Falling for The Hockey Alpha (A Christmas Romance)

VIOLET'S POV Cody's lips are on mine, passionate and hungry. His hands roam down my sides, pulling me closer as if he can't bear the space between us. I kiss him back. My heart pounds but it's not excitement that's making it race. It's something else—something darker, something I've been trying to ignore for far too long. My wolf is uneasy but I push her to the back of my mind. "God, you're so beautiful," he murmurs against my lips, his voice low and husky. I close my eyes, trying to focus on the moment, trying to push down the bad feeling in my gut. But it's there, growing stronger with every passing second. My powers are tingling again and my wolf is stirring at the back of my mind as well. His hands slide under my shirt but I grab his wrists and push him back gently. "Cody," I say. He pauses and looks at me with confusion in his eyes "What's wrong?" I take a deep breath, pulling away from him completely. "I can't do this. Not anymore." He sits up straighter "What are you talking about?" I stand, smoothing down my shirt and taking a few steps away from the bed. My back is to him as I try to gather my thoughts. The words feel heavy, like stones in my throat, but I force them out. "I'm breaking up with you, Cody." There's a beat of silence. It's so thick and tense that it feels like the room itself is holding its breath. "You're... what?" he shrieks. I turn to face him, meeting his gaze head-on. "I'm breaking up with you. This—us, it's over." He stands, looking at me in disbelief "Where the hell is this coming from, Violet? We were just—" He gestures toward the bed. "You're seriously doing this now?" I cross my arms "I've been feeling it for a while, Cody. There's something... off. About you, about us. I tried to ignore it, to pretend everything was fine, but I can't anymore." He takes a step closer, his jaw tightening. "Off? What does that even mean? Are you saying I'm not enough for you?" "No," I say quickly, though the word feels hollow. "It's not that. It's just..." I hesitate, biting my lip. Do I tell him? Do I reveal what my powers have been screaming at me for months now? I can't tell him about this. Nobody knows about this part of me apart from my grand mother. "You're hiding something, Cody," I finally say. "And I know it. I can feel it." His eyes narrow, and for the first time, I see something flicker there—fear, maybe. Guilt. "You're crazy," he snaps, his tone defensive. "You're imagining things." "I'm not," I counter "I know about the other girls, Cody." That stops him in his tracks. His mouth opens, then closes, as if he's searching for something to say but can't find the words. "I wanted to believe it wasn't true," I continue, my voice breaking. "I wanted to believe you loved me enough to be faithful. But I can't ignore it anymore." "So that's it?" he finally says, his voice cold. "You're just gonna walk away? Throw everything we had away? You can't even forgive me" I nod "Yes. I'm leaving for Presley soon, and I want a fresh start. I thought maybe we could do long distance, but... you're not worth it, Cody. Not anymore." His face darkens, and before I can react, he grabs my arm. I wince due to his tight grip. "You think you can just walk out on me?" he growls. "Let go of me," He doesn't listen. Instead, he pulls me closer till we're chest to chest "You're not going anywhere, Violet." Panic spreads through me, but with it comes with a bit of adrenaline. I act on instinct, lifting my knee and slamming it into his groin as hard as I can. He lets out a cry. His grip on me loosens as he doubles over in pain. "Don't ever touch me again," I spit. I don't wait for him to recover. I grab my bag and storm out of the room - The sound of the car door closing feels like the official start of a new chapter. My parents stand by the curb. Their faces are filled with worry as they watch me adjust the strap of my bag on my shoulder. "Are you sure about this, sweetheart?" Mom asks for what feels like the hundredth time. I'm not surprised. This is my first time leaving my pack and I can tell my parents are worried. "Yes, Mom." I give her a reassuring smile "I'll be fine. I promise." Dad crosses his arms "Call us as soon as you land. And don't forget—no shortcuts, no staying out too late, and always keep your pepper spray handy." I chuckle lightly "Dad, you've told me this at least ten times already." "And I'll tell you ten more," he retorts with a smile. I step forward, hugging them both tightly. "I'll miss you guys. But I'll be okay. I've got Elias to look out for me." Mom sniffles, brushing away a tear. "Just... stay safe, Violet. And don't forget that we're only a phone call away." "I won't forget," I assure her. As I walk toward the airport entrance, I glance back one last time, waving at their retreating figures. I feel excited and nervous at the same time. This is it. Presley College of Arts. My dream. The school is in the Shadowfang pack in Petersburg. I've heard a lot about it and how lovely the pack is. I hope the pack lives up to the rumours. The sound of the airplane engines is oddly soothing as I stare out the window, watching the world shrink below me. I'm finally doing it—leaving home, chasing my dreams, starting fresh. By the time the plane lands in Petersburg, I'm practically vibrating with excitement. I grab my luggage and head out into the terminal, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. "Violet!" I turn, spotting Elias waving at me from near the exit. His broad grin makes me feel instantly at ease. "Hey, big bro!" I call out, hurrying toward him. He pulls me into a bear hug, lifting me off the ground. "You made it!" "Of course I did," I tease, laughing as he sets me down. "Welcome to Petersburg," he says as he gestures dramatically toward the city beyond the glass doors. "You're gonna love it here. The Shadowfang pak is the coolest. Come on, let's get you to your new place." Elias helps me with my things and we get in his car. As he drives me down the town, I look out the window. The drive through town is nothing short of magical. The Shadowfang pack is exactly as I imagined it—lovely streets lined with colorful stores, people singing by the road side, and a lively energy that feels contagious. "I can't believe I'm actually here," I say, pressing my face against the window. I feel like a kid seeing snow for the first time. "You earned it," Elias replies "Presley College doesn't just accept anyone. You've got serious talent, sis." His words make my chest swell with pride. When we pull up to the apartment, I'm happy. It's small but it looks cozy. It has a little balcony that overlooks the street. "I rented it for you a couple of months ago," Elias explains as we carry my bags inside. "Your roommate, Petra, is pretty cool. I think you two will hit it off." I nod "This is perfect. Thank you, Elias." He grins. "You're welcome. Now, listen, I'd give you a full tour of the campus tonight, but I've got a party to attend in about an hour. Rain check?" "Of course," I say, rolling my eyes. "Go have fun. I'll be fine." "You sure?" he asks, raising an eyebrow. "I'm sure," I insist. - Later that evening, I couldn't help the excitement inside me. Staying cooped up inside feels impossible, so I decide to take a stroll. The campus is breathtaking at night. The pathways are lit by twinkling lights, and the tall buildings seem to glow under the moonlight. Everything feels surreal, like I've stepped into a dream. As I wander further, lost in admiration, I hear footsteps behind me. "Hey, girlie," a rough voice calls out. I freeze. My heart skips a beat. Turning slowly, I see two guys approaching me. Their faces are shadowed but their intentions are clear. I can feel the aura of their wolves - they smell like rogues. How come rogues are on campus? "Hand over your phone," the taller one demands, pulling a knife from his jacket. Panic grips me, but I try to keep my voice steady. "I don't want any trouble." "Then do as you're told," the shorter one sneers, stepping closer. I clutch my phone tightly. My mind races with ways to escape this. I try to run, but the taller guy grabs my arm, yanking me back. "Let go of me!" I shout, struggling against his grip. "Shut her up," the shorter one says as he reaches for my bag. Tears sting my eyes as I fight against them, but they're too strong. Just as I'm about to give up, a voice cuts through the silence. "Hey! Let her go!" A figure comes out through the shadows. The guys hesitate, clearly caught off guard. "Who the hell are you?" the taller one growls. The stranger doesn't answer. Instead, he walks forward, positioning himself between me and the attackers. "Stand behind me," he says. I hesitate, but something about him feels safe, trustworthy. I can feel it in his aura. My powers feel settled around him. I don't have alarm bells in my head which means he's a good person. I move behind him, clutching my phone tightly. "Walk away" he says "Or I'll make sure you all regret this"