Inheritance Redefined

Chapter Eight

The morning sun spilled over the grounds of Viremont Academy, casting long shadows across the manicured lawns and ivy-covered stone walls. Birds chirped softly as students hurried past, clutching books and chatting in small groups.

Elara wandered near the sports complex between classes and stopped in front of a set of glass doors revealing a pristine ice rink inside. The smooth surface gleamed under harsh white lights, empty and silent, a small world of frozen calm in the bustling school.

Of course there was a rink. Elara smiled to herself as she rolled her eyes. Only a school like this would have a rink.

She thought about what Coach Nina said about her needing to put in more hours if she wanted to make the Winter Formal, an event at school where skaters usually skate for preperation for their first comp.

She could just come practice at the school's rink in the morning. All she had to do was get permission.

---

Later that afternoon, after the last bell, Elara made her way to the administrative office, her steps steady despite the nervous flutter in her chest. A woman sat behind a big desk – Ms. Benedetti – her nametag read.

Ms. Benedetti looked up from her paperwork with a sharp gaze that felt like it measured everything and everyone and a permanent-looking scowl on her face. "Can I help you?"

Elara took a breath. "Hi, I'd like to request permission to use the ice rink in the mornings. For figure skating practice."

Ms. Benedetti raised a skeptical brow. "The rink is primarily reserved for the hockey team. Coach Garcia handles the schedule. You’ll need his approval, plus you'll have to fill out a liability form."

"I understand." Elara nodded. "Can I meet him?"

The woman picked up the phone and dialed quickly, her voice turning low and seductive. "Coach? Elara Calviero here wants to talk rink access."

Elara scrunched her nose at the woman's tone.

A few minutes later, a tall man with almost no hair and a casual swagger entered the office. He wore the school’s hockey team jacket, and his dark eyes flicked over Elara with a mixture of curiosity and mild amusement.

Behind him, stood Thiago with an impassive look on his face.

Coach Garcia fixed Elara with a steady gaze. "You want access to the rink?"

"Yes, sir. My coach said I needed more practice and I thought it would be great to use the rink in the mornings." Elara nodded.

The coach nodded. "You have your things here?"

Elara nodded,"Yes sir. I have practice this afternoon."

The Coach nodded slowly, as if he was considering something. "You any good?"

Thiago crossed his arms and grinned. "She's good. Way better than half the guys out there. I saw her practice yesterday."

Coach Garcia smirked. "I have a condition. If you want to practice here, it's not just going to be skating circles. You'll help my team out a few times. Edge work, balance drills. Our guys need it bad."

Elara blinked, surprised. "Help the hockey team?"

Thiago’s grin widened. "Yeah. They skate like they're wearing cement blocks in their boots."

Elara smiled slowly. "If you think It would help, then sure."

The coach handed her a clipboard with a wide smile on his face. "Sign these papers. Welcome to the team, sort of."

---

That evening, Elara walked into the Calviero estate, still buzzing from the day's success. She barely had her skate bag off before Elias confronted her.

"You joined the hockey team?" His voice was sharp, disbelief etched into every word.

"No," Elara said calmly. "The coach asked me to help with footwork and balance for a few morning practices. That's all."

Elias threw up his hands in aggravation. "Do you even know what it's like with all those boys? The locker room? The jokes? The fights?"

"I'll be on the ice. Not in the locker room, and Alessandro already said it's fine by him." Elara said firmly.

"That’s not the point." He ran a hand through his hair, frustration breaking through. "Ice-Hockey is my thing. None of my brothers do it."

"So I'm supposed to hide? Pretend I'm not good enough?" Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"I'm going to help the team. It's the only way I can use the rink and get in more practice." Elara said softly.

Elias stood frozen, the fight draining out of him, then turned sharply and left the room.