Chapter 9

Sam went silent. He wouldn’t dare to challenge an Alpha.

Lucas scolded him, his voice laced with frustration. "Sam, you can't keep blaming others for your own problems. Take responsibility for your actions!"

Sam tried to argue, his voice defensive. "But Lucas, it wasn't entirely my fault. There were factors beyond my control."

Lucas crossed his arms, his expression stern. "I don't want to hear excuses, Sam. We're a team, and we need to work together. I'm making the decision to switch you out for a player from the substitute lineup."

A few teammates exchanged worried glances, realizing the impact this change would have on their upcoming match in just two days.

One of them spoke up, concern evident in his voice. "But captain, Sam has been training as our first team member for a long time. Are you sure this is the right move? It’ll affect our playing.”

Lucas's voice held firm conviction. "I've made up my mind. Sam's performance hasn't been up to par recently, and it's affecting our overall game. We need to prioritize the team's success."

Frustrated and hurt, Sam stormed off, his voice filled with anger. "Fine! If that's how you see it, then maybe I don't belong on this team anyway!"

I still felt a sting from Sam's remarks, but I couldn't help but feel like this was partially my fault.

I always dealt with these comments alone and it never caused trouble to others before.

But I realized that if I wouldn't have been here, Sam would've never said anything to Lucas, and the team would not need to face the risk of changing a team member right before their next game.

James approached me then, skating up to the side of the rink. "Don't worry, Shana. Sam hasn't been in the best condition lately, and Lucas made a tough call. Don't blame yourself for anything."

“But it is my fault,” I told James. “Sam was only saying all of that because I was here.”

“Shana—"

"I don't want to disrupt the team just because of who I am. I'll try to talk to Lucas and convince him to keep Sam on the lineup. Maybe we can find a way to resolve this without him having to change the players,” I spoke determinedly. “And I'll stop coming to hockey practice for now so that nobody feels as if I’m a bad luck charm.”

I'll process what Sam said about me later...

Lucas came over, still visibly upset from his argument with Sam.

"Shana, I’m so sorry. I hate that he said that about you." He looked at me with concern in his eyes. "Are you okay?”

“It’s fine, Lucas. I’m fine,” I said. “Maybe, you were a bit too hard on Sam. I mean, a lot of people genuinely believe that wolfless brings bad luck. It’s not just him.”

“What are you talking about?” Lucas’s brows pulled low.

“We’ve been taught that wolfless are unlucky our whole lives, and he’s just concerned about the team,” I reasoned. “I think I should go. I don’t want to anger any more of your teammates and ruin your game.”

Lucas became frustrated by my words. “Are you hearing yourself, Shana? You’re justifying his actions!”

“I’m not! I’m just worried about your game.”

"Why are you so insistent on making peace with someone who disrespected you?" he questioned me, his voice tinged with annoyance. “He talked shit about you in front of everyone!”

"I'm trying to see things from his perspective," I said, my voice appearing smaller compared to his.

"Well, the old Shana I knew would've never allowed someone to speak about her like that.” Lucas pinned me with a hard stare. “I guess you're not the same brave and strong person you used to be."

Hurt coursed through my veins at his harsh words.

I guess you’re not the same brave and strong person you used to be.

“Screw you, Lucas!” I seethed through my teeth. “You know nothing about me.”

I tried hard to believe in myself, but I couldn’t control what other people thought about me.

"And you know nothing about me!” he argued. “You know nothing about hockey. I’m their captain. It’s my responsibility to find a way to bring out the best in each team member and defeat our opponent. If Sam wants to talk badly about you, I'm not going to allow that to happen.”

“What about your team and your game then?!”

“Everyone on this team is replaceable, except for me," Lucas said. "As long as I’m captain, my players need me. The team doesn’t need Sam.”

I felt a sense of disappointment, my voice filled with a mix of frustration and sadness.

Lucas was so high and mighty he found himself ranking above his own team players… What kind of captain is that?

"You've changed, Lucas. You say I’m not who I used to be? Well, you're not the person you used to be. I can't stand by and accept this behavior."

I turned away, anger evident in my voice. "I'm leaving."

Lucas stood up after realizing I was about to leave, but he stopped there.

Maybe his pride stopped him from chasing a wolfless and pathetic girl, I thought to myself.

Angry and hurt, I stormed out of the practice area and made my way home.

As I entered my darkened house, I immediately knew my father hadn't come home.

I suspected he was out gambling or drinking again.

My father's downward spiral had been ongoing since his divorce from my mother.

The excessive gambling and drinking had tainted our family life even before the separation, perhaps contributing to my mother's decision to end the marriage.

Now, we were far removed from our previous life, having sold our house next to Lucas's grandma's place and settling for a modest rented apartment.

My father took up occasional work as a temporary bodyguard, struggling to make ends meet.

The image of my father, once a decent Beta, reduced to this pitiful state weighed heavily on my heart.

The only thing I learned from him is the fact that having a wolf, doesn’t necessarily mean a better life…

The scent of alcohol permeated the air as I stepped further into the house.

Something wasn’t right. My father was at home, but he chose to stay in the dark.

I turned on the light and saw my father walking out of my room.

“Dad, why don’t you turn on…”

Before I finished my question, my eyes landed on my father’s hands. He clutched a few pieces of jewelry— a desperate plan to acquire more money.

His shock at being caught was evident on his face, but he quickly regained his composure.

His first concern was the wound on my head.

"What happened to your head, Shana? Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine worry.

I averted my gaze, refusing to divulge the truth about my fight with Jessica.

"I'm fine, Dad. It's nothing. But that's not the point," I said, my voice tinged with a mix of frustration and concern.

Realizing that my father's intentions were to borrow my jewelry to sell for money, I firmly stood my ground.

"No, Dad. I won't let you take away what my mother left for me. It's not the solution, and it won't solve our problems," I said, my voice resolute.

My father's impatience grew, his desperation pushing him to rush out the door.

I couldn't stand idly by.

I ran after him, my voice filled with determination.

"Dad, please stop! That’s all mom left me! We can find a way out of this together. We can get you some help. We can find a support system. But please, don’t give up like this," I pleaded, my voice filled with a mix of pain and hope.

My words hung in the air.

I hoped my father would choose a different path.