The Ice King In Flesh

AMELIA

I am losing my mind.

I repeated the words in my head until it was all I could hear. If I wasn’t out of my goddamn mind, I wouldn’t have brought this strange man to my home. The same man who had just dragged me into his hell.

It was no coincidence that this was happening today of all days, today that I was supposed to be somewhere that could change my entire life.

I assisted him up the front porch even though he didn’t need it, and as soon as he got inside, he collapsed on the floor, gasping for air.

He should be healing, but then, he had mentioned something about poisoned bullets. Whoever was after him wanted him dead.

I rushed for an emergency kit in the bedroom, and before I got back to him, he had managed to take off his shirt. His body was a beautiful artwork of ink, blood, and bullet holes.

How the hell was he still alive?

“I left Sonya back there,” he muttered, breathing fast. His eyes roamed around the sitting room lifelessly, making me realize that he would soon pass out.

“Please stay still. How did you know that I am a nurse?”

“Your uniform,” he simply said.

I carefully extracted the bullets, just listening to him groan and grunt, and by the time I finished, he was covered in sweat.

A small smile curved his lips. His eyes pierced directly into my soul when he mumbled, “You’re so beautiful. What’s your name?”

“Please stay still,” I repeated, applying some antiseptic, before pulling out some antidote and bandages. At least, these would help with whatever poison is in his system.

“I am Roman,” he grinned boyishly then winced when I dug a needle into his vein. “Ouch, that hurts. What’s your name?”

“I’m Amelia. Can you please stay still now?” I finished up quickly, wiped the sweat off my face, and packed my things back into the box. “This should keep you alive. You need to leave now because…”

The words died on my lips. He had passed out on me, his chest rising and falling softly. I dragged my palm over my face, cursing under my breath. I was going to be late…

*^*^*^

Luckily, I arrived some minutes before ten after begging countlessly for the taxi driver to increase his speed. Before leaving the house, I had to shower again and change my clothes into something casual—since my scrubs were soiled in blood. My car too.

Maya had texted me a million times asking if I’d gotten there, what was going on, and if I’d met the lady who called. Every time my phone chimed from one of her messages, I wondered how she would react if I told her everything that had happened.

The Dark Wolves’ building was nothing like I had imagined.

The moment I stepped through the glass doors, I found myself standing in a spacious reception area with polished floors, dark walls, and the team’s massive logo displayed proudly behind the front desk. Framed photographs of players covered the walls; some celebrating victories, and others holding trophies with wide smiles. There were also several large screens showing clips from former seasons.

I suddenly felt very small.

I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder and looked around nervously, wondering if I had made a mistake coming here. Everyone walking around seemed to know exactly where they were going, while I was standing there in my casual clothes, still feeling like someone who had accidentally wandered into a place she didn’t belong.

“Amelia Rhodes?”

I turned quickly.

The woman walking toward me was elegant, probably in her early forties, with dark hair pulled neatly behind her head and a professional smile on her face.

“Yes?” I answered.

She extended her hand. “I’m Victoria Grant, the team’s General Manager. I was the one who called you earlier.”

My eyes widened slightly. So this was the woman who had called me?

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, quickly taking her hand.

“Likewise. Please, come with me.”

She led me past the reception area and through a hallway lined with more photographs of the team. I noticed several rooms along the way, some with glass walls where staff members were working.

When we reached her office, she opened the door and gestured for me to enter. I sat across from her desk while she settled into her chair.

“First of all, Amelia, congratulations. You officially have the position.”

A smile immediately spread across my face.

“Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“I think I do.” Victoria smiled. “Actually, there’s something you should know. Austin Hayes has always been very particular about the medical and physical therapy staff working with the team. He personally goes through the applications whenever we’re hiring. He reviewed the list, as usual, and picked you.”

My smile faded slightly. “Austin Hayes?”

Everyone knew Austin Hayes, the Dark Wolves’ captain. One of the biggest hockey stars in the country. The Ice King. Two-time MVP, multiple-time All-Star, and one of the most talked-about Alphas in professional hockey.

I had heard enough stories about him to know that working this closely with someone like him was going to be intimidating.

Victoria seemed to notice my expression but simply continued. “You’ll also be offered a very comfortable room here in the building. It’s available for staff who don’t want to go home every night, so you can stay here whenever you need to.”

I nodded slowly, still trying to process everything.

“If you’re comfortable with that, you can take some time to look around the facility first. Get familiar with the place and the building and see if it’s something you can work with. When you come back, we’ll sit down properly and discuss your salary and the rest of your contract.”

I simply clasped my palms together. “Thank you so much, Victoria.”

She smiled warmly. “Welcome to the Dark Wolves, Amelia.” With that, she got up and pressed her phone to her ear, signaling for me to come with her.

I followed her outside. It seemed she wanted to show me around. But since she was a little engrossed in her call, I ended up wandering into the nearest hall, just looking around in awe.

Wow! The building was so massive. I walked some more until I couldn’t tell where I’d wandered to.

Without thinking, I walked through one of the doors, thinking it would lead me to the corridor I’d just exited.

What a mistake that was. I met myself inside what looked to be a changing room. I froze, blinking at unwelcome blue eyes gazing straight at me.

Heat and energy rippled beneath his muscles, and he was only on a small towel that did nothing to hide the outline of his cock.

My mouth went dry. It was none other than the Ice King in the flesh: Austin Hayes.