The Hockey Alpha’s Secret

OPHELIA'S POV

The deafening sound of Bad romance made me cringe as I remembered why I hated parties. The music was far too loud and even worse everywhere stank of beer. What happened to soda?

Everyone seemed to be in high spirits as our college hockey team had just crushed the neighboring packs. Being part of the cheerleading squad and Cassie's friend meant I had to be here.

With the hope of searching for her, I pushed through the bodies, a red plastic cup warm in my hand, scanning faces for her blonde ponytail.

Instead, my eyes landed on someone else and I felt my lips stretch into a smile. Ralph. He was part of the hockey team and even though they wanted my favorite people, his text had a way of making my day brighter.

He had hinted at a big question today and in Cassie's words, he was probably going to finally ask me out, maybe even more. My tummy flipped at the thought and I felt my cheeks flush as I watched him get closer.

His chestnut hair shone under the white lights and I tried my best not to go full grin when he winked at me. Ralph stood barely a foot away from me and I felt my breath freeze when he took my hand.

“You look pretty tonight,” he whispered, his brown eyes studying me and I felt my cheek flush even more.

“Thanks.” I grinned looking down at my outfit; a miniskirt and the hockey team's jersey.

“Come with me." He yelled over the music and without waiting for my answer, Ralph dragged me through the crowd towards the house exit.

“Where are we going?” I asked, finally happy to be away from all the noise pollution. He gave me that surprised little laugh like I had asked something silly. “Just somewhere quiet. Come on.”

His words took me by surprise and I bit my lips turning back to the party. Cassie was still nowhere to be found and Kai had a large bottle of whiskey against his mouth as his teammates cheered.

He looked completely gone. Good. Even though we couldn't stand each other, his hate for Ralph was greater than that and who knew what could happen.

Without another word, I followed him to his car at the end of the driveway. Under my dress, I was wearing the new black lace lingerie I bought earlier this week.

Just in case things went further tonight. I wanted to look good just like Cassie's always said.

Ralph turned his engine on and I watched the mansion get smaller as he drove past the gates.

His hand slowly slid onto my thigh and it took everything in me to keep a straight face. I expected him to stop at a diner or something but he drove straight ahead until we passed the lights.

Trees closed in on both sides and even though I was a bit nervous, his smirk seemed to put me at ease.

We finally stopped behind an old warehouse

on the edge of pack territory. The place was dark and quiet except for the distant sound of the party. Ralph turned off the engine and looked at me.

"Wanted somewhere quiet. Hope you don't mind?" He asked with a nervous grin and I nodded more than happy to be alone with him.

We stepped out of the car and I followed his leas walking into the woods until we stopped by a small rock.

With my hands still in his, I held my breath and I watched him lean in. His lips met mine and I leaned in, moaning out as he took the lead.

His hands moved to the hem of my blouse and I pulled away letting him tug it off. The cool air made contact with my skin and I squeezed my eyes shut trying my best not to cover up.

“Damn,” he murmured, his voice growing deeper as he took in the black lace bra. “You look good like this.” My cheeks burned hotter and I smiled feeling pretty.

“I wore it for you. I wanted tonight to be special.” Ralph leaned in again, kissing me deeper, his hand sliding up my side. His fingers traced the edge of my bra.

And just when I burned with need, he paused letting out a small chuckle. My brows knitted in confusion and I searched his face for some sort of explanation but he only laughed louder.

“Seriously?” He took a few steps away, his eyes narrowing with amusement. “Black lace and everything? That’s what you wore for me? A little desperate, don’t you think?”

“What?” I stuttered, my stomach dripping like a stone. This has to be some kind of bad joke.

“Come on, Ophelia. You really thought I was going to make you my girlfriend?" He asked, shaking his head like I had just made a dumb mistake.

"You’re sweet and all, but you’re not exactly the kind of girl a wolf like me dates. Look at you, showing up in fancy underwear like that’s going to change anything.”

Tears stung my eyes instantly and I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling naked in the worst way.

“Ralph… I thought we were getting somewhere. We've been talking for four months, you said you loved me."

He threw his head back letting out a loud chuckle as I had just told him the funniest joke.

“You’re so stupid. Did you actually believe all those texts? That I actually wanted you? Girls like you are just for fun. Easy targets. I'd rather let an omega stand next to me than you. That’s adorable.”

Before I could even find words, laughter exploded from around me and my pulse drummed as I spotted where it could be coming from.

Horror slammed into me as seven people stepped out from the shadows five guys and two girls from the team and their friends.

They had been waiting the whole time, and what was worse they all had their phones out, recording.

“Look at her face!” one of the girls called. “She actually thought he liked her.”

A guy came closer trying to reach for my bra strap. “Let’s see the rest of that fancy lingerie. Bet she bought it just for tonight.”

I scrambled back against the rock, tears running hot down my cheeks. My hands shook as I tried to cover myself. One of the guys yanked me away, making me fall to the ground.

Tears ran down my face as I tried to cover myself while they laughed. Just when I thought I might pass out, the sound of a racing car filled the air.

I looked up through blurry eyes to see a black shorts car packed just a few deets away. I knew that car was away and I had never been happier to see it.

Kai stepped out, his white hockey jersey was soaked through with what smelled like expensive alcohol, the fabric clinging to his shoulders.

His face has no emotion as his eyes moved from Ralph's face to me then back to Ralph. If it wasn't for the clenched jaw he looked like a drunk.

Kai’s eyes moved slowly from them to me again and my cheeks burned with shame so hot I wished the ground would swallow me.

Without saying a single word, he walked over and lifted me out like I weighed nothing. His arms were careful around me as he carried me to his car and set me gently in the passenger seat.

My heart pounded so hard it felt like it was trying to escape my chest. He threw his hoodie towards me and I threw it on, holding my breath.

Kai could be terrifying when he was angry, and right now the air around him felt dangerous.

I prayed he wouldn’t do anything stupid, anything that would get him in real trouble with the pack.

He took one look at me as if making sure I was okay then headed towards the driver's seat, like it was just us in the woods.

In one smooth motion, he turned and swung. His fist connected hard with Ralph’s face. The sharp crack of bone meeting bone split the night air.