My Hockey Alpha



Chapter 0748noveldrama

I would have laughed, had there been any humor left in me after everything that had happened. But I just snorted instead.

"How very optimistic of you."

After flipping through a few more pages to discover that there was still nothing indicating a decipherable language, I started to grow frustrated. With a huff, I sat up, snapped the book shut, and tossed it onto the floor.

It was as I sat there afterwards that I saw it.

The book had begun to glow. The air around it was turning a soft blue color that seemed to be emanating out of the very pages themselves.

A soft gasp escaped my lips. Without hesitating, I quickly leaped off of the bed and lunged for the book, wondering if it would somehow be readable if I opened it.

But unfortunately, as soon as my hand touched it, the glow dissipated. When I opened the book again, it was written in the same coded alphabet as before.

"Dammit," I muttered, flipping quickly through the pages now to no avail. "What even was that?"

My wolf didn't know how to answer; we had both seen it glow, and unless it was the effects of a lack of sleep playing tricks on my mind, then it was certainly real. One thing was for certain, though: I was even more intrigued by this strange journal now.

with a sigh, I sank down onto the edge of the bed, still holding the strange book in my hands. The sun had already begun to crest over the horizon, and I hadn't slept a wink since Enzo's episode in the infirmary. The book may have been an intriguing distraction, but there was no getting that look in his eyes out of my mind.

Was the doctor right? Was it really a case of PTSD flashbacks?

Or was it something... more?

I yawned and rubbed my eyes as I looked down at my book. Just as the doctor had said, only time would tell. Enzo was safe for now, at least, as was Matt. I supposed that in the meantime, I could lose myself in the strange book.

Just as I was about to flip the book back open to give it another go for the millionth time, there was a soft knock on the door.

I quickly jerked my head up, wondering who could be visiting my room at this hour. An update on Enzo, maybe? "Come in," I called out tentatively.

The door creaked open, and a moment later, Tyler's head poked in. He looked groggy, still in his pajamas with his hair tousled from sleep. He had just woken up.

"Tyler?" I said. "What's wrong?"

"I thought I heard you cursing in here," he muttered, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I wanted to check_" Suddenly, as his gaze landed on the book that I was still holding in my hands, his eyes widened into saucers. Without a word, he bolted into the room and made a beeline for the book.

I leaped up from where I sat out of instinct, inwardly cursing myself for not putting it away before letting him in. I could feel the way that the book almost seemed to pulse angrily in my hands; it didn't want to be found. Not by anyone but me, at least.

Before I could move away, though, Tyler was already yanking it out of my hands.

"Tyler!" I gasped. "What are you-"

As soon as Tyler wrenched the book from me, a sudden bright, white light erupted from the book like a lightning bolt. Except it wasn't just light; it was a force of some kind. It was thick and tangible, like invisible hands.

And it sent both of us stumbling backwards.

The book fluttered to the ground between us, and the light instantly went out as soon as it left Tyler's hands. We both stood there for a moment, blinking confusedly down at the thing as we tried to comprehend what had just happened.

"Nina," Tyler finally breathed, slowly lifting his gaze to meet mine. "You found it."