My Hockey Alpha Neighbor

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Aiden and I are both lucky enough that we have the next couple of days off. We spend the next day recovering. Both of us are feeling worn out from the night before – Aiden because of his game, and me because of Well, Aiden. I guess what they say about the sexual appetites of alphas is right, I can’t help but think the next morning.

After we spent some time recovering. Aiden and I decide that it’s time that we take a visit to my hometown. Aiden can tell that the worry has been wearing down on me and insists. I call my parents to let them know we’re coming over, and we get to packing.

I don’t realize how much I’ve been looking forward to visiting my childhood home until I realize that I’ve been smiling to myself every time I think about it. My parents and I have always had a good relationship. I’m thankful that are dynamic is at least certainly less dramatic than Aiden’s family

We start the drive early the next morning. The journey is only a few hours, but everything about the environment becomes different as we leave the city. Tall buildings and bustling streets make way for rolling hills and quiet back roads.

The golden glow of dawn gives way to a bright and beautiful day surprisingly warm for the time of year. The sun casts a warm glow over the familiar landscapes as we approach our destination.

As Aiden drives us, I can’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me. Memories of my childhood flood my mind, filling me with a sense of longing for the simplicity of my life before

“I haven’t been back here in quite some time, I adnit. “I’ve only come back once or twice since moving to Statford. It’s strange how quickly time flies.”

your family

Aiden glances over at me a soft small playing on his lips. I’m excited to see where you come from, and to meet y

I nudge Aiden. “I appreciate that. I say sincerely

“When was the last time you lived at home?” He asks, hum to myself as I think through the events of my life one at a time.

“I only moved to the city a few years ago,” I say. “I didn’t live at home before that, though. Although I did visit pretty often.”

re you living?” He asks. It makes me smile how genuinely curious he is about my painfully ordinary life.

“Where were

“Oh, nowhere that fun. I’ve never even left this region, honestly

“Just because you don’t think it’s fun doesn’t mean I won’t,” Aiden reminds me. “I grew up completely suffocated parents. I’ve barely stepped out of the city. This is all novel to me

I blink. I hadn’t thought of it that way, I think. To me, Aiden’s life is an exciting one. Growing up in a big city with family is the sort of fantastic dream I’ve only ever fantasized about, Cities are interesting and fun, whereas more ru like where I grew up are ordinary.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

To Aiden, everything is different. His life felt stifling and overcrowded. He never asked to be a part of a rich and powerl family. 1 look around the landscape around us with new eyes. I can’t image coming to somewhere like this for the first tim

it’s all I’ve ever known.

Maybe my life isn’t boring to him, after all, I think with a soft smele.

“I wat fairly near home for college and my last job, so that was honestly the biggest transition I’ve had to make. It’s funny- Even when I was Joser to home. I never brought anyone back with me,” I laugh quietly to myself.

1 can tell that Aiden is watching in carefully out of the corner of my eye

turn to face him with a raised eyebrow. “What is

“So, you’ve never introduced a boyfriend to your family before Anden asks, his voice gentle.

INE

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MJ

I hesitate for a long moment, my fingers fidgeting nervously in my lap. “I guess I haven’t had that many serious

esita hips. I confess awkwardly. “Besides, when it comes to bringing boyfriends home to my family, I always felt this…

Instinct. It felt like I wasn’t supposed to.

“What do you mean?” Aiden asks with a raised eyebrow. I shrug, unable to fully articulate the feeling that has always been nagging at the back of my mind.

“I don’t know,” I say, “it’s just something I’ve always felt, deep down. Call it intuition, I guess. Lucky for you, you’re the exception.” I tease.

We stop in a small town for a quick lunch on the way. We get a meal at a local diner with only a few patrons hanging around. inside. It’s refreshing to go somewhere in public and not be swamped by paparazzi for once. It seems like no one in the town even knows who Aiden 15,

It’s an oddly wistful feeling to be doing something so normal with Aiden. I know that I’ve gotten myself into a very abnormal world with everything that’s happened recently, but is sort of refreshing. Aiden and I eat burgers and flick balled-up napkins at each other. We laugh at each other’s jokes openly and don’t have to worry about who’s listening We climb back into the car and hit the road again. It’s early afternoon now, and Aiden and I take turns showing each other our favorite songs Everything feels so simple and so intimate

As we near any hometown, my thoughts can’t help but turn to Zack. Even after years of dating, he had no interest in my family life. I can’t help but feel a pang of regret for spending so much time on someone who didn’t care about me at all,

“It’s so weird, I admit quietly, “realizing how little Zack actually cared about me. He was the one who pursued insisted on a relationship.” I scoff “Some fated mate he claimed to be. He didn’t even put in any effort.”

ΠΕ

and

Aiden reaches over to squeeze my shoulder comfortingly I feel optimistic about introducing Aiden to my family. His presence beside me fills me with a newfound sense of strength and courage.

“I’m really excited for you to meet them, though,” I say, with a smile. “I hope you like them.”

Aiden smells brightly back at me. “I can’t wait,” he says sincerely. “I want want to know everything about you.”

it to explore every aspect of your identity, Carol. I

Aiden’s POV

My eyes can’t help but linger on Carol out of the comer of my eye. It isn’t just how the light catches her auburn hair or the beauty of her small smile-there’s so much more to Carol that meets the eye, something I’m realizing more and more every day

There’s something different about Carol. I’m sure of it. I felt this way for some time now, and recent events have only convinced me more and more. Carol seems to have an almost magical effect on other people. It’s something I don’t think she’s realized yet.

I want to meet Carol’s family because I care about her, and I want their approval, certainly, but there’s even more to it tharr that. I can’t help but wonder if her family has something to do with these strange abilities.

For now, I put aside my conflicted feelings. Instead, I focus on the road ahead of us, and the sound of Carol’s voice from beside me. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

LEND GIFT

M