Scored by the Alpha

I kicked the soccer ball with all my strength, watching it sail through the air and hit the back of the net with a satisfying swoosh. The floodlights of the empty field cast long shadows across the grass as I jogged to retrieve it, my breath forming small clouds in the cool night air.

"One more," I muttered to myself, setting up another shot. "Just one more perfect shot and I'll call it a night."

This was my ritual—late-night solo training when the field was deserted and silent. Just me, the ball, and the endless pursuit of perfection. As captain of the girls' soccer team, I couldn't afford to be just good. I had to be exceptional.

After sending another ball flying into the top corner of the goal, I finally allowed myself to acknowledge the burning in my muscles. My watch showed 10:30 PM. Mom would start worrying soon.

"Time to wrap it up, Carter," I told myself, gathering the balls into my training bag.

The school was eerily quiet as I made my way toward the locker rooms. Most nights, I had the entire sports complex to myself—the perks of having a mom who worked in school administration and could get me after-hours access.

I pushed open the door to what I thought was the girls' locker room, my mind already halfway home, planning tomorrow's training schedule. It wasn't until I heard the sound of running water that I realized something was wrong.

This wasn't the girls' locker room.

I froze as a tall figure emerged from the shower area, a towel wrapped loosely around his hips. Water droplets clung to his broad shoulders and defined chest, catching the fluorescent light. His dark hair was slicked back, revealing a face that seemed carved from marble—strong jaw, straight nose, and the most intense eyes I'd ever seen.

Those eyes locked with mine, widening in surprise before something else flickered in them—something I couldn't name but that sent a strange heat rushing through my body.

"I—I'm so sorry," I stammered, my cheeks burning. "Wrong door."

But I didn't move. I couldn't. It was as if some invisible force held me in place, making it impossible to tear my gaze away from his. The stranger didn't speak either. He just stared at me with an intensity that made my heart hammer against my ribs.

Finally, he broke the silence. "You're Lila Carter." It wasn't a question.

I blinked, surprised that he knew my name. "How did you—"

"Captain of the girls' soccer team," he continued, his voice deep and smooth. "Your reputation precedes you."

Something about the way he said it made me feel both flattered and exposed. I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly very aware that I was standing in the boys' locker room with a half-naked stranger who somehow knew who I was.

"And you are?" I managed to ask, trying to regain some composure.

"Noah. Noah Wolfe." He took a step closer, and I caught a scent that made my