Claimed by the Hockey Alpha

CHAPTER 1 Jasmine My English class had just ended and I was hurriedly throwing my books into my bag. I heard her voice behind me but chose to ignore her. I knew what she wanted to say to me but I had better things to do with the professor. Nothing of what you're thinking. "Professor Baldwin?" I slung my bag over my shoulder as I reached where he was. "Miss Evans." He smiled upon seeing me. He had seen me working on a book at the library two weeks ago and had offered to help me. We had planned to start working on a chapter I was struggling with today. "My afternoon classes were cancelled due to the game so if you're free too-and of course, do not mind-we could meet up at the library. Or come over to your office. Whichever is more comfortable for you." I rushed my words, too excited. "Actually, Miss Evans, about that," he started. My smile fell the moment he said those words. "It's the Intercollegiate Winter Cup finals," he paused as if waiting to see my reaction. "I know that, Professor." My response seemed to shock him. "Then shouldn't you be rushing to the Ice Arena?" "I have no interest in Hockey, Professor." I answered honestly. "That's strange, Miss Evans. Everyone in the school has looked forward to this day." "Listen," he interrupted me before I could say anything. "It's the finals today and it's going to be a big win for the Northridge wolves. They need all the support they can get." He flashed me a big smile and squeezed my shoulder before walking away. "Never pegged Baldwin to be a sports fan." I heard her voice behind me and sighed tiredly. She had managed to catch up to me. "But I think he's right." Nancy continues speaking as I exit the class. "I have zero interest in Hockey, Nance." "You missed all the other games. I don't think you should miss this one." She continued following me. Nancy had tried to get me to attend the other games but I had blatantly refuse. BECAUSE I HAD ZERO INTEREST IN HOCKEY. "It's just one game, Jas. I promise, after today, I won't invite you to another game. Although, I have a great feeling you're going to willingly attend after tonight's game." "Come on!" She pulled my shoulder and jumped in front of me. "Even your role model will be in attendance." She was referring to Professor Baldwin. "Fine." I gave up. I was too disappointed by Professor Baldwin's interest in Hockey to work on my book anyway. Might as well join everyone else, screaming at boys running on ice. "Yes!" Nancy dramatically punched the air, making me smile. The first thing you would notice about Northridge university was the ice rink. It stood right in the center of the campus. It was the most noticeable thing in this school-and honestly- it was the most beautiful thing too. Tonight, it was louder than I expected. The stands were packed, students wearing dark blue jerseys-Nancy had forced me to wear one- shouting every time the puck moved across the ice. I almost turned around at the entrance, but the hallway behind me was already full. "Who are we up against?" I had to scream because of how loud the arena was. "Eastern University Titans. They're pretty good but of course, our wolves are way better." I could hear the pride in her voice. On the other side, Eastern University students wore orange jerseys just like their players on the ice. "It's the final round which means whoever wins this, gets all the girls and bragging rights until the next season. And if our wolves are really impressive tonight, they might just get scouted by International teams." Right in front of our stand, close to where the coach stood, I saw the really shiny golden cup. It was beautiful. Nancy smiled when she noticed what I was staring at. "Ever since the Captain joined the team, Northridge has retained that cup. Tonight will be no exception." "Captain?" Just one person had been the reason the wolves continued to win consecutively? "Player 7. He joined the team in his first year here and was made Captain after helping the team maintain a perfect winning streak for a whole season." Nancy pointed at one of the wolves and I followed her hand. They were all moving so fast, it was difficult to get a glimpse at any of them so I simply concentrated on his number. The puck slid across the ice so fast but the Captain-number 7- caught it easily. He skated past two Titans like they weren't even there. Northridge students jumped in a loud cheer. The way he moved on the ice made him impossible not to look at. He was faster than every other player on the ice. I watched as the Titans hit him repeatedly but instead, fell. He was unstoppable. I found myself standing up like everyone else but I didn't cheer. I just concentrated on the Captain. The puck slammed into the net and I found myself grinning. They paused for a momentary celebration before they continued playing. The puck was slid to him again and he caught as easily as he did before. The crowd stood up in anticipation the closer he got to the net. "Shoot!" The Captain screamed from where he stood. He lifted his stick and then it happened. The Captain's gaze shifted from the net, sweeping over the stand until it landed on me. It felt like time stopped. Everything else faded into the background and in that moment, he was all I saw. A strange burning pain shot through my side. It was so sudden and sharp that I had to grab onto someone. I watched as his eyes widened in surprise. My stomach twisted with a strange sick feeling I couldn't explain. On the ice, a Titan slammed into him and stole the puck, pushing him to the ice. The world started spinning again, bringing me back to reality. The Titan shot the puck across the ice, "No!" I found myself screaming with the other students. It was already too late. It slid straight into the net and the buzzer sounded. For a moment, nobody spoke. Not even our opponent. Even the announcers hesitated before speaking, "Eastern University scores final point. Titans win." The entire rink remained silent. Even the Titans just stared at the Captain who had not bothered to stand up. He was still staring at the stands, right at me. "What the hell was that?!" The Coach's angry voice echoed throughout the arena. He furiously skated toward the Captain who remained mute, sitting on the ice and staring at me. The shocked expression melted into confusion before twisting into anger. I watched him rise to his feet and skate past the Coach, still with his eyes trained on me. Everyone parted for him while he made his way to where I stood. I held my breath, struggling to stop my legs from shaking. It was like the closer he got, the heavier the air became. His stood in front of me, his height towering over me. I watched hatred pour into those blue eyes as he stared at me through his helmet. I'd never felt so irrelevant. "You picked the wrong f*****g school." He whispered only to my hearing before storming out of the arena, leaving the entire place in utter silence.