Chapter 3: Scent of Trouble

The wolf inside Kane woke up hungry for something it had never wanted before.

The team hit the ice for a hard practice the next morning. Whistles blew and drills started fast. Kane pushed himself through every tough exercise. Then the coach paired him directly with Elias for board battles. They had to fight for every puck in tight spaces. Close contact came whether they wanted it or not.

"Line up," the coach shouted. "Win those battles."

Kane got ready. Elias skated in front of him with a determined look. Their shoulders hit right away as they battled along the boards.

"You are tough today," Elias said, breathing hard while pushing back. "Give me everything you have got."

Kane shoved him off the puck. "You wanted this. Here it is."

They reset and went again. Kane caught Elias's scent strong and clear for the first time. It hit him like a punch. Clean sweat and something warm that made the wolf inside stir with real force. His control shook for a second.

"Keep moving," Kane told himself under his breath.

Elias stole the puck and laughed. "Nice effort. You seem distracted though. Everything okay after last night?"

"I am fine," Kane answered quickly. "Run the drill again."

They crashed together harder. Kane smelled that scent every time they locked up. The wolf pushed forward, wanting more. He had to fight to stay focused on the puck.

"Talk while we work," Elias said during the next battle. "This captain job is heavier than I thought. Everyone expects me to have all the answers. The pressure never lets up."

Kane battled for position. "Yeah, that sounds rough."

Elias kept pushing. "It is. I have to stay strong for the whole team. Never show weakness. How do you stay so apart from everyone? Does it help?"

Kane let a small piece slip. "Alone is safer. I learned that after I lost my people when I was young. No one around means no one gets hurt."

Elias looked surprised but kept fighting for the puck. "You lost your family? I had no idea. What happened back then?"

"Does not matter anymore," Kane said, shutting it down. "Old history."

Elias pressed during the next collision. "It does matter. You carry it in how you play. I notice these things as captain. Leadership means seeing when my players are struggling inside."

Kane won the puck that time and sent it away. "I handle my own stuff. You handle being captain. That is how it works."

"But we could share the load," Elias said. "I see how you protect the rookies even when you pretend not to care. There is a good man under that quiet act."

Kane met his eyes briefly. "You talk a lot, Voss. Most guys just play the game."

Elias grinned through the hard work. "Someone has to get you to open up. One word answers are not enough when we are out here every day together."

They kept drilling. Each battle brought them closer. Kane caught that scent stronger every single time. The wolf stirred harder. It made his hands feel unsteady and his focus slip.

"Again," Elias said, breathing fast. "You are holding back on me. I can feel it in every push."

"I am not holding back," Kane replied sharply.

They slammed together once more. Elias spoke between heavy breaths. "Yes you are. What are you scared of? We are on the same side here."

"Nothing," Kane said, but the word came out rougher than he meant.

Practice finally ended. The coach sent them to the showers. Steam filled the room fast. Kane stood under the hot water trying to calm down. Elias took the stall right next to him.

"That was a rough one," Elias said over the sound of running water. "My whole body hurts from those battles."

"Mine too," Kane answered.

Elias turned to face him more directly. "Going back to what we talked about. This leadership weight is crushing sometimes. Days when I wonder if I am really the right guy for the job."

"You are the right guy," Kane told him honestly. "The team listens to you because you earn it."

Elias stepped a little closer under the spray. "Thanks. That means something coming from you. Now what about your side? When are you going to let someone past that wall? That lonely past you mentioned earlier. You do not have to carry it by yourself forever."

The pull hit Kane hard. Elias's scent mixed with the steam and water. The wolf surged forward fast. His eyes started to burn hot. He felt the change trying to break through.

"Stay over there," Kane warned, voice low and tight.

Elias did not move away. "Why should I? Tell me what is happening with you right now. Your breathing is different. Your eyes look strange again."

Kane pressed one hand hard against the wet tile. "You do not get it. This is not safe. Just back off and finish your shower."

"I want to get it," Elias said, voice steady and close. "That feeling between us. The way your scent or whatever it is pulls at me too. What is really going on here, Kane?"

Kane fought the wolf with everything he had. Claws threatened to push out. His muscles stayed tight and ready to shift. The heated moment grew stronger in the steam. Water ran down both of them. He could feel every inch of the pull toward Elias.

"Talk to me," Elias continued softly. "I saw the way you reacted during drills. That is not normal. Let me in on it."

Kane shook his head. "This could ruin everything. You need to forget you noticed anything."

Elias stayed right there. "I cannot forget. We are connected somehow. I feel it when we are close like this. Tell me the truth before it gets worse."

The pull made Kane's heart race. The wolf wanted to reach out and claim. He held it back but barely. Their eyes locked through the steam.

Suddenly footsteps echoed loud from the hallway outside the showers. A teammate was coming in, whistling a random tune without a care.

Kane froze completely. Elias turned his head toward the sound at the exact same moment. The heated moment hung there, ready to be discovered.