WINNING THE HOCKEY ALPHA

CHAPTER 2

HARPER BENNETT

Mason’s hand touches my face before sliding down to my neck.

"I'm still waiting for your answer, Harper."

Before I can say anything, we hear the door unlocking, and I sigh in relief before pushing his body away and rushing out.

My heart is pounding, and when I push through the gym doors, I close my eyes, feeling the rain hit me.

There's no one here anymore.

I have no umbrella. No money for the bus.

I walk, angry.

The dress clings to my body, the shoes splash in every puddle.

Water drips from my hair and runs down my collar.

The streetlights flicker, some are out. And for some reason, this part of town feels darker than usual.

It was humiliating. Being locked in there. Being made a joke.

But suddenly, something changes.

I feel it.

It’s almost instinctive.

Like my body knows before my mind. Someone is following me. I don’t hear the steps clearly, but I know. I feel it. My heart tightens, my breathing quickens.

I quicken my pace.

I glance over my shoulder.

There’s a shadow behind me.

A male figure. I don’t know if he’s actually following me or just walking… but I’m not going to wait to find out.

I pull out my phone with shaking hands. No signal.

"Please, no..." I whisper through clenched teeth.

I turn at the next street.

And then I stop.

There’s a man standing there. In the middle of the street. Waiting for me?

My stomach twists.

Without thinking, I dart to the side and run toward the forest.

The cold, the mud, the branches hitting my skin — none of it stops me.

I just run. The flashlight from my phone swings, lighting up random patches of the trail. The forest seems to close in on me.

Branches crack ahead.

But I stop running when I hear a sound behind me.

A howl.

My eyes widen. My feet freeze. The flashlight shakes in my hand.

I lift my hand and freeze when I see the red eyes of a werewolf staring at me, sharp teeth bared, ready to attack.

I scream, running the other way, but slip in the mud and crash to the ground.

I feel my ankle twist with a crack. The pain is sharp. Unbearable.

"Ahh!"

Tears run down my face as I hear more howls. I try to stand and run, but this time I can't.

I limp back toward the road, trying to escape, but I turn my head at the sound of honking and see headlights approaching.

But before I can scream or wave... I trip again. And fall right in front of the car.

The driver slams the brakes just in time to avoid hitting me, but nothing happens.

The car stops inches from me.

The door opens. Footsteps rush toward me.

"Hey! Are you crazy?"

I open my eyes. My lashes are heavy with rain, but I can see. A wet face, dripping hair… and those eyes.

He crouches beside me, voice sharp and tense.

"Are you insane or do you just throw yourself in front of cars for fun?"

It’s him. Noah.

My heart beats faster — from shock, pain, everything. I try to speak, but only a choked sob comes out. My ankle feels like it’s on fire.

"You’re hurt.", he mutters, crouching lower.

I nod, trembling. My lips tremble, my whole body aches.

He picks me up easily, like I weigh nothing.

Carries me to the car and gently sets me in the passenger seat.

He shuts the door, turns on the heater, and covers me with a towel that smells like soap and cologne.

“Let me see...,” he whispers, and I nod, feeling his fingers gently touch my leg.

"It’s not broken, and that’s good."

I groan, and he smiles like he's apologizing.

“Wait, I’ve seen you before…,” he whispers, and I feel my face flush as I remember the game.

He laughs before saying:

“Of course, I’d recognize those eyes anywhere. You were cheering for me at the game.”

“Yes, sorry about that, I…”

“It’s fine, it was funny and you actually hyped up the crowd.” he winks and I smile.

I quickly realize Noah is completely different from his older brother.

“What’s your name?"

I blink and almost pinch myself to be sure this is real.

“Harper…”

“Nice to meet you, Harper. It’s not safe out here alone. I can give you a ride.”

I quickly shake my head.

“No, you don’t have to do that. I can walk.” He stops me, keeping me seated as he starts the car.

“You can’t walk like that. I’ll take you.”

The car moves slowly.

"You're lucky I came this way.”

I nod, still in shock.

"What were you doing in the forest?"

"I... I was being followed. Two guys. Then a… a werewolf..." I stammer.

He looks at me like I said something wrong.

“A werewolf?"

I nod, and I see Noah grip the wheel tightly, tension in his body.

I fasten my seatbelt, watching as he drives calmly.

He’s even more attractive and way less arrogant than he seems.

He starts laughing, and I frown.

“Is something wrong?"

“Yeah... I mean... you’re different...,” he smiles at me.

“I don’t understand.”

“Most girls would be throwing themselves at me or trying to hook up in this car, but you look at me like I’m just some guy — and I like that.”

I look away.

Noah asks for my address, and I lie, quickly giving a fake one — not the small, simple house I live in.

I still need to win him over.

“This is where I live.” I lie, pointing at a random mansion, and he nods, stopping the car.

“It’s a beautiful house.”

“My dad was a diplomat. We lived abroad for years. Just moved back.”

“Impressive,” he says, admiring. “Maybe I know your dad, I know a lot of people.”

I smile falsely, changing the subject quickly.

“Thanks for the ride,” I say, already planning my next move.

“Can I see you again?” he asks, catching me off guard.

“Of course, I’d love that.”

“Perfect, maybe I can call you.”

“I lost my phone running through the forest, but I can give you my home number.”

I write it down on his phone, and when I look up, we’re very close.

“Well, goodnight, Harper. Sleep well and don’t jump in front of another car.”

I laugh, and he smiles at me.

I nod, stepping out of the car, watching him drive away in his sports car. I keep smiling as I hop the fence and run toward my small house on the next street.

I find my grandma asleep, and I sit beside her, wrapping my arms around her.

“I’m going to make it, Grandma. I’m going to give us a better life...”

Two days passed and I spent that time caring for my grandmother.

The old phone in the house rings, making me turn my head and answer quickly.

“Harper?” he says in a slow, seductive voice. “I found your phone. Maybe you’ll keep losing things so I can track them down and bring them back to you.”

Noah.

I smile, even though he can’t see it.

“It depends. Do you do that often?”

“Only with girls who haven’t left my mind since the game.”

My heart races.

Part of me wonders if this is even right. The other part sees only the image of my grandmother with tubes down her nose.

“How’s your ankle?”

“I’m better and not in pain.”

“Great. I can stop by Saturday. I’ll bring your phone back and maybe kidnap you for a party.”

“Party?”

“At a friend’s house. Nothing fancy. Some rich guys, enough alcohol to forget your own name, and maybe a red dress...?”

I let out a light laugh.

“Maybe I have a dress like that.”

“Perfect. You and him are officially invited. I’ll pick you up Saturday night,” he says, and my eyes widen.

“You don’t have to do that. Just send me the address and I’ll meet you there.”

“Are you sure?”

Taking the risk of him discovering the truth about me and where I actually live is definitely not in my plans.

“Yes, I’ll see you there.” I whisper, ending the call, and seconds later he sends me the address of the party.

I smile at my phone. Perhaps Noah will be mine soon.

Saturday arrives quickly and I wake up earlier than usual, even though the party is at night.

I spend hours getting ready, fixing every detail on my face, trying to look like someone I’m not.

Someone wealthy and born in the same world he comes from.

I look at the dress on the bed that I rented with the little money I scraped together by selling things we no longer used. I hope I didn’t waste it.

At the mansion’s entrance, security checks my name. Noah already has me on the list. I get in easily.

Everything is bright. Luxurious. Beautiful, rich people drinking, laughing loudly. Some dancing. Others just showing off expensive bodies and discreet plastic surgeries.

Then, they see me.

The silence isn’t complete, but I feel the stares.

Noah, in the middle of the hall, drops his beer bottle and walks toward me as if hypnotized.

I smile seeing that he’s even more handsome than before in his black leather jacket.

“You came.”

“And wearing my best red dress.”

He laughs, looking at my body before linking his arm with mine.

“You look beautiful, Harper. Tonight’s already worth it,” he says, kissing my hand and I laugh.

He hands me my phone and I wonder how he managed to find it.

As we walk among the guests, I notice someone watching us from the back of the room.

Mason.

Still, tense.

Like a storm about to break. His eyes pierce me like ice.

He wears a white dress shirt that doesn’t quite fit the party vibe, but he’s still handsome.

I freeze for a few seconds, still remembering his scent when we were so close together.

Noah leads me to the bar, we pour drinks. Pretend to be casual. But I feel it. Mason’s gaze is still on me.

Noah notices too.

“Don’t mind my brother. He’s always like that. He even sleeps with a funeral face.”

“He seems more... suspicious than bored.”

“Because you’re not like the others.”

“And how are the others?” I ask, provoking.

“Easy. Predictable. Gold-diggers.”

“And me?”

“You’re an enigma.” He leans closer, lowering his voice. “And I’m great at solving enigmas.”

Before I can answer, someone deliberately bumps into me.

An expensive perfume invades my nostrils.

I close my eyes for a few seconds, already guessing who it is beside me.

“Oh, what a surprise,” says Lexie, smiling with perfect teeth. “Harper... Bennett, right?”

“Lexie.” I stay firm. “Nice dress. Matches your lack of personality.”

She pretends to laugh.

“You and Noah make a beautiful couple. Have you met Mason yet?”

“Not officially.” I lie.

Lexie turns.

“Mason, come here.”

My body tenses and I lift my drink before taking a quick sip.

He approaches, reluctant. His presence is... heavy.

When his eyes meet mine, it’s as if he strips me with a look of judgment.

“Mason, have you met your brother’s girl yet?” Lexie continues provoking and I almost roll my eyes.

“Harper Bennett,” he says in a low voice. “The same girl from the game with the vulgar wet dress and the erotic sign.”

My body freezes. Mason looks at me with a slight smile.

Idiot.

Lexie smiles like a snake rubbing against Mason’s body.

“I’m sorry you got locked in the locker room after the game, Harper.”

Mason watches my reaction, expecting a crack. But I only smile.

Noah holds my waist, sensing the tension between us has become too strong to ignore.

“Let’s get out of here.”

Lexie tries to continue her game, but Mason grabs her arm, stopping her.

“Leave them,” he says, still looking at me. “Girls like her don’t last long with Noah.”

“You have a problem with me?” my voice comes out louder than I intended and then everyone looks at us.

Mason steps closer.

“The problem is that girls like you shouldn’t be here. This isn’t a charity case.”

Some laughs arise. The kind that sting. I could lower my head, like I’ve done so many times in life. But not this time.

I step forward with my chin held high.

“Is my presence bothering you, Mason? How about settling this with me—in the ring?”