My Hockey Alpha



Chapter 0813

Enzo

"I was thinking we should have a scout set up at all times, just to make sure that we're on constant surveillance of the warehouse. Then, we can plan the entry strategy from there."

Matt leaned over the large round table, pointing at the hand-drawn map of the Schreiber warehouse and the surrounding area-courtesy of Luke and Daphne, who had taken up the mantle as Luke's second-in-command with the scouts.

"There are a few side entrances," Matt continued as we surveyed our plans. "The one on the eastern side of the building leads straight to the main area of the warehouse, from what I've gathered. If we want to go in guns blazing, that might be our best option."

I frowned, shaking my head. "Guns blazing' isn't the move here. If anyone is in there, we might be better of slipping in quietly-take them by surprise. We'll want to take at least a few men out, assuming their numbers are higher than ours, before they even notice we're there."

Suddenly, the sound of the door sliding open caused us both to look up. Nina strode in, one hand resting on her swollen belly. She paused in the doorway, glancing at the scene in front of her, before stepping in.

"How are the plans going?" she asked.

I shrugged. "As good as they could be. What are you doing here? I thought you were at yoga."

Nina seemed to tense a bit at my words. It was still strange, mixing the normalcy of prenatal yoga with the absurdity of our world. But she merely held up a paper bag and plopped it on the table.

"I picked up some muffins on the way out. Figured I'd bring them here."

"Thanks, Nina. I'm starved." Matt dug in without hesitating, but I leaned back in my chair, observing Nina as she circled around the table. I could see the way she glanced at the map so nonchalantly, clearly trying to feign indifference.

My chest tightened as I watched her. I knew she was putting on a brave face, but I could see the disappointment lingering behind her eyes whenever she was left out of a mission. Nina thrived on being in the thick of the action- having to step back now due to the pregnancy couldn't be easy.

Before I could reassure her, she brightened, seeming to shake off the melancholy. "Actually, I wanted to remind you two not to get too wrapped up in your work," she said, spinning on her heel to face us. "Let's not forget that summer's almost over, and we've still got one last party before the semester starts up again."

I smirked, standing. "Don't worry. As if I'd forget any chance to see you in a tiny bikini."

Matt made a gagging noise behind me, but I just grinned, striding over and pulling Nina flush against me. It was true; she was beautiful always, but even more so now with her belly full of our child. The gentle curve of her belly made her look like a fertility goddess, and the way her hips and breasts had filled out a bit made her even more delicious.

She laughed, pushing me away with her hands pressed into my chest. "Oh, please. With this giant belly of mine? He's flattering me again, Matt."

Matt scoffed. "Shame, Enzo. Shame."

"What?" I retorted. "Like you don't see it, too."

Matt's ears turned red, and he quickly looked away, his mouth full of muffin. I knew he was picturing Daphne-the fascinating little bird shifter who had somehow slipped into our friend group, our pack, and his heart over the past months. I was happy for him.

Chuckling, I pressed one more lingering kiss to Nina's forehead before reluctantly letting her go. "I'll see you later, okay?"

She winked at me over her shoulder as she headed out. "It's a date."

The suspense was killing me.

"See anything?" Matt muttered under his breath.

I squinted through the darkness, my eyes focusing with ease. It was just as it had been all night: quiet. Too quiet. We had the warehouse surrounded, our pack on high alert for any sound, any movement. Matt and I, crouched in the bushes next to one another, had our eyes trained on the main door to the warehouse. Normally, the van would be pulling up by now; but nothing had happened all night.

"Nothing," I hissed, not even daring to blink

Matt let out a small curse under his breath. "You think they ditched?" he whispered.

I shook my head. "I don't know."

Sure enough, as the hours continued to tick by, the warehouse remained eerily still and silent as ever. My skin was practically crawling with unease by the time the sky began to lighten, the very first tendrils of dawn creeping through the forest.

Still, there was nothing. But this was our window-it was now or never if we wanted the element of surprise, assuming they were even in there. Flashing a series of hand signals to the others, I led the charge toward the warehouse's main entrance.

Matt and I took the lead, creeping forward silently. We flanked the side entrance, our footsteps not making so much as a whisper on the ground. Matt and I locked our gazes from across the way, and with a curt nod, I reached forward to touch the handle.

The door opened like butter. I immediately furrowed my brow, feeling my wolf bristle with anticipation inside of me. It wasn't locked.

We froze, every muscle tensed as we waited for the ambush that was sure to come. But the dim interior of the building remained still and silent, and as I carefully leaned forward and scanned the room with my nightvision, I saw that it was utterly empty.

"What the..." Matt's confused whisper was barely audible.

I shook my head, signaling for the others to follow us inside cautiously. Letting my senses take over, I scanned every nook and cranny for any sign of life or recent activity. But there was nothing. Not even a single footprint, piece of equipment, or even a scrap of fur.

My boots echoed hollowly on the concrete floor as we advanced further in, and with each step, I felt my stomach sink. This place looked abandoned. Recently abandoned, perhaps, but abandoned nonetheless.

But then, something in the center of the main floor caught my eye-a small wooden table, the only object that was left in the now-empty space. Frowning, I cautiously stalked toward it, Matt and the others fanning out to secure the area and check for any potential ambushes.

There, in the center of the table, was a single sheet of paper weighed down by a rock. Bending, I snatched it up and quickly scanned the messy scrawl.

"Thought you could pull one over on us so easily, Enzo? -J"noveldrama

Ice flooded my veins as I stared dumbly at those mocking words, my brain whirring. So they had known that we were coming, meaning that they were indeed one step ahead of us, just as we had suspected.

That initial, though, left me baffled.

... who the hell was that? And how did they know my name?