The hockey Alpha's disguised Mate

Rhea Monroe I never thought the first lie I would ever tell would be this big. But here I was, standing in front of Frostwell University’s hockey arena with my chest tightly wrapped, my voice rehearsed two octaves lower, and my hair....my hair chopped shorter than I ever dared… all for one reason. My father. My dad always used to say the ice had its own heartbeat,that if you stood on it long enough, you could feel it pulse beneath your skates reminding you why you loved the game....I haven’t stepped on the ice rink in seven years since the day my father had that accident and died..... they all said it was an accident but I know it's not. Accidents shouldn't leave a daughter and a wife with a hole in their chest and a police file full of “misplaced evidence” I can still remember my father's last words before he died, he called me minutes before the car crash “Don’t trust anyone at the university” that was the last thing he told me before he hung up. So yes..lying felt small compared to the truth I was after. I tugged my hoodie lower, adjusting the fake student ID clipped to my bag, I took in a deep breath repeating my fake name so I don't forget my identity for now. "Ryan Hale, male, 18 years old" I kept repeating as I walked into the stadium, my skin prickled at the sight of the huge blue banner above the doors: WELCOME TO FROSTWELL HOCKEY TRYOUTS—Home of the Frostwell Wolves Wolves....dad used to joke they were more like hyenas always telling me stories on how loud, cocky and territorial they were.The best players in the region trained here,the NHL scouts practically lived in these stands.This was my father's dream school, his dream was to be an NHL champion, but now this university is my battlefield...I would find out what really happened to my father and I would win the NHL for him. Immediately I stepped inside the cold air hit my face with a familiar... almost painful nostalgia. Skates scraped the ice,sticks cracked and one of the players shouted a curse that echoed throughout the stadium, For a second I froze for a second I forgot I was lying… i forgot I was pretending, all I can remember was being a little girl, sitting on Dad’s shoulders during his practice nights, believing the rink lights were stars that somehow got stuck inside. Someone blew a whistle snapping me back into reality. A cluster of players rushed past me all of them in matching navy practice gear, their laughter rough and careless. Every single one of them was bigger than me, they were broader and obviously stronger. I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening... I really don't belong here my heart was pounding in my chest as I started walking towards the sign in table a man who looked like he was in his late thirties glanced at me “Name?” he asked his eyes still on me. My voice almost cracked but I forced it down “Ryan..Ryan Monroe” I whispered my voice sounding more like a growl... He stared at me before he checked the list “You are late Monroe” “I...I am here now” I replied praying my voice sounded masculine enough, my heart beat was loud in my ears my palms clammy as I clenched my fist trying to calm my breathing, He looked at me again like he recognizes me or something “the locker rooms are down that hall...you will be in House A with the others if you make the team.”House A, the hockey house, the same house my dad lived in when he was a student. My stomach twisted. "I am the assistant Coach Nathan" he said handing me a form and a blue jersey before I could speak he said “Get changed now warm ups start in ten minutes”I grabbed the jersey and turned away, exhaling shakily... I didn't even say thank you, I wanted to thank him but I couldn't speak afraid my voice might sound like a girl. Locker rooms were my worst nightmare just one wrong move and I would be exposed before even stepping on the ice I kept my head down the entire walk in the hallway praying no one would even spare me a glance, the locker room was surprisingly empty, I released a breath I didn't even realize I was holding. I quickly chose a locker at the end far from the others, and turned my back as quickly removed my hoodie and pulled the jersey over my head after I was done I sagged against the metal door “You can do this Rhea” I whispered to myself “For papa” My father’s ring hung on a chain under my binder, warm against my skin I squeezed it once, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the hallway, my heart was banging against my chest as I stepped on the ice. The moment my skates touched the rink, the world seemed to have frozen for a second, the fear slipped back, the memories of how my father used to happily skate on the ice rushing back,my hands slowly began shaking my legs feeling limp, I slowly closed my eyes taking deep breaths.... By the time the warm-ups started I was feeling much better I kept to myself, sticking to drills, ignoring the curious glances A few guys shot me weird looks like they couldn’t decide if I was sixteen or malnourished I just ignored them and skated harder and faster, refusing to let them intimidate me. Then a low whistle came before a voice Came “Alright, shut up and listen!” everyone's attention turned to the assistant Coach I furrowed my brows looking at him but the others weren't looking at him, I followed their eyes and they were staring behind him at someone stepping onto the ice. He was tall, broad shouldered and well built he was holding his helmet his dark hair falling across his forehead, he had a sharp jawline and his icy blue eyes so cold and void of emotions, he is dangerously handsome he was the type of people I don't even need a warning to stay away from. Every girl on campus probably knew his name, he didn’t even glance at me he didn’t have to his presence alone pressed against my lungs. “So” the assistant coach barked “since the Captain Zayden Frost has decided to grace us with his royal presence, try not to embarrass yourselves” he stated Sarcasm dripping from his voice, although from his expression he was obviously intimidated by him. A few guys laughed but Zayden didn't He skated to the center like he owned the entire building... Zayden Frost, I have heard that name although this is the first time I am seeing him, he is the best hockey player of the university, he is called the legend, he is also a Playboy according to hazel he has slept with more than half the girls in this University she kept warning me to stay away from him. I was about to continue skating when his gaze swept across the team… …paused… …and landed on me. Just for a second but it was enough to freeze my blood solid, he tilted his head, studying me with a blank expression something about his eyes made my legs weak it was like he could see right through me I forced myself to look away, the assistant coach blew the whistle again “Pair up for passing drills..Move!”he ordered, Players scattered looking for partners I slowly skated toward the nearest open space, hoping to avoid pairing up suddenly a shadow slid beside me. “You” a voice came it was deep, low, rough and curious I didn’t dare look up“New guy” he added“What’s your name?” he suddenly leaned in, my heart skipped a beat as I quickly stepped back Shit.... s**t, s**t, s**t I swallowed “Ryan” I managed to whisper my voice nearly cracking, Zayden straightened up before he slowly started circling around me once I was breathing heavily trying not to be intimidated by him. If he gets suspicious of me then I am doomed “You skate well” he said “Too well for someone who is just starting” there was a hint of amusement in his voice “I used to play hockey in highschool” I lied not daring to meet his gaze as he stopped right in front of me. He hummed“I will be watching you”My stomach dropped of all people why him?“Try not to disappoint Ryan” with that he turned and skated off, leaving me standing there my heart about to break out of my chest. And that...that was my first mistake. Letting Zayden Frost notice me.