My Hockey Alpha

Chapter 294: The Decision

Nina

“I’ve made my decision,” I said as I stood in front of my father.

We were in my father’s study, which was lit by a few small lamps and a fire in the fireplace. My father was seated in a tufted armchair by the fire and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, staring solemnly into the fire. There was a somber elegance about him; he was incredibly handsome and looked young for his age, but his dark brown, almost black eyes showed years of pain behind them. He had salt-and-pepper hair that was somewhat long and pulled back into a knot at the nape of his neck, but some shorter pieces fell forward into his eyes. He had a slight beard and mustache, but I could still see the lines around his mouth from age. Around his eyes, he had wrinkles as well, but his wrinkles didn’t make him look very old. I knew that he was over fifty years old, but he didn’t seem like it; it made me wonder if werewolves led longer lives than humans.

Around us, the walls of the study were lined from floor to ceiling with bookshelves. There were rolling ladders attached to the shelves that could be moved around to reach the high spots, since the ceilings were very high. But despite the high ceilings, it was a cozy room with soft chairs, plush rugs, and it was very warm.

“And what is your decision?” he asked, tearing his sad eyes away from the fire to look up at me, his only surviving daughter and the last member of his family.

I felt a bit sad about giving him the news. Of course I wanted to stay with him and get to know him, but I had a home in Mountainview and friends who would miss me. I knew that if I stayed here and never returned to Mountainview, I would never really feel at home here.

“I’m going to go back to Mountainview,” I said quietly as I fiddled nervously with my hands in my lap.

nodded grimly. He didn’t seem mad — just a little disappointed. I knew that he would be

weak smile at me. “Are you sure that’s

with you. I really do. But…

to the fireplace. I watched as he crouched down and moved the logs around with the iron fire poker, causing the flames to jump up and create sparks. Even crouching, he looked like a large man. “If you

same time, however, I felt a pang in my chest because

can open portals. I’ll visit as much

alright if you don’t visit. I know how busy you are. You’re a young woman with a whole life

to the fire and placed my hand on my dad’s shoulder. “I

There was a gentle smile on his face as he tucked a strand of

to my mom made a tear come to my eye. I quickly turned around and sat back down

said. He was leaning on the desk behind us, and had been silent this entire time. But now, he straightened and looked at my father with a lot of respect. “Mountainview is still dangerous,” he said. “The Crescents still have their leader. They have a lot of the Fullmoons

and stared down at the floor. “I’m

again. “Will you send help with us?” he

any of that, son,” he said heartily. “You two have already done enough. I’ll