Semua Bab Rejected By My Hockey Alpha: Bab 91 - Bab 100

Penelope's POVPractice that morning is torture.Every time I look at Liam across the ice, my stomach turns over itself. He keeps trying to catch my eye. I refuse to look at him, focusing instead on the scrape of my blades against the ice, the burn in my thighs."Focus, Hale!" Coach Reeves barks. "What's wrong with you today?""Sorry, Coach." I push harder, skating faster. Using the physical pain to drown out everything else. My lungs ache with each breath of cold air.Isla stays close during drills. A silent support that I'm grateful for. She doesn't ask questions, just skates beside me when she can.When practice ends, I head straight for the locker room. Steam fills the space as showers turn on. I need to wash away the sweat and get out before Liam corners me.But he's faster."Penny, please." He blocks my path in the hallway, still in his practice gear. Sweat dampens his hair at the temples. "Can we talk? Really talk?""We talked this morning." I try to step around him. He moves w

Penelope's POVThe flowers arrive at seven in the morning.Three dozen red roses, their petals still fresh with morning dew. The delivery person looks apologetic as they hand me the massive bouquet. The card reads in neat script: "I'm sorry. Please let me explain. - L"The smell is overwhelming. Cloying and too sweet but it makes my stomach turn.I throw them in the dumpster behind my building. The thorns scratch my hands as I shove them down into the trash. I watch the red petals scatter across yesterday's garbage and feel nothing.By noon, there's a jewelry box on my doorstep. Small and velvet, expensive-looking. Inside are diamond earrings that catch the light and throw rainbows across my apartment walls. The note tucked inside says simply: "Forgive me."I donate them to charity. Drop them in the donation box at the community center without a second glance.At three PM, Liam shows up at my door."Penny, please." He's holding more flowers—white lilies this time, their scent filling

Penelope's POVTimothy's wolf is dying.The words loop in my head during the entire drive back to Bloodfang territory. Isla tries to talk to me, but I can barely hear her over the roar of my own thoughts."He looked terrible," Isla says. She adjusts the heat in my car. "I've never seen an Alpha look that sick.""His wolf is fading." My hands grip the steering wheel. "Lyra could barely feel Kael.""That's because he rejected his mate." Isla's voice is gentle. "That's on him, Penny. Not you."I know she's right. But knowing doesn't make it easier.My phone buzzes in the cupholder. Another text from an unknown number. I ignore it."You're not going to check that?" Isla asks."It's probably just more mind games." I turn onto the highway. "I'm done playing."But the buzzing continues. Five texts. Ten. Twenty."Jesus." Isla grabs my phone. "This person is relentless."She reads the messages and her face goes pale. The color drains so fast I almost pull over."What?" I glance at her. "What d

Penelope's POVThe morning after the social gathering, I wake up feeling lighter.Like I've put down a weight I didn't realize I was carrying.Isla is already awake when I stumble into the kitchen. She's making coffee and scrolling through her phone."You're all over social media," she says without looking up. "Ice Angel Dumps Bloodfang Heir is trending.""Great." I pour myself coffee. The mug is warm against my palms. "Just what I need.""Actually, most of the comments are supportive." Isla turns her phone to show me. "People are calling you brave. Saying Liam had it coming."I scan the comments. She's right. Mixed in with the usual gossip and speculation are messages of support. Women thanked me for standing up to him. Men admitting they'd seen red flags in Liam's behavior."Huh." I hand the phone back. "That's unexpected.""You called out a powerful Alpha in front of half the territory's elite." Isla grins. "People respect that."Maybe or maybe they just love drama.My phone buzzes

Penelope POV "You'll find out soon enough. For now, just know you're not alone in this fight."The messages stop. The number goes dead when I try to call it."Coach is going to help," I tell my parents. "He's reviewing the video now.""Good." Dad sits back down. He looks less defeated now. "What else can we do?""We prepare." I stand up as energy courses through me. "We gather every piece of evidence we have. Financial records, witness statements. Anything that proves Marcus framed us.""I have boxes of documents." Mom heads toward the basement stairs. "I've been collecting them for years. Just in case.""I'll help." Dad follows her. "Penelope, you should rest. You've had a long day.""I can't rest." I'm already pulling out my laptop. "I need to research pack law. Find precedents. Anything that can help our case."They disappear downstairs. I hear boxes being moved. Papers shuffling.I spend the next three hours reading through pack laws and council procedures. My eyes burn, my head