Chapter 4: Claws Out

The rivalry game was about to force Kane's secret into the open whether he wanted it or not.

The arena pulsed with energy from the first puck drop. This matchup always brought out the worst in both teams. Kane felt the high stakes in every shift. Opponents targeted him right from the opening minutes, trying to knock him out of the game early.

A big rival defenseman came at him hard during the first rush. "Harlan, tonight we end you."

Kane met him with a solid check. "Keep talking. See where it gets you."

They exchanged hits along the boards. The crowd roared louder.

His teammate yelled from the ice. "Kane, watch your back. They are gunning for you."

"I see them," Kane shouted back. "Just play your game."

The physical play got nastier fast. Another opponent slashed at Kane after the whistle. "You think you are untouchable?"

Kane shoved him away. "Try harder next time."

Elias skated over quick during a stoppage. "They are coming after you heavy. You holding up?"

"Always do," Kane answered. "Focus on the puck. I will handle these guys."

Elias nodded but looked concerned. "Do not let them take you out. We need you tonight."

The game stayed brutal. Kane blocked shots and protected his stars while opponents kept testing him. Trash talk flew across the ice the whole time.

One rival forward skated close. "Heard you are the big bad enforcer. Prove it."

Kane stared him down. "Stay away from my team and you will not have to find out."

The forward laughed. "Big words. Let us see if you can back them up."

They dropped gloves in the second period. Fists flew fast. Kane landed clean punches while the refs tried to break it up.

"Stay down," Kane warned as they separated.

"You hit like a monster," the rival said, breathing hard.

Kane wiped blood from his lip. "Remember that."

Elias found him again between shifts. "That fight looked bad. Your hand okay?"

"It is fine," Kane said. "Stop worrying about me."

"I worry because you take too much," Elias replied. "Let someone else handle a few hits for once."

Kane shook his head. "That is not how I play."

The third period brought the worst of it. The score was close and tensions boiled over. Multiple opponents went after Kane at once. A vicious fight broke out near the boards. Sticks dropped and gloves flew everywhere.

"Come on, Harlan," one rival taunted. "Show us what you really are."

Kane fought hard in the middle of the chaos. "You want to find out?"

Fists connected. Bodies slammed together. In the heat of the brawl Kane felt the shift hit him strong. His eyes glowed bright gold for a split second. Fangs pressed against his lips. The partial change showed right in front of Elias who was trying to pull players apart.

Most of the crowd missed the details in all the movement. But Elias saw everything clearly.

The refs finally broke up the fight. Kane skated back to the bench breathing hard. He forced the wolf down fast.

After the game the locker room noise faded behind them. Elias grabbed Kane by the arm and dragged him into a quiet hallway away from everyone.

"We talk now," Elias said firmly. "No more avoiding this."

Kane pulled his arm free. "Let it go, Voss."

Elias blocked the hallway. "I cannot let it go. I saw fangs. Your eyes glowed gold right in front of me during that fight. What the hell are you?"

Kane looked down the empty hall. "You saw wrong. It was the lights or the blood or something."

"Do not lie to me," Elias demanded. "I know what I saw. Twice now. On the ice tonight and before. Tell me the truth."

Kane stayed silent for a moment. The warning sat heavy in his chest.

Elias stepped closer. "I have watched you heal too fast. Take hits that should break bones. Now this. Are you even human?"

Kane finally met his eyes. "Part of me is not."

Elias waited. "Keep going. Explain it."

Kane spoke low. "I am a werewolf. That is the short version. The rest is complicated and dangerous."

Elias stared at him. "A werewolf. Like actual claws and full moon stuff?"

"Yeah," Kane admitted. "Something like that."

Elias ran a hand through his hair. "How long have you been like this? Does anyone else on the team know?"

"No one knows," Kane said. "And it has to stay that way."

Elias paced a few steps. "This explains so much. The strength. The way you never seem to get tired. Why did you never tell anyone?"

"Because it is not safe," Kane answered. "There are rules. Ancient ones. Humans cannot know."

Elias stopped pacing. "What happens if they do know?"

Kane looked straight at him. "Bad things. For both of us."

Elias crossed his arms. "I am not scared. I saw what I saw. I am in this now whether you like it or not."

Kane shook his head. "You do not understand. Knowing this could get you killed. The people who enforce these rules do not play around."

"Then explain the rules to me," Elias said. "I need to know what we are dealing with."

Kane leaned against the wall. "It is not that simple. My kind stays hidden for a reason. One slip and everything ends."

Elias stood firm. "I saw your fangs tonight. I saw your eyes. I am not pretending it did not happen. Talk to me about what this means for you."

Kane sighed. "It means I fight every day to stay in control. The wolf wants out. Especially around certain people."

"Like me?" Elias asked quietly.

Kane did not answer that part. "Knowing puts a target on you. Walk away while you still can."

Elias shook his head. "Too late for that. I am not walking away. Tell me more. How do you live with this secret every single day?"

Kane rubbed his face. "By staying alone. By using the game to burn off the energy. But now you know part of it."

"And I am still here," Elias said. "We will figure this out together."

Kane warned him one last time. "Knowing this truth could get you killed. Think hard about that before you ask for more."

The hallway felt smaller as the weight of the admission settled between them. Elias showed no sign of backing down.