The hockey Alpha's disguised Mate

Chapter 4

Rhea Monroe

I should have taken ten cups of coffee before coming to morning practice. Instead here I was skating on maybe twenty or even ten minutes of half sleep and pure humiliation, all thanks to Mr.Loud At 3AM next door, I should really ask the assistant Coach if I can change my room cause I can't always have sleepless nights because of him.

The rink lights were bright too bright to be precise, it was making my eyes and head start to hurt, my legs felt like noodles, my lungs burned the ice wasn’t smooth and familiar today it felt like it hated me... It feels like the entire world hates me.

My eyes were closing themselves as I skated on the ice with my stick in hand “Warm up laps! Move it” the assistant Coach barked, the guys shot forward, skating effortlessly, I took in a deep breath before I also started skating behind them and instantly I knew how bad this was going to be.

My balance was off, my legs shaky my eyes closing themselves and every inhale I took burned I forced myself to stay still focusing on my stride, but each time I blinked too long, sleep tried pulling me under again

And of course, I could feel him watching I could feel his eyes on me "you okay?" One of the players questioned as he skated past me "yeah thank you for asking" I whispered forcing a smile "we are a family now no need to thank me" he muttered smiling back at me.

He looks quite familiar I think I saw him in the house yesterday, he has curly black hair and beautiful grey eyes, he also looks like a nice person, I skated to where all of them were standing and stood beside him, Zayden's eyes were on me from where he stood with the assistant coach with his stick rested over his shoulders and arms draped casually around it, his muscles flexing with the slightest movement...he wasn’t watching the team, he was watching me.

And not in a friendly way more like a hunter studying a creature he is about to hunt I tried to ignore him, tried to blend in, tried to look like just another tired rookie, the assistant Coach blew the whistle signaling for us to begin and before I could even move all the others had started skating fast and smooth.

I sighed heavily before I started skating again I slipped and before I could process anything the world tilted and my body lurched sideways

I closed my eyes waiting to hit the cold ice but suddenly a strong arm wrapped around my waist and a hard chest collided with my shoulder.I slowly opened my eyes breathing heavily, my eyes nearly skipped a beat when I saw his face....I crashed straight into Zayden Frost,our skates screeched against the ice as he steadied us both, his grip firm around my waist.

His breath brushed my jaw, I couldn't move it was like we were both frozen in the ice his hands were on me, for a second his eyes widened, not with annoyance, not with amusement but something else..... Realization.

His grip tightened slightly as if he was trying to feel something, as if my body didn’t… fit right what is he doing? I tried to step back but he didn’t let go “Watch it” he murmured his voice low enough that no one else heard.

I quickly nodded whispering “Sorry” but still he didn’t move, he didn't let go of me his gaze dropped flicking down my body for just a second before returning to my face, he was noticing everything, I swallowed hard trying to to step back again but his grip only tightened around my waist.

“You are not focused today” he said his hand sliding up my back “I am fine” I lied using all my strength to step back, he didn’t let me go immediately his fingers lingered… just long enough to make my pulse stutter then he released me his cold eyes still on me.

The assistant Coach shouted across the ice “Frost and Monroe Quit the romance and join the drills” my cheeks burned as the guys started laughing but Zayden didn't his expression was still blank his eyes stayed locked on mine,then he started skating backward not breaking eye contact, and whispered under his breath “We will talk later”

My breath hitched... No no, why should we talk later? talking meant questions and questions meant danger, i forced myself into the drill line my legs trembling my poor heart racing like it wanted to break out of my chest.

But even as I focused on the puck… I felt his gaze on me, he should be focused on the puck why is he looking at m like that? Is he already suspecting me? I glanced at him from my shoulder he was standing behind me like a statue watching every move I made he wasn't even making an effort not to make it obvious.

I took in a deep breath deciding to ignore him and just focus on the training but every time our eyes met even for a split second…It felt like he was peeling my lie apart piece by piece.

By the end of practice I couldn't feel my legs when Coach dismissed us the guys rushed toward the locker room I tried to follow them but suddenly Zayden appeared out of nowhere blocking my path, my heart was pounding in my chest as I looked at the evil smirk on his face.

“Whatever you are hiding…” he began speaking slowly looking over my face and body “I will figure it out rookie..... one of my hobbies is digging up secrets” he whispered his expression hardening now.