Chapter 47: Season Two - The First Skate

A week after the championship, Vancouver was still celebrating.

Murals of the Vancouver Grizzlies had appeared across downtown. Kids wore tiny jerseys with “Baby Fangs” on the back. Every sports channel replayed the final goal on loop.

But for the Thorne family, the spotlight had finally dimmed—at least for a moment.

And for the first time in a long while…

Things were quiet.

---

Morning at the Lake

The frozen lake behind the cabin had smoothed out again, the towering ice structures from Finn’s earlier outburst now melted into a clean, glassy surface.

Perfect ice.

Jake stood at the edge, holding two pairs of very small skates.

“You sure about this?” he asked.

Alex leaned against the railing, arms crossed, smiling.

“They’ve been waiting all week.”

Behind them, the cabin door burst open.

Finn ran out first.

“Skate time?!”

Liam followed, slightly wobblier but just as excited.

“Boom skate!”

Jake crouched down, holding up the tiny skates.

“Alright, first lesson.”

---

First Steps on Ice

Minutes later, both twins stood at the edge of the lake.

Bundled in warm gear. Tiny helmets slightly too big. Skates laced carefully.

Finn looked determined.

Liam looked… curious.

Jake stepped onto the ice first, steady and balanced.

“Okay,” he said, holding out his hands. “Come to me.”

Finn stepped forward.

His skate slipped—

—but instead of falling, a thin layer of frost formed instantly beneath his blade.

He stabilized.

Jake raised an eyebrow.

“Well… that’s one way to learn.”

Finn grinned proudly.

“I skate!”

Liam stepped forward next.

He wobbled—

Then suddenly lifted an inch off the ice.

“Boom… float skate?”

Alex laughed from the shoreline.

“That counts.”

---

Learning Control

For the next hour, the lake filled with laughter.

Finn practiced pushing forward, leaving faint frost trails behind him.

Liam alternated between skating and accidentally hovering, drifting slightly off course before Jake gently guided him back down.

“Feet on the ice,” Jake reminded.

“Sometimes,” Liam replied.

Brody sat nearby on a wooden bench, sipping coffee.

“I’m watching two toddlers break the laws of physics before breakfast,” he said.

Alex shrugged.

“Parenting’s been a learning curve.”

---

A Small Scare

At one point, Finn pushed too hard.

The ice beneath him surged outward suddenly—

A ripple of freezing energy spreading across the lake.

Jake moved instantly, grabbing him before the wave could grow.

“Easy,” Jake said firmly.

Finn blinked, startled.

“Too big?”

Jake softened slightly.

“Yeah. But you’ll learn.”

Alex stepped closer, kneeling in front of him.

“Power’s not the problem,” Alex said gently. “Control is.”

Finn nodded slowly.

“Control.”

---

Liam’s Breakthrough

Meanwhile, Liam stood still, watching.

Then he lifted a small puck into the air again.

But this time—

Instead of dropping it—

He guided it.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Across the ice.

It slid through the air and landed perfectly in front of Finn.

Liam beamed.

“Pass!”

Jake blinked.

“Okay… that’s actually impressive.”

---

Family Moment

By late morning, both twins were exhausted.

They sat bundled in blankets near the edge of the lake, sipping warm drinks.

Finn leaned against Alex.

“I like skating.”

Alex smiled.

“Me too.”

Liam rested against Jake.

“Boom skating good.”

Jake chuckled softly.

“Yeah, it is.”

For a moment, everything felt normal.

Just a family.

On a frozen lake.

---

Back to the League

Later that day, Alex returned to Rogers Arena for the first official meeting of the new season.

The championship banner now hung proudly from the rafters.

Players gathered beneath it, looking up.

Brody nudged Alex.

“Still feels weird, huh?”

Alex nodded.

“A little.”

Coach walked in and clapped his hands.

“Alright, champions,” he said. “New season starts now.”

The room shifted instantly.

Focus returned.

Hunger.

Drive.

---

A Shadow Returns

That night, back at the cabin, the wind picked up again.

Jake stood outside, watching the dark tree line.

Lucien joined him silently.

“They didn’t disappear,” Lucien said.

Jake didn’t look away.

“I know.”

Far in the distance—

A faint red glow flickered briefly between the trees.

Then vanished.

Jake’s jaw tightened.

“They’re watching.”

---

The Next Phase

Deep underground, far from Vancouver, the Crown Court leader stood before a new structure.

Not a weapon.

Not a device.

Something… larger.

A massive circular chamber pulsing with energy.

“The heirs have begun training,” one advisor reported.

The leader nodded.

“Good.”

He stepped forward, placing a hand on the surface of the structure.

“Then we begin as well.”

The chamber lit up.

---

Back at the Cabin

Inside, Finn and Liam slept peacefully.

Their tiny skates rested by the door.

Alex stood watching them for a moment.

Jake stepped beside him.

“They did good today.”

Alex smiled softly.

“Yeah.”

He glanced toward the window.

“You think we get a break?”

Jake followed his gaze into the dark forest.

“Maybe a short one.”

Then he looked back at his family.

“But whatever comes next…”

Alex nodded.

“We face it together.”

---

Outside, the frozen lake shimmered under the moonlight.

Calm.

Quiet.

But not for long.

---

Season Two has begun.

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