BEYOND THE ICE

The heavy scent of ozone and pre-game tension hung in the air of San Diego, but for Lyon Navarro, the atmosphere inside his Harborview penthouse was far more suffocating.

It was his first day on the new job, and he was completely shredded. His heart hammered against his ribs like a panicked beast clawing at a silver cage. He stood before the floor-to-ceiling mirrored wardrobe, staring at a reflection that felt like a lie. He adjusted the lapels of a tailored, charcoal-grey jacket. It was cut to emphasize the broad strength of his shoulders and the lean taper of his waist-a silhouette that commanded respect, though today, he felt like prey.

Showing off had been his brand back at The Pacific Shredder. Being the center of a storm was exactly what had landed him in this high-stakes disaster.

Lyon ran a hand through his dark hair, debating whether to tie it back or leave it loose. He caught himself pouting in the glass-a sharp, restless expression. No. It was all wrong. Too striking. Too much like he was hunting for trouble. He needed to appear professional, not a target.

Normally, Lyon wouldn't be this neurotic. At his last gig, all that mattered was showing up with a lethal scoop before the presses rolled. But this wasn't a newsroom. He was walking into a den of literal monsters. Six of them, to be precise. And in the world of the Stormbreakers, if a man didn't dress for the hunt, he ended up as the meal.

For five years, Lyon had been the city's most feared investigative journalist. In a city like San Diego, there was only one predator worth tracking: The Stormbreakers. They weren't just the most aggressive hockey team in the league; they were a pack. Rumors of their lunar-driven tempers and supernatural strength were the worst-kept secrets in the Pacific Ice Arena. The city lived for the chaos of its six Alpha stars, and Lyon had made a career out of exposing every jagged edge of their lives.

He had spent half a decade making them hate him. He'd survived 3:00 AM drunken threats from Logan Hayes, who screamed about Lyon's articles regarding his legendary father. He'd seen Brandon Pierce walk out of high-society galas the moment Lyon stepped inside. He'd even been cornered by Mateo Cruz at the Neon Wave Club, the athlete's eyes glowing with a feral intensity as he growled about the suspension Lyon's latest exposé had triggered.

To Lyon, their hatred was a badge of honor. He'd orbited their elite world for years, and while he often felt the weight of their predatory stares, he could handle it-even when the gaze came from Viktor Petrov, whose icy, focused eyes felt like a winter frost against his skin.

But two weeks ago, the game changed. The Stormbreakers were sinking in the standings. They had the raw, lupine power to win, but their egos and "extracurricular" violence kept them benched. Management wanted a championship, and to get there, they needed a PR miracle. Who better to fix their image than the man who had systematically dismantled it?

Lyon changed into a crisp, storm-blue shirt and dark slacks-the team's colors. He looked sharp, controlled, and untouchable. He'd been called confrontational and intimidating by every man he'd ever dated, but he took those as compliments. They were traits that weeded out the weak.

"Handling the pack is different," he muttered, checking his watch.

He was late. Very late.

When he finally reached the Pacific Ice Arena, Coach Daniel Vargas was waiting. The man was a mountain of a human with salt-and-pepper hair and a gaze that demanded absolute discipline.

"The Alphas are in the executive suite before they hit the ice," Vargas said, his voice a low rumble. "The owner wants you to lay out the PR strategy now. Get everyone howling in sync before the season starts."

Vargas led the way through the labyrinthine corridors of the arena, away from the public eye and into the heart of the territory.

"You want me to face them all at once?" Lyon asked, his pulse quickening. He'd hoped to pick them off one by one, using his charm to negotiate. "You sure that's wise, Coach?"

"What's the matter?" Vargas let out a short, dry laugh. "The fearless Lyon Navarro isn't catching a scent of fear, is he? Good luck, kid. From what I've heard, the boys growling in the locker room, you're going to need it."

Lyon caught his reflection in the trophy case-a blurred image of a man who looked like he shouldn't be crossed. He squared his shoulders. These wolves could snarl all they wanted, but they were in his world now.

He pushed the door open, his head held high. It was time to meet his biggest enemies.