My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 0472

"But would that really be what you want?" Jessica asked, her tone cautious. "A secret abortion? It's a huge decision, Nina. One that you'd have to live with forever."

"Look," I snapped, feeling cornered. "I don't even know for sure if I'm pregnant yet. So there's no point in having this conversation now."

Lori sighed, taking a step closer to me. "Fair enough, Nina. But if you are, you're not alone. You don't have to go through this by yourself. Remember that."

"Yeah," Jessica added. "We're always here for you, no matter what you decide."

The intensity of the moment started to thin out, replaced by an uneasy peace. They were right. Whether or not to bring a new life into this world was a monumental decision, one that could impact not just me, but also the man I loved.

"Come on, let's head back," Lori said after a moment, gesturing to the door. "Before they start to think we've ditched them."

"Yeah," I agreed, still feeling somewhat lost in all of this but grateful for the reminder that I wasn't alone in my struggle.

As we made our way back to the group, though, my friends' words kept reverberating in my mind. What was willing to sacrifice, and at what cost?

Enzo waved at me from across the crowded bar, a warm, inviting smile on his face. As I weaved my way through the throng of people, the noise level seemed to dip for a moment, long enough for me to take a deep breath before reaching him. When I did, he wrapped his arm around me and planted a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"Everything alright?" he asked, his soft brown eyes searching mine. "Jess looked really serious when she pulled you away. Is something up?"

I hesitated, feeling my wolf stir within me. This could be the moment, the perfect opportunity to lay everything on the table. But at the last second, the words caught in my throat as though something was keeping them from coming out.

"It's just... girl stuff," I said finally, offering him a reassuring smile. "Nothing to worry about."

He chuckled, the sound comforting when I really needed it. "Since when do you talk about 'girl stuff' with your friends?"

He was teasing, of course. My relationship with Lori and Jessica had been more about how to handle supernatural crises than menstrual cycles or makeup tips in recent history. But tonight was different. Tonight, the complexities of being a woman seemed to outweigh even the life-and-death situations we once found ourselves in.

*Us girls are full of surprises," I retorted playfully. We both knew the 'girl stuff' excuse was flimsy, but it would hold -for now, at least.

Changing the subject, I asked, "How are you feeling, now that the game is over? Sad?"

He paused, his eyes turning reflective. "Yeah, I'm sad. But I'm also excited, you know? It's like the end of one chapter and the start of another. New beginnings."

The words 'new beginnings' echoed in my ears, and my hand almost instinctively gravitated toward my belly. But I caught myself just in time, instead letting my hands float up to cup his face.

"I'm so proud of you," I said, my eyes meeting his. "Taking this leap, going after your dreams-I know everything will work out perfectly.

For a moment, his eyes seemed to search mine, as if looking for something more, some hidden layer of meaning in my words. But then he smiled, that wonderful, heart-stopping smile that I'd fallen in love with.

"You think so?" he murmured.

I smirked, letting my thumb brush across his stubbly cheek. "I know so."

His grin widened, and he leaned in to whisper in my ear. "In that case, I want to take you home. Now."