Chapter 325

The cold, sharp bite of the ice-rink’s air faded as the sounds of the crowd grew deafening. Making my way down toward the rink, I felt the surge of warmth wrap around me long before I realized it was Enzo, embracing me tightly amidst the throng.

His uniform, still damp with sweat, clung to him but he seemed not to care as he squeezed me close.

“That was a hell of a way to make an announcement,” I whispered into his ear, trying to keep the tremor out of my voice. “Could’ve warned me, you know.”

He pulled back, locking those soft yet striking brown eyes onto mine. The stadium’s lights caught the sheen of triumph and emotion in them, making them appear almost ethereal.

“I didn’t plan it, Nina,” he admitted, his lips curving into a sheepish grin. “It just... felt right in the moment.”

I bit my lip, fighting off the surge of guilt and anxiety that welled up inside me. The entire school now knew of his departure, and here I was, potentially holding news that could alter his plans drastically.

“You always did have a flair for the dramatic,” I teased weakly, trying to keep the atmosphere light as I tucked a strand of curly, sweat-soaked hair behind his ear. “But you know, your fans seem to think I’m some sort of walking encyclopedia. I got bombarded with questions about it.”

His laughter, genuine and contagious, bubbled forth. “Sorry. You know they’ve always been… special.”

A soft silence fell between us. “Is everything okay?” he asked when I didn’t laugh, searching my face for any signs of distress. “You look pale.”

I nodded, perhaps too quickly. “Of course. Just... a lot to take in, you know?”

He seemed to buy my excuse, or perhaps he was too wrapped up in the whirlwind of his last big victory as a college hockey player to dig deeper. “How about we go out and celebrate?” he suggested, his voice full of hopeful enthusiasm. “One last hurrah at our favorite bar? Everyone’s coming.”

I agreed, welcoming the distraction, even if it was only temporary.

...

The transition from the sterile coldness of the ice rink to the warm, earthy ambiance of the town’s favored bar was a welcome one. The aged wooden beams overhead, complemented by rustic brick walls, gave the establishment an old-world charm. Crackly rock music music softly wafted through hidden speakers, punctuated by the clinking of glasses and the hum of conversations.

Our group found a large booth near the back, our favorite weekend spot to sit and watch the drunk bar goers come and go all night. Enzo, noticing a shiver run through me as the fan hit us, draped his warm flannel over my shoulders before sliding into the booth next to me, his arm casually resting behind my back.

A waiter swiftly approached, clearly recognizing our group. “The usual?” he asked with a knowing grin.

Enzo nodded, turning to me. “Want the usual drink, Nina?”

Before I could reply, Jessica piped up. “Make it two less on the alcohol front. Nina and I are both feeling the mocktails tonight.”

I shot her a grateful look, silently thanking her for the save. She winked in response.

When our drinks arrived, Enzo, holding his beer aloft, proposed a toast. “To new beginnings and cherished memories.”

Our glasses clinked together in harmony. Everyone took hearty sips, reveling in the big victory All except me, of course. I took a tiny, almost non-existent sip, placing my glass back on the table with a soft thud.

“Not feeling it tonight?” Enzo asked, quirking an eyebrow. The dim glow from the hanging bulbs above us cast a soft shadow on his face, making his features appear even more striking.

I shrugged, hoping my face wouldn’t betray the insecurity lurking underneath. It wasn’t like me to turn down a drink at our favorite bar on a Saturday night. “Just... not in the mood, I guess,” I lied.

Just then, a heavy arm landed on Enzo’s shoulder, causing him to turn. Matt, newly crowned as the team’s captain, was standing there, a wide grin on his face. “You did good out there, man,” he said, offering Enzo a brotherly hug.

“We did good,” Enzo corrected with a grin.

As Matt and Enzo chatted about their final victory together, I glanced over, distracted from the festivities, and my gaze settled on a familiar figure. Luke stood by himself, leaning against the dimly lit wall. His posture, though relaxed, belied the concerned expression on his face. Our eyes met, and he nodded slightly, beckoning me over.

Taking a deep breath, I weaved through the crowd, finally reaching him.

“Hey, Luke, what’s going on?” I asked, trying to keep my voice light despite the heaviness that seemed to emanate from him.

He hesitated for a split second before speaking. “I was out on a scout mission in Riverford today, and I found something,” he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

I frowned, trying to keep up. Riverford was a town close to Mountainview, only a thirty-minute drive away. My friends and I often visited the area to go shopping at the mall that was there.

“What is it?” I asked.

Without responding to my question, he pulled out his phone and handed it to me. On the screen was an image, and as the image came into focus, a chill ran down my spine.

It was Edward.

He sat in an old pickup truck in the parking lot of a gas station, the rusted body and chipped paintwork of the vehicle evident even in the grainy photo. Edward looked different—a thick beard covered his face, and a tattered baseball cap sat askew on his head.

Despite these changes, recognition hit me like a punch to the gut. Memories of our past flooded back, and I felt a pang of nausea.

I forced the words out. “This was today?”

Luke nodded. “Yes. I tried to stay on his trail, but he noticed. Before I could approach, he opened a portal and vanished.”

“And you have no idea where he might’ve gone?” My voice trembled slightly.

Luke shook his head, his frustration evident. “Somewhere in the werewolf realm. That’s all I can assume. But I won’t give up. Edward has to face justice for what he's done.”

Swallowing hard, I tried to regain my composure. “Thanks for letting me know, Luke.”

His gaze softened as he scrutinized my face. “Are you alright?”

I nodded, even though everything felt far from alright. Edward had returned, in disguise, just a stone’s throw from me. Was he planning a return to Mountainview?

“Yeah, I am,” I lied. “Please, don't say anything to Enzo, at least not tonight. Let him have this one night.”

Luke looked like he wanted to argue, but after a beat, he relented. “Alright. But Nina… he needs to know. Maybe he shouldn’t leave.”

“And that’s exactly why I need to wait before telling him,” I said. “I don’t want this to get in the way of his dreams.”

“But Nina…”

“Enough, Luke,” I spat out, shaking my head and handing his phone back. “Let’s not talk about it anymore tonight.”

Luke shot me a worried look, but said nothing. He nodded and slipped his phone back into his pocket without a word.

We made our way back to the table, attempting to blend into the jovial atmosphere once more. It was then that Matt, ever the life of the party, slapped the wooden table and declared, “I think it’s time for another round! On me, your new hockey captain!”

Everyone cheered in agreement. But when the waiter approached, asking for drink orders, I declined. “Just a soda for me, thanks.”

Matt raised an eyebrow, a playful grin on his face. “Really? You’re turning down a free drink?”

Before I could answer, Enzo interjected with a light laugh, “Maybe she’s had enough excitement for one night, Matt.”

Matt laughed, nodding in agreement. But even as the banter continued, I could feel Enzo’s eyes on me. It was a searching look, filled with a mix of concern and something else—as if he suspected there was more beneath the surface.

I was about to say something, anything to divert the attention, when Jessica suddenly stood up, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

“Nina,” she said, her tone firm and insistent, “come with me to the bathroom. Now.”