, and be glad that my friends had made it here for the party.

But as I danced and laughed with my friends, a strange feeling began to wash over me.

It was a sensation that sent shivers down my spine, a sensation that something was amiss. It was as if I could feel someone's eyes on me, an unsettling presence lurking in the shadows.

I couldn't shake the unease that gripped me, and it intensified when I looked up and saw it-a shadowy figure far off in a dimly lit comer.

The shadow entity.

I froze. The entity waved at me, a wicked grin on its jet black face, before beckoning to me with an eerie, elongated finger.

My heart leaped into my throat, and I instinctively clutched the amulet hanging around my neck. With trembling fingers, I willed it to protect me, and the dark spirit vanished in an instant, dissipating like smoke.

Yet, despite its disappearance, an unsettling feeling lingered.

My friends noticed my abrupt halt in the dance and the look of shock on my face. They approached, concem etched on their faces.

"Nina, what's wrong?" Jessica asked, her voice filled with worry.

Thesitated for a moment, torn between telling them about the shadow entity and not wanting to alarm them. But in the end, I chose to keep it to myself.

"It's nothing," I replied, forcing a smile. "I just thought I forgot to take my prenatal vitamins, that's all."

Lori and Jessica exchanged confused glances, but they seemed to buy my quick excuse, and said nothing more. We returned to the dance floor eager to rejoin the festivities; but my mind was still clouded with worry, no matter how much I danced.

How did the shadow entity show itself to me now?

And, most importantly, was the amulet keeping me safe... or was the shadow entity just giving me a false sense of security while it bided its time, waiting for the right moment to

strike?