(Caleb)
The rink felt colder than usual during morning practice, even though Brooks was still sidelined with his shoulder injury.
I blew the whistle, skating backward as the team ran the new defensive drill. Brooks was healing but wouldn’t be back for at least another game or two. We needed a replacement who could hold the left side without crumbling under the Wolves’ pressure. I had spent half the night watching film, studying Kane’s new tactics — the way they overloaded Brooks to pull Danica out of position. The way Kane himself had pulled back every time she came near.
It still burned.
“Again!” I shouted, voice carrying across the ice. “Ethan’s spot needs someone who won’t fold. We’re not letting the Wolves dictate the game anymore.”
Riot skated up beside me during the line change,
