Hailey.The growls ripple through the air, causing a cold shudder to run through my spine. Rhys' claws slice through the other monster and the growl increases. The forest shakes with violence as flesh and bone collide. I grip the tree so hard that the bark of the tree digs into my palm, but I don't feel it.How can I feel pain with what's unfolding right in front of me?And as if sensing me, Rhys stops. My breath catches in my throat as he turns into his wolf form, massive and scary. His chest heaves, blood dripping from his fur.His glowing eyes snap straight to where I'm hiding, as if he already knows where I am or expects me to be there.Our eyes lock and horror widens them. In those burning eyes of his, I do not just see a beast. I see him, Rhys Soren, the boy I've been chasing and fighting. The star hockey player who was never just a boy.I should move, run away from him because he is dangerous. A monster. But God help me, my legs don't move, despite my instincts screaming at me
Hailey.The press box feels colder and too quiet now. I heave a shaky breath and stare at the typewriter keys, but I can't force myself to type any word.My father's voice keeps echoing in my head.Some stories aren't meant to be dug up.What did he mean by that? And why did it sound like he meant me?The door opens slowly behind me. I freeze in my chair, every hair on my arm standing straight.“Dad?” I call out, my voice barely above a whisper.There's no response. Silence.I whirl around so fast, but the press box is empty. My pulse thrashes in my ears, and suddenly, I'm hyperaware of the glass windows overlooking the rink.Outside, the ice sparkles under the light from the arena, but the shadows around the arena feel wrong. Like something is moving.I shake my head frantically. “Get it together, Hailey,” I whisper to myself.Suddenly, I hear it. Footsteps. Heavy and deliberate, echoing below the press box.I rush to the window, pressing my palms against the cold glass. The rink loo
Hailey.Rhys's light brown eyes glint in the morning sun. Ordinary and human, but all I see is red.I swallow hard, my chest rising and falling as I take a few steps back.Why the hell is he here?Is he following me?“Good morning,” I say sharply, my eyes narrowing on him.He leans against the entrance to the hallway, his arms folded over his chest. His white shirt clings to his broad shoulders and his wavy brown hair falls all over his face as if he'd just stepped out of the shower.A cocky smirk tugs at his lips and the knot in my chest tightens.“Slept well?” he asks as though he knows I didn't close my eyes all through the night.As if last night never happened.But I remember the glow. The way his eyes feel unnatural. Every memory of last night is etched into my brain.“You're early,” I manage to say, a forced smile stretching on my lips.Hockey players don't come to school early. They don't even come anywhere close to the library.He tilts his head to the side slightly, a grin c
Hailey.I bolt down the corridor towards the exit, my legs moving faster than my brain.My heart pounds heavily in my chest. My breath comes out in ragged gasps, but I don't stop. I can't.Not when I've just seen something strange in Rhys's eyes. His light brown eyes practically glow red. Or am I beginning to see things now?The moment I get to my room, I push the door open with more force than necessary.Maya, my roommate, jumps out of bed. Her palms clutch her chest as if trying to stop her heart from pounding.“Jeez, Hailey,” she says, fear widening her eyes. “You almost got me killed,” she says, sighing in relief as she looks behind me and sees no one.“I'm not being chased,” I shrug, acting like I almost collapsed from fear a few minutes ago.“But you ran in like you were being chased by the grim reaper,” she yells, her face scrunching up.“I'm sorry,” I mutter, biting my lower lip as I stare at the walls of the room.My eyes land back on Maya and she rolls her eyes. She sighs ag
Rhys.I can feel someone's gaze on me as I skate across the ice. I pass the puck hard into the opponent’s net, my breath turning to vapor in the cold.Goal!The crowd roars and chants my name like a demigod. The sound barely reaches my ears, as my eyes are fixed on her—Hailey. She lowers her eyes when our gazes meet, and a dull ache tugs in my chest.What the hell is that?The coach barks out some orders to us after the game ends. My eyes remain on her for some damn reason I can't fathom.My wolf keeps growling in my head, demanding to break free. I can't let that happen. Not in the midst of humans who think that I am human too.To them, I am the golden boy, a wonder kid chasing an NHL dream. But behind closed doors, I am something else—a creature that would probably scare every human here off.As Hailey leaves the ice, I follow behind her. She doesn't notice what I am doing. And I don't mean to stalk her. I just want to confirm whatever that is that I felt earlier.“Hey, Hailey!” I c
Hailey.The rink is freezing, but I've gotten used to it. The soft tapping of my typewriter echoes through the noise from the hockey fans at the arena. It’s another night, another hockey game, another column I’ll rewrite three or more times before it passes my father’s inspection.A soft sigh slips from my lips as my fingers move fast on the typewriter. The hockey players from Southside College are playing against a team from a rival school. My job is simple: record the stats, edit the sports column for the school newspaper and try not to fall asleep when the puck is being slammed into the opponent’s net.I tilt my head up slowly and my eyes lock on someone with broad shoulders and wavy brown hair that stands out among the other players. My heart surprisingly skips a beat as I suddenly recognize who it is.“Hailey! Are you watching the plays, or are you dealing with something out of the box up there?” A familiar voice yells from the bench.I do not bother glancing down. I know that vo