Love on Thin Ice

‎ ‎**Female Lead POV** ‎ ‎The night was chilly, slicing through the air as I ran. ‎ The wind tore through my hair, whipping it across my face while my boots struck the frozen ground in a sharp, steady rhythm. ‎Footsteps thundered behind me. ‎Five of them. ‎They thought I was running because I was afraid. ‎Because I was weak. ‎Because I was just another girl who had made the mistake of crossing the wrong people. ‎Idiots. ‎I was not running away. ‎I was leading them exactly where I wanted. ‎I am the heir to a throne built on blood and silence. ‎And tonight, they were walking straight into my game. ‎The alley opened ahead, wide and empty, the ice beneath my feet glowing faintly under a flickering streetlight. I slowed. Just enough. ‎They took the bait. ‎The moment they closed in, breath ragged, confidence high, I stopped, gave a sharp turn and smirked. They didn't see it coming. ‎Their surprise was delicious. ‎Let the games begin. ‎I moved first. ‎I backflipped over the closest man before he could react, my heel crashing into his stomach as I landed. The sound he made was ugly, all air and panic, as he folded and hit the ice hard. ‎The second rushed me, shouting something stupid. I pivoted, grabbed his arm, and used his own momentum against him. He spun, slipped, and slammed into the wall with a crack that made him go still. ‎The third was smarter. He circled. Watched. I met his gaze and smiled wider. ‎Bad choice. ‎I closed the distance fast, elbow striking his chest, knee driving upward. He stumbled back, eyes wide, shock replacing confidence as he collapsed beside the others. ‎The fourth tried to grab me from behind. ‎I was already gone. ‎I ducked, twisted, and sent him sprawling face-first onto the ice. He did not get back up. ‎Then there was the last one. ‎He was bigger. Heavier. Slower, but stubborn. ‎He charged. ‎The impact rattled my bones as he slammed into me, forcing me back a step. For the first time that night, I felt resistance. His grip tightened. His breath was hot and desperate. ‎Good. ‎I liked the challenge. ‎I planted my feet, struck hard, again and again, until his strength gave out and his weight crashed down uselessly. When he finally stopped moving, I stood over him, breathing steady. ‎Five men down. ‎I did not look back. ‎Headlights flared at the far end of the alley. ‎The boss. ‎His car engine roared to life, tyres spinning against the ice as he tried to escape. ‎I walked toward it. ‎Calm. Unhurried. ‎One shot shattered the windshield. The driver slumped forward instantly, the car rolling to a stop. ‎I opened the passenger door. ‎The man inside was shaking. ‎"Any last words?" I asked softly. ‎"Please," he begged. "Do not—"‎ ‎I pulled the trigger before he could finish. ‎Silence fell. ‎Cold. Heavy. Final. ‎I stepped back, turned, and walked away as if none of it mattered. I was exhausted. All I wanted was to get to my car, go home, take a long shower, and wash the blood from my body. I preferred walking anyway. It kept my mind clear, and after a long night, the quiet was usually exactly what I needed. I was walking down the alley toward where I had parked my car when I heard noises. Groans. A few angry voices. I stopped. I glanced toward the sound. I should have ignored it. It wasn’t my problem. But it was happening close to my car, and I didn’t want anyone seeing my face or causing trouble around my vehicle. So I walked toward them. Four men stood around someone lying on the ground. One of them noticed me. “Hey! What are you doing here?” I stopped. “Can’t you see this isn’t a place for a woman?” I laughed quietly. They had no idea who they were talking to. “You really don’t want to mess with me.” The men exchanged looks. One of them smirked. “Well, at least we’ll have some fun tonight.” They moved toward me. A few moments later, they were all on the ground. I dusted my hands and looked down at them. “Idiots.” I turned toward the boy they had been attacking. He was barely conscious. I crouched beside him and helped him sit up. His eyes opened slightly. I removed my mask for only a moment. His gaze met mine. I put my mask back on and pulled out my phone. “Hello? I need an ambulance.” I gave them the location. Once I was sure help was coming, I stood. I looked at the boy one last time. He would be fine. Or at least, the ambulance would take care of that. I turned around and walked toward my car. ‎The city blurred as I drove off into the night. ‎By morning, I would be a student again. But tonight? ‎Tonight, I was exactly who I was ‎ ‎-- ‎The sky was as clear as day; I breathed it in, trying to refresh myself, but it was all in vain. ‎Nothing was good about this morning. ‎The engine purred beneath me as the city lights slipped past the tinted windows of my car. Leather seats. Bulletproof glass. Silence thick enough to choke on. ‎My phone rang. ‎I did not flinch. ‎"Where are you?" his voice asked the moment I answered. Cold. Commanding. Familiar. ‎"I am heading to school," I replied, emotionless. ‎A pause. Then, "Is it done?" ‎"Yes, Father. I left no witnesses behind." ‎Laughter erupted through the speaker. ‎"That is my girl," he said. "Soon, you will take over from me." He laughed again. ‎I did not. ‎My jaw tightened as anger burned quietly in my chest. I did not want this life anymore. I did not want to be his weapon. His pawn. His proof of power. ‎But wanting had never mattered. ‎"And remember," his tone sharpened, the laughter gone, "Your mission is to observe and monitor him." ‎My fingers curled slightly. ‎"This is a top secret mission," he added. ‎ ‎"Yes, Father," I said calmly. ‎I ended the call. ‎The silence rushed back in, heavier than before. ‎I gripped the hem of my skirt tightly, my knuckles whitening. ‎My life has always been this way. ‎Lonely.‎Quiet.‎Isolated. ‎The school gates were already in sight when my phone vibrated again. ‎A message. ‎Anika. ‎Do not forget to treat my hubby properly and monitor him. I will be back soon. ‎I exhaled slowly. ‎My younger sister attends this school. Everyone adores her. She is spoiled, protected and literally untouchable. Anika is the kitten of the house. I am the blade. ‎I did not care about her relationship with some hockey player. I truly did not. I do not get what both father and daughter want with the same guy. ‎"Miss, we are here," the driver said softly. ‎The car stopped. ‎He stepped out quickly and opened the door for me. ‎I emerged with precision, poise, and control. ‎‎I slipped my backpack onto my shoulder and lifted my gaze. ‎Blackwood High. ‎Blackwood High was known as a school for the wealthy, the brilliant, and the exceptionally talented. ‎Things happened here. Dirty things. Quiet things. But I was not the one to be played with. ‎I stood there, unaware of time passing, as eyes followed me. Whispers spread. ‎"She looks flawless." ‎"Like a goddess." ‎"So cold… but beautiful." ‎I ignored every word. ‎I did not come here to be admired. ‎I strode forward, heels clicking against the pavement, straight toward the principal's office. ‎Like I owned the place. ‎Because in a way, I did. ‎ ‎--- ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The principal’s office was quiet when I walked in, too quiet. ‎ ‎I took the seat across from his desk, not with pride, not with arrogance, but with measured elegance. My back, straight. My hands folded. Calm. Controlled. ‎ ‎The principal swallowed before speaking. ‎ ‎"Good morning, Miss Lucian." ‎ ‎Fear sat heavy in his voice. ‎ ‎Of course he knew who I was. ‎"Good morning," I replied evenly, my tone polite, emotionless. ‎ ‎We spoke for a while. About my sister's break to Australia. About how long she'd be gone. ‎ ‎Then came the important part. ‎ ‎Security. ‎ ‎"I want discretion," I said, meeting his eyes. “I have a new identity here. Snow Grey. My identity must not slip out” “No special treatment. No attention. I don't want students knowing anything… except that my father is influential." ‎ ‎He nodded quickly. Too quickly. ‎ ‎"Yes, of course. Only that your father is..." ‎ ‎"The second in command," I finished for him. ‎ ‎He cleared his throat. "Of course." ‎ ‎”No one needs to know” “ If you get bullied, we would pay the price” he said nervously. “ Let me worry about that” I answered ‎ ‎He called for a teacher to escort me to class. ‎ ‎"I'll find it myself," I said, standing. ‎ ‎He didn't argue. ‎ ‎I was dressed neatly, my uniform flawless. Part of my hair was braided, the rest falling softly down my back. I looked calm. Blissful, even. ‎ ‎No one would ever guess what my hands were capable of. I looked down at my schedule. Introduction to Fine Arts — 10:00 a.m. Great. After asking two students for directions,and nearly ending up in the wrong building. I finally found my class block. I stopped at the entrance and looked inside. It had been a while since I’d been surrounded by hormonal teenagers. I walked in anyway, scanning the room for an empty seat. ‎ ‎”We have a transfer student with us today, please introduce yourself to the class” I glanced around the room. “I am Snow Grey and I hate people” The atmosphere became tense. “Alright Snow, take a seat” the teacher said nervously as if sensing who I was. “Let’s begin with the syllabus.” ‎Whispers exploded behind me. “Why is everywhere so empty?” one of them asked. The other girl looked at her like the answer was obvious. “You don’t know? Today’s the semifinals.” “Oh.” “The hockey team is playing.” That explained why the classroom was almost empty. Apparently, a hockey game was more important than an actual lecture. I sighed and looked down at my schedule. Great. “Hey, Snow right” A guy with blonde hair stood above me “Get up from my sit” “I saw no one here and your disturbing my learning” I replied still looking at the board The guy laughed, he carried my bag and threw it and floor. “Do you have a death wish” he shouted, pointing at my face. Oh, his in trouble now. I grabbed his finger and broke it in one twist. He scream pierced the room.