His Hockey Ice Princess

Chapter 1 Aurora's POV The cold air inside the rink wrapped around me like an old memory I had spent years trying to forget, the familiar scent of ice steel, and determination lingered in the atmosphere, awakening emotions I had buried deep inside my heart for three years. Three years since I had stepped away from the world that once worshipped me, from the headlines that had destroyed my career, and from everyone who stopped calling me, Aurora Winters and started calling me a disgrace. I inhaled deeply and tightened my fingers around the strap of my bag. Because I wasn't here to compete, neither was I here to reclaim my crown. Rather I was here to survive, to start over and to prove that I was more than the scandal that had nearly ruined my life. ”Miss Winters?" A male voice called. I spun around and saw coach Harrison approaching me with a welcoming smile. A man in his fifties, respected throughout the hockey league, he had been one of the few people willing to offer me a second chance. ”I'm glad you came,” he said warmly. And I nodded politely. ”Thank you for giving me this opportunity.” ”You earned it, no need to thank me,” he replied. ”Though the players may not understand why a former figure skater is here, but they will soon learn.” ”I hope so,” I said with a faint smile. Coach Harrison then gestured toward the large arena doors. ”The team is already practicing.” he said, walking over there, I followed him. The moment I stepped inside, loud cheers echoed through the arena, players skated across the ice with incredible speed, pucks slamming against the boards, with energy filled every corner. But professional hockey was nothing like figure skating. It was rough, chaotic, aggressive. Everything I wasn't. ”Captain!” someone shouted. And I lifted my gaze to see a tall man glided effortlessly across the rink, dark hair, piercing blue eyes, broad shoulders. His confidence radiating from every movement he made. Then he removed his helmet and flashed a grin that made half of the female staff to stare. ”That is Liam Carter, the most famous hockey player in the league. He is the captain, the golden boy and the man every sports magazine loves,” coach Harrison whispered to my hearing only. Then he waved his hand to the guy. ”Liam, come here.” ”Coach,” Liam said, as he skated over lazily. Just then, his gaze landed on me, and his expression shifted to that of curiosity, interest and then amusement. ”So this is our new specialist?”Liam asked. Coach Harrison nodded. ”Yes, this is Aurora Winters.” Immediately the smile on Liam's face widened. ”The Aurora Winters?” And I nodded, my face still calm. ”The ice princess,” Liam said. But I Ignored the nickname, then Liam chuckled, ”I thought you'd retired for good.” ”I did,” I answered sincerely. ”Then what brings a figure skater into a hockey arena?” he asked, his curiosity piqued. But before I could reply, coach Harrison spoke up with his arms crossed. ”She is here to improve your balance, flexibility, and movement.” Liam laughed, but more like mocking me. ”You mean...you hired a ballerina on ice to train hockey players? That is ridiculous.” Then several of his teammates snickered, but i remained silent, my expression unreadable. ”Watch your mouth, Liam,” coach Harrison warned, his voice laced with annoyance. ”I'm just saying the truth,” Liam said, with his hands raised innocently. Then he glanced at me, ”No offense, princess, but we play hockey. We don't twirl around in sparkly costumes.” And his teammates burst into laughter, while I still stayed silent, watching them. Because if it was years ago, such comments would have hurt me, but now? I only simply felt tired. ”Interesting,” I finally muttered, as i met his gaze. ”What is?” he smirked. And I stepped closer, ”You think balance isn't important,” i said. ”It isn't more important than scoring goals,”he replied. ”Then let's test that theory,”i said, tilting my head slightly. And the arena became quiet instantly, Liam folded his arms, ”What do you have in mind?” Then I pointed toward the center of the rink, and said, ”One exercise, if you complete it successfully, then i will admit hockey players don't need figure skating techniques.” ”And if i fail?” he asked. ”Well, it's simple. You follow my training program without complaining,”i replied. The players exchanged excited glances, Liam grinned, ”You are confident.” ”No, I'm experienced,” I answered, looking directly into his eyes. And coach Harrison just sighed, ”This should be interesting.” Minutes later, Liam attempted my balance drill. at first, he looked confident, then he lost his footing and his body wobbled then seconds later, he crashed. And immediately a laugh escaped my lips, almost. But I held it back, staring at him, the captain of the city's most celebrated hockey team, who had just landed flat on the ice. As silence stretched, shock written over the faces of his teammates. Before laughter exploded throughout the arena. ”Oh my God!” Ethan squealed, nearly felling over. ”Our captain has been defeated by a figure skater!” Liam groaned as he stood up, while I folded my arms, as a tiny smile tugged at the corners of my lips. ”You were saying?”i asked and looked at me. As I felt something I hadn't experienced in a long time, satisfaction. ”Oh, this isn't over yet,” he said as his eyes narrowed. ”No,”i asked with a arch brow. And he stepped closer, our faces inches apart, ”I don't lose.”he uttered. While I held his gaze without blinking, ”Then I suggest you practice harder.” For a moment, neither of us moved as the tension between us became impossible to ignore. ”Coach, I think our captain has just met the woman who can actually put him in his place,”Ethan whispered dramatically. And Liam shot him a glare, while I simply turned away. I had come here for a fresh start, and I had promised myself I would never allow anyone close enough to hurt me again. Especially not an arrogant hockey captain with an infuriating smile. But deep inside, I couldn't deny one thing, that Liam had just become the most interesting problem I had encountered in years. And problems had a habit of changing lives, completely.