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#Chapter 62: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 63: As If Things Couldn’t Get Worse
We run for hours, barely stopping, when I finally collapse from exhaustion. Rita reluctantly slows, then stops, and backtracks to where I’m seated on the ground, my arms pretzeled over my head to open up my chest so my lungs can take in more oxygen.Rita folds her arms over her chest and cocks her hip to one side. “This is why you needed to stay behind. We can’t afford to stop.”And I can’t afford the breath to argue with her. I lift my head and close my eyes, willing my body to stop hurting.Rita releases a long sigh and sits down beside me. At first, she doesn’t say anything, just scans the area with her eyes.Finally, she says, “Look…I know you really care about Alex and that’s why you stubbornly insisted on coming along.” She emphasized the word stubbornly. But before I could argue, she added, “I think it’s brave—especially knowing that dangerous werewolves are waiting to tear you limb from limb.”Was this her way of intimidating me or apologizing? I don’t know exactly how to take
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 64: The Getaway
With the assailant down, I’m able to get to Rita. She can’t stand in her present form, despite several efforts at getting to her feet.“I don’t know what. To do,” I admit to her. “I—I can’t. Help you. Too big!”With great effort and a lot of pain, Rita shifts back to human. It’s a slow process, and hard to watch. I have to turn my head because of the nature of the process and how coarse it really is. They’ve always changed so quickly that I never noticed the details.The details. Are. Gross. So is the wolf who is barely alive. He isn’t shifting, and his large body twitches sporadically. I wonder if he’s going to die here.After Rita has finally taken human form, I hear her ragged breathing. She sits up, gasping and trying to calm herself.Then she turns to me, and for the first time, I see real concern in her eyes. “Are you okay?”“I—yyy-yeah,” I say giving my body a glance over again. Amazed as I am at my fortune, I’m still too shocked to be grateful. “How are you? Your leg?”I kneel
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 65: Safe & Sound
I’m sore and weak, but most of the pain has subsided. “Thank you,” I say to Ryan, who is kneeling over me and bandaging my leg.“It’s a pretty nasty bite,” he replies, not meeting my eyes, “but it’ll heal.”“I know you said you didn’t know anything about these rogues, but they’re hunting us, Ryan. Especially Alex’s human.”“What do you know about her?”“Cynthia?” I’m still a little lightheaded from the loss of blood, so my speech is a little slow. “Not really anything…she’s just normal.”“I think the company she’s attracting says otherwise.”Ryan leans back on his heels. “They obviously want her. Maybe Michael, too. I don’t know. I don’t know why unorganized mutts would target your pack.”“I don’t know…” I really don’t. All I can think of right now is that I have to get back to the pack with Alex and Cynthia soon, or things will get worse.Chalk it up to my weakened state—I know I do—because I don’t usually ask for help, but Michael needs it. I can’t let him die.“Did Alex ask about h
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 66: Dinner & a Plan
You learn so much by watching people. Ryan, for example, is an excellent cook and looks right at home in the kitchen. Alex even helps, and I didn’t know Alex could cook.I help put out the place settings and set the food on the dining room table: chicken, bacon, biscuits and a mix of random vegetables that don’t look like they belong together. I soon figured out Ryan put that unusual ensemble together for me, the human. “I’ve heard not all humans eat meat,” he explained.Rita wanted to eat outside to get some fresh air, but Ryan pointed out that we would be discussing delicate matters and shouldn’t be outside where just anyone could get wind of the situation. Alex agreed, so we each took a seat and filled a plate.As we eat, with me being the only one to touch the vegetable mix, they discuss events as we know them. No one seems to understand why I’m a factor in the rogue upset, much less me. No one knows for sure whether this is a coordinated effort against the Ayzena pack, or if the
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 67: Close to Ryan
After dinner, I help Ryan clean up while Alex helps Rita outside to exercise her leg, which is rapidly healing.I wash the dishes while Ryan puts them away, and he uses the opportunity to ask me questions. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable, but I am a guest in his house, and it is completely understandable, even under normal circumstances, that he would want to get to know more about me.At first, he asks typical questions, like where I grew up and about my parents. I respond with minimal information, but enough to satisfy him.He quickly realizes I have a stutter, but that doesn’t put him off.“It makes you more intriguing,” he admits.The statement shocks me, and I get a little shy. I think I may even be blushing as I reply, “No…I’m not…”“You are,” he argues. “I can’t figure you out, but there is something special about you, Cynthia.”“I get that. A lot.” I reply, definitely blushing now.Ryan has gotten closer to me, physically, since we began cleaning up, and I’ve noticed t
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 68: A Mysterious Illness
At first, I don’t want to touch him; I don’t know what’s wrong and I don’t want to make it worse. I kneel beside him. “What’s wrong?” Ohhhh…“Ahhh…” is his only reply.His breathing becomes erratic. I sit on my knees and scoop his head into my lap, lightly touching his hair, afraid to touch him anywhere else.“Sssomeone—help!” I cry out, but my voice cracks.Alex’s eyes are closed tight and he’s taking great pains to steady his breathing. “Owww…” he moans, still grabbing his stomach.“I don’t… Don’t know what to do…”I look back at the door to the house but no one’s coming. I’m afraid no one heard me.“I’m going. To get help,” I tell him as I move to lift his head off my thighs.Alex grabs my wrists. “No,” he moans. “Just wait.”My eyes start to tear up. It breaks me to see him—my strength—this way…in this much pain. “What isss it?”“I don’t know. The pain…just…came out of nowhere.”We sit like that for moments. He is eventually able to unfurl as the pain subsides. As his breathing st
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 69: Mixed Emotions
I hear Ryan pass by my door. Or rather pause outside of it. I know I’m paranoid, but I feel like I have a good reason to be. I know werewolves have a crazy sense of smell and that Ryan can probably tell where I am. Maybe even knew I was in the hall just a few seconds ago.I wait several minutes before I crack the door open. The hall is dark and empty; I don’t see any lights streaming out from under doors.I creep back to the living room, quiet as I can, and peek around the doorway.Alex is lying on the couch wide awake, staring up at the ceiling.“Hey,” I whisper.His head snaps toward the door.“Goodnight.”Alex sits up. “Come here,” he whispers back.I walk over to the couch and sit on the spot Alex vacated when he sat up.I keep my voice low so no one can hear me. “Are you okay now?”“I do feel better. I don’t know what that was about.”“I heard Ryan,” I admit. It’s time to stop ignoring the topic. “It isss Rita? Your mate?”Now, this question is two-fold because I already know it’
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 70: The Game Plan
It felt like it took forever to fall asleep, but I don’t know that I’ve ever slept so well! I dreamed of Alex. I don’t remember much other than that, except that we weren’t here, he wasn’t a werewolf, and we were happy.I slept with him behind me all night, wrapped around me like a security blanket, and it was wonderful.Now I’m awake before him. I roll onto my back so I can admire him. He is still sound asleep, and his face is angelic. No hint of beast or temper.No hint of pain, either.A sound down the hall startles me and catches my attention. I don’t want anyone to know I slept on the couch with Alex, so I gently slip off, careful not to wake him, and with great caution and finesse soundlessly make my way back down the hall to my room.Only I know everyone probably heard me, and when I close the door, I stand on the inside for a moment, my ear against it, listening for anyone else. It would be great to have werewolf hearing, I think to myself. It really sucks that I’m the only on
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Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 100: Pitter-Patter
The house is a mess because I’ve been in town visiting my mom for a few days. I knew it would be, which is why I returned early in the morning, so I could clean up before I had to begin my day.Things aren’t exactly how I expected when I walk in. Yes, the house is a mess, but Alex is scrambling to clean up the kitchen. I drop my bag and look around at the array of clothes and shoes thrown around the living room.“Hey, babe… I really was going to have this cleaned up before you got home.”“I see that.”He smiles at me and I can’t help but forgive him. The problem is that he knows that, and someday that charm might run out. Except with my luck it won’t.“When are you leaving?”“I’m going to hang around a couple more days.”“That’ll be nice,” I say as I give him a hello kiss.We’ve been married for almost two years now, and even with our duties, I feel like we’re in our honeymoon stage. I’m every bit as in love with him now as I was when we first mated, and I wouldn’t change any part of
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 99: Goodbye Old Life
My senior year is a whirlwind. I’m in all advanced classes and spend a lot of time studying. When I graduate, I will have a Bachelor’s of Creative Arts and Writing. That was my Epiphone. Just because I’ll be required to love among and lead my pack, doesn’t mean I can’t still express my creativity.In fact, my senior project is the play I began writing as a 17-year-old human with intense complexes and assassins on her heals. The story follows my own, sometimes a little too closely, but it seems like the perfect way to blend my two lives together.Alex is supportive. So is my pack. When I approach the Council with the idea of working on the side as a freelance writer, they are supportive so long as the pack and our home remains anonymous. I tell them I will work under a pen name, and when I release my first play, Furry Butterfly, I do so under a pseudonym.It turns out to be a success, and the money I receive allows me to conquer my first project as Luna.That summer, I officially join
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 98: Finding Balance
Right before finals my freshman year, I receive the dreaded call. “It’s Michael,” Alex says. His breathing is loud, erratic. “He passed away last night.”Of course, there’s nothing I can do over the phone. I borrow Hailey’s car and leave that very night.When I get there, it is after dark and Alex is at Michael’s house, sitting in the kitchen with Rita. When I walk in, it’s quiet. They’re not talking or doing anything aside from staring at the table.They look up at me and I see their sorrow. I run over to Alex and wrap my arms around him, absorbing his sobs of mourning as I cry into his shoulder.I hear Rita sniffle, and I let go long enough to cross the table and give her a hug. “I’m so sorry!” I whisper into her ear. “I’m so sorry…”That night is when Alex and I take our physical relationship to another level. I wanted to make him feel better, if only for a little while.When we get back to his house, I follow him into his room and lock the door behind us. I don’t care if his paren
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 97: Star of the Show
I plan on visiting during my fall break. Mom thinks I have a trip for drama, so she’s not expecting me. I hate lying to her, but it really is for her own good.The following week leading up to our opening night is stressful. The play only runs for two weekends, but everything has to be perfect for the first show. I scramble to make last-minute changes to costumes and learn a few lines that just don’t seem to be sticking.Which is what makes opening night more stressful when Alex and Mom both show up with flowers. Talk about feeling loved…and feeling the pressure to perform!Alex plants a big kiss on me and Hailey, who plays another one of the teens, ooh’s and ah’s over us. So does Mom, and I’m starting to wonder which one of us she likes more.Alex and Mom sit with Lenard through the show. I peek out from the back curtain to find their seats, so I know not to look there. I can’t risk catching one of them smile at me and throwing me off. Tonight has to be perfect because I’ve worked so
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 96: Freshman at State
The next day really is my birthday. Mom makes me a cake and we celebrate in the morning over coffee. Then we spend the day in Marona, a nearby hippie town with awesome shopping, and Mom splurges on a few new outfits for me to take to school.I’ve realized I’m grateful for every moment. When I was at the Ayzena base I was grateful for their hospitality, when I’m with Alex I’m grateful for his love and attention—not to mention his body! Now that I’m with Mom, I’m grateful I ended up with her. In spite of our hardships, I’ve realized she endured everything for my sake. There’s no greater love than that.And today is a great day. We share food and laughs in a way we’ve never been able to before. It makes me determined to help take care of her when I’m able, so we can spend more time like this when we’re together. Away from drama, having fun.Alex comes by later that day and brings me a present. He was sweet to give me the day alone with my mother, though it helps that I reminded him he’ll
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 95: Back to Normal…For Now
Over the next couple of days, things go back to normal. At least as normal as they can be now. I’m not able to hide my appetite or my newfound desire for meat. I tell Mom it must be my hormones.The stutter is becoming difficult to hide, mostly because I don’t want it anymore. I’m finally free of the one thing that placed the wrong kind of spotlight on me and when I finally get the chance to be free of it, I have to fake it again.I just have to remind myself that it’s temporary.Alex and I meet Hailey and Lenard for a double date, and it’s like nothing has changed.Except Alex isn’t shy about public displays of affection, though I wonder how much of it is a put-on for shock value. It works.We meet at the diner down the street from the school. As soon as I walk in, I can smell grease and meat, and my stomach starts to rumble. “I have to hide my appetite at home so Mom doesn’t get suspicious,” I whisper to Alex, who can’t help but cackle.I nudge him in his rock-hard belly. “It’s not
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 94: The Truth Comes Out
The ring of the doorbell startles me, rattling my nerves even though I’m the one who rang it. The chime doesn’t make it through two rounds before the door is open and Mom is gaping at us from inside.We stare at each other for a few seconds before either one of us moves, while Alex waits awkwardly behind me. I can smell fresh-baked cookies and cinnamon.Finally, Mom rushes through the door and wraps her arms around me. “Oh my god!”Her body begins shaking with sobs, and I can’t help but start crying. We stand there, holding each other and crying, for what feels like several minutes.When we finally break apart, Mom grabs my hand and pulls me in, using her other hand to wipe her face.Alex stands on the doorstep, not sure what to do. “No—come in Alex, please,” Mom says, ushering him in.Once she closes the door, Mom looks us over with a curious eye. “You two look…good.”She takes my hands again and grips them in hers. “You look…older.”She noticed! My mom doesn’t disappoint. “I mean, I
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 93: A Sad Goodbye
With so much resolved, my time to leave finally arrives the following morning. I have to say, I’m sad to go. I feel like I’ve found a place here…and with the Malkeye pack. I never thought my life would turn out like this, but I’m grateful for the turn of events.Alex decides to escort me back, so the most difficult goodbyes are with Michael and Rita. I feel like I’ve come to understand Rita and hope our connection can last the distance until I return. But I know I may never see Michael again.I hug Rita, who holds on a little longer and a little tighter than I expected. “You know where to find me,” she says with a smile, but I know that I may not see her for a long time.I turn to Michael, unsure of what to say. “I am so glad my brother found his future with you,” Michael says as he embraces me. “You are a strong female and I pray to the Great One that your union is blessed,” he adds after a light squeeze.I try really hard not to cry, but this moment feels so final.If Michael passes
Fake Dating Alpha Hockey Captain #Chapter 92: A Truce Between Packs
Once I decide to hold a meeting—my “Unification Council”—with both packs to discuss the future, I clear the idea with Michael. It takes a little explaining, not necessarily because of prior distrust between the packs, but because packs are private.“Traditionally, when members of different packs mate, one member leaves their pack to join the other,” Michael explains. “They may see other members of their family, but they are no longer members of their family’s pack.”Rita, who hasn’t left Michael’s side since his meeting with Alex, knows where I’m going with my request. “They won’t be able to do that,” she observes.I explain to Michael that this is exactly what our packs can’t expect if Alex is going to inherit the Ayzena pack and I am the only remaining descendant of the Malkeye’s Alpha. “We will have to find a way to lead them both—together.”He immediately understands the issue and the need to get both packs on board. I discuss with him and Rita what Alex and I have in mind, Michae
