Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Amber

I couldn't breathe.

Blood kept slipping through my fingers no matter how hard I pressed against my throat.

Someone... please...

I tried to scream, but only a wet gurgle escaped my mouth. Warm blood poured down my neck, soaking the white snow beneath my knees.

Heavy footsteps stopped in front of me.

I slowly lifted my head.

The figure stood in complete darkness, his face hidden beneath the moonlight. I couldn't make out who he was, but I saw the wolf claws dripping with blood.

My blood.

"No..."

The claw shot toward my throat again.

I jolted upright with a gasp, both hands flying to my neck. Air rushed painfully into my lungs as I fought to steady my breathing.

My fingers searched frantically for the wound, but there was nothing.

No blood or torn flesh.

The nightmare again... I haven't had it in a long time. Why suddenly?

I squeezed my eyes shut, but the feeling refused to disappear. Even after years of having the same dream, waking up was always the worst part. My throat still burned as if invisible claws had just ripped through it.

I swallowed. It hurt like hell.

The room was silent except for Nat's soft snoring from the bed across mine.

Lucky girl.

I searched for my phone under my pillow and glanced at the time as soon as the screen lit up.

2:31 A.M.

There was no point trying to sleep anymore.

Every time I closed my eyes, I'd end up back in that snow, choking on blood all over again.

I climbed out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Nat and grabbed my hoodie, my skates and my phone.

Campus rules clearly stated that no student was allowed inside the sports facilities after ten at night.

Too bad.

Skating had become my escape years ago. Whenever the nightmares came, the ice somehow helped me forget them.

I slipped out of the dorm and quietly made my way across campus.

The night air was colder than usual, sending a chill through my body as I hugged my hoodie closer. The academy looked completely different after midnight. The usual laughter and noise had disappeared, leaving only rows of dim pathway lights stretching toward the winter sports building.

By the time I reached the rink, my heartbeat had finally begun to settle.

I sat on one of the benches and changed into my skates.

The familiar click of the blades against the floor brought an unexpected sense of comfort.

"Just one hour," I silently promised myself. Then I'd go back before anyone noticed I was gone.

The automatic doors slid open.

Darkness greeted me.

Only a few emergency lights illuminated the enormous rink, leaving most of the ice covered in soft shadows.

Perfect.

I stepped onto the ice and pushed forward.

The cold air hit my face as I glided out onto the ice.

Left, right, left, right. I focused entirely on the motion of my legs, pushing the lingering panic away. I could feel the sharp vibrations of the ice traveling up through my boots. Out here, the phantom pain in my neck started to fade.

There were no purebloods here. No arrogant jerks looking down on my team. Just me and the ice.

I closed my eyes for a second, letting my body guide me. I knew this rink perfectly. I picked up the pace, digging my edges deeper into the ice. 

The wind whipped through my hair as I gained speed. I went down the middle of the dark ice, pushing my body to the limit, wanting to exhaust myself completely so I could finally sleep.

Then Bam

The impact was sudden and violent as I slammed hard into something solid. It felt like hitting a concrete wall. The force of the crash sent both of us sliding across the ice. The world spun in the darkness until we finally came to a stop.

My breath caught in my throat as I fell on top of the hard obstacle. My head was spinning. 

Ugh…shit! My hands instinctively reached out to figure out what I'd hit. 

My palms pressed against a broad, warm chest. My fingers brushed against the rough fabric of a sports jersey. 

It was a person. 

Before I could move or scramble away, a phone flashlight clicked on from underneath me. The bright beam pointed straight up at my face, blinding me instantly. I winced and blinked against the light, looking down at the person I was laying on.

Messy dark hair. Sharp jawline. 

Ryker?

I froze. My hands stayed braced against his chest. The Elite hockey captain was staring up at me in utter disbelief. His headset was hanging loosely around his neck. 

Why was he here? At three in the morning?

Panic flared in my gut, hot and sharp. I didn't care what he was doing out here in the dark…I just needed to get away from him immediately. 

I planted my hands firmly on his shoulders and fiercely pushed off him to stand up. I didn't want a repeat of this afternoon. I didn't want to deal with his arrogance.

But as I tried to get up, his hand shot out through the darkness and gripped my wrist like a vice. His grip was tight, burning hot against my cold skin. Before I could yank myself free, Ryker pulled me right back down. 

The sudden tug ruined my balance. I fell forward again, and he locked his other arm around my waist, pinning me flat against his chest. 

I felt a deep vibration rattle through his chest as his lips moved under the phone light, but I couldn't make out the words. He looked completely shocked, his eyes wide and unblinking. 

I struggled against his hold, twisting my wrist and digging my skates into the ice to push away, but he didn't let go. His grip only tightened, locking me against him. 

Instead of pushing me off, he suddenly leaned his head forward, burying his face right into the crook of my neck. 

Then, he sniffed me deeply. 

My breath hitched. My entire body went stiff. A heavy, violent shudder ran through his entire body. He held his breath, his chest expanding tightly against mine as if he had just discovered something impossible.

Furious and completely creeped out, I gathered all my strength. I forced my free hand up, jamming my palm right under his chin, and shoved him off with everything I had.

I scrambled backward on the ice, my blades kicking up a flurry of white frost as I finally tore myself out of his reach. My heart was hammering violently against my ribs, the adrenaline making my hands shake. 

I glared at him through the dim light of his phone, completely disgusted. 

I raised my hands between us, executing a sharp, aggressive sign language gesture right in front of his face. 

Get away from me, you weirdo.