Page 13 of Checks & Bonds

"Right," I muttered, realizing he wasn't going to respond. I put my tape away and started to head out, but something made me pause. "Hey. How did Freya find out? About the ceremony?"

Liam straightened up, his expression thoughtful. "From what I overheard," he said slowly, "it was Rebecca. Freya has a card, Henry. Just so you know the gravity of the situation."

A cold knot formed in my stomach. A card meant access—meant she was deeper into this than I thought.

"Great," I muttered under my breath, feeling the weight of this new information settle heavily on my shoulders. The last thing I needed was Freya involved in Ravenwood’s mess.

Liam's gaze softened slightly, as if he understood the turmoil brewing inside me. But he didn't say anything more, just went back to unpacking his gear.

I nodded to myself, a silent acknowledgment that things had just gotten a lot more complicated. As much as I wanted to walk away from it all, I knew deep down that wasn't an option anymore.

With a final glance at Liam, who was now fully focused on his equipment, I turned and left the locker room. The chill of the rink air hit me like a slap in the face as I made my way toward the ice. This was supposed to be my temple—a place where everything made sense.

Now it felt like just another battleground.

Freya at the Imprinting ceremony? The very thought twisted something inside me—a blend of anger and fear that left me feeling unsteady on my feet.

I took a deep breath and stepped onto the ice, letting the familiar sensation ground me once more. Whatever came next, I'd have to face it head-on.

And somehow keep Freya out of it.

After practice,I headed to River Styx, the on-campus café that served as the unofficial hub for students in between classes. It was a sprawling place with mismatched furniture and walls adorned with student artwork. The scent of coffee mingled withthe sweet aroma of freshly baked pastries. A steady hum of conversation filled the air, punctuated by the occasional clatter of cups and silverware.

As I stepped inside, my eyes scanned the room for Rebecca. I spotted her almost immediately, surrounded by a gaggle of her friends at a corner table. They were laughing loudly, their voices rising above the general din. Rebecca’s long brown hair shimmered under the café’s warm lights, and her easy smile lit up her face.

Her friends were a familiar sight—puck bunnies, as they were known around campus. They had that unmistakable look: trendy athletic wear that seemed more suited for a fashion runway than a gym, meticulously styled hair, and perfectly applied makeup that never smudged, even during the most heated games. They were always at the rink, cheering loudly for every goal and hanging around afterward in hopes of catching a player's eye.

And they were right there, willing to fuck whatever player who looked at them.

Rebecca glanced up and saw me. Her smile faltered for a moment before she quickly recovered, waving me over with an enthusiastic gesture.

I took a deep breath and made my way across the room, weaving through tables and chairs. As

I made my way to Rebecca’s table, the noise of the café fading as I approached. Her friends’ eyes lit up with mischievous curiosity.

"We need to talk," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind in my head.

"Ooh, serious business!" one of the girls cooed, her eyes dancing with mockery.

"Trouble in paradise?" another teased, her grin wide and unrestrained.

Rebecca's face flushed a deep red. "I'm sure whatever you want to say can be said in front of my friends," she insisted, her tone defiant yet shaky.

I arched an eyebrow, giving her a moment to reconsider. Silence stretched between us, heavy and expectant.

Rebecca huffed, glancing away. "I'll be right back," she grumbled, pushing her chair back with a scrape against the floor.

As she stood, one of the girls leaned closer to me, her voice dripping with flirtation. Amber, I thought her name was. "You know, Henry, if you ever need a shoulder to cry on..." She trailed off suggestively, her fingers brushing against my arm.

I pulled away, not even sparing her a glance. Rebecca was already heading towards the door, and I followed her out of the café.

Once we were outside, I led her to a secluded spot behind the library. The sounds of the campus faded, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the distant hum of traffic.

She spun around, eyes blazing. "You embarrassed me back there, Henry. In front of my friends! What was so important that you had to drag me out here?"

"Are you done?" I asked when she paused for breath.

"What?" She tilted her head, her expression shifting from anger to confusion. "Why are you so serious? More serious, since you're always so serious." She sidled over to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. Her perfume wafted up, a sickly sweet reminder of better days.

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