Behind His Mask: My Hockey Alpha

(Rhea's POV)

For some people, a painting is just art. But for me, it's peace-at least until an old painting arrived at the gallery this morning.

I stared at it-"The Moon Painting"-now laid out on the restoration table. The canvas was aged, the colors dull, and some corners were starting to peel. But what had me frozen wasn't just its physical state. There was something about this painting that made me... feel strange. Like my heart would beat faster every time I gently brushed its surface.

I'm Rhea Hale. A painting restorer. And since I was a kid, I've always had a sensitivity to old things. Some people call it intuition. My mom said I was "different." But to me, it just means I often end up emotionally drained after working.

Today I was alone in the restoration studio at Elaria Gallery. The afternoon light streamed in through the large windows, catching dust particles dancing in the air. "The Moon Painting" was set to be displayed at a charity event tomorrow at two. I was almost done restoring it.

"You look completely lost in that painting," said Mrs. Elka, the gallery owner, pulling me out of my thoughts. She stood in the doorway with a cup of tea in her hands.

I turned to her. "I don't know, Mrs. Elka. It feels like... I've seen this painting before. But I'm sure I haven't."

She walked over and examined the painting, brows furrowed. "That's how I felt when I first saw it too. It was found in storage at one of our old gallery branches. There's no record of the artist, but somehow... the vibe is strong."

I nodded slowly. "You're right, Mrs. Elka. Look at the eyes... They look alive."

"The eyes?" she asked with a chuckle.

I shook my head quickly. "I mean, they look like... they're following us."

She laughed. "That's just because you're exhausted from working on it."

Before the conversation could go on, the studio door swung open. Lina-my fellow restorer-walked in with a huge smile and two tickets in her hand.

"Rhea! Guess what I've got!" she said excitedly.

I grinned. "With that look on your face, I know it's not just good news-it's amazing news."

She waved two metallic blue tickets. "Exclusive tickets to tonight's hockey game! Front row seats! My friend works at the arena and just gave these to me!"

I raised an eyebrow. "Tonight? But we've got that charity event tomorrow at two."

Mrs. Elka cut in, "Relax. The painting's almost done, right? You can head home early-as long as your work's completely finished."

Lina nodded eagerly. "Besides, you'll totally regret it if you don't come. Because... Kaelan's playing tonight."

I rolled my eyes. "Kaelan Viero?"

"Yes! That's why you have to come! Come on. When else will we get to see him play live?"

After thinking it over for a bit, I nodded. "Alright. But we'll leave after I've cleaned everything up."

We chatted for a little while longer before