Chapter 2

“Damon, let’s break up.” The words echoed loudly in the frozen locker room.

“What are you talking about?” Damon growled, stepping closer and seizing my wrist in a tight grip.

“You heard me, Damon,” I said, trying to pull my wrist free from his grasp but failing. “We are done.” I said it louder this time, my voice ringing clear through the tense silence. I knew I wasn’t going to stick around for whatever drama this was turning into.

“There is only so much of your spoiled princess act I can take,” Damon hissed through gritted teeth, tightening his grip on my wrist even more firmly than he had before.

“Then there is no need for you to endure it any longer,” I replied with a cold smirk, refusing to flinch.

“Elara, you shouldn’t say such things,” that insufferable pest Rozetta started. “Damon lov—”

I cut her off sharply. “Who asked you?” I asked her coldly.

“Miss Pierrepont, we are not friends, so I would appreciate it if you don’t speak to me as if we were,” I uttered coldly, watching as she put on her frightened little act. I just rolled my eyes at that foolish display.

“Elara—” Damon began.

“Same goes for you too, Mr Blanton.” With that, I yanked my wrist free and walked out of the locker room without looking back, my heart pounding with a mix of rage and strange new clarity.

I headed straight to my room. It was already after 11pm when I finally arrived. I collapsed onto my bed, the day’s events weighing heavily on me, then fished out my phone and scrolled through my contacts before dialing a number.

“Dante,” I said the moment the call connected. “I want all support and resources poured into Damon Blanton halted.” I commanded, my voice leaving no room for argument.

“B-but ma’am, he is your boyfriend,” Dante asked, clearly surprised.

“Ex-boyfriend, Dante,” I corrected him sharply. “I don’t pour my resources into failures.” I said coldly before hanging up.

Rolling over on the bed, I replayed everything that had happened. It felt too real to be just a dream. Maybe it was a premonition. Or maybe I had been reborn with this second chance. But the truth was, I didn’t care which one it was. I would do everything in my power to make sure that future never came true.

Like hell would Elara Voss be forced to beg paupers for her life.

All who were involved in my murder would pay.

Damon. Rozetta. I would make good examples of you.

With those dark thoughts swirling in my mind, my eyes grew heavier and sleep finally consumed me.

**

I was woken up by loud banging on my door. I stood up with an annoyed scowl and opened it. “What?” I asked the person on the other side.

“Good morning to you too, Elara?” Paisley said sarcastically as she stepped inside. “Get dressed. We have practice,” she added, already getting my gym bag ready.

I got ready quickly and we headed to the training ground.

“Great,” I muttered under my breath as I saw the scene in front of me.

Damon and Rozetta acting all lovey-dovey, like nothing had happened.

“Elara, let’s just go get breakfast instead,” Paisley said, grabbing my arm to stop me from moving forward. “We will come back later,” she added, clearly trying to avoid trouble.

And let them think I was hiding from them? Fat chance in hell. Elara Voss doesn’t cower to anybody.

“My family paid for this ice rink. Why should we leave?” I told her firmly, my eyes scanning where the hockey team was gathered. “Besides, the rink is big enough for everybody to use,” I said softly to her, knowing she wanted to avoid drama.

I put on my skates and began practicing some light moves as I warmed up, chatting casually with Paisley. Then I felt someone check me. Hard.

I stumbled but quickly braced myself, thanks to my skills.

“Oh sorry, your majesty,” I heard the smug tone of Zane, Damon’s best friend. “Don’t want her highness getting hurt. Why don’t you go sit down while the men play?” he said, still wearing that cocky grin.

“Well, the rink isn’t owned by you, Mr Brooks, so it’s not up to you to decide that,” I said, straightening up and meeting his gaze without flinching.

“Miss Voss is acting a bit strange. Maybe she should—” Rozetta started as she stepped closer.

“Next time you make such a false statement, I will make sure your only meal for the next decade is water and bread,” I said coldly, watching her cower back like a scared rat.

“What’s going on?” Damon asked as he and the rest of the hockey team started skating toward where we were gathering.

“Tell your girlfriend to watch her mouth and we wouldn’t have any problems,” I said, facing him directly.

“Damon, Rozetta was only advising Elara on her temper,” Zane said again with that same cocky grin.

“Right…” I said before Damon could speak. “Same way I was the one who bumped into myself,” I added, staring pointedly at Zane.

“What are you talking about?” Zane asked suspiciously.

“I’m sure Mr Brooks must have been so high off his rockers that he didn’t see me,” I said with a sarcastic smile. “I’m also sure Coach would love to hear more about this,” I added before taking Paisley’s hand and walking away, leaving the accusation hanging in the air behind me.