Lahat ng Kabanata ng LOVING MR HOCKEY STAR: Kabanata 211 - Kabanata 220

Jaxon’s POVMaya's expression softened slightly, but not in the way I'd hoped. It was a pity."Jaxon, your feelings aren't my responsibility," she said gently. "I know that sounds harsh, but it's true. You being in love with me doesn't give you the right to interfere in my life or make decisions for me about who's safe and who's dangerous.""Even if I'm right? Even if Lucien really is a threat?""Then show me proof. Real proof, not paranoid suspicions and expert opinions from Ronan's mysterious contacts." She adjusted her backpack. "Until then, stay out of my business. I mean it, Jaxon. No more investigating my friends. No more ambushing me outside class. No more fake relationships designed to make me jealous.""Maya..""I'm done with this conversation." She started walking away, then paused. "And for the record? Lucien makes me feel interesting and valued for my mind. He talks to me about history and herbology and treats me like an intellectual equal. Maybe that's why I enjoy spendin

Maya's POV "Don't." I cut him off. "Don't give me some rational explanation about stress or imagination. I can see it in your eyes, Lucien. You know exactly what this means."He was silent for a long moment, his fingers drumming against the ancient book in front of him. Then he closed it carefully and stood. "Not here. Please, Maya. If we're going to have this conversation, it needs to be somewhere we won't be overheard.""Why? What are you so afraid someone will hear?""The truth." His voice was low, urgent. "Please."I grabbed my bag and followed him through the library, down the stairs, out into the late afternoon sun. We walked in silence to the old chapel, the same place where I'd rejected all three of my suitors three months ago. Somehow fitting. Inside, the chapel was dim and quiet, late afternoon light filtering through stained glass windows. Lucien checked to make sure we were alone, then turned to face me."Before I explain, I need you to promise something," he said. "That

"It started that way," I admitted. "But it stopped being manipulated somewhere along the way. I'm not sure exactly when. Maybe when you laughed at my terrible joke about medieval herbalists. Maybe when you argued with me about moonflower extraction methods because you actually cared about being precise. Maybe when you looked at me like I was interesting, not just some mysterious stranger."I took a risk and closed the remaining distance between us, kneeling in front of where she sat so we were eye level."Maya, I'm two hundred and forty-seven years old. I've seduced targets before, it's part of what I do. I know how to manufacture attraction, how to make people trust me, and how to get what I need through careful manipulation." My voice dropped lower. "But what I feel for you isn't manufactured. It's genuine. Terrifying. Completely unauthorized by my mission parameters.""How do I know you're not lying right now?" she asked quietly. "How do I know this isn't just better manipulation?"

Ronan's POV "Break into my room and tell me who I can trust." Her eyes blazed. "You gave up that right, Ronan. You walked away. You chose to leave Blackstone, remember?" The words hit harder than any physical blow could have. "I walked away because you asked me to. Because you needed space. But that doesn't mean I stopped caring about your safety." "My safety?" Maya laughed, but there was no humor in it. "Where was your concern for my safety when Victoria was harassing me? When I was facing expulsion? When my own family was trying to control me? You were dealing with your own problems then, figuring out your own path." "That's not fair." "Isn't it?" She crossed her arms. "You can't show up now and expect me to just follow your orders because you've decided Lucien is dangerous. I'm capable of making my own decisions." "Even when those decisions could get you killed?" "Even then." Maya's voice softened slightly. "Ronan, I appreciate that you care. I do. But I'm not the same pers

Jaxon's POV The sound of skates cutting across ice had always been my meditation. The cold air burning my lungs, the weight of the stick in my hands, the perfect focus required to send a puck exactly where I wanted it, this was where I felt most in control. Except I wasn't in control anymore. Not since Lucien Nightshade had joined the team two weeks ago. "Alright, listen up!" Coach Morrison's voice boomed across the rink, sharp and commanding. "The championship game against Silverwood is in three days. Three days to prove we're not just another team that chokes when it matters." I tightened my grip on my stick, watching as the team gathered around Coach. Thirty guys who'd been working their asses off all season, and now we had a ringer who didn't even need to try. "Cross and Nightshade, front and center." My jaw clenched. Of course. Lucien glided forward with that effortless grace that made my teeth grind. He wasn't even breathing hard, despite the fact that we'd been doing dri