Chapter 95

Lucas POV

I had a plan.

I knew that I needed to get to the game as fast as possible, and the only thing standing in my way was this lousy door and the six-foot guard on the other side.

The tension that had been building within me finally erupted, fueling my every move.

The security guard sent by my father had been an extra layer of protection for my father to stop me. But it wouldn't be enough to stop me.

With all my strength, I lunged forward, my fists a blur of precision and power. The impact of my blows reverberated through the door, and I could practically feel the surge of energy coursing through my veins.

I'd been training for most of my life. There's no way I couldn't get through this.

With one final push, the door gave in and opened... Or more like it fell apart.

The guard stumbled back, surprise and fear evident in his eyes. But I didn't allow him a chance to regain his composure.

I quickly got to my feet and kicked the bottom of his feet to bring him crashing to the ground. He was startled, I could tell from the look on his face as he shook his head.

With one final surge of strength, I hit him on the side of the head, not hurting him, but just knocking him unconscious.

I stood over him, chest heaving, as I watched his eyes shut.

Well, that was easier than I thought it would be.

It was a small victory, a fight against control and power that had held me down for far too long. But it was a victory nonetheless.

I knew I had to get out of here before my father wandered in... In case he was still here.

Leaving the scene behind, I rushed toward the Hollow High hockey where the game was taking place.

I went well over the speed limit as I raced down the road. This game was too important for me to miss, and it wasn't just because of the victory. It was our chance to secure a place in the championships.

This has been my team's goal for the entire year. I wasn't going to let my father ruin this for me.

I finally arrived at Hollow High and jumped off my bike and sprinted toward the doors.

I was already late. How late? I didn't know.

But it would be fine. I was going to make up for this.

As I entered the arena, a wave of energy enveloped me.

Like I suspected, the game was in progress. My teammates were battling fiercely on the ice. Every fiber of my being yearned to be out there with them, but I needed to put my gear on.

I ran to the locker rooms, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.

Shana's POV:

The Dragons were struggling, their usual coordination disrupted by the absence of their captain... Lucas.

James was doing his best to take Lucas's place, his voice a constant stream of encouragement and direction. But it was clear that his coaching wasn't the same. It was an imbalance that threw off the entire team's rhythm.

They needed their captain.

"They're not playing like themselves," Victoria noted.

"I know," I agreed, my fingers tapping anxiously on my knees. "They're trying, though."

The Serpents took advantage of the Dragons' vulnerability, taunting and jeering. I could hear the threats they were shouting from the stands.

The game was already well underway, but Lucas's absence was like a shadow over the ice. Victoria's grip on the seat tightened, her concern mirroring my own.

"He has to show up soon, right?" Victoria's eyes never left the rink.

I nodded. "He has to."

I scanned the ice, my heart sinking as I realized that Lucas was still nowhere to be seen.

"Ugh. Where is he?" Victoria's voice held a touch of anxiety, her eyes scanning the rink as if hoping to spot Lucas at any moment.

"I don't know," I replied, my voice tinged with worry. "He should've been here by now..."

I clenched my fists, my heart pounding as I watched the Dragons' frustration build more and more.

This was going horribly wrong, and I couldn't stop thinking about Lucas.

It felt wrong to be sitting here when I had no idea what was going on with him.

I was preparing myself to leave just as a moving red figure burst onto the ice.

It was Lucas.

His sudden appearance was met with a surge of excitement from the crowd, cheers erupting as he took his place among his teammates. I couldn't help but feel a rush of relief at the sight of him.

He was unharmed and ready to play.

He shouted so loud, I could hear his voice clearly. It carried over the ice as he called for the team to huddle.

The energy in the stadium shifted as the Dragons rallied around him.

The ice seemed to crackle with electricity as they prepared for a final push and a surge of hope washed over the crowd.

"Oh my God. He's back," I whispered.

"Yeah, but where was he?" Victoria's voice was tinged with curiosity, her eyes fixed on Lucas as he rallied his teammates.

The relief on all their faces at the sight of him was priceless. Everyone huddled around in a circle as Lucas gave them all a short pep talk, probably trying to boost morale.

As the huddle broke apart, Lucas looked toward the stands and I wondered what he was looking for.

When his eyes found mine, I was surprised to see the flicker of relief that flashed across his face.

In that short moment, which probably only lasted seconds, we shared an unspoken assurance. He was letting me know that he was all right—that Kendrick hadn't been able to tear him down this time.

The previous anxiety and tension in my chest began to ease. Now, I felt a sense of hope.

I cupped my hands over my mouth and shouted, "Let's go Dragons!"

Victoria looked at me with a laugh and did the same. The both of us began chanting "Dragons! Dragons! Dragons!" and the crowd around us followed suit.

I looked back at Lucas to see him smiling and shaking his head at me before returning to the game.

The Dragons fought back with a vengeance. It was evident in their determination after every play.

The Serpents fought hard, but the scales were slowly tipping in our favor. With Lucas now leading the team, the players seemed to find their familiar rhythm again.

"Look at him go!" Victoria exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride. "He's a natural leader."

"He's amazing!" I agreed.

My heart swelled as I watched Lucas's skill unfold on the ice.

There were only seconds left in the game when I knew that the victory would be ours. We were up by a handful of points. There would be no chance for the Serpents to overtake us now.

The buzzer ran out, signaling the end of the game.

"He did it!" I laughed, pulling Victoria into a hug. Both of us jumped up and down in our seats.

"It looks like the Dragons are going to the championships!"