Chapter 2: Shadows on the Ice

High in the mountains of Whistler, the NHL summer training camp had begun. Snowy peaks surrounded the rink, and the air was cold and sharp.

Two months had passed since the playoffs.

Alex Thorne arrived early every day. He had trained harder than ever. He lifted heavier weights, skated longer hours, and sharpened every skill he had. In his mind there was only one goal.

Beat Jake Harlow.

---

Morning Drill

The first drill of the day was simple: one-on-one battles.

And the coaches paired them together.

Alex vs. Jake.

The rink was quiet. No fans. Only players, coaches, and the sound of skates on ice.

The puck dropped.

Alex shot forward fast, stickhandling with power. He moved left and right, trying to push past Jake.

But Jake followed every move like a shadow.

He checked Alex hard but perfectly controlled, knocking the air out of him. Their jerseys pressed together as they fought for the puck.

“You’re slower today, Thorne,” Jake said with a teasing smile.

In one quick move, he stole the puck and skated away so smoothly it almost looked effortless.

Alex growled and hooked Jake’s leg.

Both of them crashed onto the ice.

Jake landed on top of him, pinning him down. His thighs locked Alex’s hips in place. Their helmets had fallen off, and now their faces were only inches apart.

Jake’s cool breath brushed Alex’s lips.

“Give up?” Jake whispered.

“Never.”

Alex twisted hard and flipped them over. Now Jake was under him, wrists pinned to the ice.

Jake’s dark hair spread across the ice like ink. His chest rose slowly, strangely calm for someone who had just fought hard.

His blue eyes burned into Alex’s.

For a moment neither of them moved.

Then the coaches shouted.

“Break it up!”

They quickly stood and skated away.

But Jake smirked.

“Feisty,” he said. “I like it.”

---

Evening Sauna

After a long scrimmage that afternoon, the players went to the locker room sauna.

Alex had scored two goals during practice—one of them by skating right past Jake.

It felt good.

Inside the sauna, steam filled the air. Players sat quietly, relaxing after training.

Alex wore only a towel around his waist.

Then Jake walked in last.

He removed his towel and sat across from Alex. His skin looked smooth and perfect—no scars, no tattoos, nothing.

Almost too perfect.

Steam rolled across his chest and shoulders.

Alex tried not to stare.

Finally he spoke.

“That hit in Chicago,” Alex said. “You could’ve hurt me worse. You held back.”

Jake looked at him.

“I didn’t want to break my favorite rival.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Favorite? I thought you hated me.”

Jake stood and stepped closer.

“Hate and want are sometimes very close,” he said quietly.

He lifted his hand and gently held Alex’s jaw.

His fingers were cool, but Alex felt heat rush through his body.

“You’re always in my head, Thorne,” Jake whispered. “Every night.”

Before Alex could think, he stood up and kissed him.

The kiss was sudden and intense. Jake froze for a second, then kissed him back just as fiercely. Their bodies pressed together as the steam surrounded them.

Alex ran his hands through Jake’s hair. Jake pulled him closer.

For a moment the world disappeared.

Then Jake suddenly pulled away.

Sharp fangs brushed Alex’s lip.

A tiny drop of blood appeared.

Jake’s eyes turned bright red.

“Shit,” Jake muttered. “I can’t.”

Alex wiped his lip, tasting blood.

“What are you?” he asked.

Jake looked at him sadly.

“Hungry. Immortal. A vampire… if you want the simple word.”

Then he grabbed his clothes and rushed out of the sauna.

---

By the Lake

Later that night, Alex found him outside near the lake under the moonlight.

Tall pine trees surrounded the water, and the mountains stood dark against the sky.

Jake stared at the stars.

“Talk,” Alex said as he walked up.

Jake sighed.

“I was turned in 1876 in London,” he said. “I’ve played different ice sports for over a century. Hockey now. It’s easy to hide among athletes.”

He looked at Alex seriously.

“I drink stored blood so I don’t hurt people. But this—” he gestured between them “—is dangerous. If hunters or the league find out… it’s over.”

Alex stepped closer.

“Let them worry about that,” he said.

Then he kissed Jake again, slower this time.

Jake melted into the kiss. They fell onto the grass together under the stars, laughing softly between kisses.

For a while there was nothing but the sound of the lake and their breathing.

But soon the sky began to grow lighter.

Dawn was coming.

Jake gently pulled away.

“Midnight,” he said quietly. “My cabin. If you’re brave enough.”

Then, almost like a shadow, he disappeared into the trees.

Alex stood there, heart racing.

Jake Harlow.

Rival. Vampire.

Maybe something more.

And Alex knew one thing for sure.

He was going to that cabin.