Chapter 2 ~Meeting the Hockey star~

Fiona's POV

(One year later)

Tomorrow is Alpha Beckett's mating ceremony. Tomorrow is the day I become Luna, the day I save my mother.

It's been a long year. I turned nineteen last month.

I still can't shift into my wolf or even speak with her and still no one knows but Cassia. I wake up every day and train, go about my Omega duties, and try to avoid the mean comments of the pack werewolves. I think, ‘Will it ever stop?’ but I know when I become Luna they'll have no choice but to submit.

“Fiona! I've been looking everywhere for you.” A loud voice startled me out of my thoughts.

I was in school hiding in one classroom, reading a romance novel.

“Oh, Cassia. Really? I've been here all along.” I stood up to hug my best friend.

Of course, I knew she'd be looking for me. The entire school is at the Arena, watching the hockey playoff game with Evercrest High.

“Seriously, throw that damn book away. Xander Theon Grayson is playing today!” Cassia seized my book and dragged my hands to the school hockey arena. I groaned internally. My book…

We bought Hotdogs and Mountain Dew at the snacks stand and sat by the bleachers.

The game was about to start. There were brightly colored banners, the mix of shouting students and stomping feet in excitement. It was a pretty big game for us at Northvale High.

Cassia turned to me, a huge grin on her face. She tried to speak above the noise. “The crowd is so much today because Xander is playing.”

I nodded, trying not to show that I, too, was getting excited. “There're so many people.”

My wolf senses were kicking in and the human smell of cologne mixed with sweat, snacks and ice wafted through my nose.

Almost immediately, the opposing team from Evercrest High skated in from the entrance to the ice rink. Loud cheers erupted from the other side of the bleachers, where the opposing team was.

Cassia scrunched her nose. “Boo…”

I turned to look at her. “Really?”

“What? There're our rivals Fiona.”

Our team skated in next. The sound from our side of the rink was more like a roar. Our students cheered and hooted for the Northvale Titans.

“See! That's Xander Theon Grayson.” Cassia pointed out.

I knew Xander, everybody did. He was our school's hockey star, also somehow managed to be a top student, and rumor has it that he is from a very wealthy home. Some people just had all the luck.

‘Xander! Xander! Xander!’ I had to block my ears with my hands as the cheers were growing wilder.

The tall, broad-chested player, Xander, raised his hands and waved at us.

Maybe I imagined it, but I felt his gaze linger in my and Cassia’s direction.

“Was he just looking at us?” Cassia nudged my arms.

“I don't think so, Cas.” I shrugged, but inwardly my head swarmed with the thought of his eyes in this direction. My heart skipped a beat.

‘Breathe.’ I stilled myself.

He skated towards the front of the bleachers where a couple of popular girls were sitting. He took the hand of a blonde and kissed it.

The sound of ‘awns’ echoed around the rink.

“That's his girlfriend, Nova.” Cassia whispered to me, her face dark with what looked like envy, not that I blamed her.

Whatever feelings I felt when I thought he was looking melted instantly. I mean, look at her, she's pretty. Nova was perfect.

She giggled playfully after he kissed her on the lips and nudged him to go and play.

The crowd had gone crazy by now. I sunk into my chair. Whatever. I still had Beckett…kinda.

In less than three hours, the game was over.

Northvale High won 8-2. It was a blowout. Xander was moving like water on the Ice rink. His reflexes were strong, his moves calculated.

“That was one of the best games ever!” Cassia screamed as we walked towards the student café to buy coffee.

My eyes scanned over the parking lot, and sure enough, in the crowd of chattering and laughing students who were talking about the match, there was Xander Theon Grayson, receiving back slaps from his teammates, who were hailing him.

His smile was wide and beautiful. It looked like this was his high, playing hockey.

Our eyes met for a short while, and his smile faltered a bit. I removed my eyes first. 'Come on, Fiona, he has a girlfriend.'

“Fiona, you can get the Coffee. I need to use the bathroom. Get me an iced latte.” Cassia said when we entered the school cafeteria.

“Okay.” I muttered as I went in to get the Coffee.

“One Iced latte and one Mocha, please.” I told the lunch lady.

In a few minutes, I was served the two cold Coffee cups. “Thanks.”

I turned to find a seat but was met by a towering figure. The smell of cool mint and musk wafted through my nostrils.

And it happened so quickly, I accidentally emptied the Coffee on the person I bumped into.

Looking up, I saw it was none other than Xander Theon Grayson, covered in Iced Latte and Mocha.

‘Fuck it!’ I groaned internally, face palming myself.

“I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to.” I made a flimsy attempt to clean his jersey with my hands.

Thankfully, the café wasn't too full. The few people here were occupied with something or the other.

“It's fine. I was about to get changed, anyway.” His voice drew out, a deep timbre.

I don't know how it happened, but instantly, my breath hitched and butterflies went crazy in my stomach.

I had never been this close to anyone but Beckett. Xander's face was definitely crafted by one of the gods; arched, defined, breathtakingly gorgeous.

“I'm Xander Theon Grayson.” He brought out his hand for a handshake. “What's your name?”

“Fiona… Fiona Hepburn.” The words tumbled from my mouth. He made me lose my cool.

“Fiona. It's Beautiful.” His eyes were on mine.

“Wh- what?”

“Your name? Fiona. It means ‘beautiful’” He smirked. “I saw you earlier today at the bleachers. You were cheering for me.”

I knew it! He was looking at me after-all.

“I wa.. I just..” I didn't know what to say. His scent and the intensity of his eyes on mine were ruining my momentum. I need him to step back a bit.

I don't know how it happened, but I found myself in the café seat talking with the hockey star of Northvale high for over 30 minutes.

We laughed. I found out he was interesting to be with. My heart was not cooperating, though. Silly thing beating rapidly like I was in love, which I clearly wasn't…

“You're fun to talk to Fiona Hepburn.” He spoke with his charming smile.

I didn't know what to say, which was a good thing, because Cassia walked in almost immediately.

“Fiona! I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting. I had to go to clas…” She stopped when she saw Xander and me talking. My mouth flew open. “Oh.”

Xander stood up instantly and dusted his Jersey, which had dried off. “I'll be taking my leave.”

I nodded. He bent down and whispered in my ears. “And when I said beautiful, I didn't only mean your name. I also meant you, Fiona.”

My hands instantly filled with goosebumps, and the butterflies in my stomach resumed their fluttering.

He walked out, giving Cassia an acknowledging nod.

She was still rooted to the spot. Her eyes looking back from me to Xander. “How the fuck did this happen in 30 minutes?”

I shrugged and laughed.

“Anyway, we have to head back to the pack. It's getting late.” Cassia said. “And besides, you know what tomorrow is.”

She was right. Beckett's bonding. All my feelings of euphoria went down instantly. I didn't have the luxury of entertaining relationships with a human. I need to be a Luna to save my mom.

I sighed as we reached the woods.

Cassia stripped and handed me her clothes. I watched as she shifted to her wolf form. I climbed onto her back.

As we arrived and went to sleep, my mind was boggled by my fate tomorrow. On whether I'll be Beckett's mate, become Luna and finally save my mother.