Blood beneath the ice

One wrong move on the ice could expose the monster hiding inside him.

The crowd noise crashed over Kane Harlan like thunder the moment he stepped onto the frozen surface. Twenty thousand fans screamed for blood and he planned to give them exactly that. He pushed off hard, skates biting into the ice as the game exploded into motion around him. Cold air burned his lungs but he welcomed it. This was his world. This was where he could let the beast loose just enough without anyone knowing.

A rival winger came flying down the wing with the puck. Kane met him like a wall. Their bodies collided with a loud crack that echoed through the arena.

"Get off my ice," Kane growled, shoving the guy away from his team's star player.

The winger shoved back, stick raised. "Who the hell do you think you are, Harlan? Keep your hands to yourself."

Kane leaned in close, voice low and rough. "I am the guy who ends your night if you try that again. Back off."

His teammate skated past quickly. "Nice hit, Kane. Keep them honest out here."

"Always do," Kane called back without taking his eyes off the rival.

Play moved fast. Sticks slapped against the puck. Bodies crashed into boards. Kane stayed in constant motion, positioning himself between danger and his guys. Another forward from the other team tried a dirty elbow on his center.

"Hey," Kane shouted as he closed the gap. "You touch him again and we are going to have real words."

The forward laughed through his mouth guard. "Big man talking. Come on then."

They dropped gloves in a flash. Fists flew quick and hard. Kane landed a solid punch that sent the guy stumbling.

"Stay down," Kane warned as refs pulled them apart.

"You got lucky," the rival spat.

"Luck has nothing to do with it," Kane shot back.

In the penalty box a minute later, one of his own linemates stopped by the glass. "You okay after that scrap?"

"Yeah," Kane answered shortly. "Just another night."

The linemate grinned. "We would be lost without you smashing people for us."

Kane gave a small nod. "That is the job."

He hated talking too much. Every extra word risked giving something away. The wolf inside him stayed quiet for now, satisfied with the violence of the game. But he could feel it watching, waiting.

Second period flew by in a blur of speed and checks. Kane broke up three more rushes, each time exchanging words with frustrated opponents.

"You hit like a truck," one rival said after a big collision.

Kane wiped sweat from his face. "Then stop coming at my guys."

Another teammate yelled from the bench during a stoppage. "Kane, you are a beast out there tonight."

"Someone has to be," Kane replied.

Elias Voss, the captain, skated over during a faceoff setup. "You are carrying us again. That shoulder okay after the last hit?"

"Fine," Kane said. "Focus on scoring. I will handle the rest."

Elias studied him for a beat. "You never say much, do you?"

"Not much to say," Kane muttered as the puck dropped.

The game stayed tight and physical. Kane loved the raw power flowing through him. He protected the net, won board battles, and kept his distance from any real friendships. That was safest.

Late in the third period the score was tied and tensions ran high. Kane saw the play developing and moved to intercept. A rival defenseman came barreling toward him with bad intentions, no puck in sight.

"Watch yourself," Kane warned loudly.

The guy did not listen. The hit came in late and vicious, driving Kane hard into the boards. Pain exploded through his ribs and back. The impact rattled his teeth.

His teammate shouted from nearby. "Ref, that was dirty. Call something."

Kane tried to push himself up but the pain triggered the change. He felt his eyes burn hot.

Elias reached him first, skating in fast and kneeling beside him. "Kane, talk to me. How bad is it?"

"Leave it," Kane growled, keeping his head down.

"No way," Elias said firmly. "That hit was late. You went down like a sack of bricks. Let me see your face."

Kane breathed through clenched teeth. "I said I am good. Get back to the game."

Elias did not move. "Your eyes. Kane, look at me. What is happening with your eyes right now?"

The arena noise started to fade in Kane's ears. He could feel the claws pressing against the inside of his gloves. The wolf pushed hard against his control.

"Back off, Voss," Kane said, voice strained. "You do not want to be here."

Elias leaned closer, voice urgent but calm. "I am not going anywhere. Tell me what is going on. I saw something just now. Your eyes flashed. That is not normal."

Kane finally lifted his head. Their eyes met directly. His own glowed bright gold for a moment, impossible and wild.

Elias stared straight into them, shock clear on his face. "Holy hell. Your eyes are glowing. And your hands. What is that?"

"None of your business," Kane snapped, but the words came out weak.

"It is my business when it happens on my ice," Elias replied. "Talk to me, man. Are you hurt bad? Is this why you heal so fast all the time?"

Kane tried to stand but the shift still fought him. "You need to forget what you saw. Right now."

Elias shook his head. "I cannot forget that. Tell me the truth before the trainer gets here and everyone else sees."

"You would not believe me anyway," Kane said, voice rough.

"Try me," Elias pressed. "I have noticed things about you for months. The way you never get tired. The way bruises disappear. What are you?"

The crowd noise grew distant as Kane held Elias's stare. His claws had started to push out just a little against the gloves. The secret he had guarded for years hung right there between them on the ice.

Elias did not back down. "Whatever this is, I am not walking away. We are teammates. Let me help."

Kane felt the weight of those words. The beast inside howled and the arena lights seemed brighter. Everything he had built to stay hidden was cracking right in front of the one man who paid attention.