Heather

I smiled at Coach Silas, making sure to turn on the charm to the max. He, like most men, was already falling in love with me. All I had to do was smile and look just a tad clueless and they got struck with Cupid’s arrow. It was too easy.

Coach Silas cleared his throat when he realized he was staring too hard and turned away.

“Follow me. I'll introduce you to the team.”

“Of course.”

I followed, closely behind him, feeling giddy inside and proud of myself.

It was my first official solo mission.

After years of going on missions with my sisters or sitting on the sidelines, father had finally accepted my request to take on the mission… It took a lot of convincing but he finally relented, saying I was ready and it was a good way to prove myself worthy.

And he was right, I was.

My mission was simple: Kill Zade Hunter. The hockey prodigy and the next in line for the Title of Alpha of the Hades Realm pack.

A pack that his father had stolen from my father many years ago.

Boys and girls on the campus gave me different looks as I passed by.

I had really nailed this hot P.R. look.

The boys were drooling. Even the girls. Only a few were staring at me like they were trying to find a flaw in me.

We made our way into the locker room and Silas yelled at the boys to get decent.

After a couple of minutes waiting outside in awkward silence. Someone yelled from the locker room.

“Our dicks are out of view now,”

With an unamused expression, I followed Coach Silas.

As soon as I stepped into view of the hockey players, a tense silence fell over the locker room as all eyes fell on me. It was almost like someone had pressed pause on the room.

“That's a nice-looking trophy,” someone said from behind and I was immediately disgusted.

I didn't say a word.

“Whoever said that, you'll be benched for the rest of the season.”

I smiled internally, thankful for Coach Silas coming to my defense. I knew what I was getting into before. College boys were dumb and didn't know how to act around a beautiful woman. I planned on teaching them how and bending them into shape. I was here for one person but it didn't mean I couldn't have side quests.

“Now, let me introduce you to Heather Sparks, your new PR manager.

A bunch of boys whistled.

“Damn, she can manage my body anytime.” Someone shouted in the back.

I rolled my eyes but kept my expression neutral.

What I wanted to do was put a bullet through his skull but I had to stick to my made-up personality.

I was supposed to be a flirt.

The coach introduced me one by one to the team, listing off names I barely paid attention to.

I was only here for one person

“Where is Hunter?” The coach asked.

“He's not here yet, Coach,” Jax, a tall, handsome blonde haired guy said.

“Why the hell not…?” The coach started to say but the sound of some running towards us from behind us caught us both off guard.

We both turned simultaneously and my breath caught in my mouth, my eyes widening.

Jogging towards us was the most breathtaking man I had ever seen.

Jet black hair, electric blue intense eyes, and an aristocratic nose and pouty lips that were kissable.

I immediately hated him.

“Where have you been?” Coach Silas snapped at him.

He took a glance at me and everything stood still for a second. Then I felt a pressure in my chest, my wolf stirred and howled.

My entire body shivered. I felt the primal urge to shift into my wolf form, so potent, I was finding it hard to stay still.

What the hell was happening to me?

My wolf howled within me.

And then I realized what this was.

Oh my God. The man I had been sent to kill was my mate.

“Miss Spark?” I heard someone call my name from a distance. Then I felt a hand grab my shoulders.

Shit. I spaced out.

“Were you saying something?” I asked Coach Silas, coolly, ignoring the intense look I was getting from Zade.

“Yes, this is our captain of the Hokey team, Zade Hunter. Sorry about his tardiness. He can be very… free-spirited.

Zade stretched his hands for me to shake.

I didn't take it. I was still stunned and disoriented. He really was my mate?

Somebody kill me.

“I see.” I said, not betraying the emotions I felt inside and turned to the coach, trying to hide my wolf, Ava’s attraction to him.

“Is this everyone?” I asked and the Coach nodded.

“It is. Now that you know everyone. We have practice in about 20 minutes and a shoot. Please stay and get to know the boys’ dynamic,”

“Of course,” I said, smiling just enough to seem warm.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed Zade staring at me with a weird expression.

I already knew what he was thinking.

‘Why is this girl not reacting to me?’

He was used to women foaming at the mouth over him. Unfortunately, I didn't plan to be one of those women. In fact, my mission was to kill him but not before seducing him.

The Coach gestured for me to follow and he did, ignoring the hollers and sat calls from the boys.

****

Practice ended after an hour and twenty minutes. I had spent those hours trying to pretend not to be very aware of Zade Hunter. Ever so often, our eyes would lock and I'd be blasted with a delicious feeling in my chest and intimate parts. It was so strong, I had to pinch myself to snap out of it.

Internally, I was suffering. Externally, I had a neutral, almost cold expression on my face.

“Good job, boys but you can do better!” The coach said, walking towards the hockey rink. “

I followed closely behind him.

A chorus of “Yes, coach,” tore through the rink from the boys as they huddled up together.

“Alright. Jax, you gotta keep your eyes on the price at all times. You were less distracted today but you missed a lot of opportunities to get the puck past the defense. Zade, good instincts as always, but you’re too cocky with your passes—clean it up.”

“Yes, Coach,” Zade said, his eyes finding mine.

I once again looked away like he wasn't there.

“Alright. Get out of here. Same time tomorrow, don't be late,”

“Don't we really gotta go, coach. Can't we get to know our PR more?”

“Go home, all of you. Except Zade. You still haven't gotten your pictures taken, young man,”

The rest of the boys grumbled and left.

“What pictures?” I asked the Coach.

“The promotional posters,” Coach Silas explained. “Each player has one, and Zade’s the only one missing. It’ll just take a few minutes.

I nodded, keeping my expression blank even though my pulse quickened. Alone with my target already?

Zade sauntered over, shirt clinging to his damp skin. “You staying to watch, Miss Sparks?” he smirked.

“Yes,” I answered simply then turned away.

I could feel frustration and anger emanating from him but I didn't care. I was more frustrated by the news that he was my mate.

Before I could take five steps, he blocked my path.

“What is your problem with me?” He asked, clearly upset by my lack of interest.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Have I done something to upset you?”

He had no idea.

“You're in my way,”

He stared at me shocked and in disbelief. I could tell he wasn't quite used to being rejected or being undesired. I would find his reaction funny if I weren't still upset.

I did not wait for him to finish before side-stepping him.