LOGINEmilia's POVThe stadium fell silent.The scoreboard displayed:Second SetWillowbrook Academy 6 – 5 Eastgate AcademyEastgate was serving.If we won this game, we would take the second set and move within one set of the National Championship.But Daniel Brooks stood behind the baseline with the expression of someone with no intention of surrendering.He bounced the ball twice.Then looked toward Sophie.She nodded.The umpire called for play.Daniel served.The ball flew toward Wesley at tremendous speed.Wesley returned deep.Sophie immediately moved toward the net.I stepped forward to cover the middle.Daniel attacked.The rally began.Ten shots.Twenty.Thirty.The entire stadium remained silent.Every movement felt deliberate.Every shot carried immense pressure.Daniel suddenly changed direction.His forehand raced toward the corner.I sprinted.My racket connected just before the ball bounced twice.The return floated high.Sophie prepared for an overhead."Wesley!"He was alr
Emilia's POVThe second set began under a markedly different atmosphere.Willowbrook had taken the first set.7–6.But instead of celebrating, we returned to our seats with the uneasy awareness that Eastgate Academy was far from finished.Daniel and Sophie sat across the court, speaking quietly.They were not discouraged.They were not angry.They were focused.Coach Harrison noticed it as well."Don't let the scoreboard mislead you."I looked at him."What do you mean?""Eastgate has adjusted."Wesley nodded."They're going to change their approach."Coach Harrison gestured toward the court."Exactly."He lowered his voice."They will target your positioning and force you into deeper defensive exchanges.""And if they succeed?""Do not panic."His gaze settled on both of us."Trust your preparation."The umpire called the players back.The second set was about to begin.---Daniel served first.He bounced the ball slowly.The entire stadium fell silent.Then—BOOM!The serve was dire
Emilia's POVThe entire stadium seemed to hold its breath.The scoreboard glowed above Centre Court.First Set — TiebreakWillowbrook Academy 0 – 0 Eastgate AcademyThe National Championship trophy stood beside the court, reflecting the bright stadium lights.It looked impossibly close.Yet somehow...It felt a thousand miles away.I tightened my grip on my racket.Wesley stood beside me.Neither of us spoke.We didn't need to.We had played hundreds of points together.We knew what the other was thinking.The umpire called for play.Daniel stepped behind the baseline.He bounced the ball twice.Then served.The ball flew toward Wesley's backhand.Wesley returned it deep.Sophie immediately rushed forward.Her volley landed sharply toward the corner.I sprinted across the court.At full stretch, I reached it.The ball floated high.Daniel moved underneath it.He prepared for the overhead.But Wesley anticipated the shot.He stepped forward and intercepted it before Daniel could strike
Emilia's POVCoach Harrison’s words stayed with me as we returned to the court."The team that wins this set... will be the one that handles disappointment better."I repeated them silently.The scoreboard shone brightly above Centre Court.First SetWillowbrook Academy 5 – 5 Eastgate AcademyThe championship crowd had become an active presence in the match itself.Every point was met with thunderous applause.Every rally drew collective gasps.Daniel stood behind the baseline, bouncing the ball with composed confidence.He looked across the net."Let’s close out this set properly."Wesley smiled."I wouldn’t have it any other way."The umpire called for play.Daniel served.The ball flew toward the corner at exceptional speed.Wesley returned it with a deep, controlled shot.Immediately, Sophie advanced to the net.She cut off the angle with a precise volley.I sprinted forward.Rather than attempting to overpower her, I executed a soft drop shot just over the tape.Sophie lunged.Sh
Emilia's POVCentre Court fell into complete silence.The scoreboard glowed brightly above us.First SetWillowbrook Academy 5 – 4 Eastgate AcademyOne game.That was all we needed to secure the opening set.But standing across the net were the defending regional champions.Daniel Brooks walked toward the baseline with three new tennis balls in his hand, his expression composed and assured.He looked at Wesley."I've never enjoyed being pushed this hard."Wesley twirled his racket once."Then don't stop now."Daniel gave a quiet laugh."I wasn't planning to."The umpire called for play.The stadium held its breath.Daniel bounced the ball twice before launching his serve.Boom!The ball fired toward Wesley’s forehand.Wesley reacted instantly, driving the return deep into the corner.Daniel responded with a heavy forehand.The rally immediately intensified.Neither side hesitated.Every shot carried exceptional pace.Sophie closed the net aggressively, cutting off angles before I coul
Emilia's POVThe atmosphere inside Centre Court had reached an entirely new level.Every spectator remained on the edge of their seat.The scoreboard glowed above us.First SetWillowbrook Academy 4 – 4 Eastgate AcademyTwo games.That was all that separated one team from taking the opening set.I wiped the sweat from my forehead and glanced toward Wesley.He smiled."You still with me?"I smiled back."Always."The umpire called for play.Daniel stepped behind the baseline.He bounced the ball slowly, his eyes fixed on Wesley."I've been waiting for this match.""So have we," Wesley replied.Daniel tossed the ball high.His serve exploded toward the corner.Wesley reacted instantly, driving the return deep to Daniel's backhand.For the first time in the match, Daniel opted for patience over power.The rally slowed.Heavy topspin.Deep slices.Sharp angles.Each player searched for the smallest opening.Sophie suddenly rushed the net.She cut off my cross-court return with a crisp vol
Emilia's POV He led me into the cabin. It was an old house, rusty and dusty, as if it had been abandoned for a long time.The place was shabby, with cobwebs nestled in the corners, and the clothes there were damp.“ Where is this place?” That was the question burning on my lips immediately we ente
Emilia's POV Tonight was supposed to be a perfect night, marking a new beginning for Darian and me.The night we would make things official, a testament to our love over the years.I strode carefully through the hall, the clanking of glasses and the laughter that spread across everyone's lips fill
Emilia's POV “ Mate “ my wolf jumped in excitement in my head as she felt a deeper connection between us. “ This can't be right” I hummed to my wolf because I already had a boyfriend, a mate who was enrolled in the school. “ How can this be? “ That was the question lingering in my mind as our
Emilia POV "Oh I'm sorry he only drinks kale smoothies after matches" I whispered to the bar attendant who lowered his head, passing me a genuine smile before walking away.That was the rule for Darian Scott,my boyfriend who was the cynosure of all eyes which made every girl's heart leap at the ra







