My Hockey Alpha



Chapter 0705

Nina

Luke's sudden, unexpected offer sent a cold shiver of fear down my spine.

"Luke, that's ridiculous," I breathed, letting out a wry chuckle that sounded hollow even to my own ears. "My champion? Are you kidding?"

But Lake simply shook his head. "I'm serious, Nina. This could be the only way to save both of you, and the baby as well."

"But I don't understand." I furrowed my brow, taking a shaky step back. "I don't even see how this would help. Mila made herself clear; it's either me and the baby, or Enzo. One of us has to die. You taking my place won't make a difference."

"I know a bit about Dragon rites," Enzo chimed in softly. "It's possible for Luke to take your place as your champion; and her apparent love for tradition might sway her."noveldrama

"Enzo is right." Luke sighed, pushing himself to his feet. "Maybe we can strike a deal with her; I'll take your place as your champion, and if I lose and I will lose maybe she'll send you and the baby home. She'll still get her fight, and her blood, and her ritual. But at least you and the baby, Nina, will live."

I swallowed, taking another shaky step backwards. I couldn't believe what I was hearing; Luke, one of my most beloved companions, really wanted to die for me? For my unborn baby?

"No." I shook my head. "No, Luke. I won't let you fight for me as my champion; I won't put you in that kind of danger. There has to be another way for us to escape without having to go through with this horrible fight at all."

As I spoke, I began to circle the cell like a caged animal. The bars were narrow, but maybe with mine and Enzo's combined strength of our wolves, we could bend them enough to get through.

But even as I considered this, I reached out and barely touched the silver; it burned my fingers, causing me to cry out in pain and recoil, holding my hand desperately.

Luke gripped the bars that were separating our cells, his eyes blazing with conviction. "Nina, listen to me," he said softly. "I know you want to protect everyone, but we're running out of options here. I've had my time here on this earth; I've lived for hundreds of years. Maybe it's time..."

Enzo came up behind me, resting his blistered hands on my shoulders. The silver cage was taking its toll; his usual golden complexion had faded to a sickly pallor. Even as he circled his arms around me and pulled me close, the usual heat from his body had turned into cold flesh.

And the longer we spent in here, the worse it would become.

I whirled around to face him, my eyes wild. "Enzo, you have to see how ridiculous this is!" I exclaimed. "We can't seriously let Luke die like this. We have to find a way out-"

"Nina, maybe he's right," Enzo interrupted quietly. "Believe me, I wish there was another way—any other way for us to get through this. But Mila has us trapped. The only sliver of hope we have is letting Luke take your place tomorrow."

I vehemently shook my head. "No. I won't do it. I won't put his life at risk. I'll find a way for us to get out of here, I swear."

When I was finished, I wrenched myself free from Enzo's arms. I marched back over to the bars, drawing upon what little strength my wolf had left as I braced myself. Then, I wrapped my hands around the bars and began to pull. No matter how badly it seared into my flesh, I wouldn't let go.

"Nina!" Enzo's voice shouted after me. A moment later, I felt arms around me, pulling me backwards. We stumbled back, away from the bars.