All Chapters of Blood beneath the ice : Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

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,

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

The moment Kane closed the storage room door, everything between them changed forever.The small room at the back of the arena smelled like old equipment and dust. Dim light came from one bulb overhead. Kane stood with his back against the door. Elias faced him with his arms crossed, waiting."Start talking," Elias said. "No more half answers. What are you really?"Kane took a deep breath. "I am a werewolf. Not some story or movie version. The real thing. I was born this way."Elias stared at him hard. "A werewolf. You mean shifting, howling, full moon stuff?""Yeah," Kane answered. "Shifting. Healing fast. Strength that is not normal. All of it."Elias leaned against a shelf but did not step back. "How long have you lived like this? Does it hurt when you change?""It has been my whole life," Kane said. "The change does not hurt exactly but it fights me. I have to keep it locked down every single day."Elias rubbed his face. "This explains everything. The way you never get tired. The

Pushing Elias away felt like ripping his own heart out but Kane saw no other choice.The days after the away game turned tense. Kane avoided Elias during team meetings and practices. He gave short answers when they crossed paths and kept his distance on the ice. The mate bond made every step away hurt deep inside his chest.During morning skate Elias skated up beside him. "We need to talk about what happened."Kane kept his eyes on the puck. "Nothing to talk about. Focus on your game."Elias matched his speed. "You cannot just shut me out. The bond goes both ways. It hurts when you do this."Kane pushed harder. "It is safer this way. Stay away from me for a while."Later in the weight room Elias tried again. "Why are you doing this? After everything we said in the locker room."Kane lifted weights without looking at him. "Because knowing me puts you in danger. Simple as that."Elias set his weights down. "It is not simple. I feel the pull even when you ignore me. It aches. Does it hur