All Chapters of Crossing The Line With My Hockey Stepbrother: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

ElizabethFrom the moment I saw him walking toward me, I could almost accurately predict what would follow. What slipped my predictions though was the altercation with Phillip. I expected Reagan to come, and naturally he would follow, but I didn’t expect him to challenge Anthony.Before tension could literally swallow me whole, I was saved by the bell, which in this case, was a call from the campus office.Anthony and I had barely stepped into the office when one of the council members closed the door behind us. His expression was serious, but with the faintest curl of satisfaction tugging at the edge of his mouth.“Good,” he said, motioning for us to sit. “You’re both here.”Something in my chest tightened as he folded his hands on the desk. “The Elders reached their decisions easily, actually. After reviewing tradition, standing and recent events, you two will serve as the Pair of the Frostmoon this year.”My stomach caved inward.Anthony straightened like someone had just pinned a

ElizabethWhat is this feeling in my chest? Love? Ecstasy? I couldn’t even name. All I knew was that it was gradually taking over me and I could almost see the silly grin on my face. I felt rejuvenated, like I had just been refilled, replenished; another dose of Phillip that would last me till I could be in his arms again. By the time I got back into the pack house, another councilman was addressing the pack. I slipped quietly through the crowd and found my seat.Reagan gave me a look. “Where’d you go?” he asked.“The bathroom.” I answered smoothly.He studied my face for a second too long, trying to detect the lie like he always did. But to my relief, he looked away, accepting it. Or pretending to.My attention drifted to Anthony, the words of the councilman outside replayed in my head. I didn’t know what to make of it.It was like someone was handing me distinct pieces to a puzzle and I wasn’t even sure if they were pieces of the same puzzle.Beta Hart was now in the distorted pic

ElizabethLife is just the strangest thing when you think about it. Tricia said, journalling will help me outline and regulate my thoughts. “It’s good for the soul.” she said.But I never completely understood the concept.I raised my pen to the paper, but I couldn’t write anything. Instead my mind raced with a thousand thoughts at the same time. My life felt like one long, spiralling joke. One minute, I was just Elizabeth Clarke, a daughter, sister, student, and average wolf with average expectations. The next minute, I was a symbol, a spectacle, a perfectly decorated puppet on display for the entire pack that desperately needed something new and bright to talk about while everything else dimmed around them.Then again, every dark cloud had a silver lining. And I had the single most glittering silver lining ever.I held so tightly to the only thing that felt stable and real. Phillip. My lifeline. I remember calling him that and watching the effect it had on him was truly a reward

ElizabethIf someone had told me how drastically my life would change in a matter of months, I would never have believed. But here I was, hiding outside the walls of the prep class, not yet ready to go back in. I had just crouched down, allowing myself a few moments of silence. Every second felt like walking on a tightrope, desperately trying to find balance. Every step seemed to trip me and I could feel myself losing my grip on things. I reminisced about just months ago, when my biggest fear was Phillip not liking me back. When I hid in the hallways to hear his voice when he passed, when I sat in the stands, waiting for those fateful moments when our eyes would meet. It was surreal, and I lived for those seconds, anticipating every game like I was on the team. And then the stares would linger, and he would smile like he awaited those moments too. When our hands brushed even slightly, I could swear it was a sign from the goddess that we were fated mates.I could never have imagine

ElizabethI had put more effort in preparing for this one Frostmoon Festival, than I had in every other festival I had attended since I could remember. I always thought it was the most beautiful thing the pack ever did; celebrating strength, culture, unity and love. That is, until today.Being behind the scenes was a real eye opener. Maybe it was once about love and togetherness, but now it was about perfection and performance. I guess I was used to it, having a mother like mine, still it was saddening.It didn’t help that my head was pounding like I was constantly hit with a tiny hammer. I was barely able to stand for five minutes, and I had to perform a full twenty-step routine with Anthony. Goddess help me.The chandeliers of the Pack Hall glimmered with icy blue light, reflecting off marble floors. White drapes rippled along the walls like ghostly sails, and the air smelled faintly of pine resin and ceremonial incense.The Pair Rehearsal was mandatory for all chosen representativ